NBA Trade Rumors: Darren Collison And Ben McLemore To Cavs, Ricky Rubio To Kings, Iman Shumpert To Timberwolves In Three-Team Deal

The Cavaliers need a backup point guard, and Darren Collison would fill that role well. In addition, the Cavs would get Ben McLemore, a former high first-round pick who has not been able to blossom during his time with the Kings. Even if McLemore falters as the backup shooting guard, Cleveland also has Jordan McRae (who has had an outstanding preseason) and James Jones on the roster. Iman Shumpert would be missed if he is dealt to the Timberwolves, but this would be a good trade for Cleveland as they prepare to defend their 2016 NBA Championship.

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The Sacramento Kings have been in need of point guard help since former starter Rajon Rondo bolted for the Chicago Bulls. Ricky Rubio has his flaws, but he is likely to be a more impactful player than Darren Collison. The Kings have solid depth at shooting guard (Garrett Temple and rookie Malachi Richardson backing up starter Arron Afflalo), so frankly speaking, Ben McLemore is expendable. This deal works well for the Cavs, and it is also a "plus" trade for Sacramento. Will the Minnesota Timberwolves make or break this potential transaction?

For Minnesota, this is essentially a one-for-one swap of point guard Ricky Rubio for shooting guard Iman Shumpert. Shumpert is a very good defensive player and a solid guy to have coming off a team's bench, but Rubio has more overall trade value than Shumpert, even considering Rubio's shooting woes (he has an anemic career shooting mark of 36.8 percent from the field). Teams typically won't make a deal for a player of lesser value, but there are exceptions, and this may be one of them.

NBA trade rumors are making the rounds that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves are immersed in trade talks. The rumored scenario would be a good move for the Cavs, and it would also improve the Kings' lineup if the trade takes place. The Timberwolves wouldn't quite be getting equal value as this proposed deal is structured, but given Minnesota's "big picture" goals, it is very possible the team would go along with this three-team, four-player trade. Do you agree that there is enough benefit to all three teams that this NBA trade rumor could become confirmed news in the coming days?

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