Reporting on trade talks for Kevin Durant, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, OG Anunoby, Knicks, Raptors, and more from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto
Kevin Durant shifted the landscape of the NBA literally and figuratively when the Brooklyn Nets sent the All-Star forward and TJ Warren West to the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap.
Wednesday night also included Kyrie Irving’s Dallas debut, D’Angelo Russell, Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley, Josh Hart, Jakob Poeltl, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt all getting traded.
With hours left before the trade deadline buzzer, you’ll find all the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype.
Reporting on Kyrie Irving’s future, trade talks with D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Grayson Allen, and more from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
The first trade domino leading up to the deadline fell when the Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura from the Wizards for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks.
Below is the latest intel on how acquiring Hachimura signals a preview of the Lakers’ offseason free agency plans and how it affects the pursuit of Kyrie Irving and other stars. Plus, updates on D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Grayson Allen, Serge Ibaka, Richaun Holmes, and two potential Suns additions to watch on HoopsHype.
Reporting on trade talks for Cam Reddish, Bojan Bogdanovic, Naz Reid, Rui Hachimura, Russell Westbrook’s Sixth Man case and OG Anunoby fits.
With just over two weeks until the NBA’s trade deadline, there’s more urgency between rival executives to determine if there’s a middle ground on the asking price for a coveted player and what’s real beyond the smokescreens.
With that in mind, this week’s NBA notebook includes the latest trade intel on Bojan Bogdanovic, Jakob Poeltl, Cam Reddish, Grayson Allen, Rui Hachimura, Naz Reid, Alec Burks, Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson, Serge Ibaka, and Kyle Kuzma’s free agency from our Michael Scotto. Plus, the latest trade rumors commentary on OG Anunoby and Hachimura from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a free agency stock watch from our Frank Urbina, and a look at Russell Westbrook’s case for Sixth Man of the Year by Alberto De Roa.
Bucks center Brook Lopez discusses his free agency future and Defensive Player of the Year candidacy with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Amid a contract season, Brook Lopez has fortified himself as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate by anchoring Milwaukee’s defense and positioned himself for a pay raise, which he hopes comes from the Bucks.
“I love it here,” Lopez told HoopsHype when asked about his long-term future after the Bucks defeated the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity the Bucks gave me five years ago to come here and be a part of something special. We’ve had a great time. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
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Lopez is earning $13.9 million in the final year of his contract and is set to enter unrestricted free agency as one of the top players on the market according to our HoopsHype 2023 free agent rankings.
Before the season, our HoopsHype capologist, Yossi Gozlan, predicted the probability of Lopez extending as “decent.” So what could a potential extension look like? Lopez, who turns 35 on April 1, theoretically could sign a two-year extension worth as much as $34.7 million.
Following Monday’s win over the Knicks, MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke glowingly of Lopez’s importance for the Bucks this season.
“In my opinion, and probably Jrue’s, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year,” Antetokounmpo said as Jrue Holiday interjected, saying, “100 percent.”
“No doubt,” Antetokounmpo continued. “He’s 34 years old. It’s insane how he’s playing right now. We need him to play this way for 60 more games.”
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Lopez leads the league in total blocks (101), contested twos per game (15.2), and total twos contested (591). His contesting rate is significantly higher than any other player in the league, with Ivica Zubac ranking a distant second in both categories (9.9 and 397) compared to Lopez. Overall, Lopez also ranks first in total contested shots (661) and contested shots per game (16.9).
“It’s definitely a goal of mine,” Lopez told HoopsHype when asked about his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. “Obviously, I’m a team-first player who wants the team to be successful. We want to win a championship. That’s our main goal. It definitely would be a personal point of pride for me, and it’s a goal for myself.”
“He’s a big part of who we are,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s a big part of why this team is so great defensively and offensively. He’s playing right now at a very high level. He’s literally covering our butts on defense every single possession. He’s having a great season. We need him offensively to be great and defensively to be great.”
Lopez has anchored a Bucks defense, which ranks third in defensive rating (109.4) and tied for fourth in blocks per game (5.4).
“He’s going to block a lot of shots, contest everything, rebound the ball for us, play defense for us, and sometimes dive on the floor,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s what makes him great. He competes hard for this team. I’m so happy that him (Holiday) and him (Lopez) are on my side, and I’m not playing against them.”
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Reporting on trade talks for the Knicks, Lakers, Raptors, Mavericks, and Pistons. Plus, more on Kevin Durant’s injury on HoopsHype.
The NBA trade deadline is one month away, with rival NBA executives clamoring to see if the Raptors will make a trade to shake up their underwhelming season and if the Lakers will make a win-now move to aid LeBron James.
With that in mind, this week’s NBA notebook includes the latest trade intel on Cam Reddish, Immanuel Quickley, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Alec Burks from our own Michael Scotto. Plus, the latest trade rumors commentary on the Raptors and Lakers from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a free agency stock watch from our Frank Urbina, and a look at how Kevin Durant’s injury will affect the Brooklyn Nets by Alberto De Roa.
The latest intel on trade talks surrounding Zach LaVine, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Trent Jr, Kristaps Porzingis’ free agency, and more on HoopsHype.
Amid the NBA’s G League Showcase, rival teams are monitoring the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
Just before Chicago executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley arrived in Las Vegas for the Showcase, Bulls star Zach LaVinedrew the frustration of his teammates during a blowout loss to Minnesota. Several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, are monitoring whether LaVine will become available on the trade market after Chicago’s underwhelming start to the season at 12-18, Lonzo Ball’s return from injury in question, and Nikola Vucevic’s looming free agency.
In addition to LaVine, NBA executives also discussed the futures of three potential free agents who could hit the market if they decline player options: Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, and Gary Trent Jr.
With that in mind, this week’s NBA notebook includes the latest intel on Trent Jr. as a trade candidate and Porzingis’ potential free agency value from our own Michael Scotto, the latest trade rumors commentary on LaVine and Kuzma from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a free agency stock watch from our Frank Urbina, and a new All-World Draft Ranking created by Alberto De Roa.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan discuss top trade candidates who can be traded starting December 15 on the podcast.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan discuss the top trade candidates who can be moved starting December 15th on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode.
For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.
Reporting on the top trade candidates for all 30 NBA teams from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
NBA executives are beginning their due diligence for the upcoming trade market with December 15th approaching, the first day players who signed offseason contracts can be traded.
Below is the latest intel HoopsHype has gathered on the top trade candidates for all 30 NBA teams.
Milwaukee’s path to a championship in 2021 featured a lot of injury luck going their way, causing many to doubt the level of competition they had. While there may be truth to those arguments, Milwaukee was also perhaps a Khris Middleton injury away …
Milwaukee’s path to a championship in 2021 featured a lot of injury luck going their way, causing many to doubt the level of competition they had. While there may be truth to those arguments, Milwaukee was also perhaps a Khris Middleton injury away from going to the Conference Finals and perhaps even the Finals this most recent season. Injury luck goes both ways, but the Bucks are without a doubt legitimate contenders to win it all again as long as they’re healthy.
Below, check out our preview for the 2022-23 Bucks campaign.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the latest intel on Bradley Beal, Bobby Portis and Nicolas Batum. Plus, updates on Lakers, Nets and more.
One of the top free agents on the market has made a decision regarding his player option.
Below is the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype on some of the top names on the free agent market, including Bradley Beal, and notable prospects in this year’s draft class like Jake LaRavia.
