2 Big trades that could happen before the trade deadline

With the trade deadline getting closer, more and more rumors are constantly being discussed in the media. Here are two suggestions of trades that could potentially go down before the deadline.

Dec. 12, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Trade 1, link to ESPN Trade Machine here.

Phoenix Suns receive: Rudy Gay

Memphis Grizzlies receive: Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, 2013 first-round draft pick from L.A. Lakers

The Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies have recently been in talks regarding a Rudy Gay trade, and this trade would make sense for both teams.

The Suns get a borderline all-star in Rudy Gay to build around, and a sense of direction for the franchise since waving farewell to Steve Nash. They would rather keep Marcin Gortat on the team, but no player on the Suns roster is really untouchable. The 2013 pick from the Lakers is something that the Grizzlies are interested in, but the Suns might want to hold onto it, if they add Gortat to the deal.

Rudy Gay is averaging 17.8 points this season, his lowest since 2007-08, but he could very well develop into an All-Star, being the go-to guy in Phoenix. His contract is not worth his production at this point, and the Suns might not want to take it on. Even so, landing Gay would help the team sell the rebuilding process to the fans.

The Memphis Grizzlies are not entirely certain that they want to get rid of Rudy Gay, but they are not reluctant either, and are listening to offers. It is rumored that Jared Dudley is a player of interest to the Grizzlies and if the Suns throw Gortat in the mix, the deal would look very lucrative.

Grizzlies owners want to avoid the luxury tax and moving Gay’s contract would seem like the easiest option. In return, the team would get a productive guard in Dudley, who is on a very reasonable long-term deal, as well as adding further depth to an already impressive frontcourt through Marcin Gortat.

Jan 5, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Injured player Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao stands during a timeout against the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Trade 2, link to ESPN Trade Machine here.

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Nikola Pekovic, Derrick Williams

Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Anderson Varejao

This potential trade has been thrown around the rumor mill before, as Varejao has been the target of a lot of trade speculation.

Initially it looks as if the Cavaliers are getting robbed, and the team might be able to get something better in return for shipping away Varejao, but there is some logic behind this deal. First of all, Varejao is expected to miss 6-8 weeks following surgery, which he will receive this Thursday. We are talking about a guy who has missed over 100 games in the past 3 seasons, is 30 years old and would start declining way before the Cavaliers are once again ready to be relevant in the big picture. Yes, his production this season has been out of this world, but it is important to have some perspective.

In return for Varejao the Cavs would land a younger center, in the midst of the best season of his career in Nikola Pekovic. Pekovic is averaging 16.2 points and 8.7 rebounds this season, and has been a menace inside the paint for Minnesota’s opponents. While Derrick Williams has been struggling to find his way and position in this league, he is talented, young and athletic, which fits well with the youth movement of the Cavs. Byron Scott is good when it comes to working with young talent and could help Williams bloom.

As the playoff hopes are slowly slipping away for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to scratch the season and bring in a player of Varejao’s caliber. Kevin Love will most likely miss too much time for the Wolves to stay in the playoff picture this season, and having a frontcourt of Varejao and Love going into next season would be a sight to behold. The team would also get rid of Derrick Williams, who has not met the hype in his first two years in Minnesota.

For more NBA rumors, news and updates follow Vytis on twitter: @VytisLasaitis