The NBA trade rumors are heating up as teams are now able to move players who signed contracts this summer.
Check out the latest buzz below.
Teams That Should Target Jackson
Reggie Jackson is one of the more intriguing possible trade targets. The guard struggled while trying to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder without its stars, but has shown enough in the past couple years to garner attention.
Jackson wants a starting role, and would likely get a big enough offer as a restricted free agent this offseason to make the Thunder wary of matching it.
So the split is set up, with the question being who he'll get dealt to.
Bleacher Report has named five teams that should be interested in the guard, who
The Los Angeles Lakers are one, with their obvious discontent over Jeremy Lin and Ronnie Price as point guards.
“A trio of Jackson, Kobe and Nick Young could be dynamic, but it would take some time to jell. That’s why you make the trade for Jackson now. If he proves to be a fine complement to Bryant and Young, the Lakers have the cap room to keep him long-term,” it said.
The Lakers could trade the first-round pick from the Lin trade, which will be at the bottom of the first round.
The Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks are other potential destinations.
The fifth is the Miami Heat, which aren’t faring well so far this year with Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, and Shabazz Napier sharing poitn guard duty.
“Reggie Jackson would give the Heat a more reliable scoring option than what they have in Chalmers and Cole at point guard. He could also take some of the facilitating duties away from [Dwyane] Wade, who leads the team in assists,” it noted.
“With Flash turning 33 in January, it would benefit the team to lighten the load on his shoulders to keep him fresh for a playoff run.”
Pacers Among Teams Interested in Stephenson
The Charlotte Hornets are trying to deal Lance Stephenson, sources told multiple outlets, and the Indiana Pacers are among the teams interested in him.
The Indy Star confirmed that the Pacers have been in talks with the Hornets.
The Star says the team should get the deal done.
“Because the move would be mutually beneficial for a young and rising player who has lost his way after making the biggest decision of his basketball life four months ago, and the proud franchise mired in what’s turning out to be the worst season in 30 years,” it said.
“Because the future demands it. This season might be a lost cause, but instead of flirting with the temptation of blowing things up, the Pacers can rebuild again in 2015-16 with their same five-man core that led the team to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals.
“And, because both sides made a bad decision during free agency. Stephenson handed all the leverage to Charlotte after turning down life-changing money with the Pacers (5 years, $44 million). However, if the Pacers truly gave Stephenson a deadline to sign with them, as Stephenson has told me several times -- and the events following the first day of free agency reveal some truth to this -- then they forced out their most prized recruit.”
Sources also indicate that Stephenson would like to return to Indiana.
No other teams have been definitively connected to the swingman as of yet, although the Brooklyn Nets could be among the teams interested in swinging a deal.
“One factor that could ultimately lead to a deal, despite Stephenson’s ragged and discouraging start, is the fact that the three-year, $27 million deal he received over the summer from Charlotte owner Michael Jordan is only guaranteed through next season. The third year of the deal is not guaranteed, which theoretically enhances Charlotte’s chances of finding another team willing to gamble on the mercurial swingman,” ESPN noted.
“Sources say that the Hornets are not in a move-him-at-all-costs mode with Stephenson but made it clear that Charlotte is ready now to abandon the experiment if a palatable deal presents itself.”
Thomas Fires His Agent
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas fired his agent Andy Miller, sparking speculation that he is expecting to get traded and wants better representation.
Thomas could be the odd man out of the Suns three-point guard experiment, although Goran Dragic is also expected to be shopped.
Sources told Bleacher Report that out of Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, and Thomas, the latter is the most likely to be traded.
“I do think that they’re going to look at it, [but] only if it makes them better,” said one Western Conference executive.
But with Dragic possibly leaving via free agency, he might be the one.
Bright Side of the Sun says one potential trade is Thomas for Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons, though Monroe is on a one-year contract and could leave via free agency if the trade does go through.
“Because Monroe signed his qualifying offer ($5.5 million), any team acquiring Monroe can only do so with Monroe’s consent, and would not have any Bird Rights this summer as Monroe becomes a free agent. Lack of Bird Rights means that the acquiring team would not have the right to offer higher raises or more years to Monroe to entice him to stay,” the blog noted.
Another potential trade is for Jordan Hill of the Los Angeles Lakers. Yet another possible target is Stephenson.
Williams to Utah?
Deron Williams, along with Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez, are the subject of trade rumors after it was reported all three are being shopped.
Although each have their negatives and positives, Williams could be the first to go, and he could go back to Utah.
The Jazz currently lack a strong point guard and may be open to reuniting with Williams.
“Utah needs a point guard,” an Eastern Conference scout told Bleacher.
“There’s the team for Deron Williams, seriously. Trey Burke is at best an average backup. [Dante Exum] has struggled. He can’t make a shot. I think he was overrated. He’s 19. We'll give him time ... They have enough talent to be .500 maybe, or better than they are. I think what’s holding them back is point guard.”
Other Players and Teams
A number of other players could easily be dealt, led by the Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace, and Jeff Green.
Kevin Garnett, with an expiring deal and veteran experience, is attractive to contenders. Luol Deng of the Heat is having trouble fitting in on the team. Andre Iguodala, relegated to the bench, could attract attention. Jameer Nelson is among the point guards who could see another home. Wilson Chandler is among the Denver Nuggets mentioned as players that could be moved. Veteran Thaddeus Young is stuck on a rebuilding Minnesota Timberwolves squad.
Many players on the New York Knicks have been subject to rumors, primarily the three shooting guards--J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Tim Hardaway Jr. They also have the expiring contracts of Amare Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani to offer other teams.
The Houston Rockets are expected to make at least one deal and the Lakers will likely make a deal or two. The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to make a move, possibly including Tyreke Evans. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been searching for a defensive swingman and/or a rim protector. The Detroit Pistons likely want to shake things up.
