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Chris O’Meara / Associated Press
The NBA trade winds are picking up power, and they’re going to turn the rumor mill out of control.
This is a late start to the process, given the delayed opening of the 2020-21 campaign, but it could be a sprint from here until the March 25 deadline.
Several major commercial dominoes have already fallen – recently Derrick Rose reunited with Tom Thibodeau over the New York Knicks (to the great delight of Jimmy Butler) – but that has not slowed down the conversation a bit.
Since trade talks are not always reliable, we break the latest whisper here to buy the substantial reports and sell the smoke screens.
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Frank Franklin II / Associated Press
The Toronto Raptors have recovered relatively from their disastrous 2-8 start, but they still look a level (or more) behind the East’s elite. They achieved a good-not-good 10th place in net rating and threw up all sorts of warning flags with a 3-9 record against opponents with a record of 500 plus.
If it’s as good as it can get, Toronto may need to think more about tomorrow than it does today. Some within the organization are reportedly ready to make the change through six-time All-Star – and 34-year-old unlimited free agent-to-be – Kyle Lowry.
“There is a section of Raptors staff, according to league sources, who believe the franchise should say goodbye to its beloved All-Star and begin Toronto’s next chapter in all seriousness,” said Bake Jake Fischer. R reported.
Trade with Lowry would sting in several areas and, assuming the return package is future-oriented, would drop the ceiling of the current campaign with multiple stories. But if the Raptors are not competing for a title anyway, what’s the real harm to it? Sometimes sound business thinking requires embracing a setback to ultimately pave the way for greater progress.
Toronto can brighten its future in several ways. The most obvious is the incoming collection of assets, which will not be insignificant. Even as a 34-year-old rookie, Lowry’s impact as a goal scorer, shooter, defender and conductor on the field could convince a rival like the Los Angeles Clippers or a competitive hope like the Miami Heat to open the war chest.
But there is also the added exposure to the Raptors’ emergencies that would cause Lowry’s absence. He is at the top of the team in assists and third in points and minutes. Tackling players like Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Terence Davis and Malachi Flynn by replacing the production may be a way to speed up their promotions.
Toronto, of course, should not give away Lowry. But if someone offers an offer that matches his stature and stats, it may be time to end this Raptors era forever.
Verdict: Buy, even if the idea hits us – and certainly the entire North – right in the #Feelz.
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Michael Dwyer / Associated Press
When the Boston Celtics inevitably realized a split from Kyrie Irving in 2019, they quickly turned to Kemba Walker as a suitable replacement. But they never addressed the gap created when Al Horford left the same summer, nor the openness when Gordon Hayward bolted outside Beantown this season.
They have not been completely forced out of the heavyweight ranks due to the superstar rises of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but they look a few players less than where they were (and, more importantly, where they are trying to go). The Celtics are unlikely to end up in a new Horford or Hayward between now and the deadline, but they are reportedly targeting the positions in the trading market.
“Sources in the league have long said Boston is looking for upgrades to strengthen its wing and great position,” The Oinger’s Kevin O’Connor reported.
The Celtics sit on an exception of $ 28.5 million traded (the largest in NBA history), all their future preferences and prospects like Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith. There may not be enough ammunition for a superstar exchange, but if Tatum and Brown scratch the itch anyway, Boston should be looking for size, shooting and consistency in its support staff.
Boston has played in three of the last four Eastern Conference finals, but it has not reached the Association’s championship round since Doc Rivers hosted the show in 2010. Tatum and Brown can keep the Celtics within striking distance, but they will need more help crossing that threshold.
Verdict: Buy. Celtics president Danny Ainge has a reason to have the nickname “Trader Dan”, and he has holes in this list.
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Tony Dejak / Associated Press
The Cleveland Cavaliers were not wiped out of the playoffs, but the past two weeks have drawn the most positive atmosphere from Northeast Ohio.
Since beating the Brooklyn Nets in consecutive games on January 20 and 22, the Cavaliers have won just two of their last ten games. And the wins were against the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, the only club in the league with a percentage of 250 or less. Cleveland’s net rating over this stretch is a worst NBA minus 13.0 points per 100 possessions.
Vultures begin to circle this group in the hope that a fire sale will begin. If that happens, the Cavaliers could cater to the needs of several clubs.
Andre Drummond has suitors, with the Raptors among them, per O’Connor. Larry Nance Jr. could fetch a “significant return” if Cleveland exchanged him. Teams are also watching JaVale McGee. The only big man who apparently does not have a market is the most decorated of the group: Kevin Love, a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick.
“Kevin Love will have to prove he can stay healthy before someone swaps for him and the $ 60.2 million left on his contract after this season,” O’Connor reported.
All these aspects are the smell test.
Drummond has never played better, and even with his offensive limitations, his setback and paint protection would strengthen a contender’s foreland. Nance offers a myriad of versatility, so if the Cavs let him go, they should ask for the moon and not settle for much less. McGee has size, length and championship experience. Love’s contract is extremely unpaid if he has not seen the word since the end of December.
Cleveland may be one of the biggest sellers of the trading season, but it looks like Love will likely stay through at least the off-season due to a lack of interest.
Verdict: Buy in full on both fronts.
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Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press
The Chicago Bulls thought in 2019 that they were a few movies away from the playoffs, and they added Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky to be their veteran accelerator.
So far no good.
The Bulls did not reach the bubble barrier last season, and if this campaign ended today, they would be left out of the playoffs. Their foreland was torn apart by injuries, and their offense struggled to find stability outside of Zach LaVine.
Young was a highlight and set personal records in field goal percentage (59.0) and assists per game (4.4), along with the second highest player efficiency in his career (18.6). But the Bulls must decide between now and March 25 how much it matters if the 32-year-old’s timeline is so far removed from that of the young core.
Teams seem to think – or at least hope – Chicago can decide that selling is the best way forward.
Buyers are increasingly looking to Windy City for upgrades with Young being “most interested,” according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. He also noted that there was “no indication” that Arturas Karnisovas, executive vice president of basketball operations, had an interest in selling to Bulls.
The interest in Young is not the least surprising. He is a solid veteran with the skills, cleverness, experience and versatility to enlarge any foreland and adapt to the new environment. It’s hard to imagine that there are many (if any) forward rotations that would not look better to him.
Some may argue this as a reason Chicago likes him, but what is the Bulls competing for soon? If they play the long game – as their record suggests they should do – they would get the most miles by moving Young for assets and releasing as many minutes ahead as possible for the upcoming Patrick Williams, Daniel Gafford and (when healthy) ) Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.
Verdict: Buy stake in Thaddeus Young, sell Chicago because he does not want to let him go.
All statistics are provided by matches played on February 8 and use the permission of NBA.com and Basketball Reference, unless otherwise stated.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @ZachBuckleyNBA.