We’re at a slow point in the NBA news cycle but there are still a bevy of rumors out there with regard to trades and potential late signings.
Let’s get you up to date on some of the latest buzz from around the league:
- Lauri Markkanen is now on the Cavaliers as a result of the three-team, sign-and-trade deal between Cleveland, Chicago, and Portland. While the move may signal a Kevin Love buyout, his agent said not so fast, as the big man is not interested in negotiating a buyout with the Cavs.
- The Knicks and the Nets are viewed as two likely destinations for veteran free agent J.J. Redick.
- The Grizzlies have waived small forward Sean McDermott to help complete a trade that sends guard Patrick Beverley to the Timberwolves, the team announced in a press release. Rookie Yves Pons is a candidate for McDermott’s two-way slot, as Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian tweets. Herrington adds that Memphis could allow the Rondo situation to linger as training camp rolls around.
- The Sixers are one of the teams eyeing Paul Millsap. The power forward is looking for a role on a championship-contending team, as our own Sameer Kumar relayed. Philly has competition for his services, however, with the Warriors, Hawks, Nets, Pelicans, and Timberwolves also eyeing the veteran.
- The Kings might be hesitant to trade De’Aaron Fox in a Ben Simmons deal, as the point guard is reportedly contentin Sacramento. Having a top player who wants to stick around in a small market might be too valuable for the franchise to just trade away—even with the upside that Simmons possesses.
- Damian Lillard was asked if he intends on leaving Portland during a recent Instagram Live appearance. “I’m not leaving PDX. Not right now at least,” Lillard said (via our own Landon Buford). Buford wrote up a nice piece about Lillard’s desire to win a championship in Portland, which was well worth the read.
- It may be tough for Trail Blazers fans to feel optimistic at the moment, but if they’re looking for some, Dan Devine of The Ringer has you covered. Devine talks about how Norman Powell made Portland’s offense even more potent, as the Trail Blazers led the NBA in points scored per possession after his arrival. Devine also believes that the hire of Chauncey Billups as their head coach could help them push harder on the defensive side of the ball. However, there’re still a lot of things that need to go right for the Trail Blazers to achieve their potential upside.
Sameer Kumar contributed to this post
