NBA Rumors: Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, DeMarcus Cousins, And The Orlando Magic
NBA rumors continue circling as the season has moved past the quarter marker.
Some teams are hoping that injuries get them over the hump. Other franchises are looking for answers via trade rumors.
Check out some of the last NBA buzz and rumors.
Derrick Rose
.@drose: “I feel good. I feel like it’s a go.” #Knicks
[? https://t.co/oLcnPOH8LM] pic.twitter.com/ghC9VOOnTa
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 11, 2016
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose will play tonight versus the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports. Rose told Los Angeles reporters that there was nothing wrong with his back anymore.
Rose had an MRI of his back, earlier this week, that revealed no structural damage. The news comes at a good time for New York. There has been lots of headlines surrounding the relationship between New York Knicks executive Phil Jackson and star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Nonetheless, Rose has missed 228 games over the past five seasons. He has only missed a few games this season, and he appeared in 66 games last season. The 2010-11 regular season MVP is a free agent after this season. This is Rose’s first season as a Knick.
Rose said he understands the Knicks’ caution, per Hoops Rumors. Rose said it is cool if the team waits for extension talks until the end of the season. He said he is not worried about the money, and it is in the organization’s hands.
Therefore, it is important that Rose returns before missing any more time. Rose earns $21.23 million in the final year of his five-year, $94 million contract.
The Bulls play the Los Angeles Lakers at 6;30 p.m. PST.
Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel is expected to make his season debut Sunday. https://t.co/3zDAbnqt0E pic.twitter.com/BTy4tSqXdx
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 11, 2016
Nerlens Noel, 76ers forward, should also return to the lineup. Noel has not played in a game this season due to an October knee procedure.
Head coach Brett Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Noel could play as soon as Sunday, per Sports Illustrated. Brown said Noel could impact the team all over the place. Players like Dario Saric, Joel Embiid, and Jahlil Okafor could lose playing time. Brown described Noel’s return as a ripple effect on the design of the team.
Regardless, Noel’s health concerns have not kept him out of multiple NBA rumors this year. His return to Philadelphia has also been rumored multiple times.
Still, Embiid is not playing versus the Detroit Pistons. Therefore, this is a good opportunity for Noel’s return.
Noel, 22, finishes his rookie deal after the 2017 season. His current salary is $4.39 million for the 2016-17 season, according to Spotrac.com. Noel averages 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in 142 career games.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Noel play the Detroit Pistons on Sunday at 6 p.m. EST.
The Orlando Magic
Magic erupt for a season-high 65 first-half points. ? pic.twitter.com/xjE1oZJyia
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 7, 2016
NBA rumors surfaced that the Orlando Magic could become buyers in the trade market, according to Bleacher Report.
Further, the Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins reported that the team could look to add a scorer from the trade market. He also said the scoring need should not surprise anyone.
Added, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey writes that Orlando is in NBA purgatory. Hence, trading assets for a proven scorer might not do anything but give the Magic a low playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Bailey wrote that adding another player in the NBA Draft should trump the Magic’s quest for a playoff berth.
The Magic are 10-15 for this season, and they sit at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference.
DeMarcus Cousins
"I'd be worried if nobody wanted me." – DeMarcus Cousins on the trade speculations pic.twitter.com/P6YCNOsfXG
— Ballers Hype (@BallersHype) December 10, 2016
Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins is averaging 28.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game in 2016-17. However, that has not kept his name from circling in NBA rumors.
Bailey wrote that the Kings should consider trading Cousins because Sacramento has never won with him. Cousins and the Kings have not won more than 33 games since the two came together seven seasons ago.
Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard sad the team will keep him until the trade deadline. If the team is competitive, they would prefer to keep Cousins. However, another losing season could help the Kings net a large haul for their rebuilding efforts.
Stay tuned for updates on Cousins and many other NBA rumors.
[Featured Image by Lynne Sladky/AP Images]