The Dec. 15 date is a significant moment for player transactions in the National Basketball Association as teams will be eligible to include in trades players who have been signed during the off-season. Early struggles of playoff-yearning teams, underwhelming production of newly signed free agents and disgruntled relations between players and management has fuelled some rumours on the transfer of superstar to serviceable names in various rosters.
Several names have already cropped up as potential movers during the said date and teams are looking at several options to improve their team. Expect the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers as just some of the active teams in the forthcoming days. In the next slides are some of the names which are currently fuelling the NBA trade rumour mill:
Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko has long been in this list after the team made public that the relationship with the former Euroleague Most Valuable Player has already soured. Kirilenko was even granted a leave of absence by the team and was subject of trade talks late November for the Philadelphia 76ers for cap relief. The talks have died down and the Brooklyn Nets have turned their attention to the Utah Jazz as new potential partners. According to the speculations, Kirilenko can net high-leaping forward Jeremy Evans as well as Toure Murray which can be completed when the Dec. 15 deadline comes around. Expect some teams to have some sort of interest in the 34-year-old player as he can bolster a team that is seeking a championship or solidify a roster lacking a utility man type of substitute.
One intriguing option, if Nets wait 'til Dec. 15 when trade market expands, is said to be AK-47 back to Utah for Jeremy Evans/Toure Murry— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 24, 2014REUTERSThe much maligned Lance Stephend continues to be included in rumours as long as the disappointing Charlotte Hornets are in the cellar of the Eastern Conference. Stephenson was supposed to be the piece to push the overachieving last year’s team but his style has not mashed with the ball-dominant play of starting point guard Kemba Walker as well as the post-up game of centre Al Jeffferson. The mercurial slasher has averaged only 9.6 points this season but the bright side is that he is only contracted for two-years on a reasonable salary of less than $10 million annually which can be easily moved to team’s looking for a facilitator. The equally struggling Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls are just some of the teams floated that could absorb Stephenson due to in part of lack in talent (Lakers) or a culture and group of veterans and coaches who can keep Stephenson on a tight leash (Bulls.) A return to the Indiana Pacers is also not out of the question but given how weak the Eastern Conference is, suffice it to say that Michael Jordan who has some backing for the 24-year-old player, will play a wait and see game before giving up to his offseason splash.REUTERSDespite the Boston Celtics finding some chemistry and success amid a three-game winning streak, starting forward Jeff Green has been the staple name in trade talks dating back to last year. The former fifth pick in the 2007 NBA Draft has garnered a lot of interest due to his unique skillset. Teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring the tweener forward due in part to his three-point shooting and ability to play multiple positions. It is unclear if Celtics management and Brad Stevens are ready to let go of a productive player who stretches the floor for Rajon Rondo’s dribble penetrations and led the team in scoring last year with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
The Pistons can dangle the expiring contract of Greg Monroe on the condition that the soon-to-be restricted free agent agreed to a contract extension which will ensure his stay in the green uniform beyond this year. The Rockets have some draft picks and talent to entice the Celtics but will likely need a third team to facilitate the trade while the Hornets are lacking a stretch-four to open up the shaded area for Al Jefferson given the failings of the Marvin Williams signing in the summer.
REUTERSDespite a mini-renaissance from the lanky forward Tayshaun Prince, rumour mills have not been good to the former Detroit Pistons champion due to the array of teams looking to add him up to bolster their bench and specifically, defence. The signing of Vince Carter and the comeback from injury of Quincy Pondexter has made Prince the odd man out of coach Dave Joerger’s rotation. This got the Cleveland Cavaliers interested who are looking for defensive type wings who can protect the paint especially when they trot out small ball basketball.
Windhorst: "I've heard there's been interest from the #Cavs in Tayshaun Prince, who's fallen out of the rotation in Memphis."— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 5, 2014REUTERS
