The Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets are said to be working on a deal that would send Nets center Brook Lopez to the Thunder.
Lopez is 7-foot-0 and averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in his sixth season. Multiple sources said the Nets have been looking to shake up their roster for the majority of the season, and are clearly open to moving key pieces such as Lopez.
The NBA trading deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. EST.
It is unclear how close the sides may be, or what the Nets would be able to get in return in such a trade. Initial reports suggest they may be seeking to land second-year Thunder center Steven Adams. Other young pieces such as guards Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb, and forward Perry Jones, could be of interest to the Nets.
At more than $91 million, the Nets have the highest payroll in the NBA. Lopez is due around $15.7 million this season and $16.7 million next -- so he will not be easy to move. But Thunder general manager Sam Presti has supposedly long been enamored with Lopez, dating back to when Lopez was selected by the Nets with the 10th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
The Nets are also expected to pursue deals involving either swingman Joe Johnson or point guard Deron Williams, or both. There has also been talk they could buy out the contract of longtime power forward Kevin Garnett.
Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin has remade the roster since adding LeBron James in July, and he could still make a few more moves before Thursday.
With an available roster spot at their disposal, the Cavs are looking to add depth in the frontcourt as well as at point guard. It does not appear, however, they would be willing to part with any key members of coach David Blatt's rotation.
Some have suggested the Cavs are more likely to stand pat at the trading deadline and pick up players via free agency/buyouts or the NBA D-League. They have also been in the conversation as a potential suitor for free-agent shooting guard Ray Allen.
Multiple sources say the Sacramento Kings are aggressively pursuing trades as the deadline approaches. The Kings just hired George Karl as coach and are hoping to quickly upgrade the roster.
Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported the Kings have been offering a package that includes rookie shooting guard Nik Stauskas. "Seems SAC wants to make a splashy move," Kennedy wrote.
Former All-Star big man Amar'e Stoudemire has been bought out by the New York Knicks, according to a Sunday report in the New York Daily News.
The Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs are reportedly among those interested in Stoudemire. The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks are also potential suitors.
Stoudemire, 32, is averaging 12.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in his 12th NBA season. He has spent the past several seasons battling an assortment of injuries.
1. Kings forward Jason Thompson reportedly would like to be traded. Thompson is said to be among several players on the team who are less-than-enamored with the hiring of Karl.
2. Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki told NBA Radio of the Stoudemire rumors: "I'm sure we're going hard after him."
3. Point guard Norris Cole (Miami Heat), shooting guard Lance Stephenson (Charlotte Hornets) and power forward Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls) are three more players making the rounds on the NBA trade-rumor mill. The Milwaukee Bucks are said to have a strong interest in Gibson, and some interest in Cole.
4. Philadelphia 76ers GM Sam Hinkie is aggressively pursuing several minor trades, according to several reports. The Sixers have an open roster spot they are looking to fill.
