NBA Trade Rumors: DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol Coveted By Teams Before Deadline

Teams are interested in two of the NBA’s best centers ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. One can be had for the right price, while the other isn’t going anywhere.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that teams have inquired with the Memphis Grizzlies about Marc Gasol. DeAndre Jordan has been in trade rumors for weeks, and talks are heating up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

A Jordan trade would make sense for both L.A. and Cleveland. The Clippers won’t compete for a title this season, and Jordan might be on his way out of Los Angeles because he can decline his player option and hit free agency this summer. The Cavs desperately need to make an addition if they want any chance of winning a championship, and making it to a fourth straight NBA Finals is far from a guarantee.

The Cavaliers have valuable draft picks for the first time in a few years, and they can acquire Jordan without giving up one of their best players. Cleveland, however, doesn’t want to part with the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick, which currently sits in the top 10 of the 2018 draft. The Cavaliers have offered their own first-rounder to the Clippers, but Los Angeles wants the higher selection.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a deal can’t get done. Wojnarowski has reported that the two sides are attempting to add a third team that might help facilitate a trade.

Jordan is averaging 11.5 points per game and leading the team with 14.9 rebounds per game. The Clippers are a half-game out of the playoffs on the day of the trade deadline.

Gasol would be a difference-maker at center for Cleveland, though Memphis won’t be sending him to the Cavs. According to Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies have refused to even discuss a trade involving Gasol.

It’s somewhat confusing why Memphis wouldn’t at least consider trading the center in the right deal. The Grizzlies are already out of the playoff race before the All-Star break, and it’s hard to imagine that they’d be able to compete with the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets next year. Gasol is 33 years old and owed nearly $50 million over the next two seasons.

Gasol is averaging 17.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this year. He won the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and was an All-Star a year ago.

Memphis has listened to trade offers for Tyreke Evans. The Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers have all inquired about the guard, though it might take a first-round pick to make a trade happen.

Evans will be a free agent next season. He’s putting up his best numbers since he was a rookie, averaging 19.5 point, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.