NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Smith to Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Noel to Rockets
As the 2016-17 NBA regular season draws near, trade rumors continue to circulate. Most of these rumors have been going on since last summer, involving teams that haven't taken cared of their logjams and players who remain in free agency due to contract issues. The following are the latest NBA trade rumors.
1. J.R. Smith to Boston Celtics
J.R. Smith is still a free agent; he hasn't agreed to any contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, although fans expect him to come back anyway. Now, there have been rumors that other teams might offer him a deal that the Cavs couldn't.
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According to iSports Times, J.R. Smith is asking for a $15 million deal, but the Cavaliers can only offer $11 million due to salary cap limitations.
The Boston Celtics may have shown interest in getting Smith, but they only have an over-the-limit cap space of $9 million. However, they can utilize Room Exception which gives them an additional of about $2.9 million.
J.R. Smith averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 40% from 3-point area last season. The points, assists and rebounds numbers might not be too flashy, but it is Smith's excellent shooting beyond the arc which is crucial to the Cavaliers offense. Because of the threat he poses from the outside, Smith opens up the floor for James, Kyrie and other slashers to do their job.
2. J.R. Smith to Los Angeles Lakers
The list of trade rumors involving J.R. Smith signing with another team will continue to grow as long as he doesn't get signing with the Cavaliers done. Even the Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to get Smith to play on their team; this time, with a trade involving Jordan Clarkson.
Clakson averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season.
3. Nerlens Noel to Houston Rockets
Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers is in the trade rumors yet again. According to Parent Herald there are reports that three teams are going to engage in a trade; Noel heading to the Houston Rockets, Archie Goodwin and Brandon Knight going to the Sixers, and K.J. McDaniels and Clint Capela traded to the Suns.
The start of the 2016-17 NBA regular season is so near, and yet the Sixers haven't traded one of their big men to ease up on the front court log jam. Rumors as far back as a few months ago have suggested it would either be Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor who will be traded in exchange for a much needed guard or ball handler.
Dwight Howard has moved on from the Rockets to sign with the Atlanta Hawks. With this move, he left a big hole in the front court of the team. Noel can help fill that gap, as he is known to be a young, great defender who has lots of room for growth.
Noel averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season; his sophomore year.
