The Kings still had four days to go before the 2017 trade deadline when they agreed to send DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans, but the team rushed to finalize the trade so that owner Vivek Ranadive wouldn’t change his mind about wanting to move the star center, Adrian Wojnarowski says in a podcast for The Vertical.
Both Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks were somewhat critical of the Kings, pointing out that the team should have been able to find a way to move Matt Barnes in the process of trading Cousins, rather than releasing him and eating his $6.4MM+ guaranteed salary for 2017/18. Wojnarowski also said that multiple free agents in recent years have used the Kings for leverage or turned down more money from Sacramento sign elsewhere, suggesting that the club needs to make good decisions and improve its reputation going forward.
The Vertical’s team, including Wojnarowski, Marks, and Chris Mannix, tackled many more topics within that podcast and a live chat with fans on Facebook, so let’s dive in and round up some of the highlights…
- The Wizards don’t want to trade a first-round pick for a rental player, but the team does have “significant interest” in Nets sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. Wojnarowski also adds the Kings to the list of teams with real interest in Bogdanovic.
- Although the Pistons “love” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they’re hesitant about giving him a maximum salary contract in the offseason, so they have been open to listening to inquiries on him to gauge his value, says Wojnarowski. While Stan Van Gundy did say last month that no one on the roster is untouchable, a KCP deal seems like a long shot.
- If the Bulls are going to consider moving Jimmy Butler, they’ll need to blown away by an offer, per Wojnarowski. Mannix adds that the Celtics believe Jaylen Brown has star potential and would be very reluctant to include him in an offer for Butler.
- In recent weeks, the Sixers have shifted their focus from trading Nerlens Noel to trading Jahlil Okafor, but if the team doesn’t find a deal it likes for Okafor, Noel remains a trade candidate, says Wojnarowski. Although the Bulls have had “pretty consistent interest” in Okafor, Philadelphia continues to value him like a former third overall pick, and teams around the league are less bullish on his value, according to Woj.
- The Rockets, Thunder, and Hawks are among the teams on the lookout for help. Mannix says Houston remains in the market for a frontcourt piece, while Wojnarowski says the Thunder are still seeking a wing scorer. Woj also notes that Atlanta is focused on building around Paul Millsap, despite the fact that he can opt out this summer.
- The market for Nets center Brook Lopez is “really limited,” since the market is somewhat over-saturated with that type of player, says Wojnarowski.
- The Clippers are reluctant to give up any more draft picks, particularly for rental players, so they’re a candidate to dive into the buyout market after the deadline, according to Wojnarowski, who adds that the club has had some interest in Wilson Chandler and Nikola Mirotic.
- According to Wojnarowski, the Trail Blazers remain committed to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum as core pieces, and are taking the long view on their roster rather than pushing for a playoff spot this season.
Drummond to sixers for Okafor and a first round? I would take that as a Pistons fan
Im sure you would take that as a Piston fan.but we dont need another backup for Embiid.
Let me know when Embiid an play more than one or two games a week.
Thats all ya got though.
Better athlete,he can get buckets out to the 3 pt line,better rim protector,better passer.
Id rather have Embiid despite the injury history.
Wow I don’t know about a back-up for Embid man. Drummond isn’t backing anybody up he’s a beast.
He wouldn’t start over Embiid
That doesn’t help the Sixers overcrowded front court. Drummond should not have to be a bench player and that’s what he would be in Philly behind Joel Embiid. Also $22mm for a backup center would be ridiculous
Hell NO would you do Drummond for Okafor. As a pistons fan you should know the problem with this team and this offense is Reggie Jackson (statistically and aesthetically better when ish is running the show. And the lack of shooting. That trade is basically like getting a half as good version of Drummond for a not great pick. There’s a reason no one in the league wants to take him. He’s a horrid defender and has already hit his ceiling offensively. Keep Drummond flip RJ for a stretch 4 and have ish do his thing
We don’t need another center
I hope it’s nothing more than leverage that the Celtics believe that Jaylen Brown’s star “potential” supersedes the actual star that Jimmy Butler is.
That being said, I’d rather have Paul George.
It’s not that Brown’s star is greater than Butler….because even if Brown realizes his full potential…you can’t expect a better player than Jimmy!! BUT when you add Avery Bradley and the number one overall pick to this offer it certainly looks a little steep in price
I’m going to laugh when the Celtics end up with the 4th or 5th pick in the draft. Their fans just assume that it’ll be the top pick.
Theyd have to resign PG and IT in the off-season. Butler signed a max deal before the salary cap spike so his contract is sick for the type of player he is. Top 2 2 way wings in the league making like 16 mill a year. To put that in perspective austin rivers is getting like 4.5 mil LESS a year to be half as good.
Kings will probably trade for Bogs cuz they are a lost organization