The free agent wing market could be held up temporarily until Paul George, Klay Thompson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have agreed to new contracts, says Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
That outcome was always expected, with those three swingmen likely limiting other players’ options. Cap-room playoff teams like the Sixers and Magic reportedly have interest in both George and Caldwell-Pope, while the Mavericks, Lakers and Clippers are among Thompson’s suitors.
The Pistons are another team with significant cap room, but Fischer hears Detroit is more interested in taking on unwanted salaries in exchange for draft assets rather than pursuing marquee names like George.
Here are a couple more items of interest from Fischer:
- The Pelicans are trading for former All-Star Dejounte Murray, who has a 15% trade kicker. However, sources tell Fischer there’s a chance that Murray may not receive that full 15% for salary-matching and cap reasons, describing the situation as “open-ended.” New Orleans is also on the hunt for a starting center with Jonas Valanciunas an unrestricted free agent — the team was recently linked to Magic big man Wendell Carter.
- Speaking of Valanciunas, Fischer hears from sources who say the Lithuanian veteran is expected to draw interest from the Lakers and Wizards.