7/25-7/27 Basketball News
TRANSACTIONS:
The Timberwolves and restricted free agent Nathan Knight re-signed. The deal is 2 years $3.8 million, 2nd year team option. The 1st year is partially guaranteed for $350k. If the 2nd year team option is picked up, it's partially guaranteed for $380k (according to JD Shaw).
The Magic and Kevon Harris of the G-League team the Raptors 905 agreed to a two-way contract (according to Shams).
The Lakers and undrafted free agent Fabian White Jr. signed an Exhibit 10 deal. He worked out for them pre-draft.
The Warriors and Pat Spencer of the G-League team the Capital City Go-Go agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal. His agents are Luke Glass and Keith Glass. H/t JD Shaw.
Undrafted free agent Shareef O'Neal is signing a six figure deal with the G-League Ignite (according to Shams).
The Bucks’ G-League affiliate the Wisconsin Herd traded the rights to Jalen Lecque to the Raptors 905 for Alex Antetokounmpo and a 2023 2nd round G-League draft pick.
Freddie Gillespie of the G-League team the Memphis Hustle signed a 2 year deal with German team Bayern Munich.
Free agent James Young re-signed with Isreali team Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Free agent Melo Trimble signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA.
Undrafted free agent Eric Ayala played this spring and summer for Puerto Rican team San German and has now signed with Sopron KC of the Hungarian A Division.
The 4th year of Andrew Nembhard's 4 year $8.6 million deal with the Pacers is a team option and the deal descends in value (according to Hoops Rumors).
TRADE RUMORS:
The Celtics have been in regular contact with the Nets on Kevin Durant but appear no closer to a trade than any other team. Boston considers Jayson Tatum off-limits in any trade (according to Woj). Boston is a real threat for KD. They offered Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a 1st round pick, and Brooklyn rejected, asking for Brown, Marcus Smart, draft picks, and maybe one more rotation player in any offer. The Celtics' interest in trading for Durant is tremendous and Boston is mulling over next steps on how to approach trade talks (according to Shams).
Jaylen Brown loves it in Boston and is looking forward to coming back to the Celtics (according to Mark Murphy).
When the Celtics fell to 23-24 in January, team personnel began considering the possible returns from trading Jaylen Brown this offseason. They did not seriously entertain any inquiries for him ahead of the trade deadline (according to Jake Fischer).
The Celtics have coveted Kevin Durant since before his 2006-07 draft year, when they tanked in an attempt to land him or Greg Oden (per Fischer).
The Celtics' trade talks with the Nets for Kevin Durant are not new, fresh talks (according to Brian Windhorst). Boston’s most serious discussion with the Nets on a trade for KD, where they offered Jaylen Brown, came at the beginning of July. It was considered by both teams as part of Brooklyn's first stage of continuing negotiations (per Fischer).
The Nets have been described by league personnel as far more interested in a trade package for Kevin Durant that positions them for a title run than replenishes their draft capital (per Fischer).
Several opposing executives have suggested that Nets' asking price for Kevin Durant is so significant because they have no intention to truly trade him. They have a stance that he may survey their training camp roster and decide they're his best chance to try to win a championship this season (per Fischer).
Executives from across the league at the Las Vegas Summer League wondered whether Kevin Durant could hold out of training camp with the Nets if he isn't traded (per Shams).
Due to their new contract with Deandre Ayton, the Suns appear to be all but eliminated from the sweepstakes for Kevin Durant (per Shams). However, Phoenix continues to check in with the Nets on a normal basis regarding a KD trade (according to John Gambadoro).
Kyrie Irving now wants to play out next season with the Nets regardless of whether Kevin Durant is on the team (according to Shams).
Update: The Jazz are not operating with a sense of urgency when it comes to Donovan Mitchell and trade talks with the Knicks have moved slowly so far, with the two sides far from an agreement (according to Shams).
In addition to the Knicks and Heat, several other teams have expressed interest to the Jazz in trading for Donovan Mitchell, such as the Wizards, Raptors, Hornets, Kings, and Hawks (per Shams).
Donovan Mitchell still has not formally requested a trade or attempted to force his way out, but if the Jazz move toward a full rebuild he would prefer to be in an environment geared toward winning now, not later (per Shams).
The Pacers recently rejected an offer of Russell Westbrook, a 2027 1st round pick, and two 2nd round picks from the Lakers for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner (according to Bob Kravitz).
In addition to Indiana, the Jazz and Knicks are among the teams that have discussed trades with the Lakers involving Russell Westbrook and draft capital. It appears nothing is imminent (according to Shams).
FREE AGENCY:
The Cavaliers offered restricted free agent Collin Sexton a 3 year $40 million deal to re-sign. Sexton isn't pleased with the offer as it's not at the money that he and his camp believe that he deserves (according to Chris Fedor).
With Collin Sexton's agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, showing so far he won't settle in negotiations, discussions with Cleveland could go into training camp, or potentially even into the season when league rosters shift (according to Shams).
The Hornets are considering a reunion with Kemba Walker among other point guard options, including interest in potentially re-signing free agent Isaiah Thomas (according to Shams).
BUSINESS:
The Rockets and Kevin Porter Jr. have mutual interest in signing a contract extension before the start of the season (according to Shams).
Warriors owner Joe Lacob said in the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas that luxury tax penalties should be reduced for teams re-signing players they drafted (according to Marc Stein).
Wisconsin 2023 commit 4 star C-PF Gus Yalden signed on with G7 Sports Group.
RECRUITING:
2023 PF Kadyn Betts reclassified to 2022, where he is a 3 star, and committed to Minnesota.
2023 5 star SF Justin Edwards, the #1 SF in his class and the #1 recruit from Pennsylvania in his class, committed to Kentucky. H/t Travis Branham.
Stanford 2023 commit 5 star PG-SG Kanaan Carlyle committed to the OTE on a deal that protects his college eligibility.
2024 4 star SG Jahki Howard committed to the OTE on a deal that protects his college eligibility.
2023 3 star SG Tremayne Parker committed to the OTE on a deal that protects his college eligibility.
2025 PF Bryson Tiller committed to the OTE. They are expected to get as many as 10 commits this week (according to Travis Branham).
One-armed player Hansel Emmanuel committed to Northwestern State. H/t Joe Tipton.
Auburn should feel comfortable with their chances of landing 2023 4 star PG-SG Aden Holloway (according to Jamie Shaw).
2023 5 star PG Isaiah Collier, the #1 recruit in his class from Georgia, is down to 4 schools: USC, UCLA, Cincinnati, and Michigan. He will probably sit down and decide after this week. H/t Joe Tipton. 24/7 lists UCLA as the favorites.
Xavier Booker, the #3 recruit in his class, #1 PF in his class, and #1 recruit in his class from Indiana, is down to 10 schools: Michigan State, Michigan, Auburn, Ohio State, Gonzaga, Purdue, Notre Dame, Indiana, Cincinnati, and Oregon. H/t Tipton. 24/7 Crystal Ball says 100% Michigan State (6 confidence - 2 predictions 5 & 7). Rivals Future Cast says 100% MSU (2 predictions).
2023 4 star SG-PG Freddie Dilione announced via Twitter that he is down to 10 schools: Alabama, Tennessee, Wake Forest, VCU, NC State, Texas, Charleston, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Virginia.
COACHING/FRONT OFFICE:
Update: Memphis consultant Rasheed Wallace will no longer join the Lakers' coaching staff after further conversations (according to Shams).
Free agent Wilson Chandler has had exploratory discussions with the Timberwolves about joining their front office (according to Michael Scotto). He played for new team president Tim Connelly on the Nuggets.
The Celtics are promoting Jarell Christian from head coach of their G-League affiliate the Maine Celtics to Maine general manager (according to Scotto).
The Celtics are promoting Alex Barlow from associate head coach of their G-League affiliate the Maine Celtics to Maine head coach (per Scotto).Notre Dame is targeting Albany assistant coach Hamlet Tibbs for an assistant coaching job (according to Pete Thamel).
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