NBA Trade Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz on Marcus Smart and Block's Other Big Names
As the opening of NBA free agency looms, the first salvos of trade chatter continue to pop up around the Association.
With each team having a better idea as to where it stands after the draft, it's safe to expect more moves and names thrown on the block. If it isn't about a franchise preparing to make a run at a LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love, it's just about getting better—now or years down the road.
Regardless of the intent, the rumor mill continues to increase pace as more players hit the block and new teams with new needs or desires to sell emerge.
Below, let's take a look at the latest.
Derrick Favors on the Block?
In a quiet manner, the Utah Jazz were one of the draft's big winners, grabbing Trey Lyles at No. 12 and boosting the roster for years to come.
If the Jazz mean to play their new rookie at power forward, it throws the future of veteran Derrick Favors into question. While just 23 years old, the team might want to pull the plug after he averaged 16.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last year.
According to Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune, though, Favors isn't available: "But don’t make too much of reports that the Jazz could be looking to move forward Derrick Favors to make room for a Millsap return. According to a source, the Jazz are not shopping Favors."
It's an interesting puzzle for a front office trying to figure out how to get back into contention in a swift manner. Favors seems on the upswing of his career, but per Spotrac.com, does represent a cap hit of at least $11 million in each of the next three seasons.
In the end, it might come down to how the Jazz want to approach roster construction and just how much they can fetch in return for Favors. Others teams should have an interest after what most would call his breakout season.
Regardless, this is one scenario created by the falling of the draft board and one to watch in the coming weeks.
Nene Hilario's Market
The Washington Wizards also find themselves in an interesting situation thanks to a power forward.
Now 32 years old, Nene Hilario received his fewest average minutes (25.3) in years last season and as a result posted just 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds, prompting trade speculation.
As it turns out, the lower usage may hurt the team on the trade market, per J. Michael of CSNWashington.com: "The Wizards, CSNwashington.com has confirmed through two persons with knowledge of the situation, aren't expected to move him during the offseason because there isn't serious interest in the 13-year power forward who averaged 11 points and 5.1 rebounds."
Perhaps not helping things is the $13 million cap hit the big man represents next year, although at some point a team in search of an expiring contract might be willing to bite the bullet.
Right now, though, it seems the Wizards are stuck. The market for a veteran coming off a rough year and touting a high price tag won't be robust, not after such a deep class and other options available in free agency.
Then again, it takes one phone call to change everything, so stay tuned.
Marcus Smart on the Block?
Many scoffed, if not outright laughed at the Boston Celtics for taking Louisville point guard Terry Rozier at No. 16 this past Thursday in the draft.
After all, he's almost an identical player to Marcus Smart, who the team took last year with the No. 6 pick.
It seems there might be a plan in place, per Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com:
Call it one of the first major shockers of the trade season, folks.
Smart struggled as a shooter last year, sure, knocking down 37 percent of his shots and averaging 7.8 points and 3.1 assists. But it's not like he had an All-Star cast around him, nor was it anything but what the front office should have expected from the rookie.
Rozier doesn't figure to differ much, although the backcourt does seem to look a bit crowded with Isaiah Thomas in the mix.
Much of this seems to center on Boston's inability to make a big splash on draft day, where the team clutched plenty of trade-worthy assets and could have moved up for a big name but instead fell flat. Dangling Smart might be a way to put the Celtics in position to land a major player or clear the room necessary for a big-name free agent.
Again, it's a shocking development, especially in what is now a point guard-driven league. With so many wild rumblings out there and free agency set to open, don't lose sight of this one—the Celtics don't look ready to remain silent the rest of the offseason.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
