NBA All-Star weekend is complete, meaning meaningful basketball can once again take place as the second half of the season begins. With actual basketball back on the slate, however, comes the addition of more NBA trade rumors as the deadline creeps closer.
The latest rumor isn't anything fans of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves haven't heard before considering Michael Beasley to the Lakers reports have been circulating for the past week. Charley Waters of the Pioneer Press reported over the weekend, however, that the asking price is apparently a first round pick.
The Timberwolves are serious about a potential trade of Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers for a first-round draft pick.
The Lakers have a pair of first round picks in 2012 as they obviously have their own as well as the Dallas Mavericks, though the Mavs pick is top-20 protected through 2017. Los Angeles also has its own first round pick in 2013 as well as a pair of second rounders from the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Wolves, on the other hand, are owed a pick from the Utah Jazz this season -- though they won't get it until next year if the Jazz are unable to make the playoffs this year. Minnesota's actual first round pick for the 2012 draft is owned by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Waters also dropped an additional bit of reporting in his Sunday column, saying "a little birdie says the Philadelphia 76ers aren't interested in trading shooting guard Andre Iguodala to the Wolves, who need a shooting guard who can make shots."
The Wolves obviously need a shooting guard and, if Iguodala is off the table, it might make sense to re-visit either the Monta Ellis trade that was reportedly explored last summer or see if the Houston Rockets will deal Kevin Martin.
For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.