The deadline is about two weeks away on February 20 @ 3 pm, so I figured I'd start a catch-all thread as the rumor mill begins heating up. Any noteworthy deals that actually occur can be split out into their own threads.
Let's start with a rumor that appears to have some substance behind it: Lakers and Suns discussing Gasol. Suns are looking to make some noise and have extra 1st rounders coming in from Washington and Indiana (they also have Minnesota's but it's lottery protected this year and 1-12 protected for the next two--playoffs are tough to crack in the WC). They're in great shape cap-wise and have Okafor's $14 mil expiring to work with. In addition to Gasol they could use a good wing player so I'm sure they'll be in on whatever Green/Turner/etc. conversations may occur.
Some other current playoff teams that could use a sf are Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, and Charlotte. The latter two are interesting to note because while there are quite a few teams content with racking up losses this season, the door has been opened for teams like the Wizards, Bobcats, and Raptors to try to capitalize and make the playoffs, make some extra money and drum up some interest when they're usually on the outside looking in. There have been plenty of whispers about Cleveland being in desperation mode, and the Knicks have no incentive to miss the playoffs, not to mention always being good for a colossal screw-up.
All it takes is just one of these situations to bear fruit for Ainge. There are a couple things to note about a potential Green/Turner bidding war. Turner is a bit more desirable but he's going to become just as expensive as Green this offseason (and for a longer period of time). He can't shoot from long range so he's less of a fit for teams that might just be looking for an above average role player. Turner is two years younger but hasn't really improved since he came into the league; he is better this year at getting to the line and converting but everything is basically the same old player and fresh out of upside worth dreaming (and spending) on. What it could come down to is that the Sixers are going to be asking primarily for assets in a Turner trade because they don't need any cap savings now or in the future. The Celtics, otoh, would certainly love to get both in a Green deal but would probably settle for a deal centered around getting future money off the books with perhaps a smallish asset back, like a late 1st or something depending on the particulars.
We all hate Bass but he's actually one of the easier pieces to move because he's not too expensive, he's only signed through next season and Ainge would probably trade him for a couple of expiring deals while Olynyk takes his minutes to get some experience and help the C's lose. I think it's at least 50/50 that he's on another team in two weeks. I could see them wanting Humphries around for the sake of the young bigs. Rondo is more of a draft day move.
All that Celtics talk aside, Melo will be the biggest question mark and discussion point surrounding deadline season. For what it's worth, Chad Ford is predicting an "epic" trade deadline, so it will all probably fizzle out.
Let's start with a rumor that appears to have some substance behind it: Lakers and Suns discussing Gasol. Suns are looking to make some noise and have extra 1st rounders coming in from Washington and Indiana (they also have Minnesota's but it's lottery protected this year and 1-12 protected for the next two--playoffs are tough to crack in the WC). They're in great shape cap-wise and have Okafor's $14 mil expiring to work with. In addition to Gasol they could use a good wing player so I'm sure they'll be in on whatever Green/Turner/etc. conversations may occur.
Some other current playoff teams that could use a sf are Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, and Charlotte. The latter two are interesting to note because while there are quite a few teams content with racking up losses this season, the door has been opened for teams like the Wizards, Bobcats, and Raptors to try to capitalize and make the playoffs, make some extra money and drum up some interest when they're usually on the outside looking in. There have been plenty of whispers about Cleveland being in desperation mode, and the Knicks have no incentive to miss the playoffs, not to mention always being good for a colossal screw-up.
All it takes is just one of these situations to bear fruit for Ainge. There are a couple things to note about a potential Green/Turner bidding war. Turner is a bit more desirable but he's going to become just as expensive as Green this offseason (and for a longer period of time). He can't shoot from long range so he's less of a fit for teams that might just be looking for an above average role player. Turner is two years younger but hasn't really improved since he came into the league; he is better this year at getting to the line and converting but everything is basically the same old player and fresh out of upside worth dreaming (and spending) on. What it could come down to is that the Sixers are going to be asking primarily for assets in a Turner trade because they don't need any cap savings now or in the future. The Celtics, otoh, would certainly love to get both in a Green deal but would probably settle for a deal centered around getting future money off the books with perhaps a smallish asset back, like a late 1st or something depending on the particulars.
We all hate Bass but he's actually one of the easier pieces to move because he's not too expensive, he's only signed through next season and Ainge would probably trade him for a couple of expiring deals while Olynyk takes his minutes to get some experience and help the C's lose. I think it's at least 50/50 that he's on another team in two weeks. I could see them wanting Humphries around for the sake of the young bigs. Rondo is more of a draft day move.
All that Celtics talk aside, Melo will be the biggest question mark and discussion point surrounding deadline season. For what it's worth, Chad Ford is predicting an "epic" trade deadline, so it will all probably fizzle out.
