Here are the latest NBA trade rumors that I’ve discovered scouring the web this morning beginning with the man of the hour, Carmelo Anthony, and his camp’s indecision on whether to sign an extension in New Jersey or not. We also touch base on J.R. Smith and Andre Iguodala trade talk as well as whether the Mavericks have a shot at trading for Carmelo.
We also check into whether Brandon Roy delivered an ultimatum to the Trailblazers regarding Andre Miller’s presence and how Jordan’s Bobcats might be looking to deal their top two players.
As we all know by now December 15th is the true beginning of the trade season as teams can now include players signed over the summer in their potential transactions. Players like Brendan Haywood, Dorell Wright, Tony Allen, and LeBron James will now be available for the taking.
Ok, so not James, but you get my point.
The Nets began the shopping spree in earnest to acquire assets in a potential deal for Carmelo Anthony by dealing Terrence Williams to the Rockets, Joe Smith to the Lakers, and obtaining two first-round picks and Sasha Vujacic.
Long live “The Machine”!
Now the trade winds are really starting to swirl all over the league so here are a few headlines to peruse on your travels.
As usual, to view the entire column just click on the bold header before each excerpt.
Here we go…
The Post notes that Anthony desires to play for the New York Knicks, though the New Jersey Nets are the ones that are being extremely aggressive on getting Anthony from the Denver Nuggets right now.
A league source told the Post that “Anthony’s camp hasn’t made it clear to New Jersey whether he would sign a contract extension in order to play for the Nets.” And it doesn’t make much sense for Jersey to make such a trade without that extension being in place.
The Post has reported that the Nuggets are now determined to move him before season’s end since Anthony has shown no interest in the three-year, $65 million extension that’s been on the table for months.
Despite numerous reports Anthony wants only the Knicks or would rather dunk his head in acid than go to Newark, the Nets remain confident. They have not heard he would agree to New Jersey, they have not heard that he wouldn’t. They just feel they have enough pieces to get him from Denver and that he will agree to the three-year, $65-million extension the Nuggets presented, even if mold now grows on the paperwork.
A Nets package could include any variation of components: rookie Derrick Favors, guard Devin Harris, Troy Murphy and his $11.9 million expiring contract, multiple draft picks.
The Nets also believe the Anthony saga is drawing to a close and could be decided one way or the other by month’s end. And they like having potentially six first-round picks over the next three years.
The Mavs have in recent days “continued to touch base’’ with the Nuggets regarding Carmelo Anthony trade ideas, sources tell DallasBasketball.com. But it seems there are three major hurdles that exist to block ‘Melo-to-the-Mavs from becoming a reality.
What Denver believes it can get in exchange from somebody like New Jersey, which features young “lottery-level’’ talent like Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. If the Nuggets are preparing to tear down their roster and rebuild – the likely path assuming Anthony departs – they will want to do so with a core of young-but-proven talent.
Our understanding is that while Rodrigue Beaubois might fit that profile, Dallas comes up short in terms of other names. Dominique Jones? He’s the 25th pick, a rookie, who is toiling in the D-League. J.J. Barea? Not a building block. Ian Mahinmi and Alexis Ajinca? Obviously not A-level talent.
What Dallas has done, to its credit, is develop some “D-level’’ guys into “C-level’’ guys; Mahinmi and Ajinca would have supplemental value in trades.
Yet we are now told the Mavericks would be interested in a rent-a-player situation – a slight shift from their position last summer. They would give that aforementioned package and move forward confident in the belief that an immersion in “Mavericks culture’’ would impress Anthony.
Are the 76ers looking to package Elton Brand with Andre Iguodala? Via HoopsVibe:
There was little interest in a broken down Brand and his big ticket. So the cellar-dwelling 76ers have resorted to packaging him with the marketable Andrew Iguodala.
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Bottom line: if a team wants ‘Iggy’ they have to take Brand. * There are two problems with this strategy. First, few teams have the cap space and resources to assume Brand and Iguodala’s combined salary of $26 million. Those that do aren’t interested.
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Second, Brand and Iguodala’s hefty price tag means the 76ers would surely have to take back a problem contract in a trade. The rebuilding 76ers need young assets, expiring contracts, and draft picks to pair with Evan Turner. They don’t need a frustrated, overpaid veteran to lead the kids astray.*
Are the Bulls discussing a trade for J.R. Smith? Via DimeMag.com:
The perception has long been held that, if Denver has to reluctantly give up ‘Melo, they’ll try to unload the sometimes-problematic Smith at the same time, whether as part of the seemingly inevitably ‘Melo deal or in a separate move to continue the rebuilding process. Chauncey Billups‘ name also becomes part of trade talk in this scenario, since the 34-year-old has made it clear he doesn’t want to hang around if he’s not playing for a contender.
According to ESPN, the Nuggets and Bulls are discussing a J.R. Smith trade. No word yet on who would be involved from Chicago’s side, but Smith would provide some scoring off the bench. If you recall, J.R. was traded to the Bulls four years ago as part of the Tyson Chandler deal, but Chicago turned around and traded him to Denver a week later.
Did Brandon Roy deliver an ultimatum to the Trailblazers front office? From ESPN:* *
*One plugged-in person with knowledge of Portland’s inner workings told me Roy spoke with Blazers management less than two weeks ago about the need for Miller and him to part ways. While Roy did not issue a trade demand or request, I’m told he said something to this effect: *
*This is not going to work, so you should trade one of us. Whether it’s him or whether it’s me, somebody needs to be traded because this is not going to work. *
*Portland general manager Rich Cho, as well as Roy’s agent, Bob Myers, denied that such a discussion ever happened. *
*“It’s not true,’’ Cho said on Thursday. *
Whether Roy made those comments or not, it’s unlikely that he’d be the player on the move because Miller’s trade value is much higher. Not only is Miller having another strong season, averaging 13.3 points and 7.4 assists, but there’s a team option on the $7.8 million the Blazers owe him next year. So essentially, the 34-year-old point guard is on an expiring contract.
Will the Bobcats trade Stephen Jackson and/or Gerald Wallace? Via The Charlotte Observer:
The Charlotte Bobcats have been gauging the trade value of various players, including co-captains Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, two NBA sources confirmed Thursday.
The Bobcats (9-16) have been plummeting of late, with two losses of 30 points or more in the past six days. After a 33-point loss Wednesday to the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Larry Brown described his team’s performance this way:
“I had to get on them at halftime – beg them to play. That’s not what I’m supposed to be doing,’’ Brown said.
“No effort, no teamwork, guys don’t run back. They blame it on the referees.’’
With that as a backdrop, Bobcats management is apparently assessing its trade options. The two sources – executives with other NBA teams – spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
Until next time…* *