NBA Trade Rumors: Lowry, Heat, DeRozan, Knicks, Fournier, Wizards

There’s a “growing sense” that Miami will end up with LaMarcus Aldridge and either Kyle Lowry or Victor Oladipo at this year’s trade deadline, Matt Moore of The Action Network relays.

As we reported earlier in the month, Miami is a frontrunner for Aldridge, who remains on the sidelines with the Spurs. It’s no secret that the Heat are looking to pair Bam Adebayo with a traditional big man. Agreeing to a buyout may be the route that gets the former All-Star to Miami.

The Heat are pursuing Lowry “harder” than anyone in the league, including the Sixers and Clippers (who both still have interest), Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes. Sources tell O’Connor that Miami is Lowry’s preference due to his relationship with longtime friend Jimmy Butler.

The rumored package between the Heat and Raptors would see Goran Dragic head North and O’Connor hears that the Raptors would require either Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson to be included in order to pull the trigger (Herro is reportedly off the table in trade talks).

The Heat may prefer Lowry to Oladipo, though price plays a major role. There are rumblings that the Rockets may not find a glamorous package on the open market for the former No. 2 overall pick.

More NBA Trade Rumors

While Miami is in the lead for Aldridge, the Blazers remain a threat, sources tell O’Connor. It’s not clear whether Portland would add Aldridge via trade or on the buyout market.
The Spurs have discussed sending DeMar DeRozan to the Magic in exchange for Evan Fournier and a draft pick, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Both players will be free agents at the end of the season. Fischer adds that the Knicks are looking into DeRozan as a potential trade target. The Heat had interested in DeRozan, as we reported earlier on Tuesday, though they’ve moved on to other pursuits.
The Knicks would need to get assurance from Oladipo, who will be a free agent this summer, that he’d be willing to stick around long-term in order to swing a trade for him, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. New York isn’t interested in giving up assets for a rental (the same philosophy would presumable apply to DeRozan.
As we relayed on Monday, New York is among the teams that have spoken to the Pelicans about Lonzo Ball, and NBA journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson provides some details, tweeting that New York has floated the idea of sending Mitchell Robinson or Kevin Knox to New Orleans.
The Wizards aren’t seen as definite buyers or sellers heading into the deadline, Ava Wallace of The Washington Post writes. Outside of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, no Wizard is truly off-limits in trade talks, though Rui Hachimura approaches that status.
Aaron Gordon is likely to be traded before the deadline, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Gordon has been rumored as a Celtics’ target, though we heard that the two sides are currently far apart.