The NBA trade rumors continue during opening night as the experts predict the players most likely to move.
One of the more reliable sources on ESPN, Marc Stein has listed some bold predictions for the season. No list would be complete without speculating on trades.
Stein kept it safe by picking some familiar names on the rumor mill but teams have become more prudent with blockbuster trades involving superstars lately, unless the player is an expiring contract (see Derrick Rose). He identified Rudy Gay of the Sacramento Kings, Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers and Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves as "established names we expect to be dealt."
Noel is the youngest of this group and the Sixers have publicly declared their intention to trade one (or more) of their two young centers (Noel and Jahlil Okafor) to give way to the debut of Joel Embiid.
Embiid, a standout from Kansas, was highly regarded when coming out of his lone college season but was marred by injuries. After spending two full seasons to recuperate, he has made quite an impression in a losing contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder as he logged in 20 points in 22 minutes of playing time.
With Embiid likely to be the Sixers' top center, it prompts the team to trade one of the other two slotmen. Noel has also declared his dissatisfaction with the team's roster logjam and it's only logical that he's the one to go.
The Boston Celtics are perceived as the team most likely to trade for a center. SB Nation's The Celtics Blog already made a suggestion to trade Kelly Olynyk for the defensive big man from Kentucky. They reason that they already have a star big man in Al Horford, but since Horford is versatile enough to switch to the four position, Noel can complement him on the roster.
Rudy Gay went public with his criticism of the Sacramento Kings management and the feeling seems mutual as the Kings placed him on the trading block. In contrast, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem hesitant to deal Ricky Rubio just yet. They are rumored to have tested the market for Tyus Jones but in the event that Jones doesn't elicit a rich return, Rubio might be the price they have to pay.
The best trade situation for Gay and Rubio is for them to switch places. Both teams need veteran help but the Kings have no real starting point guard as yet while the Timberwolves have been looking for more consistent (read: veteran) wing players. A Gay-Rubio swap looks good on paper, but the respective teams' decision makers may see it differently.