“I think of the available pieces that you see out there on the board, that could be offered for Damian Lillard, I think Tyrese Maxey is the prime piece. And again, if Philadelphia was making that offer, Dame Lillard might be in Philly right now, but they are not.”
Source: Dave Early @ LibertyBallers.com
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent C Mason Plumlee has agreed on a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the LA Clippers, agent Mark Bartelstein of @Prioritysports tells ESPN. Plumlee landed with Clippers at deadline and decides to stay with LA despite bigger financial offers elsewhere.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent F Torrey Craig has agreed on a two-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. Deal includes a player option. Craig averaged 7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24 minutes for Suns last season.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
Clutch Points: “You’ve seen people lose confidence in their game… Like Ben Simmons… He’s still the same Ben Simmons we watch dominate in Philly. The only difference… is confidence… I know how it feels to lose confidence.” —Draymond Green (via @PodcastPShow) pic.twitter.com/iekRYnoBa7
Source: Twitter @ClutchPointsApp
Michael Jordan has never been one to mince his words, and he’s sticking true to form when asked about his son, Marcus, dating Larsa Pippen. The G.O.A.T (to most) was spotted leaving dinner at Matignon in Paris Sunday when he was asked about 32-year-old Marcus’ relationship with 48-year-old Pippen. At first, MJ just laughs — but the photog doubles down asking if Jordan approves — to which Michael offers a resounding “No!” The photog asks again, and MJ just shakes his head no.
Source: TMZ Staff... Читать дальше...
Brian Windhorst: One, the Sixers are not afraid to let it be known that they don’t think necessarily it’s over with James Harden, that maybe everybody was just a little bit in their feelings. And a little bit fired up about the state of the negotiations on Thursday, and Harden very angrily picked up his option, that it may not be over that.
Source: Apple Podcasts
Adrian Wojnarowski: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has agreed on a five-year designated rookie maximum deal that could be worth $260 million, his agents Bill Duffy and Joe Branch of WME tell ESPN.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
As our Sam Amick reported over the weekend, league sources indicate the Blazers are entertaining offers from around the league to seek the best possible deal for them, though there remains a strong belief a deal to Miami remains the most likely outcome. Damian Lillard’s openness with his preference is expected to keep other teams at bay without assurance that Lillard would be happy to join them.
Source: Shams Charania, Zach Harper, Zach Harper and Shams Charania @ The Athletic
The Portland Trail Blazers’ desire to explore alternate destinations (beyond Miami) in trade talks involving Damian Lillard hasn’t softened Lillard’s position. The seven-time All Star guard remains unwavering that he wants to play only for the Heat, a source with direct knowledge reiterated to the Miami Herald on Sunday night.
Source: Miami Herald
Evan Sidery: The Sixers have let it be known Tyrese Maxey is untouchable in trade talks, per @WindhorstESPN (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-windhorst-the-hoop-collective/id293376147?i=1000619109709): “The other thing that the Sixers are wanting to be known is that they are not going to trade Tyrese Maxey. They have made this clear to various people over the recent days.”
Source: Twitter @esidery
Chris Haynes on Damian Lillard: “The Clippers reached out to Portland and tried to see if there’s a way that they can get into that sweepstakes.” … “Dame requested the trade and then all of a sudden he became the top target and kind of… I won’t say put a hold on the league, but it did cause teams to pause: ‘OK hold on, let’s wait on what we had planned, let’s look to see if we got a shot. The Clippers were one of those teams who did that, the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston... Читать дальше...
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has signed a $7.9 million qualifying offer for the 2023-2024 season, clearing the way for him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, told ESPN on Sunday.
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
Drake: My look alike…the love is forever thank you for your character and your contributions over the years the city will never forget!!! Good luck with everything on the Guangdong Dragons……..I mean the Rockets
Source: Instagram
The Miami Heat intend to keep Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo at all costs amid their pursuit of Damian Lillard. Sun Sentinal’s Ira Winderman reported that the Heat are willing to include anyone but the All-Star duo in a potential deal. Here’s what Winderman said on NBA TV: “They’ve basically loaded up one of those pods dumpsters in front of the Trail Blazers and said, ‘Take anyone out of here you want besides Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.’ Maybe they’ll go back and forth on Caleb Martin a little.”But... Читать дальше...
On the same subject, there have been some whispers this week that the Cavaliers are more open to trading Jarrett Allen than advertised for the opposite reason: He appeared to struggle with the moment at various points of the Cavaliers’ five-game exit to the Knicks.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent guard Cory Joseph has agreed on a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh tell ESPN. Joseph averaged seven points and 3.5 assists for the Pistons a season ago.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
Michael Scotto: The Sacramento Kings and Keon Ellis have agreed to a two-way contract, league sources told @hoopshype.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto
Gary Washburn: Marcus Smart: “Jayson and Jaylen are my brothers for life. “(When) My mom passed away, JB was actually one of the people on that plane that came to Dallas to the funeral. I just want to shut all rumors now that me and JB had beef. I have no beef with anybody with the #Celtics.”
Source: Twitter @GwashburnGlobe
gary washburn: Talked with Marcus Smart today in Stoughton: 1) He was told week before the trade he was safe 2) Found out through his agent, not team. 3) Said he’ll always love Boston & #Celtics organization 4) Adamant that he & Jaylen Brown have no issues. Talked with JB shortly after trade
Source: Twitter @GwashburnGlobe
The Mavericks, league sources, have interest in two restricted free agents as they seek to address their significant need for a good defender on the wing: Portland’s Matisse Thybulle and Boston’s Grant Williams.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com