May 2020 Basketball Wiretap

Victor Oladipo Reportedly Looking To Move On From Pacers

Sep 28, 2020 4:33 PM

Victor Oladipo is looking to move on from the Indiana Pacers, sources tell Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

Oladipo and the Pacers briefly discussed an extension before the start of the 19-20 season.

Oladipo's future with the Pacers has been speculated about in the media, but Kevin Pritchard has publicly said he believes the All-Star wants to remain with the franchise

Oladipo can become a free agent in 2021.

Jared Weiss/The Athletic

Tags: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Haven't Waned In Commitment To Clippers

Sep 21, 2020 3:58 PM

While the Los Angeles Clippers failed to reach the Western Conference Finals in the first season Kawhi Leonard and Paul George played together, their commitment to the project has not waned.

Players and coaches from the Clippers left the arena following their Game 7 loss to the Denver Nuggets dejected, but still optimistic about the 20-21 season.

Both Leonard and George can become free agents in 2021.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jazz Could Buy Into Second Round Of 2020 Draft, Have Interest In Derrick Favors Reunion

Sep 19, 2020 5:07 PM

The Utah Jazz are open to buying into the second round of the upcoming draft, sources told Tony Jones of The Athletic.

The team, which currently has the 23rd pick in the first round, does not have a second round pick.

The Athletic also reports that there is mutual interest between the Jazz and Derrick Favors, with the bi-annual exception slated to be roughly $3.6 million.

Favors, who was traded to the Pelicans last offseason, is an unrestricted free agent. 

Tony Jones/The Athletic

Tags: Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Sees Himself With Bucks 'As Long As Everybody's Fighting For The Same Thing'

Sep 18, 2020 4:06 PM

The future of Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most pressing issues in the offseason as he becomes eligible for a supermax contract before potentially becoming a free agent in 2021.

"As long as everybody's fighting for the same thing ... which is to be a champion, I don't see why not to be in Milwaukee for the next 15 years," Antetokounmpo told Ernie Johnson on NBA TV after accepting the trophy.

Antetokounmpo had a three-hour meeting with Marc Lasry this week.

"Obviously, I would like to keep that conversation I had with the ownership and my coach and the general manager private, but at the end of the day, every team has got to improve. It's simple. You've got to be better than what you were last year. If you did not win the whole thing, you've got to get better," Antetokounmpo said. "If you win the whole thing, you've got to get better and do it again. So, for now, our team has got to get better. I think we have great talent and as long as we improve individually and improve as a team we're gonna be in a good spot.

"I left the meeting encouraged and was happy with what we discussed and for now, we're on the same page. I was happy that they came and we had this long conversation about how we're gonna get better and about things for the future but, as I said, I was happy," he continued. "I left the conversation encouraged, but I've been encouraged my whole career in Milwaukee. I know that we've gotten better each year and I know that Milwaukee has great people that view every year the same I do every year which is to play well, improve and win it all. So, I've always been encouraged but after the meeting I was encouraged, too."


Eric Woodyard/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bucks 'Highly Unlikely' To Trade For Chris Paul

Sep 16, 2020 2:01 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks consider a trade for Chris Paul as "highly unlikely," sources with knowledge of ownership's thinking tell Eric Nehm and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Paul is owed $41.3 million next season and also has a player option for $44.2 million in 21-22.

The Bucks would prefer to look elsewhere due to a combination of Paul's salary and also the uncertainity of how his personality would mesh with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are widely expected to consider a trade of Paul this offseason. 

 

Eric Nehm, Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Chris Paul, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Clippers Could Upgrade Roster Via Trade Taking On Long-Term Money

Sep 16, 2020 12:08 AM

League sources that spoke with Brian Windhorst of ESPN believe the Los Angeles Clippers could piece together existing players on their roster in a trade to bring in more talent if they're willing to take on long-term money.

Steve Ballmer is the NBA's richest owner with a net worth above $70 billion and the Clippers could take advantage of the financial uncertainty other teams.

As one rival executive said: "You've heard of the saying, 'In for a dime, in for a dollar?' Well they're in for 95 cents, in for a dollar."

Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could become free agents in 2021.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Marc Lasry Confirms Bucks Will Pay Luxury Tax In Meeting With Giannis Antetokounmpo

Sep 14, 2020 12:58 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Marc Lasry met for a three-hour lunch on Friday to review the Milwaukee Bucks' season and discuss the future of the franchise. 

Larry confirmed the Bucks' willingness to sped into the luxury tax during the meeting while the two also discussed ways the roster can be improved. Milwaukee payroll for 20-21 will be close to the proposed $132.7 million threshold.

Antetokounmpo agreed to meet with Lasry again once he returns from a vacation.

The Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo will be eligible for a supermax contract extension this offseason and can become a free agent in 2021.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bucks Will Explore Trading Eric Bledsoe

Sep 10, 2020 10:43 AM

The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to consider a trade of Eric Bledsoe this offseason.

Bledsoe signed a four-year, $70 million extension in March of 2019 instead of testing free agency.

Bledsoe was an All-Defensive team player, but the Bucks could upgrade from him in terms of playmaking.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bucks Still Considered Favorites For Giannis Antetokounmpo In 2021

Sep 9, 2020 2:39 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone on record to say he won't request a trade this offseason and now league sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer they "consider the Bucks the clear favorite for Giannis in 2021."

The Bucks have also been adamant they won't consider trading Antetokounmpo this offseason.

Antetokounmpo can sign a supermax extension this offseason.

If Antetokounmpo becomes available, the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have been mentioned as teams expected to pursue him.

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Clippers Expected To Pursue Deal For Giannis Antetokounmpo

Sep 9, 2020 2:33 PM

The Los Angeles Clippers plan to pursue a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to multiple league sources.

One of the sources said Antetokounmpo has an “admiration” for Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. 

Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can become free agents in the summer of 2021. The Clippers have limited trade capital following their deal for George during the 2019 offseason.

Sources say the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks also have interest in pursuing Antetokounmpo.

But league sources say they consider the Milwaukee Bucks as the clear favorite to retain him in 2021.

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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76ers 'Seriously Debate Idea' Of Chris Paul Trade

Kevin O'Connor/The Ringer

Giannis Antetokounmpo Says He Won't Request Trade From Bucks

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

Bucks Adamant They Won't Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo If He Rejects Supermax

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Bucks Expected To Pursue Trade For Chris Paul

Marc Stein/New York Times

NBA Offseason Will Have 'Big Movement' In Trade Market

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Thunder Could Signal Intent To Rebuild With Chris Paul Trade

Royce Young/ESPN

Celtics Never Offered Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown To Pelicans For Anthony Davis

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Wolves Expected To Pursue Trade Options With No. 1 Pick

Sam Vecenie/The Athletic