Welcome to NBA Draft day, otherwise known as the day when teams will let important information “leak” and blow up NBA Twitter in an effort to pull opposing clubs off the scent of what’s really going on.
So, with that in mind, we look at some of the biggest rumours floating around today, including one Raptors report that comes out of left field.
The Raptors are looking to blow up their core
The Skinny: According to Joe Kotoch of Sheridan Hoops, the Toronto Raptors are actively looking to trade Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas.
Analysis: It’s hard to believe that there’s anything concrete to this rumour. While it’s possible that the Raptors may consider dealing one of the three, to back away from a core that has won 97 games the past two seasons seems very unrealistic. Even if a high-ranking team executive did happen to say something along those lines, it’s more than likely that its purpose was to: A) gauge the league-wide reaction to the report, or; B) serve as a smokescreen to put other team’s off their real plans.
Aldridge is leaving Portland to go to who-knows-where
The Skinny: ESPN is reporting that Portland Trail Blazers all-star forward LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to leave in free agency. In the wake of this, a number of teams have rumoured to be the “frontrunner” for his services including the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets (who are also going after Kevin Love, apparently) and his hometown Dallas Mavericks.
Analysis: Portland has already traded Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson. This feels like a contingency plan in the event that Aldridge does leave (Vonleh is a big man with a lot of untapped potential). As for all those teams supposedly in on him, it makes sense that he’d fetch many suitors given his skills.
Kings and Lakers discussing framework of Cousins trade
The Skinny: Wojnarowski is reporting that the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers are talking trade for DeMarcus Cousins, in light of the report that Kings coach George Karl wants Cousins out.
Analysis: If Cousins really is available, then it will certainly create a lot of trade chatter at the draft. The Lakers have an attractive pick at No. 2 they can dangle, but they’ll also likely have to give up one of Julius Randle or Jordan Clarkson, players they’re reluctant to trade away, the report states.
The Nets are still trying to move up into the lottery
The Skinny: Currently picking 29th because of a pick swap with the Atlanta Hawks dating back to the Joe Johnson trade, the Brooklyn Nets are still trying to move up into the lottery using Mason Plumlee as the key trade chip, ESPN’s Jeff Goodman is reporting.
Analysis: Plumlee is a nice piece, but is he really good enough to command trading away a lottery pick for? Unless the Nets get into that range, trading up wouldn’t be worth it.
Kings could possibly be moving back within the top 10
The Skinny: Wojnarowski reported the Kings are making calls looking to possibly trade down a few spots within the top 10 of the draft.
Analysis: According to the report, the Kings would take Barcelona guard Mario Hezonja at No. 6, but if they really aren’t all that sold on him, they could move down a few spots and acquire extra assets — whether it be cash, a pick or a player — isn’t a bad idea.
