2 years agoThe Brooklyn Nets have reportedly not been able to find the types of offers they would like to see in exchange for star forward Kevin Durant. As a result, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, "Trade talks involving Kevin Durant have slowed to a trickle." The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have been the main teams linked to a potential Durant trade, but there's been no indication that either team is willing to give up the type of package required to land the 33-year-old superstar. As of now, it looks likely that KD will be back in Brooklyn for a fourth season, despite his trade request about a month ago.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Hoops Wire

2 years agoThe Toronto Raptors have signed guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a two-way contract. The 25-year-old spent the majority of the 2021-22 season in the G League, but he appeared in a total of nine NBA games for the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic during the year. Dowtin had a strong Summer League showing for the Raptors, averaging 16.0 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the floor.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania

2 years agoThe Minnesota Timberwolves are signing forward A.J. Lawson to a two-way contract, according to Shams Charania. Lawson had a strong Summer League showing as a member of the Dallas Mavericks' Summer League squad. Over five games, he averaged 15.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from three-point range on 5.2 attempts per game. Lawson is 6'6" and 22 years old. He played three years of college basketball at South Carolina, then went undrafted in 2021. He proceeded to spend a year in the G League and then he played in the Canadian Elite Basketball League last year.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania

2 years agoFree-agent forward Miles Bridges has been formally charged with felony domestic violence and child abuse. This comes from an alleged assault that occurred last month in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old reportedly assaulted his girlfriend in front of the couple's two children. He faces one felony count of injuring a child's parent and two felony counts of child abuse. At this point, it doesn't sound like Bridges is going to take an NBA court anytime soon. His arraignment is set for Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAtlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter has been reportedly discussing a long-term extension with the organization. However, it sounds like the two sides are roughly $20 million apart on the terms of a four-year extension. To be fair, it's tough to blame the Hawks for being cautious here. Hunter continues to be plagued by injuries but normally looks above-average when he's healthy. Sadly, the Hawks haven't been able to see enough of a healthy Hunter of late. During his final game, Hunter dropped 35 points, so he could be using that as part of his leverage. There is certainly potential here, but the Hawks might want to see more from Hunter before giving him a huge extension. It's possible that Hunter becomes a trade candidate this upcoming season, assuming the two sides can't agree on a deal.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Bleacher Report

2 years agoThe Milwaukee Bucks have officially agreed to a deal with forward Serge Ibaka. The veteran forward finished out the 2021-2022 season as a member of the Bucks. He was the third string center behind Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. That being said, Ibaka isn't expected to have much fantasy value with both of those players returning this season. The expectation is that Ibaka will have a limited role off the bench with Lopez and Portis in the mix. Possibly, Ibaka has some streaming appeal on nights where Lopez sits for rest purposes. Otherwise, Ibaka can be avoided on draft day until further notice.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Eric Nehm

2 years agoOklahoma City Thunder forward JaMychal Green has agreed to a buyout with the organization. He was recently traded along with a draft pick from the Denver Nuggets to OKC in exchange for the 30th overall pick in this year's draft. Green didn't last too long in Oklahoma City as the team didn't believe he fit their current scheme. The organization looked for a trade partner, but couldn't find anyone to take Green. That being said, the two sides agreed on a buyout, so Green can join the Golden State Warriors. He's expected to play a reserve role off the bench in Golden State. The team is attempting to replace the production of Otto Porter Jr. who left in free agency. Last season, Green averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes per game. It's unlikely that Green holds fantasy value in Golden State, assuming their starters stay relatively healthy.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania

2 years agoThe Brooklyn Nets are not looking to trade guard/forward Joe Harris. Brian Lewis of the New York Post was featured on Marc Stein's podcast recently and he stated that the team isn't viewing Harris as a salary dump and they are committed to keeping him. However, Lewis also added that a Kyrie Irving trade could potentially affect Harris' availability. If the Nets were to find the right trade package for Irving, and Harris would need to be included, then there's a chance he could be moved. The 30-year-old missed the majority of the 2021-22 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his ankle. He played in just 14 games and averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 46.6% from three-point range.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein

2 years agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard James Harden is still in the midst of negotiating his contract for the 2022-23 season. In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Harden spoke about his recent conversations with 76ers general manager Daryl Morey. Harden said, "I had conversations with Daryl, and it was explained how we could get better and what the market value was for certain players. I told Daryl to improve the roster, sign who we needed to sign and give me whatever is left over." The 32-year-old superstar also added that he was "locked in" and that he wanted to compete for a championship. Next year will be Harden's first full year with Joel Embiid and the 76ers. We'll see if he can help get the team over the hump and lead them deep into the playoffs this next year.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Yahoo! Sports

2 years agoThe New York Knicks are one of the leading candidates to land star Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. According to Marc Stein, if the team were to acquire Mitchell, they might look to trade forward Julius Randle, potentially in a deal for Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook. Yes, you read that all correctly. And yes, none of it seems to really make much sense. Randle is on a massive contract that has him locked in through the 2025-26 season. Westbrook, meanwhile, is due $47 million this year but his contract expires after the season. In this strange scenario, the Knicks would wind up with a backcourt of Mitchell, Westbrook and Jalen Brunson. We'll consider it a long shot at this point in time, but it's at least out there in the ether.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein

2 years agoOn Monday, Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook connected on a phone conversation. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, during the call the three veterans expressed their commitment to each other and to the team. The Lakers were the biggest disappointment in the league last year as they missed the playoffs after going 33-49. Westbrook has been the center of numerous trade rumors this summer and while he could potentially still be moved, it seems as if he's content with his teammates and his team at least for now.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Yahoo! Sports

2 years agoThe Sacramento Kings are signing forward Chima Moneke to a contract, according to league sources. The terms of the deal are not known at this point. Moneke is 26 years old and he spent the 2021-22 season playing for Baxi Manresa in Spain. He logged 24 minutes per game last season and averaged 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 53% from the field. He was a member of Team Nigeria at the Olympics last year, where he was coached by Mike Brown, the current head coach of the Kings.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Sean Cunningham

2 years agoDespite all of the drama surrounding Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer, it's looking more and more likely that neither player will be traded. And according to a league source, both Durant and Irving have become aware of this reality. "They know behind the scenes that it's difficult, that it's unlikely to happen," the source said. It's been about three weeks since Durant requested a trade and there has yet to be much movement in terms of a team putting together an offer that would be close to what the Nets are looking for. Irving, meanwhile, has stated that he wants to be a Net. His name has come up often in trade rumors, but none of the rumors have gained any traction.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: NJ.com

2 years agoPhoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has officially finalized his four-year deal with the organization. The young center said that he's happy to finally put free agency behind him and compete for a championship. There was plenty of uncertainty between the Suns and Ayton this offseason. At first, it didn't sound like the Suns had plans of bringing back Ayton. Now, the stud center has a new $133 million deal, so fantasy managers shouldn't have anything to worry about with Ayton heading into the new season. His fantasy value should remain reliable in Phoenix alongside Chris Paul and Devin Booker.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Kellan Olson

2 years agoThe Charlotte Hornets reportedly didn't pull their offer on Miles Bridges before the July 13 deadline. That means, technically the offer is still on the table for Bridges. Right now, his future is unclear with an upcoming court date in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This court date is in regards to his domestic abuse case. There should be more information on Bridges in the near future. It's tough to imagine Bridges playing for Charlotte again, but we'll wait and see what happens later in the week.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein