Having appeared on a pair of draft specials on ESPN on Monday night, Adrian Wojnarowski shared several interesting tidbits related to the draft and free agency during his segments. We’ve already passed along a few of those notes and rumors in a pair of posts this morning, but we’ve got more to round up in the space below, so let’s dive in…
- Chris Paul still appears to be a virtual lock to return to the Rockets, and is focused less on his own free agency than on recruiting LeBron James to Houston, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link via Sagar Trika). Meanwhile, the Rockets would also love to re-sign Trevor Ariza, but the veteran forward will be a popular free agent who draws interest from multiple contenders, per Woj (Twitter link via Trika).
- Wojnarowski is the latest to report that the Thunder still have a good chance to re-sign Paul George, despite the club’s underwhelming showing in the postseason (Twitter link via Trika).
- After Wojnarowski reported that the Suns‘ No. 16 pick could be in play for a trade, GM Ryan McDonough confirmed as much during an appearance on ESPN, suggesting that his team would be willing to package the selection and another asset or two in order to acquire a second lottery pick (Twitter links via Trika).
- The Mavericks are high on Luka Doncic, and are weighing whether they’ll have a shot to select the Real Madrid star at No. 5, says Wojnarowski (link via The Dallas Morning News). The Mavs have previously indicated that they have no plans to move up, but it sounds like they’d at least consider the possibility if it means landing Doncic.
- According to Wojnarowski, the Sixers aren’t expected to hire a new general manager anytime soon — Woj reports the team will likely interview candidates deep into July (Twitter link via Trika).
Yeah why would the Sixers feel the need to have a GM for the most important summer in franchise history
Because Coach Brown is the backbone of the franchise and the current VP is his guy already
I love Brett Brown, but having coaches in charge of personnel decisions is generally unwise, because they are often shortsighted in their approach. ie. Doc and Stan Van Gundy
Ariza is super nice, but he’s on crack if he thinks he’ll get 50-60 mill or find a better situation then what he’s got in Houston. If he was smart he’d stay there and chill and win 60 ish games for s few seasons.
Or sign the tax payers MLE to play for the Warriors and win a title. Both better options than a big pay day with the Kings or another bottom feeder
Guy’s been underpaid his whole career, go get that last paycheck
Didn’t he go get his money when he left Kobe and the Lakers high and dry?
Not really. 5 years/$34MM. And then they brought in Ron Artest who helped them win game 7 in the Finals, while Kobe couldn’t buy a shot. You really gonna complain about that?
Nope, Artest good pickup.
I can’t fathom being in that situation….but I’d rather play for a loser team and be 20-30 million richer than have a ring.
I mean swaggy p has a ring. Everyone knows he didn’t do anything to earn it. Is that really worth giving up millions for? To each their own….
Suns could trade 16 and something else for one of the Clippers picks. T wouldn’t be a huge slide and I think the Clips could grab Gilgeous-Alexander at 16 which would be a good addition.
Why would the Suns do that? Also with Raptors lurking wanting to buy/trade in, 16 is a risk to think Gilgeous-Alexander will still be there. Honestly could see DeRozan getting moved to Clippers for both picks.
Exactly Ariza is a nice guy that has had to take pay cuts all his career, why does he have to do so again? Houston & Golden State can pay the full value if they want him if not he can still enjoy his playing anywhere in the league, he has got already a ring, so doesn’t need to be a ring chaser. Players always deserve to be paid, teams have to pay & if they don’t get it right, then pay luxury tax, but the game is about players.