Noel up

Many people know the Philadelphia 76ers are most likely going to trade one of their young big men in Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, a front runner has emerged.

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The 22-year-old completed his second season, averaging 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.8 steals. He was selected sixth by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2013 NBA Draft.

 

No. 3 up for grabs

It’s very rare for a playoff team to have a top three pick in a draft, but that’s where the Boston Celtics are penciled in on June 23, thanks to the Brooklyn Nets. Based on what ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting, a different team could be in that position.

Boston’s general manager Danny Ainge has offered many deals, headlined by the No. 3 pick. Players connected to it include Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler, Jazz’s Gordon Hayward and either Bucks’ Jabari Parker or Khris Middleton.

According to Stein, Ainge has rejected an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers, which would’ve seen Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel go to the Celtics for the No. 3 pick.

The team also has another seven picks in this draft, including the 16th and 23rd selection. 

 

Change in the desert

According to reports, the Phoenix Suns want to move one of their point guards. 

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The team holds the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and has been connected with Providence point guard Kris Dunn.

Eric Bledsoe, who was a borderline all-star in 2014, is coming off his third knee surgery. He has three years left on a five-year, $70 million contract. 

Brendon Knight signed the same deal as Bledsoe last year. He’s been with Phoenix for the past year-and-a-half after being acquired from the Bucks in 2015.

This would mark the third guard to leave Phoenix in the past three years, which includes Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas.  

 

Manimal to Wolf pack?

According to a report, the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in the services of Denver Nugget PF Kenneth Faried.

Since being drafted by the Nuggets in the first round of 2011, Faried has been a fan favourite for his hustle and rebounding, hence the nickname Manimal.

After signing a four-year, $50 million contract extension in 2014, there have been reports the organization “isn’t crazy about him.”  

The 26-year-old has a connection with the Timberwolves franchise. New head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeua worked with him on the US National team in 2014. The team captured gold at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and Faried was named to the All-tournament team.

 

Moving once again

Last offseason the Milwaukee Bucks were the surprise winner of the Greg Monroe sweepstakes, signing the centre to a three-year, $50 million contract. According to reports the team has buyer’s remorse.

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This is an experiment the Bucks want to move on from as quickly as possible. It has gone as far as the sources saying “they don’t want him,” and to make it worst the same officials have stated the trade value for Monroe is very low.

The Portland Trail Blazers were the latest team interested, but according to Gery Woelfel, they aren’t any more.

 

Vesely’s second shot

Jan Vesely may have a second crack at the NBA. According to reports, the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans have shown interest in the Czech centre.

The sixth overall pick of the Washington Wizards in 2011 (went ahead of Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard), has played the past two season in the Euroleague.

It’s also been suggested the 6’11 centre can sign a contract as high as three-years, $30 million.

Vesely averaged 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in three seasons for the Wizards and Denver Nuggets. He did put up 18 points and six boards for Fenerbahce’s 110-96 win over the Nets in preseason a game this past October. 

 

Contract dumps

The Charlotte Hornets are willing to part ways with the 22nd overall selection in this year NBA Draft, but according to reports it comes with a price.

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Hawes has two years left at a cap hit of just over $6 million, while Lamb just signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension last season. 

 

Still in Action

The Atlanta Hawks made a splash on June 22, being a part of a three- team trade. It saw long-time Hawk Jeff Teague go to the Indiana Pacers, George Hill sent to the Utah Jazz and Atlanta receiving  Utah’s 12th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The team now has that pick and the 21st on June 23.

Some organizations would love to have two first round picks in any draft, but those picks may be involved in another trade according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

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In addition, there are still possibilities centre Al Horford and power forward Paul Millsap could be on the move. Horford, who’s been with the team since 2007 is an unrestricted free agent on July 8, while Millsap has two years remaining on a three-year, $60 plus million dollar contract he signed last year.

 

Milwaukee bound

The NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers could be losing some grit in their back court. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, PG Matthew Dellavedova has been tipped to a $10 million offer sheet from the Milwaukee Bucks.

The same source says the Detroit Pistons have showed interest in the Australian.

The 25-year-old is coming off a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Cavs. He’s set to become a restricted free agent, meaning Cleveland has the option to match any offer Dellavedova receives in July.