There’s no indication that Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard wants to leave Los Angeles as a free agent this offseason, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said in Sunday’s televised Woj & Lowe special (video link). However, there is a belief that Leonard is at risk of missing the entire 2021/22 season following his ACL surgery earlier this month, says Wojnarowski.
That nugget was one of several that Wojnarowski and fellow ESPN reporter Zach Lowe shared during their half-hour special and the bonus YouTube segments that followed. We’ve already passed along several of their other insights, including some draft-related rumors, the latest updates on Bradley Beal‘s status, and the fact that the Lakers have shopped Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to many teams around the NBA.
However, the ESPN duo dropped several more notes and rumors during their special. We’re using the space below to round up a few of the most interesting ones:
- The Sixers have engaged in Ben Simmons trade talks and are making and receiving offers, says Wojnarowski (video link). However, Woj thinks Philadelphia will be patient, noting that Simmons is under contract for four more years, which “opens up the landscape” for possible trade partners. The 76ers are looking for the best possible player they could get back in a Simmons deal, Woj adds.
- Despite the fact that the Lakers have been linked to so many other point guards in advance of free agency, Wojnarowski believes there’s still a deal to be made with Dennis Schröder (video link).
- The Kings have talked to teams in both the West and East about Buddy Hield, according to Wojnarowski (video link), who says the club has also received plenty of trade interest in Harrison Barnes. Woj would be surprised if Barnes is dealt though.
- In a discussion of free agent point guards, Wojnarowski (video link) said that he anticipates a “big market” for Raptors star Kyle Lowry, who could receive offers in the neighborhood of $25-30MM per year, and that the Bulls and Lonzo Ball would be an ideal match in a perfect world, but his restricted FA status could complicate matters. Woj also thinks luxury tax concerns will prevent the Jazz from simply re-signing Mike Conley and keeping everyone else on their roster (video link).
- The Nets hope to lock up Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden to contract extensions and are optimistic that Blake Griffin will want to return, per Wojnarowski (video link). Jeff Green may be trickier to re-sign, however, as he’ll likely seek more than the veteran’s minimum. Woj and Lowe both identify the Bucks as a possible suitor for Green if he leaves Brooklyn.
Clippers missed their chance to win the title. they’re done. only way is if they manage to get a 3rd star to pair with PG13 while Kawhi sits until playoffs
Yeah after an ACL, Kawhi may ride out this entire contract without playing.
Agree with Woj
Lowry gets 25-30 million per
Jazz can’t afford Conley
IMO, Conley market is $25 million per
Not sure about that. Conley has had 1 healthy season in the last 6 years and looks to be aging fast. If someone pays $25 maybe then 2 years including team option or not fully guaranteed. I’d say closer to $20
Conley will get 2 year at $18 each with second being team control due to past injury history.
IMO
It’s possible that Wizards don’t want Beal requests a trade in public, but they still listen to the offer.
You know what I mean, right?
Beal is trying to be the nice guy and NOT demand a trade but he doesn’t play there anymore.
Simmons to Washington and Westbrook the the Sixers
Simmons can facilitate to Beal and Westbrook can shoot for the Sixers
Match made in Heaven
Except Westbrook can’t shoot.
C Daddy and All
You all don’t know what is good
I know what is best though. “To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”
Better then Simmons
Westbrook isn’t a shooter. He’s a scorer. Not what the 76ers need.
That’s a horrible trade for the Sixers, lmao. Like, horrible.
.557/.300/.613 vs .439/.315/.656…one player is 8 years older than the other and the younger player is all nba defense. Which player do you pick?
Match made in hell more like it.
It’s not like Philly will get anyone better for Simmons than Russ.
Well then they don’t make the trade. Problem solved.
Remember when the Rockets traded Paul and a bunch of picks for Westbrook and you talked about how bad they fleeced the thunder? We all do too.
I like the Simmons to wizards for Westbrook but I need more from the wizard’s. One of the big men and throw in that bertans guy and a few one’s then we can deal.
@Ojdiddoit
Now you show a sense of style =)
Everyone has an overinflated view of Simmons’ value just because he is an elite defender.
The Sixers aren’t getting a huge return for him like they all expect. He was exposed in the playoffs for being a huge liability on offense, must like Draymond is. Sure both of them can pass, but opposing teams won’t bother putting defenders on them when they’re more than 10-15 feet from the basket. They’re role players who can both pass and play great defense.
Knicks Nitlikina is a better player then Simmons. He can shoot from everywhere. It’s just he’s not been given the chance. First couple of years he had no coaching that was of use.This season Thibs treated him like a rookie. Thibs does not play rookies. When injuries happened and Nitlikina played he was hitting 3 pointers at 45%. Frankie can in fact play. How many players go into middle of game cold and only play 2 minutes or less a game. Not many players can do that. He plays good on the French Olympic team & National teams. The fans don’t see him play so they get down on him. Simmons has no offense at all and even his defence has suffered because of it. His game is in his head.
If Lowry wants $25 million per, then Lakers and 76ers have little chance to trade for him because of hard cap rules
In other words, both teams will largely downgrade the bench
I read that the best offer so far for Simmons is Lowry
LAL, LAC, and BRK all bet on injury-prone stars to take them to the Championship. LAL won last year so the bet paid off for them but this year, injuries sidetracked all 3. Leonard’s injury may take LAC out the running for next year. Will BKN and LAL stars avoid the injuries come playoff time in 21-22?
As always Woj’s nuggets include nothing new, relevant or even accurate… there is a surprise for you, right?