The Blake Griffin trade shook up the NBA on Monday evening, but expect to find more deals following in its wake as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.
Here are the latest rumours, reports, and rumblings from around the Association:
Clippers aren’t done
The Griffin deal sent what seems like a pretty clear message: The Clippers are hitting refresh by getting rid of Griffin’s massive five-year/$170 million contract in exchange for younger players on more favourable deals (Tobias Harris) and draft picks (Detroit’s 2018 first and 2019 second).
Prior to the Griffin blockbuster, DeAndre Jordan was the Clipper whose name appeared most often in rumours. Jordan has a player option for just over $24 million next season, and doesn’t fit into their long-term plans. So it’s no surprise that the Clippers likely aren’t done dealing.
The Bucks, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers have all reportedly expressed interest in Jordan, the only sticking point being asking price. Would Cleveland really want to part with Brooklyn’s first-rounder for a (potentially) expiring contract and one-dimensional player, even if that dimension is near-elite?
Williams, who is having a career year, is perhaps a more interesting scenario. He’s on an expiring contract and will look to parlay his breakout campaign into a lucrative deal, but for now he’d be an A-plus pickup for a playoff contender looking for a scoring punch and capable ball-handler in the backcourt. He could even be packaged with one of the Clippers’ less favourable contracts to help expedite L.A.’s rebuild.
Pistons aren’t done either?
Utah Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood has been involved in trade talks for the past couple of weeks, and now the Detroit Pistons are reportedly emerging as a likely dance partner, with small forward Stanley Johnson headed to Utah.
Johnson, just 21, could use a change of scenery and has shown flashes of the two-way game that enticed the Pistons enough to draft him eighth overall in 2015. Hood, meanwhile, gives Detroit much-needed backcourt depth and a streaky but potentially impactful outside shooter.
Raptors willing to spend at the deadline?
The Toronto Raptors are playing stellar ball of late, and have a deep roster of talented young players. But you know that won’t slow Masai Ujiri and his front office from working the phones to improve the team nonetheless. With players like OG Anunoby cooling on the perimeter, outside shooting is one key area of need, and Sportsnet’s Michael Grange says don’t be surprised if the team is willing to go into the luxury tax if the right deal presents itself:
Nikola Mirotic headed to New Orleans?
The Pelicans were dealt a massive blow that leaves their chances to hang onto their playoff spot in serious jeopardy when all-star centre DeMarcus Cousins tore his Achilles’ tendon, rendering him out for the season.
As New Orleans looks to remain competitive, its reportedly set its sights on another big man who can stretch the floor in Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic. Earlier this afternoon a deal seemed all but done:
That trade would shed the Pelicans of Asik’s three-year/$34 million contract, fill at least some of the scoring void from the Cousins injury thanks to Mirotic (who somehow has a no-trade clause) and help the reloading Bulls acquire a prospect at this year’s draft.
What… wait… Good God, that’s Woj’s music!!!!!
If the New Orleans deal doesn’t materialize, still expect Mirotic to find a new home between now and Feb. 8th.
Cavaliers looking to trade market to right sinking ship?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a mess. There’s reported discord between players and other players, between players and the front office, between their franchise player and their owner, and just about any other combination you can imagine.
A roster shake-up might help usher in a refresh this season and, you know, make the team better. Sacramento Kings point guard George Hill, both Jordan and Lou Williams, and Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors have been reported as potential Cavs trade targets leading up to the deadline. But honing in on a deal will be extremely difficult given Cleveland’s lack of trade assets.
Veteran big man Channing Frye spoke to ESPN on Monday and seemed at peace with the notion that if the Cavs swing a deal, he and his $7 million expiring deal would likely be involved. Apart from that, any team doing a deal with the Cavs would likely have to absorb contracts of the likes of Tristan Thompson (three years remaining, approx. $17 million per season) or Iman Shumpert (two years, $10 million per).
Cleveland has to decide if it’s willing to part with Brooklyn’s first-rounder, acquired from Boston in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade, but the uncertainty around LeBron James’ future with the team is stalling that decision.
But as SI’s Andrew Sharp suggested on SN590 The Fan earlier this week, if the Cavs want to fix their woes they should be open to trading Thomas, Kevin Love, or any player not named LeBron.
