Buying or Selling NBA Trade Rumors

With the trade deadline just two days away, as usual, there are some rumors out there about big name players changing addresses. Below are some of the bigger trades that have been proposed and whether to buy or sell them being a possible transaction that is made official on Thursday. As usual, there are more deals that are just strictly rumors rather than having a possibility of being done. This time, of the year, brings out the most ridiculous of rumors, but at times, there is smoke and fire. You will clearly not see LeBron James moved or Kevin Durant moved, but there could be some big names moved nonetheless.

Here are some trade rumors that have been proposed over the past week:

Dwight Howard to Miami Heat for Hassan Whiteside

Buy: This trade will have to include more pieces if it ends up being agreed upon as both teams are over the salary cap and Howard makes about 22 million more than Whiteside. The reason I buy that this trade could happen is Whiteside clearly is immature and the Heat no doubt have reservations about paying him the max contract he will expect in the offseason. Some people will say that Whiteside is younger and better than Howard and that Howard his past his prime. That may be true, but Howard in the East can still be a difference maker and because he is a finished product and more mature, he fits with the Heat who are looking to compete now in Dwyane Wade‘s final few years. I can definitely see this being possible with the Heat throwing in Luol Deng, Chris Anderson, along with Whiteside.

Blake Griffin to Denver Nuggets for Nikola Jokic, Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton, and Kenneth Faried

Sell: This trade does make a lot of sense as this is something the Clippers should definitely consider. This would get them the depth and young players they would need to consider parting with Griffin, and it is without a doubt a huge win for the Clippers making this a possible trade. However, there is no way Doc Rivers is trading Griffin for a bunch of role players at this point in the season. They would have no time to get acclimated and the Clippers are already a top five team in the NBA making this trade not a realistic outcome at this juncture. In the offseason, I think it could be explored again. There is also the problem of Griffin opting out and leaving Denver after the next season which would have to be solved.

Kevin Love to Boston Celtics, Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland Cavaliers, picks, and players to New York Knicks

Sell: Another trade that makes a lot of sense as each team gets something they want. Love gets a situation where the team makes him the focal point and star he wants to be, Boston gets their star, Anthony plays for a championship with his money and friend LeBron James, James gets a player he likes and respects more than Love, and the Knicks gets young and can reset around young stud Kristaps Porzingis. This trade makes almost too much sense to not go through, but alas the Cavaliers will definitely not sacrifice their almost assured spot in the Easter Conference Finals or potentially NBA Finals over a trade that may work out. This is one that may be revisited in the offseason with the Celtics sending the Nets pick this season, provided it isn’t the top pick, in this deal to the Knicks.

Thaddeus Young to Toronto Raptors

Buy: I am buying this one because the Raptors have clearly made it known they want to improve their four spot at all costs and are willing to trade their first round pick this year to get it done. Their pick may not be a high-end selection as they are likely to be picking in the mid to late twenties, but the Nets should be desperate to try to get younger and get as many assets as possible. They also will create more cap space for this summer by trading Young and by gaining another young asset they can build a deeper team in the offseason. The Raptors have been sniffing around for a while and the Nets should be willing to pull the trigger for any young asset like a young player or even late first rounder, but it remains to be seen if the Nets pull the trigger in the end.

Al Horford to Boston Celtics

Sell: Another trade I do not see happening although it makes a lot of sense. The Celtics will be in on this one until the end because Horford is a piece that is a perfect fit for their culture, team, and strategy. He is also a piece to help convince others Boston is a place to go and win, albeit not a superstar, but a very good to star level player. I do not see the Hawks giving up Horford and ending this season’s run unless they get a king’s ransom and that is not something Danny Ainge will do with Horford becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Ainge has worked too hard to get those assets and he knows he could have a shot at Horford in the offseason without surrendering any assets. If the price comes down to one young big, David Lee‘s contract, and a first round pick or two that isn’t a Nets pick then the deal could get done quickly, but I do not see Atlanta going for that.

Jeff Teague to Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo

Buy: I discussed this trade yesterday in my five deals the Hawks could make. This makes a lot of sense as the Magic are looking for a change and Teague is a solid point guard, albeit not a star. He will most likely make a couple All-Star games in the future, but anything more than that is probably not in the cards. While on the other side the Hawks are looking for young assets and a way to build a new core. Oladipo is a very good defender with a pretty good shot and elite athleticism. He is also still very young and on his rookie deal. The Magic would probably end up losing this deal in the long run, but in the meantime, it would make sense for both sides as each team looks ready for a shakeup with the Hawks really wanting to trade Teague at the deadline.

Ben McLemore to Clevland Cavaliers

Buy: This is one I struggled with. Clearly the Kings want to move McLemore and are willing to do it by the deadline and have even asked the agent to help poke around for a deal that would work for both sides, and clearly the Cavaliers would be interested in young player on his rookie deal who has all-star potential and a very good jump shot, but I do not see anything the Cavaliers have to make it work. The Kings would not want Iman Shumpert and his bloated deal and definitely do not have a need for Mozgov (more on this below). Perhaps Mo Williams and a future second round pick could entice the Kings, but that would be selling very low on McLemore. In the end, this makes sense, but I do not see a package that works for the Kings.

Kosta Koufos to Cleveland Cavaliers

Buy: This trade also makes sense and I am buying that it could happen. The Cavs could send Mozgov back in the deal and it could actually swell to include the above scenario I discussed, but as I said before Clevland has very few assets to trade and I do not see it working out. Koufos is a solid big and when the cap jumps again this will be a very valuable contract so to just dump him for an expiring contract in Mozgov, it makes very little sense for Sacramento.

Greg Monroe to New Orleans Pelicans

Sell: This one does not make sense because all New Orleans has to offer is Ryan Anderson and he is a free agent. Also, let’s face it if Milwaukee trades Monroe they would love credibility in the free agent market. The first time they get an above average player in free agency they turn around and give up on him midway through his first year. I cannot see Monroe leaving Milwaukee for a free agent to be in Anderson, and other than that I do not see any valuable assets for the Bucks who would want to win next year, not rebuild. I see it more likely that they explore trades for Michael Carter-Williams who has been a huge disappointment on the team. This team needs a shakeup, but Monroe is not the right person to move. At least not right now to the Pelicans.

Markieff Morris to Toronto Raptors

Sell: This one definitely makes sense because the Raptors are looking for an upgrade, but I do not see them giving up anything of value for a guy who has been a clubhouse problem all year and has been lacking effort every game. His outbursts and attitude have been brutal all year and to give up a first round pick and a young player, which is reportedly their asking price. Morris when he wants to play, can be a very good player and would fit nicely in Toronto, but Young could be had for a much lower price, is under control longer and has no baggage with him attitude wise. The Raptors are the second seed in the East and you have to think that taking a chance on a guy who may just pout because he is not playing with his brother is not something GM Masai Ujiri would  be willing to do.

 

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