The NBA trade rumors in early 2014 keep flying, with the latest ones involving the Thunder, Rockets, and Sixers among others.
Let’s check some of them out:
Oklahoma City Thunder
-The team has been doing well without Russell Westbrook but is still looking to deal, and Thabo Sefolosha is one of the players that could potentially be traded. Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report said via Twitter that Sefolosha is one of many names that he’s hearing in trade talks within league circles. There hasn’t been any concrete deals involving the guard yet.
-The Thunder have also been mentioned in contention for Turner of the Sixers (see more on him below), but SI reports that things have changed. “After losing James Harden and the Kevin Martin, it was understood that the Thunder might be in the market for a shooting guard who could provide some offensive firepower. However as the season has gone on and the Thunder have the best record in the NBA, this no longer seems like such an issue. Jeremy Lamb has developed into a budding young star, Reggie Jackson has continued his progression from the playoffs last year when he was thrust into the starting lineup and Serge Ibaka has become a legitimate third option.”
Houston Rockets
(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
-Omer Asik is continually mentioned in trade rumors, and Susan Bible of Basketball Insiders said in a recent chat that she believes that he'll be traded by the deadline. “His value has just plummeted, but they definitely could get something of value in return. If I were Morey, he’d be so gone,” she said. Asik has been injured, but the Houston Chronicle reported that Asik could be cleared to practice around February 11. Meanwhile, some reports have linked the New York Knicks to Asik, such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tyson Chandler for Asik and Jeremy Lin.
Philadelphia 76ers
-Thaddeus Young has been linked to possible trades, and Basketball Insiders reported that Young, Evan Turner, and Spencer Hawes could all be moved before the trade deadline. Young has been a target of the Houston Rockets all year. Then again, one league source told Liberty Ballers that the Sixers front office are being patient and fielding lots of offers rather than initiating them. The ballers also believe that “Thaddeus Young would be a fantastic veteran to lead a team with four lottery picks in two years moving forward,” so the Sixers could keep him.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
-The Sixers are getting lots of interest in swingman Turner, who they are reportedly intent on dealing. The suitors include the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Bobcats, and Phoenix Suns, although no concrete deals have been lined up as of yet. The Sixers want a draft pick. One name connected to a trade is Shawn Marion of the Mavs. On the other hand, one general manager told Sporting News: “It wouldn’t be smart to give up assets for a player you think you can just sign on your own in July. If you don’t need to trade anything away to get him, then why would you?”
Cleveland Cavaliers
-Kyrie Irving has been linked to trades after ESPN cited sources saying the star guard wants out of Cleveland, but it is generally considered unlikely that Irving will be dealt.
(Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
-Instead, the Cavs are shopping Dion Waiters--who hasn’t meshed well with Irving--as well as Alonzo Gee. “The Cavs could hold the line if the offers don’t improve and try to move Waiters around the draft or in free agency, but if they can make a move that returns a good asset they seem open to it,” according to Basketball Insiders. Gee has fallen out of the rotation since the arrival of Luol Deng. Another name mentioned has been Anderson Varejao.
Dallas Mavericks
-As mentioned above, the Mavs are connected to looking at Evan Turner, and Shawn Marion has been linked to a possible deal by Fox Sports. ESPN notes that the Mavs are handcuffed when it comes to first-round picks, since they own Oklahoma City a first round pick that’s protected through 2017. They could trade Shane Larkin, but his trade value isn’t considered high. “Never say never, but for the Mavs to get in the mix for Turner, it’d probably take finding a third team that was motivated to trim payroll,” according to ESPN.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
-It’s possible the Mavs will not make any deals. Donnie Nelson, president of basketball operations, told the Dallas Morning News: “We’re always looking to better the team any way we can. That said, with nine new faces on the roster, we’re not looking to change for the sake of change. Would we prefer to win a few more games? Absolutely. But are we in the playoff race? Yes, and we feel like we haven’t played our best basketball yet.”
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