NBA rumors

Bucks, Warriors among ‘several contenders’ interested in potential free agent Avery Bradley

According to Chris Haynes, the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks are among several contenders interested in potential free agent Avery Bradley.
The guard out of Texas is considering whether to decline his $5 million player option with the Lakers.
Last year Bradley, who opted out of the NBA bubble and therefore did not participate in the Lakers’ playoff run, averaged 8.6 points and 2.3 rebounds.

Pelicans announce 2020-21 coaching staff

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the hiring of Bob Beyer, Casey Hill, and Rex Walters as assistant coaches, along with Corey Brewer and Beno Udrih as player development coaches. They join Assistant Coach Fred Vinson and Teresa Weatherspoon, who has been promoted to assistant coach, and Player Development Coach Darnell Lazare on Head Coach Stan Van Gundy’s staff. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Orlando Magic Sign Rookie Chuma Okeke

he Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Chuma Okeke, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chuma to the team,” said Weltman. “He’s demonstrated all the characteristics that we had seen in him when we drafted him and we look forward to him starting his career with us.”

Okeke (6’8”, 230, 8/18/98) was selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft. He played and started in 38 games during the 2018-19 campaign as a sophomore at Auburn University, averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.9 apg., 1.82 stlpg. and 1.21 blkpg. in 29.1 minpg., while shooting .387 (55-142) from three-point range. Okeke led the Tigers in rebounding, steals (third in the SEC) and blocked shots. He was named to the 2019 SEC All-Tournament Team and the 2019 All-Midwest Regional Team. Okeke helped the Tigers reach the 2019 NCAA Final Four, but sustained a season-ending knee injury (torn left ACL) during their Sweet Sixteen win against North Carolina. During that contest, he became the first Auburn player since 2000 and fifth ever to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a NCAA Tournament game.

Okeke played in 72 career games (38 starts) during two seasons (2017-19) at Auburn University, averaging 9.9 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.28 stlpg. in 25.5 minpg., while shooting .389 (89-229) from three-point range.

Fonte: NBA.com.

James Harden hopes to join a contender, Nets and 76ers believed to be top desired trade destinations

James Harden wants out of Houston and hopes to join a contender, Shams Charania reports.
The reported adds that the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers are believed to be his top desired trade destinations.
Harden has played the last 8 seasons with the Rockets, winning the MVP trophy in the 2017/18 season.
Last year he was the top scorer of the league with 34.3 points per game.

Raptors’ Stanley Johnson to pick $3.8 million player option

Toronto Raptors swingman Stanley Johnson has decided to exercise his player option for the upcoming season, Michael Scotto reports.
The former Arizona will earn $3.8 million.
Last year Johnson played just 6 minutes per game for the Raptors.

DeMar DeRozan to pick $27.7 million player option

DeMar DeRozan has decided to exercise his player option for the upcoming season, Chris Haynes reports.
The guard of the Spurs will earn $27.7 million.

Last year DeRozan averaged over 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assist per game, shooting with a career-high 53% from the field.

OKC send Chris Paul to Phoenix for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre jr, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, 2022 pick

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Chris Paul and Abdul Nader to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first pick, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

The Arizona franchise is aiming for the playoffs, with CP3 returning to play for coach Monty Williams.

For OKC this is already the second trade in two days, another sign that the team is aiming for a rebuilding period.

James Harden wants to move on from the Rockets to join the Nets

James Harden wants to leave the Houston Rockets to join the Brooklyn Nets where his former teammate Kevin Durant is play9ing.
Harden doesn’t want to stay in Texas anymore and is forcing a trade to Brooklyn.

Per Houston Chronicle, But Harden wants to move on from the Rockets, the Chronicle has been informed, and is trying to force his way via trade to Brooklyn, allowing The Beard to form the NBA’s next superteam and rejoin forces with former Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant.

Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opts out of $8.4 million deal

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has decided to opt out of his deal to test free agency.
The guard had a contract worth $8.4 million next season.
The NBA champion with Lakers is expected to have suitors in the free agency.

Pistons send Brown to Nets for Musa and 2nd rounder

The Detroit Pistons are sending Bruce Brown to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange of Dzanan Musa and 2021 second round pick.

The Nets are sending the 2021 second-round pick via Toronto, per sources. Musa was the 29th overall pick in the 2018 Draft, a versatile 6-9 forward. Nets like Brown’s defensive ability, honed in University of Miami program.

Pacers to name Calbert Cheaney assistant coach

Calbert Cheaney will be a new assistant for the Indiana Pacers.
Calbert Cheaney spent the past two years with G League team affiliate to Hawks.

Lakers’ Rajon Rondo to decline $2.8 million player option

Rajon Rondo will decline his $2.8 million player option for next season.
The point guard will become free agent and is expected to be pursued by Hawks and Clippers.
Lakers would love to retain him as well but he could be too expensive for the franchise.

Lakers’ Anthony Davis opts out of $28.7 million deal

Anthony Davis will become unrestricted free agent. The NBA champion has decided to opt out of the final year of his deal worth $28.7 million to negotiate a new deal with the Lakers.

Per ESPN, Fresh off a championship in his first season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, All-Star big man Anthony Davis has declined to pick up the final year on his contract and will enter free agency this week, league sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.

Davis, 27, averaged 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks per game in the postseason during the Lakers’ title run.

The Lakers, sources said, will present several options to Davis and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, in order to work with the superstar on the deal that makes him feel the most comfortable being part of the franchise moving forward.

James Harden considers Brooklyn Nets the top of his trade destination list

James Harden considers his future with franchise, one possible trade destination is rising to top of his list: Brooklyn.

There have been no trade discussions between the Rockets and Nets

 

Rondo to command free-agent interest that exceeds the Lakers’ budget constraints?

The Los Angeles Lakers will acquire Dennis Schroder from the OKC Thunder because Rajon Rondo may leave in the next free agency.
The two-time NBA champion will become free agent and may command free-agent interest that exceeds the Lakers’ budget constraints

Lakers to pursue Wesley Matthews to replace Danny Green?

The Los Angeles Lakers will try to sign Wesley Matthews to replace Danny Green, traded to the OKC for Dennis Schroder and the 28th pick.
Matthews has a $2.6 million player option for next season that he is unlikely to pick up becoming free agent.

Mavs to name Zach Guthrie assistant coach

Zach Guthrie is leaving the Jazz to join Rick Carlisle’s staff in Dallas.
Guthrie will replace Stephen Silas who moved to the Houston Rockets as head coach.

Lakers to acquire Dennis Schroder from Thunder for Danny Green and 28th pick

UPDATE: Ahead of the lifting of the transaction window on Monday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers intend to acquire Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schroder, sources told ESPN.

As part of the trade, the Lakers are preparing to send the player they select with the 28th overall pick and guard Danny Green to the Thunder, sources said.

Los Angeles cannot outright send the draft pick to Oklahoma City because there is a rule that restricts teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years. Los Angeles sent the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade. The Thunder already own the 25th pick in Wednesday’s draft.
Schroder has one year and $15.5 million left on his contract

The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks with Oklahoma City on a trade for guard Dennis Schroder, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

The Thunder should receive the Lakers No.28 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Schroder ended last year with 18.9 points and 4 assist per game, shooting 47% from the field, 38% from long range and 84% from the foul line.

 

Brooklyn Nets had discussions with Houston Rockets about acquiring James Harden

According to Sports Illustrated’s Farbod Esnaashari, the Brooklyn Nets have reached out to the Houston Rockets to discuss a trade that would bring James Harden to the Nets alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Brooklyn GM Sean Marks Marks would have offered Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen.

Harden still has a 3-year contract with the Rockets, for about 132 million.

Heat guard Dragic on his free agency: “It’s a lot of options here”

Heat guard Goran Dragic addressed, in an interview with Shams Charania, his upcoming free agency plans, saying that he’s keeping his options open for now.

“I know Miami wants to bring me back. I’m hoping we can finish this championship run next season, but I know this is part of the business. It’s a lot of options here and we’ll see. I’m open to all suggestions, and from there on, we’re gonna see which one is the best possibility for me and for my family. So, yeah, Miami’s up there,” said Dragic to Charania.

Fonte: Shams Charania.

Kosta Koufos reportedly looking for a NBA comeback

Former Ohio State center and 11-year NBA veteran Kosta Koufos is looking to return to the NBA after a year overseas, league sources tell cleveland.com.

Koufos signed a two-year deal with EuroLeague powerhouse CSKA Moscow in July 2019, becoming the highest-paid American player in Europe, but averaged just 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game before the COVID-19 pandemic

Fonte: Cleveland.com.

Knicks “all-in” on Russell Westbrook if asking price is cheap

New York Knicks GM Leon Rose is “all in” on trading for Russell Westbrook should Westbrook come for cheap, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.

The Knicks will not give up any of their future assets in a Westbrook trade, and they have the cap space available to take on Westbrook’s remaining three-year, $130 million contract.

Fonte: Marc Berman.

Pelicans’ Chris Finch to join Raptors coaching staff

The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a deal to add Chris Finch to Nick Nurse’s coaching staff, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Pelicans’ assistant coach has also worked in the NBA for Houston and Denver. The 51-year-old was also the head coach of the Great Britain Men’s National Basketball Team from 2006 to 2013, including the London Olympic Games.

Finch and Nurse coached against each other in the British Basketball League in the early 2000s.

 

Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.