Basketball Wiretap

Victor Wembanayma 'Intrigued' By Idea Of Playing With Trae Young

May 13, 2024 10:23 AM

The San Antonio Spurs are expected to pursue a point guard this offseason to add alongside Victor Wembanyama, with one potential target believed to be Trae Young. Wembanyama is believed to at least be "intrigued" by the possibility of the Spurs trading for Young.

"I will say I've talked to people who know Wemby who have indicated he is at least intrigued by that idea," said Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast. "Now, intrigued by that idea and pounding the table are two very different things. I have no idea whether Gregg Popovich would be intrigued by the idea."

"He's not classically a Popovich player, Trae Young," said Brian Windhorst.

The theory of the Spurs trading for Young is that he would vastly improve their offense, while Wembanyama is a special enough defensive player to help reduce Young's defensive limitations. 

San Antonio is in a unique situation to trade for Young as they own two lottery picks in this year's draft and also control Atlanta's draft for the next three years. 

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Tags: Victor Wembanyama, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Hawks Considered More Likely To Trade Trae Young Than Dejoute Murray

May 13, 2024 10:07 AM

The Atlanta Hawks are considered more likely to trade Trae Young than Dejounte Murray this offseason. The Hawks shopped Murray at this season's trade deadline, but decided not to make a deal involving him.

"The Atlanta Hawks are candidates to make a trade this offseason," said Brian Windhorst. "With likely Trae Young. I won't rule out Dejounte Murray, but I think they're keeping Dejounte Murray."

Young is believed to have more trade value across the league than Murray and is also on a far more expensive contract as the Hawks look to decrease salary. 

The Hawks won the lottery on Sunday, which allows them to reset their roster but also automatically increases their salary obligations. 

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Likely To Shop Third Overall Pick

May 13, 2024 8:53 AM

The Houston Rockets had some luck in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery. The Rockets, who got their pick from the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden trade in 2021, moved from the ninth overall pick to the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Now, Houston GM Rafael Stone is expected to shop the third pick in trade talks to bring in a veteran player. The Rockets signed several veteran free agents in the 2023 offseason. Those players helped Houston improve from 22 wins in 2022-23 to 41 wins in 2023-24.

In addition to adding the vets, the Rockets still have a good young core. That has Houston looking at options for more win-now help, as opposed to adding another young player to the core of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith II, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Bronny James Medically Cleared By NBA

May 13, 2024 9:03 AM

Bronny James has been medically cleared by the NBA's Fitness to Play Panel. That means James is fully cleared to participate in the 2024 NBA Draft process.

Last summer, James went into cardiac arrest. It was discovered he had a congenital heart defect and he had surgery to repair to it. James then spent several months recovering before making his collegiate debut on December 10.

The 6-foot-4 guard then played 25 games for the Trojans in his freshman season. James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game.

After being medically cleared, James is expected to stay in the draft. He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and to return to play college basketball.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Bronny James, USC Trojans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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James Borrego, JJ Redick Prominent Candidates For Next Lakers Coach

May 13, 2024 9:53 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to ramp up the process of hiring their next head coach this week. The Lakers, like all teams, are in Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine this week. Los Angeles is expected to begin asking permission to interview assistant coaches, while also deciding what other candidates to bring in. Two prominent candidates for the Lakers are James Borrego and JJ Redick.

Borrego is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. Before joining the Pelicans, he was the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets for four seasons. Borrego went 138-163 with Charlotte, but his team improved to 43-39 in his final season in 2021-22. While with the Pelicans, Borrego has been credited with improving the offense, which has seen New Orleans play through Zion Williamson more often.

Redick has no coaching experience. He retired as a player in 2021. Since then, Redick has worked in the media as a podcast host, studio analyst and now as an analyst on ESPN's top announcing team. Teams respect Redick's understanding of the game, and his approach of marrying analytics to traditional tactics. Redick is also respected by Lakers star LeBron James, who co-host a basketball podcast with the former NBA shooting guard.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tim Connelly Likely To Remain With Wolves Unless Pistons Offer Significantly Larger Contract

May 13, 2024 11:54 AM

The Detroit Pistons plan on pursuing Tim Connelly to run their front office, sources tell James L. Edwards III and Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Connelly is expected to opt out of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves even if he intends to stay with the franchise. Connelly is considered likely to return to the Wolves, but an offer from the Pistons worth approximately $15 million per season could sway the decision. 

The Wolves hired Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets in 2022, but he has an opt-out this offseason. 

The Milwaukee Bucks denied permission from the Pistons to interview Jon Horst for the job.

James L. Edwards III, Shams Charania of The Athletic

Tags: Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Dennis Lindsey, Trajan Langdon, Marc Eversley Emerge As Candidates For Pistons' Job

May 13, 2024 11:59 AM

While Tim Connelly is likely the Detroit Pistons' top candidate to run their front office and Jon Horst will not be made available for an interview, a number of other candidates have emerged.

Trajan Langdon, Dennis Lindsey and Marc Eversley are among the potential candidates for the Pistons, sources tell James L. Edwards III and Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Langdon is currently general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans under David Griffin.

Lindsey is in an advisory role with the Dallas Mavericks. 

Eversley is general manager of the Chicago Bulls under Arturas Karnisovas. Eversley was a candidate for the Pistons in 2020 before they hired Troy Weaver.

James L. Edwards III, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Anthony Edwards On Jamal Murray: Keep Talking Like That

May 13, 2024 12:29 PM

After his frustration level reached a boiling point in Game 2, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets have bounced back to tie the series at 2-2 by winning both games at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Murray appears to be have his confidence back, which did not go unnoticed by Anthony Edwards.

As the game ended, Edwards and Murray crossed paths with the Wolves' star clapping his hands, nodding his head and watching Murray.

"I just told his ass we love that," said Edwards after Game 4. "'Keep talking [like] that. That's what we like.' Well, I loved it. He didn't say nothing back. But I'm pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. You live for that."

Murray had 19 points in the game, including a 55-footer to beat the halftime buzzer.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Grizzlies To Explore Trade Market For No. 9 Pick

May 13, 2024 2:43 PM

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to evaluate trade opportunities for the No. 9 overall pick, sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN.

The Grizzlies are treating their 23-24 season as a gap of year of sorts as Ja Morant began the season suspended and then suffered a season-ending injury. The Grizzlies could look to turn the lottery pick into a veteran contributor.

Memphis, however, isn't determined to trading the pick and instead "will look at everything."

With the 2024 NBA draft considered one of the weaker ones in recent memory, the trade packages for No. 9 could be limited. 

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Hornets Hire Josh Longstaff As Assistant Coach

May 13, 2024 12:22 PM

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to hire Josh Longstaff on the coaching staff of Charles Lee.

Longstaff most recently was an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls under Billy Donovan.

Longstaff has also worked under Mike Budenholzer with the Milwaukee Bucks and as a G League head coach.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Great Osobor To Transfer To Washington With $2M In NIL Deals Incoming

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

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