NBA Rumors: Analyzing Latest Buzz on Marc Gasol, Goran Dragic and More
Like American Pharoah down the stretch, good luck keeping up with the NBA rumor mill this time of year.
"This time of year" as in, the NBA Draft Combine rests in the past, as do the NBA Finals, and teams are now hard at work scouting prospects and lining up potential moves to improve rosters—or at least pretending to do so in a fit of smoke to confuse other teams.
If it sounds overwhelming, it's because it is, especially with major names like Goran Dragic headed to free agency after the draft.
Good news—there's a way to keep up with the never-ending tide of information. Below, let's do just that by taking a look at the freshest rumblings off the mill.
Cavaliers on the Block
This shouldn't come as a surprise—the Cleveland Cavaliers want to improve depth after getting run ragged in the Finals against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
With Kevin Love out of the picture and Kyrie Irving irritating a knee injury one game into the series, LeBron James put up an MVP-worthy performance, but he didn't have enough in the tank to counter a fresh, fast-paced Warriors lineup.
Part of the issue came via depth at point guard, where backup Matthew Dellavedova put up one memorable performance to help the Cavaliers win Game 3, but then he hit the hospital with cramps and was never the same, as the team dropped the next three games.
To remedy the situation, it sounds like the Cavaliers are offering multiple assets, as ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst points out: "Days after the end of the Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers are working on upgrading their roster by shopping the potentially valuable contract of Brendan Haywood, and—in some cases—offering it along with the 24th overall pick in Thursday's draft, sources told ESPN.com."
At 35 years old after averaging 5.4 minutes per game last season, Brendan Haywood doesn't offer teams quite a lot outside of emergency depth, although it's important to keep in mind teams may like his cap hit north of $10 million next year, per Spotrac, which is an expiring.
One of the weak links in the depth department exposed, it seems the Cavaliers are quite serious about fixing the issue, even going so far as to add a draft pick to the deal. It's something worth watching.
Marc Gasol's Future
Perhaps one of the most under-appreciated names ready to hit the market, Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol offers enough to push a contender over the edge or kick a rebuild into high gear.
Now 30 years old, Gasol just posted a career-high 17.4 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks with a player efficiency rating of 21.73 at ESPN.com.
The Grizzlies know all this, of course, and Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski notes in a blurb about Jeff Green that Gasol hasn't made an official decision, although the word "expected" sticks out:
"The Grizzlies will have a full training camp to incorporate Green into their system, with the franchise’s full attention turning to the re-signing of first-team All-NBA center Marc Gasol in July free agency. Gasol is expected to stay with the Grizzlies, but no final decision has been made, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
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It would be easier to name a team without potential interest in the veteran big man.
While it's never sounded like he would want to follow in the footsteps of another big man with the same last name and move on to a bigger city such as Los Angeles to suit up for the Lakers (or maybe head east and play for the New York Knicks), crazier things have happened. And there must be an allure to the big city and dollars.
The Grizzlies can't afford to lose Gasol and lean on Kosta Koufos, so most signs point to the team doing whatever it takes to keep him on board. Again, though, it's a situation to watch with nothing yet cemented.
Miami's Goran Dragic Dilemma
When the Miami Heat made the move for Goran Dragic, most expected the point guard to stick around, although admitting he would dip his toes into the free-agent market to see what's out there.
As expected, it sounds like the Heat will go all-in to keep Dragic around.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein offers the details: "Sources told ESPN.com that the Heat are planning to offer Dragic a five-year deal in excess of $80 million to keep him in Miami after acquiring the 2014 All-NBA third-team selection from Phoenix on trade deadline day in February."
Just 29 years old, the Heat received a taste of what Dragic can do with a depleted lineup around him over 26 games last season, as he averaged 16.6 points and 5.3 assists.
In theory, Dragic can do nothing short of improve when the Heat are healthy next year, as he'll have Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh to work with most nights. It sounds like an easy ticket to the playoffs in the iffy Eastern Conference if it all goes according to plan.
The first step in the plan, though, is keeping Dragic around. Plenty of teams will have an interest and offer the world and then some to the star guard, so it only makes sense for the Heat to dangle the max out there to make things work.
It may not be The Decision or anything close to it, but Dragic does present one of the offseason's more interesting situations.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
