NBA trade rumors roundup: Warriors looking to make upgrade at deadline, Knicks still hoping to land Kyle Lowry
The Warriors are looking to upgrade their bench, while the Knicks again have interest in Kyle Lowry. Plus, other rumors from around the NBA.
The Golden State Warriors figure to be busy at the trade deadline as they attempt to upgrade their roster, according to Sam Amick of USA Today.
Specifically, the Warriors are searching for some bench help, and they currently have several trade exceptions that could facilitate a deal. Golden State has two significant trade exceptions, one worth $9 million and another worth $4 million, that don’t expire until the summer.
The Warriors' bench has been one of the worst in the NBA this season, and they recently acquired Jordan Crawford from the Boston Celtics to help remedy that situation. But Golden State wants more, although there are some complications because the team is only about $2.5 million below the luxury tax line. Because of this, using the larger trade exception seems a bit unlikely unless the Warriors were able to somehow land an impact player with it.
Golden State does have a few interesting trade assets, including second-year forward Harrison Barnes, who has garnered a lot of interest around the league despite a rather disappointing season. However, Amick says it's unlikely the Warriors move Barnes unless it's in a package for a big-name player.
Knicks covet Lowry ... again
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The New York Knicks came close to acquiring Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry earlier this season, but the Knicks backed out at the last moment. With the trade deadline approaching, the Knicks are again showing interest in Lowry, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Since the first deal fell apart, Lowry and Toronto have flourished while the Knicks have continued to flounder. It’s unlikely the Raptors deal Lowry because of their position in the Eastern Conference, but they’re also reportedly wary of paying the point guard in the offseason when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, according to NBA.com’s David Aldridge. So this complicates the issue a bit.
In any case, the Raptors probably won’t move Lowry unless they receive a Godfather offer. And considering the Knicks don’t have many valuable trade assets, don’t expect Lowry to end up in New York.
Magic GM says team not ‘aggressively’ trying to make trade
The Orlando Magic have several players who could be trade candidates, including veterans Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis.
However, Magic general manager Rob Hennigan says while he’s always looking at ways to improve the team, he’s not necessarily trying to make a move, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
“We’re exploring all options that may improve our team,” Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan said. “But in terms of aggressively, actively trying to do something? I would say no [we’re not].”
Hennigan is likely getting plenty of calls about Afflalo, but there’s not much reason to trade an All-Star caliber player on an affordable deal.
Wizards looking for backup point guard
Eric Maynor has been a disaster of a backup point guard with the Washington Wizards this season, and the Wizards are on the lookout for an upgrade, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Stein reports the Wizards are eyeing rarely used Knicks point guard Beno Udrih, who's on a minimum deal. Grantland's Zach Lowe reports interest in embattled Denver Nuggets point guard Andre Miller, but the Nuggets haven't found a deal they like.
Cavs likely to be buyers
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Join Paul Flannery for a weekly look at the NBA. Subscribe for free on iTunes. Cleveland Cavaliers acting general manager David Griffin has said he expects to be a buyer at the trade deadline, and that sentiment was echoed in a report from Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski reports Griffin has a mandate from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to upgrade the roster for a playoff push. This certainly would mean no trade of Luol Deng, who may walk in free agency this summer. Wojnarowski even says Cleveland may pay top dollar to keep Deng from leaving so shortly after joining the team.
Bobcats trying hard to make deal
The Charlotte Bobcats currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and they're trying hard to net an upgrade to assist with a playoff push, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
The Bobcats have Ben Gordon's huge $13.2 million expiring deal to dangle in trade talks, and they have shown interest in Philadelphia 76ers swingman Evan Turner.
Nets unlikely to make any moves
Last week, Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams said he didn't think the Nets would make any moves at the trade deadline. At the moment, Williams is looking like a prophet, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports there's a "less than 10 percent" chance a deal is made.
