The NBA trade deadline is coming up and names like Goran Dragic, Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings and Brook Lopez are potential targets for teams, including the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers and this comes as both Monroe and Dragic are heading into free agency in the summer of 2015.
Dragic is going to be one of the top targets in free agency next summer even if he is traded, as he is a young point guard coming off of some of his best seasons in the league. Monroe also will be a target, as he is also very young and has not had any issues with serious injuries in his four years in the league. Monroe likely will not be traded, as Pro Basketball Talk reported that he wants to keep his Bird rights and that the Pistons are asking for too much in return for him. The report had the Lakers calling in about Monroe and Brandon Jennings, but the Pistons wanted at least one first round pick and potentially more, but the Lakers balked at that asking price.
Dragic is coming into the season after winning the most improved player award last year and he has the chance to be the top point guard on the market. Rajon Rondo will also be a free agent, but many expect him to stay in Dallas after he was traded from Boston. The Suns have Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe on the roster along with Tyler Ennis, but some have suggested that Dragic is the player they would like to keep over the rest of the point guards.
Dragic has a $7.5 million player option for next year and the Sporting News reports that it's nearly certain that he will not use it. Dragic can become a free agent at the perfect time in his career, as he is young and coming off of his best seasons, this year included. Dragic will have a number of suitors, as Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Lakers, Knicks, Rockets and Kings all could be interested in signing him. The team signed Bledsoe back and added Thomas this offseason, but Marc Stein at ESPN.com reports that the Suns could be willing to move one of those two in an effort to keep Dragic.
Stein also added that the Houston Rockets could be a prime target for Dragic, as they are looking to upgrade at point guard from Patrick Beverley. The Rockets also could be interested in Brook Lopez or Deron Williams, as the Nets have been shopping those players this season and could move them in a trade at the deadline or in the summer. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Dragic plans on having an "open" free agency and he reportedly has not ruled out any teams, including the Suns.
Monroe and Jennings could be options at the deadline, but they likely will remain with the Pistons. Monroe is going to be a prime target on the market and if Marc Gasol stays in Memphis, teams like the Knicks and Lakers could go after him hard. The trade deadline is coming and while some big names have moved already like Rondo, JR Smith and Iman Shumpert, there could be more major moves in February.
