As we close in on the 2017 Draft tonight (7 ET, ESPN), the trade talks that have swirled all week — as well as some new chatter — are bubbling up. Here’s the latest on what’s being talked about around the NBA:
Report: Suns, Nuggets discussing deal
Denver and Phoenix could swap point guards before tonight’s Draft, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN …
ESPN Sources: Phoenix, Denver discussed trade that would feature Eric Bledsoe in exchange for Emmanuel Mudiay and No. 13 pick. Talks fluid.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 22, 2017
Report: Celtics in pursuit of Porzingis
Perhaps the biggest name on the Draft day trade radar is Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks. Team president Phil Jackson confirmed last night that the team is listening to trade offers for Porzingis and as of today, the chatter surrounding the talented second-year forward continues …
Sources: BOS offered NYK its No. 3 pick, a player & an additional lottery pick that they think they can acquire tonight in a trade for KP.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2017
Knicks asking the Celtics for the moon….and two Brooklyn picks. https://t.co/IMUsuq2ehR
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 22, 2017
The Celtics remain in trade pursuit of Kristaps Porzingis, league sources say, trying to assemble a package to meet the Knicks' demands.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2017
Sources: Several teams engaging with NY on Kristaps Porzingis – including Boston – are unwilling to meet Knicks demands for deal. So far.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2017
Hearing from several sources that nothing close to imminent between Knicks, Suns on potential Porzingis deal. Things can obviously change.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 22, 2017
Porzingis is exactly the kind of player Danny Ainge might sell out assets for. Impacts game now, can grow with young core for years to come.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 22, 2017
Reports: Number of teams pursuing Jackson
Top prospect Josh Jackson out of Kansas is reportedly receiving a lot of interest from around the league …
Sense from other teams on Bulls' targets if they make Butler trade, move up: Josh Jackson or De'Aaron Fox.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
Fascinating machinations around Josh Jackson today. Loads of teams trying to trade into the top 4 to get him.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 22, 2017
Celtics know this, and thus have to decide whether to take a player who wouldn't workout or interview even when they had the 1 pick.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 22, 2017
Clippers, Spurs, Bulls all have interest in him and big name veteran players (DeAndre, LaMarcus, Jimmy) who would really help Boston.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 22, 2017
Report: Celtics interested in No. 7 pick
Just days after trading down in the 2017 Draft with the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 3 overall pick and a future first-round selection, the Boston Celtics may be looking to get the No. 7 pick tonight …
Avery Bradley is said to have fans here. Contract only runs through next season though, and he will command big $$. #Twolves https://t.co/Efmjw8I4PQ
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 22, 2017
Boston Celtics have spoken to the Minnesota Timberwolves about acquiring the 7th pick in the draft, league sources told Basketball Insiders.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 22, 2017
Report: Wolves have eyes for Butler, George
Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Jimmy Butler has had his name bandied about in trade talks since last season and saw it crop back up in trade rumors leading into the Draft. A number of teams in the lottery remain interested in him (and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in pursuit as well), but whether or not he moves may depend on what happens with Kristaps Porzingis …
Minnesota continues to show interest in landing Paul George or Jimmy Butler, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2017
Hearing from several people that Porzingis' availability is dropping Butler dialogue. At least for now, Porzingis taking precedence for tms.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
Opposing executives say MIN is considering using No. 7 pick as part of package for a Butler trade: https://t.co/dbJhAQj4jE
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2017
Reported this in today's editions and, as of last night, 7th pick was too low so attractive players/future 1sts would have to be involved. https://t.co/u8RDk5KJOf
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
Report: Rubio on trade market
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to climb up a few more rungs in the Western Conference hierarchy. The Wolves also have a glut of young guards and may be looking to move perhaps their most veteran playmaker, Ricky Rubio, tonight …
Once again, Ricky Rubio is an active name in Minnesota's trade discussions, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2017
Reports: Jazz looking to add point guard
The Utah Jazz are coming off a 50-win season and their first trip to the Western Conference semifinals since 2010. The Jazz have a number of key free agents to either re-sign or part with this summer including point guard George Hill. While they wait to see how that pans out, they remain interested in trading for a veteran point guard and are also receiving trade calls about Derrick Favors …
#Jazz veteran Derrick Favors put his SLC house on the market. He says don’t read too much into it.https://t.co/5vo0UsAmEp pic.twitter.com/gb8YzHcjwb
— Salt Lake Tribune Sports (@sltribsports) June 22, 2017
The Jazz are continuing talks on Patrick Beverley, I'm told. Jazz also have another point guard on the radar
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) June 22, 2017
Jazz are making a real effort to trade for another point guard
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) June 22, 2017
The Jazz have explored trading for point guard Ricky Rubio with Minnesota, per sources, but there's no real traction on that front for now.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 22, 2017
Ideally, the Jazz hope to package their first-round picks — plus another asset (or two?) — and move up into the 12-17 range, per sources.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 22, 2017
Yes. He's on the radar https://t.co/jE2IrtlMqf
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) June 22, 2017
The Jazz are receiving "a lot of interest" in Derrick Favors, according to sources.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 22, 2017
Utah isn't looking to trade Derrick Favors, but he's certainly not off limits.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 22, 2017
Ideally, the Jazz hope to package their first-round picks — plus another asset (or two?) — and move up into the 12-17 range, per sources.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) June 22, 2017
Reports: Spurs shopping Aldridge
The San Antonio Spurs have made some surprising moves in offseasons past and tonight may be no different for them. According to both ESPN.com and the San Antonio Express-News, big man LaMarcus Aldridge may be on the market as the Spurs try to land a top-10 pick:
Asked a GM abt LaMarcus Aldridge trade value. Said, "Fact he wants out of San Antonio says a lot about whether you want him on your team."
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) June 22, 2017
Multiple league sources have informed the Express-News the Spurs are exploring the trade market, hoping to find a deal to unload Aldridge, who will turn 32 next month.
“They feel it’s time to move on,” a source told the Express-News.
Considered the best free agent signing of 2015, Aldridge signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the Spurs. He’s scheduled to make roughly $21 million next season.
Various reports suggest the Spurs are trying to obtain a top-five pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, using Aldridge for either Phoenix’s No. 4 pick or the No. 5 spot held by Sacramento. But the Kings apparently have no interest in trading the fifth pick.
A league source told the Express-News that Portland Trail Blazers would execute a trade for Aldridge to reunite him with star Damian Lillard. Aldridge, who played nine seasons in Portland, but left the Blazers in 2015 to sign with the Spurs. The Blazers haven’t closed the door completely on a possible return. The team would be willing to complete a trade for Aldridge for matching salary only, according to a league source.
The Blazers do have three first-round picks in the draft, starting with the No. 15 selection, as well as No. 20 and 26.
