The NBA offseason is nearly here and that means trade rumors will start flying and with Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo and LaMarcus Aldridge coming in as the biggest names, players like Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams, DeMar DeRozan, Ricky Rubio, David Lee, Thaddeus Young and Greg Monroe also could come up in trade talks and rumors this summer.
Kevin Love has taken center stage when it comes to trade rumors and that is no surprise, as he is considered to be one of the best young players in the league. The Timberwolves have said that they do not want to trade Love, but they may not have another choice, as he has made it clear that he doesn't want to sign an extension and that puts the Wolves in a position where they can keep him and lose him for nothing, or look at trading him and getting a significant package back. According to ESPN.com, the Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics are three teams that intrigue Love, while the Lakers, Knicks and Phoenix Suns are also in the mix.
Deron Williams and Kyrie Irving are the top point guards beyond Rajon Rondo mentioned and it's likely that neither of these players are traded. ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein wrote this week that the Nets could explore trading him. The Houston Rockets were mentioned as an option if the team strikeout on Rondo and the Detroit Pistons also could be in the mix. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Greg Monroe is on the block for the Pistons and this comes as the team has Josh Smith and Andre Drummond and they look to be the future of the franchise with Stan Van Gundy taking over.
DeMar DeRozan and Ricky Rubio are young and dynamic players and they likely are not getting traded either. The Wolves could look at moving Rubio if they can't keep Love, but that would really gut the team and they will likely try and avoid that. Kyrie Irving is a budding superstar and while the Cavaliers obviously will not just give him away, they have to think about a move since they do not know if he will sign back when his contract is up. The team cannot afford another LeBron situation and with the number one overall pick again this year, teams will be calling about Kyrie.
Some of the players mentioned above could end up in the mix for teams like the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls or Celtics if those teams strikeout on Love and that makes what happens to the Timberwolves forward even more significant. For the Rockets and Bulls to make that deal they need to trade players and that means Carlos Boozer, Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, as all of those players are making some big money and that is clogging up the salary cap fort those clubs if they want to make deals. Thaddeus Young has also been mentioned in deals for the Sixers to move up to the number one spot with the Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins.