The NBA offseason is moving into August and with trade rumors still popping up, names like Thaddeus Young, Klay Thompson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Roy Hibbert, Marc Gasol, Kenneth Faried, Brook Lopez and DeAndre Jordan could be on the trading block this year along with K-Love as potential names that could move between now and next year.
Love is obviously at the top of the list and it's looking very likely that he will get traded this summer, but with the 30-day break for the Cavaliers after signing Andrew Wiggins, anything can happen. According to ESPN.com writer Brian Windhorst, Aldridge and Gasol are two names that surely will come up at the trading deadline, as they are free agents after next season and while both conceivably could remain with their teams, other clubs are going to call about their availability. The Wolves have targeted Young as an option to replace Love and they may try a three way deal or a side deal to get it done.
Aldridge is a name to watch as he is coming up to free agency and just had his best season, factoring into the MVP race and helping the Portland Trail Blazers win a playoff series for the first time in years. Aldridge had back to back 40 point games during that run and now he has the chance to cash in. According to ESPN.com, the Blazers have offered him a contract extension, but Aldridge knows he can make even more as a free agent even if he stays, so he likely will play this out. The Blazers may get offers for him and while they may not trade him, the team will have interest from teams and with Damian Lillard also needing to get signed in the future, the Blazers have to watch out.
Rubio is not on the trade block, but if Kevin Love is moved and he wants a max contract, things could change. The Wolves are not looking to rebuild fully even with the trade for Love, but if they do go down that road Rubio could be a target for teams. Rubio will be a restricted free agent after next season and if he sticks hard on the max contract talk, something could go down next season. The Nuggets have been one team that has been mentioned and they have a player of their own in Kenneth Faried as one that could also come up in trade talks. The team shopped him last year and could get offers this time around ahead of free agency as well.
Marc Gasol is a target for the Knicks and other teams, as he is set to be a free agent soon as well and those type of players should come up in talks this season. Roy Hibbert has been shopped this summer and Brook Lopez also fits into that free agency group coming up. Love will stay as the top player on the trade market until a deal goes down and depending on how the Wolves play it, this could drag out until the trade deadline this season if they don't deal with the Cavaliers or the Bulls. Love has been the top player and he will be the main target if he makes it to free agency as well and he will be cashing in once he gets his new deal.
