The NBA trade rumor mill should start spinning now that the finals are over and names like DeMarcus Cousins, Kenneth Faried, David Lee, Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan, Isaiah Thomas and Wilson Chandler all could be targets this summer, as teams like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NY Knicks and Chicago Bulls could be interested in making moves.
There could be some trade deals going down heading into the draft, as teams like the Knicks, Celtics and Cavaliers reportedly are looking to make trades. Once free agency opens up this summer there will be even more trade reports and players like David Lee, Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan and Isaiah Thomas could be options. The Kings have come out to say that they are not looking to trade Cousins, but things could change over the summer if the team gets a solid deal.
According to news from Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Lakers have explored a three team trade for Cousins with the Kings and Magic. George Karl is reportedly pushing Cousins out and the team could make a major move in the draft with Cousins if he goes to Los Angeles in a deal. Check here for more. The Kings are also reportedly shopping Rudy Gay in a deal to free up cap space to sign Rajon Rondo.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Celtics are likely going to try for a Cousins trade this summer and it likely would include draft picks if a deal goes down. Cousins is coming off of a career season and his name came up in trade rumors earlier this year, but nothing came close to happening. Vlade Divac said that the team is not looking to trade Cousins, although the Kings have been mentioned in trade talk coming into the draft.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Nuggets have been shopping Ty Lawson to the Kings, as he previously played with George Karl in Denver. The team likely would look at the sixth draft pick this year for Lawson and that could be an option for the Kings, as they have been looking for a solid point guard. The team reportedly will look at signing Rajon Rondo this offseason and if that does not work out, the team could go after Lawson instead.
Along with Lawson, the Nuggets could look at moving Kenneth Faried, as the team is in rebuilding mode and could try and get picks for him. Lawson and Faried remain targets for teams heading into the summer and this comes as Lance Stephenson has already been moved this offseason. Isaiah Thomas is reportedly a target to get traded by the Celtics, as NESN.com reports that the team is interested in moving up in the draft and could use Thomas for that.
Marc Stein reported after the finals that David Lee and the Warriors are going to work together to find a trade, as he was mostly a reserve this season. Lee has a big contract, but he is coming into the final year of his deal and that could be appealing for some teams moving forward. Lee played well in his limited time in the finals and he could be a big chip for the Warriors as they try and re-sign Draymond Green.
DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler have been mentioned in trade rumors despite the fact that they are free agents, as Jordan is reportedly interested in signing with the Mavericks. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the teams could look at a sign and trade deal with Jordan and Chandler, as Jordan wants to sign a max deal. Jordan reportedly is very open to signing with the Mavericks and if that is the case, the Clippers may want to try and get something back for him over losing Jordan in free agency.
