NBA Trade Rumors 2013: Thaddeus Young, Marcin Gortat Could Be Traded Before Start of the Season

NBA Free Agency might be cooling down a bit with all the marquee names already taken off the market. Nevertheless, the trading floor is still expected to generate some buzz in the coming weeks with a couple of solid players likely on the move before training camp. 

Bleacher Report correspondent Alec Nathan reported borderline All-Stars center Marcin Gortat of the Phoenix Suns and Thaddeus Young of the Philadelphia 76ers could be eventually shipped to their new teams before the start of the season.

According to Huffington Post reporter Jordan Schultz, the Suns and the San Antonio Spurs engaged in an exploratory talk regarding a sign-and-trade deal involving Gortat, Tiago Splitter, and Boris Diaw. The negotiations reportedly suggested a deal that would send Gortat to the Spurs in exchange for Splitter or Diaw and a first round pick in 2014.

"Source: Spurs-Suns deal 4 Gortat would either be n a Splitter sign-and-trade or Diaw/filler. Suns get at least a 2014 1st rounder either way," Schultz posted on his Twitter account.

The Suns management repeatedly insisted that Gortat is untradeable and that recently made sense after fifth overall pick Alex Len of the Maryland Terrapins underwent surgery to address a stress fracture in his ankle.

However, several sources believe the Suns will re-explore the trade proposal sometimes during the regular-season, more so if Len proves to be their center of the future.

Meanwhile, the Sixers are still looking to unload lucrative contracts in an effort to start their rebuilding process. Young, considered one of the most highly-valued young players in the league, could be the next player in line after All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday was shifted to the New Orleans Pelicans at draft night.

With the Sixers attempting to collect draft picks and create enough cap room for next summer, the 25-year old Young might be traded to an emerging Eastern Conference powerhouse like the Washington Wizards. The Wizards could be an ideal spot for Young, who could give John Wall a power forward with the ability to score in the post and knock down jumpers from the perimeter.

The Washington Post's Michael Lee reported the Wizards have been looking for a power forward with a sweet touch from the outside. Though he had not taken many three point shots in the post-heavy offense of Doug Collins, Young is very capable of knocking down long range jumpers, as proven by his 34 percent career shooting beyond the arc.

The Sixers could demand the expiring contract of Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and a precious first round pick in 2014, allowing the ball club to have financial flexibility to go after an All-Star player in the free agency next summer.