Insiders: Charlotte, Phoenix, Detroit, Houston, Cleveland expected to be buyers

[BleedGreen1989]

Some random items I compiled from www.basketballinsiders.com in the past day or two. This is all obviously just winter chatter so take it for what it is.

The Suns are definitely looking to be buyers at the deadline. Their picks and the Emeka Okafor contract, which they intend to trade, means that they have to be considered when talking about some of the top players who could be moved at the deadline.

Jeff Green is an interesting one too, especially since Ryan McDonough worked in the Boston Celtics organization for so long before taking over as the Suns general manager.

I’ve heard from rival executives that the Bobcats are going to be buyers at the deadline. This is an organization that is tired of losing games and they’d love to make the playoffs this year

General manager Joe Dumars—who's working under both an expiring contract and a playoff edict from his boss—can't afford to waive the white flag.

Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News gave the team a "better than 75 percent" chance of making a trade.

History tells us the Cavs will be active at the trading deadline, especially if the team doesn’t show some significant improvement soon. They have not given up on their goal of making the playoffs, but it’s unclear if this team, as constituted, can achieve that.

In addition, Dan Gilbert has shown a willingness to spend the money to make this team better

Daryl Morey:“We’re valuing now and this season much higher than we have in the past. We feel like, while maybe not the favorite, we have a legit chance to win the title this year. So if an opportunity presents itself to get a lot better this year, we’ll do it. We’ll give up some future for now.

And the Rondo saga continues...

Ben Rohrbach: Ainge says teams are hoping to land Rondo at a bargain. Certainly didn't rule out dealing him. "I don't think there's anything serious yet."

There's also this cool little tidbit...

Who gets back to the finals first Nets, Lakers, Knicks or Celtics.
 
Alex Kennedy: I’ll go with the Celtics. They embraced rebuilding and have done a great job of stockpiling draft picks. Either they’ll be able to flip those picks for good players or they’ll be able to draft talented pieces in the coming years. I like what Boston has done.

[PhoSita]

Green would be a good fit in Detroit or Charlotte.

[Evantime34]

I think the Bobcats would be a good trading partner for us. I think Bass, Humphries and Green could all come in and start for them immediately. I would want picks MKG or Biyombo for him but I would settle for Ben Gordon's expiring.

I am curious to see what Dumars does

[indeedproceed]

Way to put together the press release BG! TP for readability.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Hopefully ainge is able to pick up another first rounder this year.

[Donoghus]

Music to your ears if you're hoping for Boston to be a seller.

Hopefully, a flood of buyers creates better deals on the Celtics part if they decide to shop Bass, Hump, Green, etc..

[D.o.s.]

Innnnteresting.

[BleedGreen1989]

Way to put together the press release BG! TP for readability.

Appreciated.

[PhoSita]

I think the Bobcats would be a good trading partner for us. I think Bass, Humphries and Green could all come in and start for them immediately. I would want picks MKG or Biyombo for him but I would settle for Ben Gordon's expiring.

I am curious to see what Dumars does

I wonder if there could be a deal along the lines of Green + Bass (or Humphries) for MKG and Ben Gordon's expiring.

I'd be willing to throw in the LAC 2015 1st if we could get MKG in return.  Forget the first and swap MKG for Biyombo and I think I could get behind that idea, too.

[BleedGreen1989]

Ironically, I think all teams are great fits for Jeff Green. I'm not hell-bent on trading Green, but all 4 teams make sense.

Regarding Charlotte, I wonder if they'd give up already on Cody Zeller? Or if Ainge would even want him?

Been putrid in his first year, averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds. Shooting 37% as a 7 footer makes you want to reach for a barf-bag.

[Evantime34]

I think the Bobcats would be a good trading partner for us. I think Bass, Humphries and Green could all come in and start for them immediately. I would want picks MKG or Biyombo for him but I would settle for Ben Gordon's expiring.

I am curious to see what Dumars does

I wonder if there could be a deal along the lines of Green + Bass (or Humphries) for MKG and Ben Gordon's expiring.

I'd be willing to throw in the LAC 2015 1st if we could get MKG in return.  Forget the first and swap MKG for Biyombo and I think I could get behind that idea, too.

I'd be happy with either of those deals.

MKG and Bradley would bring all kinds of energy to the team. It would hurt our scoring now but long term it would be a great move.

[Donoghus]

I think the Bobcats would be a good trading partner for us. I think Bass, Humphries and Green could all come in and start for them immediately. I would want picks MKG or Biyombo for him but I would settle for Ben Gordon's expiring.

I am curious to see what Dumars does

I wonder if there could be a deal along the lines of Green + Bass (or Humphries) for MKG and Ben Gordon's expiring.

I'd be willing to throw in the LAC 2015 1st if we could get MKG in return.  Forget the first and swap MKG for Biyombo and I think I could get behind that idea, too.

I'd be happy with either of those deals.

MKG and Bradley would bring all kinds of energy to the team. It would hurt our scoring now but long term it would be a great move.

It wouldn't help this team's offensive woes at all, though.

Rondo/Bradley/MKG would drive scoring enthusiasts nuts.

[Boris Badenov]

Way to put together the press release BG! TP for readability.

Appreciated.

Same here, BG - great job. TP.

[pearljammer10]

Ironically, I think all teams are great fits for Jeff Green. I'm not hell-bent on trading Green, but all 4 teams make sense.

Regarding Charlotte, I wonder if they'd give up already on Cody Zeller? Or if Ainge would even want him?

Been putrid in his first year, averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds. Shooting 37% as a 7 footer makes you want to reach for a barf-bag.

Yeah this was my thought too. All four teams could make sense for Jeff Green.

Houston, Suns, Charlotte, Detroit...I would them in that order of most likely to trade for.

[PhoSita]

I think the Bobcats would be a good trading partner for us. I think Bass, Humphries and Green could all come in and start for them immediately. I would want picks MKG or Biyombo for him but I would settle for Ben Gordon's expiring.

I am curious to see what Dumars does

I wonder if there could be a deal along the lines of Green + Bass (or Humphries) for MKG and Ben Gordon's expiring.

I'd be willing to throw in the LAC 2015 1st if we could get MKG in return.  Forget the first and swap MKG for Biyombo and I think I could get behind that idea, too.

I'd be happy with either of those deals.

MKG and Bradley would bring all kinds of energy to the team. It would hurt our scoring now but long term it would be a great move.

It wouldn't help this team's offensive woes at all, though.

Rondo/Bradley/MKG would drive scoring enthusiasts nuts.

Yeah, well obviously it wouldn't be a move to make the team better right now.  I believe MKG will be a better all around player in the future than Green, though.

I think the Celtics are going to have to find an answer to their lack of high-level scorers in the draft this year, or perhaps via trade in the next year or two.