BS Meter on Latest NBA Trade, Draft and Free-Agency Rumors
As we patiently wait for the 2024 NBA Finals to begin, it's time to check in on the latest offseason news and rumors.
The Philadelphia 76ers' wish list has been revealed, with four All-Star wings serving as potential fits between Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. We have an update on Zach LaVine's asking price from the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers' plan for their core four, what the Houston Rockets will do with the draft's No. 3 pick and more.
Using the BS meter to decipher fact from fiction, let's break down the latest summer news.
Isaiah Hartenstein, Nic Claxton Could Both Get $100 Million in Free Agency
1 of 5
There are no All-Star centers to be found in free agency, although that may not stop a few of them from getting paid like one.
Both starters in New York, Isaiah Hartenstein of the Knicks and Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets are unrestricted free agents who could land up to $100 million on a new deal.
As Yahoo' Sports Jake Fischer wrote, "league executives and cap strategists are projecting Hartenstein will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upward of $100 million, from a team hoping to steal Hartenstein from Madison Square Garden."
He added: "Nic Claxton will likely command a similar dollar figure to Hartenstein's expected range, sources said, although NBA personnel have long prepared for the Nets' switchable center to remain with Brooklyn."
The two centers face very different situations in their free-agency journeys. While the Nets have Bird rights on Claxton and can offer him whatever contract they want, the Knicks' "Early Bird" rights on Hartenstein means New York can only max out with a four-year, $72.5 million deal.
By all accounts, Hartenstein should want to return to the Knicks, but that could change if a team comes in with an offer well over what New York can present.
The Nets can't afford to lose Claxton, who is the anchor of their defense and one of the best shot-blocking bigs in the NBA. Still just 25 heading into his sixth season, a $100 million contract over five years seems entirely possible (and reasonable) with a cap projected to rise 10 percent each season.
BS Meter: A little BS, but only if Hartenstein wants to give the Knicks a discount. Both centers could see $20 million to $25 million a season on their next deals.
Bulls' Asking Price for Zach LaVine Has 'Dropped Significantly'
2 of 5
Zach LaVine will be one of the hottest names on the summer trade block, as foot surgery ended any chance of him being moved last season.
Chicago Bulls fans shouldn't be expecting much of a return, though.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago wrote: "I've reported before what their asking price was—All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both—and my sense is that it has dropped significantly."
Chicago should be lucky to get any sort of salary relief from LaVine's remaining three-year, $138 million contract. He averaged under 20 points per game for the first time in six seasons, had a swing rating of minus-4.2 (30th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass) and will turn 30 during 2024-25.
Finding a team in need of a wing scorer who doesn't defend, hasn't impacted winning enough and is making an average of $46 million over the next three years is extremely difficult.
LaVine could be a Plan C or D for a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers if their first few upgrade options fall through. The Charlotte Hornets or Sacramento Kings could cobble together enough role players to make the salaries match. Maybe the Detroit Pistons get desperate to add some talent and make a call to Chicago.
The Bulls aren't going to get any real assets back in return in terms of picks or players. Both sides may not like it, but the best option is going into the season with LaVine on the roster and seeing if he can rehab his value before exploring a trade closer to the deadline.
BS Meter: No BS. No team is giving up anything of real value for LaVine on his massive contract.
Rockets to 'Heavily Pursue Trade Opportunities' with No. 3 Overall Pick
3 of 5
The Houston Rockets already have six first-round picks from the last three draft classes in their rotation and could be looking for veteran help this summer instead.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported: "Most teams expect the Rockets to heavily pursue trade opportunities, either to move down the board (with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies or Chicago Bulls) or to get out altogether if a major building block—such as Mikal Bridges—becomes unexpectedly available."
For a team that finished 16-7 over the final month-and-a-half of the season, this is an understandable strategy, especially for this draft class.
Houston needs to temper its expectations, though. There have been a number of stars drafted over the last decade at No. 3 overall (Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LaMelo Ball, Evan Mobley), but this year doesn't project to carry the same amount of sizzle at the top.
Houston has a nice blend of veterans and young stars, but it's fair to ask if everyone can reach their potential with so many mouths to feed. The playing-style difference between the likes of Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün could become an issue as well.
The Rockets should see what a package of three No. 3 overall pick and some of their young talent can fetch on the trade market, whether it be Bridges, Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler or another star who fits.
Some teams like the Washington Wizards (No. 2 overall), San Antonio Spurs (Nos. 4 and 8) and Detroit Pistons (No. 5) should stay where they are and take the best player available. The Rockets are much further along in their rebuild and should be pursuing veteran help.
BS Meter: No BS. Houston should go star-hunting this summer with the No. 3 overall pick as part of their bait.
Cavs Plan to Keep Core 4 of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen Together
4 of 5
The Cleveland Cavaliers' first order of business this offseason is to see if Donovan Mitchell will agree to a four-year, $208.5 million contract extension that will keep him in town until 2029.
From there, they can figure out what type of roster to build around their All-Star guard, including if any major changes need to be made.
Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer wrote: "The Cavs don't appear very motivated to listen to trade inquiries for any member of their core four, sources said, even with the possibility that Garland's representation at Klutch Sports could move to request a trade if Mitchell extends long term."
It's important that president of basketball operations Koby Altman doesn't come off as desperate to move one of his core guys, although last season didn't inspire a lot of confidence that the right pieces are already in place here.
The four-man combo of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen had a lowly net rating of plus-2.7 in 819 total possessions together this past season. With just Mitchell and Allen, this number jumped all the way to plus-9.9 (93rd percentile, via Cleaning the Glass).
Having one ball-handler, one true big and putting shooters and defenders between them (guys like Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade) resulted in the Cavs' most successful lineups.
Mitchell will stay if he wants to, and Cleveland isn't going to trade a 22-year-old Evan Mobley this early into his career. Garland and Allen are the most likely pieces to be moved, and Altman should be exploring deals involving both if Mitchell commits to the franchise for the long term.
BS Meter: BS that all four members return. Consider Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen the most likely players to be traded.
LeBron James, Paul George Top 76ers' List of Star Summer Targets
5 of 5
The wish list of players by Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has reportedly been revealed, and it's exactly who you'd think.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, they are looking for "a maximum-salary player via free agency or a trade from a pool that includes Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram."
This should come as no surprise for a team-builder like Morey, who's been synonymous with star-hunting over his career.
The Sixers will have $53.7 million in cap space this summer even when accounting for Tyrese Maxey's cap hold. That's enough to offer either James or George a max contract as a free agent or absorb the contract of Butler or Ingram without having to send any salary back in return.
Morey has gone on record saying that fit matters with this core of Joel Embiid and Maxey, and all four stars listed here can float between shooting guard and power forward and theoretically operate in a number of roles.
Both James and Butler may be aggressive targets, but pursuing George as a free agent or Ingram in a trade is entirely possible. Mikal Bridges should be on the team's wish list as well.
BS Meter: No BS that this is where Morey should begin his search. BS that he can land James or Butler, although George and Ingram should be on the table.
