The Sixers have discussed a possible contract extension for T.J. McConnell, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during the latest edition of The Woj Pod. Despite some “conversations” about a new deal, Wojnarowski doesn’t suggest that those talks have gotten serious, and Zach Lowe adds that he doesn’t expect Philadelphia to extend McConnell early, since the team wants to maximize its cap room for next summer.
[UPDATE: Sixers not planning on in-season extension for McConnell]
Still, it will be interesting to see what happens with McConnell, who would be eligible for up to four years and about $47.5MM on an in-season extension. Wojnarowski indicates that the Sixers‘ backup point guard is “in demand” on the trade market, but has always been a favorite of head coach Brett Brown. As long as Markelle Fultz remains a question mark, McConnell is an important part of the club’s rotation.
[RELATED: Sixers turned down Suns’ trade offer for T.J. McConnell]
Wojnarowski and Lowe relayed a few more noteworthy tidbits on their latest podcast, so let’s round up the highlights….
- Wojnarowski believes that the Clippers’ chance of landing Kawhi Leonard in 2019 are “better than not.” However, while he thinks L.A. is in a great position for Leonard, he cautions that anything can happen between now and next July.
- Wojnarowski also expects the Clippers to “be heard from again” in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, though the ESPN scribe expects many other potential trade partners to re-engage the Timberwolves once Minnesota gets “more realistic” about its asking price.
- Elsewhere on the Butler front, Wojnarowski notes that the All-NBA swingman has made it clear that the Lakers are “not really a consideration” for him. Conversely, the Lakers think they can do better than Butler with their potential max-salary slot, Woj adds.
- Both Wojnarowski and Lowe raved about Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, with Woj suggesting that Spoelstra could command $10MM annually as a “free agent” coach. An executive from a rival team asked Lowe last season if he thought the Heat would be willing to part with Spoelstra for a first-round pick — both Woj and Lowe agree that they wouldn’t.
All this narrative about where players are going is useless, when 90% of the time the player goes somewhere else lmao. Must be a slow day.
I mean the site is called Hoops Rumors for a reason; if you don’t like rumors then don’t read them
The majority of the all stars don’t go because of more money at home. The 15 All NBA Guys want their own team. Because the western conference is so strong, teams don’t want to trade good players to make the elite teams to make them stronger. imindless laughs at himself a lot.
Imindless keeps saying all these guys are going to the Lakers and will win the championship. LeBron says they are a long ways from the Warriors. He says they’ll get AD. They’d need to literally trade the team except for LeBron after AD declines his extension July 2019. AD’s salary would be 427.5mm. The Lakers team salary would be 425mm without LeBron.
Newly signed free agents wouldn’t be eligible to be traded. imindless can’t think this far out, and doesn’t understand negotiating takes 2 people.
Make that 127.5mm and 125mm. To make salaries match the Lakers would need to trade Ingram, Kuzma, Ball, Hart and anyone with a guaranteed salary for 2019-20 to make the salaries match.
Actually 27.5mm and 25mm.
Good old Jimmy Butler, not considering Lakers hey…. Wants to be “Top Dogg” yet doesn’t have what it takes to be that person. More suited to be the 2nd string player, so I’m glad my beloved Lakers believe they can get better elsewhere
Delusional Lakers fans are the worst.
Whaaaaaaat!