NBA Rumors: Analyzing Buzz Surrounding Deron Williams, Andrew Bogut and More
The trade deadline for the 2016-17 NBA season passed last Thursday with little fanfare. Outside of a trade that sent Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks, the final day of the trade window was pretty much devoid of headline-grabbing moves. However, the deadline didn't necessarily mean an end of significant moves or noteworthy stories.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, might be missing LeBron James for an extended period because of strep throat, but they may also be soon adding some new bodies to the roster.
We're here to examine the latest rumors and stories following the NBA trade deadline. We'll be looking at transactions expected to occur or ones that have occurred since last Thursday, and we'll also look at the top rumors heading into a new week.
Deron Williams to Join Cavaliers
It appears that the Cavaliers are on the verge of signing free-agent point guard Deron Williams. The move has been widely expected since Williams was released by the Mavericks shortly after the trade deadline.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, Williams has cleared waivers and has made his plans to sign with Cleveland known.
"He wants to be a part of an opportunity to win a championship," guard Kyle Korver said, per Windhorst.
Korver and Williams were teammates while with the Utah Jazz, and the two will presumably be teammates through the postseason. Korver believes that Williams is the type of player who can help the Cavaliers potentially complete the postseason with another title.
"Knowing who he is and his skill set, I think it's an incredible fit," Korver said of Williams, per Windhorst. "He's a guy that can play with the ball, he can play off the ball. He's a good shooter, he's a smart player."
Cleveland has been looking for another point guard to help run the offense when stars like James and Kyrie Irving are on the bench. Finding one that can do so effectively was important because the Cavaliers want to ensure their stars are fresh heading into the postseason.
Williams, who is averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 assists per game, appears to be that point guard Cleveland has been searching for. He's averaged 29.3 minutes per game this season and should be able to help save some wear and tear on the Cavaliers' starters.
Williams is expected to cost the Cavaliers just over $900,000 in salary and luxury-tax payments for the remainder of the season.
Bogut Trying to Join Cavaliers, Too
Center Andrew Bogut, who faced the Cavaliers in each of the last two NBA Finals, is apparently looking to join Korver and Williams in Cleveland. Marc Stein and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com have reported that Bogut is trying to buy his way out with the Philadelphia 76ers in order to join the Cavaliers.
As Stein and MacMahon explained, Bogut will need to get himself released by Wednesday:
"The Australian big man is hoping to be waived by Wednesday, which is the last day this season players can be released and remain playoff-eligible with their next team. Two Dallas Mavericks sources told ESPN on Sunday that they expect Bogut to choose Cleveland if he indeed finds himself on the open market later this week, while another source close to the talks expressed optimism Sunday that a buyout is indeed forthcoming.
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According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Cleveland isn't the only team interested in signing Bogut if he does become available. The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and the Jazz "have had discussions" about acquiring Bogut.
While adding Bogut wouldn't add much punch to the Cavaliers offense—he's averaging just 3.0 points per game—it could help Cleveland in the defensive and rebounding departments. Bogut is averaging 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game this season.
Presumably, Bogut would also provide some insight into battling the Golden State Warriors should the Cavaliers manage to meet them in the finals again this postseason.
Mavericks Looking to Build for the Future
What's interesting about the possibility of both Bogut and Williams joining the Cavaliers this week is that the two potential signings would be the result of the trade that sent Noel to Dallas. Bogut was shipped to Philadelphia as part of the deal, and the Mavericks decided they could live without Williams after making it.
According to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the moves the Mavericks have made are part of a plan to build for the future.
"The goal always is to get to be a championship contender and get another ring," Cuban said on ESPN Radio's NBA Insiders show (via MacMahon). "As well as Deron was playing and even Andrew, defensively ... we had to match up to our criteria of trying to position ourselves to get a lot better."
While the Mavericks are going to milk all they can out of the remaining years of 38-year-old star Dirk Nowitzki, their moves last week help the roster as a whole get younger. Williams' job has been handed to rookie Yogi Ferrell, and Noel is still just 22 years old.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers may just take Dallas' unwanted pieces and use them to make a run at another championship again this season.
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