NBA Trade Rumors Are Already Flying And They Include Some Big Time Players
Now this is what I'm talking about. Love NBA trade rumors. It was only a matter of time once we got past the December 15th date that more and more rumors would start coming out. I said in my blog yesterday
that with so many teams that feel they are one piece away from really contending for a championship that this season had a great chance to be one of the busiest and most impactful trade seasons in recent years. Contenders looking for a missing piece, rebuilding teams looking to flip a piece for more assets, the floodgates are open and our first bath of rumors involve some pretty fucking good players. Let's dive in
Pelicans
I get not wanting to get rid of Redick, shooting is a premium in this league and you can't just kill your spacing before you even get to see what it looks like with Zion in the fold. The improvement of Ingram from deep combined with Redick has the Pelicans 3rd in the NBA in 3PM and 6th in 3P% so things are clearly working. They aren't winning, but unless someone blows their dick off I can't see them moving a shooter like this.
The curious part though is their "willingness" to move Jrue Holiday. I suppose it's easier with Lonzo on the roster, but make no mistake Jrue Holiday is a two way beast. Not only that, but he's under contract for this season, next season, and has a player option for 2021-22. It's not like the Pelicans are at risk of losing him anytime soon. But I do think there will be a real market for him. Contenders like LAL, PHI, and MIL could use an upgrade at point guard and while I don't think they have anything that would interest NO, Holiday is the type of player that could definitely swing someone's postseason.
Timberwolves
There was no doubt that Jeff Teague was going to opt into his 19M player option for this season, and there was also no doubt that they were definitely going to try and get rid of him. They haven't been shy about wanting to upgrade their point guard spot, it's why they keep being tied to CP3, and by offering up the expiring of Teague and then Covington who is a serviceable 3 and D wing who makes only 11M this year, 12M next year, and 12.9M in 2021 they may be able to package one if not both for that upgrade. Just throwing it out there, those two do get the Wolves close to CP3 money, and it would give OKC a cost controlled wing to help fill that role, especially if they end up flipping Gallo.
Pacers
Now this isn't exactly news, but it's also a little surprising considering the Pacers are right there with everyone not named MIL in the East. Why are they so adamant in moving a legit defensive big in Turner? I get they just extended Sabonis and he's played well, but this is YEAR ONE of Turner's 4/80M extension. He's at $17.5M from now until 2022-23, and I wonder what they'd be in the market for. Is it another wing? I just wouldn't be so quick to blow up the Sabonis/Turner pairing, especially since Turner can stretch the floor and knock down threes. Those two have 107/101 ratings when sharing the floor together, and when you think of teams like PHI and MIL, two teams with legit size, it seems weird to potentially give up elite size when you don't really have to. Both guys are under contract for the foreseeable future, and unless they get an All Star level talent back I wouldn't move Turner.
This is only the beginning and we have a long way to go until February so a ton can certainly change. But if these early rumors are any indication we're probably going to be talking about some real legit talent that could be on the move. Personally I know how excited I am to hear how Danny Ainge was 99% of the way through a blockbuster trade only for it to fall apart at the last second. A tradition as old as time, but just like I said yesterday make sure all your notifications are on because it's time to buckle up.