NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook and More
What a summer.
The NBA has undergone an offseason of major upheaval, and it may not be over, as a few players could yet be on the move. Let's break down a few of the most intriguing rumors and some of the most tantalizing speculation making the rounds.
Without question, Dwyane Wade is the last major domino waiting to fall in NBA free agency. And while it seems likely that Wade will return to Miami, that's hardly a guarantee.
As Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reported, "I'm told negotiations are at a bit of an impasse right now, but the Heat is still optimistic Wade will re-sign with the only franchise he's ever played for."
She added, "Wade is hoping for a longer deal, or more than the $20 million he made last year, if he is to accept a two-year deal, according to a source."
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Wade was seeking a two-year, $50 deal. That comes a day after the Dan Le Batard Show reported that the Heat had offered Wade a two-year, $40 million deal, with a player option in the second year.
But the Heat aren't the only interested suitor.
David Aldridge of NBA.com reported that Wade had a meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks scheduled on Wednesday, while Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post tweeted that Wade was in "preliminary talks" to join the Cleveland Cavaliers and reunite with LeBron James.
And Windhorst added that the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls were still in the running.
It would appear that Wade has narrowed down his options, however, as Windhorst reported on Tuesday morning that the guard "has canceled some free agent meetings with teams he'd set up with this week, sources said."
So there are mixed messages on the Wade front, though Wade still seems most likely to return to Miami. But it's clear that Wade wants a significant commitment from the Heat, either in terms of years or overall money. And it's very clear that Wade is essentially seeking a legacy deal—i.e., a contract that pays him for his past contributions and sacrifices.
As Michael Wallace of ESPN noted, "Wade has twice taken pay cuts to help the Heat manage their salary cap, and he has taken short-term deals to help the team with flexibility."
In other words, the 34-year-old perhaps feels as though the Heat owe him a great deal of gratitude. And he would like them to express that gratitude with dollars and cents.
It's not as though Wade can't play anymore or that his demands are absurd. Wade averaged 19.0 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest last season in 74 games, leading the Heat to the postseason. He's a crucial part of a core that includes Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow.
Ultimately, it would be a shame to see Wade finish his career anywhere other than Miami. And despite all of the gnashing of teeth, it still seems unlikely he'll leave the Heat.
Whereas Wade seems likely to finish his career with the Heat, Russell Westbrook seems far more likely to eventually depart the Oklahoma City Thunder.
First, James Harden left the Thunder. Then it was Serge Ibaka. And then Kevin Durant bolted to Golden State, as he stated in his letter for the Players' Union, leaving Westbrook as the final piece of what once appeared to be a young core destined to become a dynasty.
Instead, the team reached one NBA Finals and never won a championship.
And so the Thunder and Westbrook find themselves in an interesting position: The Thunder will want to lock up Westbrook immediately to a long-term contract so they don't lose him in free agency next year. Westbrook, meanwhile, would be crazy to not at least explore free agency in the summer of 2017, using the 2016-17 campaign to judge the future of the Thunder.
Which makes the following report from Aldridge anything but surprising:
In turn, the Thunder absolutely have to explore the possibility of trading Westbrook so they don't lose another superstar without getting anything in return. And as Windhorst reported, "If Westbrook chooses not to extend his contract this summer, multiple league executives told ESPN they believe the Thunder will consider fielding trade offers for Westbrook."
What might general manager Sam Presti try to get back in a deal for Westbrook?
Zach Lowe of ESPN speculated on that front:
"Presti doesn't want to trade Westbrook, but if he feels backed into a corner, he will chase young players and draft picks. The Phoenix Suns reportedly talked with the Atlanta Hawks about Paul Millsap, and they come armed with prospects galore, extra point guards and two future Miami picks. The Denver Nuggets had the Hawks biting on a package of picks and players, including Kenneth Faried, for Millsap, per several league sources, but it's unclear if Denver would chase Westbrook. Both teams have enough cap space left to renegotiate and extend Westbrook, though he might not have any interest in sticking around either place.
The Orlando Magic, a trade partner just 10 days ago, have a bunch of interesting young guys and a win-now mandate. The Boston Celtics can throw all their unused trade assets at Oklahoma City.
Presti would call everyone with a young stud, just as he did in dealing Harden: the Milwaukee Bucks with Jabari Parker, the Minnesota Timberwolves with Andrew Wiggins and a few other possibilities.
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And let's not forget about the Los Angeles Lakers, who have "a gleaming city, several interesting young players and a timeline for recovery hanging over the neck of team executive Jim Buss like a guillotine," as Lowe noted.
The Thunder can take the risk of rebuilding a solid team around Westbrook and hoping their star decides to stick around. But realistically, the landscape of the modern NBA suggests Westbrook will either seek a bigger market and more lucrative endorsement opportunities elsewhere, or will look to hook up with an organization that has established superstars in place to compete with the superteams in the Bay Area and Cleveland.
Which means that, yes, Westbrook's departure from the Thunder feels imminent. As does the death of what once seemed to be the makings of a dynasty in Oklahoma City.
Dewayne Dedmon
And now, for the biggest rumor of them all.
Jesting aside, once Wade makes a decision, free agency will turn to the "roster building" stage, with teams looking to scoop up role players on cheaper deals to fill out their rosters. And one of the more intriguing names in that stage will be Dewayne Dedmon.
Sam Amick of USA Today has the latest buzz on the market developing around the center:
Dedmon averaged 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game for the Orlando Magic last year. While he's hardly an impact player, he can offer teams nice depth off the bench at center, so he should attract his fair share of suitors.
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