NBA Trade Rumors: Analyzing Latest Reports Before Start of 2015 NBA Draft
Thursday, the landscape of the league changes with the start of the 2015 NBA draft.
Of course, it already has in some ways. The Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off the loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, just lost Kevin Love, who opted out of his contract, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
The wild part? That was just the opening salvo.
Whether it's predraft deals by teams to create cap space or to get better positioning in the draft order, or trades during the draft for similar purposes, things are about to get hectic around the Association.
For a taste of what's to come, let's take a look at the latest rumblings below.
Warriors Looking for Cash
What's a defending champion to do when the roster, most of which will stay intact, hits the offseason?
Gain money and move assets that no longer fit with the plan, of course.
According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, the Warriors would like to move big man David Lee and are willing to throw a draft pick in to sweeten the pot: "The Warriors are trawling for someone to take David Lee, with the 30th pick as a potential sweetener, per sources around the league."
This isn't a shocker, as Lee's name seems to be a veteran of the block at this point. He averaged just 18.4 minutes per game last year as the Warriors moved to more of a small-ball lineup (which blew the Cavaliers off the court, by the way), down from his average of at least 33 minutes per game dating back to 2008.
Lowe does note, though, that the Warriors have limits when it comes to their pursuits of space and dumping Lee:
"The Warriors almost certainly won’t sacrifice two picks for that financial relief, per league sources. They are raking in money, and they appear willing to absorb a moderate tax hit — the kind they would face if they were to buy Lee out or trade him for a player earning less money. The Warriors earned about $15 million in basketball-only activities last season, per a memo obtained by Grantland, and they should blow that away when this season’s numbers come in.
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It's all about the future for the Warriors, a front office now needing to worry about Draymond Green's contract and eventually Klay Thompson's, before another for Stephen Curry.
For a team winning big because of its smooth acquisitions of Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut at cost-effective prices, though, there's no reason to think the Warriors will find themselves in cash trouble by the start of next season.
Charlotte Making Cody Zeller Available
Did anyone think the Charlotte Hornets dumping Lance Stephenson was the end?
Charlotte wants to be able to shoot the ball better from anywhere on the floor, a point emphasized by the fact that the team seems willing to dangle a former No. 4 selection on the trade block.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski shares the details:
Cody Zeller saw an uptick in playing time last year in his second season, but he still averaged just 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He's not a distance shooter by any means, so it makes sense the team would look to move him in favor of one.
With Zeller counting for just $4.2 million in base salary next season, per Spotrac.com, and just 22 years old, it seems there will be plenty of interest from around the league provided the Hornets aren't asking for a limb in the transaction.
Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky is the name the report throws out, which shows the route the Hornets would like to go next season. Not only was the star big man a four-year player, but he averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds last season while shooting 55 percent from the floor and 42 percent from deep.
A blueprint in place, the Hornets just need to find a dance partner.
Mason Plumlee's Market
It seems the Brooklyn Nets are going all-in around the idea that 25-year-old center Mason Plumlee can land them a hot-ticket item on the trade block.
Plumlee's a regular on the block by now after a few months of rumblings. He's young, but he averaged just 8.7 points and 6.2 boards last year and collapsed down the stretch and into the postseason.
According to Stein, the front office in Brooklyn will move on from the big man if the price is right:
Said price is quite high.
It's all too easy to scoff at the idea. After all, the strength of the 2015 draft class comes in its depth underneath the basket, headlined by Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis and much more.
Then again, there's an allure to Plumlee given his pro experience and upside, which remains quite high. Brooklyn's willing to put him out there because the roster still touts Brook Lopez and others. With Plumlee out there, it takes one team during the draft to miss out on a prospect it wanted and give the Nets a call. It seems unlikely, but keep an eye out just in case—crazier things have happened.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
