NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: Carter to Cavaliers, Clarkson to 76ers, Bledsoe or Knight to be Traded by Suns
The start of the 2016-17 NBA regular Season is a few weeks away. Fans and basketball analysts are offering their speculations as to what roster moves NBA teams will do, making the league more competitive. Here are some of the latest trade rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season.
1. Vince Carter to Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent rumors report that Vince Carter and Brandan Wright of the Memphis Grizzlies will be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In exchange, the Grizzlies will get Iman Shumpert.
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26-year old Iman Shumpert is a young and talented player. Playing alongside LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and getting loads of information from these superstars could only mean great things for Shumpert. However, being with them in one team also means getting fewer minutes of playing time.
Shumpert will probably get more playing time when he plays for another team. One suggested team is the Memphis Grizzlies. According to NBA Trade Checker, the trade between Shumpert, Carter and Wright is possible in terms of salary considerations.
Vince Carter is an 18-year veteran who can help mentor younger Cavs players like Jordan McRae. Last season, Carter averaged 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game on 35 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Capable of playing shooting guard and small forward, Carter can help LeBron James and J.R. Smith (if he decides to re-sign with the Cavs) get some rest in games.
Brandan Wright is also a veteran who can help protect the rim. Iman Shumpert, on the other hand, averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last season. His championship experience can only help the Grizzlies, and him and Mike Conley would make a great back court on both the defensive and offensive end.
2. Jordan Clarkson to Philadelphia 76ers
According to Sportsrageous, the Lakers may be ready to make D'Angelo Russell their team's lead point guard, and showing that by trading Jordan Clarkson to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In exchange, the Lakers will get one of the Sixers' front court guy. Trade Checker by Real GM shows that a trade between Clarkson and Philly's Sergio Rodriguez and Jahlil Okafor works.
In an interview with Fox Sports, Russell said, "[Coach Luke Walton] wants me to shoot the ball when I'm open. When a coach tells you to shoot the ball, it's like a green light for you."
The Lakers already have 3 big men in Ivica Zubac, Tarik Black, and the lucratively paid Timofey Mozgov, but Jahlil Okafor is a more athletic and productive player, and has more of an opportunity of becoming a team franchise player.
3. Phoenix Suns to Trade Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight
Inquisitr reports that the Phoenix Suns have a log jam in the back court, and trading one of their guards may solve their problem.
Devin Booker, Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe are all talented point guards in the Suns roster, and each of these players could play as starter. Aside from the 3 PGs, the team is loaded with other back court talents, such as Archie Goodwin, P.J. Tucker, Leandro Barbosa and Jared Dudley.
Eric Bledsoe averaged 20.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, having his best season yet. Brandon Knight had 19.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Judging by their stats alone, both Knight and Bledsoe are more than capable of playing starting PG for their team. It would be interesting to see what the Suns will eventually do during or before the regular season.
