With the NBA Trade deadline approaching in a few weeks, Boston Celtics might make its next big move. The latest in the NBA trade rumors is New York Nicks' Carmelo Anthony. NBA insiders also reveal the details on what might be the team's latest deal with Orlando Magic, which might involve big men like Nikola Vucevic and Serge Ibaka.
Celtics just stashed what could be Top 3 picks in the next two drafts -- center Ante Zizic and forward Guerschon Yabusele. "They did a nice job of getting guys they could develop, and if you know you can't get the big picks they have this year or next year, the players they took last year, that is where you can get a lot of value," a general manager told Sporting News.
Despite his size, the manager described Zizic to be very athletic with good footwork and defensive. Meanwhile, Yabusele was the No.16 pick last season. He formerly teamed up with NBA lottery pick Jimmer Fredette and was recorded as the team's second-highest scorer with an average of 21.1 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Meanwhile, according to Inquisitr, it is easy to acquire Ibaka and Vucevic from the Magics. Ibaka is already in his final year of the contract with the team with a salary of $12.25 million for the 2016-17 NBA season. Vucevic, on the other hand, has two more years left on a deal of $12.75 million in the 2018-19 NBA season. The report added that the salaries of these two are extremely affordable and a team could easily strike a deal with the right offer.
Also in the center of NBA trade rumors is New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony. His name is linked to many teams including Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. A report from Boston Globe reveals Celtics as one of the front-runners in acquiring Anthony. It explained that the Celtics need to improve rebounding and defense and Anthony would be perfect for that.
In an interview with the New York Post, Anthony said his family might be a factor that would stop him if a deal really does materialize from the rumored teams. He said that his son is comfortable with New York. Leaving the city would mean leaving friends for his son and leaving work for his wife. "That's more about what I care about,'' he said.
The Boston Globe report further revealed that Anthony would be willing to accept a Celtics deal even if it is a trade from a rival team, however, the player said he hasn't told the Knicks management anything like that. "Every day is a new team and, 'Melo said this, Melo said that.' Melo hasn't said anything yet. That's what I will say: Melo hasn't said anything."
With the Knicks' current situation, it was reported that Jackson and GM Steve Mills are currently investigating potential landing spots for Anthony. The player said he would follow the direction the team wants to go. "It's more so what direction the organization wants to go. If they feel like they want to go in a different direction, and rebuild and start fresh, that's something I will consider,' he added. This might mean the NBA trade rumor about a Celtics deal is off the table.
