NBA Rumors: Analyzing Hottest Trade Buzz Entering 2018 Deadline Day
Time is ticking for NBA teams to complete a trade before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. Organizations seeking a massive midseason boost will likely end the day disappointed.
With Blake Griffin already dealt, ESPN.com's Zach Lowe warned of a "clogged" market limiting the annual rash of last-minute activity to low-scale maneuvers.
"It's tough finding impact trades in which the situations of two teams align," Lowe wrote in a column published on Tuesday. "Good luck if you need a third team. There will be a bunch of deals. There always are. Unexpected stuff will happen. But we may get a pile of smaller, lateral deals—and no blockbuster sequel to the Blake Griffin trade."
One of the deadline's primary targets is now off the table. As first reported Wednesday by Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania, Lou Williams signed a three-year extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.
A frantic offseason, featuring multiple marquee swaps, spoiled NBA fans into viewing madness as the operating norm. Temper expectations, but don't be surprised if some intriguing players on the rumor mill change places.
'No Real Smoke' on Marcus Smart Rumors
One of the most commonly speculated trade candidates, Marcus Smart, is probably staying put.
According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, there is "no real smoke, let alone fire" to trade rumors surrounding the 23-year-old point guard. Since the Boston Celtics view the fierce defender as a key part of their upcoming playoff run, they reportedly would not move the upcoming free agent for a short-term rental.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor said the Celtics are seeking a first-round pick, but Bulpett wrote that no team has expressed a willingness to pay that price.
A limited scorer, Smart has averaged 10.1 points in 30.3 minutes per game with a 35.7 field-goal percentage. Yet he's also one of the game's most tenacious perimeter protectors. Along with snatching 1.3 steals per game, his 98.3 defensive rating ranks fourth among players who have played at least 10 games and logged 20 minutes per bout.
Brandishing a 104.6 offensive rating that placed No. 20 in the NBA as of Wednesday evening, Boston can use an outside scoring threat to fuel its championship aspirations. Yet Smart would prove instrumental in guarding John Wall, Kyle Lowry and/or Isaiah Thomas—and likely Stephen Curry if the Celtics win the Eastern Conference—during the playoffs.
Even if he signs elsewhere this summer, the Celtics are better served preserving a vital component to their elite defense.
Ample Interest in Tyreke Evans
With Williams probably off the board, Tyreke Evans stands out as the top available scoring threat. As a result, the Memphis Grizzlies are receiving several inquiries.
On Wednesday morning, Sam Amick of USA Today said seven teams are pursuing the shooting guard. He confirmed an earlier report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that listed the Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets as the favorites. Wojnarowski also cited the Miami Heat as another squad "staying engaged."
Evans has registered his highest scoring tally (19.5) since his 2009-10 rookie season with a career-high 52.6 effective field-goal percentage. He joins Chris Paul, Ben Simmons and Nikola Jokic as the only players to tally at least 15 points, five assists and five rebounds without netting an All-Star Game invite.
He has also played in just one—the lone victory—of Memphis' last seven games. Per Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies have sat their leading scorer to protect his trade value.
Since they are now competing for lottery balls with Mike Conley sidelined, there's no reason to let the 28-year-old play out the rest of a one-year deal that does not net the team his Bird rights. Evans would assume a lesser role in any of the reported possible destinations, but he should lend his improved efficiency to a playoff contender after Thursday's deadline.
Boston needs the scoring boost more than any legitimate title contender, but Bulpett noted it would take more than Evans to move Smart. He could instead cement a playoff spot for Philadelphia or Miami, who both reside in the bottom half of three-point percentage.
Evans has etched a personal-best 39.2 conversion percentage from downtown despite attempting two more threes per game (5.4) than he ever has in a single season.
Knicks Eyeing Elfrid Payton
Poised to extend their playoff drought to six seasons, the Orlando Magic can once again sell before the trade deadline.
Sources told Lowe "everyone but [Aaron] Gordon and [Jonathan] Isaac is readily available." Perhaps their most interesting trade chip is Elfrid Payton, a 23-year-old point guard who will become a restricted free agent this offseason.
According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the New York Knicks have interest in acquiring the former first-round pick in a deal not involving rookie Frank Ntilikina. General manager Scott Perry worked as an assistant to then-Magic GM Rob Hennigan when they acquired Payton's draft rights in 2014.
Payton has made strides in his fourth NBA season, setting career highs in points per game (13.0), field-goal percentage (52.0) and three-point percentage (37.3). Yet he's averaging the fewest minutes played (28.6) of his career while wielding a minus-7.6 net rating.
The guard stated earlier this week he's not bothered by his rumor-mill popularity, per Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins.
"Whatever is for me, is for me," Payton said. "So it doesn't concern me at all. As long as I'm here [with the Magic], I'll give 100 percent here until they say it's time to go or whatever."
Berman revealed New York's interest after Kristaps Porzingis suffered what was later confirmed to be a season-ending torn ACL. The report, however, came before the Knicks sent Willy Hernangomez to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, per Charania.
They now have one fewer player to offer and less motivation to upgrade their roster. They won't gain five games of ground on the No. 8-seed 76ers without Porzingis, but they have a better shot at erasing a five-game edge over the NBA-worst Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.
Payton may not necessarily hinder a forced tank, but there's little reason to give up future capital to rent someone for the remainder of a lost season.
Note: All advanced stats courtesy of NBA.com.
