We are now just a day away from the trade deadline, and while things have been quiet so far, there are still plenty of rumors floating around. Here are some of the latest:
NBA trade rumors and news: Thunder eyeing Marcin Gortat?
The Thunder and Suns have reportedly discussed a deal that would include Kendrick Perkins and Marcin Gortat. In other news, teams are hesitant to trade for J.J. Redick because of his expected hefty price tag this offseason, and the Rockets are shopping rookie Terrence Jones for a first round pick.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Thunder looking at Perkins/Gortat swap?
Kendrick Perkins is a crafty veteran, but there's no doubt the Oklahoma City Thunder would like to upgrade the center position while also getting out of the nearly $27 million he's owed the next three years. Enter Marcin Gortat and the Phoenix Suns, who the Thunder reportedly discussed a deal with over the All-Star break, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic.
The full deal was Gortat and P.J. Tucker for Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick. Perkins would be a nice fit with the Suns because of his defense, and they supposedly were going to pick Lamb in this year's draft if the Houston Rockets had not jumped up and taken him instead. Throw in the fact that Phoenix would get a first-round pick, and Dave King of Bright Side of the Sun thinks this would be a great deal for them.
However, while the Suns do have cap space to absorb salary in the deal, Coro reports that they are more likely to stand pat and look to make a run at a big free agent this offseason.
Redick looking for big payday this summer
The Orlando Magic have been shopping J.J. Redick for quite some time, with the Pacers, Bucks, Bulls and Timberwolves all showing interest. However, teams are hesitant to give up a first-round pick and young talent for what could be a rental, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Redick is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and Woj reports that he will be looking for a four-year deal close to $40 million. There’s little chance he gets that kind of money, although, the interested teams reportedly are willing to give him $7 million annually. Orlando would rather not re-sign Redick at anything more than the mid-level exception, hence why the Magic are trying to move him.
Another potential option for Redick is the Philadelphia 76ers, and Michael Levin of Liberty Ballers thinks a trade centered around Evan Turner could do the trick. The Sixers need some shooting and Redick would fit nicely with Andrew Bynum whenever he returns.
Rockets dangling Terrence Jones
The Houston Rockets are willing to move rookie Terrence Jones for a first-round pick, according to Wojnarowski. Jones has never been able to crack the rotation in Houston, playing small minutes in just 11 appearances this season. The 18th pick out of Kentucky has gone back and forth between the Rockets and the D-League.
Patrick Harrell at The Dream Shake admits that while it would be disappointing to see the team give up on Jones so soon, there may simply not be room for him going forward, and another pick could be used as part of a larger deal. The rumor also seems to signal that the Rockets value fellow rookie Donatas Motiejunas more than Jones.
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