With free agency officially underway, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium that the Thunder are meeting with UFA center Isaiah Hartenstein in his hometown of Eugene, Oregon (Twitter link).
According to Charania, the Magic — who just agreed to a three-year, $66MM deal with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — are prioritizing wings with their cap room, while the Knicks are trying to figure out how to avoid being hard-capped at the first apron as part of the Mikal Bridges trade, possibly opening the door for Oklahoma City. Charania also lists the Jazz as a team with interest in Hartenstein, but Utah is “focused on current roster decisions.”
Hartenstein, 26, is the top center on the open market after Nic Claxton agreed to a four-year, $100MM deal to return to Brooklyn.
Here are a few more trade and free agency rumors from around the NBA:
- Sean Cunningham of Fox40 KTXL confirms the Kings have interest in trading for Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (Twitter link). As Cunningham observes, Ingram previously played under Alvin Gentry, who is now in a front office role with Sacramento. A one-time All-Star, Ingram will earn $36MM in 2024/25, which is the final year of his contract. New Orleans is reportedly unwilling to give the 26-year-old a maximum-salary extension, making Ingram a prime trade candidate.
- The Pistons, Jazz, Spurs and Mavericks are among the teams interested in free agent forward Tobias Harris, who is meeting with potential suitors in California, a source tells Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. All four clubs have previously been linked to Harris, who has spent the past five-plus seasons with the 76ers. With no cap room available, Dallas would only be able to acquire Harris in a sign-and-trade, Pompey notes.
- While the Rockets have interest in a reunion with veteran guard Aaron Holiday, they also recognize that he might find an opportunity for more minutes elsewhere, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. The 27-year-old has multiple suitors in free agency, Iko adds. It’s worth noting that Houston drafted Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 overall pick last week.
Someone that needs a guard that can catch and shoot, and defend should sign Holiday. He’s on my list for the Heat
Who would Sacramento trade for Ingram lol
The Kings have been trying to trade a Kevin Huerter/ Harrison Barnes/1st round pick package for the last year. Those two players combined make the same as Ingram. Both Kings guys have an extra year on their deals. Maybe the guy Sacramento just took in round 1, Devin Carter, would also go in the deal.
Pretty much this deal because Keegan is likely still off limits.
I’ve been wanting Ingram in Philly. Was hoping Tobias and picks would have got him before the off-season. The least Tobias could do for Philly is a sign and trade to Dallas so we can get some compensation for whatever it was he was doing last year.
Bulls need IHart…but its bulls… #jerryout
Maybe it’s just me but I’m super low on Brandon Ingram, he is nice and all but always injured, not stepping up when needed and just overall shows a lack of effort to improve.
He’s basically averaged 20-5-5 after his first few seasons, he hasn’t gotten any better as a shooter from 3, he basically a poor man’s DeMare DeRozan in the prime of his career.
Don’t want him anywhere near my Sixers.
As for the Kings, I think he’d be a poor fit with Fox and Sabonis as he’s not a great shooter and Fox isn’t exactly a good shooter either. Plus that’s 3 guys that all want to be on the ball, none are great defensively. Ingram can do bits but when needed goes missing. I don’t really care for the kings but I’d like to see them not be a dumpster fire franchise.
As for the Pelicans, you don’t need Barnes or Hueter you’ve got guards (Murray, CJ, Jose and Hawkins) plus you’ve got SF’s (Herb and Trey).
They should be looking at centres or depth.
Portland might be trying to offload Ayton and/or Timelord cause they just drafted Clingan.
Mitchell Robinson is available but would likely need to be a three team deal.
Brook Lopez would be fine maybe with some draft capital or something.
Beef stew is available
Nikola Vuce wouldn’t be a bad shout
Even Capela could be up for grabs
That’s 7 centres that would all be better targets
Harris isn’t exactly who I’d want the Jazz to go after, at this point. It’s pretty obvious to most that they need to tank at least 1-2 more seasons.
OKC got a million draft picks, just trade for Markkanen. Ingram to kings for Huerter and Barnes does make sense.
Hartenstein to warriors, maybe Buddy Hield too.