Tag Archives: NBA Trade Rumors

DeMarcus Cousins Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Could Trade For Boogie

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Well, that didn’t take long. It’s probably true that the DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors never truly go away, but a 4-8 start by the Sacramento Kings certainly haven’t helped quiet the rumor mill.

The fact that star forward Rudy Gay made it public that he wanted out months ago can’t help, either. As long as the Kings keep losing and any other players want out, the DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors are bound to persist.

Except this time it feels a little different. This time it feels like something could actually happen.

The issue with the man known as Boogie has always been that he doesn’t have the greatest attitude and that with him, the Kings probably aren’t every really going to get anywhere. It’s tough to know which way to lean on that, as at it’s core it’s quite subjective.

The talent is there. The production is there. DeMarcus Cousins is still just 26 years old and he can bang down low with anyone, en route to his nightly 26 points and 10 rebounds per game. In every way, the kid is elite. But the Kings aren’t winning and they don’t have the pieces to turn it around.

With Boogie’s deal drying up in two years, the Kings have to finally get real and ask themselves if they are willing to surround their best player with a winning supporting cast, or if they’re willing to let Boogie walk for nothing. Odds are, Cousins is not signing back on with an organization that has run itself into the ground with horrible drafting, bad trades, and even worse signings.

The only good thing the Kings have done since Boogie came into the fray is bring on current head coach David Joerger. Perhaps that means they’re headed in the direction. Maybe a soon to come Rudy Gay trade will help get that supporting cast up to snuff.

It’s just doubtful. Sacramento is running out of time to appease Cousins and it’s beginning to look like they may not even want to.

If that’s really the case, we need to start thinking about options. Here’s five potential suitors that just might try to swing a DeMarcus Cousins trade this year:

Boston Celtics

Boston has been the spot that has made the most sense the entire time. They did just sign Al Horford and have a great nucleus, but they still lack that true star to get them over the hump. After a sluggish 6-5 start, it’s fair to wonder if Brad Stevens and co. make a big move to get them back up and going in the right direction.

After all, it does make sense:

Per ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine, a swap of Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder for Boogie would work by the numbers. If Boston could sweeten the deal with a couple of draft picks, it might be something the Kings consider. After all, Sacramento has a plethora of young bigs. Their main issue would be bringing on glue guys, shooters and players that could defend.

Los Angeles Lakers

DeMarcus Cousins to the Lakers have been a longstanding rumor with admittedly very little merit. It’s unclear how badly the Kings want to move their star center, and it’s not really known if L.A. sees him as the big fix to their rebuilding project.

Either way, the Lakers are slowly on the rise and have a ton of young talent to play with. If they wanted, they could at least consider packaging some of that talent in an effort to land Cousins and try competing for a playoff spot right now, while also building for the future at the same time.

Any trade before December wouldn’t be enough to get the Kings to bite. Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and/or D’Angelo Russell would surely have to be part of any trade, while the Lakers would probably want to unload guys like Jose Calderon and/or Timofey Mozgov if they were bringing in Boogie. They’d have to wait until after December for a trade involving the latter two to become eligible.

Still, the Lakers have some nice young talent and arguably too many bodies, so they remain a realistic trade partner if the Kings like anything they have and are willing to wait.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are in an interesting spot, as they don’t necessarily appear to be a title contender as they stand, but they also don’t seem to be that far away. They have a ton of assets they don’t need at the moment and have a starting five that can be competitive with just about anyone each night out.

Adding DeMarcus Cousins could simply put them over the top and at least make them a viable threat to be the #2 team in the Eastern Conference, behind the Cavs.

Getting Boogie over Robin Lopez would be an enormous upgrade, so this is a deal the Bulls could certainly explore.

One interesting trade the Bulls could consider is sending as package of Robin Lopez, Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine for Cousins. Those three guys alone don’t look like a powerful trio, but in return for Boogie, the Kings get three guys that could potentially start right away. Valentine could replace a likely departing Rudy Gay, Lopez could start at center and Portis could start at power forward. Chicago would undoubtedly need to include some picks and maybe one more young player, but the core of this deal works.

Houston Rockets

If the Rockets are serious about winning right now, they may have to do more than just ride James Harden’s coattails at the point. It might be weird to pitch the idea of them acquiring another stud big man after the Dwight Howard experiment, but Boogie’s perimeter game might make this a totally different circumstance.

The Rockets have some very nice pieces they’d ultimately have to cough up, of course, but if they were willing to let go of Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley and Clint Capela, the numbers suggest this deal could go down. It might actually take a little more spice, like waiting until December to unload Ryan Anderson or parting with tantalizing young forward Sam Deker (as well as some picks), but the core could get discussions started.

Milwaukee Bucks

Last, but possibly not least, are the Bucks. They really don’t want Greg Monroe anymore. That became obvious with a recent DNP:

The Greg Monroe trade rumors have been running wild for over a year now, and this could eventually be the perfect scenario for both sides. Moose can still ball, but his defense has always been a question mark. In Sacramento he could start and be a solid double-double threat, and perhaps David Joerger can help him on defense. But Monroe alone wouldn’t pry Boogie out of Sacramento. Instead, the Bucks would have to give up a solid young talent in Jabari Parker, who has really come on strong lately.

As good as Parker has been and ultimately could be, there is a strong argument that suggests shedding Parker to get Cousins will be worth it. This really kills two birds with one stone for Milwaukee, while they can complete this trade by sending Rashad Vaughn and receiving Ben McLemore in the deal. The two sides could also discuss picks or a few other players, but the core of this trade works and could be a great place to start.

DeMarcus Cousins Predictions

Ultimately, we don’t really see DeMarcus Cousins getting traded this year. His best bet does remain the Celtics, who have plenty of assets and have to know that at their current position, they simply have gone about as far as they really can.

Boogie is going to be on the move eventually, as his contract is up in two years and the Kings are going nowhere. Sacramento isn’t going to take a bad offer just to get rid of him, though. He still sells tickets and for the moment, he’s their best chance to push for a playoff spot. If this season continues to go down the tube, however, the DeMarcus Cousin trade rumors could quickly heat up. When they do, the Celtics will be the team to monitor.

Rudy Gay and 5 Players the Milwaukee Bucks Should Trade For

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The Milwaukee Bucks were hoping to fight for an NBA playoff spot going into the 2016-17 season, but could quickly find that to be difficult with star scorer Khris Middleton likely done for the year. Middleton tore his hamstring recently and per reports, could be out for six months or longer.

Middleton’s injury will probably keep him out until March, while it could also end his season before it even begins. Best case, the Bucks can hope to make the playoffs and bring him back for a run later in the year.

That run is never happening if they don’t make a serious movie to help replace what they’re losing with Middleton on the shelf, however. The team did make a small effort already by trading for proven scorer Michael Beasley, but Beasley nor any of the other Bucks look to provide Middleton’s outside shooting stroke or consistent scoring.

It sure is a start, and it also took nothing to facilitate it. Tyler Ennis, a little-used backup point guard, got shipped to Houston for a guy who for sure can hit the floor and go get buckets.

Beasley is arguably an underrated talent that gives the bench added depth and he most certainly can help, but this can’t be where Milwaukee stops in it’s plight to improve with Middleton hurt.

Instead, if the Bucks are serious about competing this year, they need to make one or two more moves before the season starts. That could mean trading away guys like Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams or others that simply don’t fit their long-term plans.

There are definitely some able bodies out there Milwaukee could target, so let’s take a look at five options that could make good sense:

Rudy Gay, F, Sacramento Kings

This makes a ton of sense for one obvious reason: Gay wants out of Sac-town.

His contract expires after this season, too, so the Bucks don’t need to worry about a big commitment or feel pressured to fit Middleton back into the rotation.

Gay provides experience, scoring and versatility right away and once Middleton returns, the two can be moved around to fit the lineup’s needs. Gay can effectively play the three or the four, while Middleton can play the two or three. Gay doesn’t necessarily solve Milwaukee’s immediate issue at shooting guard, but he can probably play there in a pinch, or the Bucks can try other options at the two.

The big draw is the Bucks get a solid, versatile talent that will be gone after the season and open the door back up to Middleton resuming his old role, and if things work out they could even explore a long-term deal. Gay makes a ton of sense for Milwaukee with their current situation, while it also gets him away from a team he apparently loathes. Because Gay wants out so bad and everyone knows it, it’s also pretty likely Milwaukee can get him on the cheap.

Gerald Green, G/F, Boston Celtics

Green finds himself back with the Celtics, the franchise that originally drafted him. It looks like his career has come full circle, but he belongs somewhere else with an actual role. It’s unclear what his role in Boston will be, but considering the insane depth at basically every position, more than 15 minutes could be difficult every night.

A shaky role has to have Green open to going elsewhere, and in Milwaukee – given the current situation – he’d be looking at a big role and maybe even one that has him starting. Green is an iffy defender and an erratic performer, but he an fill it up as a scorer and is an exciting player in space. He also knows his role and can play a niche pretty well, which could make him the perfect stop-gap option until Middleton returns. Milwaukee wouldn’t have to give up much of anything to land him – maybe a young player and a pick – if that.

Nick Young, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers

Swaggy P is a major NBA trade candidate thanks to the weirdness between him and D’Angelo Russell stemming from last year. Young has been sliding out of favor with the Lakers for years, too, so it’s only a matter of time before he gets dumped. Why not trade him to a spot where he could actually thrive until Middleton returns to full strength?

Young doesn’t really play defense and is basically a chucker, but the Bucks could use his outside shooting and overall scoring ability. He can still pile on the points and in Milwaukee could take on a pretty nice workload. Once Middleton returns, he could slide to the bench and offer solid scoring with the second unit.

Nik Stauskas, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers

Stauskas is another interesting option – maybe even more than Young or Green – seeing as he’s still quite young and may yet have the potential to develop into an NBA starter. His defense needs work and he’s far from a consistent performer, but he can shoot from long range and is generally a solid scorer and playmaker.

He still has some ways to go, but he was solid with the Sixers in spots last year and with their added depth this summer, he could see a lesser role. Unless Philly is randomly smitten with him, it probably wouldn’t take much to acquire him. Stauskas could launch three’s and help the offense while Middleton recovers and once back, Stauskas could hit the bench and offer some nice shooting as part of the rotation.

Alec Burks, SG, Utah Jazz

Burks may be the best bet yet, as injuries have slowed his NBA development and he may just need a new situation to get things back on track. Utah brought in the more reliable Joe Johnson and seems set with Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood as their main wing starters, so the writing could be on the wall that his days with the Jazz are numbered.

Burks is a nice combo player who has the athleticism to score and defend, while he also can hit the outside shot at a fine rate. Health woes are always concerning, but Burks looks to be a full go for the upcoming season and could be a nice find via trade. He may cost the most (aside from Gay) in any prospective trade, but he could be a nice value and would give the Bucks awesome depth and versatility down the road.

Aside from the Bucks trading for Rudy Gay, landing Burks is the most attractive option on this list, by far. It’s understandable if this list of potential trade targets for the Bucks doesn’t impress, but here’s a two-sided reality: Milwakee doesn’t have a ton to offer in a trade and while they want help, they don’t necessarily need a long-term answer at shooting guard.

That answer already appears to be Middleton, who once back at full strength, is going to see a huge role and heavy minutes. What Milwaukee needs is another guy who can shoot and score and either will later see his contract end or will be easy to slide back into a lesser reserve role. Gay doesn’t fit the latter description, but everyone else here does, which makes them all perfect trade candidates in their own way.

What the Bucks do going forward is anyone’s guess. All we know is that if they want to make the playoffs, they need to do something. Adding Beasley was a step in the right direction. Their next move could dictate the success they have the rest of the year.

Mike Trout and 9 Star Athletes That Should Be Traded

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It can be tough to make a sacrifice for the better of a franchise. It’s even more difficult when you’re considering trading a player that transcends a sport or seems to be the franchise.

However, as good as one athlete can be, one player never makes a team. The days of one NBA superstar carrying their team to the playoffs are for the most part gone. Even the best NFL quarterbacks can’t do it all on their own. Star MLB hitters and pitchers can put up their own gaudy numbers, but at the end of the day they’re still handcuffed to the rest of their team.

At some point, having a marquee player can’t mean sacrificing the future of a franchise. Eventually, an organization needs to look at themselves and answer the painful question, “Might we be better down the road without this player?”.

A number of teams could be facing that exact dilemma this year or in the near future. Here’s a look at the biggest stars who are the lone bright spot on their respective teams and why it may be a good idea for their team to trade them away while the getting is good.

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

As the Halos stand, they’re a wounded MLB team in the competitive AL West. They don’t have a good enough defense to fend off elite Texas and Seattle offenses in the division, while an anemic offense stifles too often to allow them to keep up with said offenses on the other side.

Mike Trout has done his very best, but the 24-year old can’t do it all on his own. He gets sporadic help from the likes of Kole Calhoun and Albert Pujols, but the Angels have largely missed throughout the rest of their offensive lineup and lack the top shelf defensive pieces to make up for their weak offense.

It’s true that Trout is still very young and he could be a key part of a rebuild. He also could be the reason the Angels get back to a prominent level a lot faster. Trout is an MVP-caliber player and in the right situation, could be the missing link to a World Series title.

So far, though, that hasn’t been the case with the Angels. Despite big numbers and consistent, reliable play, Trout hasn’t been able to push the Halos over the hump. Since coming into the league in 2011, Trout has helped the Angels to the MLB playoffs just once.

That doesn’t mean Trout can’t be part of a turn around that eventually ends with a title. He’s just 24 and arguably is the best overall player in the entire league. The Angels could command a huge haul for him in a trade, however, one that could supply them with key assets, pitching help and some attractive young offensive talent. Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to huge trades. The Angels could be sacrificing one of the league’s best players just for a mere chance to get a head start on starting over. Or they could be giving away their best player, only to watch it blow up in their face.

Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Trout’s name is huge when it comes to trade rumors, largely because he’s come up a few times in the past couple of years and because the MLB trade deadline arrives on August 1st. There might be an even more high profile player that could/should be dealt, however, with the Oklahoma City Thunder unsure of their future with superstar point guard, Russell Westbrook.

With the departure of Kevin Durant this summer, OKC is officially on high alert, knowing that if they don’t plan things just right, they could lose a second mega star for the second consecutive season.

Plan A has to include rebuilding without Durant and focusing on keeping Westbrook happy, dialed in and most of all – loyal. That would require some type of commitment out of Westbrook, who to this point has not appeared open to signing a contract extension prior to the end of the 2016-17 NBA season.

For one, he has to wonder, just like Durant did, if OKC is the place he wants to be. Are the Thunder going to add the right pieces around him in order to compete for NBA championships? Is the draw of going back to Los Angeles (he went to school at UCLA) more tempting and potentially more rewarding?

Westbrook’s take isn’t known, plus with the NBA CBA, he stands to lose a ton of money if he signed a long-term deal before next summer. Instead, one way or another, he’s going to break the back once he becomes a free agent and the league salary cap rises even higher.

That doesn’t mean Westbrook can’t or won’t stay in Oklahoma City. But it might mean the Thunder can’t take the chance he’ll do what Durant didn’t do.

Because of the uncertainty with the franchise and with Westbrook’s thinking, the Thunder don’t have a choice. Unless they’re privy to information no one else is, they have to deal Westbrook for the best possible offer and start over. That could mean someone like the New York Knicks go all-in on a one-year rental. It could also be someone like the Dallas Mavericks or Boston Celtics. Or maybe a Los Angeles based team (more than likely the Lakers) knows they can get Westbrook to sign long-term and they’re willing to give up assets to make the deal happen.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Two problems arise when you start thinking about Adrian Peterson trade rumors. For starters, it doesn’t sound like the Minnesota Vikings would ever actually trade him. He also is a guy that seems content where he is, especially after a new deal in 2015 proved just how much he meant to the team. Secondly, it’s tough to gauge the exact value of a 31-year old running back at a position that is constantly devalued by fans and experts, alike.

That being said, the Vikings are being held hostage by an aging entity. Peterson is still a top shelf feature back in the league, but he’s slowly inching past his prime and is arguably one more big injury from being a lost cause. Meanwhile, Minnesota has a very talented young rusher in Jerick McKinnon, who is just chomping at the bit to see increased action.

Minnesota, at the moment, is a fun sleeper to make a run for their first NFL title in league history. Peterson is a big reason why and barring some shocking development, there is no reason the Vikings actually would trade him.

However, shipping off Peterson would accomplish two things: it would open up Minnesota’s offense and make it less about one guy and more about spreading the ball around in a balanced attack. As the offense sits, it’s about giving Peterson the ball and hoping for the best when you don’t.

The other key advantage is whatever the Vikings can get in return for Peterson. At this age and due to his position, it probably wouldn’t be a whole lot. Still, any amount of draft picks or an upgrade at any position where Minnesota lacks strength could be worth it.

It’s not actually going to happen. If it was going to happen, Minnesota would have pulled the trigger when teams like the Dallas Cowboys had serious interest shortly after his child abuse scandal. They didn’t, and now they’re tied down to him more than ever. Peterson was strong again in 2015 and he played a big hand in getting the Vikings back to the playoffs. He’s probably the second reason (after their improved defense) for the high level optimism going into 2016, as well.

An Adrian Peterson trade won’t happen, but for the sake for Minnesota’s future, it probably should.

Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers might not have just won their first ever NBA title if it weren’t for Kevin Love. Not only did he grab 14 huge rebounds in their game seven win over the Golden State Warriors, but he also played surprisingly excellent defense against Stephen Curry in the waning seconds.

While Love certainly still has value in Cleveland, he shrunk in some of the bigger moments – specifically the NBA Finals – and is now more than ever third in the pecking order behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. He is still a valuable player for a team shooting for a repeat title, but it’s worth wondering if he’s more valuable as a trade chip that could bring back even more help.

The Cavs are in an interesting spot, as they just won the title with little help from Love and mostly on the shoulders of James and Irving – who both played at an insane level in three straight games to come back from a 3-1 hole.

Trading Love could get the Cavs assets they otherwise would never get, it could get them a solid backup point guard, extra scoring off the bench or another quality big to help make up for the loss of Love. The reality is the team lost two decent bench guys in Matthew Dellevadova and Timofey Mozgov, and for a team that already lacked bench depth, they could be in a tough spot suddenly.

Love isn’t completely expendable, but depending on what Cleveland could get back for him, he also isn’t untouchable.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos

Denver just won a Super Bowl because of their defense, rather than their offense. They also watched as Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler opted to head to Houston. A regressing offense has only gotten worse, yet in just a year’s time, the Broncos will need to decide whether or not Emmanuel Sanders is going to be part of the rebuilding process on that side of the ball.

The team has put a lot of money into their defense in the past few years – the most of which being a massive contract extension for rush linebacker, Von Miller.

Emmanuel Sanders figures to be Denver’s next main focus, but it’s possible the Broncos don’t want to invest a ton of money in the 29-year old receiver. It’s quite arguable they shouldn’t, either.

The most obvious reason for Denver to move on is the money. Sanders is a top shelf #2 receiver, but he wants around $10 million per year. That might be a bit too rich for Denver’s blood, especially when they have talented waiting behind him in Cody Latimer.

None of this necessarily puts Sanders on the trading block right now, but if a deal doesn’t get done and the defending champs come out of the gates slow to start 2016, Emmanuel Sanders trade rumors could quickly become a thing.

The harsh reality is Sanders never found real success until he teamed up with Manning and at 29, it becomes increasingly dangerous to hand him a fat contract. Manning is gone and the Broncos may have to endure some rebuilding in the next couple of years. They already have a ton of money wrapped up in fellow receiver Demaryius Thomas and we’ve seen them be judicious in the past about money (see: Eric Decker and Julius Thomas).

The likely result here is Sanders walks as a free agent after the season. That, or he actually sticks to his guns about wanting to retire a Bronco and gives the team a hometown discount. The other option is a trade – an idea that isn’t too crazy for a solid talent and a team that needs more than one piece to get their offense back on track.

Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves

Rubio’s days in Minnesota have to be numbered. The team did just hand him a massive contract extension not too long ago, but with the drafting of Kris Dunn and the presence of Zach Lavine, Rubio has never been more expendable.

Rubio still provides value and is just 25 years old, but the guy cannot shoot and doesn’t have the defensive upside Dunn does. Long-term, Dunn belongs at the one, running Minnesota’s offense and stifling the elite point guards in the NBA. The Timberwolves are already inching back to a playoff appearance, and it surely would be a shame to not have Rubio be a part of that.

However, Rubio is still an appealing talent and a franchise point guard in the right situation. It’s still possible that remains in Minnesota. However, he is no longer needed with the talent the Wolves have accrued and they could use help elsewhere – namely future assets and their bench depth. Rubio could return a solid haul depending on who triggers a deal, and his three remaining years on his deal would keep him locked in to his next team.

So far, a Ricky Rubio trade hasn’t come to fruition and ownership suggests it won’t.

Keywords being “for now”.

The reality is Rubio’s value hinges to a starting role where he runs the offense, attacks the paint and sets other guys up. Unfortunately, his presence hinders the development of some of the other guys and his shooting hurts the team’s offensive upside. The Timberwolves probably want to make sure Dunn can handle the reigns before making such a big move, but it could ultimately only be a matter of time before a Ricky Rubio deal goes down.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears

Jeffery is the last big NFL name on our list, as he could soon follow in the footsteps of former teammate, Brandon Marshall. Much like Marshall, the Bears could soon view Jeffery as expendable, especially with 2015 prospect Kevin White poised to enter the team’s starting lineup.

More importantly, Jeffery struggled to stay healthy in 2015 and reports suggest that the team may not see Jeffery as a true #1 receiver. Should they see him as more of a strong number two option, the two sides may never come to an agreement on a new deal. With Jeffery schedule to hit free agency following the 2016 season, that could quickly make him a trade candidate.

The other issue is the Bears don’t seem necessarily close to competing for a playoff spot. They’re at best the third team on paper inside their own division, while they have some intriguing talent that could fill in for Jeffery should a trade make sense.

From here, the Bears will either get Jeffery to agree to the number they want and keep him on a long-term deal, they’ll budge and pay him what he thinks he’s worth or they’ll let him walk in free agency. If they don’t see a deal being met and don’t want to lose their star receiver for nothing, however, a blockbuster NFL trade could be in the cards.

Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets

There hasn’t been much talk around a Brook Lopez trade, but maybe there should be. The Nets liked Lopez enough to hand him a massive contract, one that doesn’t expire for another two NBA seasons. However, given Lopez’s sketchy injury history and the fact that Brooklyn turned on their commitment to Thaddeus Young (traded to Pacers this summer), Brook Lopez’s future in Brooklyn could still be tenuous.

The Nets have maintained that Lopez is a building block and won’t be traded, but for a team that absolutely is not competing for the playoffs anytime soon, it’s tough to see that sticking for long.

The Nets have a good amount of young talent, but they need more. Jeremy Lin running the show as the starting point guard probably tells us all we need to know, and it’s possible the team simply hasn’t seen the right deal yet for Lopez. It’s also possible they’re biding their time, as the star center does have two more seasons on his current deal.

There is enough here to speculate a looming trade, however. Lopez is 28 and has feet issues and he’s on a non-playoff team that is light years away from making serious noise in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference. If the Nets are smart, they search for the right deal and unload Lopez before he gets hurt again and becomes a waste on their books.

DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings

Why not save the best for last, right? Few star athletes have been involved in trade rumors more than Boogie, who seems to be on the go about every other week.

It’s tough to go against the notion, either, seeing as Cousins is either hurt, sick, upset or stuck on a losing Kings squad at all times during the year. A lot of the negativity around Boogie is out of his control, but he doesn’t seem to be totally content in his current situation and it would probably benefit the Kings in a big way to find a big deal to ship him out of town.

Cousins isn’t the only Kings player that could be on the move, either. With Rudy Gay trade rumors heating up, it stands to reason that the team could blow their current squad up in an effort to bring in young talent and assets. From there, the Kings could finally focus on rebuilding the right way.

The issue is Sacramento has done everything wrong up until this summer. They finally did the right thing by hiring a sound head coach in David Joerger and then turned around and had an odd draft – one that brought in two center prospects. You know, the position Boogie plays.

The decision-making in Sac-town has been troubling at best and there is no denying that a divorce would probably be best for both sides. Of course, the Kings still value Boogie at a high level and would likelt demand a king’s ransom to make a deal go down. That keeps the DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors from blowing up, but nothing the Kings have said or done to this point at all makes them go away.

Think any of these players will be on the move this year? Think some are locks to stay or have other athletes in mind for our list? Tell us in the comments below!

San Antonio Spurs and 5 Teams That Could Trade For Greg Monroe

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NBA rumors continue to fly during the summer, as free agency at a high level has ended and the NBA summer league is almost over. Teams have now moved on to trade talk, with Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay and Milwaukee Bucks big man Greg Monroe dominating the headlines.

Monroe Expendable?

Monroe recently became more expendable than ever for Milwaukee, who drafted Thon Maker in the 2016 NBA Draft and then re-signed center Miles Plumlee.

Monroe looked like a poor fit last year in his first season in Mil-town, as he offered solid offense and rebounding, but failed on the defensive end. His inability to defend at a high level has made him rather expendable for a team that doesn’t appear to need his offensive ability in the post.

The fact that the Bucks want to move Moose so badly could expedite a trade, while the San Antonio Spurs have already been linked as a potential suitor. Let’s take a look at the Greg Monroe to Spurs talk as well as his other top potential suitors as we try to nail down his next team for the upcoming 2016-17 NBA season:

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs, believe it or not, are the only team officially tied to Moose at the moment. The connection isn’t crazy, either, even though the team has added serious beef the last two years with huge signings in LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.

That still doesn’t replace the loss of some muscle, as Tim Duncan retired, David West and Boban Marjanovic fled in free agency and Boris Diaw got dealt to the Jazz. Just like that, the Spurs lack depth down low. Moose probably wouldn’t have a shot at starting with such a stacked unit, but he’d be a useful big off the bench.

San Antonio would reportedly need a third team to step up to help facilitate any deal, but this could be a huge get for them. They’d be able to mask Monroe’s defensive deficiencies behind Gasol and Ridge, yet utilize his solid offense down low in the second unit. A deal is far from done, but it’s clear the Spurs are the leading contender to pull off a trade with the Bucks at the moment.

Los Angeles Lakers

If Moose wants to win, he probably wouldn’t mind a trade to San Antonio. However, it’s arguable the Spurs (and that third team yet to be known) wouldn’t give the Bucks the best deal.

A better deal (and role for Moose) could reside elsewhere, which is why there have long been ties between Greg Monroe and the Los Angeles Lakers. An odd signing of center Timofey Mozgov makes his addition a little less likely, but he could still take over the four spot, where the Lakers have been tested out both Larry Nance Jr. and Julius Randle.

The smart thing for the Lakers to do would be to stand firm and keep grooming those two talents, but if they want to get better quickly, adding Moose and playing Randle off the bench may be the better play. After all, Mozgov can help mask Moose’s defensive issues down low, yet they could still get solid offense and rebounding out of him at the four spot.

It might not be a perfect marriage, but there have been Greg Monroe to Lakers rumors before and they seem relevant again with him on the trading block.

Miami Heat

Again, the Spurs are the only team to be named as an interested franchise yet, so we’re just speculating here. However, Miami could make a ton of sense, as they try to rebuild and remain competitive on the fly.

They could very well be preparing to cut ties with power forward Chris Bosh and already did just that when they let Dwyane Wade sign with the Bulls. Even if Bosh is healthy enough to play (blood clots), they could see about cutting his bloated contract up or moving him.

If they can do that, the door could be opened to landing Moose, who could start at the four or come off the bench behind Bosh (if he’s healthy and stays). Miami doesn’t currently have the cap room to handle such a trade, but like the Spurs, could potentially find a third team to help make something happen.

Miami’s actual interest isn’t clear, but landing Moose would secure any concerns about Bosh and if Bosh returns to full strength, it’d give them a solid guy for their second unit.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans is another option, as the Pelicans have to be ready to move on from Omer Asik and with Moose in town, could rotate him and Anthony Davis as they please at the four and five spots.

The Pelicans don’t really need extra offense, but this is a situation where Moose certainly provides the rebounding Asik would, but is a far more polished offensive option. They’d lose defense with the swap, but The Brow could aid in masking Monroe’s defensive problems.

It’s worth wondering if this is a move that could actually stunt Davis’ growth, but it’s tough to argue against improving the Pellies’ starting five. Their defense would take a hit, but overall trading for Greg Monroe does make New Orleans a little better.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland is another team we need to consider in the Greg Monroe sweepstakes, as they tried hard to sign Pau Gasol this summer. That shows us they may not have complete faith in Mason Plumlee at the five, and/or don’t love the idea of going small forever at power forward.

Moose would at the very worst give them a suitable big to pair with Plumlee, or he’d give them a mild upgrade at center. That would mean extra size and offense down low, while it would also free up the Blazers’ versatility with the rest of their lineup. The likes of Al-Farouq Amini, Meyers Leonard, Moe Harkless, Noah Vonleh, Ed Davis and the recently signed Festus Ezeli could all form a pretty formidable second unit.

It still remains to be determined who steps up and tries to finalize a trade for Greg Monroe, but all five of these teams feel like realistic options. Think it’s for sure the Spurs? Think someone else jumps into the Greg Monroe trade rumor discussion? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Nikola Vucevic Trade Rumors: 7 Teams That Could Trade For the Star Center

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The Orlando Magic have made huge changes to their roster in the past two seasons. Changes that, at least on the surface, appear to be trending toward a more balanced and defensive approach.

Considering Orlando has been among the worst defensive teams in the league over the past several seasons, it’s an accepted course change. Add in defensive-minded head coach Frank Vogel and defensive enforcers like Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo, and Orlando suddenly feels like a team to fear in the Eastern Conference.

All of the positive changes make for a fuzzy vision when thinking of star center Nikola Vucevic, however. Some reports have stated Biyombo was paid to take over his old starting gig, and others suggest Vucevic’s time in Florida is bound to come to an end.

Vucevic, meanwhile, contests the starting job is still his.

Something has to break here, and considering Vucevic’s defensive woes and the money invested in Ibaka and Biyombo, it’s likely the writing is on the wall.

That should bring a Nikola Vucevic trade soon enough, but where does he go? We take a look at his seven best landing spots:

Boston Celtics

Boston kick starts our list as easily the top trade destination. They just paid a bunch of money to upgrade the center position with Al Horford, but they also just lost fellow big man Jared Sullinger to the Raptors. If they want to solidify their unit, they could swing a trade for Vucevic, who would man the five and push Horford to his old power forward position.

Both guys shoot well, but Horford has the better chance to stretch the floor as a four and is better suited to defend power forwards than Vucevic. There is still the question of Vucevic’s defense, but given Boston’s elite perimeter defense, it’s possible it wouldn’t be as big of an issue in his new location.

Even with this deal, the Celtics could still be on the prowl for a superstar like Russell Westbrook. They’d lose depth and future assets in the process, but a starting unit of Westbrook, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Horford and Vucevic would look pretty daunting on paper.

Houston Rockets

Houston is another player here, especially since they have none of the cares about defense after bringing in guys like Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson. Clint Capela is an interesting prospect, but he offers very little offensively. Vucevic is a well-rounded offensive player and could fit Mike D’Atoni’s system just fine.

The Rockets already can’t defend, so adding a strong offensive player makes them even nastier on that end and Vucevic’s defensive limitations won’t matter as much here.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland could be a real player in Nikola Vucevic trade rumors, as they have been looking for a big center upgrade for a while now. Losing LaMarcus Aldridge was big last year and they were in talks with Pau Gasol before the Spaniard fled Chicago for the Spurs.

Perhaps they’ll take a long look at acquiring Vucevic, who would be an easy upgrade over Mason Plumlee. Perhaps Plumlee is part of the deal, one in which the Blazers would get a reliable inside scorer to pair with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum’s elite outside attack.

New York Knicks

The Knicks did just invest in big man Joakim Noah, but Vucevic looks like a far wise acquisition on paper. It’s doubtful they would swap the two (Orlando wouldn’t be interested in that), but they could consider sending Kyle O’Quinn and future picks in a deal.

They don’t have a ton of assets, though, so they’d probably have to get a third team involved to make something happen, while guys like Cleanthony Early and Lance Thomas could also factor into the equation.

New Orleans Pelicans

It’s unclear if the Pellies want to see more or less of Anthony Davis at the five spot, but with Ryan Anderson leaving in free agency, it seems he’s destined to spend most of his time at power forward. If that is indeed going to be the case, the Pelicans need to think about how things look with either Omer Asik or Alexis Ajinca seeing big minutes at center.

They can’t love the idea of either situation, which could open the door to a big center upgrade. Asik and Ajinca could then be marked men in Nikola Vucevic trade rumors, while guys like Norris Cole and Dante Cunningham could be thrown into talks. The Magic could also try to pry versatile rookie Cheick Diallo from New Orleans to complete a deal.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are another interesting spot, as rookie Thon Maker probably won’t be ready to make a huge impact in year one and the team badly wants to move on from Greg Monroe.

Moose and Vucevic are both bad defenders, but Vucevic is a far better shooter and overall scorer, and would give Milwaukee a very sound scorer on the block. He’d open up Milwaukee’s offense in a big way and could also be hidden due to their other strong defensive pieces. It’s a move to consider, but the Magic probably wouldn’t be overly interested in taking on Moose, which could make a Bucks/Magic trade requiring a third team.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas did just trade for Andrew Bogut, but he’s aging and constantly banged up, so if they can get their hands on a younger, more long-term option at center, they might want to jump on it.

Bogut is a decent find, but he’s better suited as a backup. Vucevic would have the starting gig he wants and in Dallas he’d be the second option at worst. Dallas doesn’t have a ton of appealing assets to unload, but an energy guy like Quincy Acy, Justin Anderson and/or future picks could be dangled.

Nikola Vucevic Prediction

The odds aren’t great that Nikola Vucevic gets moved this year. He has quality coaching and an improving team around him, plus he is such a strong offensive force that getting rid of him would be counter intuitive. It’s also debatable that Biyombo isn’t a great starting option.

Vucevic may not be long for the Magic, but it sounds like Orlando is either going to see if he can improve defensively or if a time share between him and Biyombo can work out. For now, we don’t see Vucevic being dealt, but if he is, don’t be shocked if the Celtics lead the way in trade rumors.

Got a better option for Vucevic or agree he stays put? Let us know in the comments below!