NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Gay to Lakers, Millsap to Cavaliers, Wall to Pistons
Three days from now, training camps for all teams for the 2016-17 NBA regular season will commence. One would expect that the trade rumors would die down, but instead, they continue to flow at a steady rate. Many of these rumors involved the same people who have been regulars, such as Rudy Gay and John Wall. Here are the latest trade rumors.
1. Rudy Gay to Los Angeles Lakers
Rudy Gay is a regular in recent NBA trade rumors. If these rumors are to be believed, he is ready to move on from the Sacramento Kings to play elsewhere. The latest puts him up on the trade block with the Lakers, in exchange for Lou Williams and Nick Young.
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If this trade pushes through, the Lakers will benefit from getting Rudy Gay because of his veteran leadership. In a way, Gay will also partially fill the void emptied by Kobe Bryant - although that's a big task. At the very least, Gay can contribute double digits in scoring and help in the rebounding department as well.
Gay averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last season.
According to the Sacramento Bee, the Kings should trade Gay before the start of the 2016-17 NBA regular season. That's because he opted out of his 2017-18 contract; a clear-cut indication that he is not interested in re-signing with his current team.
Trading Gay would provide remedy to an unbalanced roster; one that has too many veterans and centers. While he is still an enticing trade piece, the Kings should utilize Gay to add a few younger guard players.
2. Paul Millsap to Cleveland Cavaliers
According to Adrian Lawhorn of Inquisitr, a rumored major trade involving the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers will happen soon.
This trade involves 5 players: Paul Millsap, Kyle Singler to the Cleveland Cavaliers; Kevin Love to Oklahoma City Thunder; and Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis to the Atlanta Hawks (including a future 1st round draft pick).
According to CBS Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to trade Kevin Love because he isn't the perfect fit for the team despite his crucial contributions during the 2016 NBA Finals.
Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks may be a better fit for the Cavs, since he is more athletic and defensive-minded.
Millsap averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks per game last season.
3. John Wall to Detroit Pistons
John Wall is a favorite target among NBA trade rumor builders. That's partially due to his overt on-court disdain towards teammate Bradley Beal. Trading Wall might solve the chemistry problem within the team.
The latest rumor sees John Wall and Markieff Morris being traded to the Detroit Pistons. In exchange, the Wizards will get Tobias Harris, Reggie Bullock, Reggie Jackson and 2 future 1st round picks.
Wall averaged 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game last season.
