NBA Rumors: League's Latest Trade and Free-Agent Offseason Chatter
The NBA could not sustain its frenetic pace of activity all summer. After all the star free agents rapidly signed, the waves have settled down.
Don't, however, expect smooth sailing the rest of the way. Role players remain available, and teams spurned in free agency will turn their attention to the trade market. Little has happened on that front since draft night, but negotiations will develop over the next few months.
With the great DeAndre Jordan Emoji War behind us, here's a look at the latest fallout from the center's change of heart.
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Clippers Shopping Jamal Crawford?
On the verge of calamity, the Los Angeles Clippers now have some depth on their hands. In addition to retaining Jordan and Austin Rivers, they've acquired Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson and Wesley Johnson.
They also, however, possess nobody to spell Jordan and Blake Griffin. With no cap space left to spend, trading Jamal Crawford represents their best bet at balancing out the roster.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd, the Clippers are open to dealing their scoring sixth man, with the Cleveland Cavaliers lurking as a potential trade partner.
"Jamal Crawford, however, remains available," Lloyd wrote. "Despite insistence from the Clippers to the contrary, league executives in Las Vegas believe they would be willing to part with Crawford, who has been linked to the Cavs in trade talks."
Lloyd focused on Brendan Haywood, whose $10.5 million contract doesn't become guaranteed until Aug. 1. Cleveland is shopping around his disposable deal as a trade chip for someone in need of cap relief while it bulks up for another championship run.
Anderson Varejao could help the Clippers, but they'd need to add another team to the table to match the cap hits. Either way, Los Angeles would take on too much salary in exchange for Crawford, who will make $5.675 million next year, per Spotrac.
The ball-dominant guard would make an awkward fit with Cleveland, where he'd become a catch-and-shooter instead of shot-creator around LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Such a move would also depend on free agent J.R. Smith signing elsewhere.
Per Northeast Ohio Media Group's Chris Haynes, the Miami Heat are also interested in Crawford, who registered 15.8 points per game with an inefficient 39.6 field-goal percentage last season. The 35-year-old missed 18 games with a calf injury, but he's confident in returning strong wherever he plays.
"I'm 100 percent healthy, motivated and ready for next year," Crawford said, per Haynes. "I believe I have a big year in store. I'm just excited and ready for next season."
Mavericks Searching for Big Men
As the Dallas Mavericks thought they had Jordan locked up, several possible alternatives signed elsewhere. Robin Lopez inked an agreement with the New York Knicks, and the Los Angeles Lakers took a flier on Roy Hibbert. Tyson Chandler—whom Dallas could have at least considered bringing back otherwise—bolted for the Phoenix Suns.
Scrambling for a Plan B, the Mavs acquired Zaza Pachulia from the Milwaukee Bucks. Although a solid snag, Dallas could still use a stout rim protector after losing Chandler and never getting Jordan. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, its search includes a familiar face:
Samuel Dalembert averaged 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 block per game before the New York Knicks waived him last season. The 34-year-old started 68 games for the Mavericks in 2013-14, swatting 1.2 shots through 20.2 minutes a game.
An aging, immobile big man will struggle to keep up in a speedy and athletic Western Conference. At best, he's insurance off the bench to absorb a few minutes a night. Brian Geltzeiler of Hoops Critic mocked Dallas' interest.
Stein also linked the organization to another polarizing rim protector:
JaVale McGee, 27, has played 28 games over the past two seasons due to a stress fracture in his left tibia. When healthy, he occasionally flashed brilliance but made baffling decisions just as often. At his best, he averaged 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the Washington Wizards during the 2011-12 campaign.
Unlike Dalembert, McGee at least offers some upside as a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Although he's a long shot to stay healthy and consistently productive, Dallas isn't going to locate an unblemished free agent this late in the game.
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.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")