Before he agreed to join the Bucks on a minimum-salary deal, free agent swingman Malik Beasley received interest from several teams, including the Mavericks, writes Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. According to Scotto, Dallas considered the possibility of acquiring Beasley from the Lakers via sign-and-trade, but it didn’t work out.
New Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin was a factor in getting Beasley to Milwaukee, having spoken to the veteran wing during the team’s recruiting pitch, sources tell Scotto.
The Bucks currently have 12 players pencil in for standard contracts in 2023/24. Scotto hears that Thanasis Antetokounmpo and No. 36 pick Andre Jackson are candidates to end up on the 15-man roster. The team also needs to decide what type of contract No. 58 pick Chris Livingston will sign, Scotto notes. Currently, Lindell Wigginton and Omari Moore are on two-way contracts with Milwaukee, leaving one open two-way slot.
Here’s more from Scotto:
- Veteran center Mason Plumlee drew interest in free agency from a number of playoff teams, including the Warriors and Hawks, before deciding to remain with the Clippers, league sources tell Scotto.
- The Spurs, having already agreed to get involved in deals that will land them Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and Reggie Bullock, remain open to taking on unwanted contracts in order to add more draft assets, reports Scotto.
- Before signing forward Jalen McDaniels as a free agent, the Raptors tried to trade for him multiple times, including at the 2023 deadline, according to Scotto, who says Toronto has been closely monitoring McDaniels since he was at San Diego State.
- Veteran guard Ben McLemore, who was out of the NBA last season, will work out for multiple NBA teams during the Las Vegas Summer League, per Scotto. McLemore played in China last season after averaging 10.2 PPG in 64 games for Portland in 2021/22.
- In case you missed it, we also rounded up several Knicks-related rumors from Scotto.
Which one is smarter?
Spurs get Mavs 2030 first round swap (Bull0ck trade)
Wizards get Warriors 2030 top-20 protected pick (Chris Paul trade)
Both picks could turn out to be nothing (fake picks, fake swap)
Is there any alternative to the Top 20 protected pick? Often there’s a fallback on protected first rounders, but you can’t trade picks more than 7 years out. So, it could turn into an unprotected second that same year. You’re right about the pick swap though.
Cason Wallace, and Bertans to the Thunder was a good one too!
For the spurs side was pretty smart. Gave up a second rounder for a first round pick swap and a useful player who can help the youngster’s and in turn be traded during season for another second rounder or two. They keep just slowly improving the assets which is all you can do. I’m happy where the franchise is at.
Question: if the Bulls can find a team willing to take Lonzo Ball’s contract, would the Disabled Player Exception follow him in the trade?
No. The Bulls would lose the DPE in that scenario (unless they’ve already used it), but the new team wouldn’t get it.
Can’t see Bucks wasting roster spot on Livingston. At most he gets 2 way contract on how he plays in summer league. Would not be shocked if team carries open roster spot so they can sign a guy in season to fill injury or playoff run when vet is out there.