Rumor: Paul Pierce, Avery Bradley for Eric Gordon
Here’s a whopper of a trade rumor, courtesy of New Orleans Pelicans blogger Michael McNamara:
Just heard strange rumor from EC source: Celtics talking about possibility of Pierce and Bradley for Eric Gordon.
Pierce’s contract is only partially guaranteed. Best case scenario: Pelicans can move Pierce for something. Worst case: Buy him out for Five million and have even more cap space this summer plus the young perimeter defender they crave in Bradley. Interesting
Apparently Celtics discussing a handful of scenarios regarding Pierce. Would rather get something as opposed to buying him out
To be clear, if somehow this deal did go down, Pierce would never play for the Pelicans. Would be moved or bought out
About 90% of Celtics fans are disgusted with this idea even being discussed. Cant say I blame them. Pelicans fans about 80% in favor.
My initial reaction to this rumor is… NO.
Eric Gordon may be a young (24), high-scoring (17 ppg) guard, but his injury history is frightening.
Check ou…
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Stephen A. Smith Starts Ridiculous KG, Pierce and Doc to Clippers Trade Rumor
There is no need to fret about the futures of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the Boston Celtics, because Stephen A. Smith already knows what is about to happen. The ESPN analyst can also clue you in on the future of coach Doc Rivers in Boston and those of Eric Bledsoe, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler with the Los Angeles Clippers.
While on ESPN’s First Take, Smith spoke of a trade rumor that had been discussed between the Celtics and Clippers. And when I pen “discussed,” I really mean this is a rumor Smith more likely manufactured himself (via Kurt Heilin of NBC Sports’ ProBasketballTalk):
The proposal allegedly being discussed was Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Clippers for Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler. Then Doc Rivers would walk away from the Celtics this summer and sign on to coach the Clippers in place of a canned Vinny Del Negro.
Forgive me for indulging in the absurd, but I simply could not resist.
Few things make less sense than this potential accord would, and Smith himself knows it. He has already elected to play the “anything can happen” card.
When someone says that, it usually means they are hurling Jello at the wall and hoping it sticks. This batch of gelatin will not, because we are smarter than that.
I have no doubt that Garnett would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Clippers if Pierce was still by his side. I also still believe that Chris Paul would welcome the opportunity to play alongside KG.
I sincerely doubt that this “rumor” holds any validity, though.
As injury prone as Griffin is, why would the Clippers ship out a top-15 superstar—along with two other young talents—for a pair of aging stars on the wrong side of 35? Do they hate Jordan that much?
No disrespect to Pierce and Garnett, but Los Angeles could (likely) fetch a far more appealing package if it is dangling Bledsoe and Jordan in the same deal.
And why, all of a sudden, is Rivers leaving Boston as well? Is he attached at the hip to Pierce and Garnett?
Puh-lease. Let’s be real. A startling concept, I know, but let’s try it.
The Celtics have already called this steaming pile of unfounded conjecture “absurd,” and Danny Ainge has made it clear that he expects Rivers to be back on the sidelines in Boston next season.
“From all I know, Doc will be back,” Ainge said (via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald).
Clearly, Ainge does not have the kind of access Smith does. Smith is so well connected that he knows about trades that Boston’s general manager doesn’t.
If that seems impossible, it’s because it is.
The futures of Garnett and Pierce in Boston are in doubt, and there could come a point where one, or both, is traded. One could even be sent to the Clippers (doubtful). If and when that time comes, though, the Celtics will (likely) not be landing Griffin of all people in return.
My apologies to Stephen A., but this one just isn’t going to work out in his favor. Such is the peril of using a chimerical crystal ball as a reputable source.
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Rumor: Paul Pierce is the key to getting Josh Smith
With less than 30 hours remaining until Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, trade chatter involving the Boston Celtics has been turned up a notch.
News that the Atlanta Hawks are “definitely” trying to move Smith this week surely brought a smile upon the faces of the Celtics’ brass. It’s been no secret that the 27-year-old forward has been a long-time target of the team.
But while the Smith to Boston rumor isn’t anything new, the inclusion of Paul Pierce to any such deal certainly is.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, a deal for Smith isn’t possible without No. 34:
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Monday that the Boston Celtics have, indeed, registered their interest on the Smith front, with the caveat that they also remain highly interested in the Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe.
Yet a Boston deal for Smith, sources said, would almost certainly have to be built around Paul Pierce, because Kevin Garnett isn’t waiving his no-trade clause to go to the Atlanta Hawks if he’s not willing …
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Lakers GM denies Dwight-for-Rondo trade rumor
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly engaged in preliminary trade discussions with the Boston Celtics in regard of players Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo, which Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak denied.
Ken Berger first reported
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Karl: I once made up trade rumor
Jason Whitney George Karl confessed that he once made up a fake trade rumor for his own amusement This is the time of year when players start to feel the heat of potentially being traded to another team. The rumors are usually relentless with social media, sports networks and sports blogs giving updated information on the proverbial rumor mill. Denver Nuggets head coach, George Karl once used this typical February chaos for his own amusement. Via The Plain Dealer: It’s that time of year in the NBA, just 11 days before the Feb. 21 trade deadline when an innocent question might develop into something further, and players everywhere are a little more on edge. Each game might be a player’s last for a team, and there’s no way to know who’s available. Karl, for one, said he is careful to assure his players at this time of year that there’s not much they can do, either way, so there’s no point in fretting. “There’s this solid anxiety to this period of time for players,” Karl said. “So, ho
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Pau Gasol trade rumor: Raptors wants the Lakers’ big, but LA’s interest in Andrea Bargnani debatable
The Toronto Raptors have already made a splash before the February 21 trade deadline, acquiring Rudy Gay and moving Jose Calderon. The Raptors could be poised for another move, making a play for Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Gasol is a player that the Raptors would plunge into “luxury-tax territory” to get:
“The Lakers’ interest in [Andrea] Bargnani remains a matter of debate in the
midst of the Italian’s worst-ever season by far, but the
not-for-public-consumption message that continues to emanate from Canada
is that Toronto remains intent on pursuing Gasol even after trading for
Gay.”
Not sure how much sense dealing Gasol makes for the Lakers this season with Dwight Howard injury prone and an impending free agent with no assurances that he’ll re-up in LA. Plus, why trade for the oft-injured Bargnani?
Raptors president Bryan Colangelo announced earlier this week that Andrea Bargnani is on t…
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NBA Rumor: Cleveland Cavaliers targeting summer of 2014, LeBron James
The whispers surrounding the worst kept secret amongst NBA circles are growing increasingly louder. While many fans wonder when the Cleveland Cavaliers will make a move to help win basketball games, it appears that the answer is the summer of 2014 when LeBron James can opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat. In his piece which was filed for the Sunday morning paper, Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes that it is almost consenus that Chris Grant and the Cavaliers are looking to bring James back to the Wine and Gold. “Executives and agents around the league are convinced the Cavaliers won’t do anything to jeopardize their ability to sign a free agent to a max contract during the summer of 2014, when LeBron James can again become a free agent,” writes Lloyd. ”As fans in Northeast Ohio continue to howl and remain divided about the possibility of his return, more and more people around the league believe there is a strong possibility James will indeed return to Cleveland …
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Lala Anthony responds to Honey Nut Cheerio rumor
When you’re a reality TV star and the wife of one of the top NBA players, it’s expected that at some point your name will end up in the rumor mill. This week, Lala Antony and Honey Nut Cheerios had the best week ever! Well, maybe not “best,” but if all press is good press [...]
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NBA Trade Rumor: Cavaliers, T-Wolves Talking Trade Involving Varejao
It’s being reported by Legion Sports (@MySportsLegion) that the Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are discussing a trade involving Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao as well as Minnesota forward Derrick Williams and center Nikola Pekovic.
Varejao, 30, is in his ninth year with the Cavaliers and is averaging 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds and a 22.08 PER this season in 25 games. He is under contract for up to two more seasons after this one. Andy has missed the team’s last nine games due to a bruised right knee. This is far from the first time that Varejao’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors this season.
Williams was the second pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, being selected immediately after Kyrie Irving. He is averaging 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds with a 15.64 PER in 26 games (9 starts) and 17.4 minutes per contest. He is a 6’8″, 21-year-old power forward out of Arizona that had similar numbers in more playing time last season. He would be under team control for at least three mo…
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Delonte West denies old rumor about LeBron James’ mom
The Mavericks guard says old rumor is “terrible in so many ways.”
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