After NBA free agency has passed the trade rumors heat up as the teams try to plug their holes.
The salary cap spike brought about a record number of teams with cap space which hampered the trades a bit, but there are still teams with definite roster needs.
The Philadelphia 76ers is looking for a go-to scorer with veteran talent and leadership. They did not get to address much in free agency and now they're seeking trades.
Even a week before the draft, the Philadelphia 76ers were already shopping Jahlil Okafor, last year's no.3 overall pick. They wanted to get the no.3 pick in this year's draft from the Celtics but they declined. It seems like not too many teams in the league still want to acquire old-school, post up centers like the former Duke Blue Devil.
The Washington Wizards are seeking frontcourt help and Okafor could be the key. It's likely that the two teams have discussed something, as J.Michael of CSN Mid Atlantic tweeted.
However, the Wizards may not have the player that the Sixers are looking for-someone like Rudy Gay which the Sacramento Kings have placed on the market. Team site The Sixer Sense has suggested Gay for their team. "Gay, who was a member of the All-Rookie first-team in his first season, continues to pump out productive numbers, despite his age (29 years old)." If the trade has Okafor going to the Washington Wizards and Gay going to the Sixers, what can the Wizards offer the Kings who are reportedly asking for real assets they can use.
The Washington Wizards may offer some of their young swingmen, either Otto Porter or Kelly Oubre. Both layers are young and athletic but the Kings could prefer Oubre as Porter is nearing restricted free agency.
Based on previous reports, the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers had interest in trading for Gay, but both failed to offer a package that the Kings had liked. The Pacers were said to offer Monta Ellis and pundits thought that the swap made sense for both sides, but the Kings shut it down.
The Kings have not been clear on what they want for the players they placed on the block. Aside from Gay, shooting guard Ben McLemore and center Kosta Koufos are also being shopped.