Tracking the NBA Trade Rumors Before the Deadline

The Warriors signed Russell to a max contract after acquiring him from Brooklyn this summer, and he’s been solid. The former No. 2 overall pick has posted career-best scoring numbers in Cali: 23.8 PPG on 38.3 percent 3-point shooting while playing more and taking more shots than ever before. He’s also filled up the stat sheet with 6.3 APG and 3.7 RPG.

But—with Golden State in no man’s land right now, deliberating how to rebuild into a contender—it was far from a secret that they were open to quickly flip the promising young guard. Could that happen by the deadline?

The Timberwolves are reportedly in “hot pursuit” of Russell, and pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns is enticing, but the cap dynamics would be challenging. According to The Athletic, the two sides are also struggling to agree on an appropriate price (a constant theme throughout these rumors), with Golden State seeking “significant” compensation through draft capital. Another team that has discussed a deal for Russell, per reports: the Knicks. 

The veteran has paced the Knicks with career-best numbers in scoring (19.4 PPG) and 3-point shooting (43.8 percent), in addition to providing his trademark toughness and grabbing 5.5 RPG. After two years on Boston’s loaded roster, he’s flourished in a heightened role with New York.

Meanwhile, his team is one of the worst in the league. If the season ended today, they’d be in the mix for a top draft pick. But for some reason, the Knicks are reportedly “hell-bent on keeping” him. This echoes everything we’ve heard about Morris during trade rumor season: if the Knicks are going to deal him, they want a lot in return. 

Demanding a grand haul doesn’t make much sense—sure, he’s having a great season, but he’s 30 and playing on an expiring deal—but you have to remember that these are the Knicks...and they are going to do Knicks things.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarwoski recently reported that the Knicks are “enthusiastic” about bringing Morris back on a new deal, but—despite reports about their determination to hold onto him—they are in fact staying “open to [the] idea of moving him.” That same report indicated “multiple contenders” want Morris, because of course they do. Don’t play yourself, Knicks. 

The Clippers and 76ers stand out as particularly practical suitors who are rumored to be in the mix.

The Cavs have been in a tough place since LeBron James left for LA, and tensions have been high during the first year of John Beilein’s tenure as coach. With the squad tied for the East’s worst record at 13-37 and well on its way to a second straight playoff-less campaign, players reportedly sense the organization is considering a “big shakeup.”

That would likely entail dealing their two biggest names—and, aside from Matthew Dellavedova, the only two players still remaining from their title roster— in Thompson and Kevin Love. The latter obviously has more star power, but Thompson—a 28-year-old from Toronto—is more likely to be moved. Thompson has posted career-highs in points (11.9 PPG), boards (10.4 RPG), and dimes (2.1 APG). He isn’t flashy, but he’s on pace to average a double-double in back-to-back seasons—that’s quality production—and his defense is his biggest selling point. 

He’s playing out the final year of an $82 million deal, so he could be a short-term rental for a contender or could negotiate an extension with his new squad. Beilein and Koby Altman are likely hoping to start over with their forwards, giving more burn to young up-and-comers to see what they’ve got, and Chris Haynes reports Thompson is “available.” 

The Raptors (a homecoming?), Nuggets and Mavericks are reportedly teams to watch in the Thompson sweepstakes. All three make a ton of sense.

As mentioned above, Love is trade bait. Love had a blow-up with Altman in January, and his frustration this season has been evident. 

It’s clear the Cavs are open to sending out the five-time All-Star and former No. 5 overall pick from UCLA, but whether they’ll be able to come to terms with anyone is an entirely different matter. It seems unlikely. Cleveland wants future-building assets—draft picks and young prospects—but Love’s contract makes that a hurdle, to say the least.

The 31-year-old Love signed an extension with Cleveland in 2018 (four years, $120 million) that has tied Altman’s hands. Who would be willing to take on that deal for aging, athletically limited big, and give back something of value?

Love wants out, and the Cavs are ready to move on, but they’re reportedly “resigned” to the fact that they won’t be able to make a deal this season. Maybe things will change in the offseason because this player-team relationship is clearly fractured.

Though he’s only 25, Capela—like Love—has been rumored to be on the move for what feels like ages. At 31-18 and No. 5 in the West, the new-look Rockets have been pretty strong so far this season (as the Vegas odds linked above indicate), but Daryl Morey has never been shy to make a deal. What he has right now is good but is it championship caliber?

Morey has a franchise centerpiece in James Harden and a terrific second punch in Russell Westbrook, but those guys are 30 and 31, respectively, and don’t have more than a couple of years left at the top of their game. So, what can the Rockets do? Given the contract structure of Eric Gordon and the limited value of Nene, their only real option involving a relevant player seems to be moving Capela.

Indeed, Houston is “actively discussing several trade scenarios” with the Swiss big involved, per Woj. That report stated they’re looking for draft assets that they can turn into an “impact wing player.” Capela offers the rare dual threat of both youth and an immediate-impact presence, so he is highly sought-after.

The Atlanta Hawks are rumored to be the primary potential suitor, and the Celtics are a dark horse.

Speaking of the Hawks, they’re reportedly also considering making a deal for OKC big man Steven Adams. Adams is arguably the Thunder’s best asset, but OKC—having seen the Big 3 era slip through its grasp—now needs to plan out the next decade, so essentially all their key pieces are rumored to be available.

In addition to the New Zealander, Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Danilo Gallinari have also popped up in trade talks. Paul presents OKC with the same predicament as Love in Cleveland, though: too big a contract, too old to garner anything of value in return. 

Schroder, coming off the bench, is having one of the best campaigns of his career, and at 26 he could fetch a decent haul. The same goes for Gallo, who is 31 but at 6’10” offers a rare ability to space the floor. He’s also playing on an expiring deal, while Schroder has one year (at $15.5 million) left on his contract.

OKC currently holds the No. 7 seed in the West, so there is a chance Sam Presti punts at the deadline unless an appealing offer comes along. Don’t expect the executive to operate from a position of desperation.

Yes, he’s aging (31). Yes, he still comes with injury concerns. Yes, he still can’t shoot from outside.

Nonetheless, the Pistons are looking for a lottery pick for Derrick Rose, according to The Athletic.

The reason? Rose is playing some of the best ball of his career. He’s no longer the fearless rim-attacker he was in Chicago, but he’s built a new identity on the court. He’s shooting better and scoring more efficiently than he did during his MVP campaign.

Just as important, Rose is on a super team-friendly deal, earning $7.3 this season and $7.7 the next. Detroit knows it has an asset on its hands, which is why it’s playing hardball.

However, who’s really going to give up a lottery pick for a season and a half of 31-year-old Derrick Rose?

The likely resolution: either Detroit will slightly lower its standards (accepting a first-round pick that isn’t lottery-bound) or Rose will stick with the Pistons.

Some teams reportedly in the mix: the 76ers, Lakers, and Clippers. If the Lakers execute a deal, Flint native Kyle Kuzma could be involved.

The Pelicans are clearly building around Zion Williamson, but Jrue Holiday is their leader. Holiday has long been one of the most underrated guards in the league, and he’s having another strong year (19.7 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.7 RPG) while shooting as well as he has in a long time. That said, though Jrue isn’t the oldest guy (29), his prime likely doesn’t align with their championship window.

He’s beloved and still a force on the court; it’d be tough to move on from him. But executing a deal right now could prove vital for New Orleans’ eventual title hopes.

Holiday is in the third year of a five-year, $132 million contract with a player option for 2021-22. It’s not a super team-friendly deal, but “many teams” are reportedly interested in him. The front-runners that have consistently popped up in rumors are the Nuggets and Heat. However, Zach Lowe reported the Heat don’t want to move up-and-coming guard Tyler Herro. At the same time, Denver won’t get rid of former No. 1 overall prospect Michael Porter Jr. So, could either side put together something without those guys that would be compelling enough to New Orleans?

According to Woj, the Pelicans have recently “really pulled back” in talks concerning Holiday. They’re hoping to make the playoffs this season; they’d need to make up 4.5 games to get the No. 8 seed, so it’s not impossible. A Holiday deal seems unlikely.

Drummond is an All-Star and one of the best centers in the league. “7-Mile Dre” is also adored by the Detroit fans and has consistently said he doesn’t want to leave. But with Detroit, like Golden State, stuck in no man’s land (and financially tied to Blake Griffin), the Pistons have searched high and low for a Drummond suitor.

The Knicks and Hawks have appeared to be the main candidates after Boston fell out of the mix. The Pistons, however, have reportedly set their asking price too high, considering Drummond’s deal expires at the end of this season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Detroit reportedly is searching for a young prospect or draft asset coupled with expiring contracts.

The Hawks reportedly backed out of conversations in mid-January, and Woj recently said the Knicks “haven’t made an offer in the ballpark” of what the Pistons want. He added that the Pistons would “love a first-round pick”, but there isn’t a “real market out there right now for Drummond.” Ouch.

Drummond and Love have been the biggest names in this NBA trade rumor cycle, and for a while, it seemed inevitable that both would be moved. But now it’s looking more and more likely that both will return because their home teams couldn’t fetch their desired return. 

Well, Oladipo has already addressed that one by saying: “I’m a Pacer, man. I’m a Pacer, dog. I’m a Pacer”. So apparently, he’s a Pacer and that’s just a rumor.