With the NBA trade deadline just days away, every player who has publicly and privately been on the trading block is currently hearing his name tossed around in any and all possible directions.
At this point, it seems like team GMs are just throwing potential moves against the wall and hoping they stick, even though deep down they know that these deals probably can't and won’t go through.
Here is a team-by-team breakdown of the latest rumors:
Bucks
Milwaukee is reportedly looking to move two of its core pieces, Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings, should the right deals come a long.
According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, the Golden State Warriors are very interested in dealing for Bogut, despite the fact that the former No. 1 pick has had a largely disappointing professional career up to this point. Jennings’ potential departure is far less the byproduct of his on-the-court performance, and moreso the end result of him not keeping his mouth shut regarding his future with the team. His somewhat recent comments regarding not knowing what the future holds between him and the Bucks reportedly irked management to the point where they now wouldn't be opposed to him getting lost.
Celtics
Boston is still reportedly looking for a way to rid itself of the best player on the roster, Rajon Rondo. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Celtics attempted to engage the Los Angeles Lakers in a Pau Gasol-for-Rondo swap as recently as last week, but the deal seemingly fell apart when L.A. expressed disinterest in that idea.
Clippers
Los Angeles’ other team is reportedly looking to pry Jamal Crawford away from the Portland Trail Blazers. According to CBS Sports, the proposed swap would include the Clippers sending Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes to Portland for yet another potent scorer that Vinny Del Negro could add to his already solid arsenal.
Heat
Somehow even Miami, arguably the best team in the NBA, has found itself embroiled in Dwight Howard rumors. As we noted on Opposing Views earlier today, Howard is apparently very interested in joining up with either the Clippers or Heat if he were to become a free agent this summer. Make what you will out of that rumor.
Lakers
Los Angeles’ real team is in desperate need of a legitimate point guard, but isn’t willing to part ways with Pau Gasol to make that happen. As mentioned, they reportedly turned down a deal with the Celtics that would have gotten them Rajon Rondo.
According to CBS Sports, the Lakers are currently in talks with Portland to acquire Raymond Felton in a trade for Steve Blake and an assortment of scraps.
There was also some talk about a big deal between the Rockets and Lakers that would have netted L.A. Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry for Gasol, but apparently that’s no longer an option because of Lowry’s recent ailment. How true it is that L.A. would allow something as minor as that to deter them from making such a substantial trade is questionable, but that’s what Sporting News is saying.
Magic
The basketball world continues to wait with bated breath to see what Orlando will do with Dwight Howard. At this point, all signs point to Howard most likely staying with his current squad through at least the end of this year. The Magic are purportedly trying to acquire Monta Ellis from the Warriors in an effort to show their superstar center that they're legit, but ESPN is noting that Golden State is far more interested in doing business with Milwaukee than them.
After all the talk and speculation, the smart money (as of this second) seems to be on Howard playing out the year.
Warriors
The Warriors have been looking to acquire an athletic big man ever since they came within a matched offer sheet of signing DeAndre Jordan this summer. Dwight Howard is clearly their big man of choice, but it appears as though they’d be willing to settle for Andrew Bogut. According to Marcus Thompson, Golden State is still refuting reports that they’re actively pursuing a deal with Orlando for Howard’s services.
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