Ben Golliver: Portland Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin says “patience” will be a top priority in Damian Lillard trade request saga: “If it takes months, it takes months.”
Source: Twitter @BenGolliver
It is increasingly conceivable that Toronto’s Pascal Siakam could be moved before one or both of them given that Siakam trade chatter has begun bubbling at an increased rate. The Indiana Pacers, league sources say, have emerged as a legitimate trade contender for Siakam. The Atlanta Hawks, of course, have been pursuing Siakam since last month’s draft.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com
Sean Highkin: Joe Cronin says he has not spoken to Damian Lillard since the trade request and there has not been any meaningful movement on trade talks.
Source: Twitter @highkin
Lauren L. Williams: Per league source, the Hawks will guarantee Bruno Fernando’s $2.6 million for the upcoming season.
Mike Finger: Can report Victor Wembanyama is now 100% finished with summer league, per the Spurs. All along, two games was the plan. Spurs wanted him to get a taste of the NBA, and he got it. Team saw what it wanted to see, now giving him a break after a busy 12 months.
Source: Twitter @mikefinger
One of the crucial questions floating around summer league has been why Jaylen Brown hasn’t completed his extension yet. On July 4, The Athletic reported the Celtics and Brown’s camp were expected to pick up talks at summer league. League sources told The Athletic that has gone as expected so far, with the two sides starting to make progress and likely moving closer to an agreement over the coming week.
Source: Jared Weiss @ The Athletic
Evan Sidery: There are multiple teams interested in trading a first-round pick for Tyler Herro to help facilitate Damian Lillard ending up on the Heat, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow. The Nets and Spurs have previously been linked to Herro in potential trade discussions.
Source: Twitter @esidery
Keith Pompey: Pat Beverley on James Harden’s future: “Hell yeah you want him here. Hell you want him in the locker room. Hell you want him first day of practice.
Source: Twitter @PompeyOnSixers
Michael Scotto: The Brooklyn Nets will fully guarantee Royce O’Neale’s $9.5 million salary for the 2023-24 season, league sources told @hoopshype. O’Neale, a versatile swingman and defender, played in 76 games for Brooklyn last season averaging 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto
Termine: “One of the themes we’ve talked about the last couple of months is the rumors, the reports surrounding Zion [Williamson]. And we talk about it but we don’t know the inside stuff you do, you’re the horse’s mouth. So let’s hear it directly from you. What is the relationship like with Zion between yourself and the organization? David Griffin: “Yeah. I would say it’s as good as it’s ever been actually. He’s coming out here to join the team to be with Herb [Jones] and Trey [Murphy] and some of these veterans that are here. Читать дальше...
As for if, when or where Siakam might be traded? Per league sources, the Raptors are still listening, trying to gauge the market value for their leading scorer and leading returning – in theory – playmaker. Atlanta remains a possibility and Indiana has also reached out. The Raptors don’t intend to drag the process out for weeks or months, but they don’t seem ready to close the door on a Siakam trade just yet. Meanwhile, they still remain committed to avoiding a total rebuild — in other words... Читать дальше...
Anthony Slater: There’s been no discussion between Chris Paul and Steve Kerr about Paul coming off the bench. “It’ll be a conversation when camp starts. Me and Steve have talked, but that ain’t something where it’s, ‘What up, man? You starting or coming off the bench.” pic.twitter.com/JYSO9hcHqE
Source: Twitter @anthonyVslater
Centers Christian Wood and Bismack Biyombo are in consideration for that 14th roster spot, according to team sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The Lakers had interest in Dario Saric before he signed with the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, those sources said. Pelinka clarified that Los Angeles is hoping to find a player that is different than Hayes from a skill-set perspective.
Source: Jovan Buha @ The Athletic
Tom Petrini: Victor Wembanyama’s second Summer League game: 27 points 12 rebounds (4 offensive) 3 blocks 1 steal 9-14 FG 2-4 3PT 7-12 FT A handful of otherworldly plays. I think he’s gonna be fine, guys.
Source: Twitter @RealTomPetrini
It’s no wonder what Spencer Dinwiddie said when he was asked by NBA TV’s Dennis Scott what the Nets needed to take the next step. “The easy answer is Ben,” said Dinwiddie. “A healthy Ben is an All-Star, max-level guy. He could completely change the complexion of our team and can make us a really exciting group, especially defensively. “Ben was already hurt so I only played a handful of games with him. But I know him from his old Philly days and for all intents and purposes he can get back to that form. Читать дальше...
Who’s rising up to the expectations and who isn’t at the Vegas Summer League? Here’s a rundown of each player’s performance in Las Vegas so far, according to HoopsHype’s Global Rating.
Rachel Nichols: Spoke to Joel Embiid about James Harden’s trade request – Embiid said he’s hopeful Harden’s “mindset can be changed.” The two were partying with @MichaelRubin last night at the @Fanatics/@TheNBPA Summer League blowout.
Source: Twitter
Adrian Wojnarowski: The 76ers are matching Paul Reed’s three-year, $23M offer sheet with the Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Per sheet’s terms, Sixers must guarantee last two years of Reed’s deal if they win the opening round of playoffs this season.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
There has been some progress on a new contract for P.J. Washington in Charlotte, but there is still a gap between the sides. Washington would be willing to sign the qualifying offer, a source told Heavy Sports, if that gap can’t be bridged, and take his chances on unrestricted free agency in what should be a richer market in 2024.
Source: Sean Deveney @ Heavy.com
After struggling in his NBA Summer League debut on Friday, Victor Wembanyama played his second game on Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Читать дальше...
Erik Slater: Sean Marks on expectations for Ben Simmons next season: “I think the hope is that he returns to that (All-Star) level of play. I mean, if he was 35 years old, I wouldn’t honestly be able to tell you that. But I think knowing that he’s mid-20s and he has still hopefully not reached his prime, we’ve gotta make sure he can get back out there and get back to that form. And hopefully we see we see his game even evolve past that. But health is going to be the key to him.”
Source: Twitter... Читать дальше...
Michael Scotto: Sources: Jerami Grant’s five-year, $160 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers includes a player option for the fifth year, @hoopshype has learned. The deal was negotiated by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto
David Hardisty: Rockets move to 2-0 in Vegas Summer League play after knocking off Ivey, Wiseman, Ausar, Duren and the Pistons today. Jabari Smith finished with 38 points, Tari Eason 26 and Cam Whitmore 21 .
Source: Twitter @clutchfans
Michael Scotto: The Houston Rockets signed forward Jeff Green to a two-year, $16 million deal, which includes a non-guaranteed salary and team option for the 2024-25 season, along with $1.6 million in likely bonuses each season, league sources told @hoopshype.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto