There will be buyers, sellers, renters and movers. And there is another group adorning the NBA landscape as Thursday’s trade deadline approaches: The waiters.
No, not Dion’s kin or the Restaurant Workers Union, but rather executives around the league waiting to pounce on players bought out, released, exiled or whatever, after the deadline. And everyone is waiting, anticipating considerable markdowns on available talent.
“There are a lot of teams selling. [Teams await] prices coming down. Right now the prices are high,” one league source explained, noting teams with extra roster spots likely will make later moves. “There’s going to be a lot of guys who get bought out. That may be the best route to go.”
Toronto is said to be looking for shooting help that way and the Thunder, who reportedly are interested in Tony Allen, now in Chicago after the Nikola Mirotic deal, may also try that route. Oklahoma City suffered a severe jolt losing Andre Roberson to injury and covets defensive perimeter help.
The players many anticipate will have new zip codes by week’s end are familiar rumored names: Tyreke Evans of the Grizzlies, Lou Williams and DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers, Rodney Hood or Derrick Favors of the Jazz and virtually anybody wearing a Hawks uniform, particularly Marco Belinelli.
The Cavaliers remain one of the most closely watched teams. The three-time defending Eastern champs are desperate to find help for LeBron James. But there’s a problem.
“A lot think Cleveland won’t do anything because they have nothing anybody wants,” one Eastern Conference source said.
Nothing they’re willing to trade. There is of course the Nets’ pick, received via the Celtics, that is viewed as the Holy Grail by Cleveland. Already, the Cavs are seen as winners and they’re hoping to be bigger winners with that pick, received in the Kyrie Irving trade.
The Nets dealt Tyler Zeller to the Bucks on Monday for a pick. Keep those trades coming, the Cavs implore. For every player sent out for a pick, the Nets’ record figures to worsen as their lottery position improves. So the Cavs have fingers crossed the Nets continue their rebuilding by collecting picks for players.
One scout suggested now might be the best time for the Nets to deal Spencer Dinwiddie, who has become a fan favorite and an absolute revelation.
“I think the Nets will trade Dinwiddie at some point. They’ve got [Jeremy] Lin coming back. They feel D’Angelo Russell is part of their future. Dinwiddie’s value is probably the highest because he’s got another year at a low number ($1.656 million, partially guaranteed). And he’s playing real well,” the scout said. “If those guys come back healthy, he won’t play as much and then he’s an unrestricted free agent the following year and his value will be a lot lower.”
Of course, the Nets’ fan base might try to determine the exact combustion point of Barclays Center if that happens.
The top names repeatedly mentioned are Evans, Williams and Jordan. The Grizzlies have been set on getting a first rounder for Evans but many feel their chances are bleak. Evans, like Williams and Jordan, is a rental. All are headed for free agency.
“They’re saying [first-rounder], but at the end of the day, I think they take the best second they can get,” one league source said.
Boston has shown interest in Evans and Williams. Reports say the Celtics are trying to land a first round pick for Marcus Smart, then flip it in a deal for backcourt bench help. The 76ers also have interest in Evans. Jordan has been linked to the Cavs in rumors but now some sources are pointing to the Trail Blazers as a landing spot.
Another local name has made the rounds: Willy Hernangomez. He’s as happy in New York as a Knicks fan awaiting the playoffs and his reps have requested a play-him-or-trade-him scenario. There is appeal. There probably could have been more had he played and built on his rookie season. Some suggest teams looking to build — the Mavericks or Magic, for example — might have interest.