NBA Rumors: Hottest Info on Goran Dragic and Other Trade Buzz
The Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic is easily the hottest name as the NBA trade deadline approaches. Per Sam Amick of USA Today, Dragic notified the Suns that he would not be re-signing with the team at the end of the season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
That declaration has opened the floodgates for trade rumors surrounding the All-NBA performer.
Apparently, only teams that Dragic is willing to sign with after the season need apply—unless a team is willing to rent his services for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Based on that concept, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski says there is a short list of teams Dragic would like to be traded to:
Obviously, Dragic has an eye on the future with those three squads. The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat are not contenders this season. The Heat are likely a playoff team and would be even better with Dragic, but they are still not on par with the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Dragic's rumored interest in those teams also implies his interest in playing in a major market. It doesn't get much bigger than New York, L.A. and Miami when it comes to high-profile NBA cities. The fact that all three have a strong need for a point guard only makes a potential move seem like a real possibility.
Would Dragic consider re-signing with a team that isn't ranked quite as high on the NBA hype list? The Sacramento Kings hope so.
Per Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears, the Kings are very interested in Dragic:
There's no question there is an intriguing nucleus in place in Sacramento. DeMarcus Cousins is one of the best young players in the NBA, and Rudy Gay is a high-scoring wing. A floor general with the ability to score like Dragic could be the missing piece.
That said, the Kings have a losing tradition and questionable chemistry. The recent hiring of George Karl as head coach, according to The Associated Press (via ESPN.com), could add some stability, but it seems far-fetched that the Kings would be able to make a better pitch than the Knicks, Lakers or Heat.
On the season, Dragic is averaging 16.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. He has been splitting time with Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas in a crowded Suns backcourt. That could have a lot to do with his desire to play elsewhere.
Sixers Ready to Deal?
Aside from Phoenix, the Philadelphia 76ers might have the most attractive trade pieces in the NBA. Per Tom Moore of The Philadelphia Intelligencer, talks for some of the 76ers' assets could be picking up.
Moore writes:
"The Sixer player with the best chance of being dealt could be forward Luc Mbah a Moute. Mbah a Moute, 28, is having a career year and wouldn’t mind playing for a winner. He is earning $4.4 million in the final season of his deal and probably would rather not play fewer minutes for less money, which could be the case with the Sixers in 2015-16.
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Luc Mbah a Moute is averaging 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds for the struggling 76ers, but his defensive prowess and motor could make him an attractive reserve for a contending team.
There's also a possibility that 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams could be dealt, per Moore. However, potential suitors would have to be ready to pay the 76ers' potentially high asking price.
MCW has slightly regressed based on his stats from last season. His points per game (16.7 to 15.0), shooting from the field (40 to 38), free-throw line (70 to 64) and beyond the arc (26 to 25) are down. Also, his turnovers per game are up from 3.5 to 4.2.
Still, he's an athletic, 6'5" 23-year-old point guard with tremendous upside. You can bet there will be significant interest. We'll have to see if any serious deal materializes by 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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