With only two days to go before the NBA closes, rumors will spread across the league, but how many deals will actually be closed?
The Nets kicked off the trading season in January with the acquisition of James Harden from the Rockets as part of a massive four-team deal. The 3:00 p.m. ET deadline this Thursday brings in moves that involve role-playing rather than the blockbusters basketball fans have become accustomed to.
However, we should not rule out the possibility of further “Woj bombs”. All it takes is a call from a general manager to get the merchant train moving.
Sporting News is here to help you keep track of the trading chaos below. Here are the latest reported deals and speculation ahead of the Thursday deadline.
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Latest NBA trade rumors and news
(All times east)
Tuesday March 23rd
22 O `clock – ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski with the latest news on Raptors Guards Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell:
Sources: Raptors discussing Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell deals on multiple fronts, and those talks are expected to last through Wednesday – and maybe even Thursday. Philadelphia, Miami are interested in Lowry, but both have shown reluctance to go about how far they will go to get a deal.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn), March 24, 2021
Beyond Lowry, Sixers have shown interest in other guards available in the market – including Powell, Lonzo Ball, and George Hill.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn), March 24, 2021
7:45 p.m. – It’s no secret that the Heat is trying to win the Kyle Lowry sweepstakes, but they don’t want to include Goran Dragic or Tyler Herro in a Lowry deal, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein.
“The success of Miami’s quest for Lowry may therefore depend on Toronto’s interest in a young player like sniper Duncan Robinson or rookie Precious Achiuwa, who has expired on Kelly Olynyk’s $ 12.6 million deal,” Stein wrote in his recent newsletter. “The Sixers are ahead of the game when it comes to first-round draft picks to sweeten a trade offer.
“One thing is clear: Toronto is not just going to deal with Lowry anywhere. He is considered the Raptors King in his ninth season and management is treating him accordingly after Lowry was instrumental in the 2018-19 championship run in Toronto – and with fresh memories of the criticism for trading a devoted DeMar DeRozan with San Antonio for a season of Kawhi Leonard. “
5:15 pm – According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Nuggets have been considering taking on Magic Shooting Guard Evan Fournier. Fournier’s name has also reportedly been mentioned in trade discussions between the Celtics and Magic.
3:40 pm – Not exactly shocking news here, but Bradley Beal didn’t state that he should be traded by the wizards, according to Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. Beal and the Wizards have coincided with their news all season.
1:45 p.m. – In order to . . . Victor Oladipo should probably start packing his bags.
ESPN Sources: Heat and Knicks – with room for summer caps – are reluctant to offer premium packages for Victor Oladipo, but the market has evolved from teams bidding with a mix of young players and first-round pick combinations. One thing has become clear: Houston will likely move Oladipo before the deadline.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 23, 2021
1:10 p.m. – According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, who also reported that teams are monitoring the Domantas Sabonis situation in Indiana, several teams claim the Pacers are “listening” to Malcolm Brogdon.
11:40 am – The Athletic’s Shams Charania says several teams have expressed interest in Bulls’ striker Lauri Markkanen and Chicago is at least listening to offers. The 23-year-old will meet the restricted free hand this off-season.
11 clock – A note on the asking price for Harrison Barnes, Aaron Gordon, and Victor Oladipo:
Close of trading could get interesting in the last hours of Thursday. Active teams expect – or at least hope – that the price for the big ticket players (Oladipo, Gordon, Barnes) will drop when the deadline expires. At the moment, the price for all three is described as being pretty high.
– Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 23, 2021
10:15 am – According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Celtics are considered to be the “front runner” in taking over Magic striker Aaron Gordon. Boston reportedly put two picks on the table for the first round, although those picks could come with strong protection.
9 am – Let’s start with the biggest trade of the past week. The Bucks officially took over PJ Tucker from the Rockets on Friday, making them a solid spot-up scorer and defender for the final stretch of the regular season and playoffs.
“PJ Tucker checks all the boxes,” said Jon Horst, general manager of Bucks. “He’s a great team-mate with a veteran presence with playoff experience. PJ is a versatile, high-IQ defender and on the offensive he’s disciplined, selfless and gives way with his ability to knock the three down.” .
Who are the top NBA close of trading targets?
Bradley Beal, Wizard: The NBA’s top scorer is listed here just so we can end the rumors. Washington has consistently pushed back the idea of trading Beal, and Beal has never indicated that he wants to be traded, according to Shams Charania and Fred Katz of The Athletic. Feel free to step on the trading machine and do hypothetical deals, but Beal is not leaving Washington unless there is a significant change in his relationship with the franchise.
Kyle Lowry, Raptors: Are you waiting to proceed from the greatest player in franchise history? Yes, the Raptors can consider this option. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Lowry would prefer to join the 76s if the Raptors and Lowry decide it is best to split up. (That’s a big “if” if Toronto is still in the playoff picture.)
Nikola Vucevic, magic: According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, several teams have shown interest in the All-Star Center, including the Celtics, Heat, Hornets and Spurs. The price will be high, however, as Vucevic is in the middle of a career year and is under contract for two more seasons.
LaMarcus Aldridge, spores: No anonymous sources required. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich just came out saying Aldridge won’t move forward with the team as San Antonio is working through trading scenarios.
“We mutually agreed to work on some opportunities for him, and that will be elsewhere. So he won’t move forward with the team. “
– Gregg Popovich on the Spurs and LaMarcus Aldridge mutually agree to part ways. pic.twitter.com/CCXk0w9x04
– FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) March 11, 2021
Andre Drummond, Cavaliers: The 27-year-old tall man continues his games as the Cavs search for the best trading package possible. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that Cleveland “plays hardball” and doesn’t just give away Drummond.
