Post by Charlotte Bobcats on Jun 30, 2009 11:39:54 GMT -5
After about a month of no basketball due to the Commish of the League suspending play for personal reasons, there have been numerous trade rumors as league play resumed Monday. I will run down a few, and maybe a few not talked about.
*Probably a lot of teams in the playoffs would like a lottery pick, but 4 teams have expressed interest. Cleveland being the most serious, saying the team will be rebuilding after this year. That means players like Elton Brand, Ray Allen, Larry Hughes, and Brad Miller maybe playing in different uniforms next year. Though this team is old, they all expire in after next year other than Brand (who is a FA right now.) Cleveland could probably get good open market value for Miller and Hughes, though they aren't that good anymore. We'll talk more about Ray Allen and Brand later, but this team could go from champions to rebuilding in one year. If this occurs the Cavs maybe on the outside looking in, the East is so TIGHT! Not sure who Cleveland would target, (because the team will look a lot different) but I think Cleveland is serious about getting lottery picks.*
*I think Detroit, Orlando, and Philly are a lot less serious about acquiring a lottery pick. If they were to do it though, I believe Detroit would target Memphis G Tyree Evans. Not sure how he would fit in at Mo-town, since he is very similar to franchise favorite Rodney Stuckey. Maybe they are going somewhere else? But their GM has made it clear he likes Evans. Orlando would likely target former Orangeman PG Johnny Flynn, and I believe this even more after The Magic GM claimed (for the first time) trading CP3 maybe an option. Orlando isn't going to be able to keep both David Lee and Paul, and there are no high pick PF's outside of Blake and Jordan Hill in the draft. Tyler Hansbrough could be an option, but that would be late lottery pick if anything. Philly has made it clear he is targeting former USC Swing man Demar Derozan, but I doubt Philly would give up any of their key players to make this happen. If a team wanted a package of something like Delonte West and Corey Brewer, then maybe but I don't see it happening.*
*Who would be the most likely to trade out of the lottery? Charlotte is really the key to the draft, having 2 picks in the lottery and having a mind set that they can win next year. Maybe they would be a team to take a Philly offer for West and Brewer? Though the Kitty GM said he would take Derozan with the 6th pick if he was on the clock right now. Charlotte is much like Washington in real life, other than the fact they have 20 M in cap space. I say if a team wants a lottery pick, it will be one of the two picks the Kitties have. *
*For other possibilities, you have to look at the other teams with more than 1 lottery pick. We don't know who will end up with 14, more than likely it will be The Kings (VIA DET) or the Suns (VIA MIL.) If the Suns get it, I could see it being in play. The Kings have 2 other picks in the lottery, so depending on how high they are the Kings could be a player this off season. They could package this pick along with DEN's 1st and/or their 1st (right now 7th and 4th respectively) for something pretty nice. The other team is the San Antonio Spurs, they have their own 1st, MIN's 1st, along with BOS's 1st. I don't see the Spurs trading either pick unless they get #2 or #3 out right, rumor has it they are in love with Ricky Rubio. If they don't just out right get Ricky, they could use that other pick to trade up and get him. The Spurs need young talent, I can't see them trading high picks unless a sick offer came along.*
*As far as trading up, The Bobcats have been in contact with teams trying to acquire UCCON Center Hasheem Thabeet. Bobcats GM Charles Boen feels like Dwight and Hasheem would be an unstoppable combination inside, though for this to happen at a reasonable price a few temes can't get the 2nd pick. I feel like if the Kings get #2 they would take Thabeet no questions asked. If the Clippers or Bulls got the 2nd pick, I think the discussion would be trade, Rubio, or Thabeet. If the Spurs got the #2 pick, they would take Ricky Rubio no questions asked and it would default to #3. Best case scenario for the Bobcats if it Indiana gets the #2 pick (or #3 if Rubio is taken at #2.) No way Bynum and Thabeet can play together, and Charlotte can offer some nice draft picks to a Pacers team that needs help. A hypothetical trade where the Bobcats send both picks this year (NYK and CHA) and MIN's 2010 1st for Thabeet, and maybe a higher 1st this year (of the many IND has, probably in hopes of getting a Tarheel) could be good for both teams. Indiana could pick Derozan or another SF and complete their line up, while still having equal value. The Spurs could also try to trade up with the Pacers to get Rubio, and give a similar offer as Charlotte. A lot of this will depend on who the Pacers GM is, but if the Pacers are #2 or #3 I think they will trade the pick. It might even be for someone more proven, would the Bobcats give up Tayshaun Prince in order to get Thabeet?
1. Of course we have to start with this trade, highest profile trade and Utah seems to want to do this deal every year. Of course it is the Lebron for Dwight deal. Charlotte has made it clear that "12 is the franchise player" but everyone knows their GM's love affair with Lebron James. Utah would have an unstoppable combo down low of Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard, but Shaq and Amare didn't really work out? After last years "oh yeah this trade will change the league" deadline deal between the 2 teams, I think this is more of a joke than anything. Utah wants to swap Tayshaun Prince for Kenyon Martin in the deal, an idea that Charlotte isn't wild about.
2. Sticking with the Bobcats somewhat, the LA Lakers and them have showed interest in Cleveland G Ray Allen. Both teams appear to have the cap space and picks to pull off a deal for Allen, it just comes down to where the balls fall and who becomes a FA. Ray Allen would be a PERFECT fit in Charlotte, while in LA, Kobe or him would be out of position. In any case it is something to keep an eye on, I don't have any Elton Brand rumors but Brand and Kobe seems like a better fit to me than Allen and Kobe. Maybe both teams end up getting a player? Maybe neither, again it will be very interesting to see what Cleveland does.
3. Orlando HAS to trade either Lee or Paul, no rumors to report but the only trade I can see for Lee is to a rebuilding team. Why would a team like LA or Charlotte pass on a big name free agent for David Lee? Clippers seem like a good fit, the GM loves David Lee and he could play center for them. Even the Clippers has less cap space than in recent years, it maybe tough to find a suitor for Lee...meaning CP3 has to go. Yao is also on the block for Orlando, but I doubt he will get much value for him after his injury in real life.
4. Toronto's whole line up will probably be different, main question is can they resign Baron Davis? If he doesn't come back, Raptors won't have enough value to compete in the very strong East. Only players I see maybe being safe is Al Jefferson and/or GM favorite AK47.
5. Boston's GM said on the 25th of June (real time.) "As far as moves go, I will be looking to move Lamar Odom for a defensive center. Other than that, should be a rather quiet off-season here." I doubt he will really be "rather quiet", but who might be the defensive center he is talking about? Off the top of my head, maybe a Bogut for Odom type deal with the Lakers? Not really defensive, but my point is getting a center is going to be hard.
6. A trade rumor I heard a long time ago, that may come true. Denver's GM has always said "I can get Blake" well he maybe right. I believe if Chicago wins the lottery, Chicago will trade Blake Griffin to the Denver Nuggets for Derrick Rose. Obviously that is two can't miss prospects, and probably more to a trade than just them...but Rose going home to Chicago should put a smile on Bulls fan's faces. As for Denver Biedrins and Griffin will be dominating down low, but I would take Rose over Griffin.
And that's all she wrote, until next time peace!
Draft Break Down:
*Probably a lot of teams in the playoffs would like a lottery pick, but 4 teams have expressed interest. Cleveland being the most serious, saying the team will be rebuilding after this year. That means players like Elton Brand, Ray Allen, Larry Hughes, and Brad Miller maybe playing in different uniforms next year. Though this team is old, they all expire in after next year other than Brand (who is a FA right now.) Cleveland could probably get good open market value for Miller and Hughes, though they aren't that good anymore. We'll talk more about Ray Allen and Brand later, but this team could go from champions to rebuilding in one year. If this occurs the Cavs maybe on the outside looking in, the East is so TIGHT! Not sure who Cleveland would target, (because the team will look a lot different) but I think Cleveland is serious about getting lottery picks.*
*I think Detroit, Orlando, and Philly are a lot less serious about acquiring a lottery pick. If they were to do it though, I believe Detroit would target Memphis G Tyree Evans. Not sure how he would fit in at Mo-town, since he is very similar to franchise favorite Rodney Stuckey. Maybe they are going somewhere else? But their GM has made it clear he likes Evans. Orlando would likely target former Orangeman PG Johnny Flynn, and I believe this even more after The Magic GM claimed (for the first time) trading CP3 maybe an option. Orlando isn't going to be able to keep both David Lee and Paul, and there are no high pick PF's outside of Blake and Jordan Hill in the draft. Tyler Hansbrough could be an option, but that would be late lottery pick if anything. Philly has made it clear he is targeting former USC Swing man Demar Derozan, but I doubt Philly would give up any of their key players to make this happen. If a team wanted a package of something like Delonte West and Corey Brewer, then maybe but I don't see it happening.*
*Who would be the most likely to trade out of the lottery? Charlotte is really the key to the draft, having 2 picks in the lottery and having a mind set that they can win next year. Maybe they would be a team to take a Philly offer for West and Brewer? Though the Kitty GM said he would take Derozan with the 6th pick if he was on the clock right now. Charlotte is much like Washington in real life, other than the fact they have 20 M in cap space. I say if a team wants a lottery pick, it will be one of the two picks the Kitties have. *
*For other possibilities, you have to look at the other teams with more than 1 lottery pick. We don't know who will end up with 14, more than likely it will be The Kings (VIA DET) or the Suns (VIA MIL.) If the Suns get it, I could see it being in play. The Kings have 2 other picks in the lottery, so depending on how high they are the Kings could be a player this off season. They could package this pick along with DEN's 1st and/or their 1st (right now 7th and 4th respectively) for something pretty nice. The other team is the San Antonio Spurs, they have their own 1st, MIN's 1st, along with BOS's 1st. I don't see the Spurs trading either pick unless they get #2 or #3 out right, rumor has it they are in love with Ricky Rubio. If they don't just out right get Ricky, they could use that other pick to trade up and get him. The Spurs need young talent, I can't see them trading high picks unless a sick offer came along.*
*As far as trading up, The Bobcats have been in contact with teams trying to acquire UCCON Center Hasheem Thabeet. Bobcats GM Charles Boen feels like Dwight and Hasheem would be an unstoppable combination inside, though for this to happen at a reasonable price a few temes can't get the 2nd pick. I feel like if the Kings get #2 they would take Thabeet no questions asked. If the Clippers or Bulls got the 2nd pick, I think the discussion would be trade, Rubio, or Thabeet. If the Spurs got the #2 pick, they would take Ricky Rubio no questions asked and it would default to #3. Best case scenario for the Bobcats if it Indiana gets the #2 pick (or #3 if Rubio is taken at #2.) No way Bynum and Thabeet can play together, and Charlotte can offer some nice draft picks to a Pacers team that needs help. A hypothetical trade where the Bobcats send both picks this year (NYK and CHA) and MIN's 2010 1st for Thabeet, and maybe a higher 1st this year (of the many IND has, probably in hopes of getting a Tarheel) could be good for both teams. Indiana could pick Derozan or another SF and complete their line up, while still having equal value. The Spurs could also try to trade up with the Pacers to get Rubio, and give a similar offer as Charlotte. A lot of this will depend on who the Pacers GM is, but if the Pacers are #2 or #3 I think they will trade the pick. It might even be for someone more proven, would the Bobcats give up Tayshaun Prince in order to get Thabeet?
Trade Rumors:
1. Of course we have to start with this trade, highest profile trade and Utah seems to want to do this deal every year. Of course it is the Lebron for Dwight deal. Charlotte has made it clear that "12 is the franchise player" but everyone knows their GM's love affair with Lebron James. Utah would have an unstoppable combo down low of Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard, but Shaq and Amare didn't really work out? After last years "oh yeah this trade will change the league" deadline deal between the 2 teams, I think this is more of a joke than anything. Utah wants to swap Tayshaun Prince for Kenyon Martin in the deal, an idea that Charlotte isn't wild about.
2. Sticking with the Bobcats somewhat, the LA Lakers and them have showed interest in Cleveland G Ray Allen. Both teams appear to have the cap space and picks to pull off a deal for Allen, it just comes down to where the balls fall and who becomes a FA. Ray Allen would be a PERFECT fit in Charlotte, while in LA, Kobe or him would be out of position. In any case it is something to keep an eye on, I don't have any Elton Brand rumors but Brand and Kobe seems like a better fit to me than Allen and Kobe. Maybe both teams end up getting a player? Maybe neither, again it will be very interesting to see what Cleveland does.
3. Orlando HAS to trade either Lee or Paul, no rumors to report but the only trade I can see for Lee is to a rebuilding team. Why would a team like LA or Charlotte pass on a big name free agent for David Lee? Clippers seem like a good fit, the GM loves David Lee and he could play center for them. Even the Clippers has less cap space than in recent years, it maybe tough to find a suitor for Lee...meaning CP3 has to go. Yao is also on the block for Orlando, but I doubt he will get much value for him after his injury in real life.
4. Toronto's whole line up will probably be different, main question is can they resign Baron Davis? If he doesn't come back, Raptors won't have enough value to compete in the very strong East. Only players I see maybe being safe is Al Jefferson and/or GM favorite AK47.
5. Boston's GM said on the 25th of June (real time.) "As far as moves go, I will be looking to move Lamar Odom for a defensive center. Other than that, should be a rather quiet off-season here." I doubt he will really be "rather quiet", but who might be the defensive center he is talking about? Off the top of my head, maybe a Bogut for Odom type deal with the Lakers? Not really defensive, but my point is getting a center is going to be hard.
6. A trade rumor I heard a long time ago, that may come true. Denver's GM has always said "I can get Blake" well he maybe right. I believe if Chicago wins the lottery, Chicago will trade Blake Griffin to the Denver Nuggets for Derrick Rose. Obviously that is two can't miss prospects, and probably more to a trade than just them...but Rose going home to Chicago should put a smile on Bulls fan's faces. As for Denver Biedrins and Griffin will be dominating down low, but I would take Rose over Griffin.
And that's all she wrote, until next time peace!