NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 NBA Season: J.R. Smith to Timberwolves, Chris Bosh to Raptors, Carl Landry to Lakers
As the 2016-17 regular season draws near, the NBA rumor mill continues to sputter speculations and suggestions about what teams need to do with their players. There are a couple of NBA stars who haven't signed any contract yet; some due to health concerns, others due to unfinished negotiations with their former teams. There are veterans who are rumored to make a comeback to provide expert knowledge to younger teams.
The following are the latest NBA rumors for the 2016-17 NBA Season.
1. J.R. Smith to Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are rumored to be interested in getting a veteran player to their team of young talents. These veterans include Rasual Butler, Dorrell Wright and J.R. Smith.
Minnesota's biggest acquisition during the off-season is Kris Dunn; a rookie who many say will win the rookie of the year award by the end of the 2016-17 regular season. The team also got a new head coach in Tom Thibodeau.
The Timberwolves can use a new wing player that is ideally a great three-point shooter. Last season, Minnesota only shot 5.5 out of 16.4 3-point shots per game, and had only one real long range threat in Zach Lavigne.
While the newly acquired Brandon Rush can improve the Timberwolves' outside shooting, having J.R. Smith would take the team to new heights. J.R. Smith averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last season, on 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
LeBron James wants Smith back with the Cavaliers, but so far, the shooting guard hasn't signed any contract yet. Aside from the Timberwolves, the Nuggets and the Nets are also purportedly interested in getting Smith.
2. Chris Bosh to Toronto Raptors
One of the latest NBA rumors report that Chris Bosh may be returning to the team he spent his first seven seasons in the NBA with: the Toronto Raptors.
According to Chat Sports Net, a possible scenario that involves a Miami Heat Toronto Raptors trade is this: Chris Bosh will go to the Toronto Raptors while the Miami Heat gets Patrick Patterson, Jared Sullinger and Terrence Ross.
Bosh isn't cleared to play yet because of blood clotting health problems, but videos have surfaced about him practicing on the court. That's typically a good sign.
If Bosh can stay healthy, a Raptors lineup consisting of DeMar Derozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Lowry and Chris Bosh is formidable enough to match, if not surpass, the strengths of the reigning NBA champs Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bosh averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season.
3. Carl Landry to the Los Angeles Lakers
According to Yibada, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in getting Carl Landry, a former Sixers big man.
Landry averaged 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds last season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
At first glance, though, this addition doesn't seem to make sense for the Lakers, given that the team already has a couple of solid front court players. These include Julius Randle and flashy dunker Larry Nance, Jr. Both players are said to take most of the minutes in the frontcourt, and the Lakers even signed Yi Jianlian, another talented 4-man.
If the Lakers decide to sign Landry, he will probably earn the veteran's minimum and serve as backup power forward in case the other forwards can't play.
