The Nets have interest in Kings guard De’Aaron Fox and view him as a potential trade target, but they haven’t given up on the idea of eventually landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, who describes the Bucks star as Brooklyn’s “white whale.”
A desire to preserve their most valuable trade assets for Antetokounmpo if there’s even the slightest chance that he’ll become available would complicate the Nets’ efforts to make a deal for Fox, Lewis notes. It’s also unclear whether the 2023 All-Star would have interest in signing a long-term contract in Brooklyn, though the presence of head coach Jordi Fernandez – a former Kings assistant – would presumably work in the Nets’ favor.
Brooklyn is one of many teams around the NBA with interest in Fox — Shams Charania of ESPN said during a late-night appearance on SportsCenter on Tuesday (YouTube link) that the Kings had already gotten “dozens” of calls on the star guard.
The one team consistently linked to Fox is San Antonio. Charania confirmed during his SportsCenter appearance that the Spurs are “atop (Fox’s) list of preferred destinations.”
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Checking on the Jimmy Butler situation, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) says his sources remain skeptical about the possibility of the Grizzlies acquiring the Heat forward, who reportedly doesn’t want to end up in Memphis.
- On the other hand, Stein continues to hear whispers about Milwaukee as a possible Butler suitor, noting that Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis are the kinds of win-now players on short-term deals who may appeal to Miami. Whether or not they make a play for Butler, the Bucks are considered “as determined as any team” to make a pre-deadline deal in the hopes of beefing up the supporting cast around stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Stein adds.
- K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (YouTube link; hat tip to BrewHoop) confirms that the Bucks have interest in Bulls star Zach LaVine, which was speculated last week. However, with Phoenix guard Bradley Beal said to be uninterested in waiving his no-trade clause to go to Chicago, that likely eliminates one potential multi-team scenario in which LaVine could end up in Milwaukee.
- With the Bulls seeking a first-round pick for Nikola Vucevic and the Wizards asking for a protected first-rounder for Jonas Valanciunas, the Lakers are exploring other center options and have discussed internally whether it makes sense to put both of their tradable first-round picks (2029 and 2031) on the table for Pacers big man Myles Turner, sources tell Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. It’s unclear if Indiana would actually move its starting center, but there has reportedly been some chatter around the league about whether the Pacers will be comfortable meeting Turner’s asking price when he reaches unrestricted free agency in July.
I love that Fox being available made the market for Jimmy Butler completely disappear.
Why what has fox don besides shoot 30 percent from 3 and 40 percent from the floor. Fox is a volume shooter not very good at it and brutally bad on defense. Nahhhhh
“Brutally bad on defense.”? Huh? Yeah, you don’t watch Kings games.
Spurs should be the favorite for Fox from a few different angles as everyone’s mentioned, but unless he 100% wants to be in Texas, Orlando could be a really interesting fit too, and potentially my personal favorite spot. They might not have as many picks to send as Spurs (even though they have all their own picks), but they have enough intriguing young guys that can get more run on other teams like an Anthony Black
I agree with you, Orlando would be a nice spot for him with Paolo and Wagner. Tons of young guards and their own picks will be helpful to the Kings.
Some form of a Zach LaVine for Khris Middleton swap could make sense. Middleton has been unable to stay healthy or effective. LaVine would be a reliable scoring option for Milwaukee, who is gonna ride Giannis as far as they can in the playoffs anyway. Milwaukee better with LaVine. Bulls would get the benefit of Middleton’s contract ending a year earlier than LaVine’s, and would probably have an easier time dealing an expiring Middleton contract.
Bucks’ biggest weakness is perimeter D. U can count on Lavine making it even worse.
At this point as a bulls fan, we might as well hold on to Zach for now. He’s been balling this year, and while overpaid, I think he’s rebuilt his value enough that they can get something better than just expirings.
I don’t think Middleton has much value anymore. Bulls can prolly get more by just waiting to deal Zach and hopefully capitalizing asset-wise given his shorter deal when trading him at a future point in time.
LaVine’s defense is better than a hobbled Middleton. Watch how LaVine’s defense improves playing in meaningful games for the first time in his career, while at the same time being the third option on offense, and not having to expend nearly as much energy on the offensive end.
While I agree that Middleton is no world-class defender rn , I’d argue that even if Zachs defense improves (which we’ve been waiting to see for a decade) it’s not enough of a defensive upgrade to justify also losing their sixth man in Portis.
That’s why I think Butker makes more sense. Could guard top opposing wings while benefitting from the saved energy as a 3rd offensive option that u mention. Altho worth noting tho that he’s lost a bit of a step laterally, so bucks still wouldn’t have anyone to stop quick guards, plus the loss of Portis would still be an issue.
Sure butler would be a better option for the bucks, but he’s more expensive than Lavine, contract wise. And who knows if jimmy will actually buy in to a new team at this point in his career..? So imo, I think Zach Lavine would be an overall decent option for the bucks if they miss out on butler. I’ve watched the bulls a lot too, and Zach’s defense has improved lately and I’m betting it’ll look much better (if) he’s paired up with Greak Freak and Mountain Man Brook Lopez.
Good point on Zach’s defense, it has been marginally better effort-wise, but idk if bucks lineup can absorb him on that end. They’ve been hiding Middleton’s defense by bringing him off the bench in favor of 3nD guys like Prince and Jackson, won’t be able to do that w Zach.
The two make VERY different salaries. Tough one. Milwaukee would have to add a lot and I’m not sure they have it. They also cannot take more salary back than they send out.
While Butler spacing w Giannis might be a lil cramped, I could see it working given Butlers defensive infusion and dawg mentality. Having 3 legit closers would be sick too.
But losing Portis would be an underrated subtraction, idk how they replace his bench output unless they count on a buyout guy or somehow flip Connaughton for an upgrade.
Zach makes no sense for Bucks on the other hand. Dame-Zach backcourt would be atrocious defensively
Ppl said the same thing about the Kyrie and Luka pairing/backcourt. Some teams can hide some of their star player’s weaknesses. Butler would be an ideal replacement for Middleton..so yes I agree with you on that. But I just don’t see a deal getting done this season..Too many teams are afraid of taking on big money contracts.
Yea that’s true, Lavine deal will prolly have to wait till offseason or later … but I do think Jimmy gets moved before the deadline , Miami will settle for less if it means avoiding this soap opera happening again next year
Sacramento should have an increased interest in Zach LaVine with DeAaron Fox exit being certain. Sacramento can’t get highly sought after free agents. They still need to compete with Sabonis, Murray and DeMar. LaVine being under contract 2 more years after this one is to their advantage. They don’t have the ability to get better. The Bulls gain by getting out from under the $$$ on Fox leaving as a free agent.
I think Kings could do better in a fox trade. They needa get a young guy or 2 w picks, not a guy who’s never proven he affects winning.
That being said , Demar – Zach reunion would be hilarious lmaoo
True
Hey folks, this here is how you can tell who is watching Kings basketball and who isn’t.
Why bring up Keegan Murray? What has he shown you this year? And why leave out Monk?
I love that LaVines god awful contract that has made him immovable for 2 years is somehow now an advantage for teams acquiring him.
Davion Mitchell could be useful to Milwaukee. Great perimeter defense.
Their frontcourt is established. Plus, it’s already won a championship with Lopez, Antetokoumpo and Portis.
Maybe a guy like Jericho Sims, who can bring energy and rim protection, for certain moments of a game, but I wouldn’t trade Lopez or Portis (Giannis is a tacit no).
What’s changed for the bucks to be able to make a deal?
I thought because of the tax situation they couldn’t combine players to make a trade and that they should acquire a player who’s salary was greater than they player out going, making a move for Beal or Butler impossible …
Of the four second-apron teams, they’re the ones best positioned to duck that line, since they’re only about $6.5MM above it. They could aggregate salary in a trade as long as they’re below the second apron at the end of the transaction.
The most commonly discussed outgoing package for them – Middleton, Portis, and Connaughton – would be worth about $56MM in apron salary, putting them in position to acquire almost anyone from a salary perspective (including Butler or LaVine), though they’d likely need to find a third team to take Connaughton.
I doubt the bucks will make a move until the offseason. They’re not in panic mode like some ppl think. They’re playing better defensively lately, and they just need to figure out a rhythm offensively..especially when all-star break is coming up fast, and the playoffs shortly over a month afterwards. As for Butler, I think his time in the league is quickly coming to an end..Beal too..Nobody will want to give him another big contract like Washington did years ago.
If they finish the trade under the 2nd apron they can aggregate players
Great point
I doubt BKN would really compromise their pursuit of a guy like Fox (or any similar talent that’s actually available) waiting on Giannis’ next contract decision that will likely be years away. Marks doesn’t impress me as a silly man. Ahab had several real opportunities. BKN waiting on Giannis is more like Linus waiting on the Great Pumpkin.
I think BKN would make a good landing spot for Fox, but he’d have to be willing to wait a year or two before he’d have a winning team around him. I do think Marks will get it done, though, and I think BKN (the team and the Borough) would welcome him.
Lakers should be looking for a big man that likes to play around the paint for Anthony Davis to be the four. They would be targeting Jacob poeltl if they tried understanding AD
Poeltl is having a fantastic season and the Raptors are asking for a lot for him. Lakers don’t have the assets to touch him.