NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing Goran Dragic Rumblings and Deadline's Hottest Buzz
Arguably more entertaining than the first half of the season that preceded it, Thursday's NBA trade deadline is something to gather around and monitor each step of the way.
Want veterans to change hands and compete for titles or return home? The deadline has that. Want to see a team sell off every single thing of value? The deadline has that. Want to see contenders and pretenders go crazy over a player who will hit free agency this offseason anyway? The dead—well, yes.
The dash to the deadline is always more entertaining than the results although this year admittedly seems more prone to major moves than in recent years.
Remember—everything is subject to change, surprises and disappointments will still happen, and there is no quick fix for bottom-feeders such as the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Yes, this one has a different feel to it.
Kevin Garnett's Final Destination?
Almost 20 years ago, Kevin Garnett began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Now, he may end it there.
According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, the veteran forward is open to a return to Minnesota:
This comes on the heels of a revelation from Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski that Garnett is not interested in the buyout option.
It would be a poetic turn of events for Garnett, who currently spends his days wasting away with the lowly Brooklyn Nets and averaging 6.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.3 blocks on 20.3 minutes per night.
Garnett is not someone who enjoys change, hence his no-trade clause in his current contract, but there at least appears to be the framework of a deal in place, per ESPN's Marc Stein:
Minnesota could use some more fire and a veteran presence to help along a roster that continues to get younger—not to mention help attendance for the second half of this season.
As seems always the case, the ball is in Garnett's court.
The Denver Fire Sale
Denver seems willing to unload anything and everything if it means plenty of draft picks to help secure the future.
Seemingly taking a page out of the Philadelphia 76ers' book after landing plenty of draft choices in exchange for the departure of Timofey Mozgov, the Nuggets had Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler on the block for a steep asking price, per Stein:
Earlier, Stein pegged the Portland Trail Blazers as the favorite for Afflalo:
Stein hit the nail on the head, too, as hours before the deadline, the Nuggets cashed in on their demands, as Wojnarowski illustrates:
The steep price for Afflalo makes sense. At just 29 years old, he is a cheap option due to his $7.5 million cap hit next year, per Spotrac, which any team that traded for him figures to get out of thanks to it being a player option. Given his age, Afflalo surely wants one last chance to score a major deal on the open market next offseason.
Chandler is actually in the same price range next season before he hits free agency. He's also two years younger and on 31.7 minutes per night averages 13.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He can be a strong rotational piece for a team that hopes to make the postseason.
Denver does not seem the most desperate of sellers, but if the price is right, the front office will surely pull the trigger.
The Pursuit of Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic is the biggest name on the block at this point, a situation he placed himself in after giving the front office an ultimatum and publicly stating that he wants out.
"I don't trust them anymore," Dragic said, per Paul Coro of AZCentral.com. "It happens too many times. Two, three times.
This obviously started a whirlwind of rumors surrounding the point guard, who averages 16.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds and is a free agent this offseason.
According to Wojnarowski, Dragic only has three places in mind that would entice him to sign an extension after a trade:
Two of the three appear to be all over it.
ESPN's Chris Broussard provides the details:
Many view the New York Knicks as a team with little to surrender via trade, but remember that the front office wants to rid itself of 33-year-old guard Jose Calderon, who averages just 9.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
Tim Hardaway Jr. makes the potential deal a tad more appealing. He brings tremendous upside to the table at 22 years old, is cheap and posts 11.1 points, 1.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds on 23.2 minutes per game.
As for the Miami Heat, a pair of first-round selections is a huge offer given the team's situation. That assures a playoff spot this year, sure, but robs the team of two promising young players to help insure the future as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh age.
The wild part is, this is just the opening salvos of a bidding war that is sure to stretch on until the Suns secure the best possible deal.
Let the waiting game begin.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
