NBA Trade Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Biggest Targets in League
While the eight teams left in the NBA playoffs are fighting it out for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, the other 22 squads are planting seeds to reverse their fortunes in 2015-16. Trade rumors are already rumbling and grumbling throughout the league.
Even though it is just early May, the rumor mills are in full swing. There is a massive crop of free agents set to hit the market highlighted by superstars such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol, but we will be examining the other huge names who could be changing uniforms in the coming months.
Here are the big rumors that have surfaced in the news lately and whether to buy or sell the possibility of each one coming to fruition.
Has Ty Lawson Worn Out His Welcome in Denver?
This is a situation where there's a ton of smoke, so you have to believe there's a fire somewhere.
The 2014-15 campaign was a dumpster fire for the Denver Nuggets, with Lawson steering the ship. He was arrested for a DUI, saw his name kicked around at the trade deadline and was part of the whole "six weeks" fiasco that signaled an inevitable roster overhaul toward the end of the season.
According to The Denver Post's Christopher Dempsey, "during the latter stages of the regular season, word circulated throughout the league that Lawson wanted out of Denver."
Lawson has a team-friendly deal that pays him $26 million over the next two years. Two teams have emerged in Lawson rumors thus far under extremely different circumstances.
The Boston Celtics emerged as a possible Lawson suitor around the deadline, but the steep price of two first-round draft picks drove Isaiah Thomas there instead. Grantland's Zach Lowe still sees a Lawson-Celtics marriage as a strong possibility, since Thomas thrives in the sixth man role and because Boston has roughly half the picks over the next three drafts.
The other team that popped up was the Dallas Mavericks. Big D obviously needs a point guard with the Rajon Rondo experiment exploding before their eyes.
A fan commented on Lawson's Instagram account (NSFW language), noting how well he would potentially fit with the Mavs. Lawson's response was brief but telling.
Verdict: Buy
Lawson should pack his bags now. Even though his value may be low, Denver has no choice but to clean house this offseason, and it unfortunately starts with Lawson. He has worn out his welcome, and it is time for both parties to move on. Both these teams would be good fits, so expect to see more similar rumors linking the point guard with teams like Dallas and Boston.
Is Deron Williams Done in Brooklyn?
This one seems like a foregone conclusion. When you have the general manager and head coach both publicly throwing dirt on you, that tells you just about all you need to know.
Coach Lionel Hollins already declared to ESPN New York's Mike Mazzeo that former All-Star Deron Williams is no longer a franchise player. He still gets paid like one, which makes it difficult for Brooklyn to trade him ($43.3 million over the next two seasons), but GM Billy King has hinted at exactly that.
"We could have done it at the deadline," King said, per Mazzeo. "A couple of them we could have moved at the deadline, and we chose not to. We're going to explore all options, as we have. Will there be a trade? There could be, but I'm not sure. But we're going to look at every option to get better."
Plenty of teams will be in the market for solid veteran point guards this offseason. Brooklyn has already made it very clear that retaining Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young are the top priorities, per Mazzeo, which potentially pushes Williams out of its price range.
Mazzeo also brought up the buyout option.
"Multiple NBA sources have suggested a buyout is more plausible. That way, the two sides would be able to negotiate terms of a buyout agreement -- Williams would presumably have to leave some money on the table -- that would enable both sides to get a fresh start."
Verdict: Sell
The ridiculous contract makes Williams difficult to trade, but the Nets simply have to cut their losses. They have already mortgaged their future due to many win-now trades, but this is an obvious decision they must make.
However, Billy King rarely does what we expect. It's hard to envision anyone ponying up much to land D-Will. He could still be a valuable part of the Nets as long as he gets healthier and is paired with a talented backup to ease the pressure on him.
Do the San Antonio Spurs' Future Plans Exclude Tiago Splitter?
The Spurs are often one of the under-the-radar teams that doesn't make much noise in the offseason. After following up an NBA title with a first-round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, you can bet that this summer might be different.
With LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol on their distant radar, the Spurs will need to clear cap space. The most logical place to do that starts with center Tiago Splitter. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, this is a notion that has gained some steam around the NBA.
"One scenario on the personnel grapevine gaining steam is the notion that the Spurs could elect to explore the possibility of dealing away Tiago Splitter to create more financial flexibility. Splitter has two years left on his contract valued at just under $17 million and is quietly regarded as a key contributor in San Antonio given how well he fits as a frontcourt sidekick next to Duncan. But if you're the Spurs -- and if the increasingly loud rumbles about Aldridge having San Antonio as the preferred destination atop his wish list prove true -- examining Splitter's trade market might suddenly become unavoidable."
Splitter's declining play and hefty salary makes him a prime candidate to be shipped out. San Antonio General Manager R.C. Buford will have his hands full trying to make that happen, but he is one of the best in the business. Don't be surprised if he pulls it off.
Verdict: Buy
Where Aldridge lands is anyone's guess at this point, but the Spurs would be better off without Splitter regardless. At 30 years old, it is upsetting that he hasn't improved over the past few seasons. The fact that Gregg Popovich rolled with Tim Duncan at center so often this year exhibits the declining faith the franchise has in the Brazilian big man.
Justin is a Breaking News Writer at Bleacher Report, covering many different topics. You can follow him on Twitter @Hussington.
