Within his latest round-up of NBA rumors, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirms a number of items that have been previously reported or speculated. According to Scotto, Bucks forward Bobby Portis is widely expected to decline his $4.56MM player option to become a free agent, the Lakers are considered a strong bet to pick up Stanley Johnson‘s $2.35MM team option, and Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham is available in trade talks.
Scotto’s article includes several other intriguing tidbits related to the draft, free agency, and the trade market. Here are some of the highlights:
- The Nets have fielded trade inquiries on Joe Harris and Cam Thomas, according to Scotto, who says rival executives believe Brooklyn could potentially get a first-round pick in exchange for Thomas. While there’s a sense that Harris might be more available than in previous years due to the Nets’ February acquisition of Seth Curry, the team still believes Harris would be a useful piece on next year’s roster due to his ability to help on the boards and space the floor around Ben Simmons, Scotto writes.
- The Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Bucks are among the teams that have inquired about the No. 14 overall pick, currently held by the Cavaliers, league sources tell HoopsHype. Scotto previously reported that Cleveland would be open to the idea of moving down in the draft if it meant acquiring a future first-round pick.
- Rival executives who spoke to Scotto believe veteran forward Nicolas Batum could be in line for a deal worth $10MM per year after turning down his player option. The Clippers would have the ability to go that high to re-sign Batum using his Early Bird rights.
- Wake Forest forward Jake LaRavia has visited Milwaukee and worked out for the Bucks twice during the pre-draft process, Scotto reports. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who previously identified LaRavia as a player on Milwaukee’s radar, has him ranked 28th on ESPN’s big board of 2022 prospects. The Bucks hold the 24th overall pick.
2024 Cam Thomas = 2022 Jordan Poole. If I’m Milwaukee I’d go after him aggressively. #24 + a future 2nd for Cam. Nets might be smart to hold off on trading him to an east conf rival tho
Who would be better at #24? KD likes Cam (who they picked at 27), he’s not getting traded for this draft’s 3 spots better without some other help.
There’s a bunch of guys that will be available at 24 that will be a much better fit for Brooklyn. Cam is a guard that is just a natural scorer, especially from midrange. Brooklyn don’t really need that tho. A guy like Wendell Moore is a much better fit. He’s older, stronger, bigger, better defensively, more of a willing passer, better rebounder, more versatile. Moore would replace Bruce Brown about as well as anyone could for the price. Seth is a below average defender. Patty, Kyrie & Harris all average defenders. Nets don’t need another below average defensive guard & they don’t need more scoring. If not Moore they could def go after the best available 5 or a versatile big like Jovic
Which of these former SEC legends is gonna have the better season next yr, Ben Simmons, Collin Sexton, Bobby Portis, John Wall or Grant Williams? Rank if possible…
I really hope the Cavs don’t move down. The 14th pick has so much potential, and the return from other teams likely won’t be worth it. That being said, I trust Koby Altman on making the right decision and we will just have to wait and see.
I think they can move down and still add shooting on the wing, which they need
Oh I agree, it’s just there’s there’s some great prospects they could get with that pick.
Prospects in the 20s look better to me now.
As far as a future first, the only team I can see a collapse for is IND… there should be a number of teams tanking in effect after the year starts… not helpful now though.
ATL & NYK will be dealing… HOU & OKC might offload picks. These would be good to get.