The NBA trade rumors are heating up as more and more players become subject of speculation and reports.
Check out the latest buzz below.
Nets Shopping Stars
The Brooklyn Nets have started letting teams know that Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez are available via trade.
The Nets are struggling at 8-11, and all three veterans are having relatively poor seasons.
The team has “let it be known that they are prepared to move any of those franchise cornerstones in what would likely be separate deals if they came to fruition because of the high salaries each possess,” reported ESPN.
But, it emphasized, sources said no trade is imminent at the moment.
“Sources insist that the Nets haven’t abandoned their recent ‘win-now mentality’ and aren’t merely looking to dump salary. Brooklyn’s hope, sources said, is eventually to construct a deal or two that bring back sufficient talent that enables the Nets remain a playoff team,” it added.
Williams, 30, has two years remaining on a five-year, $98 million deal. He’s due $21 million next season and $22.3 million in the final season of his contract, although he has a player option, so he could be a free agent in the summer of 2016.
Lopez, 26, has one year left on his contract. He’s expected to exercise the player option for next season worth $16.7 because of lingering injuries.
Johnson, 33, also has one year left on his contract, and is set to make $24.9 million next season.
The trio is the highest-paid trio in the league this season at $58.7 million combined.
Cavs Targeting Koufos
The Cleveland Cavaliers have added another target to their ever-expanding wishlist--Kosta Koufos.
The backup center on the Memphis Grizzlies is frustrated with his lack of playing time behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph , and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The seven-footer is averaging 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds a game in 13.8 minutes.
The Cavs are trying to get the Grizzlies to take Dion Waiters in return for Koufos, sources told ESPN.
“If the Grizzlies could add a scorer like Waiters for a player who could simply leave them without compensation in July, either to keep or trade themselves, you figure they'd have to consider it,” it said.
“Especially since the Grizzlies, as formidable as they’ve looked so far, could certainly use another wing scorer to boost their own long-term aspirations, though it’s a secret to pretty much no one at this point that Waiters -- judging by his struggles to adapt to a reserve role under first-year Cavs coach David Blatt -- doesn’t want to come off anyone’s bench.”
The Cavs have also been linked lately to the Grizzlies’ backup small forward Tayshaun Prince.
Knicks Could Deal Pick
The New York Knicks look like they'll have a high pick in next year’s draft, and could trade it away.
Phil Jackson acknowledged the importance of the pick but indicated that it could be dealt.
He also said that he doesn’t want to make a trade just to make a trade, but indicated that he is actively considering multiple deals.
“I’m not going to make movement for movement sake and I sometimes think there is addition by subtraction but I don’t see anybody who doesn’t want to be part of this organization, doesn’t want to play with his teammates, doesn’t want to learn,” Jackson told reporters this week.
A number of Knicks players have been subject to trade rumors. Amare Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani have been two high-profile possibilities, since they both have expiring contracts.
Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are among the other players mentioned in potential deals.
Pistons Shopping Smith
The Detroit Pistons are shopping Josh Smith, among other players.
Smith is considered a poor fit at the small forward position, and has been struggling this season along with the rest of the team.
Smith, 29, is shooting just 38 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range. He’s averaging 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 33.5 minutes per game, mostly at small forward.
The Pistons “are expected to be sellers,” said Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher.
The Pistons don’t have much salary committed in the upcoming seasons as of yet. They have $61 million committed this season, but only $46 million committed next season, and $25 million committed the season after that.
That leaves them the ability to take on additional salaries if needed to complete a good trade.
Greg Monroe, who has an expiring contract, is also a possible trade chip.
