We are exactly on one month point until the 2020-21 NBA trading deadline, so it’s time for a special issue of our trading series.
Usually we launch a new part of this series every Monday, but as we approach the deadline, we will start recording the frequency of our articles on trade rumors.
And judging by some of the names that are being started, it’s probably a good idea on our part.
Below is a list of the five players who have appeared the most on our Trade Rumors Page in recent days, by ranking.
5 Kyle Lowry (Toronto)
Kyle Lowry he has a running contract and although he is a legend of Toronto Raptors, it did not stop the team president Masai Ujiri of a player of his caliber previously. That, plus the fact that Toronto has a long-term commitment to it Fred VanVleet last season, led many to allow Lowry’s days to be counted with the birds of prey.
And since Lowry is still a very productive floor general with an average of 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from outside the arc, the interest in acquiring him will be high on the trading market.
Three teams that have been discussed as potential landing spots for Lowry include his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, all of whom are having big aspiring franchises this season.
However, if recent reports are to be trusted, Lowry’s preference is to end up at home in Philadelphia (via The Philadelphia Investigator):
A source said Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes the Sixers and Raptors may be able to do something. But when it comes down to it, Toronto most likely wants a choice, young players and veterans with contracts for Lowry, who is earning $ 30 million this season.
The report went on to say:
Kyle Lowry will fit the 76ers perfectly. The same can be said about the Miami Heat. However, the best spot for the Philly native and the Toronto Raptors leaderboard is the Los Angeles Clippers. According to sources, the three teams could become potential trading destinations for the former Cardinal Dougherty High School and Villanova. It was, of course, if Lowry chose not to end the season with the Raptors.
Even at almost 35, Lowry is still one of the top scorers in the game and, more importantly, one who has proven he can help lead a team to a championship.
If Toronto is serious about moving Lowry, the market for him will heat up quickly, and the candidates are likely to struggle against his services.
Click here for more information on the Kyle Lowry Trade Front.
4 Austin Rivers (New York)
No concrete reporting has been done on Austin Rivers’ recently with the New York Knicks, but when he spoke to the media recently, the two-way guard sounded essentially as if he was preparing to be moved (via the New York Post):
Knights guard Austin Rivers arrived as a veteran team leader who would close the game as a backup. On Wednesday, in his first remarks since the Derrick Rose trade, he sounded like a man who would soon be traded, and sometimes forged frustratingly in the past time of his Knicks period. ‘I can not control whether I trade today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player and what I can bring to this team every day. It’s ready at all times, whether my name is mentioned or not, and to help the young, young guys get ready to play. I’ll just keep getting ready to play here as long as I’m here, but no matter how long I’m. ”
Rivers had a somewhat quiet season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21 games, shooting 36.4 percent from three in the process. He also has not seen any action for the Knicks since Feb. 13.
Nevertheless, Rivers has a lot of playoff experience and is defending his position, and will earn only $ 3.5 million this year, while sources told HoopsHype that his 2021-22 is not guaranteed at all, which makes him even more attractive for a pickup for a competitor looking for depth of the backfield
New York should not find it difficult to get him a new home next month.
Click here for more information on the Austin Rivers Trade Front.
3 Bradley Beal (Washington)
Although each sign indicates Bradley Beal is not going anywhere this season, which has not stopped his name from constantly popping up in trade rumors – and this week was nothing else.
New York-based ESPN radio host Michael Kay said on Tuesday on his program he heard William Wesley, better known as World Wide West, who works for the Knicks’ front office, uses back channels to push Beal’s camp to solicit a trade this season (via the New York Daily News):
“The Knicks have global creatures on their side,” Kay said. “And he was in the ears of some of Beal’s people and he bumped them so that it’s a time to pursue a trade.” World Wide West, real name William Wesley, was hired by the Knicks in June to work with his longtime collaborator Leon Rose. This is Wesley’s first official job with an NBA team after decades as a behind-the-scenes power broker who leverages relationships to influence. World Wide West, which has James Dolan’s ear, is an animated figure on the sidelines this season, both on the road and at MSG, but has never spoken in public.
It’s a pretty harsh accusation, which could get the Knicks in a lot of trouble if it’s true, but in reality it’s not that surprising; the kind of recruitment of backchannel is likely to take place in the NBA, especially if the big names in the market are involved.
Nevertheless, the Washington Wizards have been playing much better lately and Beal leads the league in the standings. The chances of him being traded within the next month are slim.
Click here for more information on the Bradley Beal Trade Front.
2 Andre Drummond (Cleveland)
Two teams recently connected Andre Drummond the past few days: the Dallas Mavericks and the Knicks.
The former was mentioned by Bleacher Report Jake Fischer, who reported the following:
For now, it appears that Dallas is first interested in adding a center to complement Porzingis, sources said. The Mavericks surrounded Andre Drummond while the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to move in a different direction from their own direction, but Dallas expressed no interest in renouncing Porzingis in the specific talks. “They want a great pair with him,” said a league source. “Of course with physicality, setbacks, toughness.”
While the latter by Marc Berman of the New York Post, who wrote as follows:
According to an NBA source who was in touch with the Knicks, the club did not make any decisions, but ‘analyzed’ whether a play for Cavaliers center Andre Drummond on the block made sense from a chemical and desirable point of view. The Knicks are the NBA’s team with the lowest points list.
There’s a lot being made of Drummond’s salary, which is declining, but he’s paid him $ 28.8 million this season, and his sometimes feeble attempt to be defensive, but the 27-year-old is a double-edged sword who is an elite finish is what plays the choice and role. is an absolute force on the glass – on both sides.
So there is no doubt that he would help a contender in the foreground if he traded to one in the next month.
Click here for more information on the Andre Drummond Trade Front.
1 Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas)
For the first time since his move from New York to Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis began to emerge in credible trade rumors, and although Mavs owner Cuban brand denies them, more than one point of sale they report, gives the potential they are worth believing.
First, Bleacher Report Fischer reported the following on Tuesday:
In fact, according to league sources, Dallas has been quietly assessing the trading market for Porzingis as the Mavericks have begun to evaluate whether the 25-year-old center can really support Doncic as the second option for a candidate. “They kicked the tires for anyone not named Luka,” said one person with knowledge of Dallas’ thinking. ‘You know Donnie; they always tamper. “‘They definitely sniffed at him,’ an assistant general manager told B / R. “They take the temperature because at some point they know it’s coming.”
Dan, Ian Begley of CUT reiterates that Dallas discussed Porzingis deals with several teams while judging its value. One of those teams? The Golden State Warriors (via SNY on YouTube):
Ian Begley on Kristaps Porzingis: (The Dallas Mavericks) spoke to several teams just to quietly measure its value in the trading market. One team they spoke to was Golden State. I do not know if things have come a long way. I do not know if they are serious about moving him, but at least now they are measuring his value in the league.
Porzingis is performing well this season with an average of 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but his three-point percentage has remained a meager 35.2, and there are many legitimate questions about his ability to number 2 option of being a true contender.
And given Dallas’ slow start to the season (15-15 and No. 9 in the West so far), it’s easy to see why the team would sniffing around to see what they could get in exchange for their floor-distance, shot-blocking big man.
Click here for more information on the Kristaps Porzingis trade front.