NBA Trade Rumors: Breaking Down Buzz on DeMarcus Cousins, Roy Hibbert and More
The trade buzz on big men is real right now in the NBA. A lot of high-profile free agents will hit the open market July 1, but a number of players under contract could be on the move.
Persistent whispers about Sacramento Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins going to the Los Angeles Lakers haven't died down even after the draft. Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert isn't necessarily immune to being on the block either, and the San Antonio Spurs may have to deal Tiago Splitter.
Read on to find out the specifics on these marquee frontcourt names and analysis as to what the rumors might mean for their futures.
Lakers Willing to Include D'Angelo Russell in Cousins Trade?
Mark Heisler of Forbes.com reports that Russell is a potential trade chip if the Lakers decide to execute a trade for Cousins. Heisler added in another report that L.A. would trade Russell "tomorrow" if it meant Cousins would enter the fold.
The chatter has been pretty well-documented as head coach George Karl has reportedly been pushing to trade Cousins away. Other Lakers rumored to be on the block have been Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, L.A.'s top two picks last year.
Shipping Russell out of town just doesn't make a lot of sense. If they had to sacrifice three promising youngsters, who would be left besides Cousins and an aging Kobe Bryant?
Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com raises a fair counterpoint to that question:
But Clarkson's explanation of how Russell fits makes the bold pick by Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak appear wise, per Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling:
Especially after the woeful season L.A. had in 2014-15 and the fact that Cousins hasn't been part of a stable squad in his five years in the NBA, the timing doesn't seem right. If Cousins' strong personality clashed with Bryant's, it would be a recipe for disaster.
Cousins is a tremendous talent who averaged 24.1 points and 12.7 rebounds this past season. However, he's also a big risk with his mercurial temperament. With Russell aboard, the logical move is to attempt to land either LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol of DeAndre Jordan in free agency.
The cheaper deals committed to Randle and Clarkson should help keep the Lakers competitive, and they'd have a more realistic shot landing one of the veteran trio.
Pacers to Explore Trade Market for Hibbert
ESPN.com's Marc Stein indicates the Pacers will gauge what Hibbert's trade value would be—even though he opted back into the final year of his contract.
David West opted out of his contract, which means Indiana's starting frontcourt may be gone as the team hopes to build around Paul George, who missed most of last year with a broken leg.
WTHR.com's Bob Kravitz believes it will be tough for team president Larry Bird to get anyone to bite on Hibbert trade bait:
The Pacers' draft strategy may have tipped their hand. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Hibbert was reportedly being shopped "hard" on draft night leading up to the time Indiana chose Texas big man Myles Turner.
Stein alluded to a change of identity in his report about Indiana's interest in seeing what it could get for Hibbert. ESPN Stats & Info highlights how Turner's versatility can help the Pacers play faster and generate more offense while maintaining their defensive intensity:
With Hibbert slated to make $15.5 million in 2015-16, per Spotrac.com, it might be difficult to talk someone into bringing him in. With an expiring contract, Hibbert could turn out to be a mere rental for his prospective new team and leave next summer, so that harms his trade value.
The other possibility is Hibbert sticks it out in Indiana and winds up leaving anyway. He has a lot at stake with a new contract on the horizon.
Although he shows flashes of dominating in the post and has always had a knack for protecting the rim, it's probably time to stop expecting Hibbert to be a consistent, elite-level player. He isn't worth his exorbitant salary, and the Pacers should sell if they can.
Spurs Spurn Interested Splitter Suitors
Stein has another report that indicates San Antonio wasn't having anything to do with the calls it got regarding center Tiago Splitter on draft night.
Sources told Stein the team is optimistic both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will return at reasonable salaries rather than retire. This will allow for a max contract for Kawhi Leonard and the free rein to pursue Aldridge on the open market.
Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler referenced the push the Spurs could make to get Aldridge and how Splitter figures into the equation:
So it seems as though Splitter would be the odd man out. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News notes how valuable Splitter has been on defense, though:
The Spurs are at a huge crossroads now that Danny Green is an unrestricted free agent as well. Green will likely play elsewhere since San Antonio can't afford to pay everyone, and investing a lot in a role player like Green isn't the soundest decision.
Splitter seems to have the endorsement of the Spurs front office in light of how they kept him amid offers on draft night. On the other hand, free agency is opening on July 1 and figures to change the way all teams in the market for the All-Star-caliber players think.
Two years still remain on Splitter's deal, netting him $16.75 million in total salary. For a 30-year-old center who isn't a great shot-blocker and has averaged just 19.8 minutes in five NBA seasons, most teams aren't bound to be chomping at the bit to bring Splitter in.
A lot depends on the futures of Duncan and Ginobili, which won't officially be determined until free agency starts. This is a massive crossroads campaign on the horizon for the Spurs as they prepare to transition into a new era, and Splitter is just one piece of the complex puzzle.
