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The 2017 trade deadline is only a week away. As expected, the NBA trade rumors continue to run rampant. Let’s take a look at the latest and try to discern fact from fiction.
Based on all of the NBA trade rumors flying around right now, the league is about to be turned on its head. However, as we all know, the weeks leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline are filled with false hopes and unfounded speculation.
With only a week to go before all deals must be done, it seems necessary to take a look at which rumors deserve to be taken seriously and which ones don’t. Unfortunately, there are more that fit into the latter category than the former.
That’s the way the NBA rumor mill works these days, though.
Here’s what we’re going to do–we’re going to take a quick look at some of the top rumors right now. In doing so, we’re going to shed some light on what’s really going on and what we should be expecting to happen before the February 23 deadline.
Sifting through the mess a week before the deadline is never easy. Luckily for you, I’m here to help get us all through this stressful time in the season.
So here they are–the NBA trade rumors you need to know about as the 2017 deadline looms just a week away.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Lakers Are Actively Shopping Lou Williams
For most of the 2016-17 campaign, the Lakers have been adamant about their lack of interest in a trade. They were willing to listen, but weren’t actively seeking a deal. Well, it appears that’s no longer the case.
According to Hoops Hype’s Adam Kennedy, the Lakers have been shopping Lou Williams ahead of the 2017 trade deadline. While it’s unclear what they could get in return, now is the time to sell high on the Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Seeing how effective he’s been, it may also be in the team’s best interests to get him off the roster. As Kennedy mentioned, the Lakers “have a lot riding on this year’s lottery.”
Their 2017 first-round pick is top three-protected, meaning it goes to the Philadelphia 76ers if it ends up anywhere after No. 3 overall.
Having Williams isn’t helping their cause in terms of securing that pick.
The 30-year-old guard has been an absolute spark plug off the bench this season. The Lakers have certainly enjoyed his presence, but would like to have the extra minutes to give to youngsters D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.
A potential contender would love to have his scoring potential off the bench, and would likely pay handsomely for it.
It appears Williams will be playing for a different team by Feb. 24. It would be a disappointing loss for the Lakers, but a top-three pick would bring more long-term value to this roster than Williams will.
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Several Quality PGs Are Available
This is a good time to be in need of a quality point guard. There seem to be several available leading up to the 2017 trade deadline, including some up-and-coming talents (via ESPN’s Zach Lowe).
Emmanuel Mudiay is one trade candidate who carries a lot of upside. For some reason, the Denver Nuggets (big-time sellers) are willing to listen to offers for the former top-10 pick.
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I know things haven’t quite gone as expected through two seasons and the emergence of Jamal Murray hasn’t helped. Still, it’s strange considering his potential and what Denver invested to get him.
Another high-octane option is Reggie Jackson. His time in Detroit hasn’t gone as planned, but the Pistons still know they have an asset in the offensive-minded guard. For a team looking to add some scoring, Jackson would be an interesting target at the deadline.
Other players such as Elfrid Payton and Ricky Rubio are also on the block right now. Put simply, there’s a surplus of talent at point guard just waiting to get an opportunity elsewhere.
We’ll see which players actually get dealt in the next week, if any. However, chances seem high a contender in need of some point guard help could put together a package for one of the aforementioned names.
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Jahlil Okafor Still Likely To Be Moved Before Deadline
It seemed inevitable less than a week ago, but a Jahlil Okafor trade has yet to happen. There have been several teams interested in making a deal, but nothing has come to fruition yet.
Despite the apparent setbacks, it still seems fairly inevitable a deal gets done. The 76ers continue to look for takers, and there are a number of potential landing spots. As the big day gets closer, even more may emerge as Philadelphia continues its search for a buyer.
The reason a deal hasn’t yet happened is likely due to Okafor’s limitations. As the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor pointed out, he’s a one-trick pony with little defensive or rebounding abilities.
That’s not to say he can’t make a huge impact on offense, but most teams look for more out of a starting center.
So here we are, still waiting patiently for Okafor to be dealt.
Considering the 76ers’ logjam at center and affinity for draft picks, it’s still very likely they find some team to Okafor off their hands. They might not get the compensation they want, but they’ll get the job done before the trade deadline.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Is Derrick Rose A Serious Trade Candidate?
There’s been a lot of trade talk about the New York Knicks in recent weeks. However, the majority of the conversation has revolved around Carmelo Anthony, Phil Jackson and their rapidly deteriorating relationship.
It wasn’t until recently that Derrick Rose entered the mix as a potential trade candidate. Here’s the latest from Rose on potentially being shopped, via Newsday:
This business with this league, you never know. Who knows? I really don’t know what could happen in the next week, the next day. I just got to wait and see.
On the surface, it seems unrealistic at this point that Rose would get traded. However, when you consider the Knicks’ struggles, his expiring contract and elite (yet inconsistent) abilities, it’s not crazy to imagine a scenario playing where New York sends him packing.
The Knicks obviously want to continue getting younger. That was one of the main reasons why Anthony hit the trade block in the first place.
I’m not entirely sure Rose would net any significant prospects or picks, but a desperate team could convince Jackson to deal his injury-prone point guard if they believe he’s the final piece to the championship puzzle.
So back to my initial question–is Rose a serious trade candidate? At this moment, I would have to say no. But then again, it’s the NBA trade deadline… Crazier things have happened in the past.
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Don’t Expect Any Superstars To Be Dealt
Over the last month or so, there’s been a lot of talk about some of the NBA’s biggest superstars getting dealt before the 2017 trade deadline. However, I wouldn’t get your hopes too high on seeing someone like Anthony, Jimmy Butler or Paul George change teams in the next week.
By now, I’m sure we’re all aware of what’s been going on in the Big Apple. However, based on recent comments by Carmelo, it seems very unlikely the Knicks will be moving their superstar scorer.
According to USA TODAY’s Steve Popper, Anthony hasn’t given any indication that he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause. To top it off, he doesn’t appear interested in taking his talents (or family) away from New York.
Unless there’s a dramatic change in the near future, I don’t foresee the Knicks getting rid of Carmelo before the deadline.
As for Butler and George, let Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler explain:
League sources sort of joked at the idea of either Chicago guard Jimmy Butler or Pacers forward Paul George being obtainable in trade at the deadline, saying “You can always call, every team answers the phone during the All-Star break.”
Essentially Kyler is saying that just because a team called about the availability of a player doesn’t mean he’s actually on the block. I’m not sure if that’s entirely true with Butler considering all of the chatter coming out of Chicago, but it’s definitely possible in George’s case.
Either way, don’t be surprised if no superstars are dealt by Feb. 23.
