With the NBA Draft set for next Wednesday and the 2020-21 season launching about a month later, it’s a good time to take stock of the league.
The Lakers are still soaking in the sunshine of winning the title in the bubble and are favored to go back-to-back like they’re on the cover of Lethal Weapon. However, several other contenders (we’re looking at you, Clippers and Bucks) are chomping at the bit to overtake them. At the same time, there are a handful of veteran teams that shouldn’t be slept on, such as the Celtics, Nets, 76ers, and Warriors. Oh, and there’s that pesky team that pushed the Lakers to six games in the Finals.
Everyone’s gunning for L.A. next year, and the Lakers will have a tall task overcoming the many talented teams coming for the throne.
While it’s tempting to speculate on future outcomes now—isn’t that what fandom is all about?!—there’s still a lot that could happen before the league tips Dec. 22. We’re here to give you a recap on the most buzzworthy noise around the league right now. The most recent rumors will be at the top of the post and this will be updated over the next few weeks.
Harden Open to Trade to Sixers or Other Top Contenders
With Russell Westbrook now traded, all eyes of the NBA world are on James Harden, who has yet to show up to camp in Houston. In fact, Harden has been spotted partying in Las Vegas, which seems like a pretty clear message that he wants to be moved. We still don't know if a trade will happen, but according to Woj, Harden is now open to being dealt to the Sixers or other contenders. The other contenders aren't listed, but before this, it was reported that Harden would only welcome a trade to the Nets.
Westbrook for John Wall Trade?
We know that the Rockets are looking to trade Russell Westbrook but could a deal for John Wall be on the horizon? According to Shams, the Rockets and Wizards have talked about a deal, but the Rockets are looking for more assets. We haven't seen Wall play in a few years, but this would be an interesting move for both teams.
Nets & Rockets Have Verbal Agreement on Harden Trade?
Is this really about to happen? We already know that James Harden has requested a trade out of Houston and wants to join Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, but is a deal already in place? According to FrontOfficeSports, sources around the league believe that a verbal agreement is in place for the deal to get done. That would be a wild development, especially since Woj reported last night that no real traction had been made. We'll be following this one closely, but buckle up.
CP3 to Suns
With NBA teams now allowed to make trades, the Suns have struck a deal for Chris Paul. The deal is for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, and some other pieces. This is not only a huge move for the Suns, but further signals that the Thunder are in a full rebuild move. The deals are now moving and things are about to get crazy.
Schroder to the Lakers?
Things are heating up. We now know that NBA trades can officially happen on Monday afternoon. With that news now official, both Shams and Woj just tweeted that the Lakers are engaged in serious talks with the Thunder on a deal that would send Dennis Schroder to Los Angeles for Danny Green and the 28th overall pick. This would be a massive upgrade for the Lakers and give them great depth at point guard next season.
James Harden to the Nets?
There's been a lack of rumors today as we wait for the NBA to actually open up the transaction period, but we did get some a James Harden to the Nets smoke. According to SI, the Rockets and Nets have talked about a Harden deal that would match the former MVP up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That would be insane. We know the Nets are aggressively looking for another star, but this would be crazy. It's worth noting that Shams said earlier this week that Harden wasn't looking to leave Houston. But are the Rockets looking to trade him? That's the question. According to the Houston Chronicle, Harden has indeed asked for a trade from the Rockets and is pushing to join the Nets. And now according to Shams, Harden would also welcome a trade to the Sixers.
Lakers Are Interested in DeMar DeRozan
The Lakers are always one of the biggest questions heading into free agency and trade season, and this year is no differnet. And even though they're coming off a title, we know that no LeBron James teams ever stop tring to improve. Many have wondered what they might try and do, and Jared Dudley even told us that they'll be aggressive in adding talent. Well, according to Kevin O'Connor, the Lakers have interest in trading for DeRozan in a move that would send Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma to the Spurs. Things are heating up.
Celtics Pursuing Jrue Holiday
There seems to be many suitors who are looking to add Jrue Holiday to their team, and according to The Ringer, the Boston Celtics are also looking into to get into the party. According to the report, the Celtics are looking to use their three first round picks to get into the lottery and then send that pick to New Orleans. The Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks had previously been mentioned as suitors for Holiday, who seems to be on his way out of New Orleans.
Russell Westbrook to the Hornets?
Now that we know that Russell Westbrook has requested a trade, Shams is reporting that the Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a suitor for the former MVP. We can't ignore the Jordan Brand connection here nor the fact that MJ likes to make a splash when going after talent. Who knows if Westbrook would be for a trade to Charlotte, but it certainly sounds like he's done with Houston.
LaMelo Ball the First Pick?
Chris Paul to the Suns?
Russell Westbrook on the Move?
The Rockets will already look different next season. After a second-round exit via the Lakers, Houston cut ties with longtime franchise general manager Daryl Morey and coach Mike D’Antoni.
Could one of the team’s star players be gone, too? According to Shams and others, that's exactly the case.
The rumor mill says the Rockets are shopping Russell Westbrook, who played very well during his first season in H-town, averaging 27.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 7.0 APG. He’s 32 as of Thursday, though, and Houston is clearly intent on shaking things up heading into next season.
So, where’s he headed? Per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Clippers and Knicks are both in the mix.
“I’ve heard the Clippers have interest,” O’Connor said on The Mismatch podcast. “I’ve heard the Knicks have interest in Westbrook, and whether anything materializes there, who knows.”
Though Westbrook is still clearly an impact player, his contract could make pulling off a deal difficult. He’s owed about $85 million over the next two seasons and has a $46 million player option in 2023, when he’ll turn 35.
That said, a team that thinks it’s right there—like, ahem, the Clippers—might bite the bullet. Expect a deal for Westbrook to involve Lou Williams and Landry Shamet, as well as other assets.