NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Latest Buzz From Around the Association
The NBA Finals are in full swing, but that hasn’t stopped offseason rumors from swirling around the league.
While the Finals are down to just two teams—Miami and San Antonio—there have been plenty of rumors about coaching changes and the upcoming draft and free agency period. Every team can get in on the action this time of the year.
And there are plenty of rumblings to keep the excitement mill turning too.
Take a look at a rundown of the latest and greatest NBA rumors currently out there.
Doc Rivers Saga
The Boston Celtics are exploring options for life after head coach Doc Rivers. To this point Rivers has been non-committal about his intentions to return to the team next season.
That uncertainty has prompted a trade offer by the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Yahoo! Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clips would send Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks to Boston in exchange for Rivers and Kevin Garnett.
Additionally, Paul Pierce is believed to potentially be included in any movement of the Celtics pair, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The Clippers, though, are reportedly not willing to give up Bledsoe and a second No. 1 pick, and could be ready to move on from the deal, according to Los Angeles Times reported Brad Turner:
Turner also added that the Clips informed Rivers the deal is dead and that Rivers is prepared to stay in Beantown:
Interestingly, Wojnarowski noted that Rivers doesn’t want to stay in Boston unless the team brings back both Garnett—who is mulling retirement—and Pierce—an overpaid, aging veteran.
Remember, Garnett has a no-trade clause in his contract, making Rivers' inclusion in any trade a likely necessity for him to agree to not exercise that right.
If Rivers is staying put in Boston, Danny Ainge is in a tough position. In order to keep Rivers happy he’ll have to convince Garnett to hold off on retirement and work out a new, more manageable deal with Pierce.
Andre Iguodala to Opt Out of Contract
Denver Nuggets star Andre Iguodala plans to opt out of the final year of his contract, according to Wojnarowski.
The news came just one week after the team fired head coach George Karl. While on the surface the two events may be related, there could be a chance that Iguodala ends up signing a long-term deal with the Nuggets even after opting out.
Denver has the potential to offer the shooting guard a five-year deal, whereas other teams can only provide four years. If he had remained under contract after the June 25 deadline, Iguodala would have only been allowed to ink a three-year extension with the Nuggets.
For an aging player looking for long-term stability, opting out for a more lengthy contract doesn’t necessarily mean he plans on leaving the team in the long run.
However, that isn’t going to stop teams from trying to lure him away. Some rumors have already popped up about teams interesting in doing just that.
Wojnarowski listed the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans as teams he is hearing that will pursue Iguodala once free agency begins on July 1.
There is also an interest from the Golden State Warriors, according to Bay Area News Groups’ Marcus Thompson. Thompson also said Iguodala wants to play for the Warriors because of his strong relationship with Stephen Curry and his affinity for the team’s style of play.
More Clippers Buzz
What's an NBA offseason without rumors about a potential move for Dwight Howard?
The Clippers aren’t just active in their pursuit of Rivers and Garnett. They are eyeing much bigger fish, according to Stein:
Chris Paul is a free agent and has been communicating with Howard about potential scenarios that would lead to the two friends playing together next season.
The deal may not happen, though, as the Lakers are reportedly not interested, according to Wojnarowski:
Giving up Blake Griffin is a downside, but keeping Paul happy—and on the roster—by uniting him with Howard is certainly an ideal option for the team. Also, if their deal with Boston ends up panning out despite the reported setback, they would have an incredible group in place for their 2013-14 campaign.
If, somehow, the Clippers pull off both of these rumored deals, it would be the biggest offseason splash since the summer of LeBron James’ “Decision.”
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