NBA Trade Rumors: Top Buzz Surrounding Boris Diaw, Spencer Hawes and More
While most of the biggest names in free agency have already committed to be signed, there is still value to be had on the trade market, as teams look to resolve contract issues and clear salary-cap space.
Kevin Durant announcing his decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors on the Players' Tribune changed the entire landscape of the NBA and likely shaped the direction and plans of several teams that didn't manage to land him.
In the wake of that league-altering move, here is a rundown of the latest trade rumors making the rounds throughout the NBA.
Boris Diaw
Forward Boris Diaw has been a key member of the San Antonio Spurs roster for parts of the past five seasons, but the 34-year-old veteran may be on the move.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Spurs are exploring trade possibilities for the Frenchman to make room for Pau Gasol.
The Spurs and Gasol reportedly came to terms on a two-year contract Monday, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Diaw has primarily come off the bench during his time with the Spurs, providing a diverse skill set predicated largely on great passing and the ability to rebound.
He played a career-low 18.2 minutes per game last season, though, and ended the campaign with averages of just 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest.
Should Gasol officially sign, he and LaMarcus Aldridge will be atop the depth chart, and Tim Duncan could potentially figure into the equation as well, although a source told Wojnarowski that he is leaning strongly toward retirement.
A possible starting five comprised of Gasol, Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tony Parker should allow the Spurs to be among the NBA's top teams once again in 2016-17, but dealing a player like Diaw will further damage an already thin bench.
San Antonio doesn't have a ton of players under contract, especially in the frontcourt, and its depth will be lacking even more without Diaw in the fold.
Gasol is a bigger impact player than Diaw at this point, however, which makes it a worthwhile move from the Spurs' perspective.
There are two years remaining on Diaw's deal, which could make it somewhat difficult to trade him, but as long as San Antonio doesn't expect much in return for his services, it should be able to manage a salary dump before focusing on filling its bench with the remaining free agents.
Spencer Hawes
Center Spencer Hawes' play has dropped off over the past two seasons, and that has resulted in the Charlotte Hornets reportedly shopping around the 28-year-old veteran.
According to Wojnarowski, the Hornets will likely be forced to add a draft pick to any deal involving Hawes due to the $11.7 million left on his contract. Trading him has become paramount since Charlotte reportedly came to terms on a one-year pact with center Roy Hibbert.
Hawes appeared in 57 games last season, averaging 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Those numbers don't leap off the page, but he is just a couple seasons removed from a career year in 2013-14 split between the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former first-round pick set career highs with 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest, but he has struggled to regain that magic elsewhere.
There is always demand for 7-footers, especially when they have shown the ability to produce like Hawes has.
Hawes has been little more than a bench big for most of his career, but with just one year and a player option left on his deal, he could prove to be a worthwhile gamble.
Less-accomplished players have landed much bigger contracts than Hawes thus far in free agency, and if he can somehow manage to regain the form he showed in Philadelphia and Cleveland, then he'll be a steal at his current salary.
Hawes simply hasn't worked out in Charlotte, but he can put up numbers in the right situation, and a big-starved team would be wise to kick the tires on a trade involving him.
Russell Westbrook is officially the go-to guy in Oklahoma City following the departure of Durant, but his future with the Thunder is far from a certainty.
According to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, sources indicated that the Thunder will consider trading Westbrook if they are unable to sign him to a contract extension prior to him hitting free agency next offseason.
Although an extension is undoubtedly the best-case scenario for OKC, NBA.com's David Aldridge reported that there is "no chance" that Westbrook will sign a new deal prior to hitting free agency.
That puts the Thunder in a difficult situation since they must decide between trying to win this season and potentially losing Westbrook for nothing like they did Durant or essentially conceding the season by trading away one of the NBA's best players.
The 27-year-old Westbrook is a five-time All Star who is coming off a season that saw him average 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also averaged a career-high 28.1 points per contest the previous season when Durant missed most of the year with a foot injury.
Westbrook has developed into a perennial MVP candidate, and if the Thunder do decide to trade him, there is little doubt that they will secure a huge return in exchange for him.
The former UCLA standout is a franchise-altering player who figures to command nearly as much attention and interest as Durant should he hit the open market.
Oklahoma City can't afford to let both of its top players leave town without having anything to show for it, so Westbrook's name will be worth watching throughout the offseason and as the trade deadline approaches depending upon how the Thunder fare in the standings.
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