Phoenix's star point guard could be on the move while new Kings coach George Karl may shake up the roster.
With word going around that Phoenix might be willing to part with Goran Dragic for a first-round pick, the Houston Rockets are showing increased interest in reacquiring the 28-year-old guard, per ESPN's Marc Stein.
This summer, Dragic is expected to decline his $7.5 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent, and Phoenix is feeling increased pressure that it could lose him without compensation if it doesn't move him before Thursday's trade deadline. Dragic is considered by most to be the team's best player, but he seems more and more like the odd man out in Phoenix's three point guard rotation because Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas are both under long-term contracts.
Dragic has history in Houston after Phoenix traded him there in 2011, only to sign back with the Suns in 2012. Even with the increased rumors, though, Ethan Rothstein at The Dream Shake wonders if any trade package will be good enough to convince the Suns to pull the trigger.
Color me very skeptical that this deal gets done, however. I think the Suns hold onto him unless they get an offer they can't refuse, and I don't think anything but D-Mo the first-rounder and maybe a second rounder gets it done, and even then, it might not do the trick.
Still, it's fun to dream, and this is the first report we've heard in a while that the Suns are still at least looking at moving the Dragon.
Stein also reports that the Lakers are planning to offer Dragic a max contract this summer when he does reach free agency.
George Karl could shake up the Kings roster
With Karlofficially on board in Sacramento, the Kings may be poised to make some changes before the trade deadline hits next week. Karl favors an up-tempo, athletic style and the Kings, while light on assets, could attempt to tweak the roster more to his liking.
Putting a more versatile power forward next to star DeMarcus Cousins is the main thing Sacramento will look to address, according to Sporting News. Jason Thompson hasn't quite cut it as a starter, averaging 5.6 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Since the Kings don't have a first-round pick to trade, the likely package they could offer would be Thompson, Derrick Williams and last year's first-round pick, Nik Stauskas.
Milwaukee's Ersan Ilyasova is a possible stretch forward candidate, but if the Bucks and Kings can't find an agreement, Sacramento may look to deal with Denver, Karl's former team. Sactown Royalty has some interest in the idea of Arron Afflalo joining the Kings.
As such, even if the Kings don't trade for Afflalo this week, he could be a player that they give a serious look at this offseason if he is a free agent. He'd be a big upgrade to a team that is lacking shooting (he's a career 38.4% three point shooter and had two years above 40% with Karl) and depth.
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There's almost certainly going to be a trade or two for this team before Karl coaches his first game on Feb. 20th, and acquiring a guy like Afflalo would probably be a bigger splash than most people are expecting. Still, this team could use a veteran player like him, and if Sacramento does better than expected over these last 30 games, they could have a good opportunity to re-sign him this summer.
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Heat and Wizards have interest in Jameer Nelson
Nelson has now played for three NBA teams in less than two months since being traded for Rajon Rondo in December. He could be headed to his fourth before next Thursday's trade deadline, as both Washington and Miami are rumored to have interest in the 33-year-old point guard.
Nelson started in Dallas and was underwhelming, but not terrible. In 11 games with Denver, he's scoring nine points and dishing 4.5 assists per game. While he's not a starter on a playoff team, he could definitely provide depth to a team in the hunt.
Bullets Forever looked at the rumor and concluded that a DeJuan Blair trade is plausible:
The Nelson-for-Blair trade seems like the only scenario that would make sense for the Wizards. Given Blair's struggles in Washington this year, it might be a move that both he and the Wizards would welcome. Plus, it would allow the Wizards to shore up their guard depth with another ball-handler, and at the same time keep a roster spot open to address another need, if they so chose.
Trail Blazers still actively looking to improve roster
Portland still has interest in making a trade with Denver (likely for Afflalo or Wilson Chandler) or acquiring a free agent big man, either current free agent Jermaine O'Neal or possible buyout candidateAmar'e Stoudemire.
O'Neal has been a candidate to sign with Dallas for some time now because he and his family live there, while it was reported the Mavericks are also favorites for Stoudemire should he hit the open market. Dallas has said it'd be interested in signing both veterans, but there's still time for Portland to get in the mix on one or the other.