The NBA trade rumors are ramping up, particularly for some of the biggest names on the block such as Wilson Chandler and Reggie Jackson.
Check out the latest buzz below.
Arron Afflalo
The Denver Nuggets signaled at least some willingness to deal players after shipping Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland, although teams should be ready to meet a high bar. The Cavaliers needed to give up two first-round picks to snag Mozgov, despite him not being a top tier center.
The Nuggets are not believed by many to have a shot at making the playoffs, though they have climbed within about four games of the eighth spot. But a losing streak of just a couple of games, combined with some wins from the Suns and Thunder, could easily prompt management to start dumping other players.
Arron Afflalo, the Nugget starting shooting guard, is the subject of some trade rumors now. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reported that the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Charlotte Hornets have all discussed trades for Afflalo.
Afflalo, 29, is averaging 15.5 points on 44 percent shooting, including 34 percent shooting from behind the arc. He’s also averaging 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.3 minutes per game.
The Heat are reportedly open to dealing Luol Deng and Norris Cole, among other assets, while the Hornets are trying to deal Lance Stephenson. The Clippers don’t have much to offer, since no one believes they'd trade away Jamal Crawford. The Chicago Bulls have been linked to Afflalo, and might be willing to send away the now injured rookie Doug McDermott.
As Shelburne noted, though, it’s still unclear whether the Nuggets are sellers on the market despite the Mozgov trade.
Wilson Chandler
Shelburne also noted that “everyone” is calling Denver about both Afflalo and Wilson Chandler.
Chandler, 27, is an intriguing prospect because he’s versatile and good at defense. He also averages 14.2 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field, including 35 percent from behind the arc, in 31.6 minutes per game.
The Portland Trailblazers are one team that’s been linked to Chandler.
Zach Lowe of Grantland says that Denver “is just waiting” for Portland to offer a first-round pick for Chandler.
The Grizzlies were linked to Chandler before they snagged Jeff Green. The Clippers could use Chandler but, again, have few assets to trade.
The Sacramento Kings might look at Chandler or Afflalo, trying to set up a deal around young guards Ben McLemore or Nik Stauskas, noted Bleacher Report.
Gerald Green
The Phoenix Suns backup swingman is a prime candidate to be dealt, along with Goran Dragic, as both will be free agents after this season.
“Green is a valued reserve whose above-the-rim acrobatics have been essential to helping the Suns have the third-highest scoring bench in the NBA. But Green will be a free agent this summer and has earned a significant pay raise from his $3.5 million salary after averaging nearly 15 points in two seasons in Phoenix,” noted the Washington Post.
“There might not be enough money or shots to bring back Green with the team leaning on a three-point-guard set and hoping to bring back Goran Dragic in free agency.”
Teams that could use a player like Green include the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Hornets.
The Wizards could trade away their young swingman Otto Porter to get the much quicker and more established Green, while the Nets could try to somehow dump Deron Williams or Brook Lopez in a combo deal. The Hornets would likely want to move Stephenson for Green.
Green, 28, is averaging 14 points on 42 percent shooting, including 37 percent shooting from behind the arc, in 22.1 minutes per game. He’s also averaging 3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals.
Reggie Jackson
Jackson is widely believed to be on the move, either in a trade or leaving when he hits free agency this offseason, as the Thunder aren’t expected to match an offer for the restricted free agent.
Jackson has already seen his minutes decrease sharply after the addition of Dion Waiters, although he told the Oklahoman he’s trying not to worry about it.
“I mean, that’s what everybody’s saying,” Jackson said when asked directly if he feels like he'll be traded this season. “I’m not here to speculate, though. So if that’s what they do I understand it’s a business. If not, I’m still out here giving it my all. I’m just here to enjoy the game to the best of my ability. That’s all I want to do is play basketball.”
The paper added: “Jackson has performed inconsistently this season and at times has seemed disinterested, disconcerting characteristics that reveal part of the reason the Thunder has never let a rotational fixture play out a full contract year before becoming a free agent.”
Sources told CBS that the Knicks are going to try to re-engage the Thunder in talks for Jackson, after they were rebuffed in attempts to include him in the Waiters deal. “Jackson would fit into the $2.6 million trade exception New York received in the trade with Cleveland and Oklahoma City, but the Thunder have been steadfast in rebuffing trade offers for the point guard,” it said.
Since Jackson will likely leave in free agency, the Thunder will likely accept a relatively low deal for him, though it’s unclear what the Knicks could offer apart from overpriced veteran Jose Calderon and expiring contract Andrea Bargnani.
Jackson, 24, is averaging 14.9 points on 42 percent shooting, including 28 percent from behind the arc, in 31.6 minutes per game. He’s also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 0.8 steals.
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