NBA Rumors: Trade Buzz from Around League as Deadline Approaches
While NBA fans and players enjoy All-Star Weekend, front offices across the league are busy trying to find where their next roster upgrades will come from as Thursday’s trade deadline approaches.
There are plenty of trade candidates around the Association with a number of potential sellers already realistically eliminated from competition in what can only be described as a wide-open title race.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest trade buzz before the impending deadline.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com passed along an update on the Cleveland Cavaliers:
"In recent days, the Cavs have engaged several teams looking for a backup point guard in an attempt to upgrade from the limited Matthew Dellavedova.
They've been offering around Brendan Haywood, who has a unique contract that could make him a trade asset next summer because he has a $10 million non-guaranteed deal perfect for flipping. One player they've targeted is the Denver Nuggets' veteran, Jameer Nelson, who has already been traded twice this season.
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While it is never wise to draw too many conclusions from a single regular-season game, Cleveland’s 113-98 loss to a fellow Eastern Conference competitor in the Chicago Bulls wasn’t the way the Cavs wanted to go into the All-Star break. The fact that Derrick Rose completely had his way with Cleveland’s point guards had to at least be somewhat concerning.
Rose ended up with 30 points and seven assists, and Cleveland never really offered much resistance on the defensive end.
The targeting of Jameer Nelson as a potential backup to Kyrie Irving is intriguing because Nelson has plenty of postseason experience. Outside of LeBron James, none of Cleveland’s main contributors have that on their resumes, and Irving and Kevin Love have never even been to the playoffs.
Perhaps adding someone such as Nelson could help Cleveland slow down opposing point guard stars such as Rose in critical postseason possessions, because the defense on display Thursday night isn’t going to cut it in May and June.
Miami Heat
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald noted that the Miami Heat could also be in the market for a point guard: “Oklahoma City impending restricted free agent Reggie Jackson also intrigues the Heat.”
Reggie Jackson is one of the more interesting trade candidates as the deadline approaches because he could theoretically be a breakout candidate if he ever got out from underneath Russell Westbrook’s extensive shadow. He is averaging an impressive 12.8 points and 4.2 assists in only 28 minutes a night and could bolster Miami’s offense, which is 28th in the league in points per game.
Point guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole are both shooting under 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range and don’t inspire much confidence as reliable scorers in the Heat offense.
Jackson could theoretically thrive alongside Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside as someone who could create shots for himself and others with electrifying athleticism and impressive ball-handling skills in the open floor.
Jackson could blow past defenders and force help to collapse in the paint, which would open up his surrounding teammates. First, Miami has to pull the trigger at the trade deadline for that scenario to happen. Otherwise, it is still stuck with Chalmers and Cole setting the table during the push for the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings
Sean Deveney of Sporting News pointed out that the Sacramento Kings could be a team to watch at the deadline:
"Now that new coach George Karl is in place in Sacramento, sources told Sporting News this week that the Kings have stepped up their focus on re-arranging the roster in order to bring in the type of athletic, versatile players that suit Karl’s aggressive and up-tempo style of play.
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Any moves would clearly be with an eye toward the future considering the Kings are realistically out of the playoff race this season in the daunting Western Conference.
One general manager said in a quote to Deveney: “They have been as active as anyone. Obviously they want to make a lot of changes, and they’re pushing hard to get something done.”
Deveney mentioned that the Kings are trying to unload some combination of Jason Thompson, Derrick Williams and Nik Stauskas with the hopes of surrounding superstar DeMarcus Cousins with outside shooting and a stretch forward. Sacramento is dead last in the league this season in made three-pointers and needs better surrounding pieces to take away double-team threats down low.
Regardless of whether the Kings do make a move at the deadline, expect them to look much different by the start of next season after George Karl has an entire offseason to mold the roster to his liking. It will take a lot to compete in the Western Conference, especially right away, but there is already one All-Star in place in Cousins.
The right couple of moves could propel this team back into postseason discussions sooner than many expected.
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