The NBA’s investigation of the Bulls for possible tampering involving Lonzo Ball could complicate efforts to find a new team for Lauri Markkanen, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Because Markkanen is a restricted free agent, he will need cooperation from Chicago to go elsewhere, either by not matching his offer or working out a sign-and-trade, but Johnson doesn’t believe the league will permit sign-and-trade negotiations until the probe of the early agreement with Ball is wrapped up.
The Pelicans and Mavericks both have large trade exceptions, so they remain potential destinations for Markkanen, Johnson adds. The Bulls are asking for a first-round pick in any sign-and-trade deal, and they’re not willing to take on a large, lengthy contract in return. Another possibility is for Markkanen to accept his one-year, $9MM qualifying offer and remain in Chicago, but he has indicated that he prefers to play somewhere else next season.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Pistons will face a roster crunch if they keep restricted free agent Hamidou Diallo, observes James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Detroit already has 15 guaranteed contracts for the upcoming season, and while Diallo is searching for a better deal than his $2.1MM qualifying offer, he will likely sign it if he can’t get more money elsewhere. Edwards expects Josh Jackson, Jahlil Okafor or Sekou Doumbouya to be traded or released if Diallo stays in Detroit.
- Jordan Brink and Austin Dufault have been promoted to player development coaches with the Pistons, Edwards tweets. Brink has been with the team since 2016 and is the only remaining member of Stan Van Gundy’s staff. Dufault played collegiately at Colorado and spent six seasons as a player in Europe.
- The Cavaliers were satisfied with their Summer League showing, which included the first on-court experience for No. 3 pick Evan Mobley, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. In three games, Mobley showed off the skills that made him one of the top prospects in the draft, but also displayed areas where he needs work, as he shot just 1 of 8 from three-point range and didn’t have reliable moves in the post. Summer League also provided a showcase for Lamar Stevens, Fedor adds, who could end up fighting for the final roster spot with Mfiondu Kabengele and Damyean Dotson if the team makes more roster additions.
There is a 0.0000000000% chance Sekou Doumbouya is getting released. I now question the authors NBA knowledge after such an asinine remark.
Oh yeah…
Thoughts and prayers.
Only player who wasn’t acquired by Troy Weaver. Yes, the chances are very, very low. Like 1 in 1,000? No, more like 1 in 1,000,000. But I’m telling you… there’s a chance!
He not getting released. But why is he not in shape. Had one of the softest toneless bodies in Summer League. Why? He’s knoes he playing for a rotation spot at best and a roster spot at worst. Bey came in looking like a tank and SD looking like a couch pillow.
Won’t get released but could be traded. The article says traded or released, I guessing it means Okafor could be released, and Javkson or Sekoyu could be traded.
Bulls could actually use Markkanen as a scoring option with Caruso, Colby White, Brown/Green, and Bradley as their 2nd unit..
I’m sure Donovan would stagger the units though, but Markkanen could really thrive with so many playmakers on the roster…
No worth the money the Bulls would pay…
Bag
Not worth a $9 mil QO if you can’t get equal value in trade? Wrong
Just for clarification, Fedor was saying if the Cavs bring in more than one guy from trades or free agency, then one of those three people might be let go. Currently the Cavs have 14 spots filled, including the non-guaranteed contracts of Stevens, Dotson, and Kabengele. I doubt any three will be let go, but if one would needed to be, I predict it would be Dotson whose entire $2million contract isn’t guaranteed.
I always think Cavs GM and coaches don’t know about future
Well you’re not “always” right now are you?
Somebody still has to explain to me how they can be investigating a trade for “tampering” when both teams owned the rights to all the players involved. The Pelicans owned Balls rights and the Bulls owned all their players so exactly what was tampered with? Just more nonsense.
From what I understand, with it being a sign-and-trade, the players themselves had to be involved in the trade talks and talking to the other team since they were the ones signing to then be traded. Neither of the players in the sign and trade were technically free agents yet and by league rules teams can’t have contact with players under contract of other teams before that period. Both trades were completed the second FA period opened, thus the league thinks they were talking before that date which isn’t allowed.
You should ask David Griffin, hes the one that complained about the “tampering”…
What’s funny is he was my first guess, but then one of my friends brought up Mark Cuban, and I immediately switched my pick. I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised it wasnt him, since I remembered him as a possibility, but at least we know it was 1 of the 2 most obvious possible answers
Considering Griffin negotiated one of the two deals that’s under investigation, it makes zero sense that he would’ve lodged a tampering complaint.
I imagine he was upset about losing out on Lowry, and how quickly Ball ended up carving out his situation with the Bulls
Lowry, sure. But there was never any indication he wanted Ball back. It’s just very hard to imagine him complaining about how quickly the Lowry deal came together when the Ball deal that he was involved in (which included Temple being signed-and-traded to New Orleans) materialized even faster.
I’m not saying it 100% didn’t happen, but the only person claiming it did (as far as I know) is a player who would have no way of knowing and already has a known vendetta against Griffin.
True, but he is connected to both situations. I could see them being upset about the Ball situation after losing out on their other targets. Their guard defense has taken a hit. I think that’s why they specifically got Temple back in the deal. Satoransky also as a floor spacer that can play multiple positions, but run the team adequately. Considering they went with Satoransky, temple, and Graham, the idea of them wanting to resign Ball makes more sense. He was just likely not their first couple of choices
Thing is Luke, Griffin has used un-intuitive unusual methods to his own advantage before, regarding K.Irving. (My take, not widely accepted and unofficial anyway.)
What-ifs: If Griffin could have wrapped up Ball for $15m, he might resent CHI for ramping it up to $21m. Also, CHI took Caruso! Kind of piggy of them. That would be a shock if he wanted Caruso most, or he considered bad faith involved… CHI could have signed Caruso for 4/$37, with the PG start open, then signed Ball too, for more. Speculative scenario.
Well, the NBA is investigating, so hopefully more will come out.
It wasn’t about tampering as much as timing… It was announced too quickly supposedly. But often they are worked out early, league-wide.
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More info on Griffin’s involvment?
Mavs should do all they can to get Markkanen. He’s perfect with Luka. Let’s go Mark wake up !!
He’s the poor man’s KP.
the pauper’s version, with no visible skills other than complaining and occasionally hitting wide-open 3s only
oh please take him away, his whining is hurting my ears
Mavs sign Markeneen.
Trade Powell, Green and a second rounder for Dragic.
Then trade KP for Horford, Nesmith and a second rounder.
Mavs then have Dragic Doncic Hardaway Markeneen and Horford as their starting 5.
With Brunson Bullock Nesmith Finney-Smith Kleber M. Brown and Marjanovic as bench players.
Celtics get a big 3 of Brown Tatum and KP with Schroder Smart JRich Rob Williams Pritchard and Kanter. They possibly make a trade (JRich) for a centre.
Raptors get Dwight Powell returning home to Canada as a centre which they need, they get young Josh Green and a pick all for Dragic on a 1 year deal who doesn’t want to be there.
Win-win-win
Lamar Steven’s impressed me with his defense, and his effort. He needs a spot, but obviously I’m also a big fan of Kabengele, and they could use the shooting of Dotson, so that’s a tough choice , if it’s down to those 3. I wonder what their situation is with guys like Dean Wade, outside of Kwvin Love, and if they could possibly find a spot for at least 2 of those guys
Read my comment above. Arther Hill interpreted Chris Fedor’s article wrong. Including all three of those players (Stevens, Kabengele, Dotson) and even Dean Wade, the Cavs are at 14 players. Fedor was just saying if Cavs sign/trade for multiple guys one might have to be let go.
Ah…makes sense lol. I probably could have made more of an effort to notice. In that case, they should try to add someone like TLC to complete their roster
Stevens was impressive. Kabingele either needs to get more physical or hit more threes… same as last year.
Hamidou and Cavs in the same article… Just noticin’… Cavs would only have to beat a $2.1 QO? Do it. Better than Sekou.
The girl band ?
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot