Based on the whispers he has heard around the league, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst views Caris LeVert and Myles Turner as more likely trade candidates for the Pacers than Domantas Sabonis, he said on the latest episode of his Hoop Collective podcast. Although Sabonis has frequently been mentioned alongside LeVert and Turner in reports on Indiana’s potential trade chips, Windhorst hasn’t heard much chatter about the All-Star center.
During Friday’s episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst spoke at length to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon about the report on the Mavericks that MacMahon published earlier this week, which included details on how the relationship between Luka Doncic and Rick Carlisle became frayed. Interestingly, Windhorst suggested that LeVert could perhaps relate to Doncic, stating that the Pacers swingman and Carlisle have not had the “greatest partnership” so far this season.
Here are a few more interesting tidbits shared by Windhorst during his podcast:
- Windhorst heard from one executive who said that the Trail Blazers, since their front office shakeup, have created the impression they’re willing to listen to inquiries on anyone except Damian Lillard.
- According to Windhorst, there are multiple execs around the NBA who believe that when the Sixers eventually trade Ben Simmons, at least one of the Kings, Timberwolves, and/or Rockets will be involved, either as Simmons’ destination or as a third team in the deal. As Windhorst explains, those three teams’ front offices are run by executives who previously worked with Daryl Morey.
- Although reports earlier this year suggested that De’Aaron Fox was expected to be off-limits in any Kings trade talks, MacMahon has gotten the sense that the point guard is no longer considered untouchable. According to Windhorst, Fox came to camp this fall 15 pounds heavier than he was when the season ended last spring.
Hey Darts… I’d like you to meet my friend Board. I think you two will be great together.
This isn’t random stuff. Fox available, nobody wants Sabonis, Lavert getting nowhere with the HC, Blazers not trading the only guy they should. Simmons looms behind all of it.
A bit of the mark aren’t you, we don’t know if Fox is available, everyone wants Sabonis as he is a superstar, but because of that teams ain’t got what it takes to get him, CLV ain’t the problem, Carlisle is just an awful guy that no one gets on with, needs firing like 3 months ago!
At least you got it right with POR & Ben Simmons my friend!
So, as soon as Fox’s value takes a hit, SAC is open to dealing him. I guess they feel that selling low plays to their expertise, or at least they have a lot of experience doing it.
Sac needs to clean house. Rebuild can’t happen until Buddy, Bagley, and Barnes are gone. Davion looks like he can be a good 1 as well so if that means getting rid of Fox I’m all for it. Build around Mitchell, Hali, and Holmes
Slightly concerned about wanting Dame… worst year as a pro since rookie season. Age 31, owed a lot. Other half of me is like its Dame Lillard tho. But what if 31-32 is where the dropoff starts. It does happen. Deron William’s, Michael Redd, AI, Danny Granger.
Beal would be more ideal but time is kind of the essence?
I get the Dame anxiety, esp with his potential 2y extension looming.
But even if he declines slightly w/ Embiid there and in his prime Philly could still legitimately contend for a season or two, which is probably worth it (…or at least preferable to trying to get Ben Simmons to tell you if he met with his therapist this week).
#FreeBenSimmons
Fox got paid, put on the freshman 15, and has seen every efficiency metric plummet this season.
He’s young enough that maybe he bounces back and this is a blip on the radar. But he hasn’t exactly accomplished a ton to date that I’d feel great about him being my Ben Simmons Centerpiece if I was Daryl.
Fox isn’t going anywhere. He bulked up a bit and that’s fine! He is not overweight and anyone hinting at that are dumbasses. His last 10 games have been outstanding besides a game where all the starters were benched early. This kinda talk is exactly why the kings are where they are . If they get rid of him for Simmons the kings would be the losers of that trade. If that trade happens I’m done with this franchise . ( what was a lie)