Earlier today, we passed along an update from Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders on the Nerlens Noel situation, with Kyler reporting that the Sixers and Noel’s new representatives were working together to try to reach a resolution. Kyler’s full NBA AM piece at Basketball Insiders is chock full of other news and rumors, so we’ll round up a few more highlights below. Let’s dive in…
- Following up on Noel, Kyler suggests the Raptors are a team to watch, though Toronto wouldn’t want to risk affecting its team chemistry by moving a core piece. If the Sixers are interested in one or two of the Raptors’ young players or non-core pieces, a deal could be possible, sources tell Kyler. The Trail Blazers may also be eyeing Noel.
- Although the Grizzlies are listening to inquiries on Tony Allen, they don’t necessarily want to move him, sources tell Kyler. Still, the team recognizes that his modest salary, expiring contract, and on-court play could make him a valuable trade chip.
- The Thunder and Magic are both believed to be keeping an eye on the market for a scoring threat, per Kyler. Kings forward Rudy Gay is a player to watch, as many league insiders still believe he’s the most likely player to be dealt by the deadline, even if it doesn’t happen until February.
- Another Kings scorer, Arron Afflalo, isn’t thrilled with his current role, and may be angling for a trade, Kyler reports. A Sunday report suggested that Afflalo had refused to enter a recent game against Houston, and Kyler says there’s a “growing rift” between the veteran guard and the Sacramento coaching staff.
- According to Kyler, the prevailing belief around the NBA is that the Heat will explore moving Goran Dragic before the trade deadline. However, Heat sources say they’re not ready to blow up the roster at this point, and insist keeping the point guard as a veteran leader is a viable option
Rather move Whiteside than Dragic at this point. Reexplore Dragic deal before the draft
Norman Powell, TOR2020 (x15), swap rights 2021?
If I’m a GM of any contending team, Aaron Afflalo is not the wing player i would go after. I’m not sure what he thinks his value is as a player. Sure he plays solid defense and has a decent midrange game, but in a league where shots around the basket and 3 pointers have higher value to any offense, he’s not anything special. In a market where guys like Rudy Gay are expected to be shopped, where Tony Allen is making $7 million less than Afflalo and is reportedly available, I don’t know what contender would seriously think Afflalo would push them into contending status. (Unless you’re the Blazers two years ago and give up Will Barton and picks for a half season rental smh) Like man just play out your contract in Sacramento, yeah we all know everyone wants out of there except Boogie apparently, but go play 10 minutes a game and collect your $12 million dollars. It’s not that hard if you wanted to play on a contender maybe you shouldn’t have signed with the Kings.
To be fair, Wesley Matthews tore his Achilles. Barton was a no shoot, no defense slasher that didn’t fit them at the time (although if they still had him, they could have used some money on a defensive big or wing, instead of Evan turner). They may have been losing Aldridge afterwards, and were in it before the injury to Wes. At the time, I couldn’t fault them for that. It was also before Afflalo started crying about his role
Definitely, Wesley tearing his acl made the Afflalo deal look better in hindsight. but the Afflalo trade happened mid-February that year. Matthews didn’t tear his achilles until early March. And CJ McCollum’s play against the Grizzlies in the playoffs that year showed how unnecessary the Afflalo trade was. I definitely agree that Will Barton had no defined role with the Blazers that year, but he made several good appearances off the bench and flashed 3 and D potential. That’s the year we (might as well say that since I am a Blazers fan haha) lost 4/5th of the lineup, but the non-rotation players, which were Leonard, McCollum, Crabbe, and Barton have all carved niches out in the NBA for themselves, further showing how well the organization had done in scouting and developing talent. Man, if the Blazers had Barton this year he would at the least have massive trade value, or even better would’ve fit much more with this team than Evan Turner and would have been much cheaper. I remember after the trade for Afflalo I was actually excited as a Blazers fan. That obviously didn’t work out and through his stops in New York and now Sacramento, I think he’s adding attitude problems to his no longer starting player material skill set. I don’t think anyone will make the same mistake the Blazers did acquiring him and giving up young controllable talent and picks. And if you think he’d be a good pickup as an expiring contract with a team option, the new CBA even takes away from that value he would have, as shown by another recent hoopsrumors article where they used him as an example. His value goes down daily with more games on the schedule and revelations from the new collective bargaining agreement. He has no leverage in any of this so that’s why i believe he should just collect his check and sign with another team next offseason, or work on his weaknesses he’s no better than Gerald Henderson at this point.
Sorry I just had to add that I agreed with them going all-in that year, we were top 5 in offensive and defensive efficiency until Matthews got hurt, but even at the time we got Afflalo, Wilson Chandler had more value from the Nuggets. So at the time Afflalo wasn’t even the best option to acquire from the team they traded with. Boogie Cousins can complain because he has trade value, Nerlens Noel can complain because he has trade value. Aaron Afflalo is making himself look more immature than those two by refusing to enter games and literally having a worse attitude than Demarcus Cousins toward his coach. On a side note I feel so bad for Dave Joerger that he has to go from dealing with class acts like Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Tony Allen, to coaching the Sacramento Kings.