NBA rumors

The Brooklyn Nets “have taken incoming calls” from rival teams with trade interest on Kyrie Irving, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski’s report surfaces in relation to the Philadelphia 76ers’ standoff with a trade of Ben Simmons. “Daryl Morey has called all over the league, talked to teams about star players everywhere to try to find a deal for Ben Simmons,” said Wojnarowski. “One team he has not called, I’m told, is the Brooklyn Nets. He has not lobbed a call to Sean Marks about Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn, I’m told, has taken incoming calls from teams on Kyrie Irving. They have not themselves made any calls on Kyrie Irving.”

Morey said that he may need four years before finding the right partner to trade Ben Simmons.

Per Philly Voice, “People should buckle in. This is going to take a long time,” Morey said.

“You’re going to think I’m kidding, I’m not, this could be four years,” Morey said. “The conditions I’m pointing out to you don’t change. Unless Ben Simmons is traded for a difference-maker, we’re in the prime of Joel [Embiid]’s career. We have to get back either Ben Simmons playing well for us, who helps us win the championship, or we have to get back a difference-maker for Ben Simmons. Or this could be four years from now, and we’re still like, ‘Hey, we took the best shot at it we could.’

“This could be four years. This is not day-to-day. Every day, we’re going to expect Ben Simmons to be back here, or we’re trading him for a difference-maker. There’s no other outcome that doesn’t materially hurt our chance to win the championship in Joel Embiid’s prime.

“We would want him to play and be back starting tomorrow. But if he chooses to take some other path, that’s his choice.”

Simmons has four seasons remaining on his contract with the 76ers.

In today’s meeting, Joel Embiid directly asked Ben Simmons why he wants to be traded.

The Australian responded that he is not mentally ready and need time to get it right.

Sources say Joel Embiid today asked 76ers co-star Ben Simmons the question: Why do you want a trade? Simmons responded that he isn’t feeling mentally himself and needs time to get right. Details: pic.twitter.com/oevLl2hXB2

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2021

DeAndre Ayton is disappointed that the Phoenix Suns did not offer him a full, five-year max extension.

Per Arizona Republic, Ayton will be a restricted free agent in the 2022 offseason.

“One thing about me, throughout my whole life, I’ve always learned to control what I can control,” Ayton said. “At the same time, obviously I’m disappointed, but I’m still trying to get us back to the finals. I’ve still got to represent the team and myself as well. I’m just a competitor, man. Just like to compete to the best and every time I’m in between those lines, that’s what you’re going to see out of me. Nothing else.”

James Jones said in an interview with The Athletic that “we didn’t have real negotiations” with Ayton’s representative, but Ayton’s agents, Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian, said the Suns didn’t offer any kind of max deal, even informally.

A conflicting series of reports paint a unclear picture of the situation surrounding Ben Simmons

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Simmons is currently not mentally ready to play for the team and was receiving treatment on his back today due to ramp up process. Australian All Star, reports Charania, will miss Friday’s home opener vs. Nets and is not expected to play for an undetermined period of time.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Simmons described back tightness to several Sixers staff members and was briefly treated for it today. He was later cleared by Sixers’ medical staff to participate in the workout after the back treatment.

Wojnarowski also adds that Simmons is expected to come early to the 76ers shootaround on Friday morning to discuss his playing status with organizational leadership. Philadelphia plays the Nets and team is still hopeful that Simmons will participate in shootaround.

In all that, Sixers President Daryl Morey spoke in a Philadelphia radio interview saying he won’t be pressured into trading Ben Simmons. “People should buckle in, this is going to go a long time”.

According to BR’s Jake Fischer, NBA executives are closely monitoring the relationship between New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson on eve of 2022 contract extension talks

Williamshon has reached north of 300 pounds weight this offseason, sources said, again fueling concerns among New Orleans staffers similar to the months leading up to his rookie debut

New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has agreed on a two-year extension worth $30.1 million, as reported by ESPN

Valanciunas is now committed to the Pelicans for $44.1M over the next three seasons

Sacramento Kings’ Marvin Bagley III agent Jeff Schwartz said in a statement : «Sacramento has informed Marvin Bagley he is not in the opening night rotation, which is completely baffling. It’s clear they have no plans for him in the future, and yet, passed on potential deals at last year’s deadline and this summer based on ‘value.’ Instead, they chose to bring him back but not play him, a move completely contradictory to their ‘value’ argument».

Jeff Schwartz, agente del giocatore tramite excel sports, ha rilasciato un comunicato su Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/SHRi6uBkKp

— excel sports (@excelsm) October 19, 2021

Daniel Gafford agrees to a three-year, $40.2 million contract extension with Washington Wizards.

The new deal is util 2026.

Gafford, 23, is entering his third NBA season and now has a new extension that runs through the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-11 big man arrived to the Wizards via trade from Chicago last season — showing the ability to be a starting-caliber center. https://t.co/Rz52iG86cl

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021

Kevin Huerter agrees a four-year, $65 million rookie contract extension with Atlanta Hawks.

Kevin Huerter will earn a base salary of $4,253,357 this season.

Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter has agreed on a four-year, $65 million rookie contract extension, @PrioritySports agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2021

Landry Shamet agrees to a four-year, $43 million rookie contract extension with Phoenix Suns.

Shamet will earn a base salary of $3,768,342 this season.

Phoenix Suns guard Landry Shamet has agreed to a four-year, $43 million rookie contract extension, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2021

Grayson Allen agrees a two-year, $20 million rookie extension with Milwaukee Bucks.

Allen will earn a base salary of $4,054,695 this season.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen has agreed on a two-year, $20 million rookie extension, his agent Mitch Nathan of @CAA_Basketball tells ESPN. Allen arrived with the defending champions in a trade this summer. He was the 21st pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2021

San Antonio Spurs claimed Devontae Cacok to sign a two-way contract.

Cacok played last season 20 games with Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs claimed former Lakers/Nets forward Devontae Cacok off waivers and will convert Cacok to a two-way contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 18, 2021

Adam Silver said he hopes Kyrie Irving ultimately decides to get vaccinated. He also said he would’ve preferred that the NBA Players’ Association agreed to mandatory vaccinations.

Malcolm Brogdon has reached a contract extension agreement with the Indiana Pacers, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brogdon will sign for additional two years at $45 million.
The guard is owed $89.3 million over the next four years.

DeAndre Ayton will be restricted free agent after this season.
The talks between the Phoenix Suns and the big man have ended without a deal.
Suns owner Robert Sarver refuted to offer Ayton a maximum contract and the 1st overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft turned down the proposal.

ESPN Sources: Suns talks with Deandre Ayton on rookie extension have ended — without a deal. Ayton expected max contract and owner Robert Sarver hasn’t offered it. More coming on consequences for failing to reach deal with 2018 No. 1 overall pick. NBA Today debut, ESPN2. Now.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2021

The San Antonio Spurs are waiving Al Farouq Aminu. The player will become free agent.
The news was reported by Shams Charania.

The Memphis Grizzlies have reached an agreement with Jaren Jackson for a four year, $105 million contract extension, ESPN reports.

Jackson, 22, has emerged as a cornerstone player on a gifted, young Grizzlies roster and has shown himself to be one of the most versatile and dynamic young big men in the league.

Jackson was the No. 4 pick out of Michigan State in the 2018 NBA draft and has partnered with point guard Ja Morant to construct one of the most promising young duos in the league.

Jackson missed a significant part of the 2020-21 season recovering from a meniscus injury but has returned to full strength this preseason. He has averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in his three NBA seasons.

The Boston Celtics offered Garrison Mathews a two-way deal but the player turned down the proposal becoming unrestricted free agent.

Per The Athletic, After playing the first two years of his career on Two-Way contracts with the Washington Wizards, Mathews believes he’s earned a standard NBA deal. Mathews became a key starter for the Wizards late last season and into the playoffs.

In 82 games (24 starts) over two season, Mathews has averaged 5.5 points per game. He’s a career 38.9% shooter on three-pointers.

Boston remains with one open Two-Way spot. Indications are that the Celtics will fill that spot before the regular season starts for them on Wednesday, October 20.