March 2022 Basketball Wiretap

Joel Embiid Pushed For Bradley Beal Trade Before 76ers Dealt For James Harden

Feb 25, 2022 11:10 AM

Joel Embiid was pushing the Philadelphia 76ers to trade for Bradley Beal ahead of their deal for James Harden, according to sources that spoke with Bill Simmons.

"This is what I heard," said Simmons on his podcast. "I've had pretty good intel throughout this whole thing. This is what I was hearing in the moment. That Embiid really wanted Bradley Beal and was pushing really hard for it. And was talking to him all the time. And was pushing, pushing, pushing. And part of the reason the trade stuff took so long was because there was this Sixers' side that wanted Harden. Obviously Daryl [Morey], because Harden is his guy. But Embiid really wanted Beal because he felt like he was a better fit. And was pushing, pushing, pushing.

"Then Beal gets hurt. But then Embiid is still pushing. 'No, no, no, Beal, Beal, Beal.' Still working on him. And then Beal's like, 'I'm out.' And he gets surgery. And then that's how we end up with the Harden situation."

The announcement that Beal would undergo season-ending surgery came two days before the trade deadline. 

While Zach Lowe was a guest on the podcast with Simmons and didn't interject, he previously reported that there is a theory going around the NBA that Harden could take less money in hopes of Philadelphia signing a third star this offseason. Beal projects to be the highest profile free agent this summer.

Bill Simmons/The Ringer

Tags: Bradley Beal, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Philadelphia Sixers, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rich Paul, LeBron James Have No Friction With Lakers

Feb 24, 2022 4:07 PM

There have been reports of issues between LeBron James and Rob Pelinka as the Los Angeles Lakers in which his future with the franchise has come into question.

James was disappointed when the Lakers didn't make a move at the trade deadline. 

"I spoke to Rich Paul," said Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show. "Rich Paul told me there is no issues between him and the Lakers. There's no issues between Klutch Sports and Rob Pelinka. There is no issue between LeBron and the Lakers.

"Rich is an agent that has made a history of going on the record. If you feel a certain way, he's not afraid to hide it. For him to say that and he did go on the record today when I spoke with him. There's no friction. There is of course a level of frustration."

James will be eligible for a contract extension with the Lakers this offseason.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kemba Walker, Knicks Agree He'll Miss Rest Of Season, Work On Trade In Offseason

Feb 23, 2022 4:53 PM

Kemba Walker and the New York Knicks have agreed that he will remain out for the remainder of the season, which will allow him to work out in preparation of the 22-23 season. With Walker on an expiring deal in the offseason, the Knicks and agent Jeff Schwartz will work on trade scenarios. 

Walker signed a two-year deal with the Knicks in the offseason. 

Tom Thibodeau dropped Walker from the Knicks' playing rotation in mid-November, after he averaged 11.7 points in the team's first 18 games. Walker returned in December following injuries and COVID-19 absences.

Walker moved in and out of the Knicks' lineup with knee soreness in January.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Kemba Walker, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Likely To Trade Richaun Holmes In Offseason

Feb 23, 2022 4:40 PM

The Sacramento Kings are likely to trade Richaun Holmes this coming offseason.

Sources tell the Sacramento Bee that the Kings worked to trade Holmes leading right up to the deadline earlier this month.

The Kings re-signed Holmes on a four-year, $46.5 million deal that includes a 15 percent trade kicker. The Kings, however, traded for Domantas Sabonis shortly before the deadline.

Holmes is adjusting to a reserve role after starting 136 of 142 games over three seasons. 

Jason Anderson/Sacramento Bee

Tags: Richaun Holmes, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Talked 2027 Pick Swap With Lakers In Russell Westbrook, John Wall Trade

Feb 23, 2022 9:34 AM

On a recent episode of The Lowe Post, Zach Lowe opened with a monologue of where the Los Angeles Lakers sit after the trade deadline. Lowe recapped the Lakers non-activity at the deadline, and LeBron James putting Los Angeles on notice with his recent comments at All-Star weekend.

With his opening segment, Lowe also added a new detail about the rumored Russell Westbrook for John Wall swap that the Lakers talked with the Houston Rockets. Previous reporting was that the Rockets were insistent on getting the Lakers 2027 first-round pick to take on Westbrook. Lowe reported that Houston's demands dropped to the right to swap first-round picks in 2027 with trading Wall for Westbrook.

The Lakers weren't interested in doing the deal, even with the lessened demands. That left Los Angeles with their roster as is, as they head into the stretch run of the season.

Zach Lowe/ ESPN

Tags: Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor

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Damian Lillard: I'm Loyal To What I Believe

Feb 18, 2022 1:23 PM

Damian Lillard spoke to Complex about his future following a series of trades by the Portland Trail Blazers that will reshape the around him.

"I think any time you say you love something or care about something… it’s not always going to be peaches and cream," said Lillard. "You don’t know when that moment or breakthrough is going to come. Especially if you’ve done things the right way for so long, which I have. I’ve treated people the right way, I’ve done things the right way, I haven’t skipped steps. My process, which is why I’ve been able to get better each year of my career. I think something that’s important people realize is that it’s a business. Everybody’s like, 'Oh this person’s loyal, that person’s loyal.' They kind of throw that word around loosely. But, for me, I’m loyal to what I believe. I do love living in Portland. I do love playing for the Trail Blazers. But I’ve built this. I’ve been part of this for 10 years. I’ve been part of the change here and us being a successful franchise. I know what means something to me in my heart. And that’s winning a championship here. That’s why I’m so committed to that. And that’s my personal feelings. That’s being loyal to how I feel and how I operate. It is what it is. That’s what I want to see happen and I remain just committed to that as long as that’s the goal, that’s the plan."

Adam Caparell/Complex

Tags: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pelicans Offered Multiple Packages To Grizzlies At 2019 Draft For Ja Morant

Feb 16, 2022 8:39 AM

At the 2019 NBA draft, the New Orleans Pelicans were intrigued by the possibility of pairing AAU teammates Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. The Pelicans offered the Memphis Grizzlies multiple packages that included the No. 4 pick, but all were rebuffed.

The Grizzlies have subsequently become one of the Western Conference's best teams with a young core around Morant. Williamson has struggled with injuries during his first three seasons with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans traded down from No. 4 instead of taking Darius Garland and ended up with Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Garland, like Morant, is an All-Star in his third season.

Christian Clark/Times Picayune

Tags: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Nets Were Interested In Three-Team Ben Simmons Trade Last Season

Feb 15, 2022 5:56 PM

The interest from the Brooklyn Nets in Ben Simmons dates back to when the Philadelphia 76ers made him available in a trade for James Harden with the Houston Rockets at the start of the 20-21 season.

"Another little tidbit to bolster my first fake conspiracy theory is that I've heard, and I think this is accurate, that the Nets.. so Harden said 'I wanted the Sixers originally when I got traded to the Nets' I'm pretty confident when that first started happening, the Nets were interested in Ben Simmons," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "They obviously preferred Harden and chose Harden. They would have been happy to get Simmons as the outcome of a three-team trade. So here we are."

After the situation with Harden became untenable leading to the 2022 trade deadline, the Nets acquired Simmons along with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first round picks. When the Nets traded for Harden, they sent out Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert as well as first round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026 plus pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027.

During Harden's introductory press conference in Philadelphia, Daryl Morey referenced the possibility of a three-team trade last season and that it would have been the best outcome for all parties. 

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Tags: Ben Simmons, James Harden, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia Sixers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Nets Were Close To Trading Nic Claxton To Raptors For First Round Pick

Feb 15, 2022 4:43 PM

The Brooklyn Nets were close to a trade at the deadline with the Toronto Raptors involving Nic Claxton. The Nets have a surplus of centers in Claxton, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Drummond, Day'ron Sharpe and Blake Griffin, while they lack wings with size.

"I think one thing that happened at the trade deadline that I heard was that they were very close to a deal with Toronto that would have sent Claxton to Toronto for a first round pick and some protections on it," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "I think their intention was to sort of refit the roster by maybe flipping that pick for another wing, another shooter. Robert Covington's name was mentioned. And sort of balance it out. That trade fell apart and Toronto went in another direction."

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Tags: Nicolas Claxton, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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James Harden: Philly Was My First Choice When Traded From Rockets

Feb 15, 2022 12:31 PM

During his introductory press conference with the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden said his new franchise was his first choice when he was traded from the Houston Rockets. There were reports last week, however, that Tillman Fertitta gave Harden the opportunity to pick between the 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.

"Originally, when I was going through everything I was going through in Houston, Philly was my first choice," said Harden."It just didn’t happen. Details, I don't really want to get into the Brooklyn situation. I knew for a very long time this was a perfect fit."

Harden went on to compliment the "best big man in the league" in Joel Embiid and the coaching and front office.

"From top to bottom, it made sense. I'm just happy and blessed that I'm here... I'm excited for the perfect opportunity."

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: James Harden, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia Sixers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Lakers Could Have Traded Russell Westbrook Without Outright Giving Up Pick, Not Ready To Give Up On Him

Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Kevin Durant Initially Resisted James Harden Trade, Pushed For It At Deadline

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Knicks No Longer Hold Same Appeal For Damian Lillard

Marc Berman/New York Post

Nets Began Negotiating James Harden Trade With 76ers In Early February

Yaron Weitzman/Fox Sports

Rich Paul Pitched Kevin Durant On James Harden For Ben Simmons Trade In January

Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Ben Simmons, Doc Rivers Began Communicating In Recent Weeks

Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

James Harden Directly Told Sean Marks, Joe Tsai He Wanted Trade From Nets To 76ers

Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Source Refutes Rob Pelinka Claim He Consulted LeBron James, Anthony Davis On Deadline Plans

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Lakers Explored Trading Russell Westbrook To Kings For Buddy Hield

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Kings Approached Hawks On John Collins Trade Leading To Deadline

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Acquiring James Harden Was Major Reason Why 76ers Hired Daryl Morey

Keith Pompey/Philadelphia Inquirer

Pelicans Waived Physical As Part Of Trade For CJ McCollum

Bobby Marks/ESPN

Lakers Declined Rockets' Offer Of John Wall For Russell Westbrook, 2027 First Rounder

Chris Haynes/Yahoo! Sports

Nets Waive DeAndre Bembry To Create Roster Spot For Trade

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

James Harden, Kyrie Irving Had Friction As Teammates This Season

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Lakers Had Several Potential Trades Fall Through As Rival Teams Sought Unrealistic Returns

Bill Oram/The Athletic

76ers' Refusal To Include Matisse Thybulle Led To Two First Round Picks Going To Nets

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Celtics Acquire Daniel Theis From Rockets For Dennis Schroder, Enes Kanter

Kelly Iko/The Athletic

Suns Acquire Aaron Holiday From Wizards

Shams Charania/The Athletic

James Harden Opts Into $47.3M Player Option For 22-23 As Part Of Trade To 76ers

Shams Charania/The Athletic