The Houston Rockets have emerged as a possible trade destination for Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
NBA trade rumors 2015: The Rockets want to trade for Brook Lopez?
The latest rumors surrounding Brook Lopez, Norris Cole, Nate Robinson and JaMychal Green.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Nets have been trying to move Lopez for some time now and have had exploratory talks with the Heat and the Thunder. There was an initial framework in place with Oklahoma City which would have sent Kendrick Perkins and his expiring contract to Brooklyn along with third year shooting guard Jeremy Lamb but it fell through when the Nets decided the return was not enough. Now the Rockets could come into the picture, as they often have when a talented player is on the market.
While the Nets have reportedly taken Lopez off the table for now, it’s clear Brooklyn is open to the idea of parting with the 26-year-old center. Will it happen before February’s trade deadline?
No details have emerged about what the Rockets would trade for Lopez but they do have the expiring contracts of Jason Terry, Kostas Papanikolaou and Alexey Shved to match salaries and could include one of Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas in a potential package. Rookie Clint Capela could be thrown in as a sweetener. Houston has a lot of different ways of structuring the trade to make it appealing for the Nets.
Lopez's fit in Houston is questionable, since he is a center and Dwight Howard has that position locked up. They could play together, offering a devastating one-two punch from the post but the spacing might get cramped and the ball wouldn't be in James Harden's hands enough. Lopez also has a player option for 2015-16, which could make him a rental. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could simply be convinced that talented players would figure it out and the Rockets could certainly use a talent upgrade on their big man rotation even if Jones and Motiejunas have developed nicely and Josh Smith is in tow.
For the Net’s perspective visit Nets Daily. For the Rocket’s perspective, visit The Dream Shake.
So what's next?
Norris Cole is being shopped
After striking out on Lopez, the Heat are still rumored to be on the lockout for a trade for a big man and point guard Norris Cole might be the centerpiece of a potential deal, reports the Miami Herald.
Cole is in the final year of his rookie contract and will become a restricted free agent after this season, since he didn't reach an agreement on an extension with Miami. With point guards Mario Chalmers and rookie Shabazz Napier also on the roster, Cole is expendable. He's young enough to still develop further and his defense is already among the best for anyone in his position. What has held Cole back this year is a career-low 24.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Cole has remained calm through the rumors, saying “until I hear something and see the writing on the paper, I’m a member of the team I’m on now. I want to help my teammates and help us to win, and that’s all I concentrate on. Until it’s in black and white, I really don’t consider it.”
No teams have been mentioned to be interested in Cole at the moment.
For the Heat’s perspective, visit Hot Hot Hoops.
NBA Trade Rumors
Several teams are interested in Nate Robinson
The Cavaliers, Heat, Clippers and Wizards have all expressed interest in signing point guard Nate Robinson, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Robinson was waived by the Celtics after being traded there in the deal that sent Jameer Nelson to the Nuggets and has cleared waivers, meaning he's an unrestricted free agent. This season he has averaged 5.8 points and 2.3 assists while shooting 35 percent from the field. Robinson has had an inconsistent career, alternating great years as a sparkplug of the bench with erratic play. His shooting percentages this season are all career lows but teams are clearly hoping a change of scenery is all he needs to turn things around.
In all four teams mentioned by Spears Robinson would have to fight for minutes with established rotation players but he has the talent to carve out a role for himself if his shooting form returns.
JaMychal Green is NBA-bound
D-League standout JaMychal Green has left the Austin Spurs and is expected to sign an NBA contract soon, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Green is an athletic power forward who can hit mid-range jumpers and score inside. He has the physical tools to be a solid defender at the NBA level and his rebounding is already a big asset. He’s averaging 23 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.5 assist in D-League play.
The San Antonio Spurs remain the likely destination according to Spears but the Grizzlies and the Bulls are also interested. Chicago and Memphis have an open roster spot to sign him outright while the Spurs would have to waive or trade someone to create one. It's hard to see Green cracking the rotation on either the Bulls or the Spurs but he would have a shot with the Grizzlies, as his main competition would be Jon Leuer.
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