Pelicans Notes: McCollum, Hayes, Temple
The Pelicans, who rank 28th in halfcourt scoring efficiency this season, addressed one of their biggest weaknesses when they agreed to acquire CJ McCollum from Portland, says Christian Clark of NOLA.com. McCollum’s new backcourt partner Devonte’ Graham is excited about the move.
“He’s got everything in his bag,” Graham said of McCollum, per Clark. “Obviously, he’s a hell of a player. He’s going to bring extremely good offense and take a lot of pressure off B (Brandon Ingram) in those 1-on-1 situations.”
As Clark notes, the deal hasn’t yet been officially announced, so it’s possible it will be expanded to include a third team before it’s formally finalized. However, if that happens, it seems more likely to affect the Blazers than the Pelicans, since Portland needs to trade or waive a player to complete the move.
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Jaxson Hayes‘ recent success in a power forward role boosted his value among Pelicans staffers, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who suggests that’s one reason New Orleans put Nickeil Alexander-Walker and not Hayes into the deal for McCollum.
- Pelicans wing Garrett Temple exited the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will be available on Tuesday night vs. Houston, according to the team (Twitter link). Didi Louzada, who is headed from New Orleans to Portland in the McCollum trade, also cleared the protocols this week. There are now just two NBA players still in the protocols, including Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez.
- Zach Harper of The Athletic likes the McCollum trade more for the Pelicans than the Trail Blazers, giving New Orleans a grade of A-minus for the deal. However, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton isn’t as bullish on the trade from the Pelicans’ perspective, writing that the move reflects “tremendous internal pressure” to win now. Pelton gave the Pels a grade of C-minus.
Western Rumors: Haliburton, Blazers, Grant, Covington, Lakers, Wolves
The trade agreement between the Kings and the Pacers that will send Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana shocked people around the NBA, including Haliburton himself, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during an appearance on NBA Today (video link).
“The league is stunned at this trade and the fact that (Haliburton) was even available,” Wojnarowski said. “I think there were a lot of teams who thought, ‘If we knew we could’ve gotten Tyrese Haliburton, we would’ve been really knocking at the door in Sacramento.’ … This was a player who everyone had thought, including Tyrese Haliburton, that he’d be the cornerstone for their future.”
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the Western Conference:
- Having already agreed to two major trades this week, the Trail Blazers may not be done yet. They continue to talk to the Pistons about a possible Jerami Grant deal, reports Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (Twitter link).
- It remains possible that newly-acquired Clippers forward Robert Covington will be on the move again prior to Thursday’s trade deadline, sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Covington can’t be aggregated with another player for salary-matching purposes in a second trade, but could still technically be flipped on his own this week.
- Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times says sources have described Magic wing Terrence Ross as a realistic trade target for the Lakers, but Woike isn’t sure that L.A. would have the appetite to attach a future first-round pick to Talen Horton-Tucker to acquire Ross, who is having the worst three-point shooting season of his career.
- Adding size in the frontcourt is a priority for the Timberwolves as the trade deadline approaches, per Dane Moore of Blue Wire Pods (Twitter link). Minnesota ranks dead-last in defensive rebounding rate this season, and Moore suggests the club would like to add a backup center who could help in that area.
Blazers Plan To Reshape Roster Around Damian Lillard
The Trail Blazers have shaken up their roster in a major way within the last few days, trading Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Clippers on Friday and reaching an agreement today on a deal that will send CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell to New Orleans.
Despite some speculation that the series of moves could lead to a Damian Lillard trade, that’s not Portland’s plan. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), the Blazers intend to “fully reshape” their roster around Lillard, who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery.
As Wojnarowski explains, the Blazers plan to pursue “high-end talent” now and won’t embark on a more full-scale teardown that involves moving Lillard. Outlining the ammo available to Portland, Woj says the team has multiple draft picks and assets from its trades with the Clippers and Pelicans, will create a $21MM trade exception in the McCollum deal, and could have up to $60MM in cap room this summer.
Portland will indeed create a trade exception worth about $20.9MM, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. Since they’ll be able to match the incoming salaries of Josh Hart, Didi Louzada, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker using Nance’s and Snell’s outgoing contracts, the Blazers will create an exception worth the difference between McCollum’s $30.9MM salary and Satoransky’s $10MM salary.
However, Wojnarowski’s projection of $60MM in cap room isn’t realistic at this point. The Blazers currently have $68.6MM in guaranteed salaries on the books for next season, according to Marks (Twitter link). That’s only about $52.3MM below the projected cap, and it doesn’t include any cap holds, including the ones for free-agents-to-be Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic, or Portland’s one or two lottery picks. It also assumes the Blazers will waive both Hart and Eric Bledsoe, which is possible, but not a lock.
The Blazers’ cap space seems more likely to end up in the $20-30MM range, though that projection remains very much in flux, especially if the club makes additional moves this week. In order to take advantage of that space, Portland would have to renounce whatever is left of its $20.9MM trade exception.
Whatever the Blazers’ cap situation ultimately looks like, their plan to build around Lillard will hinge on the point guard’s willingness to buy in. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian (Twitter link) says he has heard multiple times that Lillard is on board with a major retooling of the roster since he recognizes this season is a lost cause.
Still, the front office will be under pressure this offseason to adequately build around Lillard or risk having him eventually ask for a trade, according to Fentress (Twitter links), who thinks the 31-year-old will want out if the club fails to add the proper pieces around him.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 2/8/2022
Click here for the transcript of Hoops Rumors’ live Tuesday chat.
Our last pre-trade deadline chat will take place this Thursday at 11 am CT, with Dana Gauruder.
Lakers, Wolves, Jazz Eyeing Josh Richardson
The Lakers are the latest team to be linked to Celtics wing Josh Richardson, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
There are conflicting reports on what the Lakers are willing to offer for Richardson. Keith Smith of CelticsBlog.com hears from a source that talks between Los Angeles and Boston went nowhere because the Celtics don’t have much interest in Talen Horton-Tucker and the Lakers weren’t eager to add a draft pick to their trade offer.
However, Brian Robb of MassLive.com reports that L.A. offered Horton-Tucker and a draft pick for Richardson. The details on that pick are unclear, but the Lakers’ first-rounders are tied up for the next few years, so a 2027 pick is the earliest one they could unconditionally offer. A first-rounder may be necessary to entice Boston — Horton-Tucker’s trade value has “significantly cooled” since last season, per Bill Oram and Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Timberwolves are another potential suitor for Richardson. Jared Weiss of The Athletic, who previously reported that Minnesota hadn’t shown much interest in a possible deal that would’ve sent Richardson and either Romeo Langford or Aaron Nesmith to the Wolves in exchange for Malik Beasley, says those discussions are once again gaining some momentum.
According to Weiss, the Wolves are “warming up” to the idea of a deal involving Beasley and Richardson, since it seems increasingly unlikely they’ll be able to land an impact player such as Ben Simmons.
However, it’s unclear whether the Wolves and Celtics agree on Beasley’s value. Smith has heard that the C’s want more than just Beasley from Minnesota in a swap for Richardson, due to his past legal issues and the fact that he’s earning a higher salary ($14.5MM) than Richardson ($11.6MM). Adding Langford ($3.8MM) or Nesmith ($3.6MM) would close that salary gap.
Meanwhile, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype says rival executives believe Minnesota wants a first-round pick for Beasley. That seems like an unrealistic asking price, given Beasley’s underwhelming performance this season, but it suggests the Wolves still value him — it’s unclear if they’d be willing to move him for a package like Richardson and Nesmith.
Finally, the Jazz also remain in the hunt for Richardson, according to Robb. A report last week indicated that the veteran swingman is on Utah’s radar.
Any offer from the Jazz would likely have to be centered around Joe Ingles‘ expiring contract and a future first-round pick, says Robb. Given the Celtics’ recent hot streak, that sort of framework may not appeal to the team, since Ingles is out with a torn ACL and wouldn’t be able to contribute this season.
Fischer’s Latest: Nuggets, Fox, Poeltl, Brunson, Buyouts
Nuggets forward JaMychal Green and guard Facundo Campazzo are considered available in trade talks, reports Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Mike Singer of The Denver Post also recently identified Green and Campazzo as two players the Nuggets would probably be willing to move as they seek a defensive-oriented small forward.
The Nuggets’ ability to trade Green could be complicated by his ability to veto any trade that involves him. A source tells Singer that the veteran forward wouldn’t accept a move to a non-contending team.
Here are a few more trade rumors, courtesy of Fischer:
- The Knicks and Pelicans have held exploratory conversations for Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, says Fischer, whose report was published before New Orleans reached an agreement to acquire CJ McCollum — it’s probably safe to assume the Pels are no longer a candidate to pursue Fox.
- The Hornets are among the teams interested in Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, per Fischer. Toronto and Chicago have previously been reported as potential suitors for Poeltl.
- The Pistons remain very interested in Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, but may have to wait until free agency if they want to make a play for him, according to Fischer, who says Dallas is still committed to retaining Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith through the deadline.
- Nets big man Paul Millsap, Kings center Tristan Thompson, Rockets guard D.J. Augustin, and guard Tomas Satoransky (who is reportedly being traded to the Trail Blazers) are considered potential buyout candidates, writes Fischer.
Pelicans, Blazers In Serious Talks About CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum is now the biggest name that people around the NBA expect to be dealt before this Thursday’s trade deadline, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who confirms that the Pelicans, Knicks, and Hawks remain in the mix for the Trail Blazers guard. Fischer also reported that the Pacers are among the teams believed to have interest in McCollum.
While a handful of new clubs have been identified this week as potential suitors for McCollum, the Pelicans may still be the frontrunners. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), New Orleans and Portland are engaged in “serious” discussions about McCollum, with those talks ongoing today.
Sources tell Bleacher Report that the Blazers, after sending Norman Powell to the Clippers, remain focused on creating more financial flexibility going forward and have expressed little interest in taking back future salary in a potential McCollum deal.
As Fischer explains, Portland wants to sign Anfernee Simons to a long-term deal this offseason and appears increasingly unlikely to trade Jusuf Nurkic, since he and the team have mutual interest in working out a new contract this offseason. If they keep McCollum and sign Simons and Nurkic to lucrative new deals, the Blazers would be at risk of going back into luxury tax territory next season.
A Pelicans offer for McCollum seems likely to include some combination of Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Jaxson Hayes, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, according to Fischer, who notes that New Orleans also still has a surplus of first-round picks available to include as sweeteners, if necessary.
Fischer suggests that a Hawks proposal for McCollum may include Danilo Gallinari and Delon Wright‘s expiring contract. He’s skeptical that the Knicks would be able to make an appealing offer, pointing to Evan Fournier‘s and Julius Randle‘s long-term contracts as pieces Portland wouldn’t want to take back. Theoretically, New York could put together a package of players on shorter-term contracts, such as Alec Burks, Kemba Walker, and Nerlens Noel, but it’s unclear exactly which players the club would be willing to put on the table.
Marc Berman of The New York Post, confirming the Knicks have talked to Portland about McCollum, says New York also had interest in Powell before he was sent to Los Angeles.
Eastern Trade Rumors: Cavs, Schröder, Beal, Dinwiddie, Burks, Magic
Before acquiring Caris LeVert from Indiana, the Cavaliers talked to the Clippers about a possible deal involving Luke Kennard, according to reports from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype and Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
Meanwhile, Jared Weiss of The Athletic suggests the Cavaliers may not be done dealing yet, writing that they remain in the mix for Celtics guard Dennis Schröder. A Cleveland offer for Schröder would likely include a draft pick and two players from a group that includes Ed Davis, Dylan Windler, and Kevin Pangos, says Weiss.
Even as the Cavs remain in the market for more backcourt help, it doesn’t appear likely they’re prepared to move on from injured guard Collin Sexton. According to Scotto, teams have called to inquire on Sexton, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, but Cleveland would prefer to keep him.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the Eastern Conference:
- There’s still no indication the Wizards will do anything this week with Bradley Beal, who is getting his injured wrist evaluated, writes ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The team still wants to keep him long-term and hasn’t heard anything from Beal that indicates he’s not committed to the franchise, sources tell ESPN.
- The Wizards have, however, continued to communicate their interest in trading their other starting guard, Spencer Dinwiddie, says Fischer. According to Fischer, it’s unclear what sort of market exists for Dinwiddie, who is having a poor season in D.C.
- As the Knicks continue their attempts to move a veteran or two, they’ve exhibited interest in acquiring players on expiring contracts, says Windhorst. Among the vets being shopped by New York, Alec Burks has generated the most interest, Fischer reports.
- According to Fischer, league personnel think the Magic will end up trading Terrence Ross in a deal similar to the Evan Fournier move from a year ago, which netted them a pair of second-round picks. Fischer adds that Gary Harris is considered a buyout candidate if he’s not traded at the deadline.
Bucks, Celtics Have Discussed DiVincenzo, Schröder
The Bucks and Celtics have discussed the idea of a trade involving Boston guard Dennis Schröder, according to reports from Brian Windhorst of ESPN and Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
Windhorst hears from sources that the Celtics have some interest in Bucks wing Donte DiVincenzo, and Fischer confirms that DiVincenzo has been discussed in the talks between the two teams. According to Fischer, Milwaukee has also expressed interest in acquiring Celtics forward Grant Williams in a deal involving Schröder and DiVincenzo.
Jared Weiss of The Athletic provides some additional context, reporting that the Celtics initially offered Schröder for DiVincenzo, with the Bucks countering by asking for Williams. The two teams continue to explore possible frameworks, says Weiss.
According to Windhorst, the Bucks have recently been gauging the value of DiVincenzo, who was a key part of Milwaukee’s starting lineup in 2020/21 but sustained an ankle injury in the first round of the postseason and wasn’t part of rest of the Bucks’ title run. He has played in just 16 games since returning from ankle surgery and hasn’t looked like his old self, shooting just 32.4% from the floor (28.6% on threes). He’s also a free agent at season’s end.
Still, DiVincenzo will be eligible for restricted free agency, so he’ll be relatively controllable going forward. And he had a strong season in ’20/21, averaging 10.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.1 APG with a .379 3PT%. Acquiring a player like that in exchange for Schröder, whose days in Boston appear numbered, would likely appeal to the Celtics.
The Bucks, meanwhile, could be in the market for a backup point guard, with George Hill having a down year, and they could afford to part with a wing, given how well Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton have played. However, they probably have a greater need in the frontcourt, where Semi Ojeleye has been ineffective and Brook Lopez has been sidelined since opening night, which explains why they’re after Williams.
While DiVincenzo ($4.7MM) could be traded straight-up for Schröder ($5.9MM) from a salary-matching perspective, adding Williams to any deal would complicate matters. Trading a minimum-salary player along with DiVincenzo wouldn’t be quite enough for Milwaukee to take back both Schröder and Williams ($2.6MM), and the Celtics will likely be uninterested in making any deal that adds salary to their books rather than taking them below the luxury tax line.
No Progress In Jerami Grant Trade Talks
As of Monday night, the Pistons had yet to make serious progress in any of their trade discussions about forward Jerami Grant, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report conveys a similar sentiment, suggesting that despite widespread interest from teams like the Wizards, Lakers, Jazz, Bulls, and Timberwolves, among others, it seems unlikely at this point that any team will meet Detroit’s high asking price.
As Fischer explains, general manager Troy Weaver has a strong relationship with Grant and there have been “clear indications” that Weaver is interested in hanging onto one of the first players he acquired after taking the reins in the Pistons’ front office in 2020. Previous reporting has suggested there may be a split in Detroit’s front office on trading Grant, with vice chairman Arn Tellem more open to the idea than Weaver.
Fischer acknowledges that even if Grant doesn’t go anywhere at this week’s deadline, there’s a “strong possibility” the team will revisit the possibility of trading him during the offseason.
Rival teams think the Pistons may want to see where they land in the 2022 draft and determine which prospects would be available to them at that spot before making a decision on the 27-year-old, says Windhorst.
Grant, who signed a three-year contract with Detroit in 2020, will be eligible for an extension this summer. The maximum amount he could add to his current deal would be about $112MM over four years.