NBA Rumors: Trade Reports and Rumblings from Around the League
The 2023 NBA Finals are underway, the Denver Nuggets hold a one-game advantage, and much of the basketball world is firmly focused on the best-of-seven clash between Denver and the Miami Heat.
Behind the scenes, though, the league's other 28 teams are working out ways to get to where the Nuggets and Heat currently are. Whether the goal is content next season or build for the future, teams are already busy laying plans for the looming offseason.
And the offseason is fast approaching. The draft will kick off on June 22, and free agency is slated to begin on June 30.
What could the coming weeks hold? Let's dive into some of the latest trade and offseason-related buzz.
Knicks Hoping for a Joel Embiid Trade Request
1 of 3
The New York Knicks are looking to reload following a loss to Miami in the semifinal round. It wouldn't be a shock to see New York take a big swing at a star player, as it did with Jalen Brunson last offseason.
That swing could come on what is expected to be a very active trade market. The list of impending free agents isn't jaw-dropping, and the new collective bargaining agreement will make trades trickier for teams above a second luxury tax apron beginning in 2024. Therefore several trades could be on the near horizon.
The Knicks, it seems, are hoping that one particular star asks to enter the trade market. According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, they're hoping to see a scenario in which Philadelphia 76ers standout center Joel Embiid asks for a chance of scenery.
"I don’t know if that’s coming, but they’ve looked at that situation in Philly and there’s been a hope in New York that stuff in Philly will go haywire to the point where Embiid will ask out,” MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Wells).
While this may seem like wishful thinking, it's not that far-fetched. Philly is coming off a semifinal playoff exit, and Embiid seemed to suggest that he and James Harden carried the team to the postseason.
"Me and James, we just can't win alone," Embiid said, per The Athletic's Rich Hofmann.
The Sixers also have a new head coach in Nick Nurse could lose Harden this offseason. The 33-year-old has a player option, and Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported last month that Harden intends to opt out.
It could all lead to a situation with which Embiid is very unhappy, potentially making him a viable trade target for New York.
Teams Have Contacted Portland About the No. 3 Pick
2 of 3
If there is a flurry of trade activity this offseason, it may not involve only veteran players. The San Antonio Spurs aren't trading the No. 1 pick and the chance to snag Victor Wembanyama, but interested teams might be able to land a high lottery pick.
The Athletic's John Hollinger reported after the draft lottery that many in the league believed that the Portland Trail Blazers would part with the No. 3 pick—and with it, the rights to a blue-chip prospect like Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller or Amen Thompson.
"Speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward," Hollinger wrote.
In theory, trading the pick, potentially along with other assets, could make sense. If the Blazers are looking to win now with Damian Lillard as a centerpiece adding a standout veteran would make sense.
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, however, teams have begun inquiring about the third selection, but Portland isn't biting yet. Scotto said the following on Wednesday's edition of the HoopsHype podcast:
"Portland has received inquiries from various teams interested in the third pick, I'm told. So far, Portland is listening, but the sense is the Blazers are comfortable taking either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller if either player falls to them, depending on what Charlotte does at pick two."
Scotto also said that Portland "could’ve" traded Simons to the Orlando Magic as part of a package for Aaron Gordon before he was dealt to Denver in 2021. That obviously didn't happen, and if the Trail Blazers are still high on Simons, he probably won't be part of a package now.
Things could change closer to the draft, but it seems like Portland will be content to draft and develop its next star instead of trading for one.
Lakers Want to Keep Austin Reaves, Could Deal DeAngelo Russell in a Sign-and-Trade
3 of 3
The Los Angeles Lakers made it to the Western Conference Finals but face plenty of uncertainty heading into the offseason. LeBron James hinted at retirement after the Lakers were swept,
The Lakers also have to deal with restricted free agents Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, plus unrestricted free agent D'Angelo Russell.
According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the Lakers plan on matching any offer sheet for Reaves, up to the $98.7 million max he can receive from another team:
"The Lakers are going to match any contract offer sheet that he signs up to that $100 million. The Lakers view him as the third-best player on this team if you look at the regular season and postseason he had," Buha said on Thursday's episode of the HoopsHype podcast.
On Wednesday, Buha also speculated that L.A. would match an offer for Hachimura at "something in the four-year, $80 million range" and would prefer to move Russell in a sign-and-trade instead of keeping him.
"My read on the situation is that the Lakers would prefer to use D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade, but I'm not sure the market is there," Buha wrote.
Buha mentioned Toronto Raptors standout Fred VanVleet as a possible trade target for L.A. but admitted that it's an unlikely scenario. The problem is that Russell just doesn't have a lot of trade value, especially after being highlighted as a defensive liability and inconsistent offensive player against the Nuggets. Denver attacked Russell early and often during the four-game series.
"Just going at him," Nuggets forward Bruce Brown told reporters. "He's not the best defender, but he definitely tries."
Russell can be a fine role player, and he may be a valuable sixth man in L.A. However, the Lakers should be looking for an upgrade in the starting lineup and they're not likely to find one by dealing Russell.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
