Category: Clippers

NBA Notebook: Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, OG Anunoby, Kelly Oubre, Patrick Williams

NBA intel on the Timberwolves, a possible OG Anunoby trade, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Mason Plumlee notes and free agent stock watch

This week marks two returns: James Harden and the HoopsHype weekly notebook.

This edition of the NBA notebook includes intel on the Minnesota Timberwolves and a chat with Clippers center Mason Plumlee from our Michael Scotto. Plus, why OG Anunoby could land a max contract in 2024 free agency from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a free agency stock watch update on Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr. and Chicago’s Patrick Williams from our Frank Urbina, and a look at the early Rookie of the Year race headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren by our Alberto De Roa.

PHOTOS: James Harden and Russell Westbrook over the years

James Harden‘s trade from the Sixers to the Clippers marks his third team-up with Russell Westbrook. The duo first shared the court in Oklahoma City at the start of their careers, later reconnecting in Houston for the 2019 season.

Take a look at both superstars through the years from playing together on the same teams to matching up against each other.

76ers Rumors: James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby

Reporting on what’s next for the 76ers after the James Harden trade to the Clippers, including Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s free agency, and chasing potential targets such as Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Donovan Mitchell, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey report on what’s next for the 76ers after the James Harden trade to the Clippers, including Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s free agency, chasing potential targets such as Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Donovan Mitchell, and more 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.

Ranking: Teams with the most pressure heading into the season

Here is a ranking of NBA teams with the most pressure heading into the 2023-24 season.

With the NBA season right around the corner, we take a look at the teams with the most pressure to produce. Several of these teams will need to reach lofty expectations or at least not fall below a certain threshold to keep the status quo. Some of these squads have high stakes on the line such as the future of their star player.

Top 50 highest-paid NBA players who never made an All-Star team

HoopsHype lists the Top 50 NBA players who made the most money and never made an All-Star team.

Did you know 45 players in NBA history have made over $100 million without an All-Star appearance?

HoopsHype compiled the 50 highest-paid players without making an All-Star team, combining to earn over $6.3 billion, according to our database.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

Malcolm Brogdon: Six trade destinations that make sense

As Portland trades another guard derived from a previous deal, they now have yet another guard on their hands to put on the market. Following their trade of Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday and draft picks, the Trail Blazers flipped Holiday to the …

As Portland trades another guard derived from a previous deal, they now have yet another guard on their hands to put on the market. Following their trade of Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday and draft picks, the Trail Blazers flipped Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first-round draft picks. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, teams are expected to call the Blazers surrounding Brogdon’s availability.

The Celtics acquired Brogdon last summer coming off their NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors. The move wasn’t made to correct any deficiencies from that matchup, but because of the price and opportunity. They didn’t trade a single major rotation player other than Daniel Theis, and the first-round pick they moved turned out to be the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Acquiring Brogdon ended up being a vital move for Boston since it allowed them to parlay his salary into Holiday.

Brogdon was brought into Boston to play a reduced role off the bench. The smaller usage and gravity around scoring threats Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown allowed Brogdon to have one of his most efficient shooting seasons. He had the best three-point shooting season of his career in Boston at 44.4 percent, making him somewhat of a specialist off the ball. One of his biggest issues is his injury history, which has impacted his trade value. His 67 games played last year were the most since the 72 he played in his rookie season.

Jrue Holiday: Six trade destinations that make sense

Jrue Holiday is likely to be on the move again from Portland. Here are six teams that could make reasonable offers for him.

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As the Damian Lillard trade saga ends, another one begins with Jrue Holiday. The Portland Trail Blazers acquired him on Wednesday as the centerpiece in their return for Lillard and are expected to reroute him to another team.

Holiday is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro on both ends of the court. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career and had a strong case for making an All-NBA Team. The five-time All-Defensive guard is arguably one of the best, if not the best, defensive point guards in the league. His ability to guard the best small guards in the league, get across any screen, and guard bigger players makes him such a desirable player.

Most importantly, Holiday’s skillset is proven to be more than playoff viable, something that is hard to come by with guards. All those components of his game came together when he helped lead the Bucks to win the 2020-21 championship. All that, combined with his reasonable $36.9 million salary, should make him an automatic target for most playoff contenders.

NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic, more

Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, the Bucks trading for Dame Lillard, where Jrue Holiday can go, Jerami Grant’s future, and more.

The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a blockbuster trade acquiring seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team blockbuster trade highlighted by Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, an unprotected 2029 Bucks first-round pick, and multiple pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 going to Portland, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson also joined the Phoenix Suns.

Following the trade, HoopsHype spoke with league sources, NBA executives and scouts for the latest intel on what’s next to keep an eye on.

The James Harden situation and Philadelphia’s path forward with Joel Embiid

With James Harden’s trade request still unfulfilled, here’s an update on the situation in Philadelphia.

The situation in Philadelphia has gotten uglier over the past few days. It’s been seven weeks since James Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option and demanded the 76ers trade him. Trade discussions with his preferred team, the Clippers, have not gained traction. So Harden decided to make things uncomfortable when he publicly called Daryl Morey, Sixers’ president of basketball operations, a liar.

The NBA is now launching an inquiry in response to those comments. They want to gain an understanding of whether Harden plans on holding out from the Sixers and if both sides previously agreed to an illegal future contract. With training camp quickly approaching, will either side budge? And what does their best forward with Joel Embiid look like post-Harden?

76ers Rumors: James Harden trade talks, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, PJ Tucker, Daryl Morey, Nick Nurse

Reporting on James Harden and PJ Tucker trade talks, Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s extension, Daryl Morey’s future, and Nick Nurse from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and Sixers beat reporter Keith Pompey on The HoopsHype Podcast.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and 76ers long-time beat reporter Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer report on James Harden trade talks, Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s extension talks, PJ Tucker trade possibilities, Daryl Morey’s future, and Nick Nurse on the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast.

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.