The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2023 offseason with plenty of uncertainty regarding their future, more specifically with James Harden. While there has been plenty of speculation that Harden may leave the Sixers for the Houston Rockets, more and more reports have suggested that Harden may not leave after all.

NBA Insider Marc Stein only added more fuel to that fire when he reported on his Substack on June 25 that Harden returning to the Sixers had gained more traction while explaining why.

“The idea that James Harden will re-sign with Philadelphia in free agency rather than return to Houston for a second stint with the Rockets has gained momentum over the past week or two.

“Among the whispered reasons for the change in forecast: Word is Harden came away from his introductory meeting with new Sixers coach Nick Nurse intrigued by Nurse’s vision,” Stein wrote.

Nurse has both an NBA title and an NBA Coach of the Year award to his name. Former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers did too, but the difference is Nurse’s accolades are much more recent. His title came in 2019, while Doc’s came in 2008. Nurse won the Coach of the Year award the year after winning a title, and Rivers won the same award in 2000.

Sixers ‘Determined’ to Bring Back James Harden

On the June 23 episode of Sportscenter, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski gave the full details on the Sixers’ pursuit of Harden.

“They’re determined to keep James Harden, but it’ll be a negotiation,” Wojnarowski said. “It’s probably not going to be just the traditional full max long-term deal that he’s been able to command throughout his career.”

Wojnarowski also mentioned how the addition of Nick Nurse could impact how Harden approaches his next free agency.

“A lot can happen, and I’m sure will happen before June 30, but certainly, there’s a pathway back to a contender with the Sixers, perhaps financially for James Harden that could make a lot of sense, and certainly, a team with Nick Nurse, as their new head coach, you know, certainly provides a backdrop for him to continue with a contender.”

James Harden Re-Signing May Lead to Tobias Harris Trade

Harden re-signing isn’t the only plotline going on this offseason. They may also look at trading Tobias Harris. Matt Moore of Action Network revealed that their futures may be connected to one another while adding who might get him.

“The way for the Sixers to make room to re-sign James Harden to whatever deal he’s amenable to is to trade Harris.

“The Kings have long been thought to be the most likely landing spot for Harris, not only because of the pre-existing relationship between Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Kings GM Monte McNair but also with the Kings looking for a small forward alternative to Harrison Barnes.”

Moore proposed a hypothetical deal between the two sides if Harden stays among other dominos.

“IF Harden decides to stay in Philly and IF the Kings don’t manage a trade for OG Anunoby (which again looks unlikely), then the Kings and Sixers could work out a deal for Harris. It’s not known what either side wants to include in such a deal (at least by yours truly).”

With Tobias Harris entering the last year of a five-year, $180 million contract he signed back in 2019, many have wondered if he may have played his last game with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harris is on an expiring deal, which could be used to acquire another star or get more depth. Alas, it appears the Sixers have every intention of keeping him.

While reporting that the Sixers and Phoenix Suns have stopped discussing a trade involving Harris, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Sixers have every intention of keeping him going forward.

Pompey gave the full scoop on what would have had to happen to make a deal go down between the Sixers and Suns while including what the Sixers plan to do with Harris.

“Phoenix would have had to move (Deandre) Ayton as part of the Harris deal. But the Sixers have no interest in the 7-foot, 250-pounder or any players the Suns would make available.

“The Sixers were also unwilling to get a third team involved to facilitate the deal. The team has been adamant that it doesn’t intend to trade Harris at this time.”

With the Sixers potentially re-signing James Harden this offseason, it sounds like their plans are to run it back with last year’s squad, more or less. Whether or not they keep it intact throughout the whole season could be a different story.

How Tobias Harris & James Harden’s Futures Are Linked

Matt Moore of Action Network revealed that Harden’s next deal with the Sixers – should he re-sign – depends on if they trade Harris.

“The way for the Sixers to make room to re-sign James Harden to whatever deal he’s amenable to is to trade Harris,” Moore wrote.

Moore added who is considered to be Harris’ next team.

“The Kings have long been thought to be the most likely landing spot for Harris, not only because of the pre-existing relationship between Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Kings GM Monte McNair but also with the Kings looking for a small forward alternative to Harrison Barnes.”

If the Sixers plan to keep Harris on top of re-signing Harden, perhaps the Sixers believe that Harden can be attainable at the right price.

Tobias Harris’ Dad Calls Out Sixers

When asked if the Sixers have utilized Harris properly, Harris’ father-agent, Torrel Harris, explained on the “Business of Sports” podcast why he doesn’t think so.

“Personally, I don’t think so. The reason I say that, well, Tobias is an assassin scorer. I mean, they can’t stop him. Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven that over his career, even when he was with the Clippers, he was an assassin scorer,” Harris said.

Torrel then added why it’s frustrating to watch Harris play in the Sixers’ offense, knowing how good he believes his son is.

“They didn’t utilize him. He was not a priority in their offense, and that’s kind of frustrating because if you’re a kick-butt player…you don’t want to be in the corner twiddling your thumb.”

Harris has never quite found a place on the Sixers while playing under Brett Brown and Doc Rivers. Things may change with new head coach Nick Nurse.

Perhaps the Brooklyn Nets can rid themselves of Ben Simmons’ unfavorable contract and gain an asset back in return.

Long thought to be an albatross, there is one destination that can absorb the remaining $78-plus million that he is owed over the next two years from his five-year, $177 million contract and, possibly, get him back to his former All-NBA form.

“Forget all the James Harden nonsense and the [Houston] Rockets‘ intention to start winning games in 2023-24,” wrote Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report on June 25. “using a chunk of its $60 million in cap space to take on a bad contract with picks attached is the better alternative for Houston.”

Nets get:

– Kevin Porter Jr.

Rockets get:

– Ben Simmons
– 2027 1st Rd Pick (via PHI)
– 2026 2nd Rd Pick
– 2028 2nd Rd Pick

The Rockets hired former Nets assistant Ime Udoka to be their next head coach. Udoka, who was also the head coach of the Boston Celtics for one season, was also on the Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff when Simmons was still there in 2019-20.

Kevin Porter Jr. Could Provide Unique Value

Porter, 23, entered the league as a first-round pick (No. 30 overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2019 NBA Draft but was traded on draft night and then again roughly one week later, eventually spending his first NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had an explosive falling out with team officials leading to his trade to Houston in 2021.

This past season, Porter averaged career-highs with 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while also dishing out 5.7 assists and shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc.

While his ideal role may be off the ball, he has gotten extensive experience as a lead guard.

Porter is entering the first year of an interestingly structured four-year, $63.4 million contract that is non-guaranteed in the second and third years and has a $15.8 million team option in the final season.

Porter would likely have further value in subsequent deals. But needing to attach a pick to Simmons highlights how far the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft’s value has fallen.

Patty Mills: Ben Simmons ‘Looking Good, Feeling Good’

Simmons, 26, has been viewed as one of the worst contracts in the league over the last couple of seasons. He missed all of the 2021-22 campaign with a back injury and mental health issues then only made 42 appearances this past season before being shut down in March, again due to his balky back.

The former three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection averaged just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this past season but could be primed for a bounceback campaign.

“From all accords and from what I’ve heard, he’s looking after his body, and getting into his shape and healthy,” said teammate Patty Mills, per Brian Fleurantin of NetsDaily on June 24. “From what I’ve heard, he’s looking good, feeling good.”

Mills, 34, noted that we will have to “wait and see” about Simmons getting back on the court but his account tracks with reports that Simmons has taken an improved approach to his rehab amid a slew of offseason workout photos. It also follows with Nets general manager Sean Marks saying that Simmons would not need any further procedures to address the issue.

Getting Simmons healthy appears to be the Nets’ only hope of offloading his remaining money without attaching additional assets.

With Marcus Smart gone, the Boston Celtics could potentially look at guards on the open market who could give them good production in his place. Steve Popper of Newsday floated Derrick Rose as an option for the Celtics.

After Rose’s team option was declined by the New York Knicks on June 24, Popper mentioned the Celtics could be among the teams interested in Rose as a free agent this summer.

“There are contending teams — the Lakers, Suns, and Celtics or even a return to his hometown Bulls — who could have minutes available at point guard for Rose. He is healthy and has adjusted his game, becoming more of a three-point threat in recent years.”

Before this season, where he shot 30.2% from three in a minimized role, Rose put up three-point shooting percentages of 40.2% and 38.8% the two seasons before that.

Rose won the league’s Most Valuable Player award in his third NBA season in 2011, but multiple extensive knee injuries cut his prime short. Rose has successfully transitioned into more of a role player, with his days as a star long past him.

With Smart gone, there could be room for Rose in the Celtics’ guard rotation, especially if they plan to handle Malcolm Brogdon with kid gloves like they did last season.

Derrick White May Have Been Why Marcus Smart Was Traded

While many can speculate on why the Celtics decided to trade Smart in their deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Bill Simmons explained on the June 23 episode of “Off the Pike with Brian Barrett” why he believes the Celtics decided it was time to move on.

Simmons started by saying Smart’s reputation with the team made it hard for the Celtics to bench him.

“I think Marcus has been on the team for nine years and felt like it was his team,” Simmons said. “It was him and Tatum and Brown. It was the big three, and he had an outsized voice in the locker room, on the court. I think it was really tough to bench him.”

Not benching him meant fewer minutes for Derrick White, who Simmons believes is the better player.

“I think it became a real thing where (Smart) was being treated like he was Tatum or Brown. Meanwhile, White was the better guard the whole year unquestionably, so maybe that was a piece of it. I just feel like, eh, this is awkward. Maybe we gotta just fix this.”

Payton Pritchard Likely Staying With Celtics

Before it was revealed that Smart would be traded, Brian Robb of MassLive reported what Malcolm Brogdon’s departure would mean for Payton Pritchard’s role on the team going forward.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal,” Robb wrote.

Whether it was Smart or Brogdon, one of the Celtics guards being traded away means more time for Pritchard pending any more trades. Of course, if they add Derrick Rose into the picture, that could very well put Pritchard back in the doghouse.

The Dallas Mavericks are trying to trade for Philadelphia 76ers small forward Tobias Harris, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers have reached out to the Sixers about a Harris trade.

“The Sixers have been adamant that they’re not willing to trade him unless it drastically improves their team. They made that clear on draft night and don’t intend to change their stance,” Pompey wrote. “However, the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks joined the previously mentioned Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons as teams making inquiries about the 30-year-old’s availability, according to sources.”

Harris signed a five-year, $180 million contract with the Sixers in July 2019. He’ll make $39.3 million next season, the final year of his contract.

The 30-year-old Harris averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists this past season for the Sixers while shooting 50.1% from the field, 38.9% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line.

Mavericks Probably Won’t Get Tobias Harris

The Mavericks probably won’t get Harris, as Pompey is reporting that the Sixers are planning to keep the swingman.

New Sixers head coach Nick Nurse intends to get Harris more involved offensively than he was under Doc Rivers last season as the fourth option behind James Harden, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Harris is represented by his father, Torrel. The CEO of Unique Sports Management International was recently a guest on the “Business of Sports” podcast and Torrel said the Sixers haven’t used his son correctly on offense.

“Personally, I don’t think so. The reason I say that, well Tobias is an assassin scorer,” Torrel said. “I mean they can’t stop him. Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven that over his career, even when he was with the Clippers, he was an assassin scorer.

“They didn’t utilize him. He was not a priority in their offense. And that’s kind of frustrating because if you’re a kick-butt player, you don’t want to be in the corner twiddling your thumb. I just think that when they gave him opportunities — like there was a stretch Joel (Embiid) didn’t play and James Harden didn’t play for like 15 games — he led the team and averaged over 25 points. Then they come back, ‘Okay, well you gotta go back in the corner.’”

Harris has career averages of 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers and Sixers.

Mavericks Tried to Get Jarrett Allen

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Mavericks reached out to the Cavaliers about trading for center Jarrett Allen.

However, the Cavaliers are not interested in dealing the Texas product.

“Sources say the Dallas Mavericks, who own the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and have sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. — a player the Cavs discussed at the February trade deadline — were one team that recently reached out about Allen’s availability,” Fedor wrote. “While it’s unclear what was offered, the Mavericks have been seeking a pick-and-roll partner for guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.”

Allen signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Cavaliers in August 2021. He averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this past season while shooting 64.4% from the field and 73.3% from the free-throw line.

Former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose will become a free agent in July after the New York Knicks elected to decline his $15.6 million team option for the 2023-24 season. Per Fred Katz of the Athletic, there is still a chance Rose could return to the Knicks on a more team-friendly deal during the free agency period.

“The Knicks are declining Derrick Rose’s $15.6M team option, league source confirms to The Athletic. I’m told this doesn’t close the door to a potential return for Rose on a cheaper contract. He’ll now enter unrestricted free agency this summer,” Katz tweeted on June 24.

However, Steve Popper of Newsday, who was first to report that the Knicks would be declining Rose’s option, says several teams could be interested in the former All-Star’s services, including the Phoenix Suns.

“There are contending teams — the Lakers, Suns, Celtics, or even a return to his hometown Bulls — who could have minutes available at point guard for Rose,” Popper writes.

Suns Need a Playmaking Point Guard

Rose has not been an MVP-caliber player for quite some time now. Last season he appeared in just 27 games and averaged 5.6 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 rebounds. But with the offensive firepower of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and the recent addition of Bradley Beal to the roster, the Suns do not need Rose to be that.

The only point guards the Suns have under contract for next season are Cameron Payne and Jordan Goodwin. For reference, Payne averaged 8.1 points per game in the playoffs and Goodwin, who was acquired in the Washington Wizards trade and did not make the playoffs last season, averaged just 6.6 points per game. Rose could be a significant upgrade.

After trading Paul, the Suns do not have a true starting point guard. That could become problematic because despite Beal, Durant, and Booker being top-class scorers, they are not particularly known for their playmaking ability. For his career, Rose averages 5.3 assists per game. Although he is no longer among the elite point guards in the NBA, it is worth the Suns taking a chance at Rose on a veteran’s minimum deal.

Suns Free Agency Options Will Be Scarce

With the free agency period approaching in July, the Phoenix Suns are still looking to build out their roster in hopes of becoming a title contender. They have already made several key moves since being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.

They fired Monty Williams and hired former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel to replace him. They also traded Paul in a blockbuster trade that landed them Beal. But the next task may be among the most difficult for the Suns’ front office as they turn their attention to building around their stars.

Here is the reality: players like Rose are not the most attractive in the free-agent pool. But other cream-of-the-crop free agents such as Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Fred VanVleet won’t be available to Phoenix unless they are willing to take a significant pay cut. This is due to the fact that the Suns have already utilized most of their cap space on their All-Star trio. It will be interesting to see how they build out their roster.

This offseason, the Boston Celtics have several players slated to hit free agency with fourth-year forward Grant Williams serving as the headliner of the bunch.

There are bound to be several opposing ball clubs vying for his services on the open market and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey believes the sharpshooter should be viewed as the “top target” for the Dallas Mavericks.

“If he is indeed available, the Dallas Mavericks should pursue him with the mid-level exception they would have access to in the event Kyrie Irving re-signs and takes them over the salary cap. Dallas already landed a big man who can roll to the rim in Richaun Holmes on draft night (presumably with a trade exception it created earlier by trading Dāvis Bertāns).

“Now, the Mavs could use another big who can space the floor for Kyrie and Luka Dončić’s drives. Over the last three seasons, Williams has averaged 7.0 points and 1.2 threes, while shooting 39.7 percent from deep. And perhaps just as important, he’s shown a solid ability to defend centers and bigger wings,” Bailey wrote.

Bailey would continue on to note that, considering his restricted free-agent label, the Celtics would have the ability to match any offer sheet extended to Grant Williams, thus making a possible pursuit of him in free agency potentially complex.

However, recent rumblings may suggest that Boston might not be as hell-bent on bringing him back as they once may have been.

Kristaps Porzingis Makes Grant Williams Expendable

Just recently, the Boston Celtics made a rather sizeable splash with their decision to trade for former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis.

While the blockbuster certainly adds some much-needed depth to their big-man rotation, the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach suggests that it simultaneously seems to spell the end of Grant Williams’ tenure in Beantown.

“According to multiple league sources, the completion of the Porziņģis deal would likely mean that Grant Williams’s time in Boston has come to an end,” Himmelsbach said via Twitter.

Should this prove to be the case, recent reports by Mass Live’s Brian Robb suggest the Celtics could be looking to take part in some sort of sign-and-trade involving the 24-year-old, which, in turn, could subsequently aid in Bailey’s suggestion for the Mavericks to pursue his shooting talents.

“Boston has the ability to address that depth issue if they bring back Grant Williams but that seems to be a long shot at this point barring another big move, per sources. The money and likely role for him is not there with Porzingis signed at $36 million. Instead, look for the Celtics to try to swing a sign-and-trade with him per sources and instead add another player for guard/wing depth or grab a future draft asset or traded player exception,” Robb wrote.

Grant Williams is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he posted career-best per-game averages in points (8.1), rebounds (4.6), and assists (1.7) while cashing in on 39.5% of his shot attempts from beyond the arc.

Torrey Craig ‘Top Target’ For Celtics

Grant Williams may be seen as the “top target” the Mavericks should consider pursuing this summer, but when it comes to the Celtics, Andy Bailey seems to believe that veteran wing Torrey Craig and his defensive abilities should be atop the wish list for Brad Stevens and company.

“There’s a good chance the Boston Celtics will be a luxury tax-paying team in 2023-24, which makes potential targets in free agency far less glamorous. And that’s fine. Boston already made a huge splash when it acquired Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade. Now, it should be looking to fill out the rotation with wings (presumably on minimum contracts) who can fit into a sometimes positionless scheme with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Torrey Craig is a multipositional defender in that salary range who shot 39.5 percent from deep in 2022-23,” Bailey wrote.

The 3&D veteran has been linked as a possible target for the Celtics on more than one occasion, with Masslive’s Brian Robb suggesting back at around this past season’s trade deadline that he would be a quality addition to Joe Mazzulla‘s rotation.

Through 79 games played with the Suns in 2022-23, Torrey Craig went on to post averages of 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from deep.

The rumor mill as of late has seen the concept of the New York Knicks trading for Los Angeles Clippers star wing Paul George constantly being broached.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes seems to believe he’s constructed a “realistic” package to make this hypothetical exchange become a reality.

The proposed trade reads as follows:

New York Knicks receive: Paul George

Los Angeles Clippers receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick (via DAL; top-10 protected)

An eight-time NBA All-Star, Paul George finds himself coming off yet another sound statistical season as he finished off the year boasting impressive per-game averages of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 45.7% from the field and 37.1% from deep.

Unfortunately, he only managed to suit up for 56 games and missed the entirety of the club’s five-game playoff run due to a myriad of ailments. Lacking health has become somewhat of a trend over the last several years for the All-NBA talent, as he has yet to see over 56 games played since being acquired by Los Angeles back in 2019.

Though this trend should certainly be viewed as concerning, Hughes believes that it could also prove to be somewhat of a positive when it comes to negotiations revolving around the $175 million star, as his injury-prone status has only diminished his trade value.

With this, he suggests that while a package headlined by RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley could be perceived as “underwhelming” for someone of his caliber, ultimately, the Clippers may not find a more intriguing offer.

“It’s hard to know whether the Clippers trading George would be the first step in a rebuild. Chances are, with a new arena opening in 2024, the Clips won’t tear the whole thing down by also moving Kawhi Leonard. Either way, Barrett and Quickley are both intriguing pieces—starting-caliber young players (Barrett just turned 23; Quickley is 24) who’ll either lead the next era or give Leonard more durable running mates. Quickley, in particular, could thrive as the spark-plug guard L.A. desperately needs,” Hughes wrote.

Clippers ‘Fans’ of RJ Barrett

While the proposed exchange by Grant Hughes sees the bigger name in Paul George heading to the Knicks, it appears the Clippers themselves would be bringing on a player in RJ Barrett who, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, has supporters within the organization.

“I do know — the Clippers over there — there are some fans of RJ Barrett,” Begley said.

Coming off of a rather up-and-down 2022-23 campaign, RJ Barrett showed flashes of being a legitimate franchise cornerstone on numerous occasions throughout the year and was on an absolute tear for the vast majority of New York’s two-round playoff run.

Seeing 73 games of regular season action, the wing went on to post solid averages of 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the Knicks and put up 21.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 35.8% from deep from April 18 through May 10.

Knicks ‘Hesitant’ to Trade For Paul George

Despite the recent rumblings and media coverage regarding recent talks between the Knicks and Clippers on a potential Paul George trade, Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner of the LA Times recently reported that New York is a bit reluctant to actually pull the proverbial trigger on such a deal.

“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George. The Knicks also think George’s representatives will ask for a contract extension. He’s due to earn $45.6 million next season and $48.8 million the following season if he exercises his option,” Greif and Turner wrote.

Aside from future financial commitments, this hesitation by the Knicks likely stems from Paul George’s recent injury history, as he has played in just 189 of a potential total of 308 regular season games over the last four seasons.

The beginning of the NBA free agency period is just mere days away, and the Phoenix Suns will have a challenging task on their hands in trying to build around their All-Star trio of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant. With minimum cap space to work with, they will likely be forced to pick from a group of ring-chasing veterans.

There was speculation that the Suns might dangle their starting big man Deandre Ayton as trade bait to land one or two serviceable role players to assist their main cast members. However, per NBA insider Chris B. Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Suns are no longer shopping their star big man on the trade market and intend to “move forward” with him as a member of their roster.

“Phoenix Suns are moving forward with the plan of keeping Deandre Ayton to play alongside Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal,” Haynes tweeted on June 25.

Suns Tried to Trade Deandre Ayton to Sixers

A recent report from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested that the Suns offered Ayton to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Tobias Harris, but Sixers’ general manager Darryl Morey did not budge. When the Sixers shut down their offer, the Suns upped the stakes and asked Philadelphia to get a third team involved, which they vehemently denied.

“The Sixers have no interest in the 7-foot, 250-pounder with three years and $102 million left on his contract. And why would they when franchise player and reigning MVP Joel Embiid, like Ayton, plays center? The Sixers also do not have any interest in any of the players the Suns would make available,” Pompey said of Ayton.

“So, Phoenix wants the Sixers to get a third team involved to facilitate the deal, according to a source. However, the Sixers are unwilling to do so.”

Can Deandre Ayton Work With New Look Suns?

One has to wonder if the Suns’ decision to “move forward” with Ayton is because they want him on the team or if they have just given up on trying to trade him. Is it just a coincidence that the Suns have completed two blockbuster trades in the last five months, and Ayton remains a member of the Suns’ roster? Even though Phoenix has been actively shopping him since being eliminated from the playoffs.

Or is it more likely that teams do not want Ayton on their roster, even though he is still a 7-footer and just 24 years old? When Ayton is actively engaged, he is still one of the best centers in the NBA. But there are times when he is disengaged, and everything unravels for him. It is one of the reasons that Monty Williams had him split the minutes at the five spot with undrafted center Jock Landale in the playoffs.

But maybe Williams being on the outskirts and a championship-winning head coach in Frank Vogel coming in to take his place could be just what Ayton needs to ensure he reaches an elite level. With a huge season coming up, the Suns will need him to play at his highest level. It will be interesting to see if he can get it done.

The Golden State Warriors have never shied away from voicing extreme confidence bordering on bluster, and rookie Brandin Podziemski fits that culture seamlessly.

The Dubs selected the 6-foot-5 guard out of Santa Clara with the 19th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Despite his youth and relative lack of experience on any major stage to speak of, the 20-year-old Warrior made a couple of bold claims about the type of player he expects to become on the professional level.

“I think I bring a lot to the Warriors. I think in the NBA, I could be a triple-double guy,” Brandin Podziemski told Heavy NBA insider Sean Deveney on Thursday, June 22. “I [can] dribble, pass and shoot at a high level. Competitor, toughness. Things I bring to the table like shooting. I’ll be playing alongside the two best shooters in the world.”

Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski Hungry for Shots, Defensive Improvement During Rookie Year

GettyBrandin Podziemski poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 19th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Podziemski’s confidence may border on the brash, though it’s a far cry from unearned. As a 19-year-old sophomore in the NCAA’s West Coast Conference, he averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 48.3% shooting, which included a 43.8% clip from behind the arc, per Sports Reference.

If Podziemski can find his way into the rotation next season, there are likely to be some shots waiting for the rookie after the departure of Jordan Poole, who Golden State sent to the Washington Wizards on the day of the draft in exchange for Chris Paul III. Poole hoisted 15.6 attempts per game across 82 regular season appearances in 2022-23, averaging a career-high 20.4 points per contest.

Along with touting his offensive prowess Thursday night, Podziemski didn’t shy away from the criticisms he’s faced regarding his game on the opposite end of the floor.

“People question my defense. I get to play against Draymond Green, All-Defensive player; Gary Payton [II], All Defensive player,” Podziemski said. “The room for improvement is right there, and it’s right in front of me. So I’m really excited to be a part of this organization. I think I’m a perfect fit for them, and they’re a perfect fit for me. I want to win a championship this year.”

Podziemski averaged 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per contest across 36 games played during his sophomore campaign at Santa Clara.

Warriors 2nd-Rounder Trayce Jackson-Davis Displays Similar Confidence, Heart to Podziemski

GettyForward Trayce Jackson-Davis, formerly of the Indiana Hoosiers, dunks against the Wyoming Cowboys during an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game in March 2022.

Golden State also acquired Trayce Jackson-Davis out of Indiana on Thursday night as part of the Poole/Paul trade. The Wizards drafted the historic Hoosiers forward with the No. 57 overall pick before shipping him to the Bay Area as a stipulation of that deal.

Jackson-Davis is the only player in Indiana history to accumulate more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during his collegiate career. That is saying quite a lot considering the history of basketball success at Indiana and the long line of quality NBA players the program has produced. Jackson-Davis averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and four assists for the Hoosiers during his senior season.

That he was passed over multiple times by several franchises and ultimately selected with the second-to-last pick in the draft were a pair of facts that did not sit well with Jackson-Davis, firmly placing a chip on his shoulder as he begins his professional career.

“Ya’ll will regret it,” Jackson-Davis tweeted late Thursday night. “I promise you.”

While his draft circumstances were different than Podziemski’s, the supreme confidence and eagerness to work Jackson-Davis conveyed via his social media message offer striking similarities to his new Golden State counterpart. They also render him a seemingly perfect fit for the Warriors’ culture, which has committed clearly to winning now and winning big.

The Boston Celtics shocked the masses when they traded Marcus Smart in their three-way deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. While no one knows why exactly the Celtics decided to part with their longest-tenured player in the trade, Bill Simmons gave his take on why the Celtics decided to trade him.

On the June 23 episode of “Off the Pike with Brian Barrett,” Simmons explained why Smart’s influence on the team made it hard for them to bench him.

“I think Marcus has been on the team for nine years and felt like it was his team,” Simmons said. “It was him and Tatum and Brown. It was the big three, and he had an outsized voice in the locker room, on the court. I think it was really tough to bench him.”

Simmons added that because it was tough to bench him, it got in the way of them playing Derrick White, who Simmons believed was better than Smart, which led to the trade.

“I think it became a real thing where (Smart) was being treated like he was Tatum or Brown. Meanwhile, White was the better guard the whole year unquestionably, so maybe that was a piece of it. I just feel like, eh, this is awkward. Maybe we gotta just fix this.”

Unless the Celtics make more moves, White is likely to slide in as the Celtics’ starting point guard.

Brad Stevens Gets Emotional Talking About Marcus Smart

In his first press conference after he traded Smart, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens started to get emotional when talking about the impact Smart had on the Celtics.

“As I told him, when he got here, we were 25-57 the year before,” Stevens said. “The greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace, and it’s better off because you were there, and I think everybody here feels that way. He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons… We’re all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we’ve had.”

Stevens added that he believes Smart will have “a huge impact on that really good Memphis team” while adding that trading him was hard.

Smart has been around the Celtics for nearly as long as Stevens, who had been hired one year prior to when the Celtics had drafted Smart.

Jayson Tatum Promises Reunion With Marcus Smart

Following the trade, Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to pay tribute to his former teammate. In the process, Tatum vowed to not only play with Smart again but also win a title together.

“My dawg Forever grateful for you and how you pushed me and helped me along this journey. Never change keep being you, one of a kind can never be replaced! My brotha for life! We gone link back up one day and get us one no doubt about that! Until then, Much love brodie!”

Smart has been Tatum’s teammate ever since he came into the league in 2017. With the former now off to Memphis, Tatum is expected to shoulder more of the playmaking load.

True to his word, Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is looking at every avenue to improve the team.

“Onuralp Bitim, who went to work out for NBA teams, was very successful in Chicago Bulls and gained the attention of the club,” reads the Google translated version of a report from Turkish outlet, Basketfoul on June 23. “Onuralp Bitim, who is hopeful for the contract, feels [a] two-way contract from Chicago…if he accepts.”

He should participate in the G League and will represent Turkey in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Bitim also worked out for the San Antonio Spurs and Bulls head coach Billy Donovan’s former team the Oklahoma City Thunder. And BasketNews reports that EuroLeague teams Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul have shown interest in him.

He averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season for Frutti Extra Bursa. He also has good size at 6-foot-5, is only 24 years old, and averaged 1.2 steals per game. But, perhaps most importantly, Bitim shot 40.9% on 6.9 threes per game this year – key for a Bulls team that ranked 30th in three-pointers taken and made in 2022-23.

Bitim would be the second of the Bulls’ three allotted two-way contract slots for this coming season under the new collective bargaining agreement.

Bulls Add National Champion

The Bulls’ first two-way slot went to big man, Adama Sanogo, the leading scorer on the 2023 NCAA champion UConn Huskies averaging 17.2 points adding 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists falling just shy of 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

He too can space the floor, knocking down 36.5% of his looks, albeit on just 1.3 attempts.

Sanogo was the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and showed steady improvement throughout his career.

The Bulls’ had undrafted free agent forward Justin Lewis and Terry Taylor as their two-way players last season.

Lewis was a priority undrafted free agent in 2022 while the Bulls picked up Taylor in February after the Indiana Pacers waived him but he only saw action in five contests averaging 4.0 points and 1.6 boards in just over 7.0 minutes per game. It will be interesting to see which – if either – of Lewis or Taylor gets the third two-way contract.

Sanogo in particular could also mean an even tougher path to any minutes for Marko Simonovic who, going into his fourth season since being drafted and two seasons since coming overseas, has appeared in just 16 games.

Bulls Adding Youth to Aging Roster

The Bulls were just outside the top-third in oldest averaged age by a team in the NBA this past season, ranking 12 at 26.7 years old, per RealGM.

A couple of those aging players are at or near the end of their contracts and, even with the likes of Nikola Vucevic being in talks for a new contract, the Bulls have to plan for the future which means stockpiling developmental talent. Without a first-round pick in two of the last three drafts, their work in the undrafted free-agent market could pay dividends down the road.

It is hard to see these players cracking head coach Billy Donovan’s rotation enough to make a significant impact this season. But surprises happen every season and the Bulls’ future could become the focus if next season goes off the rails.

The Brooklyn Nets selected Duke’s Dariq Whitehead with the No. 22 overall pick, the second of their two first-round selections in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-7 former Blue Devil was once thought to be a potential top-10 pick but a leg injury limited him in his lone collegiate season as he averaged a modest 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists this past season.

“I think I can definitely get back to that guy who I was,” said Whitehead, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post on June 23. “I feel like people definitely from last year, they tend to think that I’m not athletic, and that was due to me pretty much playing on one leg. But I feel like I can definitely show the athletic part, and then really my playmaking.”

Whitehead certainly showed more than enough pop in high school.

Even with his perhaps disappointing stats this past season, Whitehead shot 42.9% from beyond the arc and averaged just under 1.0 steals per game.

He is expected to be fully recovered by training camp, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Nets ‘Comfortable’ With Dariq Whitehead’s Medical Outlook

“We felt very comfortable with Dariq,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said, via the Nets’ official YouTube channel on June 24. “If you could sort of rewind a year, there’s a chance that he was probably a lottery pick. So in order to get a guy like that fall to us, fantastic. We’ll take it.”

Even with the foot injury last season – which has him drawing comparisons to former Net and current Cleveland Cavalier, Caris LeVert – Whitehead’s game looked NBA-ready at Duke.

“Gonna come back better than ever,” Whitehead tweeted on June 7.

LeVert has battled injuries in his NBA career but made a career-high 74 appearances this season and has maxed out as a 20-point-per-game scorer in this league.

Nets Rookie ‘Not Gonna Try’ Rockets Big Man

The first of the Nets’ three picks on the night was Alabama big man Noah Clowney, taken right before Whitehead at No. 21 overall. A 6-foot-10 forward, he was half of the Nets’ efforts to double-down on frontcourt talent along with Kansas’ Jalen Wilson (6-foot-8, No. 51 overall).

Unlike Whitehead, Clowney’s athleticism showed often in college where he averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and just under 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks this past season.

But the rookie isn’t going to just challenge any and everyone in the paint.

Asked who he wanted to dunk on most in the league, Clowney responded by asking who the tallest player was – it’s currently Houston Rockets center Boban Marjanovic who is listed at 7-foot-4 but will soon be his fellow rookie, San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama at 7-foot-5.

“Nah, I ain’t getting [Marjanovic],” Clowney said at the draft, via The Score on June 22. “I wouldn’t even try him. That’s a floater. … He’s like 7-5, 7-7, and 8-5 arms, bro. No.”

Clowney did not measure at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago but Sam Vecenie of The Athletic wrote that it was “something in the ballpark of…7-foot-3” on March 28, which would rival that of starting center Nic Claxton.

Wilson, a former national champion, will be coached by fellow Kansas alum Jacque Vaughn.

Since the February NBA trade deadline, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones have done a bang-up job bringing more star power to the Valley. A blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets at the deadline landed them two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, and on the night of the NBA draft, they landed All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal in a deal that saw them part ways with their veteran point guard Chris Paul.

But this next stage of roster construction will be equally important for the Suns. Building around their stars with solid role players could be the difference between an NBA title or a third consecutive second-round exit.

Per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Suns are among the teams interested in acquiring Philadelphia 76ers sharpshooter Tobias Harris.

“The Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks joined the previously mentioned Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons as teams making inquiries about the 30-year-old’s availability, according to sources,” Pompey said of Harris.

Sixers Prefer to Keep Tobias Harris

Next season the Sixers’ sharpshooter will be entering the final year of a 5-year, $180 million deal with the franchise, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

Harris is not a household name amongst NBA players, but make no doubt about it, he can ball with the best of them. Last season he averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. His level of play elevated even more in the postseason, where he averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 52.3% from the field.

The Sixers’ future currently hangs in the balance with James Harden’s looming free agency decision. But one thing that remains pat is that despite Harris being on an expiring contract, the franchise prefers to keep him in the city of brotherly love.

“Will they stand pat and hold onto Tobias Harris heading into the final season of his contract? Or will they succumb to the inquiries they’re receiving and trade the power forward for complementary players and assets?” Pompey added.

“The Sixers have been adamant that they’re not willing to trade him unless it drastically improves their team. They made that clear on draft night and don’t intend to change their stance.”

Sixers Uninterested in Suns’ Trade Assets

The Suns would have to do some elite persuading to get the Sixers to pull the trigger on a Harris trade. Per Pompey, Philadelphia made an offer to the Cleveland Cavaliers that would have sent Harris to Cleveland in exchange for All-Star big man Jarrett Allen, 2021 lottery pick Evan Mobley, and a future draft pick. And with limited assets at their disposal, the Suns will be hard-pressed to assemble a trade package that would entice Sixers general manager Daryl Morey.

The only notable asset Phoenix has is their starting center, Deandre Ayton. And with Sixers big man Joel Embiid entering next season as the reigning NBA MVP, his value to the Sixers is minimal. Pompey also notes that the Suns’ suggested that the Sixers get a third team involved in the deal to sweeten their trade return, but Philadelphia is unwilling to do so.

“The only thing is Phoenix would have to move Deandre Ayton. The Sixers have no interest in the 7-foot, 250-pounder with three years and $102 million left on his contract. And why would they when franchise player and reigning MVP Joel Embiid, like Ayton, plays center? The Sixers also don’t have any interest in any of the players the Suns would make available,” Pompey said.

“So, Phoenix wants the Sixers to get a third team involved to facilitate the deal, according to a source. However, the Sixers are unwilling to do so.”

The Philadelphia 76ers could ask the Cleveland Cavaliers for their entire young frontcourt, according to a proposed blockbuster trade by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey that would’ve sent away Tobias Harris’ expiring $39 million deal in exchange for Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and a future draft pick.

Such a deal would’ve made Allen a backup behind reigning MVP Joel Embiid. The same situation would’ve applied to P.J. Tucker heading to the second unit in favor of Mobley.

Cleveland’s front office likely balked at the deal after the Cavs secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed in the playoffs. In truth, such a proposal from Daryl Morey and the rest of the Sixers’ front office was likely more of a statement to executives league-wide that the price of Harris is steep rather than a serious proposal.

This proposal aligns with what Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported during a June 20 appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic.

“I don’t think anything is moving right now on a Tobias Harris trade,” Fischer said. “Right now he’s not a major player on the board around the NBA. Things can change but there’s nothing really to keep an eye on at this moment.”

Sixers’ Tobias Harris Doesn’t Address Mavericks’ Needs

Dallas Basketball’s Grant Afseth doesn’t believe Harris fits a need for the Dallas Mavericks — who was one of the teams Pompey reported had an interest in the Long Island native — and deemed the idea of a deal “challenging.”

“With the Mavs’ focus being to bolster their defense and rebounding, Harris would not be the type of trade target that would address those needs,” Afseth prefaced before saying, “Additionally, for any team attempting to trade for Harris, it will be challenging to send out enough salary the Sixers are willing to take back in a trade without using cap space.”

As Afseth puts it, a Harris deal more than likely takes the Mavs out of the running for their non-mid-level exception; as well as a chance to bring on a proven veteran on a modest free-agent contract.

“For the Mavs to maintain a pathway to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, there would need to be creativity in navigating a trade package for Harris,” Afseth prefaced before saying, “Losing that mechanism wold impact the ability to add a proven rotation player.”

Analyst Wants Bulls to Swap Zach LaVine for Tobias Harris

Bulls Wire’s Jack Simone likes the idea of the Chicago Bulls swapping out Zach LaVine’s long-term deal with the Sixers for Harris’ expiring contract from Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey; pitching the potential blockbuster for a rebuild’s sake.

“The idea of adding Harris may not sound ideal to most Bulls, but getting off of LaVine’s contract could help them start fresh,” Simone wrote.

Simone fears the Bulls could be looking to run it back with the LaVine-DeMar DeRozan-Nikola Vucevic troika after missing the postseason in 2023.

“The Chicago Bulls roster is solid, but it’s not a championship-caliber group, and for any team around the league, that should be the ultimate goal,” Simone prefaced before saying, “That being said, Arturas Karnisovas seems intent on running the same core back, but that could have serious implications for the future of the franchise.”

Philadelphia 76ers wing Tobias Harris will enter the final year of the five-year, $180 million contract, which has made him more desirable for other teams. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phoenix Suns are among Harris’ interested suitors.

Pompey explained why the Suns are interested in Harris and why they would like a deal to get done as soon as possible.

“A source said the Suns want Harris to play alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. And they want to acquire him before the start of free agency on June 30 because of possible second apron ramifications,” Pompey wrote.

Pompey then explained the snag in a potential deal between the two sides.

“The only thing is Phoenix would have to move Deandre Ayton. The Sixers have no interest in the 7-foot, 250-pounder with three years and $102 million left on his contract. And why would they when franchise player and reigning MVP Joel Embiid, like Ayton, plays center?”

“The Sixers also don’t have any interest in any of the players the Suns would make available.”

Pompey concluded by saying what would have to be done to facilitate a deal.

“So Phoenix wants the Sixers to get a third team involved to facilitate the deal, according to a source. However, the Sixers are unwilling to do so.”

Insider Floats Kings as Harris’ Next Destination

While talking about how Harris’ and James Harden’s futures are linked to one another, Matt Moore of Action Network explained why he believes the Sacramento Kings are his next team.

“The Kings have long been thought to be the most likely landing spot for Harris, not only because of the pre-existing relationship between Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Kings GM Monte McNair but also with the Kings looking for a small forward alternative to Harrison Barnes.”

Moore then explained what would have to happen for a deal to be agreed on.

“IF Harden decides to stay in Philly and IF the Kings don’t manage a trade for OG Anunoby (which again looks unlikely), then the Kings and Sixers could work out a deal for Harris. It’s not known what either side wants to include in such a deal (at least by yours truly).”

Sixers in No Rush to Trade Tobias Harris

Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice reported on June 20 that the Sixers are not rushing to trade Harris.

“One source familiar with the Sixers’ thinking urged caution when asked if a deal for Harris could materialize this week, suggesting there was no real traction on a deal at present and that the team wouldn’t rush into a deal just to trade Harris for the sake of it,” Neubeck wrote.

Neubeck added that despite all the alterations that will occur on July 1, the Sixers believe they’ll have opportunities to make the right trade with Harris.

“While shifting trade rules will alter their options after July 1st, the Sixers believe they’ll have multiple windows (the draft, the pre-camp period, and the pre-deadline period) to explore potential trades and won’t commit to dealing Harris unless it improves Philadelphia’s flexibility or top-end ceiling.”

The Brooklyn Nets could have a chance to flip one of the worst contracts in the NBA for the self-proclaimed “greatest big man shooter” in Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

“If the Nets are unable to secure some floor spacing from the 4 or 5 in a more economical fashion, they could send Ben Simmons‘ contract (which expires three years earlier than KAT’s) and a pick or two from the Kevin Durant haul for Towns,” wrote Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report on June 23.”

Nets get:

– Karl-Anthony Towns

Timberwolves get:

– Ben Simmons
– 2025 1st Round Pick (via PHX)
– 2027 1st Round Pick (via PHX)

Towns, 27, averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and a career-high 4.8 assists this past season while shooting 49.5% from the floor and 36.6% from deep. The 6-foot-11 skilled center only made 29 appearances this past season as he dealt with a calf injury. But, at his peak, Towns has averaged 26.5 points (2019-20) and 12.4 rebounds (2018-19) in his career.

He has not been shy about claiming his spot in NBA history, either.

“I’m the greatest big man shooter of all time,” Towns told John Krawczynski of The Athletic on June 16. “That’s a fact. You can see the stats.”

Towns is averaging 23.0 points on 62.3% true shooting while canning 39.5% of his threes so far in a career that has seen him earn three trips to the All-Star game and two All-NBA selections after he won Rookie of the Year in 2015-16.

When asked about the trade rumors, Towns has put the ball firmly in the Timbwerwolves’ court.

“All I’m gonna say on it, the rumors are as true or as false as Minnesota makes them to be,” Towns said on the ‘Pat Bev Podcast with Rone’ on June 14.

Nets Could Take Advantage of Timberwolves’ Finances

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft is heading into the final year of a five-year, $158.2 million contract.

He is starting a four-year, $224 million contract after next season which could reach up to $234 million with incentives which is a big part of why there has been speculation about his future in Minnesota.

“The Timberwolves were paying two centers max money for the foreseeable future,” wrote Krawczynski on June 22. “That has become even more important in recent months when it became clear that the new collective bargaining agreement will make it even harder on teams to sail past the luxury tax.”

Minnesota is currently more than $21 million below the luxury tax threshold, per Spotrac. But, as Krawczynski notes, Anthony Edwards is up for a new contract that will likely put them into the luxury tax. They were the eight-seed this past season losing to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs this season.

Taking on Simmons would add $1.8 million to the Timberwolves’ books for this coming season but would shave in the neighborhood of $190 million from their ledger overall. And, if not this offseason, they can explore this deal next season when Simmons will be on an expiring contract.

Brooklyn is staring down the luxury tax this offseason but has mechanisms to create more space.

Towns can play alongside Nic Claxton — who said he plans to extend his range — or replace him if the Nets move him ahead of unrestricted free agency next summer.

Nets Could Flip Ben Simmons’ Contract

Simmons, 26, was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 by the Philadelphia 76ers where injuries bookended his tenure. He was traded to the Nets for James Harden at the 2021-22 trade deadline but missed the entire campaign with a back injury and mental health issues.

This past season, he suited up for 42 games averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists but was shut down due to a back injury.

But Brooklyn was 24-18 when Simmons played this past season, even in his diminished state.

Most of that success was thanks to Durant and Kyrie Irving – the Nets were 2-3 with Simmons in the lineup after the trade deadline. However, he is still the only player on the Nets’ roster with an All-Star appearance to his credit (three to be exact). He’s also a two-time All-Defensive pick, a former All-NBA selection, and, like Towns, a former Rookie of the Year.

He is heading into Year 4 of a five-year, $177.2 million contract that has long been thought to require payment (i.e. draft compensation) just to move it.

In this potential scenario, the Nets do that and then some.

Tobias Harris has never quite fit with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite his reputation as a scorer before his acquisition, Harris has never found his place on the team. His father-agent, Torrel Harris, believes that the Sixers are to blame for Harris’ struggles.

When asked if he thinks the Sixers have utilized Harris properly, Torrel explained on the “Business of Sports” podcast why he doesn’t believe so.

“Personally, I don’t think so. The reason I say that, well, Tobias is an assassin scorer. I mean, they can’t stop him. Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven that over his career, even when he was with the Clippers, he was an assassin scorer,” Harris said.

Torrel then added how his contract demands with the Los Angeles Clippers led to his trade to the Sixers in 2019 and how they’ve underutilized him.

“And then [L.A.] traded him ’cause they got too good [and wanted to pivot to the Draft Lottery]. They offered us $80M. I turned down the $80M. They said, ‘Wow, what are you looking for?’ I said, ‘I want about $35M a year, and they’re like, ‘What?’ — I said, ‘Yeah, $35M a year. [They] said, ‘Well, we’re not gonna pay you that.’ So they traded him to the Sixers. Ever since [then] the Sixers,’ they put him in the corner.”

Harris elaborated on why he finds it so frustrating to see how the Sixers use his son.

“They didn’t utilize him. He was not a priority in their offense, and that’s kind of frustrating because if you’re a kick-butt player…you don’t want to be in the corner twiddling your thumb.”

James Harden & Tobias Harris’ Future are Connected

With James Harden entering free agency and Harris’ max contract expiring, Matt Moore of Action Network revealed that what will help the Sixers’ chances of keeping Harden will depend on how things shake out if and when they trade Harris.

Moore also added who he believes is the most likely team to trade for Harris.

“The way for the Sixers to make room to re-sign James Harden to whatever deal he’s amenable to is to trade Harris.

“The Kings have long been thought to be the most likely landing spot for Harris, not only because of the pre-existing relationship between Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Kings GM Monte McNair but also with the Kings looking for a small forward alternative to Harrison Barnes.”

Moore previewed what a deal between the Sixers and Kings would look like.

“IF Harden decides to stay in Philly and IF the Kings don’t manage a trade for OG Anunoby (which again looks unlikely), then the Kings and Sixers could work out a deal for Harris. It’s not known what either side wants to include in such a deal (at least by yours truly).”

Multiple Teams Interested in Tobias Harris

On June 21, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported which teams were interested in Harris while adding what it would take to pry Harris from the Sixers.

“The Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers have made inquiries about Harris’ availability, according to a source,” Pompey wrote.” However, another source said the Sixers will only make a deal that would be hard to pass up. As a result, teams around the league believe the Sixers are overvaluing Harris and asking for ‘outrageous packages in return,’ sources say.”

“Right now, the Sixers aren’t willing to trade him unless it drastically improves their team. But they’ll have opportunities to trade him if need be.”

One of the New York Knicks‘ young players has caught the eyes of the Los Angeles Clippers amid the Paul George trade rumors.

“I do know — the Clippers over there — there are some fans of RJ Barrett,” SNY’s Knicks insider Ian Begley said on the June 23 episode of The Putback.

Barrett is 11 years younger than George. The Canadian wing is coming off an up-and-down season but showed some signs of growth in the Knicks’ playoff run.

After a slow start in his second postseason run, Barrett still managed to put up 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 43.3% field goal shooting and went to the line 5.9 per game, sinking a respectable 76.9%. His 3-point shooting — 32.8% — was dramatically impacted by his 1-of-8 shooting in Games 1 and 2 against Cleveland and 0-for-3 in Game 6 against Miami.

Minus those three playoff duds, Barrett would have averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 49.6% field goal shooting and 38% from deep.

Barrett’s four-year, $107 million extension is set to kick in next season.

But Begley noted the Clippers could be looking for a win-now player if ever they decide to part ways with the 33-year-old George, who is coming off his eighth All-Star season that was cut short by a knee injury.

“Can the Knicks offer that? It’s up for debate,” Begley said. “I don’t know if the Clippers will look at some of these Knicks players and say, ‘Yes, that guy is gonna help me to go the conference finals and help me get through [with] Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the group.’ That’s why it just doesn’t seem super likely to me. The Knicks have checked in. If the Clippers continue to signal that [George] might be available, I would assume that the Knicks will continue to check in.”

The LA Times reported on June 22 that “after some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George.”

Clippers Leave Door Open for George Trade

After Thursday’s NBA Draft, Clippers president Lawrence Frank talked about their offseason plan.

“It’s still the plan,” Frank said. “What we are trying to do is how can we put together the best team around these guys and we look at the different things. What worked, what hasn’t worked, the job that we have to do better, the job that we challenge our players to continue to do better. But yes, we’re trying to maximize these two and figure out ways that we can get better.”

But Frank left the door open for that plan to change, with both stars eligible for a four-year, $220 million extension at different points this year.

“It’s premature because Kawhi is, I think he’s July extension eligible, and Paul is [eligible] in September, Frank said. “We do talk about kind of what the plan is, but we really can’t get into those specifics until the appropriate date. And we’ll just have the dialogues as we do. We’ll just have very, very honest and open conversations and see if there’s something that makes sense for all sides.”

Derrick Rose Team Option Declined

Derrick Rose is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the Knicks did not pick up his $15.6M team option, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper.

The Knicks can bring Rose back on a veteran minimum deal, but given their glut of younger point guards, it might be best for the veteran guard to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

The Phoenix Suns and his former team, Chicago Bulls, are potential landing spots for Rose.

The Suns are looking to fill the void left by Chris Paul, who was dealt in the Bradley Beal trade. On the other hand, the Bulls are desperate for a point guard as Lonzo Ball is unsure to play next season with a knee injury.

If the Chicago Bulls aren’t eyeing a complete teardown but still want to shift gears, they may find a suitable trade partner in the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Getting out from under a long-term contract like Zach LaVine‘s (which runs through 2026-27), could kickstart such a reboot,” wrote Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report on June 23. “A trade involving him and Tobias Harris (whose deal ends in 2024) might make some sense.”

Bulls get:

– Tobias Harris

76ers get:

– Zach LaVine
-2029 1st Rd Pick

The draft compensation could be a big sticking point.

Philadelphia won’t have full control of their first-round picks until 2029 at the earliest, though they could add swap options to push this one over the top, assuming the Bulls are so inclined.

Harris, 30, averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and just a hair under 1.0 steals per game this past season. He shot 50.1% from the floor overall and 38.9% from beyond the arc and is heading into the final year of a five-year, $180 million contract that has been difficult for them to maneuver around.

Some rivals believe Philly is “overvaluing” Harris, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“The Sixers will only make a deal that would be hard to pass up,” Pomey wrote on June 21. “Teams around the league believe the Sixers are…asking for ‘outrageous packages in return’.”

The 6-foot-8 Harris showed his value in the Sixers’ opening-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 20.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and shooting 57.1% from long distance.

He also showed why teams have been reluctant to take him off Philly’s hands as he averaged 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds as the Sixers blew a 3-2 lead to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. A trade to the Bulls would be Harris’ sixth in his 13-year career (including draft night) and would mean suiting up for as many teams.

“The Sixers aren’t willing to trade him unless it drastically improves their team,” Pompey added.

Zach LaVine Could Be Upgrade Sixers Seek

LaVine, 28, would certainly be an upgrade from Harris from a production and longevity standpoint. He averaged 26.4 points on 62.7% true shooting and shot 37.0% from deep after the calendar flipped to 2023.

He is heading into the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract.

The Bulls’ current franchise cornerstone, rumblings of the team gauging LaVine’s trade value cropped back up ahead of the draft and have irked the two-time All-Star in the past.

While he is said to have no interest in joining the New York Knicks, perhaps a trade to the Sixers to pair with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and possibly James Harden – who would be the best passer LaVine has ever played with – is more intriguing. LaVine’s feelings on the Knicks are said to be based in part on the influence of the CAA sports agency in the organization.

LaVine’s fellow Klutch Sports client, Maxey, is currently a rising star for Philly. Klutch also represents injured Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball while the Knicks are one of 12 teams that do not currently roster a player on their lengthy list of clients.

Potential Reset After Next Season

“[The Bulls are] 28th in the NBA in winning percentage over the last six seasons, and the more recent additions of Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan only elevated the team from bad to mediocre,” Bailey writes. “And a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, who might convince themselves they’re one piece away, could use LaVine’s explosiveness.

Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has made his interest in retaining Vucevic (and the rest of the core) together clear.

They are currently in talks with Vucevic on what rival executives believe will be a three-year pact worth $60-plus million in total, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype which would indicate they truly are ready to double down on this group.

Still, LaVine would represent the Bulls’ best trade asset in any sort of rebuilding effort.

This deal might only make sense if he is demanding a trade to Philadelphia publicly which would drive his trade value down considerably since the Bulls have held a fairly high valuation of the former No. 13 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.

It does, however, fit with some of the follow-up reporting after word broke that they were gauging his trade value once again.

“One league source said the Bulls would be focused on getting a good young player, multiple first-round picks, and salary filler if they decide to trade LaVine,” wrote NBC Sports Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson on June 19. “Another said one first-round pick and an established, high-end player might be sufficiently intriguing.”

Could both teams be convinced that this is the deal they need to make?

The above deal would give the Sixers another high-level scorer around reigning the MVP in Embiid while the Bulls get a versatile player in Harris, draft capital, and the chance at much cleaner books next offseason with DeRozan heading into the final year of his contract.

Former Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole let his true feelings about Draymond Green be known more or less the minute after he exited the organization via a trade earlier this week.

Athletes’ actions in the digital space have become predictors of future behavior as well as the clearest indicators of their true feelings about their teams and teammates. It was in this context that Poole communicated to Green, and the rest of the world, that he is not cool with the Dubs star a full regular season after Green struck Poole in the face during a practice session in October.

The NBA on ESPN Twitter account on June 22 posted a screen shot of Poole’s Instagram account in the immediate wake of Golden State’s decision to ship the shooting guard to the Washington Wizards as part of a trade that brought Chris Paul to the Bay Area. The tweet indicated that Poole had severed personal ties with Green at, more or less, the exact same time as the organization severed ties with Poole.

“Jordan Poole appears to have unfollowed Draymond Green on IG right after his trade to the Wizards 👀,” the caption said.

Tension Between Jordan Poole, Draymond Green Persisted All Season

GettyGolden State Warriors stars Draymond Green (left) and Jordan Poole (right) look on during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns.

Golden State’s choice to deal Poole to the Eastern Conference represents a decision by the organization to prioritize the futures of Green and Klay Thompson over Poole’s in a move that was, first and foremost, a salary dump. However, the trade was also a culture cleanser in the wake of tensions that followed the physical altercation between Green and Poole, which lingered the entire season.

Top down, the organization contended all season that the team had moved past Green’s assault of Poole, though head coach Steve Kerr abandoned that narrative almost immediately after the Los Angeles Lakers ended the Warriors’ bid for a repeat title via a defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals in May.

“[Green] knows that he had a great season this year from a basketball perspective, but he knows that he also compromised things by what happened back in October,” Kerr said during a May 16 media session, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “So part of him coming back next year has to be about rebuilding some of that trust and respect that he’s earned here for a long period of time. One thing I love about Draymond is he’s always brutally honest, and he can take that sort of critique because he knows it’s the truth.”

Warriors Valued Draymond Green More Than Jordan Poole

Getty(L-R) Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game.

Kerr and the rest of the Warriors clearly value a lot more about Green than just his brutal honesty and ability to engage in tough conversations, as they chose his defense and experience and intensity over Poole’s offensive prowess moving forward, even despite the fact that Green is leaning into the end of his prime while the start of Poole’s remains ahead of him.

The cold, hard truth that has now been laid bare in the harsh light of the team’s offseason decisions is that Golden State has prioritized the chemistry Green has with Steph Curry and other members of the locker room over anything Poole can offer. And that’s true even despite the fact that it was Green and his actions that compromised the season, as well as embarrassed and rattled Poole into a statistical regression during his fourth NBA campaign.

That said, the benefits of the trade also extend to Poole. He is likely to be the Wizards’ top offensive option amid a rebuild that will span the entirety of his four-year, $128 million contract. Poole also will no longer need to play the part of the good solider, which he did every time he was asked about the fallout from Green’s fist.

“I don’t have no answer for you other than that we was just on the court and teammates, and we was out there trying to win games,” Poole told Logan Murdock of The Ringer in a story that was published on May 15, just days after Golden State’s playoff run ended. “It’s just business, honestly. And that’s really all it was, it is, it has been. It’s just been business. It’s been basketball.”

Business was how Poole approached a situation that was clearly personal, something his actions on Instagram last week spoke to more loudly than any of the contrary verbal narratives Poole, Green, Kerr and the rest of the Warriors put out for months.

The New York Knicks have decided to decline Derrick Rose‘s $15.6M team option that will make him an unrestricted free agent, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper.

Rose, who will turn 35 on Oct. 4, can return on a veteran’s minimum contract, but if the Knicks decide to run it back, there will still be no opportunity for him to crack the rotation.

The Phoenix Suns and his former team, Chicago Bulls, are potential landing spots for the former MVP.

Rose only played 27 games this past season despite being healthy after recovering from an ankle surgery that sidelined him for most of the 2021-2022 season. Rose was yanked out of the regular rotation in early December.

The veteran point guard played a key role in the Knicks’ 2021 playoff run as a midseason acquisition from Detroit.

The Knicks held on to him despite overtures from contenders at the past February trade deadline. Declining his team option means one salary ballast less for the Knicks in potential star trades this offseason.

Zach LaVine’s Camp Against Knicks Trade

There is a potential roadblock for the Knicks to acquire Bulls’ two-time All-Star wing Zach LaVine.

Klutch Sports, who represents LaVine, would be against a Knicks deal, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

“The Bulls are reportedly gauging interest in the All-Star guard, which prompted speculation that the Knicks — who are strapped with future draft assets — would get involved. But a source said the LaVine camp isn’t interested in dealing with the Knicks, who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before his move to the Knicks front office,” Bondy wrote.

Klutch Sports’ other client Cam Reddish left the Knicks on bad terms that may have left a bitter taste in the mouth.

The Knicks sent the disgruntled former lottery pick to the Portland Trail Blazers at the trade deadline that landed them Josh Hart, who played a vital role in their playoff run.

Reddish, who only saw action for 35 games during his forgettable stint with the Knicks, blamed favoritism and politics for his lack of a defined role.

“It was tough, but at the same time, it ain’t even about basketball,” Reddish told the New York Daily News in March. “It had nothing to do with basketball. It was all the politics, all the favoritism. S**t like that. That’s why I wasn’t too worried about it.”

Knicks Add 2 Undrafted Players on 2-Way Deal

Without a pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Knicks signed undrafted prospect Jacob Toppin of Kentucky and Overtime Elite’s Jaylen Martin to two-way deals.

Jacob is the younger brother of Knicks reserve forward Obi Toppin, the subject of trade rumors.

The younger Toppin and Martin are expected to suit up for the Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

Jacob Toppin, 23, played three seasons for Kentucky after spending his freshman year at Rhode Islands. On the other hand, Martin played for former Knicks guard Charlie Ward at Florida High before signing with Overtime Elite.

There isn’t a ton of optimism that the Chicago Bulls will make many — if any — major moves this offseason. Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas told the media after the NBA draft on June 23 that he has the support of the front office to spend, even if it means going into the luxury tax.

Don’t count on that happening, though. The Bulls have entered the luxury tax just once in their history, back in 2013, and it’s highly unlikely it will happen again this year. That means some middle-of-the-road talent will likely be heading to the Windy City.

A few players have been mentioned as names to watch for the Bulls, and one of those is Los Angeles Lakers center Mo Bamba. In a June 23 appearance on 670 The Score’s Bernstein & Holmes Show, insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times said the 25-year-old Lakers big would love to play for the Bulls.

Cowley: Mamba ‘Wants to Be a Bull’

Co-host Dan Bernstein asked Cowley if there might be a defensive-minded rim patroller available for a reasonable price and one name specifically came up.

“Keep an eye on Mo Bamba,” Cowley told Bernstein. “This is a guy that’s wanted to come to the Bulls for the last couple years. I don’t know if it was something that was engrained in him growing up and that’s what he saw … and that’s what he fell in love with, but this is a guy who wants to be a Bull.”

The sixth overall pick for the Orlando Magic in 2018, Bamba was traded to the Lakers last season as part of the four-team trade that ultimately sent Patrick Beverley out of L.A. The 7-foot, 230-pound center suffered a high left ankle sprain this past season, which forced him to miss over a month with L.A., but he had some good games when he was healthy.

While with the Lakers, Bamba averaged 3.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocked shots, shooting over 31% from beyond the arc in 9.8 minutes a game. Those numbers are down from the ones he put up in Orlando, when he averaged 7.3 points, 4.6 boards and shot just under 40% from downtown in 17.0 minutes of work per game.

Bamba has a non-guaranteed $10.3 million contract for 2023-24 that becomes fully guaranteed at the end of June, and it’s doubtful the Lakers will pay it, so he could very likely be a free agent soon.

Is There Room for Bamba in Chicago?

The Bulls are currently attempting to re-sign veteran big man Nikola Vucevic, who started all 82 games for them last season. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on June 18 that the Bulls and Vooch are looking at something close to a three-year deal worth around $65 million.

Bamba would be an affordable backup option, with his salary likely falling in the $5-6 million range for next season. “Rim protectors don’t fall right into your lap. You have to cultivate one, or one has to come and play for you,” Cowley added. That’s true, but Andre Drummond, 29, was Chicago’s backup center last year.

Drummond has a $3.4 million player option he’ll need to decide on by June 29 (he’ll likely accept), but Bamba could be a real option if the Bulls want to move on from Drummond, who scored 6.0 points and grabbed 6.6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes of work last season.

It’s not major drama, but Chicago’s backup center position will surely be one to watch in the coming months.

The recent noise about Damian Lillard and his future with the Portland Trail Blazers notwithstanding, the seven-time All-Star’s situation remains unchanged. Lillard has been about as loyal as an elite player with no rings could possibly be to a franchise and, as far as we know, Portland’s current playoff drought hasn’t prompted him to ask out.

Meanwhile, the Blazers appear intent on continuing to build around the baller despite his recent commentary about wanting to win at the highest level right now (something the team isn’t really equipped to do).

Of course, none of this has stopped Miami Heat fans — and pundits, reporters, blogs, et al. — from dreaming up trade scenarios bringing Lillard to the club.

Lillard doesn’t appear to have any problem with fanning those flames, either, raising eyebrows on Friday with an IG Live appearance featuring a musical shout-out to South Beach.

Blazers Star Damian Lillard Taps Will Smith for Heat-Centric Troll Job

As captured by Twitter user @MGRADS and others, Lillard popped onto IG Live with a certain top-20-charting, late ’90s rap anthem booming in the background. Namely, “Miami” from Will Smith’s album, Big Willie Style.

For the unawares, it’s a song that includes lyrics like, “Don’t get me wrong, Chi-town got it goin’ on. And New York is the city that we know don’t sleep. And we all know that L.A. and Philly stay jiggy. But on the sneak, Miami bringin’ heat for real.”

And the more on-the-nose “I’m goin’ to Miami” and “Welcome to Miami.”

Now, Lillard himself may or may not have been the person responsible for playing that song but, in any case, it’s probably a safe bet that he knew exactly how NBA people would react to hearing it on his stream just as Dame-centric trade rumors are heating up again.

It was either the biggest tease or the biggest troll job we have seen from a player so far this summer.

This much is certain — Lillard is still the kind of player who could put the Heat over the top in their efforts to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Kaseya Center. In 58 games for the Blazers in 2022-23, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per outing while posting an effective field-goal percentage of 56.4.

Heat Focused on Getting Lillard, Blazers Focused on Keeping Him

In the wake of Thursday’s NBA Draft, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin — who selected G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson third overall — made it clear that he’s not thinking about dealing his cornerstone player. Like, ever.

“I would love to see Dame retire a Trail Blazer,” Cronin told reporters. “I have zero desire to trade him. I really hope this works out here.”

Even so, The Athletic’s David Aldridge recently joined the litany of media members who believe that Heat president Pat Riley has made bringing Lillard into the fold his No. 1 mission this offseason.

“Miami has clearly prioritized getting Damian Lillard from Portland, with Jimmy Butler a central part of the Heat’s recruiting pitch,” the longtime league insider wrote on June 18.

Just when things seemed fairly clear-cut for the Brooklyn Nets, general manager Sean Marks offered up a dose of sobering reality about restricted free agent Cameron Johnson.

“I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know,” Marks said in a video shared by Erik Slater of Clutch Points on June 23. “I think it’s one of those things that maybe we should expect the unexpected. Things happen all the time in this. We’ll be prepared for that. Cam knows how we feel about him. We hope he’s a Net.”

This is not a new sentiment from Marks.

He said during his exit interview that Johnson, 27, was a priority for the front office this offseason. But he also noted that Johnson will have a say in what happens as a restricted free agent.

The Nets can match any offer he receives but that has helped further sour relationships around the league in the recent past.

Johnson averaged 16.6 points on 61.0% true shooting after the Phoenix Suns traded him to Brooklyn in a package for Kevin Durant. He also shot 37.2% from deep in the regular season and was even better in the playoffs, knocking down 42.3% of his looks from long distance.

More than that, Johnson showed that he could be more than just a 3-and-D role player.

His points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals as a Net would have all been career-high marks across a full season.

Cameron Johnson Set to Cash In

The former No. 11 overall pick is expected to land a deal with a starting salary worth at least $18 million in free agency, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. And there is some thought that his next deal could even reach or surpass $20 million annually.

“We’ll just have to sort of play it all out,” Marks added. “I think we’ve got a nice young group, and he can see how this group can do something special here.”

Former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks is not convinced that the Nets should go all out to keep Johnson.

Brooklyn is roughly $18.6 million below the luxury tax threshold before making any moves this offseason, per Spotrac; a cushion Johnson’s contract would eliminate.

Johnson was clear that he will make the best decision for himself and his family.

But the Nets do have one trump card that may give them even a slight leg up on the potential competition which is expected to include at least the Detroit Pistons – where Johnson’s former head coach with the Suns, Monty Williams, takes over the same role – and the Houston Rockets who have the most money to spend this offseason.

Mikal Bridges Recruits Cameron Johnson

“I just know a lot of people probably want him on different teams,” Mikal Bridges said, per Lewis in an article from June 22. “I just tell him…‘I know money and this and that, but just know where I want you. And you can’t leave your Twin!’”

Johnson has likewise expressed not wanting to be separated from his friend and teammate.

Asked if Bridges would influence his decision-making this offseason, Johnson was crystal clear that he would.

“Yeah, I’d say so,” Johnson said via the Nets’ YouTube channel on April 23. “That’s my twin. I haven’t played an NBA game without him literally because he’s been in all of them…He is a good teammate to have. He does little things. He plays hard, defends, and can help cover up a lot of stuff. So the continued opportunity to play with him would be very cool to me.”

Everyone involved is saying the right things. We will have to wait and see what happens when it is finally time to put pen to paper sometime after free agency officially opens around the NBA on June 30.

A big part of the Chicago Bulls’ offseason plan will be retaining their own free agents. Two of those free agents, Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, were the franchise’s top picks in their respective draft classes.

Both players are restricted free agents this offseason and there was a notion the generally frugal and cash-strapped Bulls might have to choose between one or the other. But Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is not going to just let either walk away this summer.

“Coby and Ayo I think they are developing young players,” Karnisovas said during his media availability via the Bulls on June 22. “We’re gonna address that in free agency.”

Asked if he will extend qualifying offers to both players, Karnisvoas gave an unequivocal “yes”.

Coby White’s Persistence Paid Off

White, 23, is one of just two players to pre-date Karnisovas’ arrival and takeover of basketball operations. The other is two-time All-Star Zach LaVine whom the Bulls signed to the largest contract in franchise history.

The Bulls had White on the trade block dating back to the 2021 trade deadline. White’s stats this past season – 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 37.2% from three – were all down from last season but fail to highlight how much progress he made as a more complete player which head coach Billy Donovan certainly appreciated.

“He’s played well,” Donovan said. “The thing that’s been really impressive to me is the jump he’s made from last year to this year defensively and the amount of time and effort. He had a really, really good summer and I really attribute a lot of his success to that.”

Donovan said White was becoming a “two-way player”, a necessity on a roster headlined by LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic none of whom are plus-defenders.

White drew just two starts this past season but he made a career-high 72 appearances.

With Karnisovas confirming that intended starting point guard Lonzo Ball is not expected to return next season as he continues to rehab, the Bulls have more incentive than not to be “all in” on retaining White. If nothing else he provides some familiarity for the group and knows how he would be needed coming out of the gate.

To that end, Donovan agreed that there could be another opportunity for White to crack the starting lineup – something White has said is a goal of his – should the former North Carolina Tar Heel return next season.

The Bulls will have the right to match any offer White may get since he is a restricted free agent so the final call was always theirs to make.

But it does bring a little more clarity to their offseason.

Ayo Dosunmu’s Sophomore Slump Led to Demotion

Dosunmu, 23, opened last season as the starting point guard but soon found himself demoted to the bench along with former No. 4 overall pick, Patrick Williams. A Chicago native, Dosunmu surprised as a rookie second-round pick in 2021-22 averaging 8.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc.

This past season, he posted a very similar stat line with 8.6 points and 2.8 rebounds but his assists (2.6) and perimeter efficiency (31.2%) both fell. But he still brought inspired defense even after his demotion.

It really was never really a matter of if the Bulls wanted to keep Dosunmu in the mix.

There has even been word that the team is eyeing a multi-year contract for the former No. 38 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft

“Dosunmu is a restricted free agent who has limited market value after a backsliding season,” wrote Sam Smith of Bulls.com on June 16. “But he’s well-liked by the coaching staff and management and expected to receive a reasonable contract for two or three seasons.”

The question was always making it work financially but Karnisovas says that’s not an issue.

“I think it all depends on free agency, how that goes,” Karnisovas said. “And Jerry and Michael [Reisndorf] have been always open with me to go into luxury tax if our team is competitive – top four, top six in the East. If there are players in free agency that…we go, ‘Yeah, they can improve our team,’ and we’re competitive, we’ll retain our free agent.”

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants to re-sign point guard Kyrie Irving this summer.

Irving, 31, becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.

“We want to sign him and hopefully he wants to come back,” Cuban said on The Ben and Skin Show. “I’m not going to handicap anymore. I learned my lesson last year.”

Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with the Mavericks in 2022-23. If the NBA works with a $134 million salary cap, Uncle Drew would be eligible to re-sign with Dallas on a five-year, $272 million contract.

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Irving to re-sign with Dallas, league sources told Heavy Sports. All signs point toward Irving staying with the Mavericks and continuing his partnership with Doncic and Kidd.

Mavericks Appear to Be Only Confirmed Bidder for Kyrie Irving’s Services

The Mavericks may be the only team interested in signing Irving this summer, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The Los Angeles Lakers don’t plan to pursue Irving and the Phoenix Suns can no longer sign the one-time champion after acquiring shooting guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards.

“League sources say that these developments — especially the latter — have reinforced the notion that the Mavericks appear to be the only confirmed bidder for Irving’s services as the opening bell for 2023 NBA Free Agency at 6 PM ET on June 30 draws near,” Stein wrote.

The Houston Rockets could make a run at Irving if former MVP James Harden stays with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Toronto Raptors unrestricted free agent Fred VanVleet may rank higher than Irving on the Rockets’ free-agent board, per Stein.

“What could change that landscape? As I reported here June 11, Houston is expected to weigh a run at Irving if James Harden resists the Rockets’ overtures and the lure of a return to his adopted favorite city by electing to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Remember: Weigh means consider,” Stein wrote.

“It was also conveyed to me this weekend that Irving, at best, would rank as the Rockets’ No. 3 choice among lead guards available in free agency if Houston decided to take its interest beyond the mere consideration phase — behind both Harden and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet.”

 Mavericks Must Re-Sign Kyrie Irving

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes the Mavericks should bring Irving back next season despite the team missing the play-in tournament in 2023.

“The Dallas Mavericks took a real gamble when they sent out a first-round draft pick as part of a trade to land someone who’d enter unrestricted free agency the following summer,” Bailey wrote. If Kyrie Irving walks, the Mavs will be out a rotation player (Spencer Dinwiddie), their best perimeter defender (Dorian Finney-Smith), the aforementioned first and multiple second-round picks for nothing.

“Yes, Kyrie was good (probably even great) for the few months he was a Maverick, but he hasn’t even been in the playoffs with them. Re-signing him is imperative.”

Irving has career averages of 23.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams.

The latest recruiting pitch by Brooklyn Nets rising star Mikal Bridges may be his most meaningful.

Bridges is doing his part to ensure that Cameron Johnson is a Net next season.

“I just know a lot of people probably want him on different teams,” Bridges told Brian Lewis of the New York Post in an article from June 22. “I just tell him…‘I know money and this and that, but just know where I want you. And you can’t leave your Twin!’”

Bridges’ future in Brooklyn has seemingly long been decided with the organization turning away overtures, including four first-round picks from the Memphis Grizzlies. The 26-year-old swingman averaged a would-be career-best 26.1 points on 60.7% true shooting after the Phoenix Suns traded him to Brooklyn in a package for Kevin Durant.

Johnson, 27, experienced a similar uptick in his production, averaging 16.6 points – which would have been a career-high across a full season – on 61.0% true shooting.

He shot 37.2% from deep with the Nets in the regular season and 42.9% in the postseason.

“That’s my twin,” Johnson said during his exit interview on the Nets’ YouTube channel on April 23. “I haven’t played an NBA game without him literally because he’s been in all of them….The continued opportunity to play with him would be very cool to me.”

Johnson said he did not have a plan for free agency at the time of his exit interview. But comments made on the ‘Ball Magnets Podcast’ on June 20 may have tipped his hand.

“I found this apartment,” Johnson said. “I had it for a certain short-term lease and, at the conclusion of free agency, I’d reevaluate and explore neighborhoods and figure out which area of Brooklyn I’d like to live in. Because there’s a lot of cool little neighborhoods, cool little pockets. That should be a fun experience.”

Nets Could Get Expensive

Brooklyn currently sits roughly $18 million below the luxury tax threshold of $165 million for the 2023-24 season, per Spotrac. Johnson is expected to land a deal that starts at $18 million and could very well exceed that.

That is a lofty proposition for a team that went 13-15 after the trade deadline; something former Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks warned about.

However, Bridges’ feelings on the matter could impact the Nets’ thinking just as it does Johnson.

Nets Warned Against Overvaluing Mikal Bridges

“Mikal Bridges…is probably the third-best [player] on a top-four team,” Marks said on April 22. “That’s the reality of it….And he had a great year. He’s not a No. 1 [option]. I think he’s probably a No. 1 on a bad team. He’s probably a No. 2 on a team that’s the fifth seed the fourth seed. He’s not the No. 1 if you’re trying to win a championship.”

Valuing Bridges is one thing.

Potentially overvaluing him to the point where it affects the wiggle room going forward is another entirely. Fortunately for the Nets, they don’t quite have to make that decision – they have other avenues for creating some space if needed.

Still, today’s good contract can look rather onerous if things don’t go well for that player or the teams that gave it to them. Bridges is under contract through the 2026 season on a four-year, $90.9 million contract and it could cost as much if not more to keep Johnson in the mix. Whether or not the Nets are up for that will soon be put to the test.

For those who may be tardy to the party, the Phoenix Suns parted ways with veteran point guard Chris Paul. He got sent to the Washington Wizards in a deal that landed the Suns All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal, one of the top scorers in the NBA. Although Paul is not as spry as he used to be, he still has a lot of game left in his tank. And at 38 years old, he is still looking to be a contributor on a title contender.

After being dealt to the Wizards just days prior, Washington traded Paul to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for star guard Jordan Poole hours before the NBA Draft on June 22. In an interview with Lindsay Czarniak, Paul reacted to being traded yet again and his excitement to join the Warriors dynasty.

“I’m excited, I’m grateful like I said,” Paul said of his reaction to the trade. “To get an opportunity to play with that core group of players: Steph, Klay, Draymond, Looney, Wiggs, all of them, play for Steve … So, I definitely want to get on the phone and talk to those guys and whatnot and see what’s what.”

Can Chris Paul Thrive in Warriors Bench Role?

Paul has become a journeyman in every sense of the word. Naturally, he has been in every situation imaginable during his NBA career. Whether it was the highest of highs during his super team stint with the Suns or expectations were nonexistent as they were in his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul has always had to adjust.

Now an unfamiliar situation has presented itself to the All-Star point guard. With the scoring ability of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, coupled with the playmaking ability of Draymond Green, the need for Paul’s offensive skillset in the Warriors’ starting lineup is minimal.

Paul could thrive in a role for Golden State’s second unit. Some may think that a bench Paul is beneath him, but in the latter years of his career, leading the second unit with raw, talented players such as Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga could be exactly what the Warriors need from him.

Chris Paul, Dubs Union Could Be Mutually Beneficial

Paul has been on his share of talented teams, and each time has been a massive failure. But could this finally be the year that he gets his ring? Sure, Paul has played with the likes of James Harden, Devin Booker, and Blake Griffin. But as talented as those guys are, none have title experience.

Now entering a situation where he is joining the dynasty led by three four-time champions, Green, Curry, and Thompson, in addition to a championship-winning head coach in Steve Kerr, Seerat Sohi of “The Ringer” thinks this could be the ideal situation for Paul and the Warriors.

“At this stage in both of their timelines, the Warriors might be exactly what Paul needs, and vice versa. Despite the incorrigibility of Paul’s style, there are very few roles he has not adapted to. He has been the MVP-level leading man in New Orleans and Los Angeles; the old-head guide in Oklahoma City; Harden’s and Devin Booker’s sidekick in Houston and Phoenix, respectively; and, most recently, the third fiddle learning to spot up and play off the ball after KD arrived,” she writes.

“His experience dealing with those variabilities could help him adjust to a role that will likely require him to come off the bench some nights and watch crunch time from the sidelines on others. But this, make no mistake, will be the greatest adaptation he has had to make. Paul is a bona fide future Hall of Famer. Going back to high school, there has never been any doubt that the father of the modern pick-and-roll, the most precise point guard of his generation, would be starting and finishing games.”

Already this offseason, the Boston Celtics have opted to shake things up in a major way, as they struck on a multi-team blockbuster that landed them former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis. Now, with several months remaining until the start of the 2023-24 campaign, one can only assume that more moves will wind up being made.

To Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, Brad Stevens and company should look to prioritize addressing their wing depth and defensive versatility and suggests that Phoenix Suns veteran Torrey Craig should be a “top target” for the C’s in free agency.

“There’s a good chance the Boston Celtics will be a luxury tax-paying team in 2023-24, which makes potential targets in free agency far less glamorous. And that’s fine. Boston already made a huge splash when it acquired Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade. Now, it should be looking to fill out the rotation with wings (presumably on minimum contracts) who can fit into a sometimes positionless scheme with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Torrey Craig is a multipositional defender in that salary range who shot 39.5 percent from deep in 2022-23,” Bailey wrote.

Craig has been linked as a possible option for the Celtics for quite some time, with Masslive’s Brian Robb suggesting back at around the trade deadline that the front office should have considered pursuing his services.

Now, slated to be available on the open market, Bailey believes that the idea of attaining the 3&D wing on a low-cost contract could be a logical next move for Boston to make.

Through 79 games played with the Suns in 2022-23, Torrey Craig went on to post averages of 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from deep.

Brad Stevens Discusses Marcus Smart’s Impact on Celtics

The decision to include long-tenured Celtics guard Marcus Smart in the Kristaps Porzingis trade was not an easy one for the front office to make, and Brad Stevens made this completely apparent during a recent press conference.

Talking to reporters Thursday evening, while visibly emotional, Boston’s president of basketball operations acknowledged that trading the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year was “hard,” and issued a heartfelt analysis of the impact that Smart had on the organization during his nine-year stay.

“As I told him, when he got here we were 25-57 the year before. The greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace and it’s better off because you were there and I think everybody here feels that way,” Brad Stevens said of Marcus Smart. “He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons… We’re all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we have.”

Stevens would cap off his salute to Marcus Smart by stating that while it may have been painful to part ways with the veteran, ultimately, he believes he’ll have “a huge impact on that really good Memphis team.”

Marcus Smart ‘Still Trying to Process’ Celtics Trade

According to a report by Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe following the blockbuster transaction, it was revealed that Marcus Smart “was completely shocked” when hearing he was being traded from the Celtics and that he “is still trying to process it.”

“Marcus loves Boston. He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there,” Himmelsbach wrote.

Marcus Smart finishes his Celtics career with three All-Defensive team selections, per-game averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, and, in 2022, became the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.