We’re right on the one-month mark to the 2020-21 NBA Trade Deadline, so it’s time for a special edition of our trading rumors series.
We usually release a new part of this series every Monday, but as we near the trading deadline, we’re going to pick up the frequency of our trading rumors articles.
And judging by some of the names starting to chat, that’s probably a good idea on our part.
Below, check out the five players who have appeared most often on our Trading Rumors page in the past few days, sorted by appearance.
5 Kyle Lowry (Toronto)
Kyle Lowry has an expiring contract and although he is a Toronto Raptors legend, that hasn’t stopped the team president Masai Ujiri by previously sharing a player of his caliber. That, plus the fact that Toronto has a long-term commitment Fred VanVleet last low season, has led many to believe that Lowry’s days could be numbered with the Raptors.
And since Lowry is still a prolific floor general, averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, while shooting nearly 40 percent off the bow, the interest in him to take over are big on the trading market.
Three teams already being discussed as potential landing spots for Lowry include his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, all of which are franchises with high ambitions this season.
However, if recent reports can be trusted, Lowry would prefer to return home to Philadelphia (via The Philadelphia Inquirer
A source said Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes the Sixers and Raptors may be able to get something done. But when it comes down to it, Toronto would most likely want a few picks, young players and veterans with contracts expiring for Lowry, who is making $ 30 million this season.
The report continued to say:
Kyle Lowry would be a perfect fit for the 76ers. The same can be said about the Miami Heat. The best spot for the Philly native and Toronto Raptors point guard, however, is the Los Angeles Clippers. According to sources, those three teams could become potential trade destinations for the former Cardinal Dougherty High School and Villanova. That is, if Lowry chooses not to end the season with the Raptors.
Even at nearly 35, Lowry is still one of the best point guards in the game and, more importantly, someone who has proven he can help lead a team to a championship.
If Toronto is serious about moving Lowry, the market will heat up for him quickly, with contenders likely to fight it out for his services.
Click here for more information on Kyle Lowry’s waiting front.
4 Austin Rivers (New York)
There is no concrete report on this Austin Rivers’ future with the New York Knicks recently, but when I spoke to the media recently, the two-way guard essentially sounded like he was preparing to be moved (via the New York Post
Knicks security guard Austin Rivers arrived as an experienced team leader who would close games as backup. On Wednesday, in his first remarks since the Derrick Rose trade, he sounded like a man on the verge of being traded, frustrating at times in the past tense of his Knicks period. “I cannot check whether I will be traded today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. What I can check is what I am like as a player and what I can add to this team every day. That is always ready, whether my name is mentioned or not, and to help the young young boys get ready to play. I just keep getting ready to play here as long as I’m here, no matter how tall I am. ”
Rivers has had a somewhat quiet season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21 games, shooting 36.4 percent from three in the process. He has also seen no action for the Knicks since February 13.
Still, Rivers has a lot of playoff experience and defends his position well, and will make just $ 3.5 million this year, while sources told HoopsHype that his 2021-22 is completely unguaranteed, making him even more attractive as a pick -up for a contender looking for depth in the backcourt.
New York should have no trouble finding him a new home for the next month.
Click here for more information on the Austin Rivers trade front.
3 Bradley Beal (Washington)
Although each sign indicates Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere this season, that doesn’t stop its name from constantly popping up in trade rumors – and this week has been no different.
New York located ESPN radio host Michael Kay said on his show on Tuesday that he had heard it William Wesleyknown as World Wide Wes, who works for the Knicks front office, uses back channels to push Beal’s camp to request a trade this season (via the New York Daily News
“The Knicks have World Wide Wes on their side,” said Kay. “And he’s been in the ear of some of Beal’s people and kind of kindles them that this might be a time to push for a trade.” World Wide Wes, whose real name is William Wesley, was hired by the Knicks in June to team up with his longtime partner Leon Rose. It is Wesley’s first official job with an NBA team after decades as a behind-the-scenes power broker who used relationships to influence. World Wide Wes, who has James Dolan’s ear, is an animated figure on the sidelines this season both on the road and at MSG, but has never spoken in public.
That’s a pretty serious allegation, one that could get the Knicks in trouble if it turns out to be true, but in reality it’s not that surprising; that kind of back channel recruiting probably happens a lot in the NBA, especially when the big names in the market are involved.
Nonetheless, the Washington Wizards have been playing much better lately, and Beal is leading the league in scoring. The odds of it trading within the next month are miniscule.
Click here for more information on Bradley Beal’s waiting front.
2 Andre Drummond (Cleveland)
Recently two teams were connected Andre Drummond in recent days: the Dallas Mavericks and the Knicks.
The first were named by Bleacher’s Report’s Jake Fischer, who reported the following:
For now, Dallas first appears interested in adding a center to help replenish Porzingis, sources said. The Mavericks have circled Andre Drummond while the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for a different direction of attack, but Dallas has shown no interest in saying goodbye to Porzingis during those specific conversations. “They want a great combination with him,” said a source in the competition. “Of course with physicality, rebound, toughness.”
While the latter were mentioned by Marc Berman of the New York Post, who wrote as follows:
According to an NBA source who has been in touch with the Knicks, the club has not made any decisions, but is “analyzing” whether playing for on-the-block Cavaliers center Andre Drummond makes sense from a chemistry and winning standpoint. The Knicks are the NBA’s lowest scoring team.
Much is made from Drummond’s salary, which expires but pays him $ 28.8 million this season, and his at times mediocre stakes on defense, but the 27-year-old is a double-double machine who is an elite finisher out of the pick and-roll and is an absolute force on the glass – on both ends.
So there’s no doubt that he would help out a frontcourt-needy contender if he traded the following month.
For more information on the Andre Drummond Waiting Front, click here.
1 Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas)
For the first time since moving from New York to the Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis has begun to pop up in credible trade rumors, and though Mavs own it Mark Cuban denied, more than one outlet reporting them gives credence to the potential that they are worth believing.
First, Bleacher’s Report Fischer reported the following on Tuesday:
In fact, Dallas has quietly probed the trading market for Porzingis, according to league sources, while the Mavericks have begun to re-evaluate whether the 25-year-old center can really lean on Doncic as the second option on a contender. “They’ve kicked everyone in their squad who isn’t called Luka,” said a person with knowledge of Dallas’ thinking. ‘You know Donnie; they are always tinkering. “They have certainly sniffed at him,” an assistant general manager told B / R. “They’re taking the temperature because they know it will come at some point.”
Thereafter, Ian Begley from CUT reiterated that Dallas has discussed Porzingis’ transactions with various teams while assessing his worth. One of those teams? The Golden State Warriors (via SNY on YouTube
Ian Begley on Kristaps Porzingis: (The Dallas Mavericks) have spoken with several teams to quietly gauge his worth in the trading market. One team they spoke to was Golden State. I don’t know if it has come far. I don’t know if they are serious about moving him, but they are at least measuring his worth in the league at the moment.
Porzingis has performed well this season averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but his three-point percentage has remained a meager 35.2 and there are very legitimate questions about his ability to take the second option of a real to be a contender.
And given Dallas’ slow start to the season (15-15 and No. 9 in the West so far), it’s easy to see why the team would poking around to see what they could get in exchange for their big man standing on the floor blocking bullets.
Click here for more information about Kristaps Porzingis’ trade front.