NBA Offseason Transactions 2014

July 4th, 2014

Toronto Raptors receive: G Diante Garret

Utah Jazz receive: F Steve Novak, future second round pick

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June 30th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets receive: 2015 second round pick, 2019 second round pick

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Head Coach Jason Kidd

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June 29th, 2014

Atlanta Hawks receive: G/F John Salmons, 2015 second round pick

Toronto Raptors receive: G Lou Williams, C Lucas Nogueira 

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June 26th, 2014 (Draft Night)

Chicago Bulls receive: F Doug McDermott, F Anthony Randolph

Denver Nuggets receive: C Jusuf Nurkic, G Gary Harris, 2015 second round pick

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Orlando Magic receive: G Elfrid Payton

Philadelphia 76ers receive: F Dario Saric, 2015 second round pick, 2017 first round pick

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Charlotte Hornets receive: G P.J. Hairston, G Semaj Christon, 2019 second round pick, cash

Miami Heat receive: G Shabazz Napier

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Memphis Grizzlies receive: F Jarnell Stokes

Utah Jazz receive: 2015 second round pick

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Atlanta Hawks receive: G Lamar Patterson 

Milwaukee Bucks receive: 2015 second round pick

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Los Angeles Lakers receive: G Jordan Clarkson

Washington Wizards receive: cash

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New Orleans Pelicans receive: G Russ Smith

Philadelphia 76ers receive: G Pierre Jackson

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Charlotte Hornets receive: cash

Oklahoma City Thunder receive: G Semaj Christon

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Indiana Pacers receive: cash

New York Knicks receive: PF/C Louis Labeyrie

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Philadelphia 76ers receive: G Jordan McRae, F Cory Jefferson

San Antonio Spurs receive: F Nemanja Dangubic

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Brooklyn Nets receive: G/F Markel Brown, G Xavier Thames, F Cory Jefferson

Minnesota Timberwolves receive: cash

Philadelphia 76ers receive: cash

Toronto Raptors receive: cash

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June 26th, 2014

Denver Nuggets receive: G/F Arron Afflalo

Orlando Magic receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2014 56th overall pick

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June 25th, 2014

New Orleans Pelicans receive: C Omer Asik, cash

Houston Rockets receive: 2015 first round pick

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June 25th, 2014 

Dallas Mavericks receive: C Tyson Chandler, G Raymond Felton

New York Knicks receive: G Jose Calderon, C Samuel Dalembert, G Wayne Ellington, G Shane Larkin, 2014 34th overall pick & 2014 51st overall pick

Why the LA Lakers should attempt to trade their 2014 lottery pick for Kevin Love

It is no secret that Kobe Bryant's championship window is closing as he heads into possibly the last contract of his career. With that in mind, the LA Lakers front office must decide this offseason whether drafting a young player and rebuilding through the draft is the direction to go. On the other hand, LA also has the luxury to be loaded with cap space this summer with only Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Robert Sacre under contract for the 2014-15 season. As a result, reloading via free agency is an option to consider.

One player who may become available is neither a draft prospect nor a free agent this summer. Although he has never publicly stated his desire to leave his team, multiple sources believe he will not resign once he becomes a free agent. He is Kevin Love, power forward of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kevin Love representing the Los Angeles Lakers seems like a destined fit and an opportunity the Lakers must pursue. Firstly, as a former UCLA Bruin, KLove would be returning home in addition to playing for the franchise his father Stan also played for. Love, only 25 would provide the Lakers with a secondary star and take some of the scoring load off of Kobe Bryant next season. The Lakers will have several options come summer time and trading away their 2014 lottery pick for Love may be the best decision for the franchise moving forward.

There may not be a franchise changing player in the 2014 NBA Draft

Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker (might return to Duke for sophomore year), Dante Exum among others may be available in this summer's highly anticipated draft. The huge question is whether these young studs will be able to adjust quickly to the NBA and make an immediate impact from day one. Embiid, for example is considered a red flag because of his recent back injury causing him to sit out the NCAA March Madness Tournament. As a young center, he has a relatively high ceiling, but the potential may be reached through a couple of seasons so do not be surprised to see Embiid be an ongoing project at first. Wiggins and Parker are insane athletes and have displayed a huge repertoire of nice moves in their freshmen year. On the other hand, when the stakes have been high, they have not performed as well and failed to lead their team to the next round. We can go on analyzing all the potential draftees and some may consider the 2014 draft to be over-hyped as landing a surefire franchise player is questionable. The talent in this draft is undeniably there, however it remains to be seen if any of these prospects have superstar status written on them.   

Acquiring Love puts Lakers back in win-now mode

As Kobe Bryant's career dawns, Lakers know they will need a successor soon if not now. Enter Kevin Love. A consistent double-double machine, Love can score from everywhere on the floor and grab a ton of boards every night. Sending away a lottery pick for the All-Star power forward would definitely send a win-now message to the rest of the league and the Lakers should do just that. LA has the benefit of being a big-market team with the ability to dive into the luxury tax year after year. In addition, we all know Laker fans are impatient about rebuilding, expecting the team to be a contender every season. Taking this into consideration, Lakers' TV ratings are down nearly 50% from last season and adding Love would definitely increase viewership for next year. Love is a unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2015 and there is no guarantee that he resigns with the Lakers if traded from Minny. However, Rajon Rondo, Paul Millsap, Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, Marc Gasol among others will be available in 2015 and Lakers could potentially lure one or more of these impact players depending on how they address their cap situation this summer. To simply put it, LA must embrace winning now rather than build for the future in Kobe's last chapter of his career.

Lakers could use acquisition of Love to attract other elite free agents to LA
Adding Kevin Love will take LA out of the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes this summer if they choose to enter. Despite losing out on Melo, there are still many second-tier free agents that are available and within the Lakers price tag. There are two scenarios that can allow the Lakers to maximize on cap space this summer. First renounce everyone but the young guys - you'll get cap holds on their roster spots regardless, so you keep the talent. The next thing is to decide whether you use the stretch provision on Steve Nash and carry the cap hit for the next three years. Per Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, here are the numbers:

Love is slated to earn $15,719,062 next season so if you keep Nash that's $54.11 million, against what could be a $62 million cap - so that's $7.88 million in usable space. If you stretch Nash that's $47.64 million, against what could be a $62 million cap - so that's $14.35 million in usable cap space.

Lakers could use the acquisition of Love to attract other elite free agents to Hollywood. They could attempt to pry restricted free agents Eric Bledsoe (PG), Isaiah Thomas (PG) or Greg Monroe (PF) away by overpaying them. Another option is to sign Luol Deng (SF) who is reported unhappy with the situation in Cleveland or find a way to obtain Lance Stephenson (SG/SF) or Kyle Lowry (PG) who are also unrestricted free agents. With the Lakers' current state of losing, they do not appear like a great destination, but factor in Kevin Love, a top 10 player in the association, LA can persuade other young-and-coming players to come to Tinseltown.

4 NBA Draft Prospects Who Boosted Or Maintained Their Stock In The 2nd Round Of March Madness

The NCAA March Madness tournament gives young prospects a chance to showcase their value on the biggest stage and prove they are ready for the NBA. After a 2nd Round (Round of 64) filled with upsets and surprises, we break down 4 NBA Draft prospects who have performed well early in this "Big Dance".

Adreian Payne (Michigan State) - Mid 1st/Late 1st
Payne displayed his versatility in Michigan State's rout over Delaware on Thursday. The 6'10" forward showed his inside and outside game finishing with a career high 41 points 8 rebounds and going 17-17 from the charity stripe in 24 minutes. The ability to be a stretch-4 and do work down low in the post will undoubtedly have teams calling for draft workouts. This massive performance has certainly boosted his draft stock and may just be what he needs to propel into lottery conversation.

Shapazz Napier (UConn) - Early 2nd/Mid 2nd
In an tight OT game with Saint Joseph's, Napier was able to lead the Huskies to victory with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. The Senior guard will definitely need another breakout performance against Villanova to advance to the Sweet 16 or even possibly sneak into the 1st round of the upcoming NBA draft. When UConn was hit with a postseason ban before the 2012-2013 season, the team was divided. Nonetheless, Napier has emerged as a silver lining who has helped the Huskies reach the postseason this year.

Doug McDermott (Creighton) - Late Lottery/ Mid 1st
Doug McDermott or "McBuckets" is an absolute college scoring sensation. The 6'8" forward out of Creighton dropped 30 points and added 12 rebounds in the win against La-Lafayette on Friday. On the other hand, scouts are still not entirely convinced that his scoring will translate into the NBA. McDermott can stretch the floor with his 3-point ability but the likeliest NBA scenario sees him being a solid role player. His consistent performances throughout the season have solidified his draft value so he will have no trouble landing in the 1st round.   

Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) - Lottery
Despite the loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Marcus Smart showed us why he is NBA ready and a definite lottery pick. In 38 minutes, Smart had 23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals, and a block. His turnovers (6) and efficiency (5-14 FG) remain glaring issues. However, his impact on both ends of the floor is undeniable and teams will certainly take a look at him.