Several rival executives tell Chris Mannix of SI.com that the Magic appear committed to trading both Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier this week. Having fallen well out of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, Orlando is prioritizing receiving draft compensation rather than players who could help the team win this season, Mannix writes.
To that end, while Marcus Smart is said to be included in the Celtics‘ trade discussions for Gordon and Fournier, Mannix wonders if the Magic might want to re-route Smart to a third team for more draft capital if Boston and Orlando move forward on that deal.
Mannix also suggests there has been some chatter around the league that the Celtics’ talks with the Magic about Gordon may be a way of pressuring the Kings into more seriously discussing Harrison Barnes, since there hasn’t been much traction with Sacramento to date. The Kings don’t seem to be displaying a strong desire to move key players for draft picks, says Mannix.
Here are a few more items of interest from Mannix’s latest trade rumor roundup:
- It’s no longer a question of whether or not the Rockets will trade Victor Oladipo, but rather where they’ll send him, according to Mannix, who hears that the Knicks‘ interest in the two-time All-Star may be overstated.
- The Thunder are “open for business” on deals for Al Horford and George Hill, but haven’t made it down the road in any trade discussions for either veteran. Mannix says Oklahoma City has sought “second-round compensation” for Hill, though it’s unclear if that means one second-round pick or multiple selections.
- There’s still no serious traction toward any trades involving Cavaliers center Andre Drummond or Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge. Mannix thinks both players will ultimately end up on the buyout market, where they’ll receive significant interest.
i really hope boston doesnt get either player and whiffs again
I’m concerned the Celtics make this trade and it doesn’t work out
I would be literally shocked if the Celtics move Marcus Smart
Safe play for C’s is to use the trade exception on Horford, squeak into the playoffs, and look to move Walker in the offseason. Draft well, continue Pritchards’ development, and see what happens. Williams, Pritchard, Tatum, Brown, Smart is a good nucleus to build from heading into next season.
they will need to pay Smart and have no bench
Rockets would be smart to move Oladipo but right now their asking price is way to high for a player how is a free agent. He will be dealt before the trade deadline if Rockets are smart.
The only team that is interested in Oladipo is Knicks
Heat are no longer interested
I read poll options last week
Oladipo for
One good young player and 2 future Firsts
Or
3 future Firsts
Knicks won’t offer any future First
Wtf?
i heard the same thing that they wanted a young player and 2 first round picks when they would be lucky to get 1 1st round pick. He said he wants to test the free agent market so why would a team trade that much for a player that would be gone at the end of the year.
Best Case Scenario for the Celtics is getting Fournier/Gordon and sign Drummond
Is it really the best case though? Gordon and Fournier are both solid players but don’t really move the needle. And Drummond would just block minutes that they already have going to Robert Williams (they would both play the same role). The celtics need a stretch 4 and if they upgrade at center, then it needs to be an upgrade over theis, not Robert williams
Hill could be nice for the Knicks. Maybe Payton and one second gets the deal done. He could start for us, with DRose and Quick coming of the bench and providing buckets
Is George Hill actually better than Payton tho?
Imo yes, and i also think that Hill fits way better with our roster
Horford to Celtics