As the NBA Trade Deadline is here, let’s take a look around the Association at the latest rumors to keep your eye on as we lead up to the 3:00 p.m. EST deadline.
Trades
Feb 19, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert (21) leaves the game with an injury during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Knicks defeated the Pelicans 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
– We saw a pair yesterday. The Golden State Warriors have acquired Steve Blake from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks. In addition, the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets announced the first trade of the 2014 deadline season, a deal to send Marcus Thornton to Brooklyn for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans.
Gary Neal attracting a lot of interest
– The Bobcats and Thunder are both interested in acquiring sharpshooting Bucks guard Gary Neal, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Neal appears to be the Bobcats top target at the deadline and are trying to convince the Bucks to take back Ramon Sessions. Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times adds the Suns, Wolves and Kings to the list of suitors for Neal.
Knicks Rumors
– The Knicks have been trying to deal Iman Shumpert all season, but the third-year guard managed only 17 minutes on the court last night before he was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. With his name involved in at least two deals under discussion, the early word on the second-year man out of Georgia Tech was that he has a sprained MCL in his left knee. That could mean he won’t be dealt.
– Yesterday it looked like the Knicks were close on a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire point guard Darren Collison. Those talks broke down and are now dead based on the fact that no one wants Raymond Felton and the Knicks are insisting that Shumpert is only available in exchange for a first round pick or alongside Felton. While talks may be dead right now, we will see if they heat back up today, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Rajon Rondo unlikely to be dealt
-Yesterday we saw the Houston Rockets get actively involved in the Rondo sweepstakes but Boston is insisting on Chandler Parsons be a part of the deal and that isn’t happening from Houston’s end. No other team, including the Knicks, have the type of assets the Celtics would covet in exchange for Rondo.
Sixers Having Trouble moving Evan Turner
The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be active today and one of the names expected to be on the move is former No. 2 overall pick Evan Turner. While they’re desperate to deal Turner, it looks like the Sixers may not get what they want in return. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that Philly may settle for a second rounder as part of a bigger package for the Ohio State product.
Harrison Barnes Rumors
The Warriors won’t hang up the phone on teams calling about Barnes, but it seems doubtful that they move last year’s first round pick.
Jarrett Jack Rumors
The Cavs are unlikely to send Jack to Sacramento unless they find a third team to take the Kings’ Jason Thompson, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein. The Nets are still in on Jack but are hesitant to take on Jack because of his lengthy deal, according to Adrian.
Several Teams Pursuing Jordan Hill
There is a strong chance that Hill is moved as the Lakers may want more than just cap relief now that they have (at least) the Hawks, Nets, Bobcats and Pelicans involved. In light of the Blake deal, moving Hill and Chris Kaman would allow the Lakers to hang onto Pau Gasol and his Bird Rights.
The Wolves have received calls from multiple teams about rookie Shabazz Muhammad, reports Christopher Reina of RealGM.com. The 14th overall pick in the 2013 draft has yet to make a significant impact in Minnesota.
Luol Deng Trade Unlikely
Deng would be hesitant to commit to an extension with any club, and that makes a trade unlikely, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Teams such as the Pistons, Mavs, Lakers and others have inquired about Deng’s availability.
Follow the Buckets Over Broadway Live Trade Deadline Blog starting at 9:00 am EST as I will have analysis of all of today’s trades and rumors.