NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Aldridge to Suns, Westbrook to Heat
The 2016-17 NBA regular season will start tomorrow, October 25, with the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the New York Knicks at the Quicken Loans Arena. Other games played that day are Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs. In lieu of these upcoming games, trade rumors continue to hit even marquee names in their respective teams. Here are some of the latest.
1. LaMarcus Aldridge to Phoenix Suns
Aldridge has been the subject of many trade rumors these past few days, and now he is once again linked to another team: the Phoenix Suns. According to Morning News USA, the San Antonio Spurs are thinking about trading the power forward if he couldn't meet the high standards expected from him.
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With Tim Duncan's retirement, LaMarcus Aldridge fans expect him to follow the future Hall of Famer's lead. He is, after all, paid a hefty $84 million contract. If Aldridge has a sub-par performance this season, he might be criticized for being overpaid, similar to Greg Monroe's situation with the Bucks.
FanSided reports that the Phoenix Suns could use Aldridge's help in the front court. The team has a lot of back court talents; Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are all capable of starting, and one of these players could be in the trade block with Aldridge.
Aldridge averaged 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season.
2. Russell Westbrook to Miami Heat
According to Sportsrageous, a February trade could send Russell Westbrook to the Miami Heat. This rumor ultimately stems from Durant leaving the Thunder and Westbrook having to struggle a bit more now that their best overall player is now playing for the Warriors.
ESPN's Marc Stein said, "Sources say the Heat naturally would have been prepared to surrender Dragic during the summer as part of a grander package to try to pry Russell Westbrook away from Oklahoma City, back when teams – with fingers glued together – were hopeful that the Thunder might be willing to trade Westbrook right after Kevin Durant defected to Golden State."
Westbrook actually extended his contract with the Thunder for an additional 3 years, and he could be a 2018 free agent. For now, it seems that both the Heat and the Thunder are unwilling to give up their players even for blockbuster trades. The Heat just lost Wade, who now plays for the Chicago Bulls, and Chris Bosh due to injury. Seeing another key player in the Heat roster like Dragic may be too much for a season's worth of changes.
