The NBA Offseason Lull Leads to Rampant Trade Speculation
The NBA offseason has entered its quiet period following the draft and the initial free-agent frenzy. With rosters largely settled, fans are left hungry for action as the new season approaches. In the meantime, speculation and rumors about potential trades have emerged to fill the void. As talk heats up, several teams are at the center of trade discussions.
Rockets Look to Deal With Plethora of Assets
The Houston Rockets have aggressively accumulated young talent and future draft picks, priming them to be significant players on the trade market. Still, in the early stages of a rebuild, the Rockets seem open to flipping some of their assets for win-now veterans that fit their timeline.
Moving guards like Eric Gordon or Kevin Porter Jr. could make sense with a backcourt logjam. Meanwhile, center Christian Wood and rookie Jabari Smith Jr. have garnered interest for their two-way potential. If they wish, the Rockets have the capital to target an All-Star caliber player. Their glut of assets gives them the flexibility to either accelerate their rebuild or continue stockpiling for the future.
Lakers Under Pressure to Make Win-Now Move
After a disastrous 2021-22 season, the pressure is on the Lakers to retool their flawed roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Their offseason moves have not noticeably moved the needle thus far. With James entering the final year of his contract, the Lakers cannot afford to waste another season.
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As a result, LA has been linked to numerous trade possibilities. Russell Westbrook remains the most logical trade chip, although finding a taker for his massive salary has proved difficult. Other options include dealing with Kendrick Nunn or Talen Horton-Tucker. The Lakers will likely need to part with future first-round picks to incentivize teams to take on Westbrook. Regardless, expect LA to be aggressive on the trade market as they look to capitalize on the tail end of LeBron’s legendary career.
Nets Want to Dump Durant or Irving
After their season ended in underwhelming fashion, the Nets appear headed for a divorce with their superstar duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Durant reportedly requested a trade in late June, while Irving seems likely to leave in free agency next summer.
The Nets will aim to avoid losing both stars for nothing. Trading Durant or Irving now would allow Brooklyn to recoup quality assets. However, interested teams will be wary of mortgaging their future for mercurial stars with extensive injury histories.
For Durant, the Suns and Heat have emerged as potential trade partners. Meanwhile, the Lakers were reportedly interested in Irving earlier this offseason. It remains to be seen how much leverage the Nets have and what types of packages they can realistically fetch at this stage.
Jazz Ready for Wholesale Changes
After reaching the playoffs six straight years, the Jazz finally appear ready for a reboot. Longtime coach Quin Snyder resigned abruptly in June, foreshadowing significant roster changes. Those changes arrived swiftly, with Utah trading Rudy Gobert to Minnesota and Royce O’Neale to Brooklyn.
Donovan Mitchell now appears to be on the trading block as well. With Utah embracing a rebuild, cashing in the 25-year-old Mitchell could expedite that process and net the Jazz a king’s ransom. Rumored suitors include the Knicks, Heat, and Wizards. Utah seems motivated to maximize their return for Mitchell now rather than risk his value diminishing in the future.
Several other Jazz veterans could be on the move, too, making Utah a team to monitor. Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, and others would all generate interest in the trade market. After so many playoff disappointments, the Jazz are finally ready to hit the reset button in search of a new era of contention.
Suns Face Tricky Ayton Situation
The Suns find themselves in limbo with former top pick Deandre Ayton. Phoenix opted not to sign Ayton to a rookie max extension last summer, only to see him blossom into a key contributor on their 64-win team.
Now a restricted free agent this offseason, Ayton signed a max offer sheet with the Pacers. The Suns can still match but have dragged their feet, seemingly reluctant to commit colossal money long-term. With their championship window open, the Suns may sign and trade Ayton rather than risk him leaving for nothing in 2023 free agency.
Ayton’s situation will be a significant storyline until it is resolved. Phoenix faces pressure to appease star Devin Booker after matching his max extension last summer. Letting his co-star walk would be a tough sell. The Suns hope to retain Ayton on a shorter deal but may ultimately have to facilitate a mutually beneficial sign-and-trade.
Plenty of Time Left for Fireworks
While the offseason may seem slow, more action will materialize as training camp approaches. Teams will reassess their rosters after the summer league and become more motivated to address lingering needs. For now, fans must satiate themselves with rumors and hypothetical deals. But rest assured, once the season tips off, the NBA landscape could look drastically different than it does today.