NBA rumors

P.J. Tucker claimed that his inclusion in the James Harden deal to the Los Angeles Clippers took him by surprise. The move, according to Tucker, also caught center Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers off guard.

“I wasn’t expecting to get traded, so I didn’t know. It kind of came out of nowhere,” Tucker said. “And from what I know, he didn’t know either. But you never know with this stuff, man. It’s the NBA. You never know.”

Despite reports that he and Harden were a package deal, Tucker stated he had no desire to leave the Sixers.

“James’ situation had nothing to do with me,” Tucker said. “As much as I get thrown in it, I’m kind of a casualty in that sense.”

But Tucker is happy to have a chance to compete for a title with LA.

“I don’t want to play if I’m not playing for a team that has a chance to win it,” Tucker said. “Eighteen years, if I’m not chasing that then I can’t play. There’s no point. And this team definitely has a chance. You look at our personnel. I don’t know how many teams that have it on paper like we do.”

The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to convert Joshua Primo’s Two-Way contract to a standard NBA deal.

Xavier Moon will return to the team on a new Two-Way contract.

Primo was selected by the Spurs at No. 12 in the 2021 NBA Draft but was released a year ago due to behavioral issues.

The Alabama product still has plenty of time to build a respectable NBA career.

Primo – the 12th pick in the 2021 NBA draft has been undergoing therapy and was suspended for four games due to conduct detrimental after league investigation “found that Primo engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women”: https://t.co/AJ3PdyOzxS https://t.co/48MhbCIpf5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2023

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl signs a two-way NBA contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Former OKC forward had standard deal offers elsewhere but chose Pelicans two-way for a better potential opportunity.

Free agent forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The former OKC second-rounder had standard deal offers elsewhere but chose Pelicans two-way for a better potential opportunity.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 3, 2023

Michael Scotto and Keith Pompey recently spoke about the Philadelphia 76ers’ plans after the trade of James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Daryl Morey would like to invest the draft picks and some of the expiring contracts he received to strengthen the roster as soon as possible.

Among the 76ers’ potential trade targets are Zach LaVine and OG Anunoby (much liked by Nurse).

Other names Philadelphia will keep an eye on between now and the trade deadline include Cavaliers’ All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and Pistons’ Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanovic.

These are different profiles, with different ‘prices’. In the event of Tyrese Maxey’s definitive explosion – the guard started the season with 30.3 points (53% 3P, 91% FT)  and 6.3 assists per game- , the front office would lean towards one between Anunoby and Bogdanovic, to not take away possessions and responsibility from the former Kentucky guard.

Keon Johnson has signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The guard, who was the twenty-first pick in the 2021 Draft, averaged 4.7 points last season with the Blazers..

Free agent G Keon Johnson has agreed on a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN. Johnson was the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023

The Los Angeles Clippers may not keep Filip Petrusev, as reported by Law Murray.

His future in California will be decided in the next days by the Clippers.

Petrusev was traded to the Clippers along with James Harden.

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to add centre Bismack Biyombo to the roster soon, reports Shams Charania.

The team will be able to move Ja Morant to the suspended players list after the point guard serves out the first five games of his disqualification, so at least initially it will not be necessary to release anyone to sign Biyombo.

The 31-year-old big man comes from a two-year stint with the Phoenix Suns (4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 14 minutes per game last season).

The Memphis Grizzlies are planning to sign center Bismack Biyombo, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Team is able to sign Biyombo via exemption after fifth game of Ja Morant’s suspension. Biyombo brings rim protection (1.4 blocks per game last season) with Steven Adams out. pic.twitter.com/NDRxs8h09Z

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2023

The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in Joel Embiid, especially as the James Harden situation unfolds in Philadelphia. However, sources indicate that Embiid remains committed to the 76ers and has not requested a trade. Philadelphia’s decision-makers are also not moved by the package that the Knicks are willing to offer, which includes a choice from Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Evan Fournier, and two-to-three first-round picks.

A multi-year contract extension has been agreed upon by Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. Nearing his 900th NBA victory, Carlisle rejoined the Pacers as head coach in 2021 and will now oversee the team’s rebuilding under a new contract.

ESPN Sources: Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has agreed on a multi-year contract extension. Carlisle — who’s nearing his 900th NBA victory — returned to the Pacers as head coach in 2021 and now will continue to lead franchise’s rebuild on a new deal. pic.twitter.com/atXuQ7T9SD

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 26, 2023

The worst-kept secret in the NBA? According to Bill Simmons of The Ringer, there are no doubts: it’s the potential departure of Donovan Mitchell from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mitchell, in his second season with the Cavs, still has two years left on his contract, worth $67 million, plus a player option for $37 million in 2025-2026.

Bill Simmons says Donovan Mitchell eventually leaving the Cavaliers is the ‘worst kept secret in the NBA’

(h/t @BenAxelrod) pic.twitter.com/lDsrpADelG

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 24, 2023

According to sources close to the situation, the New York Knicks are willing to table an offer that includes three key players to acquire Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, and Mitchell Robinson are all available for a potential trade. A trio selected from this group would be paired with two or three first-round draft picks.

The New York Knicks are willing to offer a package that includes three key players, with Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier and Mitchell Robinson all available in exchange for Joel Embiid, according to sources. A trio from that group would be paired with two or three…

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 24, 2023

Atlanta Hawks’ young and talented center, Onyeka Okongwu, has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $62 million, according to ESPN. The deal was finalized just before the deadline for contract extensions, solidifying Okongwu’s role on the team for the coming years.

The move comes after a season where Okongwu showed promising signs, contributing on both ends of the floor. The contract extension reflects the Hawks’ front office’s confidence in his long-term potential as a core part of the team.

Okongwu is the 14th player in the NBA Draft class of 2020 to agree on an extension. Deadline is 6 PM ET.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023

Jaden McDaniels and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a five-year, $136 million extension, as first reported by The Athletic. Last season, McDaniels averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.6 minutes over 79 games, shooting 39.8% from 3.

Dallas Mavericks G/F Josh Green is finalizing a three-year, $41 million contract extension with the franchise, league sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Green was the No. 18 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, and averaged nine points and three rebounds last season.

The Indiana Pacers and Aaron Nesmith have reached an agreement. The forward has extended his contract for three years, totaling $33 million.

Nesmith, who has earned a total of $16 million since 2020, is coming off a season where he averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has agreed on a three-year, $33 million contract extension, Mike Lindeman of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/G2U1bnWzpK

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023