June 2021 Basketball Wiretap

Cavaliers Acquire Rajon Rondo From Lakers

Dec 31, 2021 11:47 AM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers for Denzel Valentine.

The Lakers are giving Rondo an opportunity to play regular minutes and to also create a roster spot.

With the Cavaliers losing Ricky Rubio for the season, they suddenly had a need for a point guard to play a bigger role. Rondo has been in COVID-19 protocols since Sunday and will need to be cleared before joining the Cavaliers (20-14).

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Rajon Rondo, Denzel Valentine, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavaliers Closing In On Trade For Rajon Rondo

Dec 30, 2021 7:53 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are closing in on trading for Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers. Rondo would be a replacement for Ricky Rubio, who is out for the rest of the season following a torn ACL in his left knee.

Rondo will be a low-cost backup for Darius Garland. Cleveland will likely send a minimal return to LA to complete the trade. The Cavs will need to waive a player to make room for Rondo.

The trade will open up a roster for the Lakers, while also clearing some of their luxury tax burden. Because Los Angeles is so far over the tax line, eating a salary to open a roster spot would have cost them considerable money in tax penalties. Now, the Lakers can sign a veteran to a rest of season contract at a far lower tax hit.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Rajon Rondo, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Cavaliers Team To Watch In Ben Simmons Trade Talks

Dec 26, 2021 10:06 AM

As NBA teams get players out of the health and safety protocols, trade talks are expected to pick back up. That means the Ben Simmons trade buzz should get going again too.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one team to watch in trade talks for Simmons. The Cavs previously had interest in the disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star. Cleveland's good start to the season, plus Simmons fitting their roster's timeline age-wise, make them a good match for Simmons.

The Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are also expected to show renewed interest in getting a trade done for Simmons.

Adrian Wojnarowksi/ESPN

Tags: Ben Simmons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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'Rising Belief' Pistons Will Trade Jerami Grant

Dec 17, 2021 3:19 PM

The name of Jerami Grant has come up with increasing frequency in reported trade chatter during his second season with the Detroit Pistons. 

"The rising belief that the Pistons are prepared to move Grant comes in spite of his status as a longtime favorite of Pistons GM Troy Weaver," writes Marc Stein.

Grant is currently out for a minimum of six weeks after undergoing a surgical procedure to repair the UCL ligament in his right thumb.

The Pistons signed Grant to a three-year, $60 million contract during the 2020 offseason. 

Marc Stein/Substack

Tags: Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Knicks Interested In Trading For Eric Gordon

Dec 17, 2021 9:06 AM

The New York Knicks have struggled to a 13-16 record so far this season. But the poor record hasn't pushed New York off of adding players who can help them this season. The team reportedly has a long list of players to trade for to aid a playoff push.

One target for the Knicks is Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets. New York point guard Derrick Rose has long advocated for his team to trade for Gordon. The two were AAU teammates and have been known to want to play together in the NBA.

Gordon has had a bounce-back season for the rebuilding Rockets. He's averaged 14.7 points on 47.7% shooting from the field, including an impressive 43.4% from behind the arc. Gordon's contract is for $18.2 million this season and is fully guaranteed for $19.6 million for 2022-23. Gordon's deal is fully non-guaranteed for $20.9 million for 2024-24, unless he hits some unlikely triggers this season or next.

Marc Berman/New York Post

Tags: Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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76ers, Other Teams 'Optimistic' Damian Lillard Could Request Trade By 2022 Offseason

Dec 15, 2021 12:53 PM

The Philadelphia 76ers have maintained their patience in trading Ben Simmons with the expectation that a true star who is not currently available would eventually become available.

While Damian Lillard has continued to pledge his fidelity to the Portland Trail Blazers, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report writes that "the Sixers and other teams around the league remain optimistic he could eventually request a trade prior to the 2022-23 season."

The Blazers are heading into an uncertain period following the firing of Neil Olshey and their status as non-contenders in the Western Conference. 

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Tags: Damian Lillard, Philadelphia Sixers, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Lakers Hold Internal Discussions On Potential Russell Westbrook Trade

Dec 15, 2021 11:56 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers have held internal discussions on possible Russell Westbrook trades, sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

Westbrook has two years and $91 million remaining on his contract, which makes any trade incredibly complicated.

The trio of Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis hasn't blended as well as the Lakers hoped when they sent out Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and a first round pick to the Washington Wizards.

The salaries of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio with the Cleveland Cavaliers would match for Westbrook, but that structure is of little interest to Cleveland and hasn't been discussed. 

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Tags: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Nets Willing To Discuss Joe Harris In Trade Scenarios

Dec 15, 2021 11:53 AM

The Brooklyn Nets have expressed "a surprising willingness to discuss" a trade involving Joe Harris, according to rival teams.

“It’s crazy to me; he’s their only real three-and-D player,” said one assistant general manager. “But his name keeps popping up.”  

The Nets would surely require a large return in exchange for Harris.

Brooklyn could also make Nic Claxton available. The Nets quietly gauged the value of Claxton around the league at the 2021 draft.

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Tags: Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Shopping Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield Package In Trade Talks

Dec 14, 2021 8:58 AM

Despite their poor record this season, the Sacramento Kings are looking to add to their roster for a postseason push. Sacramento has been linked to several players, including Ben Simmons, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner on the trade market.

As of now, there are no indications the Kings have held serious discussions with the Pacers on Sabonis or Turner, but that could change at any time. As for Simmons, Sacramento is one of several teams linked to the Philadelphia 76ers absentee star.

The package Kings GM Monte McNair seems to be shopping most in talks is Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield. Bagley has mostly been out of the rotation for Sacramento this season. His agent requested a trade when the Kings informed Bagley that he was a part of their plans any longer.

Hield has been a rotation mainstay, but is part of a deep guard group. Sacramento has started De'Aaron Fox and Tyese Haliburton all season, and also has promising rookie Davion Mitchell coming off the bench. Because of size and defensive issues, it's hard for the Kings to work Hield into three-guard lineups, thus the trade speculation.

Jason Anderson/The Sacramento Bee

Tags: Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Lakers, Blazers Among 'Dozens Of Teams' Interested In Trading For Jerami Grant

Dec 13, 2021 10:50 AM

The Detroit Pistons receive calls from "dozens of teams" each interested in trading for Jerami Grant. While Grant is out for multiple weeks with torn ligaments in his right thumb, it is unlikely to impact his trade value. 

The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams with interest in Grant.

Grant will become eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $112 million in the offseason. Grant will have one season remaining on his current deal this offseason.

The scenario of a trade and eventual extension is similar to the one the Denver Nuggets had with Aaron Gordon.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Celtics Expected To Consider Trade Of Dennis Schroder

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Hawks Seeking First Round Pick From Teams Interested In Cam Reddish

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Knicks, Lakers, Wolves, Blazers, Kings, Pacers, Cavs Interested In Ben Simmons

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Blazers Continue To Signal Damian Lillard Not Available On Trade Market

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

76ers Gain Momentum In Trade Discussions Involving Ben Simmons

Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe/ESPN

Warriors Absolutely Not Trading James Wiseman

Tim Kawakami/The Athletic

Rockets Open To Trade Offers For Christian Wood

Tim MacMahon/The Lowe Post

Ben Simmons Would Welcome Trade To Spurs

Marc Stein/Substack

Multiple Members Of Cavaliers Organization Are Fans Of Caris LeVert

Chris Fedor/Cleveland.com

76ers Haven't Had Interest In CJ McCollum

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Blazers Resisted Urging From Damian Lillard's Camp To Trade CJ McCollum, Picks For Ben Simmons

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Damian Lillard's Camp Selling Idea Of Extension With Blazers, Trading Vets With Value

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

T.J. Warren Would Like To Re-Sign With Pacers

Shams Charania, Bob Kravitz/The Athletic

Pacers Ready To Begin 'Substantial Rebuild', Entertain Trade Scenarios

Shams Charania, Bob Kravitz/The Athletic

CJ McCollum: If Damian Lillard Wanted Me To Leave, I Think He Would Say That

Jason Quick/The Athletic

Damian Lillard Would Like Portland To Trade For Ben Simmons

Shams Charania, Sam Amick/The Atheltic

John Wall, Rockets Haven't Discussed Buyout As Serious Possibility

David Aldridge/The Athletic

Nets Open To Kyrie Irving Trade; 76ers Seen As James Harden Suitor

Ian Begley/SNY