NBA Rumors: Highlighting Latest Buzz on DeMarcus Cousins, Roy Hibbert and More
When it comes to the post-draft NBA rumor mill, nothing seems off-limits.
At a glance, there are trade rumors about key role players, restricted free agents and offer sheets galore and even a big name such as DeMarcus Cousins entering the fray, for better or worse.
It makes sense considering each front office around the league now understands how things shape up with rookies in place. The next natural step requires each organization to put itself in a prime position before free agency opens on July 1.
Let's just say every team is hard at work making the necessary calls and moves to get there. Here's the latest.
Pacers Talking Trades
The Indiana Pacers are in a bit of an odd situation right now as the front office tries to walk the present-future tightrope.
David West won't be back with the team after opting out of his contract, but it seems Roy Hibbert will be after not following West's lead.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Pacers want to move him anyway:
It's not hard to see why the Pacers want to move the Georgetown product.
For one, he averaged just 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year. His points-per-game total has decreased for three consecutive years.
Per Spotrac, Hibbert's opting in creates a cap hit north of $15 million next season.
Even if the front office does not have plans to pursue a big-name free agent on the open market, it's too much cash to dish to a struggling player, especially after the team just went out and grabbed Texas center Myles Turner in the draft.
Whether a team is willing to take Hibbert and his large chunk of salary is one of the more interesting storylines of the moment.
Orlando's Tobias Harris Dilemma
One of the quietest realities of the offseason lost in the hype of bigger names is the fact the Orlando Magic clutch one of the league's brightest young players.
This refers to 22-year-old Tobias Harris, a Tennessee product who continues to improve by the season. Last year, he averaged 17.1 points, 1.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
Harris is a restricted free agent, but Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders hears the Magic might let him go:
A team in need such as the Boston Celtics would be wise to pay attention.
Talents such as Harris don't come around often. Throw him in a better lineup than the developing one in Orlando, and the sky might just be the limit.
For the Magic, letting Harris walk instead of forking over major cash to match an offer sheet became easier thanks to the draft, where the team landed one of the best scorers in the class with Mario Hezonja out of Croatia.
In fact, it almost makes it seem like the Magic prepared for this moment all along.
Behind the scenes, a mini bidding war may unfold for the right to reel in Harris, so it's an underrated element worth watching. The young forward isn't close to his ceiling just yet, which is something teams are sure to understand when prepping offers.
More Drama in Sacramento
By now, folks know all about the rumblings surrounding Cousins, one of the league's best big men.
Cousins, just 24 years old, remains the hottest topic on the trade market, with Sacramento Kings coach George Karl perhaps wanting to move the young star and start fresh.
It's not a popular move with many, including the team's owner. ESPN.com's Chris Broussard shares the details:
"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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It's interesting that there might be a power struggle going on in Sacramento already. The franchise will need to have everyone on the same page in order to turn things around.
Both sides of the trade-Cousins coin make sense, though. Many will laugh at trading the former Kentucky star considering he just averaged 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on a 25.29 player efficiency rating, per ESPN.com—the scariest part perhaps being the fact he might not be at his ceiling just yet.
But trading Cousins now does make some sense. Controversy around Cousins isn't new, and those same numbers would fetch a huge haul on the trade market, allowing the Kings to roll with rookie Willie Cauley-Stein at center and upgrading several other positions in one swoop—all while saving on the gigantic cash Cousins is sure to demand.
See why the debate is enough to divide folks even on the same team? Suffice it to say, the Kings are the team to watch in the coming weeks.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
