NBA rumors

Venture capitalist reportedly offer $3b to acquire Phoenix Suns

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.

Jazz, Wizards, Nets, Mavs interested in John Collins

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.

Lakers held trade talks on Bogdanovic, Fournier, Reddish

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 GM Bob Myers on expiring contract, without (so far) agreement to extend

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.”

NBA, NBPA agree to extend CBA opt-out deadline

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.

Suns, Hawks among teams interested in Kyle Kuzma

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 to sign Matt Ryan

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.

Al Horford reportedly agreed to two-year, 20-million extension with Boston Celtics

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.

 

Knicks reportedly signing DaQuan Jeffries to Two-Way deal

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.

 

Spurs Jakob Poeltl reportedly among options to improve Celtics’ frontcourt

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 reportedly targeting Enes Freedom, Isaiah Thomas

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.

Miami Heat sign Orlando Robinson to Two-Way Contract

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).

 

Pistons getting calls for Bojan Bogdanovic

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.”

Taiwanese team Tainan TSG GhostHawks hoping to sign Carmelo Anthony

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.

Joe Tsay says Irving has to show people that he’s sorry before returning

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.

Brooklyn Nets Name Jacque Vaughn Head Coach

The Brooklyn Nets have named Jacque Vaughn as head coach.

“Jacque’s basketball acumen, competitiveness and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward,” said General Manager Sean Marks. “He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball.”

Vaughn was named acting head coach on Nov. 1 and has led the team to a 2-2 record in four games.

Sources: Quinn Cook to join Guangsha

Quinn Cook has reached an agreement with Guangsha of the Chinese CBA, reports Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia.

The former Duke point guard was released by the Sacramento Kings during the latest training camp.

Cook owns NBA Career-averages of 6.4 points and 1.6 assists.

 

No time frame for Kawhi Leonard’s return

Kawhi Leonard missed the seventh straight game and is expected to miss also Monday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a knee injury. Leonard started individual workouts but there is no timetable for his return.

Leonard missed the entire 2021-2022 season with a torn ACL.

Per ESPN, “There’s really not a time frame of when he is going to be back,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said when asked if Leonard’s status is considered more week-to-week than day-to-day now. “The biggest thing is just the testing that he has to go through with the medical and the slow progression of just getting better every single day. And so we’re just taking it day by day right now, not really a timetable.”