Nets Lower Asking Price For Brook Lopez
The Nets have lowered their asking price for Brook Lopez, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein (via Twitter). Previously, Brooklyn was said to be seeking two first-round picks in any offer for Lopez, but the club is now open to accepting a first-rounder and a second-rounder, according to Stein.
This week’s DeMarcus Cousins deal likely cooled the market for any teams shopping an impact player. Cousins was viewed as perhaps the most talented trade candidate on the market, but the Kings only received one future first-round pick in that deal, along with a young player (Buddy Hield) and a second-round pick. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com tweets, that deal has “depressed the market for everyone.”
Still, the Nets have Lopez under contract through the 2017/18 season, and have long insisted that there’s no rush to move him, so it’s unlikely that the franchise abruptly changed course in the wake of the Cousins trade. If the club is willing to lower its asking price now, it’s probably because no team was willing to meet that price even before the Cousins deal.
Prior to acquiring Cousins, the Pelicans were linked to Lopez, having reportedly offered Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Tim Frazier, and a protected 2018 first-round pick for the Nets center. New Orleans is certainly out of the running now, however, so Brooklyn will have to look elsewhere for a trade partner. One possibility is Indiana, as the Pacers are said to be dangling a first-round pick in search of an immediate upgrade on the wing or in the frontcourt.
Pacers, Sixers Have Discussed Jahlil Okafor
As they explore the trade market seeking potential help for Paul George, the Pacers have shown interest in Sixers big man Jahlil Okafor, says Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. According to Shelburne, her ESPN colleagues Jeff Goodman and Chris Haynes have heard similar rumblings connecting Indiana and Okafor. Goodman adds (via Twitter) that the Pacers have engaged the Sixers in talks involving Okafor.
The third overall pick in 2015, Okafor has seen his name mentioned in trade rumors many times this season, with things heating up as of late. The Sixers held Okafor out of two games prior to the All-Star break, apparently believing that they were on the verge of trading him — multiple reports since then have suggested that the Trail Blazers were close to an agreement for Okafor before they dealt for Jusuf Nurkic.
With Joel Embiid healthy for much of this season, the Sixers have had a hard time incorporating all three of their young centers – Embiid, Okafor, and Nerlens Noel – into the rotation, making it very likely that at least one of Okafor and Noel will be dealt this month. In his sophomore season, Okafor’s playing time is down to 23.0 MPG (from 30.0 MPG), and his per-minute production has also taken a hit, reducing his trade value.
Still, the Sixers appear to be seeking at least one first-round pick in a deal for Okafor, and the Pacers are reportedly willing to offer a 2017 first-rounder to improve their roster. Philadelphia and Indiana are both below the salary cap, so there’s some wiggle room to get something done without necessarily matching salaries. I’d expect the two teams to explore other scenarios before Thursday, but they may ultimately be a good match.
Eastern Rumors: Butler, Raptors, Magic, Celtics
Although he acknowledges that posturing goes on at this time of year, and that one blockbuster offer could change everything, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter links) says the Bulls are telling teams that Jimmy Butler isn’t available. While Chicago is open to listening to calls on Butler, the club is rebuffing all offers and isn’t actively shopping its star forward, says Johnson. The report is in line with what we heard on Monday from Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, who said that Butler’s camp has a growing belief that the Bulls’ All-Star won’t be moved.
Here are a few more items of interest from around the Eastern Conference, with the NBA’s trade deadline just two days away:
- Jake Fischer of SI.com passes along a number of notable updates in his league-wide look at the trade landscape. Among Fischer’s notes? Before they acquired Serge Ibaka, the Raptors made a play for Pistons center Andre Drummond with a package centered around Jonas Valanciunas. Additionally, Fischer reports that the Sixers have no interest in moving T.J. McConnell.
- It doesn’t appear that the Magic and Pistons have any traction on a Reggie Jackson swap at this point, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link). Kyler notes that things could change by Thursday, but the latest round of Jackson rumors had the Pistons in talks with the Timberwolves and Knicks. While they’re not on the verge of anything with Jackson, the Magic are on the lookout for a point guard upgrade, Kyler tweets, adding that Suns guard Brandon Knight is on Orlando’s radar to a lesser extent.
- The Celtics have identified a “small group of role players” that would interest them, including P.J. Tucker, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. However, the club has no plans to give up a first-round pick for a modest piece like Tucker, a source tells Himmelsbach. The Globe reporter adds that Sixers big man Jahlil Okafor isn’t presently on Boston’s radar, though ESPN’s Marc Stein said in a recent radio appearance that the C’s hadn’t entirely closed the door on that possibility.
- Beat reporters in Boston haven’t suggested that the Celtics are close to any deal, but Isaiah Thomas put fans on high alert with a tweet on Monday night. As Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com notes, the last time Thomas sent the eyes-wide-open emoji in a tweet, it happened right before the C’s agreed to sign Al Horford.
Kyler’s Latest: CP3, Holiday, Lowry, G. Hill, Gibson
Chris Paul and the Clippers essentially have a verbal agreement in place for a new contract this summer, sources close to the process tell Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Although the star point guard is technically eligible for an extension now, he can get a longer-term – and more lucrative – deal by re-signing with the club in July.
A verbal agreement isn’t binding, so things could change between now and July, but Paul has always been viewed as likely to remain in Los Angeles. As Kyler notes, the 31-year-old will be eligible to sign a new five-year contract worth more than $200MM this offseason, so as long as the Clippers are willing to put that offer on the table – and it seems they are – there’s virtually no chance of CP3 changing teams.
Kyler’s latest Basketball Insiders piece also features several other interesting tidbits related to players on expiring contracts, so let’s round up a few of the highlights…
- Other free agent point guards who are strong bets to re-sign with their current teams: Stephen Curry (Warriors), Jrue Holiday (Pelicans), and Kyle Lowry (Raptors). According to Kyler, New Orleans is prepared to offer Holiday the max, or something close to it, while Toronto is willing to make a similar offer to Lowry, as long as he wants to remain with the team.
- Like Paul, teammates Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick are viewed as highly likely to re-sign with the Clippers this summer, per Kyler. The Thunder were mentioned at one point as a potential suitor for Griffin, but OKC has since added a ton of salary to its 2017/18 books, and Kyler suggests that Griffin was never all that interest in returning to Oklahoma, where he played his college ball.
- Sources close to the George Hill situation say the point guard is very happy in Utah. There’s mutual interest in a new deal this offseason between Hill and the Jazz, but it remains to be seen how high the team will be willing to go with its offer, Kyler writes.
- According to Kyler, the Bulls are interested in re-signing free-agent-to-be Taj Gibson, but there’s a belief that he’ll want to explore other options in free agency, which makes Chicago’s decision this week a little trickier — the club won’t want to risk losing him for nothing.
- Although Derrick Rose is viewed as very available, his contract will make it difficult to move him, since the Knicks want to maintain cap flexibility, says Kyler.
- For a few more notes on players with expiring contracts, be sure to check out Kyler’s full piece.
Trade Deadline Outlook: Southwest Division
In the days leading up to the February 23 trade deadline, Hoops Rumors is taking a closer look at each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. We’ll be identifying each team as a buyer, seller, or something in between, and discussing which teams and players are most likely to be involved in deals this month. We’ve already covered the Atlantic, Northwest, Southeast, Pacific, and Central. Today, we’re examining the Southwest.
Buyers:
The Spurs (43-13) lead the way among the Southwest’s group of buyers, but R.C. Buford typically isn’t all that active around the deadline. Even though San Antonio has been a perennial title contender in recent years, the team’s only in-season trade since 2013 came three years ago, when the Spurs sent Nando De Colo to Toronto in exchange for Austin Daye. It wasn’t exactly a franchise-altering move. While it’s possible the Spurs do something small at this year’s deadline, there’s a strong chance they’ll simply stand pat.
The Rockets (40-18) have also expressed reluctance to make major changes and upset team chemistry, but Daryl Morey is always exploring potential upgrades, and has a long history of making deadline deals. Houston technically didn’t make a move at the deadline a year ago, trading for Josh Smith in January rather than February. But before 2016, Morey had made at least one deadline deal every year since taking over as the club’s GM in 2007. This year, the club has been linked to veterans like Wilson Chandler, and reportedly has some interest in adding a ball-handler.
It may be a quiet deadline for the Grizzlies (34-24), who had been on the lookout for a backup point guard and an athletic big man. Toney Douglas has been solid in the backcourt since rejoining the club, and Brandan Wright has been effective in the frontcourt since getting healthy, so those needs may not be quite as pressing now. Memphis has already traded away its 2017 and 2019 first-round picks, which doesn’t leave a lot of ammo for the club to go after a legitimate impact player this week.
Speaking of legitimate impact players, the Pelicans (23-34) already made their big move this week, swinging a deal with Sacramento for All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins. That trade signaled that New Orleans is a strong buyer this month, despite being 11 games below .500, and the club may not be done yet. Having sent out three guards in the Cousins swap, the Pelicans are in the market for backcourt help, and have reportedly Terrence Jones available as they search for deals.
Jazz Testing Market For Favors; Suns Interested
FEBRUARY 21, 9:03am: The Suns have expressed interest in discussing a Favors deal with the Jazz, per Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Utah isn’t considered overly likely to part with the power forward, however, as Jones writes.
FEBRUARY 20, 9:10pm: The Jazz have tested the market for Derrick Favors over the past several weeks, Zach Lowe of ESPN.com writes. However, it’s unclear how serious Utah is about moving the former No. 3 overall pick.
Lowe adds that the franchise is “all-in” to keep Gordon Hayward and it doesn’t want to weaken the team this season since it’s in good position to make the playoffs. The scribe adds that the team could be testing the market for Favors now to set up a trade around the draft.
The Jazz currently have roughly $13MM in cap room, but they have several players in line for raises next season. Rudy Gobert‘s massive extension becomes effective this summer and George Hill will join Hayward as a free agent. If the team can re-sign both Hill and Hayward, it may need to shed salary elsewhere.
Favors doesn’t play many minutes alongside Gobert, a player who is clearly in the team’s long-term plans. The 25-year-old power forward is having a middling season by his standards, averaging just 9.2 points per game while sporting a 15.3 player efficiency rating.
Lou Williams Drawing Interest From Jazz
Some members of the Jazz front office have expressed recent interest in Lou Williams, sources tell ESPN’s Ian Begley. According to Begley, there’s a widely-held belief around the league that the Lakers will look to move Williams by Thursday’s trade deadline, and teams that have spoken to L.A. think the club is seeking a first-round pick for the veteran scorer.
Williams, 30, is enjoying perhaps his best year as a pro this season. Despite only playing 24.2 minutes per game off the bench for the Lakers, Williams is averaging a career-high 18.6 PPG, and has also established new career bests in three-pointers per game (2.1) and 3PT% (.386) so far.
In addition to his solid on-court production, Williams has a team-friendly contract that should make him appealing to potential suitors. The former second-round pick is earning $7MM this season and remains under contract for $7MM in 2017/18. With the salary cap on track to exceed $100MM next season, that’s a very reasonable price for a sixth man who can score at the rate Williams does.
The Jazz aren’t the only team that has been linked to Williams as of late. ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on Monday that the Wizards have explored the idea of trading a protected first-round pick for the Lakers guard. Washington has all of its own future first-round picks in hand, while the Jazz actually hold a pair of extra first-rounders: Golden State’s in 2017 and Oklahoma City’s in 2018 (top-14 protected).
Two Cavaliers Traded Player Exceptions Expire
Two traded player exceptions that the Cavaliers could have used to acquire a player without sending out any salary have expired. The two TPEs were acquired when Cleveland traded Anderson Varejao and Jared Cunningham at last season’s deadline, and expired on February 20, a year after they were created.
The Cavs actually already made use of one of the two trade exceptions, using a portion of the $9.6MM+ Varejao TPE when they acquired Kyle Korver last month. Absorbing Korver’s $5.2MM+ salary into that exception reduced its value to about $4.4MM. Meanwhile, the Cunningham TPE was a modest one to begin with, worth about $947K, and was never likely to be used.
Even without those two trade exceptions, the Cavs have plenty of options if they want to make a deal at this week’s deadline. Cleveland still has four TPEs, including one worth about $4.84MM created by Mike Dunleavy‘s outgoing salary last month, and another worth $2.19MM (Mo Williams‘ salary). There’s also nothing stopping the club from sending out salaries of its own if it wants to acquire a player earning $5MM+.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs continue to talk to teams about potential trades, and will likely explore their options right up until a deal is made or the deadline passes.
Meanwhile, as Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors detailed over the weekend, today represents the first day that the Cavs could re-add Varejao to their roster, if they so choose. Teams can’t re-acquire a player within a year of trading him, but that year has now passed and Varejao is currently a free agent. That’s not to say a reunion is likely, but it’s still worth noting.
Trade Candidate: Carmelo Anthony
As the February 23 trade deadline nears, Hoops Rumors will be taking a closer look at several players we consider trade candidates, discussing their value, speculating on potential destinations, and explaining why they are – or should be – available. These players won’t necessarily be dealt in advance of the deadline, but it won’t be surprising if they are.
Carmelo Anthony, F
New York Knicks
2016/17 salary: $24,559,380
Under contract through the 2018/19 season, though his deal contains an ETO for the final year
Trade restrictions: No-Trade Clause
The Knicks surprisingly beat the Spurs last weekend in what could be Carmelo Anthony’s final home game as a member of the team. New York doesn’t have another game before the February 23 trade deadline and while the odds are against an Anthony trade, if he were to be moved, it wouldn’t be the most shocking trade to happen this week.
How Did We Get Here?
It appears that team president Phil Jackson wants Anthony to play for another team, as evidenced by his disparagement of the 10-time All-Star. The Zen Master subtweeted the star and he allegedly had a hand in the article written by his close associate, Charley Rosen, which condemned Anthony. Rosen opined that Anthony’s legs had similar principles to a homerun leaving Yankee Stadium and he concluded his subjective piece with this sentiment: The only sure thing is that Carmelo Anthony has outlived his usefulness in New York.
Anthony still has plenty left in the tank. At age 32, he’s no longer the nimblest of athletes. When he drives at defenders, he powers into them at a controlled speed while always remaining a threat to stop and utilize his deadly jumpshot. He’s not going to rival LeBron James‘ all-around game on a nightly basis, but he’s still a top-30 player in the league and he’s one of the best on the offensive end.
There’s a recipe for constructing a winning Melo team, yet for the longest time, Jackson seemed disinterested in reading anyone else’s cookbook. Anthony needs to be surrounded by shooters along with a defensive anchor in the post while playing in a free-flowing offense. For over half of his tenure with the Knicks, Jackson insisted on the triangle, an offense which has principles installed in sets around the league but it hasn’t been successful as a standalone offense for quite some time. Kristaps Porzingis can develop into the team’s defensive anchor, but Jackson’s signing of Joakim Noah delays his development at the five. Additions Courtney Lee and Lance Thomas are good fits for the quintessential system, but Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are equally poor fits for it.
The mismatch of talent will likely lead New York to the lottery again this season. If this team was winning, the Jackson-Anthony estrangement might be blanketed, but that’s not the case, as our Reverse Standings indicate.
Why Trading Anthony Is Problematic
Wolves Discuss Point Guard Swap With Knicks, Pistons
10:30 PM: The Knicks have discussed adding Ricky Rubio in talks with the Wolves, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports (video link). Windhorst adds that Minnesota has had discussions with the Pistons regarding a Ricky Rubio-Reggie Jackson swap, but the Wolves are not interested in bringing Jackson aboard. A three-way trade that sends Rose to Minnesota, Rubio to Detroit and Jackson to New York could be in play, Windhorst adds. He notes that Rubio and Jackson are two of the players most likely to be traded before the deadline.
Minnesota doesn’t necessarily view Rose as a long-term fit, as the team wants to clear space for Kris Dunn and would like to get out of Rubio’s deal. The Spanish point guard has three years remaining on his contract, while Rose will be a free agent after the season.
10:14 PM: Several teams have reached out to the Knicks regarding a Derrick Rose trade, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports. Begley adds the Wolves are among the teams to have discussions with the franchise.
It’s unclear what the Knicks would receive in return should they send Rose to Minnesota. New York acquired the point guard in the offseason with the hope that he would help the team get to the playoffs this season. The team is currently 23-34 after losing seven of their last 10 games and it appears the franchise will have a hard time achieving that goal.
Rose is averaging 17.7 points per game this season and he hasn’t missed any games because of the knee issues which plagued him over the past few years. He previously played for Wolves executive/coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago for seven seasons.