The NBA trade deadline is coming up and players like Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Nick Young, David Lee, Tyreke Evans, Markieff Morris, Lou Williams and Jeff Teague could be potential targets for teams. Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and Kevin Love have been mentioned in some trade talk, but reports have those players staying put at the deadline.
There are a number of contending teams looking to add talent and Marc Stein at ESPN reports that teams like the Kings, Lakers and Grizzlies could be sellers at the deadline. Stein reports that the Timberwolves may look at dealing Kevin Martin at the deadline, while the Lakers are making some of the "veterans on their roster" available, including Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Nick Young and Lou Williams. Stein writes that of that group, Hibbert is the one that could potentially get traded, as he has an expiring contract.
The Lakers have been one of the worst teams in the league this season and the team now could consider making deals to get young players or draft picks in return. Stein writes that Bass has a $3.1 million player option for next season and could get moved, while Young has been shopped since the summer without much success. Stein adds that JJ Hickson and Markieff Morris remain targets at the trade deadline and that Morris likely will get moved by the Suns at some point.
Morris has been mentioned in trade rumors since the summer and the Suns reportedly are waiting for the right deal before making a move. Morris's value is not that great with teams knowing the Suns want to deal him and for some legal trouble he is dealing with off the court. Stein also reports that the Kings are willing to deal Rudy Gay this season at the deadline, but that the team wants "a quality young player in return" if they make a move.
Stein writes that the Kings rejected an offer from the Pelicans, which had Eric Gordon and Alonzo Gee and that the team doesn't "want to move him just for the sake of it." David Lee is reportedly being shopped by the Celtics, while Michael Scotto reports that the Pelicans are "listening" to offers for Tyreke Evans.
There are some major names that have come up in trade rumors, including Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin, but recent reports have those teams not looking to trade those superstars. The Cavaliers are also not looking to trade Kevin Love, according to general manager David Griffin. Love has continued to get mentioned in trade rumors after the firing of David Blatt, but Griffin said that the team has not considered trading the big man.
