NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 Season: Enes Kanter Moving Out of Oklahoma? Kenneth Faried, Nerlens Noel and Kevin Love in Three-Way Trade
With just less than four weeks left before the start of training camps, some teams are still in the process of revamping their rosters and planning trades during the course of the regular season. The following are the latest trade rumors for NBA 2016-17 season.
1. Enes Kanter of Oklahoma City Thunder to be Traded
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Joffrey Lauvergne from the Denver Nuggets. In exchange, the Nuggets will get two 2nd round picks.
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Lauvergne was traded because of a logjam in the front court. The Nuggets already have Kenneth Faried and Nikola Jokic starting, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler possibly playing at the four man position with small ball lineups, and Darrell Arthur, a solid defensive power forward.
With the Thunder getting Lauvergne, the team now has 7 big men on their roster as well: Domantas Sabonis, Mitch McGary, Ersan Ilyasova, Nick Collison, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams. McGary and Collison are probably not going to get too many minutes, so essentially, the Thunder has 5 big men to split the minutes.
That's too many big men, so the Thunder will most likely trade one of these tall players during the regular season. Danny Leroux, a sportswriter, tweeted, "Trying to figure out suitors for Enes Kanter - that's the only way adding Lauvergne makes sense even with a low-ish price in terms of picks."
Several analysts suggest reasons why a Kanter trade is good for Oklahoma City. One reason is that Kanter may no longer be as focused as he was last season due to the controversies he faced regarding his Turkish political views.
2. Faried, Noel and Love in Three-way Trade
There have been a number of three-way trade rumors during the course of this NBA off season. Most of these rumors start off as failed two-way trades, but the addition of a third party may be the solution to their fruition.
In the latest three-way trade rumor, Kevin Love will be sent to the Denver Nuggets, Kenneth Faried will play for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Nerlens Noel will leave the Sixers to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kevin Love averaged 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Solid numbers, but the general consensus is that he isn't the best fit with the 2 other superstars of the Cavs; Kyrie Irving and LeBron James.
Nerlens Noel might be a better fit for the Cavaliers; someone younger, more athletic, and can provide excellent defense in the front court.
Last season, the Sixers had an abysmal record; winning only 10 games. Getting Kenneth Faried will definitely improve the team's front court. Kevin Love will be the Nuggets' primary option in offense in Denver.
3. Mario Chalmers to the Cavaliers
According to CSN, Mario Chalmers might join the Cavaliers and reunite with his former teammate in Miami, LeBron James.
The 8-year veteran Chalmers got off to a good start with the Grizzlies last season, averaging a career-best 10.8 points per game. He also had 3.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury.
Michael Saenz, writer for SirCharlesInCharge suggested that Mario Chalmers is a good addition for the Cavs because of his ability to defend the wings of the second unit, and also because he is all-too familiar with how LeBron James plays.
