NBA Rumors: Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks Interested in Signing Al Horford
The Raptors have been crowned NBA champions after a six-game Finals triumph over the Warriors, so now the business of the offseason takes center stage.
Tomorrow's NBA draft is up first, where the Pelicans are expected to select national player of the year and Duke forward Zion Williamson at No. 1.
The Pelicans also have the No. 4 pick thanks to a trade agreed to last week that will send Anthony Davis to the 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
• Wednesday, 6:51 p.m.: The Celtics held last-minute workouts with Darius Bazley, Jalen Lecque, Tremont Waters, Jordan Bone, Chris Clemons adn Jared Harper. Boston is expected to be active during Thursday's draft. (Jake Fischer and Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated)
• Wednesday, 5:31 p.m: The Hawks have traded a second-round pick, No. 44, to the Heat for a 2024 conditional second-round pick and cash considerations (Chris Vivlamore, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Wednesday, 5:01 p.m: Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland worked out with the Knicks on Wednesday, but the Knicks remain locked on selecting Duke’s RJ Barrett with the No. 3 pick on Thursday. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• Wednesday, 3:45 p.m: The Thunder have made Steven Adams, Andre Roberson and Dennis Schroder available for trades as they look to dodge the luxury tax. (Jake Fischer, Sports Illustrated)
• Wednesday, 2:50 p.m: The Rockets explored trading Chris Paul to the Knicks, but New York declined. (Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer)
• Wednesday, 2:42 p.m: The Mavericks, Lakers and Clippers are expected to target Al Horford in free agency. (Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer)
• Wednesday, 2:38 p.m: Lottery teams have asked the Celtics about Jaylen Brown's availability in trade talks. (Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe)
• Wednesday, 2:30 p.m: The Knicks will attempt to lure Anthony Davis to New York in the summer of 2020 after failing to acquire him via trade. (Howard Beck, Bleacher Report)
• Wednesday, 8:24 a.m: Last week, SI's Chris Mannix reported that Kawhi Leonard is likely to sign with the Raptors or Clippers this offseason. That remains the case, according to ESPN. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN/Get Up!)
• Tuesday, 11:16 p.m: Swingman Jimmy Butler is expected to be a target of the Houston Rockets and will be aggressive in their approach to sign him. Butler recently declined his $19.8 million option with the Philadelphia 76ers. (Brian Smith, Houston Chronicle)
• Tuesday, 10:03 p.m: The Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets had preliminary discussions about a trade centered around Rockets center Clint Capela. (Ian Begley, SNY)
• Tuesday, 9:30 p.m: Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie "has had a significant role" recruiting Kyrie Irving to Brooklyn. (Marc Stein, New York Times)
• Tuesday, 8:30 p.m: The Washington Wizards intend to offer guard Bradley Beal a three-year, $111 million extension when he is eligible next month. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
• Tuesday, 8:04 p.m: The Lakers are offering the contract of Mo Wagner, Jemerrio Jones and Isaac Bonga to additional teams in order to create $32M in space. The team is also aggressively pursuing the purchase of second-round picks in Thursday's NBA draft. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• Tuesday, 2:21 p.m: Harrison Barnes will not exercise the $25.1 million option on his 2019-20 contract and become an unrestricted free agent. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
