May 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry Drawing Interest From Clippers

May 26, 2024 11:54 PM

The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The Warriors currently have until June 28 to guarantee Paul's $30 million contract for next season.

Paul and the Warriors have discussed moving back the deadline with the possibility of using his salary in a trade.

Russell Westbrook also has until June 29 to decide his $4 million player option with the Clippers for next year.

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Tags: Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

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Koby Altman: We Feel Good About Where We Are With Donovan Mitchell

May 24, 2024 11:20 PM

As the Cleveland Cavaliers await a decision from Donovan Mitchell on an extension offer this offseason, Koby Altman said his exit interview was encouraging.

"This is a player that has had two of the best years of his career here, has had a lot of success here, understands the infrastructure," Altman said. "I think he has a lot of trust in what we're doing and understands that our goal is to win a championship.

"From his own words, he says he's happy here. He likes it here. And so he's always been very genuine. He's always been very intentional. He's been a great teammate. We have to take all that at face value and say, OK, we feel good about where we are with Donovan. Obviously, things could change."

Cleveland can offer Mitchell a four-year, $209 million extension.

The Cavaliers also parted ways with J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach this week.

ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Clippers Hopeful Of Retaining Paul George, Believed To Want To Avoid Any Guaranteed Money Beyond 26-27

May 23, 2024 3:43 PM

The Los Angeles Clippers remain hopeful they can will be able to retain Paul George this offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

After Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million extension with the Clippers, there was an expectation that George would sign next. But because Leonard signed at a discount below the four-year, $223 million deal he could have signed, it complicated the situation with George.

Rival teams and agents are under the impression that the Clippers are reluctant to commit to guaranteed money beyond 26-27 when Leonard's three-year deal expires.

George could also try to negotiate a no-trade clause if he becomes a free agent, which most NBA teams are reluctant to offer.

If George takes meetings with other teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Miami Heat could be involved. 

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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OG Anunoby Could Entertain Offers From Teams Beyond Knicks In Free Agency

May 23, 2024 1:58 PM

There is some speculation around the league that OG Anunoby could consider other franchises in addition to the New York Knicks, reports Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season via trade with the combination of assets sent out and his presence as a CAA client has created an expectation that he would eventually re-sign. But Anunoby's situation is believed to be somewhat less certain than his former teammate Pascal Siakam with the Indiana Pacers, who is strongly expected to re-sign.

Anunoby has a $19.9 million player option for the 24-25 season with the Knicks that he is expected to decline.

During his half season with the Knicks, Anunoby was highly productive but had multiple injury stints.

The Philadelphia 76ers could be among the teams to pursue Anunoby.

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: OG Anunoby, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Sixers Internally View Offseason Possibilities As Similar To When Warriors Signed Kevin Durant In 2016

May 23, 2024 1:30 PM

The Philadelphia 76ers internally are viewing their offseason with upwards of $60 million in cap space as a highly unique situation similar to when the Golden State Warriors had enough cap space to add Kevin Durant to their 73-win roster, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Throughout his tenure in the NBA, Daryl Morey has steadfastly believed that teams need multiple superstars in order to truly contend for a title. 

The Sixers can add a max contract player to their core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey will be a restricted free agent on a discounted cap hold.

It is rare for teams to be have that amount of flexibility to add a third max player to an MVP and a young player about to hit his first max contract. The Sixers are willing to spend future money and sacrifice draft capital this offseason to improve their roster. 

Paul George appears to be the best player who will possibly hit the open market as he and the Los Angeles Clippers have been unable to agree to an extension. 

The Warriors, however, were able to add Durant to a roster that also included Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. 

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Luka Doncic Eligible To Sign $346M Super Max Extension, Largest Contract In NBA History

May 23, 2024 1:19 AM

Luka Doncic is eligible to sign a $346 super max extension in 2025 after making the 2024 All-NBA First Team.

It would be the largest contract in NBA history, with Doncic eligible to make $78 million in the 2030-31 season.

The NBA salary cap is also likely to eclipse $200 million in the 2028-29 season. 

Bobby Marks/ESPN

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

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LeBron James Has Yet To Make Decision On $51.4M Option With Lakers

May 22, 2024 1:21 PM

LeBron James has yet to make a decision on his $51.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 24-25 season, sources tell The Athletic.

James can opt-in or he can opt-out and become a free agent. If James were to have interest in playing for another team, the opt-in could be attractive as it would allow him to maintain his salary via trade. There are a limited number of teams with sufficient cap space to sign James to a contract anywhere close to his $51.4 million option.

James is expected to play up to two more seasons in the NBA.

Jovan Buha, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jalen Brunson Open To Signing Four-Year, $156M Extension With Knicks

May 21, 2024 3:15 PM

The New York Knicks can offer Jalen Brunson a four-year, $156 million contract extension this offseason and Newsday reports he is expected to sign it.

The extension will remove the fourth season from his current deal and tie him to the Knicks for the next five seasons.

Brunson could alternatively wait one offseason and sign a five-year, $270 million extension in the summer of 2025.

The Knicks signed Brunson during the 2022 offseason on a four-year, $107 million deal.

Steve Popper/Newsday

Tags: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Magic Interested In D'Angelo Russell

May 21, 2024 1:57 PM

The Orlando Magic have interest in signing D'Angelo Russell this offseason, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Russell has an $18.7 million player option for the 24-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers that he is expected to decline.

Russell outperformed expectations with the Lakers this past season and would give the Magic a point guard capable of playing off the ball as a spot-up shooter.

Kelly Iko/The Athletic

Tags: D'Angelo Russell, Orlando Magic, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavs Expected To Sign Evan Mobley To Potential Max Extension

May 19, 2024 10:54 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are increasingly expected to sign Evan Mobley to a max contract extension this summer, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The Cavs are also growing confident of signing Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension. 

Mobley's agents reportedly cautioned the Cavs about drafting the player with the third pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.

Should the Cavs succeed in re-signing both Mobley and Mitchell, Jarrett Allen would be a trade target for teams around the league. 

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Tags: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

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Paolo Banchero: Magic Front Office Wants To Add Two-Way Players

Ben Golliver/Washington Post

Donovan Mitchell: I'm Happy In Cleveland, I Know I've Got Decision To Make This Offseason

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Luka Doncic: This Team Is Special

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Donovan Mitchell's Odds Of Signing Extension With Cavaliers Believed To Be Increasing

Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, Jason Lloyd/The Athletic

Jonas Valanciunas Will Not Return To Pelicans Next Season

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Jimmy Butler Prefers To Remain With Heat Long-Term

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Clippers Will Pursue Extension With Ivica Zubac

Law Murray/The Athletic

Pat Riley: Heat Undecided On Offering Extension To Jimmy Butler

ESPN

Paul George Hasn't Begun Considering Free Agent Decision

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Lonzo Ball Picks Up $21.4M Player Option For 24-25 With Bulls

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Magic, Sixers Known To Have Interest In Signing Paul George

Sam Amick and Law Murray/The Athletic

LeBron James Still Expected To Remain With Lakers Next Season

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tobias Harris Expected To Leave Sixers In Offseason

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Bam Adebayo Eligible To Sign Three-Year, $165M Extension With Heat In Offseason

Bobby Marks/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Eligible To Sign Two-Year, $112.9M Extension With Heat On July 7

Bobby Marks/ESPN