NBA Trade Rumors: Reviewing Latest Reports Before 2016 Deadline Passes

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, which means rumors are sure to be swirling about players potentially donning new uniforms come this weekend.

Indeed, there have been rumblings of some playoff teams looking make moves to get them over the hump, and Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical provided all of the info. Let's take a look at a few of the players Wojnarowski said could be on the move and break down what impact said trades could have on the teams involved.

Pau Gasol headed back to California?

The Sacramento Kings are apparently quite interested in acquiring Pau Gasol's services from Chicago, and Wojnarowski said the Kings are pursuing a deal involving Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore.

The potential deal would also include the Kings lowering the protection on a first-round pick they owe Chicago, making it more likely Chicago is able to obtain the pick this year. However, the Kings would need help from the Philadelphia 76ers to make this trade happen, as Wojnarowski explained:

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The Kings reached out to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, too, league sources said, because the Sixers have the right to swap picks with the Kings’ on the 2016 pick. The Kings wouldn’t be able to complete the deal involving the pick with Chicago unless they could reach an agreement with Philadelphia. The Sixers were preparing to ask for a further sweetener to allow the Kings to move on a deal with Chicago, league sources said.

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Should this deal go through, it would provide the Kings with a veteran big man who could play next to DeMarcus Cousins and mentor him on how to properly handle NBA stardom. However, Gasol might only be passing through Sacramento, as he can become a free agent after this season.

Considering the state of the Kings recently, it's hard to imagine anyone wanting to stay there. Gasol is 35, and the Kings are light-years from title contention. It's doubtful Gasol would want to spend the twilight of his career toiling on a lottery team.

For the Bulls, moving on from Gasol would provide more playing time for rookie Bobby Portis, who has been a pleasant surprise, averaging seven points and 4.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes a night.

A change of scenery might also be just what McLemore needs, and he could give the Bulls backcourt a shot in the arm.

Cavs and Clippers competing for veteran

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers both have been in talks with the Orlando Magic about acquiring veteran forward Channing Frye, Wojnarowski said.

The Clippers have been considering a deal that would net them Frye for Lance Stephenson, C.J. Wilcox and a second-round pick. The Clips have been dragging their feet on a decision, and according to Wojanorowski, the Magic are now exploring other options. 

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One option is the Cavs, who have a trade exception and could take on Frye. However, the Cavs are looking to include Anderson Varejao and the almost $19 million remaining on his contract. If the Cavs had Frye and Varejao, their luxury-tax bill would jump from $61 million to $96 million.

There's no way the Cavs are going to spend an extra $30 million for a guy who has been playing about 17 minutes a night.

Wojnarowski said the Magic are not interested in taking back Varejao's contract, so the Cavs are looking for a third team with cap space (either the 76ers or Blazers) to join the dance. Should another team get involved, they would be compensated with cash and/or draft picks.

For the Cavs, this deal wouldn't make much sense. They would be giving up assets for a player who doesn't really move the needle for them as championship contenders. They already have a crowded frontcourt, and adding Frye wouldn't do anything to ease the logjam at forward.

New Orleans looking to sell high

The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to build a competent roster around Anthony Davis. Now they could be looking to move on from perhaps their second-best player.

Wojnarowski said the Pels are "pushing hard" to move Ryan Anderson before the deadline. They expect Anderson to walk in free agency and so are looking to get something for him now before he leaves.

Anderson is one of the league's premier stretch forwards, and Wojnarowski said he could command $16-18 million per year on the open market.

One team that appears interested in Anderson, as noted by Wojnarowski, is the Washington Wizards. The two teams have talked, but nothing has come about. Any team trading for Anderson would have to be confident it could ink him to a new deal, lest it give up valuable assets for a two-month rental.

Washington could balk at having to pay Anderson around $16 million a year because it would hinder it in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. With Anderson on the books, Wojnarowski said the Wiz would be unable to clear max-level cap space to lure Durant back home.

For the Pelicans, it makes sense to move Anderson and get something for him before he leaves this summer. If they truly believe they can't re-sign him, they might as well trade him while they can. It would hurt the team in the short term, but if they can coax a first-round pick out of a potential suitor, it gives them another chance to get Davis some help.