NBA Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz on Jahlil Okafor, Bradley Beal and More
While most fans are focused on the NBA Finals and the battle for the championship, front offices around the league are thinking about the future and how to improve in the offseason.
This summer is going to be a busy one with high-profile free agents likely to be heavily pursued by just about every team. Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Mike Conley and others could end up changing teams, which could cause some major shifts in the competitive balance of the league.
Beyond the big names, a number of other quality players could be on the move. While we won't know the plans until they are finalized, here is the latest buzz on some noteworthy moves that can take place in the coming months.
Philadelphia Dealing Big Men
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a plan over the last few years of acquiring players with upside, regardless of position or availability. This has left them with quality players such as Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel as well as Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, who have yet to suit up for the team. With Ben Simmons being the projected top overall pick, this could create a logjam with five players battling for playing time at the 4 and 5.
Considering the team has plenty of other needs on the roster, it makes sense for it to deal at least one of these young players for more assets. According to Marc Stein and Chad Ford of ESPN.com, the 76ers are exploring trades for the two proven players in the group:
"The Philadelphia 76ers will explore trading Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel in the buildup to the NBA draft on June 23, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN that the Sixers are determined to gauge the trade market for both Okafor and Noel and are increasingly likely to move at least one of them in conjunction with the draft. ...
Sources describe Okafor, at this early juncture, as the most likely of the two to be moved in the wake of his rocky rookie season off the floor.
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Any eventual deal will likely depend on the potential return, but the demand should be high for either.
The Boston Celtics are one option as a team that needs a center and wants to add players who can make an impact early. With the No. 3 overall pick and plenty of young assets, they could be a reasonable fit.
John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com also examined the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets as teams that would be able to offer the types of packages required. Then again, all of them either have young centers in place or will likely be looking for more experienced help through trades.
The Celtics still make the most sense, but you never know what could happen with so many teams likely to get involved.
Bradley Beal Getting His Money
While it seemed like it was a bold request for Bradley Beal to ask for a max contract, it might not be far-fetched for the Washington Wizards guard. In fact, the team might give him the money he desires.
Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post broke down the team's plan:
"The Wizards are expected to offer Beal a five-year deal for the maximum amount allowed under the salary cap as soon as the free agent negotiating period kicks off on July 1, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Based on the $92 million salary cap projection teams are working with, a max contract would pay Beal around $22 million next season.
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On the surface, it makes sense for the Wizards to do whatever they can to keep their young core together. John Wall and Beal represent one of the top young backcourts in the league, while guys like Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris could help the team get back to the playoffs after a disappointing year.
Beal has shown plenty of ability while averaging 16 points per game during his four-year career.
Conversely, the shooting guard is a one-dimensional player at this point without being a dominant scorer. Bill Simmons of The Ringer also noted Beal's injury history could hold up a pricey extension:
Not only was Beal limited to just 55 games this season, but he is also averaging about 62 games per year in his short career. If he is unable to play regularly, the Wizards won't get their money's worth on the next contract.
Plenty of teams will be interested in the young player if he becomes a free agent, but the Wizards should be careful about signing a large deal.
Bismack Biyombo in High Demand
There might not be anyone in the playoffs who boosted his stock as much as Bismack Biyombo. The Toronto Raptors big man had a solid season defensively, but he stood out during the postseason, especially when Jonas Valanciunas was unable to play after suffering an ankle injury.
Biyombo played in 20 playoff games, including 10 starts, averaging 8.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He had three double-doubles in that stretch, but arguably his best performance came when he finished with 26 rebounds and four blocks in a Game 3 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
While the 23-year-old still has plenty of room to grow on the offensive end, his defensive work will earn him plenty of money.
Stein has already reported Biyombo plans to decline his option:
As far as what he will cost to sign, one general manager told Sean Deveney of Sporting News that Biyombo could make as much as $16 million to $17 million per year, although the source noted that "it’ll be a heck of a $17 million-per-year gamble."
Any team that saw his impact in the postseason will likely at least consider adding the high-upside player, although the big man is reportedly hoping to stay with Toronto, according to Andrew Walker of Sportsnet 590:
The problem is the money, even with a hometown discount. Valanciunas isn't going anywhere, which likely means the Raptors would have to fork up the cash for a backup. This isn't likely with DeMar DeRozan also being a free agent this year.
General manager Masai Ujiri discussed the difficulty of keeping his players, per Eric Koreen of Sportsnet:
This is bad news for the Raptors but good news for just about everyone else in the league in need of a center.
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