The Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Bobcats are reportedly interested in acquiring Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass before the NBA trade deadline. Bass is the "most-discussed player on the Boston roster," Sporting News reports.
Bass, who was the subject of trade rumors in December along with Houston Rockets center Omer Asik, could find himself on another team by Feb. 20. Three teams are said to be interested in the veteran forward and could make a push to acquire him before the deadline.
"Among the teams interested in Bass, sources told Sporting News, are the Warriors, who still have trade exceptions from the summer deal that sent Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins to Utah," Sean Deveney of Sporting News wrote on Monday. "... The Warriors don't have a pick in this year's draft to offer Boston, but could absorb his contract and do have a combination of young players that includes injured center Festus Ezeli, as well as rookies Nemanja Nedovic and Ognjen Kuzmic."
Deveney notes picking up Bass would push the Warriors over the luxury tax threshold, and the team would need to offload Marreese Speights to avoid going over.
Phoenix and Charlotte, who're both looking to bolster their frontcourt for a playoff push, are also reportedly exploring a trade for Bass.
Phoenix, who could have as many as four first-round picks in the 2014 draft, was another team mentioned as a potential suitor for Bass. The Suns recently discussed a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Pau Gasol, but the talks reportedly stalled over the Lakers' asking price.
Charlotte traded their 2014 first-round pick to Chicago, but the team could have a first-rounder if Detroit's pick lands outside of the top eight. The Bobcats were also reportedly interested in Philadelphia 76ers forward Evan Turner.
Bass, 28, is due $6.45 million this season and $6.9 million the next.
