NBA trade rumors: Latest reports, buzz as deadline nears
All-Star Weekend has come and gone, but one blockbuster trade made over the weekend will have lasting implications for the NBA landscape.
While the biggest deal so far involves the Kings trading DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans for a package including Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, a top-three protected 2017 first-round pick and Philadelphia's 2017 second-round pick, many teams are looking to make moves to improve playoff positioning or dump salaries.
In other NBA news that could have an effect on the trade market, the Lakers named Magic Johnson the team's President of Basketball Operations. General manager Mitch Kupchak and EVP of Basketball Operations Jim Buss were both relieved of their duties. Rob Pelinka, a power agent who represents Kobe Bryant and James Harden, has emerged as likely the Lakers' next general manager.
All that, and there is still ample time for the league's general managers to wheel and deal before today's 3 p.m. ET deadline.
Check back for updates as the trade deadline approaches.
7 a.m.
• The Lakers have inquired about Pacers All-Star forward Paul George. (Ramona Shelburne, ESPN.com)
12:30 a.m.
• The Lakers are seeking a second-round pick for Nick Young. (Marc Stein, ESPN)
11 p.m.
• All is quiet on the Jimmy Butler trade front at the moment in Chicago. Head coach Fred Hoiberg said Butler was due back in Chicago on Wednesday evening and is scheduled to practice Thursday. (K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune)
9 p.m.
• The Raptors have been offering Jared Sullinger's expiring contract and a draft pick to try and acquire wing depth. (Sam Amico, FOX Sports)
8 p.m.
• The Detroit Pistons are listening to offers for center Andre Drummond and swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Portland Trail Blazers were among the teams but backed off when they were asked for C.J. McCollum in exchange for Drummond. The Nets missed out on DeMarcus Cousins and are also in the mix for Drummond. (ESPN)
• The Brooklyn Nets plan to waive Marcus Thornton. (Adrian Wojnarowksi, The Vertical)
7 p.m.
• The Bulls continue to push on a trade for 76ers center Jahlil Okafor. (Adrian Wojnarowksi, The Vertical)
6 p.m.
• Andrew Bogut and Deron Williams were not at practice today. Rick Carlisle said with the trade deadline tomorrow, you can read what you want into it. (Dwain Price, Fort Worth-Star Telegram)
• The Thunder are no longer interested in Wilson Chandler. (Sam Amick, USA Today)
• The Cavs and Jazz discussed a trade involving Jordan McRae and Shelvin Mack over the weekend that has stalled. (Chris Haynes, ESPN)
• Damian Lillard said it would be “disheartening” if there were truth to trade rumors involving his name, and said he is “really invested” in Portland. (Blazers.com)
5 p.m.
• After weeks of rumors, rival executives still believe the Sixers will deal Jahlil Okafor before the deadline, with the Blazers, Bulls, Pacers, Celtics and Kings all linked. The return on the DeMarcus Cousins trade may have deflated the market for centers like Okafor and Brook Lopez of the Nets. (Alex Kennedy, HoopsHype)
• The Sixers floated Okafor for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and offered to bring in a third team, but the Pistons declined. (Jake Fischer, SI)
4 p.m.
• The Nets are trading Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to the Wizards for Andrew Nicholson, Marcus Thornton and a first-round pick in the 2017 draft. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• Brooklyn’s pick from Washington is lottery-protected. (Zach Lowe, ESPN)
• Frustrated with a shifting role, veteran wing Wilson Chandler is seeking a trade out of Denver, and the Nuggets are aware he would like to be dealt. (Sam Amick, USA Today)
• The Celtics have yet to have substantial trade conversations with the Pacers or Bulls this week. (Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe)
3 p.m.
• A meeting between Paul George and Pacers ownership is a key factor that led the team to consider its direction with the deadline looming. The Pacers are looking at players including Jahlil Okafor (Sixers), Arron Afflalo (Kings), Allen Crabbe and Ed Davis (Blazers) to improve the team via trade. (Sam Amick, USA Today)
• Carmelo Anthony on the trade deadline: “If something is going to happen, it’s going to happen. I haven’t heard anything as of right now, so that’s not something that I’m concerned about.” (Ian Begley, ESPN)
• The Knicks are looking for a first-round pick in exchange for Kyle O’Quinn. (Frank Isola, New York Daily News)
2 p.m.
• In an interview with The Vertical, Hawks GM Wes Wilcox classified his team as “buyers” citing the fact that they own 11 picks over the next three drafts.
• Wilcox also said that Paul Millsap will not be traded and that keeping him this summer is the team’s first priority. (The Vertical)
1 p.m.
• Indiana has been gauging the trade market for star forward Paul George. The Pacers are determining whether to try and add talent around George while also considering the possibility of a rebuild around young center Myles Turner. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• George is weighing re-signing with Indiana when he becomes a free agent in 2018, and also considering his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. (The Vertical)
• The Cavs are seeking Patrick Beverley back from the Rockets for Iman Shumpert. (Marc Stein, ESPN)
• The Bulls, Knicks and Cavs are three teams with interest in Beverley, but the Rockets have no plans to trade him. (Calvin Watkins, ESPN)
• The Kings left some teams unawares as they shopped DeMarcus Cousins, surprising many. A number of teams had interest in discussing Cousins with the team, but either felt it was too late in the process to do a deal or reached out and couldn’t make it happen. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical podcast)
Noon
• The Rockets, after adding Lou Williams, remain “motivated” to acquire a player in the $10–12 million salary range, offering expiring contracts and cash in return. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• Houston has expressed interest in trading for Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert. (Marc Stein, ESPN)
• Among Houston’s expiring contracts are Nene and Tyler Ennis. The team also holds an option on K.J. McDaniels for next season.
11 a.m.
• Chicago’s front office has been split on the team’s direction dating back to last summer, with John Paxson interested in rebuilding, Gar Forman “comfortable with the status quo” and ownership not interested in making trades. (Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer)
• DeMarcus Cousins told media he did not return Vlade Divac’s call after the Kings traded him on Sunday. “It’s done.”
10 a.m. ET Wednesday
• Free-agent center Larry Sanders is believed to have a workout scheduled with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Sanders last played in the NBA during the 2014-15 season with Milwaukee Bucks. (Chris Haynes, ESPN.com)
• If the Timberwolves decide to trade Ricky Rubio, it’s indicative of Tom Thibodeau’s desire to land a new veteran point guard in free agency. (Ken Berger, Bleacher Report)
DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis Must Split Center Of Attention
Tuesday roundup
• The Washington Wizards has shown interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad to upgrade their bench. (Marc Stein, ESPN.com)
• The Utah Jazz are interested in reuniting with Deron Williams and are considering a trade with the Mavericks. (Tim MacMahon, ESPN)
• The Lakers have traded Lou Williams to the Rockets in exchange for Corey Brewer and a first-round draft pick. (Adrian Wojnarowski, The Vertical)
• A Jimmy Butler trade could still be in the works, but Butler's camp is under the impression that the All-Star will not be traded. (K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune)
• The Celtics and the Clippers have discussed a deal for Blake Griffin, but an actual trade is "extremely unlikely." The Clippers are asking for a haul in return, including Jae Crowder, one of Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart, and draft picks. (Zach Lowe, ESPN).
• The Timberwolves and several other unnamed teams have been in talks with the New York Knicks about trading for Derrick Rose. (Ian Begley, ESPN)
• The Bucks are exploring the possibility of becoming sellers before the deadline. Milwaukee is reportedly willing to at least entertain offers for anyone besides GiannisAntetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton and Thon Maker. (Zach Lowe, ESPN)
NBA Trade Deadline: Team-By-Team Previews
• The Jazz are exploring the market for Derrick Favors. (Zach Lowe, ESPN)
• Several Western Conference contenders are said to be "kicking the tires" on a deal involving Denver Nuggets small forward Wilson Chandler. (Chris Haynes, ESPN)
• The Brooklyn Nets have dropped their asking price for Brook Lopez. Brooklyn was initially seeking two first-round picks in return for Lopez, but would now settle for a first- and a second-round pick. (Marc Stein, ESPN)
