The wheeling and dealing begins

Free agent signings in the NBA has yet to officially start on Saturday yet transactions had already been agreed in principle between some teams. 

In their title retention bid, the LA Lakers dealt their 28th pick for the 2020 Draft and Danny Green for OKC’s Dennis Schroeder.  The 27-year old German national, who plays the point, was Atlanta’s 17th pick overall in 2013 and with his career averages of 14pts, almost 5 assists and 2 rebounds per game, is hoped to add more scoring depth to the Lakers.

Chris Paul is also moving out of OKC and will be in Phoenix as their starting point guard.  This will give the Suns more production from Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and DeAndre Ayton.  The Thunder gets the Suns’ 25th pick, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Jalen Lecque.  CP3 brought OKC to the playoffs this season and he’ll be given the same job for Phoenix this time. 

With the LAL and PHX transactions, OKC guaranteed their rebuild with ridiculous amounts of future first round draft picks until 2026.

As of this writing, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis opted out of their contracts but AD is expected to re-sign, with four contract options to choose.   Syaro pa ka’g di mo pirma.  Gordon Hayward is yet to decide if he stays with Boston.  DeMar DeRozan (SAS) and Mike Conley (UTA) opted in for $34.5m and $27.7m respectively for the 2020-2021 season.

One contending Western Conference team is about to implode if rumors are to be believed.  Coach Mike D’Antoni and GM Daryl Morey already left the team one after the other.  Both had found jobs in Brooklyn and Philadelphia respectively.  With locker room disharmony and frustration among some role players, James Harden and Russell Westbrook reportedly wants to rocket out of Houston. 

Harden is eyeing a move either to Philadelphia or to Brooklyn and if he lands with the Nets, will be reunited with former OKC teammate Kevin Durant and former Rockets coach D’Antoni.  On paper, the trio of KD, Harden and Kyrie Irving is formidable but Brooklyn will probably have to give up Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen to have number 13.  Yup, three superstars and that’s it.  The trio is not exactly known for their defense and because they’ll be lacking in depth, the Nets will drown.  Houston is more inclined in building around Harden and is open to releasing Westbrook. 

Charlotte and New York are attracted to Westbrook.  Except for these two teams and with about $130m owed to him for the next three seasons, there is very little interest in him.  He reportedly wants out because he’s not happy with the team’s offense which was centered on Harden.  Buaya feels?