[live_blog_entry id=”LBE35″ title=”Fultz gets a fresh start” author=”24492″]The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor is reporting that the Markelle Fultz trade to Orlando will include Jonathon Simmons and a first- and secound-round pick heading back to the 76ers.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE34″ title=”#FreeSkal” author=”24492″]According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers have traded Caleb Swanigan to the Kings, in exchange for Skal Labissiere.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE33″ title=”More movement for the Grizzlies” author=”24492″]According to Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com, Memphis is trading Shelvin Mack to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Tyler Dorsey.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE32″ title=”So long Anthony Davis” author=”24492″]According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have agreed to send Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley to the Clippers, in exchange for Mike Muscala. This would theoretically derail at least some versions of their proposals to the Pelicans as both Zubac and Beasley has been included in different reported iterations.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE31″ title=”Here go the Grizzlies” author=”24492″]The Memphis Grizzlies may just be getting started. In addition to a possible Marc Gasol deal with Toronto, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting they’re sending JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple to the Clippers in exchange for Avery Bradley, a move that should clear some salary off their books.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Gasol to Toronto?” author=”24492″ id=”LBE30″]This would certainly change the complexion of the Eastern Conference. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the Grizzlies are nearing a deal to send Marc Gasol to Toronto.
*Update*: The reported framework has C.J. Miles, Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright and a second-round pick going back to Memphis.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE29″ title=”Dragic to Utah?” author=”24492″]According to Kenneth McMillan of Fox Sports, the Utah Jazz are talking with the Miami Heat about Goran Dragic. This could mean the Jazz have dropped their pursuit of Memphis’ Mike Conley.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE28″ title=”Houston saves some money” author=”24492″]After acquiring Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin in yesterday’s Iman Shumpert trade, Woj is reporting the Rockets will send both players to the Pacers, along with a second-round pick. This will get them out of the tax and the Pacers plan to waive both.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE27″ title=”A new wrinkle” author=”24492″]A reported deal from yesterday has gotten a whole lot more interesting. The Bucks had reportedly swapped Thon Maker for Stanley Johnson but now Nikola Mirotic is involved. The two-team deal has become a three-teamer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, with the Pelicans landing Jason Smith, Johnson and four second-round picks, Maker still heading to Detroit and Mirotic adding incredible depth and shooting to what is already a loaded Bucks roster.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE26″ title=”Depth for the 76ers” author=”24492″]The Philadelphia 76ers helped address some of the depth they sent out to acquire Tobias Harris yesterday. Reports are that they’ve landed James Ennis from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a second-round pick.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE25″ title=”Dead in the water?” author=”24492″]ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Lakers and Pelicans have not been in touch today and are not expected to rekindle negotiations on Anthony Davis. Looks like this one might be over.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE24″ title=”Taking a hostage” author=”24492″]In a salary dump, the Wizards have sent Markieff Morris to the New Orleans Pelicans, pushing themselves below the luxury tax line (in conjunction with the earlier Otto Porter Jr. trade). For the Pelicans, Morris doesn’t make a ton of sense unless you remember that he’s a Klutch Sports client and New Orleans could be looking for a hostage in their war with Rich Paul and LeBron.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE23″ title=”A mid-game trade” author=”24492″]Harrison Barnes was on the bench when reports leaked that he had been traded to the Sacramento Kings for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson. This move clears considerable cap space for the Mavericks and gives the Kings a versatile forward to plug right into their rotation as they continue to chase a playoff spot.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE22″ title=”It’s all happening” author=”24492″]The Rockets seemed like one of the most obvious teams to be adding help at the trade deadline but exactly how they were going to pull it off was a mystery. Now we know. Iman Shumpert, Wade Baldwin and Nik Stauskas will reportedly be headed to Houston. The Cavaliers will take back Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss and a protected first-round pick from the Rockets. Alec Burks will head from Cleveland to Sacramento.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1578887″ title=”The first move for Washington” author=”24492″ id=”LBE21″]According to Sham Charania of The Athletic, the Washington Wizards will be sending Otto Porter Jr. to the Chicago Bulls for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis. This could be some tremendous salary cap relief for the Wizards but they’ll still be buried by John Wall’s extension and one would have to imagine they’re getting a pick here. Right? Hopefully?
*Update:* There’s a second-round pick.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE20″ title=”Rounding it all up” author=”24492″]Quick hitters:
- Adam Himmelsbach is reporting that are continuing to talk with the Pelicans and let them know everything is on the table this summer.
- The Rockets may be interested in JaMychal Green, Alec Burks and Garrett Temple but, according to Zach Lowe, they’re definitely going to get someone.
- According to Zach Lowe and Woj, the Wizards have discussed trading Otto Porter Jr. to the Kings.
- The 76ers have reportedly talked with Orlando and Atlanta about Markelle Fultz.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE19″ title=”Miami makes a move” author=”24492″]ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Suns have traded Ryan Anderson to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington. Anderson agreed to lower his contract guarantee for next year, which takes some salary off the Heat’s books. Ellington is reportedly likely to be waived and could be an extremely useful piece for a playoff team.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE18″ title=”Another stop for Malachi” author=”24492″]The Raptors have traded Malachi Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for cash and the draft rights to Emir Preldzic. Richardson likely isn’t a factor for the 76ers but some deep depth on the wing. The Raptors save some money.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1570652″ title=”More Conley and Gasol” author=”24492″ id=”LBE17″]Marc Stein, of The New York Times, has kept us updated on the latest with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley Jr., both of whom are on the market. The Hornets are apparently still the leader to land Gasol, despite the framework reported last night seeming to ebb away. The Pistons and Jazz are both circling Rubio but an unwillingness to put two first-round picks on the table is reportedly the barrier for both teams right now.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE16″ title=”Another wing for Milwaukee” author=”24492″]The Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly looking to dangle Thon Maker in exchange for a wing they could plug right into their rotation for this playoff run. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, they found their man — sending Maker to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Stanley Johnson. On the surface, this may seem like a strange deal, since the Bucks have been so heavily remade to focus on shooting and Johnson is an inconsistent outside shooter at best. Still, he theoretically has some upside and he’s a defense-ready wing who can match up with both 3s and 4s.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE15″ title=”Back to Boston?” author=”24492″]Although the Celtics can’t officially trade for Anthony Davis until July 1, they can certainly work to outline the framework of a deal now with the Pelicans that would be executed on that date. Sam Amick of The Athletic is reporting that the Jayson Tatum has already been discussed and would likely be featured as part of any deal between the two teams.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1575943″ title=”Another Gasol on the move?” author=”24492″ id=”LBE14″]According to Mitch Lawrence, of Sporting News, the Spurs are working to find a new home for Pau Gasol. Could clearing his salary off the books be the precursor to another move?
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE13″ title=”The smell test” author=”24492″]Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times is reporting the Lakers have pulled out of Anthony Davis trade talks over the Pelicans’ ‘outrageous’ offers. TOTALLY BELIEVABLE AND NOT A NEGOTIATING TACTIC WHATSOEVER.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE12″ title=”Conley and Gasol together?” author=”24492″]When it was reported that the Grizzlies were exploring trading Mike Conley and Marc Gasol it was assumed that their partnership had come to an end. Now, Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer is reporting that the Raptors reached out with a deal to take on the pair together, offering Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas together. Valanciunas has become increasingly irrelevant for Toronto but moving Lowry could be another blow to the culture they’ve worked so hard to build over the past few years. It could, conceivably, get them closer to a championship this season but that certainly isn’t a sure thing and there could be long-term repercussions for their relationships with future free agents and with their fanbase.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE11″ title=”A historic haul” author=”24492″]Another twist to the Anthony Davis saga — ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that there are holdouts in the Pelicans front office waiting for a “historic haul” including four first-round picks and four second-round picks. Are the Lakers really this desperate to land Davis right now?
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1569607″ title=”As good as it gets?” author=”24492″ id=”LBE10″]According to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers have made the Pelicans their biggest offer — Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and two first-round picks. In addition, the Lakers would take back Solomon Hill, letting the Pelicans get off that contract. It’s hard to imagine that this deal won’t be there for the Pelicans right up until the deadline and that the principal elements could even be in place at the end of the season if New Orleans wants to wait and see what Boston will do and who wins the draft lottery. Now we sit and wait.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE9″ title=”Expanding the field” author=”24492″]The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that Anthony Davis has opened things up for the Pelicans, informing them of several other teams he’d be willing to sign with long term. The Celtics are not mentioned which probably puts pressure on the Pelicans to do something before the trade deadline, although it does encourage the other teams mentioned to put some offers out there — the Knicks, Clippers and Bucks are mentioned along with the Lakers. Either way, the biggest winner from this announcement being leaked is Rich Paul.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE8″ title=”One for the buyout market?” author=”24492″]According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the Knicks are looking to find another home for Wes Matthews. They acquired his expiring contract from Dallas as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. New York is probably unwilling to bring back anything other than expiring money so as to preserve their two max cap slots for this summer but if they can do that and nab something else useful it’s certainly worth exploring. Stein also reported that Houston, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Golden State and Toronto could all be interested in Matthews if he ends up getting bought out by New Ork.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE7″ title=”But wait, there’s more!” author=”24492″]
The dust hasn’t even settled from the Kristaps Porzingis trade and things are already getting more complicated. Shams Charania is reporting that Porzingis intends to sign the qualifying offer with the Mavericks this summer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. Either he didn’t tell the Mavericks this before they agreed to the trade, or they were very confident in their ability to make a positive impression on him.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1576562″ title=”Well, that escalated quickly” author=”24492″ id=”LBE6″]Before we even had a chance to fully process the reports that Kristaps Porzingis had requested a trade from the Knicks, the deal is already done. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Knicks have agreed to send Porzingis, Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Wesley Matthews, DeAndre Jordan and Dennis Smith Jr.
Since no picks are changing hands, this amounts to the Knicks trading Porzingis for Smith Jr. and cap space — since Matthews and Jordan are both on expiring deals. Maybe they feel really confident in their ability to woo Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving Jr. but a core of Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox probably looks a lot less appealing to those top tier free agents.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE5″ title=”Latest on Davis” author=”24492″]Anthony Davis has been front and center in seemingly every NBA trade rumors this week. That latest nuggets are that he has absolutely no interest in playing for the Chicago Bulls, according to Brian Windhorst, and that he may not play again for the Pelicans this season, even if they don’t make a trade until the summer. Davis should be back from his finger injury soon but neither he nor the team really has anything to gain by him continuing to play. If he’s held out, there’s no risk of injury depressing his trade value and the Pelicans draft odds likely improve.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE4″ title=”Kicking the can down the road” author=”24492″]ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that Dell Demps is not picking up the phone when teams are calling with trade offers, an indication that they may be committed to playing out the rest of the season and waiting to see who wins the NBA Draft Lottery and what the Celtics would potentially put on the table.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE3″ title=”The 76ers are out” author=”24492″]According to Yahoo! Sports the Philadelphia 76ers are not expected to be involved in the hunt for Anthony Davis. This is probably good news for teams like the Lakers or Celtics because the 76ers could make a very compelling offer to the Pelicans, particularly if they were willing to part with Ben Simmons.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE2″ title=”New York is shopping” author=”24492″]Marc Berman of the New York Post is reporting that the Knicks have expressed a willingness to trade pretty much anyone on the roster besides Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson. If this is true it would pretty much rule them out of the Anthony Davis hunt as it’s hard to imagine New Orleans getting that excited about a package centered around Frank Ntilikina and a draft pick. Still, the fact that Ntilikina’s name was not mentioned would theoretically make him available and there are all sorts of interesting possibilities out there for the Knicks that don’t touch Knox, Robinson or Pozingis.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE1″ title=”All heck breaks loose” author=”24492″]
With the news yesterday that Anthony Davis informed the Pelicans he wouldn’t sign a contract extension with the team and would like a trade, chaos is swirling. Among the developments that followed that report:
- Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers had essentially already put an offer of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and a first-round pick on the table.
- Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reported that Anthony Davis was not really interested in the Celtics (with the accompanying bombshell that Kyrie Irving re-signing with the Celtics was looking shakier.)
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Pelicans were putting both Nikola Mirotic and E’Twaun Moore on the block as well, with offers for Davis expected from the Lakers, Knicks, Bucks and Raptors.
- Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN also reported that the Lakers were unlikely to make a deal for Davis before the deadline and that Davis was expected to state his preference for the Lakers so that any other team who traded for him would know that next season would basically be a rental.
- The last ripple, of what will certainly be many more to come, was that Lonzo Ball was not really into playing in New Orleans and would like to be traded to a third team.
The next few days should be very interesting.
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