The 2015 NBA trade closes on February 15 and new developments surfaced regarding a number of key players.
Oregon Live reported that point guard Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns talked about his situation on February 18.
He told the media, "I don't trust them anymore. It happens too many times. Two, three times."
He added, "They give promises, OK. It's hard. But at the same time, I wish them all the best. They were great to me the past five years. I'm always going to have a good memory about Phoenix fans and the city. I just hit that point of my career that it's better for me and my family to move on."
He explained that he was not comfortable playing with two other point guards in the team, namely Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. He expressed through his agent that he wanted to be traded to a trio or the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat or New York Knicks. The Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets were reportedly also interested in acquiring Dragic, based on the same report by Oregon Live.
SB Nation reported that Lance Stephenson expressed his interest in playing for the Brooklyn Nets. However, the feeling isn't mutual as Nets reportedly are not as interested in him. Stephenson is said to have issues with coach Steve Clifford. When Mason Plumlee opened the idea to the Nets to get Stephenson, general manager Billy King shot down the idea, saying that he doubts that the shooting guard would complement the team well.
In another Oregon Live report, the Portland Trail Blazers are said to be hustling to acquire Arron Afflalo from the Denver Nuggets. In return, the Nuggets will get a first round pick. Two other teams, the OKC Thunder and Sacramento Kings, are also said to be interested in acquiring the shooting guard. Afflalo averaged 14.5 points, 1.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game in the current season.
USA Today wrote that Enes Kanter expressed his desire to leave the Utah Jazz but might not transfer until July 2015 when he becomes a restricted free agent. The Milwaukee Bucks are said to be interested in acquiring the center. The Bucks are reportedly deciding whether to buy Larry Sanders out of his contract.
In the same USA Today report, the OKC Thunder were also said to be prepared to trade Reggie Jackson. The Thunder are looking to see what other NBA teams may be willing to offer for the guard.