NBA Rumors: Hottest Trade Buzz Regarding Jordan Clarkson, Ricky Rubio and More
Right now, the basketball world is focused on the NBA Finals, but for many teams, the offseason is already on the radar.
After a 22-point rout in Game 1, the drama in the finals seems to be whether the Golden State Warriors will sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers or if the Cavs can make it a series. Almost immediately after the playoffs end, we'll have the 2017 NBA draft. In the not-too-distant future (July 6, to be exact), free agency will get underway.
For teams focusing on the roster-building portion of the offseason, trades have undoubtedly been a big part of the thought process. Trades could affect the draft, and they could affect how teams move forward through the summer.
We're here to run down the latest NBA trade rumors and to provide our own thoughts on each situation.
Latest Trade Buzz
Knicks Interested in Ricky Rubio
The New York Knicks need some help at the guard position—and at other spots, to be perfectly honest. The team is armed with the eighth overall pick in the draft, so help could come from the prospect pool.
However, there appears to be a guard out there the Knicks would be willing to trade for. According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, that guard is Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves:
"The Knicks were close to completing a deal shortly before the trade deadline centered around Derrick Rose and Rubio. Talks continued until shortly before the deadline.
"Per league sources with knowledge of the situation, some Knicks decision-makers see trading for Rubio as a viable option this offseason. Incumbent starter Rose also is an option at point guard. But the Timberwolves, coincidentally, see Rose as a point guard option in free agency."
Trading for Rubio could make sense for the Knicks so long as parting with the No. 8 pick isn't somehow part of the deal. Rubio has developed into a starting-caliber point guard, but he isn't going to change the course of a franchise. Pairing him with a quality young player from the draft, however, may help lay the foundation for a turnaround.
Lakers Looking to Move Jordan Clarkson
Much like the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a rebuilding effort. Part of that effort could include trading away guard Jordan Clarkson.
Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders reported that the Lakers are "increasingly open-minded" about trading Clarkson (h/t NESN.com). Hamilton also reported that Clarkson could be moved before the NBA draft.
Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post took things a step further on Thursday when he reported that Los Angeles is actively seeking trade offers:
There are a couple of reasons why moving Clarkson would make sense. At just 24 years old, Clarkson is a young, talented role player for whom the Lakers could get something of value in return. Perhaps they're looking into using Clarkson as part of a deal to pry Paul George away from the Indiana Pacers.
"The Lakers will dangle prospects for Paul George," Zach Lowe of ESPN.com wrote of next season back in early May.
If George isn't a part of the motivation here, money could be. Clarkson is in the middle of a four-year, $50 million deal and is set to have a cap hit of more than $11 million next season, per Spotrac. If the Lakers are not convinced they can be truly competitive in the 2017-18 season, then it would make sense to chip away at the team's overall salary.
The money the Lakers potentially save could be used to strengthen the team once it is ready to make a leap forward toward contention.
Bulls, Butler Looking to Stay Together
One player who has often found himself the topic of trade speculation is Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported back in February that the Boston Celtics were interested in going after a player like Butler or George in order to build for the future. Butler stayed with the Bulls through the trade deadline, and now it appears he could be staying for a while. The Bulls appear extremely interested in building around Butler for the long-term.
The trick, of course, will be finagling the financials enough to actually do so.
"The thing with Jimmy is all of us would love to go out and get another a superstar player to go along with him," executive vice president John Paxson said, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "But with the salaries we have, that's a difficult thing for us to manage."
Butler has also shown interest in wanting to remain in Chicago.
"I love Chicago so very much," Butler said during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live (h/t the Tribune's Phil Thompson), They took a chance on me in 2011 so I'm forever grateful."
Butler is under contract for at least two more seasons, with a player option in 2019-20. While he appears content to stay in Chicago now, things could quickly change if the team doesn't find a way to properly build a contender around him.
A trade seems unlikely this offseason, but a poor year could lead to a deal before next season's deadline.
