The NBA trade rumor mill is starting to spin as free agency moves along and names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jeremy Lin, Derrick Williams, Jarrett Jack, Dion Waiters, Jason Thompson and Rajon Rondo could be traded this summer or next season after players like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James sign as free agents and teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and NY Knicks could be dealing.
The Kings are a team to watch, as Pro Basketball Talk reports that they are looking to make moves at the forward position with names like Derrick Williams, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry and Reggie Evans all in the mix to get moved. The Blazers have offered LaMarcus Aldridge a max contract extension, but if he opts to play out his contract and become a free agent after next season, the team could look at trading him instead. Aldridge had his best season in 2013-14 and factored into the MVP race and now he could be on his way out if he declines the contract offer.
The Cavaliers have some names to trade, as Jarrett Jack and Dion Waiters have been mentioned in rumors this offseason as well. Waiters averaged 15.9 points per game last year and had some issues with Kyrie Irving, while Jack has been shopped since the season ended and a deal nearly went down with the Brooklyn Nets for him.
Jeremy Lin has been mentioned quite a bit in recent days, as the Rockets are trying to sign Carmlo Anthony and to do that they will need to trade Lin. The Rockets have already moved Omer Asik and Lin appears to be next, as he has a $15 million contract and reports say a team like the Sixers or Bucks are ready to take that on. The Rockets appear to be out of the running for Melo, but they likely will trade Lin no matter what since he costs a ton of cash money.
The trade talk on Love has slowed down a bit after things heated up just before the draft and while he may not get traded this summer, he is the player everyone thinks will be dealt before the season is over. The Timberwolves were engaged in deep talks with the Golden State Warriors before the NBA draft, but the two sides could not come to an agreement on a deal. The Warriors were reluctant to give up Klay Thompson in the deal and that was the main sticking point for the Timberwolves if they were to trade Love.
Love can become a free agent after next season by opting out of his deal and nearly every team in the NBA will be targeting him if he is able to make his way onto the market. According to ESPN.com, Love has made it clear that he plans on hitting the market when he gets the chance and that means he will not be signing an extension with the Wolves. The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, LA Lakers, Knicks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns have all been mentioned as potential destinations for Love and any deal likely would happen after Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James sign, as those teams are also interested in those players.
