Lowe’s Latest: Butler, Nuggets, Wolves, Ibaka
Before they accepted the Timberwolves‘ offer for Jimmy Butler, the Bulls canvassed the league in search of a more appealing offer, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com.
Lowe writes in his latest piece for ESPN that the Bulls spoke to the Suns about a package centered around Eric Bledsoe and the No. 4 overall pick, but the two sides never really got close. Chicago also had discussions with the Nuggets and Celtics, but Denver drew the line at including Jamal Murray in any potential deal, and Boston wouldn’t include the No. 3 pick, according to Lowe.
As Lowe notes, teams like the Suns and Nuggets had to consider the fact that Butler may not have re-signed with them in free agency in 2019 if they acquired him. Although Butler’s contract would give teams an extra year of control over someone like Paul George, the star forward might still have ultimately been a rental if he didn’t love where he ended up. That cooled the market somewhat, as the Bulls explored potential trade scenarios.
Here’s more from Lowe’s latest piece:
- The Bulls were never entirely comfortable with the idea of Butler as their foundational player, says Lowe. A source tells ESPN that Butler’s bristling at Fred Hoiberg‘s instructions made some people on the team uncomfortable. Lowe suggests that Hoiberg’s calm personality wasn’t a good match for Butler, who requires a coach more like Tom Thibodeau.
- At one point, the Timberwolves were intrigued by the possibility of pursuing Serge Ibaka in free agency, but their interest “has faded a bit,” according to Lowe, who adds that most teams expect Ibaka to re-sign with the Raptors.
- The Lakers were dangling a future unprotected first-round pick to teams with cap room recently in an effort to move the Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng contracts, per Lowe. The earliest first-round pick the Lakers could trade at this point is 2020’s selection, so it’s understandable that D’Angelo Russell appealed more to the Nets than a pick that far down the road.
Celtics Rumors: Tatum, Jackson, Porzingis, Brown
Following the completion of the Celtics’ trade with the Sixers earlier this week, C’s president Danny Ainge suggested that the player the team drafted at No. 3 would likely be the same player the club would’ve taken at No. 1. Ainge reiterated that point on Thursday night, telling reporters that he felt the draft was “very even” at the top, and would’ve selected Jayson Tatum with the first overall pick (Twitter link).
Josh Jackson was the other prospect considered to be in play for that No. 3 pick, and Ainge admitted that he was upset when the former Kansas forward cancelled his workout with the Celtics. As Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com details, Ainge, Brad Stevens, and Mike Zarren flew out to Sacramento, only to find out that Jackson wouldn’t be working out. Ainge indicated that there may have been something to the idea that Jackson didn’t want to be drafted by Boston.
“Agents and players have all sorts of motivations to get to certain places, as we’ve seen in the past,” Ainge said, per Forsberg. “Remember last year, Kris Dunn didn’t want to come here; we didn’t hold it against him. We felt like we were just taking the player that we wanted [last year]. And I think the same thing this time. I don’t think we were trying to penalize Josh too much, but we didn’t get to see him or talk to him face-to-face.”
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Asked about the Kristaps Porzingis rumors that swirled around the Celtics this week, Ainge said that he felt they were “a little blown out of proportion” (Twitter link via Forsberg).
- Ainge suggested there could be “some truth” to the idea that teams ask for more from the Celtics in trades due to the team’s stockpile of assets (link via Scott Souza of The MetroWest Daily News). “People around the league know the things that we have and they are asking for some of our prime real estate,” Ainge said. “Over the last few trading periods it’s been a little bit of a hurdle. But the bottom line is we have to do the trades that we believe in.”
- One player Ainge generally isn’t interested in discussing in trade talks is Jaylen Brown. The team president said on CSNNE that Boston gets the urge to “hang up” when Brown’s name comes up in negotiations (Twitter link via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe).
- It’s possible that neither of the Celtics’ draft-and-stash prospects will be on the team’s Summer League roster. Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe tweets that Guerschon Yabusele won’t play due to foot surgery, while Ainge said that Ante Zizic has visa issues, raising doubts about his status (Twitter link via Jay King of MassLive.com).
2017 NBA Offseason Trades
As we did with last year’s offseason trades and the in-season swaps from 2016/17, Hoops Rumors will be keeping track of all of the trades made this offseason, right up until the start of the 2017/18 season, updating this post with each transaction.
Trades are listed here in reverse chronological order, with the latest on top. So, if a player has been traded multiple times, the first team listed as having acquired him is the one that ended up with him.
If a trade has not yet been formally finalized, it won’t be listed here. So, if a deal agreed upon during the draft June isn’t made official until July, it will show up on our list after it’s completed in July.
For our full story on each trade, click on the date above it. For more information on the specific conditions dictating if and when draft picks involved in these deals will actually change hands, be sure to check out RealGM.com’s breakdown of the details on traded picks.
Here’s the full list of the NBA’s 2017 offseason trades:
2017/18 League Year
- Hawks acquire Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder, less favorable of Timberwolves’ and Lakers’ 2019 second-round picks, Trail Blazers’ 2020 second-round pick (top-55 protected), and cash ($3MM).
- Cavaliers acquire draft rights to Dimitrios Agravanis and draft rights to Sergiy Gladyr.
- Thunder acquire Carmelo Anthony.
- Knicks acquire Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and Bulls’ 2018 second-round pick.
- Hawks acquire DeAndre Liggins and cash ($100K).
- Clippers acquire Hawks’ 2018 second-round pick (top-55 protected).
- Suns acquire Troy Daniels and a 2018 second-round pick.
- Pick will be second-most favorable of Grizzlies’, Heat’s, and Hornets’ 2018 second-round picks.
- Grizzlies acquire Suns’ 2018 second-round pick (top-55 protected).
- Bulls acquire Quincy Pondexter, Pelicans’ 2018 second-round pick, and cash ($2.5MM).
- Pelicans acquire draft rights to Ater Majok.
- Celtics acquire Kyrie Irving.
- Cavaliers acquire Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, and Heat’s 2020 second-round pick.
- Trade was modified on August 30 to add Heat’s 2020 second-round pick.
- Nets acquire Allen Crabbe.
- Trail Blazers acquire Andrew Nicholson.
- Knicks acquire rights to hire Scott Perry.
- Kings acquire a 2019 second-round pick and cash ($400K).
- Pick will be second-most favorable of Cavaliers’, Rockets’, and Magic’s 2019 second-round picks.
- Pacers acquire Cory Joseph.
- Raptors acquire draft rights to Emir Preldzic.
- Nets acquire DeMarre Carroll, Raptors’ 2018 first-round pick (top-14 protected), and less favorable of Lakers’ and Magic’s 2018 second-round picks.
- Raptors acquire Justin Hamilton.
- Pistons acquire Avery Bradley and the Pistons’ own 2019 second-round pick.
- Celtics acquire Marcus Morris.
- Mavericks acquire Josh McRoberts, Heat’s 2023 second-round pick, and cash ($5.1MM).
- Heat acquire A.J. Hammons.
- Clippers acquire Danilo Gallinari (sign-and-trade).
- Hawks acquire Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, Rockets’ 2018 first-round pick (top-three protected; from Clippers), and cash ($1.3MM from Clippers).
- Nuggets acquire Wizards’ 2019 second-round pick (from Hawks).
- Bucks acquire draft rights to Sterling Brown (No. 46 pick).
- Sixers acquire cash ($1.9MM).
- Agreed upon in June.
- Clippers acquire draft rights to Jawun Evans (No. 39 pick).
- Sixers acquire cash ($3.2MM).
- Agreed upon in June.
- Thunder acquire Paul George.
- Pacers acquire Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
- Agreed upon in June.
2016/17 League Year
- Jazz acquire Ricky Rubio.
- Timberwolves acquire Thunder’s 2018 first-round pick (top-14 protected).
- Rockets acquire Jarrod Uthoff.
- Mavericks acquire cash.
- Rockets acquire Chris Paul.
- Clippers acquire Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Wiltjer, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Rockets’ 2018 first-round pick (top-three protected), and cash ($661K).
- Rockets acquire Shawn Long.
- Sixers acquire Rockets’ 2018 second-round pick and cash ($100K).
- Rockets acquire Darrun Hilliard.
- Pistons acquire cash ($1MM).
- Rockets acquire Tim Quarterman.
- Trail Blazers acquire cash ($100K).
- Rockets acquire Ryan Kelly.
- Hawks acquire cash ($75K).
- Rockets acquire DeAndre Liggins.
- Mavericks acquire cash ($175K).
- Clippers acquire draft rights to Sindarius Thornwell (No. 48 pick).
- Bucks acquire cash ($2MM).
- Pacers acquire draft rights to Edmond Sumner (No. 52 pick).
- Pelicans acquire cash ($1MM).
- Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Dillon Brooks (No. 45 pick).
- Rockets acquire least favorable of Grizzlies’, Hornets’, and Heat’s 2018 second-round picks.
- Jazz acquire draft rights to Tony Bradley (No. 28 pick).
- Lakers acquire draft rights to Josh Hart (No. 30 pick) and Thomas Bryant (No. 42 pick).
- Pelicans acquire draft rights to Frank Jackson (No. 31 pick).
- Hornets acquire draft rights to Dwayne Bacon (No. 40 pick) and cash ($1.8MM).
- Warriors acquire draft rights to Jordan Bell (No. 38 pick).
- Bulls acquire cash ($3.5MM).
- Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Ivan Rabb (No. 35 pick).
- Magic acquire Nets’ 2019 second-round pick.
- Lakers acquire Brook Lopez and draft rights to Kyle Kuzma (No. 27 pick).
- Nets acquire D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov.
- Sixers acquire draft rights to Anzejs Pasecniks (No. 25 pick).
- Magic acquire Thunder’s 2020 first-round pick (top-20 protected) and less favorable of Knicks’ and Nets’ 2020 second-round picks.
- Thunder pick is top 20-protected through 2022. If it doesn’t convey, Magic will instead acquire Thunder’s 2022 and 2023 second-round picks.
- Jazz acquire draft rights to Donovan Mitchell (No. 13 pick).
- Nuggets acquire Trey Lyles and draft rights to Tyler Lydon (No. 24 pick).
- Trail Blazers acquire draft rights to Zach Collins (No. 10 pick).
- Kings acquire draft rights to Justin Jackson (No. 15 pick) and Harry Giles (No. 20 pick).
- Timberwolves acquire Jimmy Butler and draft rights to Justin Patton (No. 16 pick).
- Bulls acquire Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and draft rights to Lauri Markkanen (No. 7 pick).
- Wizards acquire Tim Frazier.
- Pelicans acquire No. 52 pick (later traded again).
- Hornets acquire Dwight Howard and No. 31 pick (later traded again).
- Hawks acquire Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli, and the No. 41 pick (used on Tyler Dorsey).
- Sixers acquire No. 1 pick (used on Markelle Fultz).
- Celtics acquire No. 3 pick (used on Jayson Tatum) and Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick (top-1 protected and 6-30 protected).
- If Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick doesn’t convey, Celtics will instead acquire more favorable of Kings’ and Sixers’ 2019 first-round picks (top-1 protected).
- Magic acquire rights to hire Jeff Weltman.
- Raptors acquire Magic’s 2018 second-round pick.
Latest On Paul George
At one point on Thursday night, the Celtics and Pacers were said to be in “serious” talks regarding Paul George, but those discussions stalled, and the star forward remains in Indiana. Speaking to reporters late on Thursday, Pacers president Kevin Pritchard indicated that his team still has irons in the fire on George, but won’t “make a bad deal” just to move on from the situation (Twitter link via Nate Taylor of The Indianapolis Star).
Pritchard was fairly candid discussing George’s desire to leave the Pacers, referring to the news as a “gut punch” and adding that he intends to acquire players who want to be in Indiana (Twitter links via Taylor). He also still sounds optimistic about getting a deal done at some point, suggesting that he’s “confident” the Pacers will be able to get something for George (Twitter link via Taylor).
Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star is less optimistic than Pritchard, expressing confusion about why George is still on the Pacers’ roster, and arguing that the team has set its rebuilding efforts back a year by dragging the process out this long.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter links), the Pacers fielded offers for George all day on Thursday, but never got a proposal that made them seriously consider pulling the trigger. While Indiana is expected to continue discussing George deals in the coming days and weeks, into free agency, Pritchard said on Thursday that the team is prepared to bring the veteran forward to camp if necessary, Kyler notes.
In addition to the Celtics, the Rockets were said to be pursuing a George deal on Thursday.
Lakers Agree To Sign P.J. Dozier
The Lakers have reached an agreement with undrafted free agent P.J. Dozier, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the former South Carolina guard will sign a free agent contract with Los Angeles. Details of the deal aren’t yet known.
Dozier, who declared for the draft this spring following his sophomore year, averaged 13.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.7 SPG for South Carolina last season. Although he wasn’t selected on Thursday night, he was viewed as a top-60 prospect by DraftExpress, ranking 52nd on Jonathan Givony’s big board.
The Lakers won’t be able to make Dozier’s deal official until the new league year begins in July, but when they do, he’ll join a promising group of rookies in Los Angeles. The club added Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Thomas Bryant in Thursday’s draft, which was Magic Johnson‘s first as president of basketball operations.
Community Shootaround: NBA Draft Winners/Losers
While there weren’t many shocking picks, the 2017 NBA Draft featured plenty of activity, with a dozen trades having been officially announced and two more reportedly agreed upon. After the dust settled, Markelle Fultz is a Sixer, Lonzo Ball is a Laker, and…. wait, Jimmy Butler is a Timberwolf?
Minnesota’s acquisition of Butler was the big news on Thursday night, and the Timberwolves have been widely lauded for the deal they made, which saw them give up Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the No. 7 pick for Butler and the No. 16 pick. However, the Wolves weren’t the only team that has received praise for its night.
[RELATED: Complete 2017 NBA Draft Results]
Several NBA pundits loved the night for the Kings, who landed De’Aaron Fox at No. 5, and also added Justin Jackson, Harry Giles, and Frank Mason later in the night. The Lakers also came away with an intriguing collection of prospects in addition to Ball, drafting Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Thomas Bryant.
The Jazz traded up twice and ended up with Donovan Mitchell and Tony Bradley. The Hornets didn’t have to move up to nab Malik Monk outside of the top 10, and the Raptors may have gotten a steal at No. 23 in OG Anunoby, assuming he returns to full health.
What do you think? Which teams were the winners and losers of draft night? Weigh in below in the comments section with your thoughts!
Knicks Agree To Sign Nigel Hayes, Luke Kornet
After nabbing Frank Ntilikina and two other prospects in Thursday night’s draft, the Knicks continue to secure young talent, having struck two deals with undrafted rookies, according to reports.
Former Wisconsin big man Nigel Hayes, who will play for the Knicks in Summer League, has also agreed to a free agent contract with the team, league sources tell Ian Begley of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Begley, Hayes’ training camp contract will include a partial guarantee.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports (via Twitter) that the Knicks are also in agreement with former Vanderbilt big man Luke Kornet. League sources inform Haynes that Kornet’s deal will be a two-way contract, meaning he figures to spend most of the 2017/18 season in the G League with the Westchester Knicks.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Two-Way Contracts]
Both Hayes and Kornet were viewed as top-100 prospects by DraftExpress, with Hayes coming in at No. 80, while Kornet ranked 69th. Their deals with the Knicks aren’t yet official, since undrafted free agents can’t sign contracts until at least July.
Sixers, Melo Trimble Agree To Deal
The Sixers have reached an agreement on a free agent contract with former Maryland point guard Melo Trimble, reports Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Trimble was draft-eligible this year, but wasn’t one of the 60 picks made on Thursday night.
Trimble is coming off a 2016/17 season in which he averaged 16.8 PPG, 3.7 APG, and 3.6 RPG for the Terrapins. The 6’3″ guard was a junior last season, but elected to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility by entering the draft a year early. He ranked 84th on DraftExpress’ big board.
The 76ers have now reached reported deals with both Trimble and Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. since the draft ended. The expectation is that those players will be in camp with Philadelphia this fall, though neither deal can be made official until after the new league year begins in July, and camp signings often aren’t finalized until later in the offseason.
Complete 2017 NBA Draft Results
The 2017 NBA Draft is now in the books. The Sixers kicked off the night by nabbing Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 overall pick — as expected, with Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, and Josh Jackson coming off the board after him.
The full results of this year’s draft are below, with trades noted, including a blockbuster that will send Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
First round:
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Nets via Celtics): Markelle Fultz, PG (Washington)
- Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG (UCLA)
- Boston Celtics (from Kings via Sixers): Jayson Tatum, SF (Duke)
- Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF (Kansas)
- Sacramento Kings (from Sixers): De’Aaron Fox, PG (Kentucky)
- Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, F (Florida State)
- Chicago Bulls (from Timberwolves): Lauri Markkanen, PF (Arizona)
- New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, PG (France)
- Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr., PG (North Carolina State)
- Portland Trail Blazers (from Pelicans via Kings): Zach Collins, F/C (Gonzaga)
- Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk, G (Kentucky)
- Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG (Duke)
- Utah Jazz (from Nuggets): Donovan Mitchell, G (Louisville)
- Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, C (Kentucky)
- Sacramento Kings (from Trail Blazers): Justin Jackson, SF (North Carolina)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Bulls): Justin Patton, C (Creighton)
- Milwaukee Bucks: D.J. Wilson, PF (Michigan)
- Indiana Pacers: T.J. Leaf, PF (UCLA)
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins, PF (Wake Forest)
- Sacramento Kings (from Grizzlies via Trail Blazers): Harry Giles, C (Duke)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Terrance Ferguson, G/F (Australia)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Wizards): Jarrett Allen, C (Texas)
- Toronto Raptors (from Clippers): OG Anunoby, F (Indiana)
- Denver Nuggets (from Jazz): Tyler Lydon, F (Syracuse)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Raptors via Magic): Anzejs Pasecniks, C (Spain)
- Portland Trail Blazers (from Cavaliers): Caleb Swanigan, F/C (Purdue)
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Celtics via Nets): Kyle Kuzma, PF (Utah)
- Utah Jazz (from Rockets via Lakers): Tony Bradley, C (North Carolina)
- San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White, G (Colorado)
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Warriors via Jazz): Josh Hart, SG (Villanova)
Second round:
- New Orleans Pelicans (from Nets via Hornets): Frank Jackson, SG (Duke)
- Phoenix Suns: Davon Reed, SG (Miami)
- Orlando Magic (from Lakers): Wesley Iwundu, SG (Kansas State)
- Sacramento Kings (from Sixers): Frank Mason, PG (Kansas)
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Magic): Ivan Rabb, F/C (Cal)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Knicks): Jonah Bolden, PF (Serbia)
- Boston Celtics (from Timberwolves): Semi Ojeleye, F (SMU)
- Golden State Warriors (from Kings via Bulls): Jordan Bell, PF (Oregon)
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Mavericks via Sixers): Jawun Evans, PG (Oklahoma State)
- Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans): Dwayne Bacon, SF (Florida State)
- Atlanta Hawks (from Hornets): Tyler Dorsey, SG (Oregon)
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Pistons via Jazz): Thomas Bryant, C (Indiana)
- Houston Rockets (from Nuggets): Isaiah Hartenstein, F/C (Lithuania)
- New York Knicks (from Chicago): Damyean Dotson, SG (Houston)
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Trail Blazers via Rockets): Dillon Brooks, SF (Oregon)
- Milwaukee Bucks (from Heat via Sixers): Sterling Brown, SG (SMU)
- Indiana Pacers: Ike Anigbogu, C (UCLA)
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Bucks): Sindarius Thornwell, SG (South Carolina)
- Denver Nuggets (from Grizzlies): Vlatko Cancar, PF (Serbia)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Hawks): Mathias Lessort, F/C (France)
- Denver Nuggets (from Thunder): Monte Morris, PG (Iowa State)
- Indiana Pacers (from Wizards via Pelicans): Edmond Sumner, PG (Xavier)
- Boston Celtics (from Cavaliers): Kadeem Allen, PG (Arizona)
- Phoenix Suns (from Raptors): Alec Peters, PF (Valparaiso)
- Utah Jazz: Nigel Williams-Goss, PG (Gonzaga)
- Boston Celtics (from Clippers): Jabari Bird, SG (Cal)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Celtics): Aleksandar Vezenkov, F (Spain)
- New York Knicks (from Rockets): Ognjen Jaramaz, PG (Serbia)
- San Antonio Spurs: Jaron Blossomgame, F (Clemson)
- Atlanta Hawks (from Warriors): Alpha Kaba, C (Serbia)
Bulls Trade Jimmy Butler To Timberwolves
JUNE 22, 8:58pm: The trade is now official, with commissioner Adam Silver announcing it during the TV broadcast of tonight’s draft. The Wolves used the No. 16 pick on Creighton’s Justin Patton to complete the deal.
6:44pm: The Timberwolves are set to acquire Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, with K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune tweeting that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle on a Butler deal.
According to Johnson (via Twitter), the Bulls will receive Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 overall pick. The Wolves will also receive the No. 16 selection from Chicago. Marc Stein of ESPN.com (via Twitter) first reported that a deal was close.
The deal reunites Butler with Tom Thibodeau, his former coach in Chicago, who now serves as coach and president of basketball operations in Minnesota. Butler has been an All-Star the past three seasons and averaged 23.9 points and 6.2 rebounds with the Bulls this year.
The Timberwolves are taking on much more salary in the deal than they are unloading. They had about $24MM in available cap room after waiving Nikola Pekovic on Tuesday and receiving cap relief for his remaining salary.
Butler has three seasons left on the $95MM deal he signed with the Bulls in 2015. He is due to make nearly $18.7MM next year and more than $19.8MM in both 2018/19 and 2019/20. He also has a 5% trade bonus in his contract, tweets Bobby Marks of The Vertical, giving him an extra $1.8MM over the next three seasons.
In return, the Bulls will receive LaVine, a promising 22-year-old combo guard whose season ended in early February when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee; and Dunn, the fifth overall pick last year. Both players are on rookie contracts and were discussed when the two teams talked about a Butler trade a year ago. Chicago will also land Lauri Markkanen, the seventh overall pick.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.