NBA Trade Deadline 2015: Buying or Selling Latest Rumors
Speculation is in the air.
With the NBA's Feb. 19 trade deadline fast approaching, this is when the already rampant rumor mill reaches warp speed, delivering hearsay and conjecture in walloping volume. Our job as faithful spectators is to sift through what's likely and what's unlikely, what's real and what's (probably) not real.
For all intents and purposes, we are detectives straight out of the 1950s, and this space is our era-appropriate magnifying glass.
Rumors we survey will be limited to those that would have the biggest impact. Ergo, the chatter that contains the biggest names. Based off how the gossip in question aligns with the primary subject's goals, we will then deliver a verdict in which we buy or sell what's being peddled.
Isn't this edge-of-your-seat exciting? You bet. So put on your best detective gear—that is to say, your finest pork pie hat and varicolored trench coat.
There are NBA trade rumblings that need contextualizing.
Denver Is Demanding
1 of 7
Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler have been rumor-mill fixtures all season, and nothing has changed—not even the Denver Nuggets' astronomical asking price.
From Grantland's Zach Lowe:
"They’ve been seeking multiple first-round picks for both Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo, talking with obvious contender types like the Blazers and ambulance-chasing with banged-up playoff teams like the Wizards. Snagging two firsts for Timofey Mozgov emboldened the Denver front office to chase big returns, and the rest of the league is waiting for Denver to step back as the deadline approaches.
"
Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post basically corroborates Lowe's findings, reiterating that Chandler and Afflalo continue to be at the nucleus of trade talks. He too cites the Portland Trail Blazers as Chandler's most aggressive suitor, while Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops.com has the Oklahoma City Thunder hot on Afflalo's trail.
Other teams are probably phoning Denver frequently, as well. The Nuggets are stocked with digestible talent and headed nowhere quickly, so they're prime fire-sale candidates ahead of the trade deadline.
Those hoping to shortchange them on their assets can blame the Cleveland Cavaliers for ruining that possibility. Owner Stan Kroenke and general manager Tim Connelly are clearly drunk on first-round picks following the Mozgov trade.
This is the only explanation for them demanding "multiple" first-rounders in exchange for a combo forward who has plateaued statistically (Chandler) and an almost-30 shooting guard who is speeding toward free agency and has seen his offensive efficiency plunge since returning to Denver (Afflalo).
One or more contenders could get desperate or start feeling frisky entering the 11th hour, bending to Denver's requests. More likely, though, the Nuggets will move off their asking price (read: return to planet Earth) or come to grips with retaining both Afflalo and Chandler.
Verdict: Buy Chandler and Afflalo being available; buy Denver's asking price; sell any chance of that asking price being met.
Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried Are Available
2 of 7
Officially, this is not a slideshow dedicated to culling through the Nuggets' superabundance of trade rumors. Unofficially, well, I'd rather not say.
In addition to fielding phone calls for Chandler and Afflalo, the Nuggets have apparently softened up to the idea of trading Ty Lawson or Kenneth Faried. Per Lowe:
"The more interesting questions surround Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried. Denver isn’t shopping those guys, but Jusuf Nurkic is the only true untouchable on the roster, per several league sources who have dealt with the Nuggets. The sense around the league is that you could land Lawson or Faried with a Godfather offer. They are gettable. Boston and Denver have had exploratory talks about Lawson, per several sources.
"
First thing's first: That Nurkic stands as Denver's only untouchable asset is everything. The Nuggets have unkempt faux-hawk fever, and they're hoping you catch it. As for Lawson and Faried, don't expect any deals to get done by Thursday.
Faried's situation is especially complex. He's declined in just about every statistical category that matters, and his skill set is largely outdated as it pertains to power forwards. He neither spaces the floor nor creates his own shot; more than 60 percent of his baskets come off assists, and he's buried the same number of career three-pointers as you have noses.
Signing a four-year, $52 million extension ahead of this season complicates matters even further. It doesn't kick in until 2015-16, at which point Faried will be earning more than $11.2 million, rendering him a problematic cap hit—though that does lend merit to the theory Denver would trade him.
Lawson is the more intriguing option. He's on a manageable deal that spans just two more seasons and is tied for the league lead in assists per game (10.1). Were the Nuggets better, Lawson would have sole possession of first place. He ranks second in assist opportunities per game with 20.3, just ahead of John Wall.
According to Dempsey, though, the Nuggets are intent on keeping Lawson, despite outside interest. This comes as no surprise given that Lawson, while undersized, produces like an All-Star and isn't especially old (27). Ironing out a deal that matches his internal value would be supremely difficult, especially this late in the game.
Verdict: Buy Faried being touchable; sell Lawson's availability.
Enes Kanter Is Frowning
3 of 7
Enes Kanter is singing the blues about the Utah Jazz.
Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune first brought word that Kanter, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, is unhappy with his current role and wants out of Utah. This is both weird and totally expected.
Kanter is averaging career highs in minutes, field-goal attempts, points, rebounds and usage rate. But he's losing playing time to Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, the new mutant on the block. That Trevor Booker is receiving actual burn in the frontcourt (18.1 ticks per game) doesn't help.
While that explains Kanter's unhappiness, his displeasure does not portend a trade. Moving him is tricky. He's a tweener at this point, suited best at the 5 yet incapable of defending rival centers and protecting the rim.
Of the 170 players logging at least 25 minutes per night, Kanter ranks 125th in opponent field-goal percentage at the iron. His developing three-point shot only makes the process of concretely identifying his future role even more difficult.
This is why Falk's colleague, Tony Jones, says the Jazz plan on keeping him. Kanter is a No. 3 pick still on his rookie deal, so his curbed salary becomes a detriment when trying to deal him for an impact player.
At the same time, even in a vacuum where salaries don't matter, Kanter's trade value isn't impressive. He hasn't developed into a star, is due for a new contract this summer and bilked the Jazz of what little leverage they possessed by voicing his ire.
Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com cites the Oklahoma City Thunder as a potential destination, but while Kanter may have one foot out the door, his departure is predicated on the Jazz selling low. That's something they have little reason to do.
Verdict: Sell Utah trading Kanter before the deadline.
The Nets Will Blow Up...Nothing
4 of 7
Months of anticipation and rumors have come to this: the reality that the Brooklyn Nets may do absolutely nothing.
Despite dominating the rumor mill all season, the Nets aren't expected to make any big moves, according to the New York Post's Tim Bontemps. This is in line with Lowe's assertion that Brooklyn remains open to moving Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez but seems "united against dealing just for the sake of dealing."
Williams has two more seasons valued at just under $43.4 million left on his contract; Johnson is on the books for $24.9 million in 2015-16; and Lopez is owed almost $16.8 million next season if he doesn't decide to explore free agency. Moving that kind of financial weight, while also receiving picks and prospects in return, is beyond unlikely.
Not to say it's impossible. The Thunder previously registered interest in Lopez, and the Charlotte Hornets were open to the idea of trading for Johnson, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. Most recently, the Detroit Pistons tried snagging Johnson for Brandon Jennings and expiring contracts, according to ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk.
All the Nets must do is adjust their expectations and deals will materialize. So, in other words, they need to understand financial plasticity is better than the capped-out fate they own now—even if it doesn't include a haul of picks and prospects.
And yet, if they were prepared to accept that, a trade probably would have happened already.
Verdict: Buy Brooklyn not blowing up its pricey core.
Kings Are King-ing
5 of 7
George Karl is officially the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings, who sound like they're the same ol' Sacramento Kings for now.
"We're always active," general manager Pete D'Alessandro said of the trade deadline, per CSN California's Bill Herenda. "Trying to get better."
This unending search to get better has apparently led the Kings to Denver. (Yes, stepping on the toes of previous slides is allowed.)
Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher says the Kings are trying to "reunite" Afflalo with Karl. Afflalo played under Karl for three seasons with the Nuggets, a time when his statistics improved like clockwork every year.
Sacramento, however, doesn't have much to offer if the Nuggets are steadfast in their desire for first-round picks and pots of gold. This year's first-rounder belongs to the Chicago Bulls and is top-10 protected, per RealGM.
If the Kings' selection falls inside the top 10, their obligations to Chicago will carry over to 2015-16, so they won't actually know how soon they can deal another first-rounder until this summer. Still, the interest here isn't shocking.
Aside from Afflalo being familiar with Karl's systematic ideals, the Kings need help on the wing. Rudy Gay remains productive and Ben McLemore is gradually finding his touch, but Nik Stauskas doesn't yet resemble an NBA player and Omri Casspi is Omri Casspi.
Acquiring Afflalo now gives Sacramento the edge in re-signing him this summer, all while helping revitalize an offense that has been truly bad (24th in efficiency) since Mike Malone's departure.
Verdict: Buy the Kings being the Kings.
David West Is on the Chopping Block
6 of 7
The Indiana Pacers are one of those teams that's difficult to get a hold on.
They're 12 games under .500 but only two back of a playoff spot. They could go either way as the trade deadline nears, taking the market by storm as a buyer or seller.
One such way includes unloading David West. Lowe reports that West has been available "off and on" for a first-round pick this season, with teams like the Toronto Raptors registering interest.
Now on the wrong side of 34 and owed $12 million next season, moving West would help the Pacers gain financial flexibility and valuable assets for a player who won't be around much longer anyway. But their proximity to the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, along with Paul George's potential March return, makes it unlikely anything gets done.
After all, the Pacers' current state does not reflect their imminent plans. Next season, if not this one, they'll be expected to make a legitimate playoff push. West remains valuable in light of what they're trying to do, as Indy Cornrows' C. Cooper underscores:
"David West has long been the Indiana Pacers' security blanket. Need a strong voice in the locker room? West is there. Need someone to cling to when the East's top seed is on the brink of elimination in Atlanta? West is there. Need to make one move in free agency that will fundamentally change everything for a franchise? West was, and continues to be, there.
"
Toeing along that line, Marc Stein of ESPN.com delivered the coup de grace on this brand of scuttlebutt, revealing that Indiana wouldn't pursue West trades unless he asks to get out.
And that isn't happening.
Verdict: Sell West's availability.
Goran Dragic Is Not Readily Available
7 of 7
Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic informed the team he wouldn't be re-signing with them, prompting the team's brass to explore trades once again, according to USA Today's Sam Amick.
At least six suitors are making a play for Dragic now, per Wojnaronowski, Stein and his colleague Ramona Shelburne. The New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Lakers top Dragic's list of preferred destinations, while the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and Kings remain in play as well.
Keeping Dragic is also still an option for Phoenix, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. The Suns believe a five-year offer in free agency may change his present tune.
Yet retaining Dragic now won't stop him from reaching free agency in the first place. And when he gets there, other teams will be waiting, prepared to tender lucrative contract offers. Stein even has the Los Angeles Lakers throwing him a max deal.
If the Suns hand Dragic max-level money, they'll have more than $30 million committed to the point guard position. That's assuming they move Isaiah Thomas ahead of the deadline.
Why funnel so much cash into the league's deepest position? And why do so for a backcourt duo (Eric Bledsoe-Dragic) that hasn't yet led Phoenix to a playoff berth?
Those are questions the Suns still need to be asking ahead of the trade deadline, irrespective of what their preferences are now.
Verdict: Buy the Suns wanting to keep Dragic; sell the idea that this situation is even close to sorted out.
Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and NBA.com and are accurate leading into the All-Star break. Salary information via HoopsHype.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
