The NBA trade rumor mill is heading up after the Knicks three-team deal and now names like Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings and Gerald Green are potential trade targets and teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics could be interested in making moves at the deadline ahead of free agency this summer.
The Knicks made a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Thunder and now attention is on teams like the Celtics, Knicks and Sixers, as those teams could be sellers at the deadline. According to ESPN.com, Marc Stein writes that both the Bulls and the Cavaliers could be in the market for a big man, with the Cavs motivated to find one even after they made the deal this week. The Cavaliers desperately need some front line help with Anderson Varejao injured for the season and Monroe could be an option.
Jennings has been mentioned in trade rumors heading into 2015 and a team like the Knicks or Rockets could be interested in picking him up. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pistons have been trying to move Jennings and this comes after the team released Josh Smith despite owing him over $20 million. Bleacher Report reported that the Pistons were looking for a first round pick for Monroe, but that they could take less for Jennings.
Jennings is heading towards the end of his contract and he just put in 35 points for the Pistons and Stan Van Gundy could look at trading him while his value is high. The Knicks are likely out since they want to try and sign Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic next summer, while the Rockets could be a fit at least for the rest of this season. The Rockets also looked into a Rondo trade before he was moved to the Mavericks and after missing out on him they could look at Deron Williams or Jennings.
The Rockets want and upgrade over Patrick Beverley at point guard and adding Jennings could help the team get even better. The Rockets have been one of the best teams in the league and while they are ranked in the top 10 in defense, the scoring has been down from last season and Jennings could help increase that down the second half of the year. The Cavaliers are still going to try and make another move and the Bulls also could look at Monroe, although the first round pick price is likely too high for them right now.
The team just acquired a first round pick from the Thunder in the deal with the Knicks and OKC and that could be enough ammunition for the Cavs to make a deal. While Monroe is not looking for a trade and the Cavs likely would rather not trade the pick, they have it to use and after making this other trade, they could be going all in on the season. The Cavs have James injured for the moment and they felt that slipping too far down in the east without him would be an issue moving forward. The team received Shumpert in the deal along with JR Smith and that could help the offense until James returns.
