While no trades are likely to be completed until closer to – or during – draft night, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports believes there could be a lot of movement in this year’s draft, with several teams looking to trade up or down. Appearing today on Chris Mannix’s podcast, Charania pointed specifically to the Clippers as a team that has weighed the possibility of moving up. With the Nos. 12 and 13 picks currently in hand, L.A. could put together an intriguing package, and they’ve looked “heavily” at Real Madrid star Luka Doncic, according to Charania.
Here are more highlights from Charania’s appearance on the Yahoo Sports NBA podcast:
- Addressing the Kawhi Leonard situation in San Antonio, Charania indicated that an extension or a trade are the probable outcomes for the star forward this summer — it’s unlikely that the Spurs would keep him for next season without a new deal in place. However, both sides are interested in mending fences and clearing up last season’s miscommunications. Leonard is also nearing 100% health and should be ready to go to start next season, Charania adds.
- In a look at the restricted free agent market, Charania identified Magic forward Aaron Gordon and Bulls guard Zach LaVine as two players who could command max or near-max deals and are unlikely to change teams. He also speculated that the Suns, Kings, and Pacers are among the clubs with cap room who could be fits for Celtics RFA Marcus Smart, and said that there seems to be mutual interest between the Mavericks and Julius Randle.
- Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Bulls swingman David Nwaba are two under-the-radar restricted free agents in line for sizable raises, in Charania’s view. He expects both players to land deals worth more than $5MM, noting that Toronto may have to use its full Early Bird exception (approximately $8.5MM) to retain VanVleet.
- While outside observers around the NBA remain skeptical about the Thunder‘s chances of re-signing Paul George, Oklahoma City is still exuding confidence, according to both Charania and Mannix. Charania observes that George and Russell Westbrook have become “really close,” which could factor into the forward’s decision.
- Many people around the league don’t expect former Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo to get another NBA job anytime soon, if at all, per Charania.
Top get Doncic Clips would have move in top 4 i’d imagine. Be nice they package both picks plus dump a contract or two. Work your magic West.
Gordon isn’t a max-quality player IMO. $20mil tops. 4/64. Actually if I was a GM, I would not want him.
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The Clippers don’t just have the #12 & #13, they have $55mil in expirings spread among 7 players, which makes it easier to find a fit with a trading partner. Plus, DJordan with a player option. MHarrel is RFA, ABradley UFA.
I cannot see why San Antonio would give over 200MM to Kawhi, cannot see he is in that level, he is a very good player but not that good, cannot see him been a top 10 player in this league at all, he had 1 very good season (not fantastic) & this year refused to play. To me without a doubt right now Embiid, Lebron, Giannis, CP3, Harden, Davis, Boogie, Lillard, Westbrook, KAT, Jokic, Curry, KD… are better than him for sure, & Simmons, Kyrie, Wall, Oladipo, Butler, PG13, Draymond, Klay, Booker are similar to him if not better just now or in the 1-2 years to come, that is why I see him at the most as a top 20 player, & that is a bucketful of $ for someone that is very good but not that good for this contract. Anyway is my opinion I know some/many won’t agree, but again my opinion.
Colangelo wins dumba$$ of the year. Randle goes to Dallas or goes to bench with PG coming to town. OKC was sure Durant was staying….they are so screwed.