NBA Trade Rumor Round-up - SteveM's Blog

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SteveM's Blog

NBA Trade Rumor Round-up Stuck

Posted on February 8, 2013 at 09:58 AM.

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With the NBA trade deadline less than two weeks away, the rumor mill is heating up, especially in the wake of the Rudy Gay to Toronto deal and the Celtics and other teams suffering injuries to key players. Let's take a look at some of the biggest rumors and how they might affect NBA 2K13.

Kevin Garnett to the Clippers (or elsewhere)
With Rajon Rondo's season-ending ACL tear and Jared Sullinger's back surgery, it looks like the Celtics�who are currently clinging to the 7th seed in the East�likely won't be able to make a deep playoff run with the roster as is. This has led to calls for Danny Ainge to blow it up, moving Pierce and/or Garnett in the process. A team like the Clippers is deep and maybe just one piece away from real contention, so moving a talented young prospect like Eric Bledsoe for a stalwart defensive veteran like KG makes some sense. Of course, Garnett is one of only four players in the league (along with Nowitzki, Bryant and Duncan) who has a no-trade clause and he seems intent on staying with Boston.

Carlos Boozer to the Raptors for Andrea Bargnani
Boozer's struggles in previous seasons have been well-documented, and everyone seems to consider him the heel of this Bulls squad, but he's actually played quite well, averaging 19.5 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game in January according to NBA.com. Thus, his value is actually high and he would provide Toronto some physicality to go with low-post scoring and rebounding. Bargnani has struggled mightily this season, but if a change of scenery can boost his woeful 3-pt shooting (down to 20.8% in December before he was injured), he could prove to be a great pick-and-pop partner for Derrick Rose when he returns and a boost to a Chicago offense that doesn't shoot the 3 well overall (ranked 17th in the NBA and shooting the second fewest).

Grizzlies still active
Even after moving a host of parts including Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, and Rudy Gay for largely financial reasons, the Grizzlies are still in the market and willing to use their $7.5 million trade exception, especially if it means bolstering their weak perimeter shooting. They're reportedly interested in the Celtics' Courtney Lee, but it appears Ainge isn't interested in dealing the SG.

Striving for balance in Minnesota
With a roster that features four guards, but only one shooting guard, it makes sense that the Timberwolves would look to leverage one of their point guards for help on the wing. With Ricky Rubio rounding into form, the likely odd man out is Luke Ridnour, since J.J. Barea is capable of providing a huge spark off the bench in spots. There were rumors about talks with the Jazz for Raja Bell, but those have apparently not gone far. If Ridnour's roughly $4 million contract can bring back two viable pieces for around half that each, so much the better.

What are some other viable trades you see out there? Which ones have you pulled off recently in NBA 2K13 (and no fair using the Trade Override)?

Comments

# 1 Jadakiss88 @ Feb 8

I don't see the C's moving any parts at all especially since they are on a 6 and 0 run and they look tougher offensively without Rondo. They look good moving the ball around until they find the open shot...something that wouldn't have happened with Rondo handling the ball. Ainge knows he screwed the C's a two years ago when he traded Perkins in the middle of season he won't risk another chemistry issue like that just for Eric Bledsoe.

# 2 SteveM @ Feb 8

The Celtics' play since losing Rondo has been inspired, and I agree that Ainge isn't likely to blow it up now. But I think it's not out of place to wonder how sustainable their play is over the long haul. It's not uncommon—especially for a team of vets like the Celtics—to step up when someone goes down, but it can be challenging—especially for a team of vets—to keep it up for a sustained stretch, especially headed into the playoffs. If Ainge stands pat and the Cs fall, he may miss his chance to transition the franchise into its next step smoothly.

# 3 KyotoCarl @ Feb 11

If Garnett has a no trade clause, how could they move him then?

# 4 SteveM @ Feb 14

KyotoCarl: They would need his permission to move him, and publicly he's said he doesn't want to go. But there might be reasons for him to waive the clause if he sees a reason to. The NTC just says the player has the right to refuse a trade; if he wants to go, he can.