Saturday is when it all gets real for the NBA – the moratorium ends at noon Eastern and every deal already announced around the NBA could become official. (It’s also the first day of the California Classic in Sacramento, the first of the Summer Leagues, and the Lakers will see Dalton Knecht and Bronny James make their debuts.)
That doesn’t stop the NBA rumors. Here are some rumors from around the league heading into the weekend.
• Lakers and Spurs show little interest in Trae Young. After Dejounte Murray was traded to New Orleans, the question was whether the Hawks would reorganize around Trae Young and try to land him now or trade him and begin a rebuild. The expectation has always been rebuilt, but a comment from ESPN’s Zach Lowe – that there is little interest in a Young trade from the Lakers or Spurs, two potential suitors – may decide for them.
Part of the reason the Hawks traded Murray over Young was that there was much more interest in Murray around the league.
• Markkanen trade is difficult to organize. Once Paul George came off the market, the hottest trade rumor became teams trying to entice Utah to trade Lauri Markkanen, with the Warriors reportedly at the top of the list. However, a Markkanen trade is difficult to pull off for a few reasons. First, Danny Ainge runs the Jazz and that means the price will be high – they’re not eager to trade him, they might just re-sign him in August (they can’t extend him until then). Then there’s Markkanen’s contract, a steal for Utah at just $18 million for next season (the last of his current contract), a price so relatively low that it’s difficult to give the Jazz the return Ainge demands. reports Marc Stein in his latest newsletter.
“More than one rival team has shared the observation that it would be difficult for the Jazz to trade him in the short term – even if they wanted to…
“It obviously complicates the Jazz’s efforts to obtain a trade package in exchange for Markkanen on par with what Brooklyn acquired for Mikal Bridges when Markkanen has not been under team control for more than one season and when his salary is relatively low. to command a Bridges-style offer full of future draft picks, as New York agreed to supply the Nets if Markkanen, 27, signs an extension.
Still, some league sources expect a negotiation with Markkanen in the coming days. Others think next summer is more likely.
• Kings in the mix for DeMar DeRozan. The Sacramento Kings want to improve this offseason (standing didn’t work out so well last summer), but getting a deal done is proving difficult. They called about Markkanen and Brandon Ingram, among others, and now you can throw DeMar DeRozan into the mix, reports the well-connected Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 in Sactown.
After speaking with multiple sources over the past 24 hours, I’m told there is “mutual interest” between DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings.
The 34-year-old, 6x All-Star, led the NBA in minutes played and fourth-quarter scoring last season in Chicago.
-Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) July 6, 2024
• The chances of a Jarrett Allen trade have diminished because of new head coach Kenny Atkinson. Earlier in the summer, there was speculation that Cleveland would explore the trade market for Jarrett Allen – he simply hasn’t bonded with Evan Mobley, the third-round pick who the Cavaliers believe is the cornerstone of the franchise (although their offense has a few steps forward to take for this to happen). Then came the news from Donovan Mitchell – who just re-signed with the team for three years, $150 million – wanted the team to keep Allen. So reports Marc Stein.
“Kenny Atkinson’s arrival as Cleveland’s new coach has convinced several teams that Jarrett Allen has become even more difficult to pry from the Cavaliers via trade than he was before. And he was difficult before.”
• Evan Fournier wants to stay in the NBA. How much interest is there? The Detroit Pistons declined next season’s $19 million team option for Evan Fournier, but the 31-year-old French sharpshooter wants to stay in the NBA and believes he can help a team, reports Marc Stein.
Fournier will have a place in top-flight Europe if he so desires, but is now exploring deals in the United States. Teams didn’t come close to him last year because of that contract, but with a minimum deal or similar, he could find a new home.
