NBA Trade Rumors: Breaking Down Post-Deadline Buzz and More
Think the NBA trade deadline shuts down the rumor mill?
Think again.
All the deadline does from a buzz standpoint is create more possibilities on the buyout market and further throw the impending free-agency situation this offseason into flux.
That, and it's sure fun to read about which teams whiffed at the deadline like Michael Jordan in the batter's box.
The NBA is back in full force, but understand that the ripple effects of one of the most active deadlines in recent memory stretch beyond just the second half of this season.
JaVale McGee's Future in Philadelphia
So JaVale McGee is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
For those who missed one of the quieter deals of the deadline, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports has the details:
"Denver has agreed to send JaVale McGee to Philadelphia, along with a first-round pick via OKC, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2015"
The entire rest of this blurb could attempt to figure out what in the world the 76ers are doing at this point, but instead let's dial in on McGee and the team's relationship.
The center is 27 years old and averages just 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 11.5 minutes per game.
Despite his lack of production and a cap hit of $12 million next season, per Spotrac, both sides do not seem interested in a buyout, per Wojnarowski:
McGee is an afterthought.
The 76ers wanted another first-round pick and got it by taking on his contract. Why the front office would not want out of his contract while it grooms a very young roster for the future is difficult to discern.
Alas, keep an eye on the 76ers. Well, the globe will given their seemingly silly behavior as of late, but more so because McGee's situation and fit on a rebuilding, impressionable roster is one of the odder things in the league at the moment.
The Aftermath of the Reggie Jackson War
Reggie Jackson was not a popular man in Oklahoma City.
He and his representatives failed to work out a contract extension recently, which led to his requesting a trade, per Wojnarowski.
One only needs to view quotes by teammate Kevin Durant for a bit of perspective on the matter, via Royce Young of ESPN.com:
It shocked all of nobody that Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the Thunder shipped Jackson to the Detroit Pistons in what was the major facet of a trade involving multiple teams and players.
More interesting than Oklahoma City's amazing deadline work that scored the roster more youth, upside, championship-caliber rotational pieces and cap space is the other team that missed out big-time on Jackson's services.
The Indiana Pacers.
Wojnarowski shares the details:
The Pacers were the odd team out by the time the deadline passed.
It's a tough blow for a 21-win team on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff picture, especially considering Jackson would have been a starter for the Pacers right away.
ESPN Stats & Info rubs a bit of salt in that particular wound:
In theory, Jackson would have provided an upgrade over George Hill (14.1 points, 3.8 assists per game) at point guard and possibly paired with a returning Paul George to help make a late playoff push.
That is but an afterthought now. If George comes back, the team will still hope to make a push for the postseason, but the "what could have been" narratives will overshadow the Pacers from this point on—playoff berth or not.
The Goran Dragic Saga is Far From Over
Please don't buy into talk that Goran Dragic's move to the Miami Heat Thursday puts an end to seeing his name in the headlines.
This is the NBA, where the "what ifs" of each impending free agency reign supreme no matter what.
Dragic joined the Heat after an ugly falling-out with the Phoenix Suns, a good team to land in since Wojnarowski suggests it was one of only three clubs he would prefer to ink an extension with right now.
While he figures to form something of a new-look "Big Three" with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, even that and the fact that Miami was one of three preferred destinations does not mean Dragic won't dip his toes into the free-agency market.
According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Lakers "expressed a ton of interest" in Dragic, who still views the team as a possibility this offseason:
"A person familiar with Dragic’s thinking said he “loves the opportunity” to join the Lakers and sees them as a “perfect fit” when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. But the Heat can sign Dragic a five-year deal worth up to $100 million, while other teams can offer up to a four-year deal worth $80 million.
"
Be realistic—the Lakers are never out of the running for a high-profile free agent.
Dragic seems happy in his new locale, but if the guard isn't strictly about the digits after a dollar sign, he could treat the second half of this season as a test run before truly weighing his options on the open market.
The Heat have a strong shot at the playoffs with Dragic on board, although the lineup will need to stay healthy.
If not, it sounds as if Dragic would have few qualms about moving West to help a rebuilding juggernaut that will have a pair of top-10 draft selections on board and more sway and cap space to lure big names to town.
It's nothing compared to The Decision and its sequel, but the Dragic saga is around for the long haul.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
