NBA Trade Rumors: Latest around the league
With two and a half weeks to go until Feb. 21 trade deadline, the rumors are picking up pace. Here are the latest trade rumors around the league.
Feb 01, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) and head coach Doc Rivers share a hand-shake during a break in the action against the Orlando Magic in the second half at the TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 97-84. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Clippers going after Garnett?
The Los Angeles Clippers have been struggling as of late, going 2-5 while waiting for the team’s floor general Chris Paul to heal his knee injury.
According to Sporting News, the Clippers have approached the Celtics regarding a trade for Kevin Garnett:
"Multiple sources tell Sporting News the Los Angeles Clippers are making a push to acquire center Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics. Team officials have been talking ahead of Sunday’s game in Boston.Interest in Garnett is seen as proof the Clippers believe they can be a championship contender in the NBA’s Western Conference. Questions remain about whether the Celtics are ready to make a major step in rebuilding the franchise. Garnett has a no-trade clause in his contract, and would have to agree to waive it in order to make a deal happen."
The offer that is rumored to be on the table for Garnett is Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. Bledsoe has played very well this season, and with Rajon Rondo on the shelf for the rest of the season, the young point guard would have time to blend in with the Celtics.
Boston Celtics’ front-office still has the tough decision as to whether they are willing blow the roster up completely and start the rebuidling process right now. As for the Clippers, Garnett would bring some great froncourt depth to the team. Garnett would most likely be coming off the bench for the Clippers, and even at 36 years of age, he might not want to make that kind of concession, even if it implies another legitimate title shot.
Feb 2, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Marreese Speights (15) celebrates a three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Cavs to entertain offers for Marreese Speights?
The Cleveland Cavaliers recently acquired Marreese Speights, among other former Grizzlies, as Memphis wanted to avoid paying the luxury tax. According to Morning Journal, Cavs would not be reluctant to listening to offers for the power forward:
"The consensus around the league is that Speights, who has a player’s option on his 2013-14 season, will undoubtedly become a free agent. That’s why the Cavs are expected to entertain offers for him at the Feb. 21 trade deadline. In fact, all three players they got in the deal could be free agents."
Speights has given the Cavs a nice lift since arriving in town. Cleveland is 3-2 in the 5 games with Speights, in which he is averaging 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Nov 19, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (10) embraces shooting guard Stephen Curry (30) after their win against the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors not looking to be active approaching the deadline
According to Ric Bucher, the Golden State Warriors are not looking to mix their roster up, especially since everything seems to be working just fine. Bucher also states that the rumor of Warriors being in pursuit of Rudy Gay was false.
Andrew Bogut recently came back into the lineup and while he is still not 100% healthy, he has looked pretty good.
While the Warriors wouldn’t mind an upgrade, there are no teams that would want to take on the huge contracts of Richard Jefferson or Andris Biedrins, both of which the Warriors would love to get rid of. Collectively, the two players will earn over $19M this season.
Jan 30, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks small forward Josh Smith (5) smiles during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Smith trade seems unlikely
There are several factors which indicate that Josh Smith will indeed finish the season with the Atlanta Hawks, and become a free agent this summer.
First of all, he has indicated that he believes himself to be a max contract player, which might scare some teams away. According to Marc Stein, of ESPN, Smith is also reluctant to committing to an extension if he were to be traded, making it unlikely that any team would be willing to pay the price to gamble on the power forward.