The NBA trade deadline is just over a month away, and trade talks have already begun surrounding impact players.
One of those players happens to be Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons have been in talks with multiple teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, regarding Drummond. The Hawks have discussed a trade package that includes a 2020 first-round pick and other pieces.
The Pistons are preparing for Drummond to decline his $29 million option for the 2020-21 season. Pistons owner Tom Gores has been an advocate for the 26-year-old, but the organization could use Drummond as a trade asset to create salary cap flexibility. The Pistons committed $76 million to Blake Griffin over the next two seasons and with his history of injuries, trading away the former dunk champion could be a bit of a struggle.
The Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Dallas Mavericks have also emerged as a potential landing spot for the big man.
The Golden State Warriors have listened to inquiries on Glen Robinson III and Alec Burks. The Warriors insist that D’Angelo Russell is not on the trade block as they would like to see Russell, Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson suit up together. The Warriors have been reported to be monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns, but according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Minnesota Timberwolves are building everything around Towns. The 24-year-old is in the first year of his $190 million dollar contract. The Wolves are off to a 12-20 start after reaching the playoffs in 2018.
Kyle Kuzma was one of the young core players that the Los Angeles Lakers did not have to include in their package deal when they sent Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and a bevy of draft picks. Lakers management believed that they had their new big three with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Kuzma. Now, it appears that the Lakers are now open to listen to offers for the former Utah Ute. The third-year player is averaging 16.6 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds and shooting above 33 percent from beyond the arc.
Kuzma started the season with a left foot injury he suffered competing for the United States team which set him behind. Coming off the bench as the Lakers’ sixth man has not been working out for a franchise chasing an NBA championship. One night, Kuzma will go off for 27 points, and the following game, he will only record six. The inconsistency in production has led the Lakers to start listening to offers. Kuzma is owed just $8 million over the next two seasons which is cheap. While Kuzma might not be dealt before the Feb. 6 deadline, look for his name to pop up again during the NBA offseason as a candidate. It truly all depends on how the Lakers value the versatile wing player and if they can receive a package in return that they deem as better.
As more rumors and trade talk occurs, make sure to check back in as we will have you covered.
One Response