The Nuggets' ongoing quest for more picks, trade candidates in Boston and the rest of the NBA rumor mill on Wednesday.
Hot on the trail for more first-round picks, the Nuggets are open to dealing veteran guards Arron Afflalo, Randy Foye and Jameer Nelson before the trade deadline, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.
The team has already discussed Afflalo with the Trail Blazers, Bulls, Clippers, Heat and Kings, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, and it reportedly wants a first-round pick in any deal involving the guard. That may seem like a high asking price, but it's just a month ago that the team landed two first-rounders in exchange for Timofey Mozgov.
The primary hangup with Afflalo is his contract, which includes a player option for next season that tosses some uncertainty into the situation. Most teams probably don't want to give up a first-round pick for a possible rental, and most likely, Afflalo will seek a bigger deal on the open market during the summer.
Afflalo isn't the only Nuggets player on the market, but he's probably the most appealing. Wilson Chandler would be the other big name along with the guards, but Stein says it's more likely the team trades Afflalo this month.
So the Nuggets might asking for a lot, but it's possible some team with championship aspirations sees the guard as a final piece. With Denver already looking toward the future after losing 13 of its past 15 games, one imagines a few more deals could be coming from their end.
Prince, Bass among Celtics trade candidates
The Celtics could ship off veterans before the trade deadline, and Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald lists Tayshaun Prince, Brandon Bass and Marcus Thornton as possible candidates. Prince holds the most value of the three, per Bulpett, thanks to an expiring $7 million contract.
"He knows how to play, and he’s played in big games. Someone hoping to make a playoff run is going to want him, even if it’s just for depth or insurance," a source told Bulpett on Prince.
The problem with dealing Prince, Bulpett says, is that many teams are waiting and hoping that the Celtics eventually buy out the forward. That would presumably save a second-round pick, and given the way the season is going in Boston, it's not hard to see the two sides mutually parting ways.
Bass is another intriguing possibility for a team looking to add frontcourt depth. He's averaging 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in about 21 minutes per game this season, and could be a solid backup for a team needing an experienced big man.
Timberwolves add Payne, may not deal Martin
After a busy day that saw the team trade Mo Williams and acquire Adreian Payne, the Timberwolves may be done dealing for now. Kevin Martin has been a steady source of rumors in recent weeks, but the AP's Jon Krawczynski says he doesn't think the team wants to move the veteran guard.
Two things: I don't get the impression wolves are too interested in moving Kevin Martin. They like him. And I don't see them adding a PG
— Jon Krawczynski (@APkrawczynski) February 10, 2015 Martin has come up in several rumors over the past few weeks, being tied to teams like Washington and Dallas, but Krawczynski is based in Minneapolis and should have a pulse on things. A deal involving Martin would make some sense for the Timberwolves given where they are in the standings, but it's equally possible the team isn't desperate to free up salary as it spends the next couple seasons building around Andrew Wiggins.
Heat lack trade assets, were offered Jerebko for Cole
The Heat don't have the assets to swing a big deal before the trade deadline, but backup guard Norris Cole keeps coming up in talks, one GM told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
A deal involving Cole could be one way for Pat Riley to shake up the roster given the extended absence of Dwyane Wade. The fourth-year guard hasn't been great this season, averaging 6.3 points on 39 percent shooting, but could interest a team looking for a guard with NBA Finals experience under his belt.
One team that's reportedly interested is Detroit, which offered forward Jonas Jerebko to Miami in exchange for Cole. Jackson says he's confirmed the offer was made, but the Heat turned it down after demanding the Pistons also take on the contract of Danny Granger, who's owed $2.2 million next season.
Amar'e Stoudemire a possibility for Warriors if bought out
As if the Warriors could get any more dangerous, Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News reports that Amar'e Stoudemire could be an option for the team if his contract is bought out by the Knicks.
It's unclear whether New York and Stoudemire have had any serious discussions about parting ways, and it's possible Kawakami is simply speculating, but he points out that Stoudemire was a star in Phoenix years ago when Golden State coach Steve Kerr was the general manager. Should Stoudemire hit the open market, the Warriors would certainly make some sense given their ambitions and the constant need for frontcourt depth around the league.
Is it a long shot? Yeah, probably, but there's also little reason for Stoudemire to stick around New York at this point and a move to Golden State could be his best shot at a title. Another possibility, as Kawakami notes, is free agent guard Ray Allen, though the guard reportedly hasn't been in contact with the team "for weeks."
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