First, Josh Giddey was traded by Oklahoma City to Chicago in exchange for Alex Caruso. Then, the Nets made two big trades, including sending Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, and acquired a haul of first-round picks in the process to put themselves firmly in rebuild mode.
Now, with the first round of the NBA Draft less than 24 hours away, speculation is abound as to what moves could follow as all eyes turn to one of the league’s biggest names.
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HUGE Furphy dunk gets scouts salivating | 00:26
WHAT HAPPENS WITH PAUL GEORGE?
One source described Clippers superstar Paul George as the “domino who will make it all go when he falls” according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Well, it turns out Bridges was the next piece to be moved but that in itself could only further incentivise contending teams to make a big swing for George before this weekend?
Stein has also reported that there is a “growing feeling leaguewide” that George picking up his $48.8 million player option for next season and effectively forcing the Clippers to trade him is an “increasingly realistic scenario”.
It comes after the two sides have seemingly failed to come to an agreement on the length of his extension.
The Clippers can offer George a four-year, $221 million deal but have reportedly only been willing to table a three year, $152.3 million contract as they did to Kawhi Leonard.
The issue being that George wants four and the 76ers, who have heavily been linked to George this summer, are one of the teams who could feasibly offer around four years and $212 million.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had reported earlier in the week that there was the possibility George could opt into the final year of his contract and be traded “this weekend”.
“That is something that is going to come to a head in the next day or two if he wants to go with that option, because obviously you’d have to negotiate a trade,” Windhorst said on ‘Get Up’.
“Then, the team wouldn’t necessarily need salary cap space.‘We’re going to see some action in that, probably coming up very quickly after the draft.”
While the 76ers are one of the teams that have come up a lot this offseason as a potential George suitor, Stein noted that he is “pretty sure” the Warriors are as interested in him as the Knicks.
“Maybe more,” he added.
Of course, the Knicks have since made that blockbuster move for Bridges so you can rule them out of a potential play at George.
Golden State, meanwhile, is “aggressively exploring trade options” in general according to Stein, who added that the Chris Paul contract is “at the centre of those efforts”.
THE OTHER ‘BIG’ DRAFT DAY MOVE THAT COULD BE ON THE CARDS
One of the other bigger names who could be on the move shortly is Pelicans wing Brandon Ingram.
Stein had previously reported that there was a “growing belief leaguewide” that New Orleans would “seriously explore the trade market” for Ingram before next season.
Now he has reported before the draft that “anticipation” that Ingram will “soon” be on the move has “only swelled” six weeks after he first reported that news.
Interestingly, Stein noted the Pelicans are “known to be longtime admirers” of Dejounte Murray and the Hawks have long been expected to part ways with either Murray or Trae Young before next season.
Meanwhile, 76ers beat writer Kyle Neubeck said on the PHLY Sixers podcast that he thinks Philadelphia is likely not making its pick at 16 overall and is instead trying to package it and another future first round pick to land Ingram.
“That is my current mindset on what the big move is, that Brandon Ingram is this third guy,” Neubeck said.
Gaze: Bulls a ‘better fit’ for Giddey | 00:59
WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE KNICKS?
Well, attention now turns to what happens with OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Bridges is obviously a big addition that will absolutely consolidate New York as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference next season.
But Anunoby and Hartenstein were also key pieces in what the Knicks achieved as they surged up to second in the standings last season.
Now the move for Bridges will require the Knicks to do serious salary cap gymnastics as they attempt to find a way to keep both Anunoby and Hartenstein on the books.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Knicks are “determined” to re-sign Anunoby, who is an unrestricted free agent.
It may be harder to keep Hartenstein, who looks the more likely to become a victim of cap restrictions, with Ian Begley of SNY reporting it is “increasingly unlikely” the Knicks will keep him.
Hartenstein is set to command a lot of interest on the open market after impressing in Mitchell Robinson’s absence, averaging 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 64 percent from the field.