We’re just a little more than 48 hours before the official start of NBA free agency (although let’s be honest, teams have got a lot of their roster-building work done already, including things yet to officially happen). The rumors are flying fast. Here are some of the latest around the NBA.
Seven teams interested in Jaylen Brown
At least seven teams have stepped up with interest in trading for Brown — the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers — reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. He also confirms previous reporting that Houston is not in the mix.
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Portland comes up a lot in rumors, but they will not put All-Star Deni Avdija in a trade (which also was true around the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors), and to this point have not been willing to put Toumani Camara or Donovan Clingan in the deal, but it likely would take one or both (and more) to get the deal done, Scotto reports. He adds Portland wants to put Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson in the deal.
He also says that talks with the Hornets have cooled and the Clippers were always a long shot.
Raptors talking with Clippers about Leonard
It’s been difficult to tell exactly how serious the Clippers are about trading Kawhi Leonard, if at all. Reportedly, owner Steve Ballmer doesn’t want to trade him, but if contract extension talks stall out — as they are rumored to be doing — then a trade may be in play.
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The Raptors have had “real trade conversations” with the Clippers in the past couple of days, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer. Toronto would like to make the heart of this deal Brandon Ingram for Leonard, but the Clippers are reportedly more interested in RJ Barrett and others. It’s all something to watch.
Jokic, Nuggets delay extension talks
Nikola Jokic is extension-eligible this summer. However, just like last summer, the two sides have decided to postpone those talks, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
That does not mean Jokic is considering leaving Denver, he has “reiterated a desire to stay long-term in Denver in recent talks,” reports Scotto at Hoopshype. This echoes what Jokic himself made clear at the end of the season.
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Both Jokic and Denver realize they have a lot of work to do on the roster to compete with Oklahoma City, San Antonio and the other teams at the top of the West. One priority is re-signing Peyton Watson. Also, a number of Nuggets have been mentioned as possibly being traded, including Christian Braun, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Cam Johnson. We could see Denver take a big swing for a player like Jaylen Brown. Whatever it is, Jokic will be a part of it and the sides will figure out the money later.
Increasingly, it feels like Mitchell Robinson will be the odd man out in New York. There is just no way to bring back the entire roster and meet owner James Dolan’s line in the sand of not crossing into the second apron (Robinson alone likely makes enough to put the team over at this point).
Robinson talked about the possibility of returning to New York as a free agent during an interview with WGNO (via New York Basketball):
Nobody doubts Robinson wants to return to the Knicks, but a guy who should get a raise off the nearly $13 million he made last season would have to take a steep pay cut to stick around, or the team would have to change its course and go above the second apron.
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Lakers interested in Cam Johnson, others
It’s no secret the Lakers are looking to upgrade on the wing with two-way players that fit better around Luka Doncic.
That has them considering Denver’s Cam Johnson (who reportedly is available via trade) and Cleveland free agent Dean Wade, reports Scotto of HoopsHype.
Johnson would be a one-year tryout for the Lakers, he is on an expiring $23.1 million deal. Johnson is exactly who the Lakers need on paper, but he hasn’t always lived up to expectations. He averaged 12.2 points per game in Denver but shot 43% from beyond the arc.
There are several other teams checking in on Johnson’s availability, including the Celtics, Heat, Clippers and Magic, Scotto reports. Wade is a high-level defender but is not a positive player on offense.
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Other trade, free agency rumors
• Cleveland open to trading Strus, Schroeder. The Cavaliers were already over the second apron of the luxury tax, and now they are trying to negotiate a new long-term deal with James Harden and keep Dean Wade in-house. That could mean trading one or both of Max Strus and Dennis Schroder, reports Scotto of Hoopshype. Strus is set to make $16.7 million next season, and he played in just 12 games last season due to a bone fracture and foot surgery. That said, during the postseason, he showed his two-way wing potential and his value.
• Orlando has waived defensive center Jonathan Isaac, making him a free agent.
• Free agent center Jock Landale reportedly is drawing interest from the Lakers, Hawks, Clippers, 76ers, Cavs, and Bulls.