NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Eric Bledsoe, Ricky Rubio and More

The NBA draft is over, but that doesn't mean teams are just going to stop attempting to improve through trades.

There was a lot of chatter surrounding possible moves during the draft, as teams were scurrying to collect picks in both the first and second round. The biggest deal that went down involved Serge Ibaka heading to the Orlando Magic for multiple players. A move that didn't happen made even more news, as the Chicago Bulls considered trading away Jimmy Butler, per ESPN's Marc Stein.

With the clock no longer ticking on picks, the general managers no longer have their feet to the fire to make moves. However, there are still deals to be made even before the start of free agency. Here is a look at some players who could be traded in the coming weeks.

Ricky Rubio

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The Minnesota Timberwolves were as involved in trade rumors as anyone Thursday night, including the previously mentioned deal for Butler. However, they ended up staying put while drafting their presumptive point guard of the future in Kris Dunn.

While this wasn't exactly a deep class at the position, Dunn has a chance to be a big-time contributor now and in the future as a starting point guard with a pass-first approach who also plays excellent defense. He is more than just a quality backup to provide some depth.

This creates question marks about the future of current starter Ricky Rubio. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports noted the front office's position:

If the Timberwolves were trying to shop the player before the draft, that likely won't change after getting exactly who they wanted with the No. 5 overall pick.

Rubio does have value for teams who need a point guard, and he could net Minnesota some quality assets in return. Meanwhile, his departure would clear playing time for Dunn as soon as next season.

On the other hand, the recent draftee indicated excitement about playing with the veteran.

"I can't wait," Dunn said, per Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. "We're both pass-first point guards and he's very good at getting guys involved. I think he knows the game very well and I can't wait to play under him and learn a lot and just come in and work hard."

Minnesota has plenty of options that won't be limited to just trying to get Butler.

Eric Bledsoe

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The Phoenix Suns have a pair of quality point guards who cost a lot of money and can't stay healthy.

Brandon Knight averaged 19.6 points per game but missed 30 games last season and 19 the year before. Eric Bledsoe averaged 20.4 points per game but only managed to be in the lineup for 31 games in 2015-16, the third time in five seasons he was limited to fewer than 50 games.

When the two players are in the lineup together, they overlap each other at the point guard position while taking away minutes from promising shooting guard Devin Booker.

With both making over $14 million per year over the next two seasons, per Basketball Reference, it wouldn't be surprising to see the organization make a move. That's apparently exactly what it is planning, according to ESPN's Marc Stein:

Head coach Earl Watson denied reports about Bledsoe being shopped during the draft, per SiriusXM NBA:

However, it's still a long summer. Phoenix drafted Tyler Ulis, yet another guard out of the University of Kentucky—bringing the total to five on the roster.

Ulis projects as a perfect backup point guard who can run a second unit to provide insurance in the case of an injury to one of the starting guards. This also gives a chance to trade one of the high-priced stars for someone who can stay healthy and hopefully be a better fit at a position of need.

The Suns got a pair of quality young prospects in the draft in Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender, but there is still a lot to sort out going forward.

Kenneth Faried

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Another team that was active before the draft that could continue this mindset afterward is the Denver Nuggets.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News called the Nuggets the "most likely to pull off a deal, whether ahead of Thursday’s draft or soon thereafter." Denver had a successful draft while adding Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez, but the team was quiet on the trade front (with the exception of trading the No. 56 pick for cash).

Still, the "soon thereafter" part is here and the player they were most considering trading, Kenneth Faried, is still on the roster. Deveney writes:

"

While he has not issued a trade demand from the Nuggets, it’s no secret that Faried does not feel included in Denver’s future plans and would welcome a move.

[...]

Faried has value not only in his role, but because the league’s new television deal and expanding salary cap makes his contract (three years and $39 million remaining) very reasonable. While the Nuggets have gotten offers for Danilo Gallinari, it’s Faried they’re most aggressively trying to move.

"

Most teams don't know what to do with Faried as an undersized big who can't shoot. However, he brings the type of energy and motor you need on a winning team and will likely represent a useful addition to a contending squad. His style of play is just wasted during the Nuggets' rebuilding stretch.

The interested parties will likely change after the draft, but don't be surprised if Denver still has Faried on the market. 

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