NBA Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Potential Tiago Splitter Trade and More

As some teams delve deeper and deeper into their offseason plans, we are beginning to hear the whispers across the NBA that stars and impending free agents are appearing on some wishlists. Finally, two big-time names in Tiago Splitter and LaMarcus Aldridge fit the bill.

Coming off a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, the San Antonio Spurs may be looking to make a splash this offseason. 

The Spurs may try to lure Aldridge back to his native state in Texas or bring in prized big man Marc Gasol, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, and to do so, they may dangle Splitter. Stein elaborated: 

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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.

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Splitter has two years and about $17 million remaining on his current deal, and the Spurs' 2013-14 championship run proved how valuable a frontcourt contributor he can be on a contending club. Shedding that amount of salary-cap space gives the team an array of options in the free-agent pool with either Aldridge or Gasol, or even offering Kawhi Leonard a max deal.

This is quite uncharacteristic for the Spurs, who are usually quiet when it comes to opening their wallets in free agency. Perhaps the front office realizes that the clock is ticking on Tim Duncan's Hall of Fame career, as well as the window of the team's Big Three with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Aldridge is a force from the power forward position and instantly bolsters the Spurs' frontcourt offensive output—as does the addition of Gasol, who allows Duncan to slide back over to forward. Gasol is also a defensive presence, which goes along with San Antonio's main philosophies. 

Celtics Eyeing a Pair of Trail Blazers

One of the prizes of this summer's free agents is Aldridge, who reportedly grew a bit frustrated in Portland after the team's first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs.

Aldridge was widely considered a lock to remain in the Pacific Northwest prior to the postseason, and apparently you can add the Boston Celtics to the ever-expanding list of NBA teams expected to court the forward this free-agency period.

Per CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely (h/t MassLive.com's Jay King), the Celtics could be in the mix to chase after both Aldridge and current teammate Wesley Matthews. The report states the team is contemplating making the Blazers an offer for the two.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

"My understanding is the Celtics are going to be open to putting together some type of package deal where they would not only bring in LaMarcus Aldridge, they'd bring in one of his good friends by the name of Wes Matthews," Blakely said on an episode of Celtics Talk TV.

"Now, if you're the Celtics and you can put together a deal to get those two guys in town, you've gotta do it."

If first-round playoff exits is what has convinced Aldridge to pursue other options this offseason, then perhaps the Celtics need to sell him on the fact they're a young, improving team. Otherwise, Aldridge may be more tempted by the likes of perennial playoff contenders such as the Mavericks, the Spurs or even the Cavaliers.

Though Boston reached the playoffs with its young nucleus of talent, it's less likely the team is primed for a Finals run so long as Derrick Rose is in Chicago and LeBron James remains in Cleveland. 

From a basketball standpoint, it's been tricky as well. The Celtics have Jared Sullinger in place and are likely set to part ways with Brandon Bass. The question is if the team wants to allow Sullinger to fall on the depth chart. Aldridge is the superior talent, but the team has invested in Sullinger, the former first-round selection.

Thibodeau Top Target for Pels?

Within minutes of the announcement that the New Orleans Pelicans had fired coach Monty Williams, a candidate to replace him surfaced to the forefront. That man: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau remains employed at the moment, as his team is battling LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Should Chicago's front office decide to sever ties with the coach if the team bows out of the playoffs too early, David Aldridge of NBA.com expects believes Thibodeau is "a clear and obvious" candidate in New Orleans.

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But if the Bulls indeed get rid of Tom Thibodeau after the playoffs, he's a clear and obvious candidate to coach Anthony Davis & Pels.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) May 12, 2015"

The connection between the Pelicans and Thibodeau was validated by CBS Sports' Ken Berger, who reported the tension between the Bulls and their head coach may lead to a change whenever this season comes to an end.

"...Speculation among rival teams and coaching industry sources immediately turned to a head coach who is still employed: the Bulls' Tom Thibodeau, who was a candidate for the New Orleans job when the team hired Williams," Berger wrote.

Thibodeau was a candidate for the Pelicans gig before the team went with Williams. Now with Anthony Davis as the center of attention, the head coaching vacancy is among the most—if not the most—attractive jobs in the NBA.

Thibodeau and his reputation for defense completely transformed the Bulls and has led the team to five consecutive playoff appearances. Many of those came without Rose, too.

In New Orleans, Anthony is a defensive coach's dream come true. Along with Jrue Holiday, Quincy Pondexter and Tyreke Evans, there is a solid core of players that Thibodeau can compete with. 

It's easy to understand why New Orleans would be so high on Thibodeau should he become available after the Bulls' season ends. The No. 8 seed in the West this past season, the Pelicans suddenly make the conference even more competitive.