2013 Random Offseason Rumours

[NovU]

Feel free to post any rumours/speculation which you find interesting here.

1: Bulls Shopping Deng?
(No 3. pick + Okafor = Deng) sounds like a great deal for the Bulls, especially with emerging Jimmy Butler.

2: Marshon Brooks to Timberwolves?
Marshon was expected to be a great sixth man for the Nets last season but didn't end up doing too good. Will the Nets give up this young talent?

3: Cavs after Marion, Pierce?
Cavaliers look to improve their roster so they could make the playoffs next season. Aggressive offseason moves to be expected?

[Andrew]

I'm not sure how to feel about that Deng rumour. On one hand, he's basically reached his ceiling, you've got Jimmy Butler on the rise and if they're going to move any of the core players in a worthwhile trade, it's Deng. At the same time though, he played fairly well last year, is still more polished offensively than Butler and I'd rather have him on the roster than Okafor, who is probably going to go to waste on the bench in rather expensive fashion. For that price, they might as well have matched the offer sheet for Asik. Still, that third pick is tempting...

I guess they've got to at least explore the opportunity. It'd be a shame to see Deng go, but I can see the positives in pulling the trigger on the deal.

[NovU]

I see this as either, a) to test and evaluate on Butler's ceiling/skillset before giving him a contract, b) hasten his development process with increased role/minutes. And Deng is believed to be expandable which I tend to agree. And #3 pick imo is better than dealing with upcoming contract negotiation that the Bulls will have to deal with Deng at the end of 13/14 season.

What's risky is that you are sorta breaking up the core from days when team was seriously contending with healthy Rose. But then I think 3 best players are still with the team.

I think this is a deal that works for the Bulls.

[Andrew]

That's the other issue with Deng, certainly. I wouldn't mind him sticking around beyond this season at a lower price, but he's probably not all that eager to take that much of a paycut (and fair enough, he has to look out for himself and his income the same as anyone else). I'd definitely much rather they move him in a deal like that than lose him for nothing.

[Sauru]

i like the deal for the bulls but dont see why the wizards would make it? they give up the third pick to have the chance to over pay for deng? makes no sense to me

i really want more than a second round pick for pierce but i dont think we will get it

[shadowgrin]

Having Okafor makes no sense when the Bulls already have Noah, Boozer, and Gibson in your bigs rotation.

[NovU]

i like the deal for the bulls but dont see why the wizards would make it? they give up the third pick to have the chance to over pay for deng? makes no sense to me

Felt the same way. Assuming John Wall is their future, it still seems to be a move that puts a lot of faith in Nene, and Deng. They probably don't want to waste more Wall's young years as a bottom feeder but wants to become a Playoffs team at all cost? Their recent high picks that include Bradley, and Vasely haven't been too impressive, but #3 pick(+ Okafor) for Deng sounds like a desperate move.

UPDATING
Pelicans after Chris Copeland?

According to an NBA source, the newly named New Orleans Pelicans are planning to make a strong bid for the 6-foot-9 sniper as they are well under the salary cap and can make an offer that will blow Knicks owner James Dolan out of the water.

Pelicans have Eric Gordon, developing Aminu, and Ryan Anderson as a core. Copeland should be a solid addition if they don't overpay too much imo.

And it's interesting to note... if the Knicks lose JR Smith and Copeland, how will that impact the team.

[JaoSming]

Bye Paul and hi Josh?

Consider the departure of Doc Rivers Phase II of the Celtics’ slow dismantling, which began last summer with Ray Allen leaving Boston. Phase III will come this week, when Boston must either trade Paul Pierce or decide to buy him out.
...
If the Celtics can unload Pierce to a team with enough cap space to absorb his salary, they will get a trade exception worth Pierce’s salary, or $15.3 million. And if that happens, the plan is already in place. According to a source, the Celtics have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Atlanta forward Josh Smith that would be the top priority in free agency.

Other rumors too
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2 ... eng-jimmer

[Andrew]

i like the deal for the bulls but dont see why the wizards would make it? they give up the third pick to have the chance to over pay for deng? makes no sense to me

Agreed. They'd perhaps rather pay $14 million to Deng than Okafor (of course, both are in the final year of their contracts) but it's a steep price to give up a chance at getting a talented young player for a player who has already reached their ceiling.

[NovU]

Eye shoppings only so far.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... raft-picks

According to a source, Cleveland offered the No. 1 pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters to try and land Minnesota’s Kevin Love. But new Timberwolves president Flip Saunders won’t move Love.

Elsewhere, a source said Oklahoma City was interested in packaging its two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 29) and Kendrick Perkins for a top-five pick. But the Thunder have had no takers either.

Meanwhile, Dallas is openly shopping its No. 13 pick, but is having a hard time finding a quality deal.

Looks like the Cavaliers really want to shake up knowing Kyrie's the real deal to build around.

Also, the Mavericks seem to be wanting a proven piece to their roster.

[benji]

Bargs to Knicks?

Knicks appear close to acquiring Andrea Bargnani from Toronto, per source. NY offering Camby, Novak, 2 picks (1st rd/2nd rd).

[NovU]

@WojYahooNBA
Houston has traded Thomas Robinson to the Portland Trail Blazers, league source tells Y! Sports.

Somebody might wanna make a minor offseason trade thread.

[benji]

KBergCBS
Another possible landing spot for Jeremy Lin is Detroit, source says. Rockets would acquire Jose Calderon in sign-and-trade in such a deal.

[Andrew]

Now that's a surprising one.

[NovU]

Wow. Now that'd suck for Lin. Knight, and Rodney Stunkey are there already.

[Stress Fracture]

FUCK. NO.

[benji]

Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars met with Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith at 12:01 a.m. ET with a plan to make the free agent forward a substantial four-year offer, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Atlanta has shown far more interest in working sign-and-trade arrangements for Smith than re-signing him to a long-term deal, league sources said.

[Lamrock]

My condolences if Detroit signs Josh Smith.

[NovU]

Detroit Pistons certainly have talent to spare like Andre Drummond so perhaps they should find a way to include him in the deal to land a true superstar Josh Smith.

[benji]

As free agency opens, the Charlotte Bobcats are pursuing Jazz forward Al Jefferson, a league source tells @CBSSports.

Just asked a source if the #Pistons will offer Josh Smith the max, the answer: "Absolutely not."

Pelicans are scheduled to meet with Sacramento Kings restricted free agent shooting guard Tyreke Evans just after 11 p.m. Sunday, when teams can officially start negotiating with free agents, league sources confirmed. Although not confirmed, the Pelicans could be looking to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Kings to possibly move point guard Greivis Vasquez or starting shooting guard Eric Gordon.

The #Blazers have reached out to free agent center Zaza Puchulia, a league source informed @CSNNW

[shadowgrin]

David Aldridge mentioned that the Bulls are sniffing around to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge.

[Alpha_]

Gal Mekel has verbally committed to signing with the Dallas Mavericks on a multi-year deal for the NBA's minimum. Mekel received serious interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies. Mekel had an excellent season with Maccabi Haifa and is making the jump to the NBA at 25. Mark Deeks of ShamSports reports that it will be a three-year deal.

[Stress Fracture]

Rumor: Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler for Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan.

[JaoSming]

Am I crazy or is that beneficial for both teams?

[Martti.]

I like it for the Clippers.