The NBA Trade deadline is coming and rumors are starting to jump out more and players like Pau Gasol, Jarrett Jack, Greg Monroe, Luol Deng, Anthony Morrow and Eric Gordon could be on the block and available for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Bobcats all could be options.
Gasol is always one of the top names mentioned in trade rumors and this season has been no different, as the Lakers star has been connected to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and now the Charlotte Bobcats. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers nearly traded Gasol to the Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum and after that fell through, the Suns showed interest and looked close to pulling off a deal.
The Suns were motivated to make a move because they have played themselves into playoff position in the west and are looking to add a veteran, but once Gasol got injured, the team pulled back a bit. The Suns have been interested in Thaddeus Young and Brandon Bass as well and a move for Gasol still could be on the table as the deadline gets closer. The February 20 date is getting closer and that could get the Suns moving a bit more and they are in an interesting position, as they have multiple first round picks coming up in the next draft.
According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, the Bobcats could be in the mix for Gasol, as they are in the eighth playoff spot and could look to move the contract of Ben Gordon in a deal. Gordon has been getting some attention on the trade market and he has been playing well as of late, as has Gasol, who was averaging 20.8 points and 11.9 rebounds in January before coming down with an injury. The Lakers will not simply give up Gasol to get the financial breathing room from his contract, as the report says the team would want a draft pick and the Bobcats currently have two protected picks in the 2014 event.
Jarrett Jack has come up in trade rumors getting closer to the deadline and the Brooklyn Nets have shown interest in acquiring him for Jason Terry. Both players have been disappointments for their respective teams and Jack could provide some depth on the bench for the Nets, as he is averaging 8.5 points on 39.7 percent shooting, while Terry is scoring just under five per game and has basically been a non-factor. The deal would likely involve three teams due to the financial issues involved and that could happen as the deadline gets closer.
Monroe has been mentioned quite a bit heading into the deadline, but the Pistons are likely to keep him, while Luol Deng could get moved again by the Cavaliers. CBS Sports is also reporting that Morrow can be had for a draft picks and this comes as the team is also shopping Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon. The report says that Morrow has just a $1.03 million contract for this season and he a $1.15 million player option next season and that makes him valuable, as does his nearly 50 percent shooting from three point land. The trade deadline is 3 pm Thursday.
