NBA rumors

The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown more willingness to move out of the top-3 than either the Detroit Pistons or Houston Rockets, reports Chad Ford.

The Cavaliers are further along in their hopes of competing for a playoff spot than either the Pistons or Rockets. If the Oklahoma City Thunder are able to move up, the Cavaliers are the most likely trade partner.

The Brooklyn Nets are interested in trading Landry Shamet this offseason with multiple teams interested, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv

The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans are each interested in Shamet.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have been engaged in discussions on a Kyle Kuzma for Buddy Hield swap, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic.

As that deal would require more salary from the Lakers side, Montrezl Harrell could also be headed to the Kings. In order for Harrell to be traded to Sacramento, he would need to exercise his $9.7M player option for 2021-22.

Mike D’Antoni is stepping away from his full time coaching role as an assistant on the staff of Steve Nash with the Brooklyn Nets, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski

D’Antoni is expected to pursue head coaching jobs again in the future; he was a finalist to become head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers will be traded.

Teams in the mix for Simmons include the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards, among others.

Sacramento Kings make a qualifying offer to guard Terence Davis.

Kings guard will become restricted free agent.

Sacramento has tendered a qualifying offer to guard Terence Davis, making him a restricted free agent, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2021

Los Angeles Lakers are expected to move Mike Penberthy to a front-of-the-bench role on Frank Vogel’s staff.

Former Pelicans will replace Lionel Hollins.

The Lakers are expected to move Mike Penberthy to a front-of-the-bench role on Frank Vogel’s staff, league sources say.

Lionel Hollins, formerly a head coach in Memphis and Brooklyn, has left the Lakers after two seasons as an assistant, @jovanbuha and @sam_amick reported.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 27, 2021

Kris Dunn will pick up his $5 million player option for the 21-22 season with the Atlanta Hawks as reported by Shams Charania.

Dunn earned $4.767.000 last season.

Atlanta Hawks guard Kris Dunn is picking up his $5 million player option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 27, 2021

The New York Knicks are considering to sign Spencer Dinwiddie in free agency, but will also pursue Evan Fournier and Kyle Lowry as reported by Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.

The Knicks plan to offer Lowry a two-year contract in the $20 million to $30 million per year range.

Dinwiddie declined his player option for $12.3 million with the Brooklyn Nets.

Forbes averaged 12.2 points on 48 percent three-point shooting in February when starting guard Jrue Holiday was sidelined.

Forbes was fourth in the NBA in three-point shooting (45 percent) – and third best among players with 200-plus attempts. Forbes averaged 12.2 points on 48 percent three-point shooting in February when starting guard Jrue Holiday was sidelined. https://t.co/6K0uVqOaO3

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2021

Derrick Jones Jr. stays with Portland Trail Blazers as reported by Shams Charania.

Blazers forward Derrick Jones Jr. will pick up his $9.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Derrick Jones Jr. will pick up his $9.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 27, 2021

Eric Bledsoe is not expect to stay in Memphis as reported by Chris Haynes.

Eric Bledsoe, who New Orleans included in a trade package, is not expected to stay in Memphis, league sources tell @YahooSports.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 26, 2021

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing the final details for a trade that will involve both players and draft picks.

The Pelicans will get Jonas Valanciunas and picks # 17 and 51 in the upcoming NBA Draft, while the Grizzlies will get Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, picks # 10 and 40 and a protected 2022 first pick (one of the picks the Pelicans bought from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade) .

According to Bobby Marks New Orleans can generate about $36M in cap space if they renounce to Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, and $25M if they bring back only the former Villanova swingman.

Per Jonathan Givony, Josh Giddey could be the player the Grizzlies are interested in with pick No.10.

New Orleans creates salary cap space for August that allows them to either match an offer sheet on Lonzo Ball, or have the cap space to pursue a significant free agent point guard, including Kyle Lowry and others. Pels liked Valanciunas as floor spacer at center over Adams, too. https://t.co/3YRyBTEg1S

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 26, 2021

Pelicans could have up to $36M in room but at the cost of Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.

Room goes down to $25M if they let Ball walk and bring back Hart. https://t.co/mI5KRInrb9

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 26, 2021

This trade has been swirling for a few days in different iterations as we reported yesterday. Many around the NBA believe Memphis will look to target Josh Giddey at No. 10, if he's available. That's one of the reasons we put him in that slot yesterday: https://t.co/VEdy8p5uV6 https://t.co/iVuJhUwwEb

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 26, 2021

According to James Edwards III the Detroit Pistons have extended Qualifying Offers to Hamidou Diallo and Frank Jackson, making them restricted free agents.

Last year Diallo averaged over 11 points and 5 rebounds in 20 games played with the Pistons, while Jackson ended the regular season with 9.7 points (45% FG, 40% 3P, 81% FT) and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Sources tell the @TheAthletic that Detroit has extended qualifying offers to Frank Jackson and Hamidou Diallo, making them restricted free agents.

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) July 26, 2021

Popeye Jones is close to join Mike Malone’s coaching staff.

Jones worked as assistant for Nets, Pacers and 76ers.

Popeye Jones has emerged a strong candidate to join Mike Malone’s coaching staff in Denver, league sources say.

Jones had a successful playing stint in Denver and just saw his hockey-playing sons Seth Jones and Caleb Jones team up in Chicago via two trades by the Blackhawks.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 26, 2021

Phoenix Suns is hiring Bryan Gates as assistant coach.

Gates will replace Willie Green.

Phoenix coach Monty Williams is hiring Bryan Gates as an assistant to replace Willie Green, who left to become New Orleans’ head coach, sources tell ESPN. Gates will reunite with Williams after working for him for five seasons (2010-2015) with the Pelicans.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2021

76ers, Lakers, Mavericks, Pelicans and Heat are expected to be top suitors for Raptors free agent guard Kyle Lowry, as reported by Shams Charania on The Athletic.

Kyle Lowry signed a 1 year / $30,500,000 contract with the Toronto Raptors last off-season.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets have expressed interest in trading for Myles Turner, as reported by Shams Charania.

Turner has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Pacers.

Adrian Wojnarowski talked about the future of Blake Griffin with Brooklyn Nets: «There’s optimism that Blake Griffin wants to be back».

Woj says the Nets want to extend their big three. Says Blake Griffin wants to be back, but mentions Landry Shamet needing an extension and Jeff Green needing a pay raise. Some issues that arise when you have three max deals.

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) July 25, 2021

Adrian Wojnarowski talked about Los Angeles Lakers on “Woj&Love” Draft Special: «Almost every team I’ve talked to in the league has been offered some combination of Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope».

Woj, speaking about the Lakers offseason activity, says: “Almost every team I’ve talked to in the league has been offered some combination of” Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 25, 2021

The Lakers are expected to show interest in several free agents such as Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Spencer Dinwiddie to insert a third stellar player in their roster as reported by Shams Charania.

The Lakers and Sacramento Kings also have discussed a deal on guard Buddy Hield.

Kyle Kuzma would be involved in a potential package.

According to Chris Fedor, the Cleveland Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer to center Jarrett Allen, making him a restricted free agent.

The Cavs acquired the former Texas big man from the Nets.

Allen averaged 13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in the 51 games played with his new team.

According to Chris Fedor, TJ McConnell and Alex Caruso are two of the players the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering for the upcoming Free Agency.

McConnell last year was one of the best NBA backup point guard. He averaged  8.6 points, 6.6 assist and 1.9 steals (second-best in the league behind Jimmy Butler) per game for the Indiana Pacers.

Caruso spent 4 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the last with averages of 6.4 points, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals

Nuggets forward JaMychal Green declines his $7.6 million player option.

Green will become an unrestricted free agent.

There’s expected to be strong mutual interest between Green and Nuggets on a new deal in free agency.

There’s expected to be strong mutual interest between Green and Nuggets on a new deal in free agency. The 7-year NBA vet will have other suitors too. https://t.co/QbrmId6QA4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 23, 2021

Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Spencer Dinwiddie each have interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

The Lakers pursued a trade for Lowry at the deadline but were unable to agree to terms with the Toronto Raptors. DeRozan is a native of Los Angeles and remains one of the league’s best individual scorers in the halfcourt. DeRozan is a native of Los Angeles. Dinwiddie also grew up in the Los Angeles area and is recovering from a partially torn ACL. Dinwiddie declined his $12.3M player option for 2021-22 with the Brooklyn Nets.

Cavaliers center Isaiah Hartenstein has declined his $1.8 million player option for 2021-22 season and will become a free agent, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic

Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points and six rebounds to finish season in Cleveland

The Atlanta Hawks have extended the qualifying offer to forward John Collins, making him a restricted free agent, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Collins is widely expected to be one of the top free agents available on the market after a deep Playoff run with the Hawks