NBA Rumors: 5 Noteworthy Names Who Could Actually Be Traded
With all of the ridiculous NBA trade rumors out there right now, this is your opportunity to see some of the notable players who could actually be moved in 2016-17.
Oct 29, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Kings won 106-103. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
As we all know by now, the NBA rumors can get ridiculous at this time or year. Largely driven by uneducated speculation, big names suddenly find themselves on the “trade block” even if there’s no merit to reports.
As I highlighted earlier this week, there are a number of stars who are allegedly being shopped. It’s gotten so ridiculous that players like Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis have been mentioned as being available for the right price. It’s laughable, but that’s what the NBA rumor mill has evolved into.
Well, I’m here to help you get a better idea of who could actually be traded before the 2017 deadline. There’s no speculation here–all players on this list have been mentioned by credible sources as being available now or in the near future.
It’s tough sledding when you’re trying to determine fact from faction. However, with my help, you’ll be much more enlightened in terms of which players are actually available and which ones are just being mentioned as trade candidates to cause commotion.
So here they are — five noteworthy NBA players who could actually be dealt in 2016-17.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Goran Dragic, PG – Miami Heat
It’s been a rough go for the Miami Heat this season. Following the losses of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they’ve been unable to consistently put notches in the win column. Hassan Whiteside is doing an exceptional job of being the franchise player, but he’s not getting enough support.
He especially hasn’t gotten the needed support from Goran Dragic, who’s been battling a sprained ankle. Even when he is in the lineup, the eight-year NBA veteran hasn’t been as effective as in years past.
There was speculation before the season that Pat Riley could trade away Dragic. While head coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed that a trade wasn’t in the works (via ESPN’s Marc Stein), things could change if the Heat keep losing. We all know that Riley isn’t afraid to make moves when the going gets rough.
Miami has a strong foundation of young talent with players like Whiteside, Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. However, more assets are needed before they return to contender status. Trading away Dragic could be a good opportunity for them to reload in terms of cheap, young talent and draft picks, as ESPN’s Nick Silva pointed out.
It’s no guarantee Dragic will be playing elsewhere by this season’s end. However, the odds of a trade seem to be increasing with each loss the Heat suffers.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Rudy Gay, SF – Sacramento Kings
When it comes to trade rumors, the Sacramento Kings have been mentioned relentlessly as a team looking to sell off parts. At this moment, four of their players are allegedly on the trade block. One of those includes Rudy Gay, one of the franchise’s top talents.
Gay has enjoyed a sensational start to the 2016-17 campaign, currently averaging 20.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been much help for the Kings, who currently sit near the bottom of the Western Conference standings at 4-9.
If the losses continue to pile up, it makes perfect sense for the Kings to start shopping their assets. You can bet Gay will be one piece of trade bait they dangle in front of potential buyers.
One possible landing spot is the Oklahoma City Thunder (via ESPN’s Zach Lowe), a team looking to replace Kevin Durant on the wing. Once the trade talks really start ramping up, expect other clubs to join the conversation for one of the NBA’s more intriguing scoring forwards.
The Kings need a fresh start after years of irrelevance. Moving Gay may not be the best move, but it’d be a step in the right direction for a franchise with little direction.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Monroe, C – Milwaukee Bucks
It wasn’t long ago Greg Monroe was seen as one of the better big men in the NBA. Now, as we work our way through the early parts of the 2016-17 campaign, he’s not even a starter for the Milwaukee Bucks.
In fact, it appears he’s fallen completely out of favor with head coach Jason Kidd. It’s gotten to the point where Monroe was a coach’s choice to sit out the Bucks’ battle with the Heat on Thursday. Then on Saturday night, he saw a measly two minutes.
Monroe had already been previously demoted to bench duties, and appears on the verge of becoming an irrelevant part of the Milwaukee roster.
So why wouldn’t the Bucks want to trade him? If they can find a viable partner, giving him a new opportunity elsewhere would be best for all parties involved. Stein already made it known not long ago that he’d be available if a suitor came calling.
Monroe is more than capable of being a standout center in this league. We saw how dominant he was at times during his days with the Detroit Pistons. I’m confident he could return to that state in a different setting.
By trading Monroe, the Bucks would add an extra piece or two as they continue to improve under Kidd. Then Monroe gets a fresh start elsewhere, presumably on a team in need of an impact interior presence.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nerlens Noel, PF/C – Philadelphia 76ers
At this moment, the Philadelphia 76ers almost have too much talent in the frontcourt. Joel Embiid has emerged as a rising star, and we all know the potential Jahlil Okafor has when he’s healthy and has his head on straight.
That’s part of why Nerlens Noel is one of the NBA players most likely to be traded right now. In fact, NBA.com’s David Aldridge already confirmed this assertion at the end of October.
We’ve seen the type of damage Noel can do when healthy. He’s an excellent interior presence, using his length and instincts to consistently clean the glass and reject shots. Although his offensive game is still a work in progress, there’s a reason he was the No. 6 overall pick in 2013.
Noel has yet to see the floor this season, as he’s been nursing a knee injury. Despite that, several teams, including the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, have shown interest in his services. It’s clear that interested parties are willing to overlook his health concerns if it means adding a dynamic youngster to the frontcourt.
The 76ers aren’t expected to re-sign Noel when he becomes a free agent next offseason. So you can understand why finding a trade partner for him would be the wise move for Philadelphia.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins, C – Sacramento Kings
There may not be many better scoring centers in the NBA than DeMarcus Cousins. Unfortunately, there may also not be many front office staff in Sacramento who still want him on the team.
Over the last few years, Cousins has allegedly been on the trade block. While the Kings have yet to move him, it seems this could finally be the year he gets shipped off to a new team. According to an anonymous NBA GM (via Sporting News), he expects Cousins to be traded before the 2017 deadline.
There are a couple of reasons why this makes perfect sense.
First, Cousins only has one year left on his current contract after this season. He’s not expected to re-sign, so why not find a trade partner for him while his value is still high? That way Sacramento can clear some cap space and acquire some future assets for one of the NBA’s top centers.
Second, he’s had some issues with lashing out at referees and coaches. If this team is serious about turning things around, they need to start building around a player without all of the character concerns that Cousins carries.
It’s difficult to imagine the Kings parting ways with such an excellent player. However, it’s in the team’s best long-term interests to move the offensive big man, especially with how tumultuous his time with the franchise has been.
Cousins is right there alongside Noel as one of the most likely names to be dealt before the deadline.
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