Nearing the halfway point of 2019-20, the NBA’s contending hierarchy hasn’t become much clearer than it was at the beginning of the season.
Big-ticket teams have looked dangerous but not unstoppable, supposed middle-of-the-pack squads have flirted with legitimacy, and it still seems like the 2020 championship is anyone’s for the taking.
But there’s one key aspect of the season whose impact could still add some clarity to the mix. As the first half gives way to the second, which teams swing deals to load up for a run? Which moves trigger responses from other contenders keen to stay atop the pile, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy seeming within closer reach than it has in years?
With those moves sure to come, let’s check in with the names floating around the rumour mill so far in 2020.
Could the Raptors actually be deadline buyers?
While it was long assumed Masai Ujiri might sell off the likes of veterans Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka or Kyle Lowry down the line if the Kawhi-less Raptors took an expected tumble down the standings this season, the 2019-20 iteration of the squad has looked more formidable than some below the 49th parallel had expected
And as Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Mannix points out, the fact that they haven’t folded — and in fact remain a top-five team in the east, even while dealing with a slew of injuries — means Ujiri could have reason to head in the opposite direction and load up for another title run.
“The Raptors could be active everywhere,” Mannix wrote. “They have the expiring contracts. They have the intriguing young players. They have the future draft picks. They could probably pluck Toronto native Tristan Thompson out of Cleveland anytime they wanted. If they got aggressive, they might be able to quickly cut a deal for Kevin Love, too. Versatile wings like Holiday and Robert Covington could be in play.
“The question is—how aggressive do the Raptors want to get? How strongly does Ujiri believe an upgrade would catapult this team past Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Boston in the East? How realistic is it that the Raptors can knock off either LA team in the West?”
Detroit engaged in Drummond trade talks, Raptors interested
One addition Toronto could make could come from the squad being coached by former Raps bench boss Dwane Casey.
After seven seasons in Detroit that have included two all-star campaigns, Andre Drummond’s time with the Pistons appears to be coming to a close. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Detroit has been engaged in talks with Atlanta on a trade centred around the 26-year-old. While a deal doesn’t seem particularly close at this time, the Pistons are in talks with the Hawks and “several other teams” on a potential Drummond deal, according to Wojnarowski.
“Drummond has a $28M player option for next season that he is unlikely to exercise, forcing the Pistons to consider possibility of losing him in free agency,” Wojnarowski tweeted. “Among teams, there’s an increasing belief that Drummond will be moved before (the) February 6 trade deadline.”
While Atlanta appears to be the frontrunner, the Raptors are also interested, according to Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill.
The Detroit News‘ Rod Beard reported that the Pistons are considering triggering a rebuild given their lack of success of late.
“(Pistons team owner Tom) Gores, for what it’s worth, doesn’t want to settle for another mediocre season,” Beard wrote, “and admitted that with the trade deadline approaching on Feb. 6, he and the team executives would assess where they are and whether it’s time to move in a different direction, such as looking to trade some of their key players to move toward a restart.”
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Warriors are ‘monitoring’ Towns, but would Wolves entertain trade talks?
Finding themselves in an injury-induced off year, the Warriors appear to be keeping a close eye on Karl-Anthony Towns, potentially looking to lure the young star out of Minnesota, according to The Athletic‘s Ethan Strauss.
“The Warriors have been monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns’ situation in Minnesota. He’s under contract until 2023-24 but has less reason than (Giannis) Antetokounmpo to be thrilled with his team’s trajectory,” wrote Strauss. “This was a topic among multiple team executives at the recent G League Showcase, with a few relaying word that Towns is unhappy in Minnesota. The Wolves currently sit at 13th in the Western Conference, two spots ahead of the gap-year Warriors, looking at another lost season.
“While the Wolves might dream of a scenario where Russell teams up with his good friend Towns, the Warriors have a differing vision of how a trade between the two franchises could shake out.”
That said, reporting elsewhere around the league suggests the Wolves aren’t interested in parting ways with Towns in any shape or form.
“The Wolves have been adamant, in every conversation I’ve had with them, that they are building ‘everything’ around Towns,” wrote Marc Stein of The New York Times recently. “The swift fall from Minnesota’s promising 10-8 start to 12th in the West entering Tuesday’s play is undeniably alarming, but I’ve been advised that the idea of trading Towns is pretty much the last thing the Wolves are thinking about.
“Don’t forget that Towns is in Year 1 of a five-year, $190 million contract extension. The Wolves also have a new front-office regime headed by Gersson Rosas. Rushing into a trade of that magnitude makes little sense.”
While a deal for Towns might not be in the cards, it has been reported that the Warriors are willing to open negotiations with willing clubs by offering up Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania. He notes that the club is also not keen on dealing D’Angelo Russell, unless they’re handed an offer that “blows them away.”
Many a New York Knick hoping to be traded before the deadline
While there have been a few noteworthy surprises in 2019-20, all is as expected at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Knicks continue to struggle following an off-season that saw them come up short on a number of reported star-signing attempts.
Now, with the club well out of a playoff spot and unlikely to close that gap, multiple players have reportedly said privately they’d prefer to be traded before this season’s deadline, according to beat writer Ian Begley.
Per Charania, one of those names is Dennis Smith Jr. — whom Begley notes has already been targeted by multiple clubs, including the Wolves. Also according to Charania, teams have also inquired about Knicks veteran Marcus Morris, though he’s expressed publicly and privately his desire to remain in New York.
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Potential Collison NBA return could add more fuel to L.A. rivalry
Back in June, on the cusp of what seemed sure to be multiple quality offers, Darren Collison abruptly retired, citing his desire to focus on his family and his faith as his reasons for stepping away.
It appears the veteran is now eying a return to the Association, with February as his target date. And, according to Wojnarowski, Collison is intent on joining either LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers or Kawhi Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers — an added bit of intrigue to an already captivating rivalry.
As Wojnarowski points out, at the time of Collison’s exit from the league, it was expected he’d attract numerous offers in the range of $10-million-plus per year. Following his decision to take time away, multiple title contenders have kept an eye on his plans, and have kept in contact with his agent, Bill Duffy.
Nuggets hoping to deal Beasley and Hernangomez after failed extension talks
After breakout campaigns last season for both Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez, the two young Nuggets stalwarts both opted to decline extensions with Denver in October, looking instead to cash in via free agency this summer.
That being the case, the Nuggets have been open to dealing the pair, according to Charania, hoping to receive some assets for them rather than losing them for nothing should they sign lucrative deals elsewhere in the off-season.
That said, Denver has reportedly been asking “for high value,” in exchange for Beasley and Hernangomez, with a deal yet to materialize one month from the deadline.
Hawks interested in addressing biggest roster hole with Dedmon or Adams
It’s been a tumultuous couple weeks for veteran Dewayne Dedmon.
With his playing time continuing to decrease, the 30-year-old — who’s signed to a three-year, $40-million deal with the Kings — made his desire for a change clear last Sunday, telling reporters, “I haven’t been playing, so I would like to go somewhere where my talents are appreciated.”
The comments earned him a $50,000 fine from the league, but it seems at least one team is interested in granting his wish.
The Hawks find themselves with a gaping hole at centre, and according to The Athletic‘s Chris Kirschner, Atlanta has shown interest in a reunion with Dedmon. Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams has also been mentioned as a trade target by the Hawks front office, per Kirschner.
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