NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Spencer Dinwiddie Trade, Tristan Thompson, More
As we get closer to the official start of NBA free agency, more rumors and speculation continue to emerge about potential signings and trades that could take place. That's no different from past years, even if it's unusual for it to be happening in mid-November.
However, this year's offseason calendar is much different due to the coronavirus pandemic causing the 2019-20 season to not be completed until October. Now, the 2020 NBA draft is set for Nov. 18, and it's expected that free agency will begin on Nov. 20, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps.
Some of the rumors we're hearing could materialize and actually happen; others may not. But things should continue to be exciting as names circulate and potential moves are discussed.
Here's some of the latest buzz from around the NBA.
Numerous Teams Interested in Dinwiddie Trade
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The Brooklyn Nets are gearing up for a big 2020-21 season in which they're expected to be among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. But will Spencer Dinwiddie be a part of it?
According to Ian Begley of SNY, there are numerous top teams in the Western Conference that have "expressed interest internally" in trading for the point guard.
The 27-year-old is entering what could be the final year of his current contract, as he holds a $12.3 million player option for 2021-22, so he could opt out and hit free agency next offseason if he wanted to.
Dinwiddie is coming off an impressive 2019-20 season in which he averaged career highs in points (20.6), assists (6.8) and rebounds (3.5) in 64 games (49 starts). It was his fourth season with the Nets, who originally signed him in December 2016.
As Begley noted, it could be difficult for Brooklyn to sign the Colorado product again at the end of his current contract, considering it owes large amounts of money to other players, including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. So perhaps a trade this offseason is a possibility, especially if the Nets get an intriguing offer in return.
Dinwiddie was a second-round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons in 2014, but he played only 46 games for them over his first two NBA seasons. He didn't start to make an impact in the league until signing with Brooklyn, and he's continued to show improvement each year since.
Will Thompson Return to Cleveland?
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Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in bringing back Tristan Thompson next season. But it appears the team and the power forward may be looking for different things financially.
Fedor wrote:
"According to sources, early discussions have centered on a number lower than Thompson would want. That may be his reality this offseason. Money or contender? It's tough to see a scenario where Thompson gets both because Miami is the lone playoff team with cap space and over-the-cap organizations are expected to be judicious with their mid-level exceptions."
It's unlikely the Cavaliers are going to be a contender in 2020-21, as they continue to strengthen their core and give young players experience early in their careers. Thompson has spent his first nine seasons with Cleveland, but if it's not willing to pay him, there could be more intriguing options for him on the free-agent market.
Fedor noted there's also a possibility the 29-year-old could return to the Cavs on a "one-year, prove-it deal" and hit free agency again next year. He is coming off a solid 2019-20 season in which he averaged a career-high 12 points and 10.1 rebounds in 57 games.
If Cleveland decides not to bring back Thompson, Fedor reported that the Cavaliers are likely to "use at least a portion of the mid-level exception on another center," rather than giving more minutes to Jordan Bell. Fedor listed Harry Giles, Nerlens Noel, Alex Len, Aron Baynes and Thon Maker as potential targets.
Potential Sign-and-Trade Scenario for Bertans?
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Even if the Washington Wizards don't re-sign Davis Bertans this offseason, they could still benefit from his departure. It appears there are going to be quite a few teams interested in the power forward, including several that may want to complete a sign-and-trade deal with Washington.
Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington recently reported that two Eastern Conference teams and one Western Conference team that don't have the cap room to sign the 27-year-old have interest in a sign-and-trade offer this offseason.
In addition, Hughes noted that the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are "expected to target Bertans early in free agency," with each having the cap room to sign him.
So, there are quite a few possibilities for where the Latvian could go if he doesn't return to Washington. But there's also a decent chance he could be back with the Wizards, who have his Bird rights and "will get the first meeting with Bertans and the first shot at signing him," per Hughes.
Bertans is coming off a breakout 2019-20 campaign in which he averaged a career-high 15.4 points in 54 games. It was his first season with Washington after he was traded from the San Antonio Spurs last offseason.
A 6'10" forward who can shoot from all over the floor, he has developed into a key bench contributor in Washington, so it makes sense why there's so much interest in him this offseason.
