Grading the latest NBA trade rumors ahead of Thursday’s deadline, from ‘good deal’ to ‘LOL’

The rumors and reports are flying around.

Now that the Super Bowl is done, it’s time to seriously focus on the NBA again, and the timing couldn’t be better.

Thursday at 3 p.m. ET marks the league’s trade deadline, and the reports and rumors are already flying around like crazy. Heck, in the middle of the run-up to the big NFL game on Sunday, there was already an Adrian Wojnarowski report that the Houston Rockets were talking with some teams about dealing Clint Capela.

So here are a bunch of reports being floated about some possible trades, along with some grades ranging from, “hey, that’s actually not bad!” to “… really?”

1. This possible Luke Kennard deal

What?! The Pistons want to trade a young player on a rookie contract in the middle of a career year (15.8 ppg, nearly 40 percent from three) who, despite health problems, looks like he’s breaking out? For THAT return?

GRADE: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

2. Clint Capela to the Celtics?

We don’t know exactly the return, but this makes the most sense to me. The Celtics are thin at center especially if Daniel Theis is hurt and could use a big body like Capela if they face the Bucks and the Greek Freak. I wonder if a deal would involve Gordon Hayward in that case, but we’re not that far along.

GRADE: I like it.

3. D’Angelo Russell to the Knicks?

From The Athletic:

The Knicks have also registered interest in Russell and discussed potential packages, league sources said. But the Warriors could choose to hold onto him until at least this summer to see if more deals materialize when they would no longer be hard capped.

If the Knicks can make a deal that doesn’t involve their young core (extremely unlikely) or first-rounders (the Dubs would probably hang up the phone), great. Otherwise, this is just a reminder that the Knicks should have signed Russell to an offer sheet this offseason.

GRADE: Ugh.

4. Julius Randle to the Hornets

Randle doesn’t mix well spacing-wise with promising Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. But what does New York get back? Malik Monk?

GRADE: Meh.

5. Robert Covington to … somewhere?

More from The Athletic:

Minnesota has been engaged in talks regarding Covington, whose suitors include Dallas, Houston and Milwaukee, according to sources. The Mavericks and Rockets discussed potential deals for Covington in the offseason, with the Mavericks having their 2020 Golden State second-rounder and the Rockets dangling future first-round compensation. Still, some executives have worries about Covington’s remaining two years and $25 million deal and injury concerns.

Injury concerns, sminjury concerns. I’m a huge fan of his game and he could turn a playoff team into a contender with his 3-and-D play.

GRADE: The Rockets and Bucks deals would be GOOD.

6. Danilo Gallinari to the Heat?

From ESPN’s Zach Lowe: “The Heat are among teams who have expressed interest in Danilo Gallinari.”

Oh HECK YEAH. As long as it doesn’t cost Miami one of their young studs (maybe Justise Winslow gets thrown in?), I love the idea of another stretchy shooter to go along with Tyler Hero, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo. An already-dangerous team gets even tougher.

GRADE: YES YES YES DOOOOOOO IT.

7. Derrick Rose to the Lakers?

Yahoo says L.A. or the 76ers are interested, but the Lakers need backcourt depth badly and a fourth scorer behind Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma.

GRADE: Good idea.

[jwplayer UO045H78-q2aasYxh]