The NBA offseason is moving towards the end of August and this sleepy time has been dominated by restricted free agents, but in a few months trade rumors will start flying and at the deadline this year, names like David Lee, Ricky Rubio, Josh Smith, Dion Waiters, Klay Thompson and Marc Gasol could come up as potential targets for teams.
The Kevin Love talk has dominated the summer and now that his deal to the Cavaliers looks basically done, other names may come up as trade options. Rajon Rondo is always a name that is mentioned and LaMarcus Aldridge also could be a target for teams, as he is heading towards free agency and could be moved, although the Blazers do not want to do that. David Lee and Klay Thompson were mentioned in the original deal talks for Kevin Love, but the Warriors did not want to give up Thompson.
The Warriors are going to have to pony up cash for Thompson when he hits free agency and with him being a restricted free agent next season, his name inevitably will come up. The Warriors offered Harrison Barnes and David Lee in their proposed deal for Kevin Love, but the Timberwolves opted for the Cavaliers deal over that move. The Warriors may look at trading those players again down the line if they get a good enough offer, but Golden State does not want to shake up their foundation, as they could be very good once again this season.
Josh Smith has come up in trade talks with the Detroit Pistons and they had interest from the Sacramento Kings but the two sides could not pull off a deal. The Pistons are trying to sign back Greg Monroe and that was one reason they want to trade Smith, as the team has a big jam up with those two and Andre Drummond. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Monroe will sign the qualifying offer with the Pistons and that makes him a free agent next year. Smith likely will come up in trade rumors again and he could be moved at some point this season.
Ricky Rubio has also come up in trade rumors and since he is heading towards potential free agency, he could end up a target for some teams. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Rubio wants a max deal from the Wolves and there is a chance they may not want to do that and it could lead to a deal down the line. The team now has Zach LaVine as a young point guard after drafting him this year and that at least gives them some insurance if a deal went down.
Dion Waiters came up originally in the Kevin Love trade talks and he also was in heavy trade rumors last season. The Cavaliers did not deal him and now he is with the team and all reports have Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett moving and not Waiters. That could change depending on how the team develops around LeBron James and he could be an option to move at some point once the deadline gets close depending on how the season shakes out.
