The Suns have expressed some interest in trading for Knicks forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, reports Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (via Twitter). Kuzminskas has averaged 14.6 MPG in 47 contests in his rookie season in New York, chipping in 6.0 PPG and 1.9 RPG. He’s under contract next season at a rate of about $3MM before he becomes eligible for restricted free agency in 2018.
Here are a few more trade rumors and notes from around the NBA:
- Within his latest rumor notebook for HoopsHype, Alex Kennedy writes that rival executives believe Sixers big man Jahlil Okafor is much more likely to be moved at the deadline than Nets center Brook Lopez. Kennedy notes that Okafor has received interest from the Kings, while Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer says the Lakers could be in the mix for Okafor. In a non-trade item, Kennedy also adds the Heat to the list of potential suitors for veteran free agent Larry Sanders.
- Appearing on NBA TV on Wednesday, TNT’s David Aldridge suggested that the Bulls would insist on Jae Crowder in any package for Jimmy Butler, and the Celtics would be very hesitant to include him, given his role in Boston’s rotation and his extremely team-friendly contract. Brian Robb of 98.5 The Sports Hub (Twitter link) passes along Aldridge’s full comments. Meanwhile, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune reports that the Sixers inquired on Butler, but were rebuffed by the Bulls.
- Based on his knowledge of the offers the Jazz have received, agent Wallace Prather doesn’t expect the club to move his client Derrick Favors before Thursday’s deadline, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. However, Prather acknowledged that things could change as the last minute.
- After reporting earlier on Wednesday that the Thunder were eyeing Wilson Chandler, Sam Amick of USA Today tweets that the Nuggets forward is no longer on OKC’s radar. Still, Amick didn’t rule out the possibility of the Thunder circling back to Chandler if other options fall through (Twitter link).
Well it’s always interesting who what and why armchair GMs know all the best moves or predict moves that don’t happen, fun times but some of you are crazy, give up your unwanted for top draft picks and top players nice drugs huh? Hope the Lakers don’t get PG now but wait and see FA time call Birds bluff. Okafur I could do w/o enough projects. Bout 34 games left lottery positions next up
24 games sorry bout that
Crowder nets 2017 pick for Butler is fair for all sides. Lets get it done
That’s too much for butler. The Nets 2017 pick alone should have Chi pulling the trigger
Throw in smart and brown, and the bulls might think about it.
Bulls don’t have to think about it because
Smart and Brown would never be in that Butler deal
sarcasm?
The Nets pick alone wouldn’t get the deal done. You need more than a top5 pick for an establish star on a fairly good deal.
No reason for Knicks to trade cheese. Cheap young player who has shown he’s got some game
This years picks are very good so more valuable but imo not enough for Butler, gotta sweeten it
I like big men post guys. Would love to see okafor with lakers .