NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Kevin Durant, Possible Taj Gibson Trade and More
With NBA free agency on the horizon and teams facing new roster questions after the draft, several players could be on the move in the coming weeks.
Free agents can start negotiating with teams on July 1, but no signings can become official before July 7. Some franchises, like the Chicago Bulls, are already reshaping their rosters, and more transactions could be on the way shortly.
Here is a look at some of the recent talk around the league.
Kevin Durant to Washington Unlikely
During the early part of last season, Kevin Durant returning home to play for the Washington Wizards seemed like popular speculation for the Oklahoma City Thunder star. However, that now appears to be a moot point.
Per ESPN's Britt McHenry, the Wizards feel they will not contend for Durant's services. They reportedly reached out to Durant's camp but were told his interest does not replicate that of another recent high-profile free agent.
"It's not like LeBron [James] and Cleveland," the source told McHenry.
Wizards fans' dreams of seeing Durant team up with the dynamic backcourt of Bradley Beal and John Wall appear to be dead, but the team still has other options to improve after missing the playoffs last season.
Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post mentioned Nicolas Batum and Al Horford as possible targets for Washington. Both are effective scorers who would help a Wizards team that still averaged the ninth-most points per game last season.
Durant, meanwhile, already has meetings set up with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs in addition to Oklahoma City, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard and Marc Stein.
These teams are all among the best in the NBA, which Washington is not. Even if the Wizards hold some sentimental value as a hometown favorite, it does not make sense as an option if Durant is serious about winning a title.
Taj Gibson on the Move?
Chicago already traded Derrick Rose last week, and now it seems the team could shake up its frontcourt as well.
With Robin Lopez now in the fold and Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah possibly gone to free agency, Taj Gibson could be elsewhere next season, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"To add some further clouds to the Bulls frontcourt rotation, a league source said that the Bulls have been talking to several teams about the possibility of moving Taj Gibson. The power forward is in the final year of his contract, scheduled to make $8.9 million.
If they do in fact send Gibson elsewhere, that would leave a frontcourt of Robin Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio, and some serious money to spend.
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In seven seasons, Gibson has consistently been a key role player for Chicago. He has averaged 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 25 minutes per game. His salary hit is not too significant, either, so he could be a nice trade piece for a team that is looking to get younger.
A team like the Clippers would be a good fit. They need some frontcourt depth next to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and it would put Gibson on a contending team.
Look for Golden State as well. If it loses out on Durant, Gibson could be a nice add to replace the possibly departing Festus Ezeli while also allowing Draymond Green to play out on the wing instead of more in the paint.
Spurs Fit Concerns Mike Conley
After Durant, Mike Conley is squarely in the next class of quality free agents.
Conley is set to become a free agent this summer, and the Spurs have emerged as a contender for his services. Yet there could be some issues with that sentiment, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon (via SB Nation's Tim Cato):
"on @1033fmESPN, @espn_macmahon said a source told him that Mike Conley has serious worries about going to the Spurs because of Tony Parker
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) June 27, 2016"
Tony Parker is 34 years old, but he has only played at least 70 games once in the past five years due to injuries. He still can produce, though, as he put up 11.9 points and 5.3 assists while hitting 41.5 percent of his threes last season.
He may only have one or two more good seasons left, but Conley may not be willing to share point guard duties for that long. If Conley indicates that the Spurs are his top choice, then San Antonio would have to decide between loyalty and its long-term future.
Conley is 28 years old and still in the prime of his career. His career shooting percentages (44 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three) are comparable to Parker's (49.4 percent from the field and 32.7 from three). Yet Conley is much more explosive at this moment, which would help the team considerably after Oklahoma City's athleticism exposed the Spurs in the playoffs.
Per its Twitter account, Memphis is pulling out all the stops to re-sign Conley:
Still, the team is not an elite squad like San Antonio. Conley's best bet may be to make things work with the Spurs, assuming they are still an option after Durant makes his choice, and work toward winning a championship.
Conley is a great fit for the team, and head coach Gregg Popovich would likely figure out a way to play him and Parker together.
Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.
