As we approach the official trade deadline (March 25, 3 p.m. ET), kFollow the latest rumors around the NBA – and the latest deals that have been made – as the deadline approaches.
Report: Gordon asks Magic for a trade
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has apparently asked to be moved from the only NBA team he has ever known, per Athletic’s Jared Weiss and Sam Amick. The former No.4 pick in the 2014 draft is averaging 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Magic this season, but was hampered by injuries in 2020-21. Josh Robbins and Kelly Iko of The Athletic report that the Houston Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring Gordon. Overall, Gordon has played 426 career NBA games, all with the Magic, and he ranks in the franchise’s top 10 for rebounds, blocks and games played.
The Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic have discussed a trade that would bring Aaron Gordon to Houston. @KellyIkoNBA and I break down all the aspects of a potential trade. @TheAthleticNBA has a sale for new subscribers at $ 1 / month via the link below.
– Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) March 22, 2021
Aaron Gordon has officially requested an Orlando Magic trade, sources say @sam_amick & I. A deep dive into its commercial market, the Celtics’ pursuit of John Collins and how Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic might be involved.
NEW @TheAthleticNBA https://t.co/5PEqOav4DA
– Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 22, 2021
– 10:29 am
What will Heat do with its trade exception?
By acquiring Andre Iguodala from the Memphis Grizzlies last season, the Miami Heat also received a $ 7.5 million trade exception that expires at 11:59 p.m. today. (To see what business exceptions are and why they matter, see this page.) Anthony Chiang of Miami herald points out that one player the Heat could watch with that exception is Sacramento Kings swingman Nemanja Bjelica. However, in trading for Trevor Ariza last week (as part of the Meyers Leonard airdrop), Miami went from around $ 8 million from the luxury tax line to $ 5.4 million. at about $ 5.4 million below the luxury tax line.
– 9:33 a.m.
Bulls can be in the market for a ringleader
The Chicago Bulls are No.10 in the Eastern Conference, which puts them in the mix for the Play-In tournament and a chance for the team’s first playoff spot since 2017. However, Chicago could look to improve its playmaker situation for the stretch race, writes Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times, and discussions of potential transactions involving back-up guard Tomas Satoransky were raised. There is also talk of the Bulls being interested in New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, but most of that has been rumored variety.
Transaction deadline tools: