With the Milwaukee Bucks capturing their first NBA Championship since the 1971 season, teams have begun their offseason process by engaging in general trade talks. With the NBA Draft taking place on July 29th, front offices have pivoted towards seeking out the availability of seasoned veterans ahead of the new campaign. Here, we discuss five impactful players who have been rumored to be on the trade block:
Honorable Mentions: Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield, Kyle Kuzma
Myles Turner (12.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.0 APG)
The Indiana Pacers have been seeking out trade packages involving Turner since last season, in which the team engaged in trade talks with the Boston Celtics surrounding Gordon Hayward. The narrative remains the same this offseason, as teams such as the Golden State Warriors have explored the possibility of dealing for the 25-year old.
Turner, who has averaged 10+ points per game across each of his first six NBA seasons, owns an $18 million cap hit in each of the next two years. Aside from the Warriors, interested teams include the Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Pascal Siakam (21.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.5 APG)
According to Bleacher Report, the Toronto Raptors have made Siakam available in trade talks this offseason. The team would depart from the 27-year old as part of a package deal that ultimately brings in another superstar. Players such as Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and CJ McCollum have been rumored suitors when it comes to trade targets for the Raptors.
Across five NBA seasons, Siakam has one All-Star nomination and Most Improved Player award. He was part of Toronto’s Championship run during the 2019 season. After inking a four-year, $136.9 million extension with the Raptors, Siakam still has three years remaining on his current deal.
Ben Simmons (14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.9 APG)
Despite not being premature in trade talks, the Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly explored the trade market for Ben Simmons this offseason. The team is only expected to deal away the 25-year old in return for a superstar of a similar caliber. While the Golden State Warriors have appeared interested at one point in time, the price tag set by Philadelphia was too high.
At this time, the following teams have shown interest in Simmons: Cleveland, Indiana, Minnesota, Sacramento and Toronto. There has been no traction on a deal at this time, as the front office is expected to remain patient and await the availability of talents such as Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal later in the offseason.
Russell Westbrook (22.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 11.7 APG)
Could the Washington Wizards be on the brink of a rebuild? According to the latest reports, the Los Angeles Lakers have explored the possibility of dealing for the nine-time All-Star. The Lakers, who were eliminated during the early stages of the 2021 Playoffs, are seeking an elite guard to take the playmaking pressure off of 36-year old LeBron James ahead of next season.
Westbrook, who has been a proven passer and scorer over the years, would maintain a high price tag in trade talks. Early trade rumors indicate Los Angeles may need to depart from Kyle Kuzma, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Dennis Schroder (sign-and-trade).
Bradley Beal (31.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.7 APG)
Among the top players on the trade market will be Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal. According to reports, Beal has been mulling his future with the Wizards over the last several weeks, and could request a trade ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft. If traded, Beal prefers joining a contending team such as the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers.
Beal, 28, finished second in the league in scoring and was 16th when it came to efficiency. His price tag is expected to remain costly for trade suitors, but if Washington endures a rebuild by departing from both Westbrook and Beal this offseason, then we could witness fireworks across the NBA.
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