We’re exactly one month away from the NBA 2020-21 trading deadline, so it’s time for a special edition of our series of trade rumor rankings.
We usually launch a new part of this series every month, but as we approach the trading deadline, we will begin to determine the frequency of our trade rumors.
And judging by some of the names that are starting to be bandaged, it’s probably a good idea on our part.
Below, check out the five players who appeared most often on our page about commercial rumors in the previous days, sorted by order of appearance.
5 Kyle Lowry (Toronto)
Kyle Lowry has an expiring contract and, although he is a Toronto Raptors legend, that didn’t stop the team president Masai Ujiri from dealing with a player of caliber before. That, plus the fact that Toronto has made a long-term commitment Fred VanVleet Last season, he led many to believe that Lowry’s days with the Raptors could be numbered.
And given that Lowry is still a very productive general, averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from outside the arc, interest in his purchase will be large on the commercial market.
Three teams already discussed as potential landing places for Lowry include his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, all franchises with high aspirations this season.
However, if recent reports are reliable, Lowry’s preference would be to get home to Philadelphia (via The Philadelphia Inquirer):
A source said Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes that the Sixers and Raptors could do something. But when it comes to that, Toronto would most likely want some selections, young players and veterans with expiring contracts for Lowry, who are earning $ 30 million this season.
The report went on to say the following:
Kyle Lowry would be a perfect fit for the 76ers. The same can be said of the Miami Heat. However, the best place for the Philly native and Toronto Raptors guard is the Los Angeles Clippers. According to sources, these three teams could become potential commercial destinations for former Cardinal Dougherty and Villanova High School. That, of course, if Lowry chooses not to finish the season with the Raptors.
Even at almost 35 years old, Lowry is still one of the best goalkeepers in the game and, more importantly, one who has proven that he can help a team in a championship.
If Toronto is serious about Lowry’s move, the market for him will heat up quickly, with competitors fighting for his services.
For more information on the Kyle Lowry trade front, click here.
4 Austin Rivers (New York)
There were no concrete reports Austin Rivers future with the New York Knicks recently, but speaking recently to the media, the two-way guard sounded essentially like he was ready to be moved (via New York Post):
Knicks guard Austin Rivers arrived as a veteran team leader who was about to close out the games as a backup. On Wednesday, in his first remarks since trading with Derrick Rose, he called for a man about to be changed, sometimes frustrating himself by forcing himself during his Knicks internship. “I can’t control whether I’m trading today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player and what I can bring to this team every day. This is ready at any time, whether my name is called or not and to help young people, young people be ready to play. I will continue to be ready to play here as long as I am here, no matter how long. ”
Rivers had a somewhat quiet season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21 games, recording 36.4 percent of three in the process. He hasn’t seen action for the Knicks since Feb. 13.
Even so, Rivers has a lot of experience in the playoffs and defends its position well and will win only $ 3.5 million this year, while sources told HoopsHype that 2021-22 is not fully guaranteed, which makes it and more appealing for a takeover for a competitor looking for the depth of the back ground.
New York shouldn’t have a hard time finding a new home next month.
For more information on the Austin Rivers trade front, click here.
3 Bradley Beal (Washington)
Although each sign indicates Bradley Beal he’s not going anywhere this season, which hasn’t stopped his name from constantly appearing in commercial rumors – and this week has been no different.
Based in New York ESPN radio host Michael Kay he said in his Tuesday show that he heard William Wesley, better known as World Wide Wes, who works for the Knicks’ main office, uses the back channels to push Beal’s camp to request a transaction this season (via New York Daily News):
“The Knicks have the World Wide Wes on their side,” Kay said. “And it was in the ears of some of Beal’s men, and it’s kind of pushing them to make this a moment to push a trade.” World Wide Wes, whose real name is William Wesley, was hired by the Knicks in June to work with his longtime partner Leon Rose. It is Wesley’s first official job with an NBA team after decades as a power broker behind the scenes, which has influenced relationships. World Wide Wes, who has the ear of James Dolan, is an animated figure on the sidelines this season, both on the road and at MSG, but has never spoken in public.
This is a rather serious accusation, one that could get the Knicks in a lot of trouble if it turns out to be true, but in reality it’s not so surprising; This type of backchannel recruitment often happens in the NBA, especially when it involves huge names in the market.
However, the Washington Wizards play much better recently, and Beal is the league leader in score. The chances of it being traded next month are slim.
For more on the Bradley Beal trade front, click here.
2 Andre Drummond (Cleveland)
Two teams have recently been connected Andre Drummond in recent days: Dallas Mavericks and Knicks.
The first were mentioned by Bleacher Report Jake Fischer, which reported the following:
For now, Dallas first appears interested in adding a center to help complete Porzingis, sources said. The Maverics surrounded Andre Drummond as the Cleveland Cavaliers sought to move in a different direction from the court, but Dallas did not express interest in breaking up with Porzingis in those discussions. “They want to mate with him,” a league source said. “Obviously, with physicality, recovery, hardness.”
While the latter were mentioned by Marc Berman from New York Post, who wrote as follows:
According to an NBA source who contacted the Knicks, the club has not made any decisions, but is “analyzing” whether it makes chemical and winning sense to play for the Cavaliers center in the block. The Knicks are the lowest NBA team.
It makes a lot of Drummond’s salary, which expires, but pays him $ 28.8 million this season, and his effort is sometimes defenseless, but the 27-year-old is a double-twin car, which is a finisher of elite in elections is an absolute force on the glass – on both ends.
So there is no doubt that it would help a competitor who needs land, if he changed it to one next month.
For more details on the Andre Drummond commercial domain, click here.
1 Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas)
For the first time since moving from New York to the Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis began to appear in credible commercial rumors and although the owner Mavs Mark Cuban he denied them, more than an outlet that reports them gives credence to the potential they deserve to believe.
The first, Bleacher Report Fischer reported the following Tuesday:
In fact, Dallas has quietly measured Porzingis’ commercial market, according to league sources, as the Mavericks have begun to re-evaluate whether the 25-year-old center can really support Doncic as a second choice for a competitor. “They hit the tires on everyone on their list who isn’t called Luka,” said a person with knowledge of Dallas thinking. “You know Donnie; I always play games. “They certainly smelled him,” said an assistant general manager for B / R. “They take the temperature, because they know at some point it’s coming.”
Then, Ian Begley of CUT reiterated that Dallas discussed Porzingis’ transactions with several teams while assessing its value. One of those teams? Golden State Warriors (via SNY on YouTube):
Ian Begley at Kristaps Porzingis: (The Dallas Mavericks) talked to several teams, quietly measuring their value in the commercial market. One team they spoke to was Golden State. I don’t know if things have gone far. I don’t know if they’re serious about moving him, but at least he’s evaluating his value around the league right now.
Porzingis is doing well this season, averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but his three-point percentage has remained insignificant 35.2 and there are very legitimate questions about his ability to be option no.
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 sniff to see what they could get in exchange for their large space, which blocks the shots.
For more information on the Kristaps Porzingis trade front, click here.