The NBA offseason is moving through August and as trade rumors pop up heading into the season, names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Kenneth Faried, Josh Smith, Klay Thompson, Marc Gasol, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger all could come up as potential targets around the deadline, as some of those players are nearing free agency and could be moved by their teams.
The Knicks have looked at deals for Amar'e Stoudemire, but right now no one is looking to take on all that money and they may pick that up at the trade deadline this season. LaMarcus Aldridge likely will not be traded by the Portland Trail Blazers, but there is a good chance that his name will come up, as he is getting to free agency and he is expected to cash in big time. The Blazers are planning on signing him to another deal, but Aldridge is looking to make max money and that is why he is not signed yet. According to ESPN.com, the Blazers have offered Aldridge a max extension this summer
Last season Aldridge showed that he is one of the best forwards in the league and he had a career year and also impacted MVP voting for the first time in his career. Aldridge broke out in the playoffs as well with back to back 40 point games in the first round and he now has the chance to cash in big time as a free agent. Last summer Aldridge was mentioned in trade talks and while no deals got close to happening, had the Blazers struggled again, there was a good chance that he could be traded. Last season Aldridge averaged 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for career best numbers and now he is expecting to get paid.
Faried is another big man to watch, as he is getting closer to free agency and while he is not there yet, the Nuggets may have some tough decisions to make regarding his future. Faried has developed very nicely over the past few years and he is one to watch, as is Josh Smith, as the Pistons have been looking at trading him this summer. Smith has been shopped to the Kings after signing a free agent deal last season and now he could be traded at some point this year.
Kevin Love has been the main subject of trade talks this offseason and that has been for good reason, as he has made it clear that he did not want to stay in Minnesota anymore. Love was planning on opting out next summer if he wasn't traded to test the free agent market and all indications were that he would leave for a bigger team or a playoff team. Love played six years in Minnesota and did not make the playoffs and while he was there he developed into one of the best forwards in the league.
Love had major interest from the Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls, but the Cleaved Cavaliers won out the deal after offering Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. The Warriors did not want to move Thompson in that deal and as he gets closer to free agency his name will come up, but GS likely will do the same if anyone comes knocking again.
