NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Paul to Pelicans, Gay to Grizzlies, Olynyk to Raptors
The NBA 2016-17 regular season begins on October 26, 2016, featuring games between the Knicks, Cavaliers, Spurs, Warriors, Jazz and Trail Blazers. Before that, fans are content on reading about potential trades and rumors. Here are the latest NBA trade rumors.
1. Chris Paul to New Orleans Pelicans
According to recent rumors, if the Los Angeles Clippers doesn't win the championship this coming season, they might consider trading their starting point guard Chris Paul.
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If the Clippers feel that Chris Paul is considering leaving the team when he enters free agency in 2017, they might consider trading him. One team that has expressed interest in getting Chris Paul is the New Orleans Pelicans.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has expressed his desire to have a player in their team who has a high IQ when it comes to basketball. Paul definitely fits that description. Adding Chris Paul to the Pelicans lineup will definitely boost the team's rankings in the Western Conference.
Chris Paul actually played for the New Orleans, previously known as the Hornets, from 2005-2011, a total of six seasons before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul teamed up with Blake Griffin and made the Los Angeles Clippers a highly competitive top-tier team for years.
The 31-year old Paul averaged 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game last season.
2. Rudy Gay to Memphis Grizzlies
According to Sportsrageous Rudy Gay of the Sacramento Kings has decided he will become an unrestricted free agent during the 2017 off-season.
Rudy Gay played 7 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was a key player in the Grizzlies team, putting up significant numbers in the scoring and rebounding department. Now, the team could use his services again as they are in dire need of an athletic small forward who can score.
Rudy Gay can start with the Memphis Grizzlies, along with Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. However, since Chandler Parsons signed to a max deal with the team, Gay might end up being backup forward to him.
Last season, Gay averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
3. Kelly Olynyk to Toronto Raptors
According to Mobile & Apps the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors might reach a trade agreement which sends Kelly Olynyk to the Raptors before the regular season begins.
Olynyk will help fill the spot emptied by power forward Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo now plays for the Orlando Magic. Together, Jonas Valanciunas and Kelly Olynyk will make a good front-court.
The Celtics might give up Kelly Olynyk for trade due to the string of injuries he's had with the team. He also has problems on the defensive end of the floor, so the Celtics will look to trade him for someone who doesn't have his weaknesses.
Olynyk averaged 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last season, his third year in the NBA. He also shot great from the three-point range at 40.5 percent.
