Latest on Nets-Kyrie Irving Trade Talks
Although Brooklyn isn’t actively trying to trade Kyrie Irving amid his indefinite absence because of New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday the Nets have “taken incoming calls” about Irving. The report doubled-down on Brooklyn not making any calls themselves to inform other teams he’s available. It’s worth noting that the 76ers and Nets have not had any discussions in regards to a potential Ben Simmons-Kyrie Irving swap.
ESPN’s Jordan Schultz added to the report stating that Brooklyn is “clearly sitting tight” right now, as one western conference executive said, “in other words” even if the Nets were to move Irving, it wouldn’t be anytime soon.
Latest on Raptors-Ben Simmons Talks
The Raptors are one of many teams that remain interested in Ben Simmons.
Yet, it’s unclear what Toronto is willing to give up in a deal. The team may not want to part with OG Anunobyand Pascal Siakam appears off the table, longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein writes on Substack.
[Related: Sixers reportedly have ‘mystery team’ interested in Ben Simmons]
Toronto “loves” Anunoby, so although the forward would be a fit in Philadelphia, it’s going to be difficult for Masai Ujiri to surrender him a deal.
Stein adds that the Sixers may end up having to settle for a package heavier in draft picks than they want.
The draft compensation involved in any eventual Simmons trade figures to be a difference-making variable, but the Raptors have the base talent to outbid numerous teams (if they choose) when Philadelphia finally reaches the point that it concedes it is no longer tenable to hold out for a star on Damian Lillard’s or Bradley Beal’s level
The Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Pacers are among the other teams interested in Simmons in addition to the Raptors.
Marvin Bagley Looking for Escape From Sacramento
Marvin Bagley isn’t in the Kings’ rotation to start the season and the former No. 2 pick clearly wants out of town.
“Sacramento has informed Marvin Bagley he is not in the opening night rotation, which is completely baffling,” Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports (Bagley’s agent) said in a statement.
“It’s clear they have no plans for him in the future, and yet, passed on potential deals at last year’s deadline and this summer based on ‘value.’ Instead, they chose to bring him back but not to play him, a move completely contradictory to their ‘value’ argument. This is a case study in mismanagement by the Kings organization.”
Bagley didn’t suit up in the team’s opener against the Blazers.
Quick Hits
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After Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard needed to be separated after exchanging words while the Lakers were getting blown out vs. Suns, veteran guard Rajon Rondo weighed in on a potential altercation between the two.
“It can happen. … But nevertheless, like I said, those two guys, I wouldn’t say they’re best friends, but they get along very well,” Rondo said, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
- The Thunder still have eyes for Collin Sexton. OKC is reportedly intrigued with the Sexton-SGA pairing.
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James Harden doesn’t plan on leaving the Nets despite not reaching an extension with the team before the deadline.
- Damian Lillard reiterated that he’s not leaving Portland after an offseason where it appeared he was at least considering it. “I think a big part of (my change in mindset) was me and Chauncey’s conversations, and where we see things the same,” Lillard said.
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Per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, one NBA general manager said a DeAndre Ayton trade is “definitely not” on the table at this point.
“The Suns still have a lot of the leverage in this,” the GM added. “But if they really don’t think the situation is going to change, then, yeah, they’d have to consider maybe making a move sooner than later.”
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