NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 Season: Jordan to Celtics, Josh Smith to Cavaliers, Bledsoe and Chandler to Celtics
NBA pre-season games are about to begin, and that should mean that trade rumors will die down a bit. Here are some of the latest.
1. DeAndre Jordan to Boston Celtics
According to the latest rumor, three teams might engage in a trade consisting of 5 players. The trade involves Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Specifically, DeAndre Jordan will be obtained by the Celtics, Marcus Smart along with a 2nd round draft pick from the Clippers will go to the Sixers, and the Clippers will get Nerlens Noel, Amir Johnson, Jae Crowder and a 1st round draft pick by the Celtics.
This exact trade scenario meets NBA salary cap requirements. While thought-provoking, whether or not this trade will suffice depends on how each team will benefit from the exchanges.
DeAndre Jordan proved that he is one of the best centers in the league right now during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Boston will benefit much from getting Jordan since they need a strong center alongside newly acquired Al Horford.
For this trade, Boston will have to let go of three players; Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson. While Jae Crowder is a big loss for the Celtics, it seems Gerald Green and Jaylen Brown would more than make up for his absence.
DeAndre Jordan averaged 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game last season.
2. Josh Smith to Cleveland Cavaliers
Josh Smith is still a free agent, just a few weeks into the regular season. According to a recent rumor he might sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Three seasons ago, Smith was one of the most sought after free agents, eventually signing with the Detroit Pistons for a $54 million contract. Last season, Smith played for the Los Angeles Clippers first then was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Hoops Hype ranks Smith as the 4th best player still without a team in the NBA free agency. The Cavs may use Smith to improve their front court defense, which weakened after Timofey Mozgov signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Josh Smith was a member of the 2nd all-defensive team back in 2010, and had the reputation of being one of the best shot blockers in the game.
3. Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler to Celtics
According to ASZ News, the Phoenix Suns could send Tyson Chandler and Eric Bledsoe to Boston in exchange for Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson and Jaylen Brown.
The Suns have a log jam in the back court with two highly talented point guards in Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe, and not to mention Devin Booker, who is being dubbed as a future all-star in the league.
To balance out the roster, Bledsoe could be traded to the Celtics along with Tyson Chandler. Both players will likely improve the chances of Celtics to become an Eastern conference title contender. For one, Chandler could provide the team with their much needed defense in the paint.
