NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Russell Westbrook and More Possible Deals
Even with free agency dying down, big names could still be on the move around the NBA.
This has already been a wild offseason, with high-profile players such as Kevin Durant, Pau Gasol, Al Horford and more changing cities. Just when you thought the madness was over, however, the rumor mill has kicked up some potential trades to watch out for in the coming months.
General managers will do whatever it takes to improve their rosters heading into next season, so don't expect any of them to just cruise until October without making any calls. These deals might not all get done, but here is the latest buzz surrounding potential moves around the league.
Russell Westbrook on the Move?
After the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors in free agency this summer, there was immediate concern among fans over what would happen to Russell Westbrook next year. The point guard will be a free agent in 2017, and the organization couldn't bear to lose two elite players for nothing.
As a result, the team could decide to trade the All-Star now in order to get a return to help prepare for the future.
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck explained that people around the league expect OKC to get this type of deal done:
Beck noted the Boston Celtics as the top choice at this point:
"What I'm hearing here in Las Vegas from some GMs is that not only do they think that Westbrook will get traded, that it'll be sooner rather than later, probably before the season starts, and that the most likely destination right now would be the Boston Celtics.
Now, that's not surprising. Anybody who's been following the NBA the last couple of years, we know, Boston has been loading up on assets.
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However, one of the big holdups for any team considering Westbrook is the fact that he could leave it empty-handed at the end of next season. This is what happened to the Los Angeles Lakers when they traded for Dwight Howard, who then signed with the Houston Rockets.
On the other hand, this could be an advantage for a team like the Lakers. As Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript noted, many believe Westbrook will sign with Los Angeles in 2017:
This gives the Lakers the choice of trading for the superstar and giving him an extension or just waiting and hoping for the best. In any case, they would have to feel more confident than most other squads giving up a lot of assets in a potential trade.
Boston has been targeting a superstar for a while, but this might be too risky a bet for the contenders.
76ers Still Trying to Complete a Trade
There has already been plenty of talk about a potential trade involving one of the Philadelphia 76ers big men, most notably Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
No deal has been made, but according to Tom Moore of the Morning Call, it hasn't been for a lack of effort:
"An NBA source said [76ers GM Bryan Colangelo] "tried like hell to trade Okafor." As a result, Okafor is "upset and his people are upset."
Colangelo and the Sixers then turned their attention to Noel, but nothing happened there, either. ...
It seems like the Sixers are asking for more in return than the others around the league want to give them.
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While it's bizarre to see a non-contending team trying to trade its best young assets, the problem is more about fit. Both have had good starts to their careers, but as low-post players who don't shoot, it's hard to keep the two of them on the court together.
Of course, the real logjam occurs when you add in 2014 draft picks Dario Saric and Joel Embiid and 2016 No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons. They all have different skill sets, but it's still difficult to find playing time for all of them at similar spots on the floor.
As a result, Colangelo revealed on SiriusXM NBA Radio that while he doesn't want to force a trade, one is probably likely (transcribed by RealGM):
"We're not going to make a bad deal just to make a deal. I think we can be a better basketball team if we can distribute that talent better. Maybe take one of those assets and address other needs on the roster. I think right now it's best to say we like all of them, we want to see if we can make the most out of each of them. At the end of the day, the reality says one has to go at some point but only when the deal is right.
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The 76ers could end up being a fun team to watch with all their young pieces, but the most likely scenario is at least one of the big men won't be on the roster.
Nets Scouring Free-Agent Lists
The Brooklyn Nets have had a rough go of free agency. They have plenty of cap room to spend but haven't been able to bring in top players. When restricted free agents Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe agreed to deals, their teams found a way to match them, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Although the remaining options aren't too exciting, there is still value to be had. Lewis provided a breakdown of the next set of targets.
"The Nets are mulling whether to give Dion Waiters an offer sheet and have shown interest in Terrence Jones, Jordan Hill and Moe Harkless, the former St. John’s star," he wrote. "Lance Stephenson, who played at Brooklyn’s Lincoln High School, is also available."
Hill is off the board after agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Beyond that, the best options are more restricted free agents.
Waiters could represent an upgrade in the backcourt, although the Thunder might be more aggressive to match after losing Durant. Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers might have a difficult time keeping Harkless after locking up Crabbe.
The wing only averaged 6.4 points per game this season, but he is still just 23 years old and has some local flare as a Queens native. Jason Quick of CSN Northwest provided the latest info on what has been a quiet pursuit of Harkless to this point:
It's possible Harkless returns for just a qualifying offer and becomes an unrestricted free agent next season, but the Nets could get a steal if they make a legitimate offer.
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