League sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Chris Paul never demanded a trade from the Rockets, but suggested at season’s end that he’d understand if the club decided to go in a different direction. According to Charania, Houston told Paul it remained committed to him, and he has reciprocated that commitment.
While Paul and James Harden haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, Charania hears that the two Rockets guards have been communicating since the season ended and had a positive conversation on Father’s Day.
Even if the Rockets wanted to move Paul, there would likely be no market for him, as the Rockets discovered when they quietly gauged his value in recent weeks, Charania writes.
Charania’s latest round-up at The Athletic includes several other noteworthy tidbits on 2019’s upcoming free agent period, so let’s pass along some highlights…
- The Warriors and Klay Thompson will meet in Los Angeles at the start of free agency, per Charania. While Charania – like ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski – has heard that Thompson could speak to the Clippers if talks with Golden State break down, the Warriors and Thompson’s camp expect a quick agreement if the team puts a five-year, maximum-salary offer on the table.
- After Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer named the Clippers as a possible suitor for Tobias Harris, Charania says the same thing, noting that the two sides still have a good relationship. Charania also adds the Pelicans – who now have significant cap room – to the list of teams expected to express interest in Harris.
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who didn’t receive a qualifying offer from Brooklyn, is expected to draw interest from the Suns, Timberwolves, and Rockets as an unrestricted free agent, reports Charania.
- The Bulls, Knicks, and Nets are viewed as potential suitors for Julius Randle, sources tell Charania.
- Teams in need of some help at the point guard spot – including the Suns, Bulls, Wizards, and Kings – have shown interest in Cory Joseph, says Charania.
- If the Knicks miss out on their top free agent targets, they’ll plan on trying to sign “high-level rotation players” to one- or two-year deals, according to Charania, who suggests that Celtics RFA-to-be Terry Rozier may be one target.
Julius Randle is a good player. Not quite an All-Star, and he has some defensive limitations, but now that he can hit the 3 with some regularity, he is a beast on the offensive end. 21 PER and 25.2 pts per 36 m’s, he is really going to help someone. I knew it was a mistake when the Lakers let him leave for nothing.
If the clips really are able to “resign” Tobias to a max that doesn’t include a 5th year, while also picking up Shamet and two 1st round picks in that trade, that might be the last great heist for Jerry West
Klay area. Lock him up before kd
I don’t see the fit N.O would have with Harris. Unless you plan on having either Ingram or ball come off the bench
Lonzo off the bench?
That would really leave the Balls hanging.
The Kings need to address a more permanent solution to their SF Vacancy, but by all means lets worry about another PG when we have 3 others on the Roster already. We need a SF, then a Center, then we can worry about a position that is not a priority. My opinion, resign H. Barnes OR sign T.Harris or A. Horford; then sign E. Kanter, J. Valanciunas or D. Jordan to play Center. Then go find a PG after those Priorities are done.
Huh? Deaaron is their pg. they got Giles and bagley in the front court who both need to get 30 min a game this year. Heild was borderline MIP. And lil bogdanovic can shoot it too. I think they need to fill out their bench and let the kids play
I thought the Nets made a lot of sense for Randle last year, and they still do. I also thought Faried would work out for them, but they never used him. Randle and Middleton would be interesting targets for the Nets, although I’d assume Milwaukee will end up paying for Middleton
I’d like to see a DLo and Randle reunion but with Kyrie coming it’s unlikely they resign DLo. And if KD comes with KI then no Randle either. Without DLo cap hold the Nets have about $67MM in cap space according to Spotrac and I’d rather have Kyrie at the max ($32MM this year) Randle at 4/$80MM ($18-20MM this year) and resign Ed D to 2/$16MM (about 7MM this year, 9MM next). That leaves the room exception ($4.8MM) to find a Crabbe replacement. It’s possible Bullock, Ellington, J Holiday, Korver (after b/o) or KCP would take it.
I think a physical stretch 4 who can help out Allen defensively, not get in his way offensively, would be better than Randle. Like Millsap, Portis or Mirotic. Randle is more of a Knick lol. KI will fit in. Durant is a mystery. Claxton is developmental and probably duplicates Davis.