NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential Jae Crowder Trade, Kemba Walker, More
Another NBA offseason is over, and the buildup to the 2022-23 season is underway. The league's 30 teams are participating in training camps, and the first preseason games are set to take place Friday.
But that doesn't mean there won't be more moves. It's still possible for trades and signings to happen over the next few weeks and then also after the regular season begins on Oct. 18.
Rumors are already swirling about potential transactions. None bigger than the likelihood of Jae Crowder getting traded by the Phoenix Suns in the near future.
Here's some of the latest buzz on that and more from around the NBA.
Cavaliers Interested in Trading for Crowder?
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With Crowder on the trade block, there's been plenty of talk about potential suitors for the Suns forward. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium recently reported that several of Crowder's former teams could be interested, including the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
Another one of Crowder's former teams that may be looking to bring him back for a reunion? The Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Athletic's Joe Vardon reported the Cavs are "said to have interest" in Crowder, who has spent the past two seasons in Phoenix. He didn't have a long stint in Cleveland, as he played 53 games for the Cavaliers during the 2017-18 season before they traded him to the Utah Jazz in February 2018.
The Cavs reached the NBA Finals after dealing Crowder that year, but they haven't been back to the playoffs in any of the past four seasons. They're now in a much better position to contend entering the 2022-23 campaign, though, so Crowder's production and leadership are understandably desirable.
Pistons Not Planning on Parting with Walker Quite Yet
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Kemba Walker is on the Detroit Pistons' roster. However, the 32-year-old point guard isn't with the team for training camp. That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported in June that the Pistons and Walker were finalizing a contract buyout that would make him an unrestricted free agent.
So, why is Walker still on Detroit's payroll? According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Detroit isn't planning to cut Walker "until his reps find him a new home."
It isn't clear how soon that may happen. But Walker could still be a solid contributor for a team, even if his lone season with the New York Knicks during the 2021-22 campaign didn't go as well as expected. He averaged a career-low 11.6 points and 3.5 assists in 37 games and was traded to Detroit in a cap dump.
Walker is a four-time All-Star who thrived over his first 10 NBA seasons (eight with the Charlotte Hornets and two with the Boston Celtics). If he can return to form, he would be a great addition for a team seeking a boost in the backcourt.
Jazz Could Have Gotten 1st-Round Draft Pick for Bogdanović
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After trading Rudy Gobert to the Utah Jazz and Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Utah Jazz weren't done making moves. Last Thursday, they dealt Bojan Bogdanović to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward/center Kelly Olynyk, guard Saben Lee and cash considerations.
Some may have wondered why Utah didn't get any draft picks in return for the 33-year-old Bogdanović. However, it's now more clear why that didn't happen.
According to Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz received multiple offers in which they would have acquired a late first-round pick in a Bogdanovic trade. But for that to happen, Utah would have had to acquire a player with a longer-term salary.
That wouldn't have made sense given the Jazz's current rebuilding plans, so it appears they preferred to get Olynyk, Lee and cash. Olynyk has two years remaining on his contract, while Lee could become a free agent next offseason because he has a $1.9 million club option for the 2023-24 campaign.
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