We are less than one month away from the NBA trade deadline, which comes on Feb. 23 at 3:00 pm ET. As such, rumors are running rampant around the league as teams are trying to improve their rosters - or unload veterans for future assets. Check out the latest NBA trade news & rumors below.
Knicks, Bulls interested in Rubio
The Minnesota Timberwolves are actively shopping point guard Ricky Rubio, hoping to move him before the deadline to have rookie Kris Dunn take over as their unquestioned starting point guard. According to Sam Amico of Amicohoops.net, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks have expressed the strongest interest in making a deal for Rubio.
Chicago has grown unhappy with Rajon Rondo, who they have benched of late. New York is also unhappy with Derrick Rose, who will be a free agent this offseason and the Knicks want long-term stability at the position.
Rubio is averaging 7.9 points and 8.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game this season.
Bulls shopping Rondo, Mirotic
Their displeasure with Rondo has the Bulls shopping him, and they are also shopping forward Nikola Mirotic, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
According to multiple sources, the Bulls have been shopping guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic in hopes of bolstering the roster and making a second-half run in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
But one of the sources said neither player is generating the kind of return general manager Gar Forman wants.
‘‘Obviously, you knew that would be the case with Rondo,’’ the source said. ‘‘But [the Bulls] don’t like what they’re hearing back on [Mirotic], either. Then again, that’s a [front office] that tends to overvalue its assets.’’
Rondo is averaging just 6.5 points and 6.6 assists per game this season, while Mirotic is averaging 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Cavs targeting trio of point guards
LeBron James expressed his displeasure with the Cleveland Cavaliers' current roster and their need with another playmaker this week, and the front office has their sights set on adding a new backup point guard. According to Mitch Lawrence of Forbes.com, the Cavs are targeting a trio of point guards on the market, including Rondo.
For their thin backcourt, the Cavs have been looking to add Denver’s Jameer Nelson, Chicago’s Rajon Rondo or Dallas’ Deron Williams. Any of the three could help the Cavs. Nelson now is serving as Emmanuel Mudiay’s mentor, but could be dealt for the right price. Rondo, every coach's nightmare, is on the outs in Chicago and in a backup role since being demoted from his starting spot. Williams could be a buyout candidate for the 15-29 Mavs since this looks like a lottery season for Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki.
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