NBA draft 2013 trade rumors: June 26: Next move for Clips; Nets ask about Garnett
The Clippers have discussed sending Eric Bledsoe to the Magic. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
We're now just a day away from the NBA draft, with the rumor mill in full swing. Here's a round-up of the most recent trade rumors from around the league.
• ESPN LA: "The Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers have been discussing the possibility of completing a trade headlined by Magic shooting guard Arron Afflalo and prized L.A. point guard Eric Bledsoe in conjunction with Thursday's NBA draft, according to sources close to the process. Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that a trade with those two players as the principals could happen as soon as this week and potentially could be expanded to include Magic forward Andrew Nicholson and a future first-round pick as compensation for the highly coveted Bledsoe."
• NY Daily News: "Multiple sources told the Daily News that the Nets GM inquired about Kevin Garnett’s desire to join Deron Williams in Brooklyn, but King didn’t get an answer while uncertainty surrounds the Celtics … As much as the Nets would love Garnett, it’s an unlikely pairing given the obstacles. Not only is it still unclear whether he’d agree to join the Nets -- which is what King was hoping to figure out by reaching out to a third party -- there’s also a very high hurdle of negotiating an inter-division trade. But it’s no surprise King inquired about Garnett, a 15-time All-Star and former MVP. The Nets not only desire a reliable starting power forward, they could use a vocal and respected leader. Garnett fits the mold."
• TrueHoop (ESPN.com): "Elsewhere, a source said Oklahoma City was interested in packaging its two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 29) and Kendrick Perkins for a top-five pick. But the Thunder have had no takers either."
• NY Daily News: "The Nets have been involved in discussions of a trade that would send MarShon Brooks to the Timberwolves, multiple sources told the Daily News. Minnesota has shown interest in the third-year guard out of Providence, calling around the league for feedback and initiating trade discussions. Talks have not escalated to anything serious or imminent at the moment, according to a source. However, another source said that a proposal is on the table waiting for the Timberwolves' approval."
• The Sporting News (via PBT): "If the Celtics can unload [Paul] Pierce to a team with enough cap space to absorb his salary, they will get a trade exception worth Pierce’s salary, or $15.3 million. And if that happens, the plan is already in place. According to a source, the Celtics have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Atlanta forward Josh Smith that would be the top priority in free agency ... In order to land Smith, though, the Celtics need to pull off a deal for Pierce that will net them a trade exception. Because teams over the salary cap can’t take on salary without sending back matching salaries, Boston’s options are limited to teams under the cap. That’s why two teams that have been connected to a Pierce deal have been Cleveland and Milwaukee."
• TrueHoop (ESPN.com): Houston is looking to move Robinson to a team that can absorb his salary (either because it is under the cap or possesses the requisite trade exception) and get back a first-round pick in return. And two teams appear to have emerged as serious suitors: Cleveland and Chicago. Sources close to the situation say both teams would be willing to give up a first-round pick in this draft to land Robinson, who went No. 5 overall in the 2012 draft. (Marc Stein addendum: "Follow-up trade rumble: Bulls intend to flip Thomas Robinson in subsequent (or connected) deal if they take him from Rockets for No. 20 pick")
• Marc Stein (ESPN.com): "Rival executives, more & more, list Houston as favorite in Dwight Sweepstakes ahead of Lakers. Trading T-Rob means Rockets can offer D12 max."
• Adrian Wojnarowski (Yahoo!): "Orlando has been doing a great deal of work on players in late lottery-mid first-round range, weighing possible deals out of No. 2 spot."
• TrueHoop (ESPN.com): "The Wolves continue to try to move up higher in the draft to land either Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore. The latest rumbles have them reaching out to the Magic, Bobcats and Suns offering Derrick Williams and the No. 9 and No. 26 picks in return for Orlando's No. 2 pick, Charlotte's No. 4 pick or Phoenix's No. 5 pick."
• Adrian Wojnarowski (Yahoo!): "Cleveland pushing to acquire Dallas' 13th overall pick, with a focus on drafting Russia's Sergey Karasev, league sources tell Y! Cleveland believes it has to get ahead of Milwaukee at 15, but it's possible Cavs need to get even higher to assure Karasev will be there."
• Adrian Wojnarowski (Yahoo!): "Clips, Blazers talked on DeAndre Jordan prior to Doc Rivers' hiring, sources say, but Portland interest and Jordan market value unclear now."
Greivis Vasquez
