Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase – in the neighborhood of $4b – of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal, expected to be completed in the near future, would end the tumultuous tenure of owner Robert Sarver.
After nearly 10 months of rehabilitation on a torn left ACL, Milwaukee Bucks forward Joe Ingles is targeting his return vs. New Orleans on Monday, reports ESPN.
Once Ingles successfully completes a final 5-on-5 workout Saturday, that’ll be the last hurdle in his comeback. Ingles signed a one-year, $6.5M free agent deal with the Bucks in July.
Adrian Wojnarowski said that there are no guarantees that Lonzo Ball will play this season for the Chicago Bulls.
Ball is out since early in 2022 due to a knee injury.
“There are no guarantees, I’m told, that [Lonzo Ball] plays at all this season. He’s rehabbing that knee now, he still has some pain in it.”
Woj: "There are no guarantees, I'm told, that [Lonzo Ball] plays at all this season. He's rehabbing that knee now, he still has some pain in it."#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/2pIuweg89i
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) December 15, 2022
Joel Embiid said the Philadelphia 76ers want to trade him in an interview with Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Per Yahoo Sports, “… So we can be better as a team,” said Embiid in an interview with Jake Fischer of Yahoo. “I think we are really good, and we still got a long way to go. But I love where we’re at. It’s all about everybody giving up themselves and coming together as a team so we can accomplish what we want to do.”
Embiid was then asked to deliver a message to the fans of the Sixers that are panicking and want to fire Doc Rivers.
“I don’t know,” Embiid said, shrugging. “Sixers fans, they want to trade me.”
Fischer then said “You don’t believe that.”
“I do believe that,” replied Embiid. “They want to trade me.”
Fischer said that the fans definitely don’t want Embiid and traded and would prefer a coaching change.
“Look, all I can do is try to do my best every game,” said Embiid. “I’m grateful to be in this position, because it’s not an easy job. If it was easy, everybody would do it.”
Two venture capitalists have submitted a bid to buy the Phoenix Suns and Mercury professional basketball teams for $3 billion, an offer that could include financing from tech mogul Peter Thiel, according to people familiar with the matter and an offer sheet reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The group is one of a handful of potential buyers, according to the people.
Fonte: Wall Street Journal.
The Atlanta Hawks have discussed a John Collins trade with a number of teams, including the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Collins, who is in Year 2 of a five-year, $125 million contract, has been on the trade market for a considerable amount of time. Hawks would be interested in Kyle Kuzma but Washington appears reluctant to include him in a trade package.
The Lakers have discussed packages including salaries and a protected first round pick with the Detroit Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Pistons acquired Bogdanovic from the Utah Jazz before the start of the season and then signed him to a two-year, $39.1 million extension.
The Lakers have also discussed concepts with the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier.
Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers is on an expiring deal. Myers and the team haven’t been able to come to an agreement on extending his deal as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Myers refused to discuss his status beyond saying, “My entire focus is on the season and the team.” Golden State owner and CEO Joe Lacob said, “We love Bob and hope he is here for a long time.”
According to ESPN, the NBA and NBPA have agreed to extend the December 15th deadline that allows either side to give notice of plans to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. The extension is expected to be into February.
The current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 23-24 season.
According to Shams Charania, Kyle Kuzma is considered one of the most interesting players to monitor in the NBA market before the Feb. 9 trade-deadline.
The former Lakers forward has a player option of about 13 million for next season, but will most likely not exercise it.
That is why several teams will try to get him with lowball offers, Charania lists Suns and Hawks among the most interested franchises.
The Athletic reporter reveals that according to several insiders Kuzma as a free agent will receive offers around 20-25 million per season.
The forward is scoring 20.6 points with 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves will sign Matt Ryan on a two-way NBA contract.
Wing shooter started his season with Los Angeles Lakers averaging 3.9 points in 12 NBA games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing ex-Lakers wing shooter Matt Ryan on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. Ryan had a solid stint for the Lakers, making 13 three-pointers over 12-game stretch.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 7, 2022
The surging Boston Celtics (14 W in the last 15) have agreed with center Al Horford on a contract extension until 2025, when he will be 39 years old.
Horford, currently in the final year of the 109-million four-year Free Agent deal signed with the 76ers, will earn 20 million total over the next 2 seasons.
The experienced big man at 36 remains a key ‘piece’ for the Celtics, well beyond the stats: 10.9 points (55% FG, 49% 3P), 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 blocks.
The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is targeting return on current three-game road trip, likely in Houston on Monday.
Former MVP guard last played on November 2. He’s averaging 22.0 ppg and 10.0 apg this season.
Bucks star Khris Middleton is nearing his season debut, potentially as soon as Friday vs. Lakers, as reported by Shams Charania.
Middleton last played on April 20, Game 2 of the First Round series against the Bulls.
The New York Knicks plan to sign DaQuan Jeffries on a Two-Way contract.
The player was averaging over 14 points and 4 rebounds per game in G League with the Knicks’ affiliated team.
To sign Jeffries the Knicks will have to release one of the Two-Way players currently on the roster, Trevor Keels and Feron Hunt.
The New York Knicks are signing forward DaQuan Jeffries on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Jeffries went to camp with the Knicks and has averaged 15 points for their Westchester G League affiliate this season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 29, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks plan to sign Kemba Walker and waive Facundo Campazzo as reported by Shams Charania.
Campazzo averaged 7 minutes in 8 Nba games this season, signed in Summer 1 year / $1,836,090 contract with Mavs.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to sign Kemba Walker and waive Facundo Campazzo, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 28, 2022
Dallas Mavericks are close to a deal with Kemba Walker.
Walker played his last game in February with Knicks against Nets.
The Mavericks are nearing a deal to sign former All-Star guard Kemba Walker, league sources tell me.
Full story here via my Substack: https://t.co/POHTACkicK
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 28, 2022
Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is one of the players on the Phoenix Suns’ radar, Kevin O’Connor reports.
The Suns are dealing Jae Crowder, and would like to replace him with a guard who can also help as a ball-handler.
Bogdanovic is recovering from knee surgery.
The Serbian guard last year averaged 15.1 points and 3.1 assists in 29 minutes per game.
The Utah Jazz have so far intended their plan to keep Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson out of trade talks, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Jazz have a “real” interest in trading for John Collins. The Atlanta Hawks approached Utah on a trade of Collins for Markkanen and those talks didn’t generate any traction.
Phoenix Suns have shown no desire to trade for John Collins as reported by Yahoo.
Hawks big man has $125 million four seasons deal.
The Atlanta Hawks remain one of the teams in the mix for Jae Crowder.
Utah Jazz plan to keep Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson out of trade talks as reported by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Jazz also will maintain a high asking price for Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mike Conley and Kelly Olynyk could be made available.
The New York Knicks are reportedly open to trading Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose, Shams Charania reports.
Quickley is producing 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while Rose is averaging 6.8 points and 2.3 assists in 13 minutes per game.
According to Brian Windhorst, Jakob Poeltl is one of the names to watch for the Boston Celtics.
Brad Stevens could go back on the market to improve the frontcourt, missing Robert Williams III since the start of the season.
The Austrian center, whose contract with the San Antonio Spurs is expiring, last night scored a career-high 31 points in the loss against the Trail Blazers.
Poeltl is producing 13.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28 minutes per game.
Taiwanese teams target Isaiah Thomas, Enes Freedom and Carmelo Anthony as reported Marc Stein.
Taoyuan Leopards signed Dwight Howard last week.
Taiwan’s T1 League has attracted media attention thanks to Dwight Howard’s rich contract with the Taoyuan Leopards.
The big man has been welcomed as a superstar, with his team selling about 60,000 tickets for the next four games.
After Melo Anthony, center Enes Freedom and point guard Isaiah Thomas could also end up in Taiwan, according to Marc Stein. Both players are reportedly on the notebook of a few teams.
The former Kentucky big man last year played 35 games with the Celtics, while Thomas stepped on the court 22 times between Lakers, Hornets and Mavs.
The Miami Heat have announced the signing of rookie big man Orlando Robinson to a Two-Way Contract.
The Fresno State product is replacing Dru Smith, who was just released.
Robinson started the season in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (20 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists).
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed center Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract. In addition, Miami has waived guard Dru Smith from his two-way contract.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 13, 2022
The Detroit Pistons are getting calls for Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Croatian signed a $40 million contract extension through 2025 and will be eligible to be traded from December 15.
Bogdanovic is averaging 20.3ppg this season.
Per Jake Fischer, While that may have seemingly ruled out a trade to the Lakers in the moment, it has not ruled it out indefinitely. In fact, the Lakers could move back in on Bogdanovic despite him having recently signed an extension — more on that later — according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports on his “Please Don’t Aggregate This” podcast: “He’s a player that I think a lot of winning teams, a team looking to get to the second round that’s never gotten there or a team that wants to push their way to really be a title threat (would want)… Phoenix was at the top of everyone’s list in terms of suitors that have capital to pay in addition to talent and the salaries that made sense… The Lakers were obviously involved. I got a list of other teams that I think have called and contacted, but nothing too crazy at this point in terms of actual conversations that are still ongoing. I do know Detroit is getting calls on him just like any team (when) we’re getting close to the Dec. 15 area where a lot of players who signed (in free agency last summer) are going to be eligible (to be traded). That’s kind of the unofficial start of the trade window. But also he’s playing really well for this team right now.”
The Tainan TSG GhostHawks are hoping to sign Carmelo Anthony to a contract for this season. GhostHawks head coach Liu Meng-chu said that the team’s ownership had greenlit making an offer to Anthony, as reported by FocusTaiwan.
The 19-year NBA veteran is a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expired last summer. Several teams have been rumored to have interest in signing Anthony, but nothing has come to fruition as of yet.
Recently Dwight Howard signed in Taiwan with Taoyuan Leopards.
Kyrie Irving will miss his sixth game on Sunday and could be out till November 20 when the Nets will be back at home.
Per NY Post, Brooklyn Nets governor Joe Tsai met with suspended guard Kyrie Irving recently. While that meeting was productive, Tsai says Irving “still has work to do” before he’ll return to the Nets.
“He has to show people that he’s sorry,” Tsai said. “What’s important — and what people miss — is he only apologized after he was suspended.”
Irving has been suspended for the last five games. The veteran point guard has also been ruled out for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Lakers. When Irving was initially suspended, the length was for a “minimum of five games”, but he’ll now miss at least six games.
Some have suggested Irving may not return until the Nets are back in Brooklyn on November 20. That would mean Irving would miss a total of eight games.
The Milwaukee Bucks have called other teams to evaluate a trade of Grayson Allen as reported by Jake Fischer .
Allen signed a two-year, $20 million extension with the Bucks before the 2021 season.
