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We’re exactly one month before the 2020-21 NBA trade deadline, so it’s time for a special edition of our trade rumor rankings series.
Usually, we publish a new part of this series every Monday, but as the trade deadline approaches we will start to increase the frequency of our articles on ranking trade rumors.
And judging by some of the names that are starting to pop up, that’s probably a good idea of us.
Below, check out the five players who have appeared most often on our Trade Rumors page over the past few days, listed in order of appearance.
5 Kyle Lowry (Toronto)
Kyle Lowry is on an expiring contract and although he is a legend with the Toronto Raptors, that hasn’t stopped the team president Masai ujiri to treat a player of his caliber before. This, in addition to the fact that Toronto has a long-term commitment to Fred VanVleet last offseason, led many to believe that Lowry’s days with the Raptors could be numbered.
And given that Lowry is still a very productive floor general, averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting almost 40 percent from beyond the arc, the interest in acquiring it will be high in the commercial market.
Three teams already discussed as potential landing points for Lowry include his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, all franchises with big aspirations this season.
However, if recent reports are to be trusted, Lowry’s preference would be to return to his home in Philadelphia (via The Philadelphia Inquirer):
A source said Lowry would like to be in Philly. The source believes the Sixers and Raptors might be able to do something. But if that happens, Toronto would likely want picks, young players and veterans with expiring contracts for Lowry, who is making $ 30 million this season.
The report goes on to say the following:
Kyle Lowry would be a perfect fit for the 76ers. The same can be said about the Miami Heat. The best place for the native Philly and Toronto Raptors point guard, however, is the Los Angeles Clippers. These three teams could become potential business destinations for former high school Cardinal Dougherty and Villanova, sources say. That is, of course, if Lowry chooses not to end the season with the Raptors.
Even at almost 35, Lowry is still one of the best playmakers in the game and, more importantly, the one who has proven he can help lead a team to a championship.
If Toronto is serious about moving Lowry, the market for him will heat up quickly, with candidates likely to be vying for his services.
For more on Kyle Lowry’s business front, click here.
4 Austin Rivers (New York)
There have been no concrete reports on Austin Rivers’ future with the New York Knicks recently, but speaking to the media recently, the two-way guard essentially sounded like he was preparing to be moved (via the New York Post):
Knicks guard Austin Rivers arrived as a veteran team manager who was due to close games as a substitute. In his first remarks since Derrick Rose’s trade on Wednesday, he looked like a man about to be traded, frustratingly forging at times the past of his time with the Knicks. “I can’t control if I’m traded today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player and what I can bring to this team every day. It’s to be ready anytime no matter if my name is called or not and to help young people, young guys to be ready to play. I’ll just continue to be ready to play here for as long as I’m here, as long as it is.
Rivers has had a somewhat calm season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21 games, shooting 36.4 percent from three in the process. He also hasn’t seen any action for the Knicks since February 13.
Even so, Rivers has plenty of playoff experience and defends his position well, and is expected to make just $ 3.5 million this year, while sources told HoopsHype his 2021-22 is fully unsecured, which made it even more appealing of a pickup to a contender looking for rear end area depth.
New York shouldn’t have a hard time finding her a new home next month.
To learn more about the Austin Rivers Trade Front, click here.
3 Bradley Beal (Washington)
Although each sign indicates Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere this season, that hasn’t stopped his name from constantly appearing in business rumors – and this week has been no different.
Based in New York ESPN radio host Michael kay said on his show Tuesday that he heard William wesley, better known as World Wide Wes, who works for the Knicks front office, uses backchannels to push Beal’s side to request a trade this season (via the New York Daily News):
“The Knicks have World Wide Wes on their side,” Kay said. “And he was on the ears of some of the Beal members and kind of pushed them to say that this might be the time to push for a trade.” World Wide Wes, real name William Wesley, was hired by the Knicks in June to work with longtime partner Leon Rose. This is Wesley’s first official job on an NBA team after decades as a behind-the-scenes power broker who used relationships to influence. World Wide Wes, who has James Dolan’s ear, is an animated character on the sidelines this season, both on the road and at MSG, but has never spoken publicly.
That’s a pretty heavy charge, one that could put the Knicks in a ton of trouble if it turns out to be true, but in reality, it’s not that surprising; this type of backchannel recruiting probably happens a lot in the NBA, especially when it comes to big names in the market.
Still, the Washington Wizards have been playing much better lately and Beal leads the league in scores. The chances of it being traded next month are slim.
To learn more about the Bradley Beal trade front, click here.
2 André Drummond (Cleveland)
Two teams were recently connected to André Drummond in recent days: the Dallas Mavericks and the Knicks.
The former were mentioned by Launderer report Jake Fischer, who reported the following:
For now, Dallas seems initially interested in adding a center to help complete Porzingis, sources say. The Mavericks have surrounded Andre Drummond as the Cleveland Cavaliers look to move in a different direction from their own front, but Dallas has expressed no interest in parting ways with Porzingis in those particular talks. “They want a big twin with him,” a league source said. “Obviously with the physicality, the bounce, the harshness.”
While the latter have been mentioned by Marc Berman of New York Post, who wrote as follows:
According to an NBA source who has been in contact with the Knicks, the club have made no decision, but “analyzing” whether playing for Cavaliers center on block Andre Drummond makes sense from a point of view. of chemistry and victory. The Knicks are the worst performing team in the NBA.
Drummond’s salary, which expires but pays him $ 28.8 million this season, and his sometimes mediocre efforts on the defense, is a big chunk of Drummond’s salary, but the 27-year-old is a double-double machine who is an elite finisher on the pick-and-roll and is an absolute force on the glass – at both ends.
So there is no doubt that he would help a frontline contender if he were to be traded for a candidate next month.
To learn more about André Drummond’s commercial front, click here.
1 Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas)
For the first time since moving from New York to the Dallas Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis began to appear in credible business rumors, and although the owner of Mavs Cuban Mark refused, more than one outlet reporting them gives credit to the potential to which they are worth believing.
First, Launderer report Fischer reported the following on Tuesday:
In fact, Dallas has quietly assessed Porzingis’ trading market, according to league sources, as the Mavericks have started to reassess whether the 25-year-old center can truly back Doncic as a second option on a candidate. “They threw the tires on everyone on their list that isn’t called Luka,” said a person with knowledge of Dallas thinking. “You know Donnie; they are still tinkering. “They definitely sniffed it,” an assistant general manager told B / R. “They’re taking the temperature, because they know that at some point it’s going to come back.”
Then, Ian begley of CUT reiterated that Dallas had discussed Porzingis’ trades with multiple teams while assessing his worth. One of these teams? The Golden State Warriors (via SNY on YouTube):
Ian Begley on Kristaps Porzingis: (The Dallas Mavericks) chatted with several teams, simply assessing his value in the trade market. One team they spoke to was Golden State. I don’t know if things have gone far. I don’t know if they really want to move him, but they at least assess his value in the league right now.
Porzingis is doing well this season, averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, but his three-point percentage has remained a paltry 35.2, and there are some very legitimate questions about his ability to be a true suitor’s # 2 option.
And given Dallas’ slow start to the season (15-15 and No.9 in the West at this point), it’s easy to see why the team would have being sniffing to see what they could get in exchange for their big man spacing on the ground and blocking hits.
To learn more about Kristaps Porzingis’ business front, click here.
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