Bucks reorganization; Orlando only offers Thompson two years in free agency rumors roundup
Next week is the NBA draft, and free agency begins a few days later. As a result, there are a ton of rumors circulating
in the league. Here’s a summary of some of the more well-known figures and intriguing rumors circulating.
• Klay Thompson is only offered two years by Orlando? Years are reportedly the center of contention
between Klay Thompson and Golden State; Thompson demands at least three, while Golden State is only willing to
offer two. Jake Fischer at Yahoo says, “Not so fast, my friends.” The idea was that Thompson had leverage since
other teams, including Orlando, were out there and would give him that third year.
According to insiders, Orlando does have plans to pursue a seasoned guard/wing who can spread the floor
around Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero without taking up a lot of on-ball oxygen. Like the two-year above-
market deal the Magic gave Joe Ingles last season, Orlando seems content to merely make a short-term offer.
If everything else is equal, it’s difficult to envision Thompson leaving Golden State, but will Detroit or San Antonio,
two teams with cap flexibility, make a three-year offer? (Oklahoma City also has cap room, but the size and duration
of the offer Thompson desires are out of the question since the team must maintain cap space to re-sign Alex Caruso
in six months after trading for him.)
The Mavericks’ top priority for the off-season is to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr. Dallas intends to run this core again
next season, having assembled it just until the trade deadline and using it to reach to the NBA Finals. GM Nico
Harrison stated on Friday that re-signing wing Derrick Jones Jr. is the first step towards that.
• Doc Rivers hopes to make a few changes to “shake up” the Bucks roster. Might Milwaukee part-time
defensive end Brook Lopez be headed elsewhere? An additional key player? There’s a growing rumor in the league
that Rivers wants to make some adjustments with the Bucks. This is ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on “First Take.”
There are beginning to be rumors that Doc Rivers wants to make one or two adjustments to some of their key players. Not Dame or Giannis, but perhaps considering an alternative move they could take to change their lineup. They might be involved in the upcoming trade market, in my opinion.
That confirms Fischer’s assertion that the Bucks are exploring trade options for Brook Lopez. Rivers, who is 36 years old and in the last year of his contract at $23, may wish to get younger and more physically fit. which is fantastic, but they also need elite rim protection because Damian Lillard is on this team.
• Will the Lakers try to get Dejounte Murray? It won’t matter how terrific of a coach J.J. Redick is if the Lakers don’t make any roster improvements. The Lakers need a second playmaker to help LeBron James shoulder part of the weight, and Shams Charania reports that the heat is on the front office to find one, and Dejounte Murray of the Hawks—not Trae Young—might be the chosen candidate.
• Is Paul George going to look for a trade and opt-in? Paul George can choose to accept $48.8 million for the upcoming season until June 29. He would have preferred to opt out and sign a contract extension with the Clippers, requesting a maximum of $221 million over four years; but, it appears that the Clippers are only willing to provide three years at a somewhat lower salary. According to reports, Philadelphia is losing interest in George (though it seems more like a negotiation ploy than a real leak). According to Windhorst of ESPN on “First Take,” George’s second choice is to opt-in and request a trade.
While they wait for George to come across a better offer, the Clippers are idling around and allowing speculations to circulate. They’re still confident since that hasn’t occurred yet, but unlike Kawhi Leonard, George isn’t prepared to accept a lower salary in order to stay at home. In the upcoming week, there will be a lot more drama in this soap opera.
• Is Sacramento the best place to go for Zach LaVine? Zach LaVine is the next player Chicago needs to deal after Alex Caruso was traded. Sacramento might be the destination, according to Fischer, even though the Bulls are speaking with nearly every general manager who answers the phone.
The Kings would be the suitor for LaVine that looks most likely at this point. According to league sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports, Sacramento is still actively pursuing trade possibilities for Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes. Huerter is attracting a sizable amount of outside interest. According to insiders, the Kings are still thinking about trade options for their No. 13 overall pick in Wednesday’s draft at this time.
Chicago ought to be interested in a trade deal like that.
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