NBA Trade Rumors: Final Outlook on Post-Draft Reports
The NBA draft may be over, but the offseason is just beginning.
While rookies get acclimated to their new surroundings and hone their games in preparation for highly anticipated debut seasons, teams across the league are still searching for ways to clear cap space and acquire top-tier talent with free agency on the way.
Using Thursday's draft-related proceedings to lay a foundation for what's to come, here's a breakdown of the latest trade rumblings from across the Association.
Pacers Looking to Deal Hibbert
The Indiana Pacers picked up their center of the future when they selected Myles Turner at No. 11 overall Thursday night, which means Roy Hibbert's days with the franchise may be numbered.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Indiana is exploring trade possibilities revolving around Hibbert, who just recently opted into the final year of his deal at $15.5 million:
Given the direction Indiana has publicly stated it wants to move in stylistically and tactically, this is hardly earth-shattering news.
Ever since the season ended, the Pacers have been adamant about their desire to play faster and smaller, even if it means shrinking Hibbert's responsibilities.
"We'll have to see how it all plays out and what the roster ultimately looks like, but there's a possibility that Roy's role will be diminished, if we're trying to play faster and trying to play smaller," head coach Frank Vogel said, according to the Indianapolis Star's Candace Buckner. "But a lot of stuff is going to happen this summer. We'll see how the roster shapes out coming into next season."
Hibbert's expiring deal will make him slightly more appealing on the open market, but teams figure to be hesitant to part with any significant assets for a one-year rental before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Love Sign-and-Trade a Possibility?
Kevin Love officially opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and rumors continue to swirl around the decision he'll make when free agency opens in July.
At this early juncture, don't rule out the possibility of a sign-and-trade.
"[Cavaliers general manager David] Griffin has repeatedly said the Cavs plan to keep Love, but plugged-in executives around the league continue to predict the Cavs will sign-and-trade Love after advancing so far without him," Grantland's Zach Lowe wrote.
But during Griffin's post-draft press conference, he reiterated the team is committed to re-signing Love and retaining his services next season, according to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin:
If Cleveland is successful in re-signing Love, doing so on a one-year deal with a player option for 2016-17 would make the most sense for the stretch 4. Inking a long-term extension would cap Love's earning potential, and with salary-cap figures expected to jump into the $80-90 million range come 2016, it's in his best interest to be patient.
Projecting which teams could chase Love in a sign-and-trade isn't possible just yet, but prior to the draft, Stein reported the Houston Rockets were looking for ways to clear cap space in order to make a run at the 26-year-old.
DeMarcus Cousins Staying Put?
The Sacramento Kings were reportedly "leaning toward not trading Cousins," prior to the NBA draft, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina, and that proved to be a spot-on assessment.
And according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive wasn't exactly fond of head coach George Karl's efforts to try to find a taker for DeMarcus Cousins:
"Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has considered firing George Karl, who was hired as coach four months ago to help turn around the struggling franchise.
Ranadive's displeasure with Karl stems from the coach's desire to trade All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
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Tension may still be lingering between Karl and the team's front office, but Kings vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac expressed optimism regarding Cousins' long-term future in Sacramento following the draft, according to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones:
For now, Cousins appears to be staying put, even after the Kings and Los Angeles Lakers reportedly discussed the framework of a potential deal Wednesday evening.
But if the Kings' history of dysfunction has taught us anything, it's that this saga may be far from over—particularly if Karl holds firm regarding his desire to see Cousins shipped out of town.
