A host of NBA superstars could choose to stay right where they are in free agency, while the Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly put a huge price on the head of one of their stars.
There are also rumblings in Portland that there may be trouble with Damian Lillard.
Catch the biggest whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of NBA Rumor Mill!
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LILLARD SMILED OVER PORTLAND’S MOVE
Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard has made it abundantly clear that he does not want to be part of a rebuild and had hoped the team would have traded its No. 3 pick in the draft for more help.
However, Portland instead stuck with their pick and selected Scoot Henderson.
The fact that the Trail Blazers chose to pick a player at No. 3 reportedly made Lillard and his representatives unhappy, about The Rosenhave report Sean Highkin.
Highkin reports that all parties will now have a “conversation” as they plan the way forward, whatever that may look like.
If Lillard officially wanted out, he would have no shortage of potential suitors, although he has written that he would like to move to Miami or Brooklyn.
WARRIORS’ CORE TO STAY INTACT IN THE ‘PLOTTING’ OF RIVALS FOR LATE PUSH
Maybe the Golden State Warriors’ core won’t be broken up after all.
Draymond Green was set to become an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option for the 2023/24 season and already drawing serious interest from elsewhere.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, The Memphis Grizzlies had a “strong interest” in Green and “planned” to make a push for his signature.
However, Stein claims Green is now unlikely to go anywhere, with “nothing but strong confidence” from the Warriors that a multi-year deal can be done.
It remains to be seen how much Green could get in his new deal, but the 33-year-old reposted a graphic from ESPN on Instagram in which Stephen A. Smith said he was “easily worth another $100 million.”
SIXERS’ BONKERS STAR-MAKING AWARD DRAWN
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t been too keen on trading Tobias Harris unless they could get a serious return from a trade partner.
It has now been revealed just how extravagant a trade package the Sixers asked for.
In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, the Cavaliers, Pacers and Pistons all called in on Harris’ availability.
But according to Philadelphia Inquirers Keith Pompey, Harris wasn’t going to come cheap.
When the Cavaliers made inquiries before the draft, the Sixers wanted a draft pick, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley – two of Cleveland’s key players.
Whether the Sixers soften their stance remains to be seen, but it’s clear they want a big return from potential trade partners.
HARDEN SET TO DRIVE IT BACK?
There had been plenty of talk surrounding James Harden’s future after his lackluster showing at the end of the Sixers’ playoff run this season.
The Sixers’ exit threw Harden’s future under a cloud of uncertainty as rumors of a return to the Houston Rockets were rife.
But Stein claims the site the superstar is likely to stay in Philadelphia as the idea of him re-signing “has gained momentum” in recent weeks.
The 33-year-old has a player option on the table but could decline it in a bid to increase his wages.
A return to the Sixers would also mean a new head coach at the helm since Doc Rivers was fired and replaced by Nick Nurse.
SOLER ‘MOVES FORWARD’ WITH PLANS TO RETAIN BIG MAN
The Phoenix Suns are going all in on their championship window.
The Suns recently added Bradley Beal while parting ways with Chris Paul in a big play, but they are now ready to make a big call on one of their prized assets.
According to TNT reporter Chris Haynes, Phoenix is ”moving forward” with their plan to keep Deandre Ayton to play with Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Haynes claims the Suns feel Ayton’s value to the team is “at an all-time high” and are excited to see Ayton play alongside Beal.
Phoenix had reportedly tried to trade Ayton in the past, but that stance has apparently changed.