NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 Season: Beal to Celtics, Griffin to Hawks, Anthony-Love Trade
As the regular season draws near, and prior to that the training camps which will start around September, NBA trade rumors of various kinds continue to be a hot topic among fans and experts alike. Some rumors address potential win-win trades, propose moves that will match the over-powered Warriors, suggest trades that will help a team regain their chemistry, and others.
Here are the latest trade rumors for the NBA 2016-17 season.
1. Bradley Beal to Boston Celtics
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The Boston Celtics are looking for another NBA star in their lineup, at least according to rumors. Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards could be the player they are looking for.
Bradley Beal could be traded because of the falling-out between him and Wizards starting point guard John Wall. In an interview with Chris Miller of CSN, Wall said "I think a lot of times we have a tendency to dislike each other on the court."
The Wizards missed the playoffs last season with a 41-41 record, and according to Wall, two factors of equal weight come into play: team injuries and the internal strife among teammates. Trading Beal can be a viable solution to revitalize the Washington Wizards' team chemistry.
However, during the off season, Beal re-signed with the Washington Wizards with a huge 5-year contract worth $128 million. This means that the Wizards will have to wait until January 14, 2017 if they want to trade Beal.
According to the trade checker feature of Real GM, a successful trade between both teams can ensue with Bradley Beal going to the Celtics for Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.
2. Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland Cavaliers to match Warriors Super Team
The current lineup of the Cleveland Cavaliers may be unable to beat the overpowered Golden State Warriors, who now has superstar Kevin Durant in their roster. As such, several basketball analysts have shared their two cents about potential trades to help even out this power imbalance.
One suggestion is from Andrew Lynch of Fox Sports. In his article, he proposed that the Cavs can trade Kevin Love to the Knicks for Carmelo Anthony.
Chances are, Kevin Love will stay with the Cavs. But if the trade can happen, the Cavaliers will get a young and uber-talented power forward in Carmelo Anthony, and the Knicks will move ahead from his steep contract. Kevin Love may also be able to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah to form a formidable defensive group.
Anthony, James and Irving will be an astounding trio of NBA super stars. What's more, the friendship between the three of them, including the bonding Anthony and Irving had while playing for Team USA in the Rio Olympics, could convince Anthony to leave his current team to join the Cavs.
3. Blake Griffin to Atlanta Hawks
According to the latest rumors, the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers might exchange power forwards; a move that will benefit both teams.
Blake Griffin has already assured the Clippers that he will re-sign with the team during the 2017 free agency. However, if he changes his mind, one possible scenario for the Clippers is to trade him for Millsap, with other players attached to this trade.
Griffin averaged 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last season. On the other hand, Millsap averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
Griffin is superior stats-wise, but Millsap is undervalued and can do most of what Griffin can do. Plus, the trade proposed by Fox Sports' Andrew Lynch consists of the following: Blake Griffin and Brice Johnson will go to the Atlanta Hawks. In exchange, the Clippers will receive Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and the first round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018.
Korver is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league today, and the future first round pick will be a safety net for the Clippers if Chris Paul or Griffin decides to leave the franchise.
