NBA Rumors

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly looking at ways to keep Deandre Ayton despite an unceremonious ending to the season.

Per ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the Suns are among the teams interested in acquiring the No. 8 pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022 NBA draft and could include "a player like Cameron Johnson in order to free up salary-cap flexibility" to re-sign Ayton.

The Suns currently have $129.2 million in payroll commitments to nine players next season. Team governor Robert Sarver has indicated a willingness to go into the luxury tax if they are in a position to "compete at the highest level" for a championship.

Ayton seemed to solidify his status as a key member of Phoenix's roster over the past two seasons. The 23-year-old was terrific in the 2021 postseason, particularly on the defensive end, to help the Suns reach the NBA Finals.

During the 2021-22 regular season, Ayton maintained his high level of play to help the Suns finish with the NBA's best record (64-18). He averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game with a career-best 105 defensive rating in 58 starts, per Basketball Reference.

Phoenix's dream season turned into a nightmare with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals. The team led the series 2-0 and 3-2 before falling in seven games.

Game 7 saw the Suns get blown out 123-90 on their home court, and Ayton mysteriously only played 17 minutes. Head coach Monty Williams cryptically told reporters "it's internal" on why his young center didn't play more.

Ayton was eligible to sign an extension for the first time last offseason. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported talks between Ayton's camp and the Suns stalled because the team didn't want to offer him a rookie max deal that would have paid him at least $172.5 million over five years.

Suns general manager James Jones told The Athletic's Sam Amick the team was open to discussing a shorter max deal of three or four years, but the two sides never had any "real negotiations."

The Suns can make Ayton a restricted free agent if they extend him a qualifying offer. That would give them the right to match any potential offer sheet he might receive from an opposing club.

Ayton could also sign the one-year qualifying tender worth $16.4 million, play out the 2022-23 season with Phoenix and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could also work out a long-term deal with the Suns this offseason.

NBA fans are wasting no time picturing Kyrie Irving in a new uniform after rumors about a potential split with the Brooklyn Nets.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the two sides are at an "impasse" for a new contract, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks among potential suitors if the guard becomes available.

Social media is ready for Irving to change jerseys:

GET IT DONE. pic.twitter.com/tMjZzU38jB

— 𝘋𝘉👑 (@DemonBron) June 20, 2022

https://twitter.com/nonbiasednbafan/status/1538877988971941888

He’s coming home pic.twitter.com/RFW3TWun0Z

— DJ Corrigan (@Corrigan_Tweets) June 20, 2022

https://twitter.com/bernard_dat/status/1538873331079950336

https://twitter.com/JONS305/status/1538877248714981377

Irving could be a free agent if he declines his $36.9 million player option for 2022-23.

Kyrie responded to the reports with a cryptic clip from The Wire:

pic.twitter.com/1NuxXUan7Z

— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) June 20, 2022

It was a tumultuous 2021-22 season for the seven-time All-Star after he entered the year with high expectations.

With Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden on the roster, the Nets were a top contender to win the NBA title. However, Irving missed much of the season because his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 meant he couldn't play home games under New York City's COVID guidelines, and he played just 29 regular-season games. Harden was traded in February for a package that included Ben Simmons, who did not appear in a game for Brooklyn.

The Nets ended in seventh place in the Eastern Conference before being swept out of the first round by the Boston Celtics.

Irving posted strong numbers when on the court, averaging 27.4 points and 5.8 assists per game. His 41.8 three-point percentage was the highest mark of his career.

The 30-year-old could be on the move this offseason, changing teams for the fourth time in seven years. Despite the many question marks, it appears several fanbases would welcome the superstar with open arms.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is reportedly "intrigued by the chance" to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton and would like to remain with the team despite trade rumors, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Per that report, "Turner would also have an opportunity for the larger role he’s wanted offensively with Domantas Sabonis now in Sacramento. Turner and Haliburton never got a chance to play together last season while Turner was out with a foot injury."

Scotto added that veteran Lance Stephenson is hoping to re-sign with the Pacers.

Turner, 26, appeared in only 42 games for the Pacers last year because of a stress reaction in his left foot. He averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 33.3 percent from three.

He's one of the few centers in the NBA who can offer legitimate rim protection and floor-spacing on offense, even if his three-point shot has trended downward since shooting a career-high 38.8 percent from three in the 2018-19 campaign. He hasn't been above 35 percent since.

The question in Indiana, however, is whether the Pacers (25-57) are doing a soft rebuild in the hopes of sneaking back into the playoffs immediately or whether they want to fully rebuild around the young talent they have in Haliburton (22), Chris Duarte (25), Jalen Smith (22) and the No. 6 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

If they go the former route, keeping Turner makes perfect sense. If they fully embrace a rebuild around the young talent, however, Turner could fetch players more on Haliburton's timeline or future draft assets.

As for Stephenson, the 31-year-old would give the Pacers another solid role player off the bench after averaging 9.3 points and 3.9 assists in 40 games last season (one start).

The Pacers could replicate that production with other veterans in free agency, but if Stephenson is willing to return on a veteran minimum contract, a reunion might make sense.

The Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden are reportedly working on a shorter-term max contract to keep him in the City of Brotherly Love.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer said the Sixers are looking at a three-year contract for Harden, assuming he becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Harden has a player option for the 2022-23 season and will make $47.4 million if he opts in. It's more likely that he opts out, becomes a free agent and signs a new deal that gives him long-term security.

The Sixers acquired Harden at the trade deadline from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a trade that also included Ben Simmons. It was the second straight season Harden forced his way out of a team, and for the second straight year things did not work out in the playoffs.

The 2018 MVP shot just 40.2 percent from the field during the regular season after coming over from Brooklyn and then struggled mightily in the playoffs, averaging 18.5 points per game–his lowest postseason average since he became a full-time starter after the 2011-12 season. Harden clearly seemed to struggle with his burst off the dribble, with bothersome hamstring injuries hampering him and taking away some of the explosion that made him a superstar.

The Sixers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat.

"Obviously, I am sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore," Joel Embiid told reporters. "He is more of a playmaker."

Disappointment in his scoring struggles aside, the Sixers need to re-sign Harden on a long-term deal to justify sending out Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks in a trade. The team may wind up regretting the latter part of any new deal if Harden can't recapture his past form, but keeping him now is the best avenue to stay in title contention heading into next season.

The Los Angeles Lakers may be saying all the right things publicly, but they remain interested in trading Russell Westbrook.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer said the Lakers have explored a Westbrook-Bradley Beal deal.

"The one name that I've heard recently is Bradley Beal as another guy that they want. I'm not sure if the interest is as mutual. You know Beal, it seems like Miami would be more of the threat to take him away from Washington. I don't think you can also rule out Boston either because of his relationship with Jayson Tatum, but the Lakers are trying to angle for some moves like that using the Russ expiring and the '27 and the '29 firsts."

The Lakers are expected to explore trade talks for Westbrook this offseason even though they've been publicly committal about bringing him back next season. New Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Westbrook will "absolutely" be with the team next season at his introductory press conference.

"And Russell—don't get it messed up," Ham said. "Russ is one of the best players our league has ever seen and still has a ton left in that tank. I don't know why people tend to try to write him off. I'm going to approach him like I do every player I've ever encountered. We're going to talk about our running habits with the ball, without the ball. And, again, the team, the rhythm of the team and trying to establish a rhythm with LeBron, Russ and AD and, again, share the load defensively and offensively."

Westbrook is coming off a down 2021-22 season that saw him average 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists. He spent much of the season alone on an island with LeBron James and Anthony Davis dealing with injuries.

When Davis and James were on the floor, Westbrook's skill set proved to be an oil-water mix. He struggled in particular with James, with their propensity for needing the ball proving to be an awkward on-court mix.

The Lakers were arguably the NBA's most disappointing team, finishing 33-49 (11th in the West). Westbrook, 33, is under contract through the 2022-23 season and will make $47.1 million, which only further complicates any trade talks.

After the Utah Jazz failed to reach the conference finals for the sixth straight season, center Rudy Gobert has found himself among recent trade rumors. However, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year isn't going to come cheap.

The Jazz "won't settle for anything but a massive haul in return" for Gobert, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who added "there's an anticipation around the league" that he will be moved this summer.

Sarah Todd of Deseret News reported last month the Jazz would be more willing to trade Gobert over Mitchell this summer, so it's not a shock to see his name pop up in rumors. However, Todd added Utah would be fine keeping both.

"Reports that the Jazz could be looking to keep Gobert and Mitchell for the year that the team would host the All-Star break should be taken seriously," Todd wrote.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer also reported this month that the Jazz would be "very happy" to keep Gobert if they don't receive a trade package that they think is worth it. It comes after he reported in May that "there’s reason to believe the main fixtures in Utah aren’t going anywhere anytime soon."

It's not surprising that the Jazz might be hesitant to move Gobert despite their third first-round exit in the last four seasons. In addition to being a three-time DPoY, he is also a three-time All-Star, six-time All-Defensive First Team selection, and four-time All-NBA selection.

Gobert also had an impressive 2021-22 season, averaging 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 71.3 percent from the floor. Trading him would be Utah further away from contending for a title, though it's clear something needs to change due to a lack of postseason success.

That said, there will be no shortage of suitors for Gobert this summer. The Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have been more heavily linked to the veteran thus far. However, it's unclear if those franchises will be willing to meet Utah's hefty package demands.

The Washington Wizards have reportedly discussed a trade that would allow them to move up in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft and select Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.

According to Wizards insider Quinton Mayo, Washington is "really high" on Ivey and has "spent a significant amount of time discussing possible trade packages" to move up to the No. 4 overall pick in order to take him.

The Sacramento Kings own the fourth overall pick in the draft, while the Wizards are currently slated to pick 10th.

Mayo noted that Ivey has been projected to go fourth overall by many, and that includes Bleacher Report NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman, who had Ivey coming off the board fourth in his latest mock draft.

Wasserman mocked Ivey behind a trio of bigs in Auburn's Jabari Smith, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren and Duke's Paolo Banchero.

Ivey is pretty well established as the top guard in the 2022 class after averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 three-pointers made while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore last season.

The 20-year-old star was a consensus second-team All-America selection and first-team All-Big Ten selection last season for a Boilermakers team that went 29-8 and reached the Sweet 16.

Ivey would fill a huge area of need for the Wiz, that being a backcourt running mate for Bradley Beal if he opts in for the final year of his contract in 2022-23 or signs a long-term extension with Washington.

If Beal opts to test free agency, a guard like Ivey would be even more of a necessity, and could perhaps take over as the face of the franchise.

On Wednesday, ESPN NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that the Wizards have been discussed within the NBA as a team willing to trade the No. 10 overall pick for a proven guard.

Making such a deal would be for the same reason as trading up to No. 4 overall for Jaden Ivey.

After trading Spencer Dinwiddie last season as part of the deal for power forward Kristaps Porzingis, the Wizards were extremely thin at guard, and their backcourt prospects look rough next season beyond Beal if he returns.

Ivey would be a huge upgrade over the likes of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, and he could perhaps play a role in convincing Beal to stay in Washington for the long haul.

Two weeks from the beginning of NBA free agency on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, all signs point toward All-Star guard James Harden returning to the Philadelphia 76ers on a shorter-term contract extension, league sources told B/R.

Harden and Sixers leadership are aligned on one clear directive, sources said: The franchise's best opportunity to compete for a championship starring Joel Embiid, as well as Harden's optimal opportunity to earn his first NBA ring, resides with Harden playing in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future.

Sixers ownership, though, has been resistant to the idea of giving Harden a full four-year maximum contract extension beyond his 2022-23 option season, sources told B/R, or the five-year deal that Harden would be eligible for if he chose to decline his $47.4 million player option for next season. Signing perhaps a two-year extension after his option season to create a new three-year framework would also provide Harden with greater optionality for his own career.

In any scenario, Harden is expected to pick up his player option for the 2022-23 season, sources said, but the Sixers' further financial commitment to him remains to be seen once the legal negotiating period begins. Since Philadelphia acquired Harden in a trade in mid-February, it would behoove him financially to wait until Aug. 10 before signing an extension, more than six months after the Sixers sent Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks to Brooklyn for the 32-year-old former MVP.

Until that six-month benchmark, Philadelphia would only be allowed to offer Harden 105 percent of his 2022-23 salary in the first year of a two-year extension, followed by a 5 percent raise for the second year, for a rough total of $149.3 million through 2024-25. If Harden waits until Aug. 10 to sign his extension, he could receive an 8 percent raise on the second year of the extension, which would net him a total of $150.8 million, according to cap calculations provided to B/R. If Harden opts out, the maximum he can earn on a new three-year deal would be $150.7 million.

There has also been plenty of talk among league personnel of Harden potentially taking less than his maximum salary to amplify Philadelphia's efforts to build a championship-contending rotation around Harden and Embiid.

To do so, the Sixers are exploring various trade scenarios revolving around the No. 23 pick, Danny Green's $10 million contract and 25-year-old wing Matisse Thybulle, sources said. To move Green, who suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during the playoffs, the Sixers would have to guarantee the $10 million on his contract for the 2022-23 campaign. The veteran two-way wing said on his Inside The Green Room podcast that he's hoping to return by the All-Star break, and Green has been adamant about that prediction in conversations with close confidants.

Philadelphia refused to part with Thybulle during the trade deadline conversations with Brooklyn that landed Harden. The Sixers are valuing him as the two-time All-Defensive team selection that he is. There's a belief that Thybulle's struggles in the postseason were perhaps due to his being in and out of the lineup in accordance with Toronto's vaccination ordinance, which made it difficult for him to get into a rhythm during home games.

For the Sixers to actually part with Thybulle, it seems Philadelphia's front office would need to find a significant upgrade to their rotation, such as a starting-level player, similar to what Andrew Wiggins has provided to the Golden State Warriors during this postseason run.

There's also a scenario where Philadelphia holds onto Green and Thybulle beyond the draft and uses the No. 23 pick on a player, or the Sixers trade down to add players or future draft capital. After sacrificing two first-rounders for Harden, Philadelphia could certainly benefit from restocking its cupboard of draft ammunition moving forward.

Tobias Harris will continue to be mentioned in trade scenarios for Philadelphia as well. The veteran swingman now has only two seasons remaining on the five-year, $180 million contract he signed in 2019. The Sixers appear more than open to Harris returning next season. He has received rave reviews from staffers for his team-first mentality and locker room presence, but the Sixers are exploring all options to improve their roster around Harden and Embiid, as well as rising combo guard Tyrese Maxey.

Should Harris remain in Philadelphia, there's an argument to be made that the soon-to-be 30-year-old would be greatly positioned to perform in a championship-contending environment ahead of his next contract, much like Wiggins in Golden State. But Harris' representation has made it known that the veteran would like more on-ball opportunities within the Sixers' offense, particularly in pick-and-roll action.

Other notes from around the NBA:

• Portland does not appear to be a legitimate landing spot for restricted free agent Deandre Ayton, sources said. The Trail Blazers are expected to retain starting center Jusuf Nurkic, and they are prioritizing Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby in any return for the No. 7 pick in next week's draft, sources said. But there has been increasing talk about Portland potentially targeting the seventh selection to Oklahoma City for No. 12 and a package that could include Lu Dort.   
• Ayton's most realistic landing spots outside of Phoenix appear to be Atlanta, Detroit and Toronto, which all would present intriguing sign-and-trade opportunities for the Suns. League personnel have also whispered in recent days about a potential sign-and-trade of Ayton to Indiana for Myles Turner. Turner and Ayton share the same representation. 
• One early candidate to fall in the lottery: Shaedon Sharpe. After not playing at Kentucky, Sharpe has been said to underwhelm multiple teams in pre-draft workouts. His range may begin with the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 8, but Sharpe could also feasibly be the target for any team that trades with Portland for the No. 7 pick. 

Jake Fischer covers the NBA for Bleacher Report and is the author of Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever.

The Detroit Pistons' monthslong shopping of Jerami Grant is likely to reach its resolution this summer.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported the Pistons are "widely expected" to trade Grant this offseason ahead of the final year of his contract.

Grant is set to make $21 million next season to complete the three-year, $60 million pact he signed with the Pistons in 2020. A role player before arriving in Detroit via trade from Denver, Grant has led the Pistons in scoring each of the past two seasons. The 6'8", 210-pound forward has averaged 20.9 points and 4.4 rebounds during that span but has been limited to 101 games because of injuries.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks have been among the teams most regularly mentioned as suitors.

Blazers star Damian Lillard has an existing relationship with Grant dating back to their Team USA days, and Portland spent much of the 2021-22 season dismantling its roster to rebuild around Lillard. While adding Grant wouldn't turn the Blazers into a championship contender, he could be a solid third piece on a contender if Portland can find a second star.

Marc Stein reported on April 3 that the Pistons rebuffed an offer of Josh Hart and draft compensation for Grant before the 2022 trade deadline. Portland has the No. 7 pick in next week's NBA draft, though it feels unlikely the Blazers would move a mid-lottery pick for an expiring contract.

Stein also noted the Hawks' interest as they look to retool following a disappointing 2021-22 season. Perimeter defense was been one of the team's biggest issues last season, and Grant has proved himself capable of playing a three-and-D role.

Atlanta has the No. 16 pick in the first round next Thursday night.

Two-time All-Star Zach LaVine is expected to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls once the free-agency negotiation period opens June 30, sources told B/R.

LaVine's free agency has generated plenty of conversation among NBA personnel over the past few weeks. But despite rumblings that the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers will make plays for LaVine, the coveted swingman is likely to remain with his current team.

Ironing out LaVine's next deal appears centered on the fifth year of the contract. LaVine is eligible for a five-year deal totaling roughly $200 million. Whether that season is fully guaranteed, is a player option or nets other potential outcomes remains to be seen.

Bleacher Report previously wrote about LaVine's purported desire to be a team's unquestioned offensive centerpiece, unlike the setup with DeMar DeRozan. But among the teams in play for LaVine, only San Antonio could offer a clear No. 1 playmaking opportunity, and the Spurs are considered far off from the postseason environment LaVine prefers, leading to skepticism among rival executives that LaVine ever wanted to entertain options outside of Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Bulls remain invested in finding the optimal frontcourt lynchpin to pair with LaVine and DeRozan. Chicago continues to explore the trade market for two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, sources said. It has registered interest in Rudy Gobert, but the Bulls do not appear willing to include Patrick Williams alongside Vucevic in a trade package for Gobert, sources told B/R.

Chicago is actively discussing the No. 18 pick and Coby White with rival teams.

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Everyone (Minus Trae) Must Go in Atlanta?

The Hawks could be the most natural Gobert trade partner for the Utah Jazz.

One relevant data point for those conversations: In 2019, when Jazz CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge was still the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, they held serious draft night trade discussions with the Houston Rockets about acquiring Clint Capela for Marcus Smart and the No. 22 pick, sources told B/R. The agreed-in-principle deal ultimately fell short, but the Rockets were targeting Brandon Clarke before the Memphis Grizzlies swept in to steal the Gonzaga product at No. 21.

There has been plenty of talk among league personnel that some combination of Capela, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and the No. 16 pick could be routed to Utah for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

In ongoing trade chatter around the league, Atlanta was believed to have made all players besides Trae Young available, but sources told B/R the team is now expected to retain De'Andre Hunter and agree to terms on a long-term contract extension.

It's unclear how Bogdan Bogdanovic's recent knee surgery, expected to sideline the 29-year-old swingman for roughly three months, will impact his value on the open market.

Atlanta has several key objectives on the trade front, sources told B/R. Aside from upgrading its roster around Young and Hunter, the Hawks are determined to free up playing time for promising big man Onyeka Okongwu ahead of his third professional season. Atlanta has also been motivated to find a backcourt counterpart for Young.

The Hawks were engaged with the New Orleans Pelicans in Jrue Holiday trade conversations before the veteran was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks in November 2020. More recently, Atlanta pursued CJ McCollum and Goran Dragic ahead of the February trade deadline, before being linked as a hopeful suitor for LaVine and Bradley Beal.

Collins is still being mentioned as a trade target for Portland while the Trail Blazers explore their options to add win-now talent around Damian Lillard in exchange for the No. 7 choice. Should a deal with Atlanta materialize, G League Ignite combo guard Dyson Daniels is believed to be a primary draft target for the Hawks, sources said.

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Pacers Selling Veteran Talent?

Rival teams are once again monitoring the Indiana Pacers' potential to jettison veteran talent, just as they offloaded Domantas Sabonis before the trade deadline.

Indiana widely explored the market for Myles Turner before the 26-year-old's season ended because of a stress reaction in his left foot. The Pacers have since resumed trade conversations about Turner ahead of the draft, sources told B/R, in addition to engaging opposing front offices on point guard Malcolm Brogdon.

Turner is a versatile center still close enough in age to Pacers floor general Tyrese Haliburton, the prized return for Sabonis from the Sacramento King. But Indiana has openly projected a willingness to further steer into a rebuild this offseason, sources said, with an eye toward acquiring young talent to play alongside the 22-year-old Halliburton.

As Marc Stein noted Monday, Turner's impending free agency in 2023 seems to be clear grounds for the Pacers to re-engage his trade market this offseason, if there's little momentum for a contract extension with Indiana. The Charlotte Hornets have long been considered a potential landing spot for Turner, and the Hornets have communicated around the league a willingness to move the No. 15 pick, sources said.

Other clues for potential Turner destinations: The Toronto Raptors remain focused on adding a starting-caliber center, and the New York Knicks expressed interest in Turner before the trade deadline as well.

The Knicks have also been linked to Brogdon in recent days by league personnel. New York is known to have interest in trading up from the No. 11 pick, with a perceived target of Purdue combo guard Jaden Ivey. But if New York doesn't jump up the lottery order—league executives don't forecast such a deal—and determines it is out of the running for free agent-to-be Jalen Brunson, Brogdon has been mentioned as one of several potential backup options for the Knicks to plug their hole at starting point guard.

The Pacers also have designs on acquiring an additional first-round pick besides their No. 6 selection, sources said. Indiana is exploring options to trade the No. 31 pick, plus the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2023 first-round pick, which was part of the Pacers' return for Caris LeVert.

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Ripple Effects from Denver-OKC Trade

The first trade of this transaction window came across the wire Monday, as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Denver Nuggets sent JaMychal Green and a protected 2027 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 30 pick and two future second-rounders.

Green had been discussed in trade chatter since February. He has an $8.2 million player option for the 2022-23 season and will effectively become an expiring contract the Thunder could flip before the 2023 trade deadline. The veteran forward is expected to have value on the midseason market should he play for OKC next campaign.

With Denver having acquired the No. 30 pick, league sources expect the Nuggets will target a point guard such as Gonzaga ball-handler Andrew Nembhard. Denver has engaged various teams in trade conversations regarding Monte Morris, the sturdy reserve point guard who filled in as its starter with Jamal Murray sidelined for the season.

Some rival executives were prepared for Morris to be replaced by Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic, whose rights are held by OKC, as part of the Green trade. Micic, 28, led Turkish club Anadolu Efes to the 2020-21 EuroLeague title while winning the EuroLeague MVP and has garnered trade interest from several playoff teams, such as Milwaukee and Chicago, sources said.

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Western Conference Finalists Dishing 1st-Rounders?

The Dallas Mavericks, picking No. 26, and Golden State Warriors, picking No. 28, are motivated to find deals for their late-first round selections, sources told B/R. Dallas and Golden State have expensive rosters that feature players such as Brunson, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins who are due for paydays.

The Mavericks and Warriors are searching for opportunities to acquire future draft capital for those selections, sources said, in the event a coveted player on their boards doesn't fall. Another possible outcome is that they will select international draft-and-stash players.

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Laker Looks

The Lakers are widely known to be pursuing a second-round draft selection. The Hawks (No. 44) and Detroit Pistons (No. 46) have picks in the 40s that are considered available, sources said.