Trade deadline: Latest buzz around NBA
Evan Turner is averaging 17.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Here is the latest buzz around the NBA with four days remaining before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline:
More Buzz: Saturday, Feb. 15 | Friday, Feb. 14 | Thursday, Feb. 13
• Tom Moore, Bucks County Courier Times: What will Sam Hinkie do at Thursday's NBA trade deadline? The 76ers GM wouldn't mind dealing Evan Turner and/or Spencer Hawes for a combination of players and draft picks. The players in return, as long as they have expiring contracts, are less important than the picks. But what if no team is willing to part with a 2014 first-round selection -- Hinkie's apparent asking price -- for a player or players who could end up being a two-month rental? Would Hinkie settle for a 2015 first-rounder -- or even a second-round choice in the June 26 draft?
• Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com: Evan Turner not expecting to be traded by Thursday deadline. If 76ers are holding out for a No. 1, strong sense is they won’t get it.
• Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer: The 76ers' focus in the days leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline is acquiring draft picks, according to an Eastern Conference executive. The franchise wants to gain future compensation in exchange for Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, and Thaddeus Young, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. With the most cap space in the league and an open roster spot, the Sixers will consider acquiring an expiring contract from a team looking to dump a salary. But that most likely will also involve receiving a draft pick.
• Chris Mannix, SI.com:Kevin Love is having an impact on this trade season. Teams believing they have a shot at signing/trading for him looking to keep flexibility. Some top talent could be available in the summer of '15 (LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo) but Love is clearly the crown jewel.
• Ken Berger, CBSSports.com: Facing a difficult trade market and a glaring hole at the point guard position, Nuggets officials worked out the banished Andre Miller this week in New Orleans and are considering bringing him back, league sources told CBSSports.com.
• Marc Spears, Yahoo Sports: Embattled point guard Andre Miller has no desire to return to the Denver Nuggets, a source told Yahoo Sports on Saturday. The Nuggets were reportedly attempting to bring back the veteran but the relationship is beyond repair, according to the source. ,,, A source in Miller's camp told Yahoo Sports that there is hope the point guard will be traded before Thursday's trade deadline
• Terry Pluto, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Expect David Griffin to make some type of trade by Thursday's deadline. The interim general manager believes the Cavs are close to a playoff team -- three games out of the final spot thanks to the current four-game winning streak. Griffin also would love to have the interim title taken away from his name, and he works for an owner (Dan Gilbert) who wants his general manager to be aggressive. The Cavs are looking for outside shooting.
• Bob Finnan, The News-Herald: Earlier in the season, it seemed like a lock the Cavs would trade [Dion] Waiters by the Feb. 20 deadline. He’s been moved to the bench and his game has picked up. Now, it might be a bit of a surprise if they move him.
• David Mayo, MLive Media Group: The Pistons have several potential trade pieces with Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva approaching unrestricted free agency, and Greg Monroe restricted free agency this summer. They have rebuffed Monroe talks and need Stuckey for the stretch. Villanueva could have value if the Pistons are willing to take on a longer-term contract. It's more likely that the Pistons don't make a major deal and [interim coach John] Loyer said he made it clear that the postseason objective remains unchanged during his first meeting with the team after replacing [Mo] Cheeks last weekend.
Just about every Knick other than [Carmelo] Anthony or
