Just when you thought the NBA trade rumor mill was slowing down, we’re heading into the second wave of the league’s annual transaction jubilee, and we’ve got a fresh wave of possibilities opening up as the week’s transactions get finalized at the league office in New York. Meanwhile, summer league in Las Vegas opens on Thursday, with team personnel gathering and sparking yet another wave of trade chatter. Buckle up, and let’s get into the rumors.
- The Cavaliers secured the future of Donovan Mitchell by signing him to a four-year extension worth $275 million on Wednesday, taking away the organizational angst around whether Mitchell would commit to the team, wait till next year to sign an extension, or not sign at all and head into free agency. The corresponding question around the NBA, though, is whether having Mitchell locked up means the Cavs have committed to a win-now mentality and will thus put Evan Mobley on the trade market. Dealing Mobley would ease the Cavs’ dismal long-term financial picture and help them bring in desperately needed role players.
… - ESPN’s Shams Charania noted that teams were calling the Celtics to gauge a Jayson Tatum trade after the Jaylen Brown deal, but were universally shut down. There will be extra spotlight on Tatum this year, as the team’s 1A option not longer has a 1B. The Celtics are still open to making a trade, but they’re viewing the assignment as building a roster to support Tatum, not to bring in another star to split shots with them. Forget Trey Murphy, the targets are more likely to be Herb Jones, Keldon Johnson or a player of that range.
NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Ready to Expand Deal
- The Lakers and Jazz have not unveiled the Walker Kessler trade yet, and with Jaxson Hayes signing in Utah after the deal was originally worked out, there is an opportunity for the teams to widen the transaction and create some added financial room for the Lakers and a trade exception for Utah. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers are trying to land forward Jonathan Kuminga on a deal of two years and $20 million, but an adjustment in the Kessler trade will allow them to increase that offer.
… - The Bucks agreed to take Caris LeVert off the Pistons’ hands in a deal for Gary Harris and Taurean Prince, players who might not stick with Detroit, but do make some sense as much-needed 3-point threats. The Pistons have created some cap space and are more than $40 million below the luxury tax. Pistons fans are holding out hope that the team will bring in another player–Peyton Watson? Tyler Herro? Kevin Durant? Klay Thompson?–but the team could simply use the cushion to increase their offer to Jalen Duren and stay under the tax. The Pistons can sign Duren to a four-year deal worth about $190 million, or a five-year deal for $250 million and stay under the tax.
… - The fact that the Clippers and Raptors have not processed the Kawhi Leonard trade is likely due to LA trying to find a team to take on Brandon Ingram, who is on a deal with two years and $82 million remaining (including a player option). “That is not an easy deal to move, but a lot of teams need scoring so it’s worth keeping that option open,” one NBA executive said.
… - The Mavericks are excited about bringing sharpshooter Tarik Biberovic over to the NBA next season, and expect him to have a rotation role from the get-go. That only increases the chances of the Mavs dealing away Klay Thompson if they can find a taker.
And now onto an updated Big Board …
NBA Trade Rumors: Big Stars on the Market
We’ve already seen stars like Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and LaMelo Ball traded. Will there be others?
Kevin Durant, Rockets. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) The Pistons continue to be the only team really connected to Durant in a meaningful way, though it’s fair to question how meaningful the interest is. Durant is dropping hints about wanting to play for Detroit. But it’s complicated. Detroit is naturally hesitant about a 37-year-old veteran who has been a headache pretty much everywhere he has been. Oh, and you would have to pay him $90 million over the next two years at a time when the Pistons are trying to work out a deal for Jalen Duren and have an Ausar Thompson contract extension to work out.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) Dealing Murray might be too much to ask of the Nuggets, but there is a financial crunch in Denver and sending Murray away would help the team reset and build a roster more focused no Nikola Jokic. Still, the Nuggets are more likely to move off of Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon or Christian Braun. What they do next might be decided by how the Peyton Watson situation plays out.
Anthony Davis, Wizards. (Remaining contract: two years, $121 million, including player option.) The Warriors appear to be the only immediate potential suitor for Davis, and they’d only make such a deal as a means to signing LeBron James. But is it worth giving up two first-round picks to get Davis, who is among the league’s most injury-prone stars? And if Davis wants an extension on top of that–it’s all a bit much to ask of the Warriors. The bet here is still that Davis stays put, and perhaps is moved at next year’s deadline.
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: two years, $81 million.) The Mavericks have not been looking for Irving trades, and their position is they intend to keep him. There’s not much of a market for Irving as things stand, but he will be a trade candidate up until next February’s deadline.
Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) If Davis moves to the Warriors, then it will mean Butler has to go out. The Warriors have told Butler he won’t be dealt. Would they break their word to make a blockbuster deal? Doubtful (possible, but doubtful.) Butler has turned up in NBA trade rumors, but he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery, and there are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix.
GettyJamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets
NBA Trade Rumors: Young and Tradeable
It’s hard to bring in a young star–or even a young potential star–on the trade market. But there could be some wrangling for these guys, the 25-and-under (OK, 26 for Trey Murphy) crowd.
Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season. The Warriors are short on time, so could move Moody to make room for LeBron James, or for another potential move. Even with the injury, Moody’s upside and reasonable contract make him an asset.
Jalen Duren, Pistons. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) Sign-and-trade options for Duren are all but extinguished–were the Pistons ever really weighing a deal with the Kings for Domantas Sabonis? The Pistons have made moves to be able to give Duren more money, and that’s the likely way this all plays out.
Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) It does look increasingly like Murphy will stay put. He is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there’s been no movement yet.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: four years, $223 million.) The roster is far too expensive, and if LeBron James comes aboard, the guy who will most likely suffer is Mobley–James will need 15 or so shots per game, and will take away touches from Mobley. The Cavs are partly at fault for not paving the way for Mobley’s development. But they’re in win-now mode, and he might be better off elsewhere. Cleveland could take back a good haul for him.
Peyton Watson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) Reports suggest that the Clippers are a player in a potential Peyton Watson deal–they could make him a credible offer that the Nuggets would have to match, or could work out a sign-and-trade with Denver. Watson was earlier connected with the Nets, but that appears to be dead.
Eastern Conference Targets: Cavaliers Deals?
Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: three years, $90 million.) If the Cavs want to make a move to entice LeBron James to Cleveland, Allen could be the bait. It’s more likely that Allen gets traded than Evan Mobley, and the Cavaliers could get some relief and a contributor. Allen is a standard offensive center but is a valued rim-runner who can protect the paint.
Max Strus, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $16 million.) The Cavs are trying hard to fit everything under the second apron, and that likely means moving off Strus, if they can find a taker. He would be sacrificed to get LeBron James in.
Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $14.6 million.) Schroder has played for 11 teams in the NBA so far, and the Cavs would be open to making it 12 as they seek to duck the second apron and still stay in the contending picture.
Myles Turner, Bucks. (Remaining contract: three years, $80 million.) Milwaukee has little incentive to keep Turner, but reports suggest they are not shopping him–yet. The Bucks might be willing to start the season with Turner and flip him at the deadline, but the right offer probably lands him elsewhere. The Bucks have more to gain by playing young bigs Dieng and Kel’El Ware significant minutes so he could keep popping up in NBA trade rumors.
Michael Porter Jr., Nets. (Remaining contract: one year, $40 million, partial guarantee.) Rumors have started cropping up about Porter Jr., but the Nets have not gotten the kind of draft-asset offers they’d hoped for. New draft rules mean the Nets will want to be competitive next season, so Porter could stick around and be dealt at the February deadline.
Derrick White, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $98 million.) The Celtics were not as disappointed in White and his terrible shooting season (39.4% from the field) as the rest of us, so it is doubtful they will move him in the end. But after the Brown trade, the door is at least open.
Western Conference Targets: Kings Seek Relief
Keldon Johnson, Spurs. (Remaining contract: one year, $17.5 million.) The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is heading into the final season of his contract, and San Antonio is likely to phase out his minutes in favor of younger players. He is still a valued leader on the team, but he could be a chip worth cashing in if the Spurs can land a first-round pick.
Domantas Sabonis, Kings. (Remaining contract: two years, $93 million.) Sabonis has had some nibbles, but no bites. There was a rumor that the Hornets were planning to trade for him, but that proved fruitless. Then there was the Jalen Duren sign-and-trade with the Pistons, which was far-fetched from the beginning. This one might have to wait until the season gets going.
Jrue Holiday, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $72 million, with player option.) Certainly, something has to give in Portland with the arrival of Morant. Holiday is not getting any younger, but he has value around the NBA.
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $74 million, including player option.) The Wolves might be a longshot for LeBron James, but they’re holding steady to see what happens with him going forward. If he lands elsewhere, the Wolves will need to evaluate their frontcourt and could find that dealing Gobert, who is up for an extension this summer, is their best bet to bring in younger options.
Zach LaVine, Kings. (Remaining contract: one year, $49 million.) LaVine picked up the player option worth $49 million. There was some hope that he could be waived, but after the Kings let DeMar DeRozan go, they’ll keep LaVine on the books and hope they can find a place to dump him.
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $110 million.) Gordon has struggled to stay healthy, but is still a valued connective piece when he plays. He needs to be a No. 3/4 option on a good team, and teams aren’t falling over themselves to cough up assets for that, and the Nuggets have not pushed hard for a trade.
Daniel Gafford, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team’s top options. The concern is whether the guy the Mavs want to be their stalwart center–Dereck Lively II–can stay healthy. Lively has played 98 games in three seasons.
PJ Washington, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 4 years, $90 million.) Like Gafford, Washington is aging out of the Mavericks’ timeline, as he turns 28 this summer. He’s a stretch 4 who plays good defense, but his shooting has been suspect–he made just 32.5% of his 3s last year. Washington’s extension kicks in this year, though, so he might be a better trade target down the line.
Klay Thompson, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: one year, $17 million.) Another aging Mav! Thompson does not fit Dallas’s timeline, and if the Mavs can get anything–youth, a few second-rounders–for him, they will. He’s still a 38% 3-point shooter.
Cam Johnson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: one year, $23 million.) Johnson has been a disaster in Denver, and he has been a prominent feature on the NBA trade rumor mill for years now. He still has enough of a reputation around the league to warrant trade interest, but a report from The Stein Line suggests the Nuggets are not going that route … yet.
What’s Been Done: NBA’s Blockbusters
The NBA has had a busy summer, interspersed with some controversy. Here’s what’s happened so far …
Celtics-Sixers Trade
Jaylen Brown, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $183 million.) The Celtics set out to find a package of four first-round picks or a young superstar, but came away with about half that. A 2028 first-round pick that could convert to a swap, Philly’s 2031 unprotected first-rounder, and two second-round picks.
Paul George, Sixers. (Remaining contract: two years, $110 million, including player option). George has been healthy for just 78 games over the last two seasons, and the Celtics could look to trade him off, either in the short-term or the longer term.
Hornets-Timberwolves Trade
LaMelo Ball, Hornets. (Remaining contract: three years, $131 million.) TRADED to Timberwolves. Ball will connect with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota as the team tries to give the offense a strong No. 2 scoring option without moving off of Jaden McDaniels. The Hornets will get Naz Reid and a first-round pick in 2033, plus three swaps and three second-round picks. This deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.
Naz Reid, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: three years, $103 million). TRADED to Hornets. The Wolves did not want to trade Reid, of course, and now are faced with a severe weakness in the frontcourt. But they feel the cost of replacing him was outweighed by the Ball opportunity. Again, this deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.
Heat-Bucks Trade
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks. (Remaining contract: two years, $120 million.) TRADED to Heat. The deal is done, and Antetokounmpo is off to Miami. Bobby Portis also is going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.
Bobby Portis, Bucks. (Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including player option.) TRADED to Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.
Tyler Herro, Heat. (Remaining contract: one year, $33 million.) TRADED to Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick. But the Bucks could still seek to move Herro before the trade becomes official.
Grizzlies-Blazers trade
Ja Morant, Grizzlies. (Remaining contract: two years, $86 million.) TRADED to Blazers. Portland took the gamble on Morant, sending out Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, finally giving some closure to the Grizz.
Jerami Grant, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $70 million.) TRADED to Memphis. Memphis could ride it out with Grant, but might look to flip him elsewhere, perhaps during the season.
Raptors-Clippers trade
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers. (Remaining contract: one year, $50 million.) TRADED to Toronto. Despite the lingering Aspiration scandal, the Clippers moved Leonard to the Raptors for a package of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks (2031 and 2033), plus a swap and two second-round picks.
Brandon Ingram, Raptors. (Remaining contract: two years, $81 million, team option.) TRADED to LA Clippers. Ingram heads to LA in the Kawhi Leonard deal.
More Trades Logging In
Timberwolves-Nets-Bulls Trade
Julius Randle, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $69 million including player option.) TRADED to Nets. Randle is heading to the Nets after a miserable playoff performance sent up subtle shots from teammates and wide calls to ship out Randle. The Wolves did so, and used the resulting flexibility to re-sign Dosunmu and acquire LaMelo Ball.
Nic Claxton, Nets. (Remaining contract: two years, $42 million.) TRADED to Bulls. The Bulls gave up next to nothing as the Nets were looking to simply clear Claxton off their books. Chicago is hoping for a bounce back now that he is out of Brooklyn.
Pistons-Grizzlies Trade
Isaiah Stewart, Pistons. (Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including team option.) TRADED to Grizzlies. Stewart was traded on Wednesday night for three second-round picks, a move that gives the Pistons flexibility in free agency and adds another tough, young big to the Grizzlies roster.
Pistons-Thunder Trade
Isaiah Joe, Thunder. (Remaining contract: Two years, $22.6 million, including team option.) TRADED to Pistons. Joe was dealt to the Pistons in a salary dump as Oklahoma City wrestles with cutting payroll while still maintaining status as a Finals contender. Joe averaged 11.1 points and made 42.3% of his 3s last year.
Suns-Hornets Trade
Miles Bridges, Hornets. (Remaining contract: One year, $22 million) TRADED to Suns. The interest in Bridges was limited because of his 2022 domestic abuse case, but the Suns decided they could stomach that history. The Hornets are sending the Suns a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-rounder.
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