On the fourth day of free agency some of the biggest names might be off the board, but there’s still plenty of moves to be made before the start of the 2017-18 season.
Rumours continue to swirl around the league, as teams continue to try adding to talent to their rosters. Every team is in play, but in today’s rumour roundup the state of California appears to be the biggest player.
Gallinari looking to form lethal frontline in L.A.
After striking a deal to sign Paul Millsap, the Denver Nuggets are reportedly working on a three-team sign-and-trade that would send Danilo Gallinari to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Atlanta Hawks are the third team involved, helping the Clippers pull off a move that would be friendly to their salary cap. After reportedly selling Gallinari on a frontcourt pairing of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles would be looking to bring him in on a three-year deal worth $65 million.
In return, the Nuggets are expected to reportedly receive “draft compensation,” while the Hawks would get a future first-round pick, Diamond Stone and Jamal Crawford. It’s expected that the three-time Sixth Man of the Year will either force a trade or reach a buyout to become a free agent once he’s traded to Atlanta.
Warriors trying to add another scorer in Crawford or Young
Speaking of Crawford, the Golden State Warriors could be a strong suitor for his scoring talents if he gets waived, according to ESPN‘s Chris Haynes.
As the report states, tt’ll be either Crawford, or free agent Nick Young, who could join the Warriors’ bench this off-season. Both have proven themselves as spark plugs over the course of their careers, but Young would be a slightly younger option for the Warriors and already appears to be good friends with Draymond Green.
The Knicks are also reportedly an option for Crawford, who has an edge over Young with his aforementioned accolades. The Cavs and Spurs are also interested in the 37-year-old, which could entice the Hawks into looking for a trade instead of a buyout.
Rondo getting a fresh start with Lakers?
Rajon Rondo might have been waived by the Chicago Bulls last week, but he’s still generating interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Rondo, a four-time all-star who has played for four different teams in the past three seasons, might not be as good as he once was, but he could still serve as a mentor to No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball. Both are pass first point guards, with Ball holding an edge when it comes to scoring the rock.
Lakers looking to add Hill?
Another mentor candidate the Lakers could look to add to their roster to help Ball would be George Hill, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
It’s been reported that both sides have a “mutual interest” and think that Hill and Ball could play alongside one another in the Lakers’ backcourt on a one-year deal.
The Jazz are another strong suitor to re-sign Hill, with his decision reportedly having a strong influence in Gordon Hayward’s free agency decision after they helped Utah reached their first 50-win season since 2010.
With a lot of the big name point guards already taken off the market in Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Kyle Lowry, a player like Hill becomes a valuable addition for any team looking to compete in today’s NBA littered with score-first guards.
Wizards facing pressure from Kings for Porter
The pressure is on for the Washington Wizards, as restricted free agent Otto Porter Jr., has reportedly received a max-contract offer from the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes and Marc J. Spears.
The Wizards reportedly said on Friday that they’re willing to match any contract that Porter is offered. It seems reasonable considering Poter was originally the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 Draft and had a breakout year last season by hitting career-highs in points (13.4), rebounds (6.4), field-goal percentage (51.6) and three-point percentage (43.4).
But now that a max offer sheet worth around $106.5 million over four years is being sent his way it’s time to see if the Wizards were only bluffing or are actually willing to go to any length to retain one of their most important pieces.
Knicks getting in on RFA Jonathan Simmons
Another restricted free agent who might find himself on another team for the 2017-18 season is Jonathan Simmons, who has received interested from the New York Knicks, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley.
The report also says that besides the Knicks, the Clippers are also rumoured to be interested in the guard’s services.
Simmons is an athletic, hard-working wing who made his way to the NBA through the D-League. Last season he averaged 6.2 points per game in 78 games played with the Spurs.
Cavaliers looking to add to their bench with Randolph
As the Cleveland Cavaliers look for ways to improve their roster, they’re reportedly in talks with Zach Randolph, according to TNT’s David Aldridge.
The 16-year veteran is also receiving interest from the Kings, but it’s supposedly “unlikely” that he will choose to sign with them instead of a team that’s made three consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Randolph averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds rebounds per game as the sixth-man for the Grizzlies last season.
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