Bookmark. Save. Do your thing. We will be providing constant updates on this page as it relates to the biggest NBA trade rumors with the 2023 NBA offseason quickly approaching.
Damian Lillard linked to two Eastern Conference teams
This seven-time All-Star went on record recently indicating that he believes he’ll be back with the Portland Trail Blazers for a 12th season. That all depends on what Portland does in the 2023 NBA Draft. It boasts the No. 3 overall pick and has been talking to teams about moving said selection as part of a package for a proven star to team up with Lillard.
If Portland keeps that pick, there is a darn good chance that Dame will finally request a trade. If so, the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets have come up as potential landing spots. In particular, Lillard has been linked a lot to the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Either way, this situation should play out in real time with the draft getting going on June 22.
Chris Paul situation and NBA trade rumors involving star
Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reported recently that the Suns have informed Paul that they plan on waiving him ahead of free agency. While other reports have come out indicating that Phoenix is still deciding on the best path forward for the future Hall of Famer, it’s clear that CP3 won’t return for a fourth season in the desert.
There’s still a chance that Phoenix finds a trade partner for the 38-year-old Paul. Though, his advanced age coupled with recent injury issues and a $30.8 million salary for next season complicates things. Either way, Paul will be on the move this summer.
Denver Nuggets planning summertime move?
Currently just two wins from earning their first NBA title, the Nuggets pulled off a surprising trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In said trade, Denver acquired a second-round pick (37th overall) in this month’s draft as well as a first and second rounder in 2024 for a protected 2029 first-round pick.
This gives Denver the 37th and 40th picks as well as future draft capital to pull off another trade. It’s rare that a team pulls off a move during the postseason. One now has to wonder whether Denver has a veteran in mind with these new-found selections.
Kyrie Irving recruiting LeBron James to Big D
Rumors have consistently pointed to Kyrie Irving potentially rejoining forces with LeBron James in Southern California after the two won a title together with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in their careers.
That’s why this recent report suggesting that Irving is recruiting James to the Dallas Mavericks is so surprising. Unlike Irving, James is currently under contract. He would have to force his way to the Mavericks via a trade.
This remains a highly unlikely scenario. First off, Dallas might not have the assets to pull off a trade of this ilk. Secondly, there are no indications as of yet that James will force his way from the Los Angeles Lakers. Sure, he’s said to be contemplating retirement. But moving on from the Lakers to join a struggling Mavericks team makes very little sense. The finances are also complicated. As for Irving, there’s really nothing to him heading to the Lakers at this point.
New York Knicks keeping an eye on Joel Embiid situation
Shoot for the stars or miss. That’s been the New York Knicks MO over the past several years. Even with general manager Scott Perry gone, this has not changed. Speculation continues to arise that the Knicks are going to make a play for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid should things spiral out of control between the two sides.
At this point, it’s been pure media speculation. However, things are being left open behind the scenes that suggests New York is keeping a close eye on the situation. Following the 76ers’ premature exit in this year’s NBA Playoffs and the firing of head coach Doc Rivers, things are up in the air. Whether hiring Nick Nurse to replace Embiid changes the dynamics remains to be seen. But expect NBA trade rumors to continue linking Embiid to New York.
Latest on the Los Angeles Lakers
The odds are that LeBron James will return to the Lakers for a sixth season after leading them to the Western Conference Finals. However, there are a ton of other questions relating to this roster heading into the offseason.
Among them is the future of impending free agent guard D’Angelo Russell. Recent reports indicate that the Lakers could be looking to use Russell in a sign-and-trade as part of a package for a star guard. However, the Dallas Mavericks have no interest in Russell in a deal involving Kyrie Irving.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles has to worry about retaining breakout star Austin Reaves. He’s set to become a restricted free agent and could be priced out of the Lakers’ market. That could, too, lead to sign-and-trade discussions.
Related: Updated Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors
Boston Celtics unlikely to trade Jaylen Brown
Despite Boston’s loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals, it seems highly unlikely that Brown will be dealt during the summer. Rumors had popped up in this regard with the wing questioning his own future in Boston. That has died down some.
Instead, it now looks like the Celtics are willing to offer Brown a supermax contract extension during the summer. Said deal would come in at $290 million over five years, creating some financial hurdles for Boston with Jayson Tatum also eligible for a super max.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA Draft rumors
Golden State Warriors could move a couple youngsters
With Bob Myers having stepped down from his role as GM and the Warriors coming off a premature exit in the playoffs, their championship window is narrowing. It has led to NBA trade rumors pointing in the direction of young guard Jordan Poole potentially being on the move. He’s seen as a talented, but enigmatic youngster. Poole averaged north of 20 points per game during the 2022-23 regular season before struggles in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, rumors point in the direction of 20-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga requesting a trade. He played exceedingly well during the end of the regular season, but was surprisingly taken out of the rotation during the playoffs. Of the two, Kuminga likely offers more trade value. Golden State could look to package the two for another star player, too.
Are the Atlanta Hawks going to trade Trae Young?
Surprising reports ahead of the NBA Playoffs surfaced regarding this Hawks star. Apparently, Atlanta’s ownership group has given general manager Landry Fields permission to seek out a Young trade during the summer.
Atlanta went on to fall to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. It seems as if the disappointment of the past two seasons coupled with a rift between Young and the Hawks’ organization has things potentially headed for a divorce. While it remains unlikely, Young could be one of the big-name stars moved this summer.
Related: NBA trade rumors, a look at ideal Trae Young destinations
Houston Rockets have star young guard Jalen Green on trade block
It’s not a secret that Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is going big-game hunting this coming summer. Houston has already been linked to its former star, James Harden, on a never-ending loop.
We’re now hearing NBA trade rumors surrounding 2021 No. 2 overall pick, guard Jalen Green. Said rumors suggest that Houston would be willing to part with Green if it is able to get a true star in return. The youngster averaged a solid 22.1 points per game this past season but shot just 42% from the field. It remains to be seen whether another team will view Green as a central component in a potential blockbuster.
NBA trade rumors: Quick hitters
- Reports continue to surface linking the Minnesota Timberwolves to a trade of All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns. After a second consecutive first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs, it makes sense to change things up. Two bigs in today’s NBA might not work out well. After exhausting a ton of capital on Rudy Gobert last summer, he offers very little value on the trade block. Hence, why KAT could be had.
- An unnamed NBA executive claims that New York Knicks star R.J. Barrett would be involved in any blockbuster trade for a star player this summer. In order to pull off a trade for someone like Damian Lillard or Karl-Anthony Towns, Barrett would likely have to be included.
- As noted above, the Blazers are looking to move off the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. We’re now getting more information on who Portland might be targeting. NBA trade rumors point to Mikal Bridges, Pascal Siakam and Jaylen Brown. Of that group, Siakam is the one most readily available on the trade block.
- The Toronto Raptors are discussing a deal that would enable them to move up from the 13th pick in the draft to No. 4 overall with the Houston Rockets. Based on what we know about Houston’s offseason plans, this would likely lead to either OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam heading to the Rockets. In return, the Raptors would target one of two twin brothers in the draft.
Keep tuned to this page for continued updates on our NBA trade rumors.
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This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
