NBA Rumors: Celtics Were Open to Trade Jayson Tatum, But Not With Memphis Pick
Now that the Toronto Raptors have been crowned NBA champions, the business of the offeseason now takes center stage.
First up is the draft, scheduled for Thursday, where the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to select national player of the year Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans also have the No. 4 pick thanks to a trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, dramatically shaking up the balance of power in the Western Conference.
This year's free agency frenzy starts June 30 at 6 p.m., and features injured superstars Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson as well as NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and guard Kyrie Irving.
But those who have player and team options have until June 29 to exercise them, with potential restricted free agents having a June 24 deadline.
News and Rumors
• The Nets will decline the qualifying offer for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to make him an unrestricted free agent and give themselves $46 million in cap space. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
• The Bucks are looking to provide draft compensation for teams willing to take on the contract of either Tony Snell or Ersan Ilyasova as they try to create roster flexibility. (Marc Stein, New York Times)
• The Celtics were open to discussing Jayson Tatum and the future Memphis first-round pick for Anthony Davis but not in the same offer. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Knicks discussed several assets in a potential offer—featuring Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith and the No. 3 overall pick and other draft compensation—but never fully offered Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Rockets offered Clint Capela and a few others for Anthony Davis. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Pelicans' Griffin has been open to moving the No. 4 overall pick, and one player league executives believe the Pelicans are monitoring in a potential trade is Washington Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Kyrie Irving, who has decided to opt out of his $21.3 million deal for next season to become a free agent, and top Celtics officials will meet soon to discuss his future. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• The Grizzlies are intensifying talks to potentially move Mike Conley Jr. Memphis has been in conversations with the Jazz and Utah is a frontrunner to acquire Conley should the Grizzlies trade the point guard during draft week. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Kawhi Leonard is considered to be "in play for the Lakers" during free agency this offseason. (Damon Jones, ESPN)
• Rockets GM Daryl Morey said that All-Star PG Chris Paul doesn't want to be traded and that he will not field calls for him. Instead, Houston seeks to add "one more star" to its roster. (Daryl Morey, SportsTalk 790)
• The Lakers are setting their sights on Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, who "wants to play with" Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. (Sam Amick,The Athletic)
• Kemba Walker will be also be a top target in free agency for the Lakers after the Davis trade. Walker averaged a career-high 25 point this season for the Charlotte Hornets. (Marc Stein, The New York Times)
• Anthony Davis won't sign a contract extension, but will instead play out the 2019–20 season and then enter free agency. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo! Sports)
• Pelicans forward Julius Randle is not picking up his $9 milion player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent. (Shams Charania, The Athletic, Stadium)
• Celtics forward Al Horford could discuss three-year deal, if he decline option. Horford has a $30.1 million option for next season. (Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald)
