NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari and More
With free agency two weeks gone, most of the talent pool has dried up. Roller-coaster talents like J.R. Smith and Josh Smith loom as the best remaining options, and while there are a couple of intriguing restricted free-agent names (Tristan Thompson, K.J. McDaniels, etc.), there aren't any more coups that would truly galvanize an organization.
The same can't be said for the trade block, where major shakeups always loom as a possibility. With much of the league set to go into vacation mode in the upcoming weeks before training camp, many of these rumors might simply be table-setters for future action. Nevertheless, regardless of whether or not we see definitive action before the season, this provides a look at the biggest game-changers who could enter the 2015-16 season in a purgatorial uncertainty.
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Looking at the latest trade buzz, we'll find a couple of starters who have fallen on hard times in recent seasons and one very beleaguered point guard.
Lawson's Value Cratering
As the Denver Nuggets begin a potential teardown, every player is on the block. Of all of Denver's assets, 27-year-old Ty Lawson was thought to have the greatest trade value. However, following a DUI arrest first reported by TMZ, his second alleged violation in the past six months, Lawson's trade value has apparently become nonexistent:
Lawson's problems appear to extend beyond the court, as his skills remain tantalizing. Nevertheless, teams balked at Lawson partially because of the dip he saw in his efficiency-based statistics last year, despite carrying less of a burden. Lawson's 20.6 percent usage rate was his lowest since 2010-11, and his 52.6 percent true shooting percentage was a career low, per Basketball-Reference.
In addition, teams might not need to give up anything at all for Lawson soon enough. Following his DUI, Denver is reportedly considering outright releasing the point guard:
Whether by trade or release, it's hard to imagine Lawson playing another game for the Nuggets, a scenario he himself already predicted before submarining his own value. Whenever Lawson is fit to return to basketball, some team will surely take a chance on the All-Star potential he flashed the three seasons before last year.
Gallinari to Boston?
Danilo Gallinari is another Nuggets player who has seen his trade value dip, albeit for entirely different reasons. Since tearing his ACL at the end of Denver's 2013 season, Gallo has experienced a rough time regaining his previous form. Though the scoring numbers were there, Gallinari set a career low in shooting percentage (40.3 percent) and struggled to work his way into the starting lineup after Denver lifted his minutes restriction.
Nevertheless, now two years removed from the injury, teams might be increasingly willing to take a chance on someone who will turn just 27 in August. The asset-accumulating Boston Celtics have apparently started trade talks with Denver, and could continue to do so in the coming weeks:
Boston is overcrowded with sixth-man types throughout its roster, but having dipped under the cap for the first time in two decades this offseason, the Celtics can afford to absorb Gallinari's $11.6 million expiring deal. WEEI's Ben Rohrbach believes the small forward could provide the ideal combination of a short-term upgrade who allows Danny Ainge to maintain Boston's long-term flexibility:
"After missing the entire 2013-14 NBA season, Gallinari regained form after the All-Star break in 2015, averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range over his final 24 appearances. Those numbers would make him an upgrade over any other wing on the C’s roster, including newly signed Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson. His defense when healthy has also steadily improved since his early days on the Knicks.
And while Gallinari would be an upgrade in the short term, his expiring $11.6 million contract would also maintain the Celtics’ flexibility for the long haul, as is the case with soon-to-be C’s forward David Lee, whose expiring $15.5 million deal comes off the books next summer.
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This would be similar to the Celtics' deal for David Lee, who will provide a significant upgrade over the comatose Gerald Wallace without compromising Boston's future salary outlook. The Nuggets aren't likely to accept a salary dump like Wallace, but given the Celtics' massive treasure trove of draft picks, a sweetener like a high second-rounder via Minnesota or Philadelphia could help get this deal done.
Miami Shopping Chalmers
Mario Chalmers started on four straight NBA finalists, but the seven-year vet could be seeing his days in South Beach come to an end. With Miami facing stiff luxury-tax penalties stemming from Pat Riley's dogged attempts at contention, Chalmers' $4.3 million salary might be untenable for a backup point guard, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson:
"If Chalmers makes it to training camp with the Heat, he would be the obvious choice to back up Dragic. But Miami continues to explore trading him; his $4.3 million salary could result in a tax bill three times that amount, depending on the Heat’s final payroll number.
A team’s tax obligation is based on the roster on the final day of the regular season, but Miami appears interested in dealing a player or two as soon as something presents itself, according to a league official who has spoken to the Heat.
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In addition to Chalmers, LeBron-era holdover Chris Andersen and his $5 million deal could be on the outs. Based on the calculations of one Heat beat writer, trading both without taking back any salary could save Miami roughly $20 million in real money on its luxury-tax bill:
Of course, since the Heat have no intention of tanking, there's also consideration for the basketball value of dumping Chalmers for nothing. Though he won't see big minutes any more with Goran Dragic entrenched as the starting point guard, Miami currently doesn't have a proven backup. The likes of Shabazz Napier and second-round rookie Josh Richardson have impressed in the NBA Summer League, but clearly both would represent suboptimal solutions entering the season.
Miami might not have a choice if math ultimately dictates the roster decisions, however. Chalmers is unlikely to play for a contender at that number, but a buyout following a trade might allow him to reset his market value before the regular season.
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