NBA Trade Rumors: Goran Dragic, Deron Williams, Greg Monroe Options For Houston Rockets, NY Knicks Deal At Deadline?

Jan 09, 2015 08:11 PM EST
Goran Dragic #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives around Tim Hardaway
Goran Dragic #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives around Tim Hardaway Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2014 in New York City. "

The NBA trade rumor mill is heating up and the Houston Rockets could be looking at making a move for Goran Dragic, Deron Williams, Reggie Jackson or Greg Monroe, as the team wants to upgrade at point guard and this comes as teams like the NY Knicks and LA Lakers are also future targets for those players if they hit free agency and they may deal with the Brooklyn Nets or Phoenix Suns at the deadline.

According to Ric Bucher from Bleacher Report, the Rockets are interested in upgrading at point guard and names that have come up for the team as targets include Dragic and Williams. Monroe and Reggie Jackson are targets for the Knicks in free agency, while the Rockets and Lakers will be interested in Dragic if he is not traded at the deadline. The Rockets have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, but they have been looking to upgrade at point guard from Patrick Beverley.

The Nets shopped Williams earlier in the season along with Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson and he could be an option to get moved at the deadline. Williams is currently out with a rib injury, but it's not supposed to keep him sidelined for a long time. Dragic is one of the top targets at the trade deadline, as the Suns have multiple point guards and there is a chance he will leave in free agency.

According to Pro Basketball Talk, Dragic is expected to have an "open" free agent period this summer and while he said that he is open to staying with the Suns, he also did not rule out the Lakers or Knicks when asked about it. The Rockets were also mentioned as an option for Dragic in free agency, but obviously if he ends up getting traded he could re-sign there as well. Dragic is coming off of a most improved player award and is averaging 16 points per game for the Suns.

Williams could be out for about a week or two for the Nets and that could make things tough for the Rockets and the salary issues also could make it tough to get a deal done. Bucher writes that Williams has a large contract along with his rib injury and lining up the money for the Rockets could be an issue, as they have players like Jason Terry, Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved to trade, but that wouldn't even up the salaries in the deal. The team also does not have much space below the luxury tax number and that could make it tough as well.

The Suns have played well this season and they are 22-16 after winning 48 games last year. The team has Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe as well as Tyler Ennis, meaning they can survive if they trade Dragic. The Suns just added Brandan Wright and that was a strong move,a s they needed a big man and they could look at adding picks or players for Dragic moving forward. The Rockets have some ammo to use, as they have a number one draft pick from the Pelicans that could be very attractive for teams like the Suns or Nets.

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