<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/detroit-pistons/pistons-rumors-malik-beasley-detroit-continue-mutual-interest-but-theres-catch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pistons rumors: Malik Beasley, Detroit still have ‘mutual interest,’ but there’s a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Beasley-vs-the-Timberwolves.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Pistons rumors: Malik Beasley, Detroit still have ‘mutual interest,’ but there’s a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-07T11:39:31-08:00">November 7th, 11:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-07T11:40:52-08:00">November 7th, 11:40am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Pistons are riding a four-game winning streak and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/detroit-pistons/pistons-news-detroit-historic-start-taking-down-jazz">sit at 6-2 to begin the season</a>, effectively building on a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign. There are still multiple areas they can address, however, including their spotty 3-point shooting. Perhaps a familiar face can help. Malik Beasley was an important catalyst for change in the Motor City, and he could help ensure that the franchise stays on the rise.</p><p>Both the veteran guard and Pistons are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-ja-morant-trade-intel-grizzlies-drama">still interested in reuniting</a>, according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel. The Cleveland Cavaliers also have Beasley on their radar, as there is a glaring need for more long-range firepower with Max Strus recovering from foot surgery. Though, before the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up can proceed forward with his NBA career, the legal questions surrounding him must be answered.</p><p>Beasley is no longer a target of the federal gambling investigation conducted by the Eastern District of New York, but he remains <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-news-torre-connects-the-dots-on-malik-beasley-link-to-nba-betting-scandal">a person of interest</a> in the FBI’s ongoing probe into prop bets during the 2023-24 season. Damon Jones, who was one of the three NBA figures <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-damon-jones-not-guilty-lebron-james-anthony-davis">arrested in October</a>, served as an unofficial assistant on the Los Angeles Lakers when Beasley was on the team. All the 28-year-old can do right now is wait for clarity.</p><h2><b>Malik Beasley can offer a valuable service to Pistons and others </b></h2><p>Beasley recently stated that he would re-sign with the Pistons if he were to return to the NBA. He finished second in 3-pointers made last season, shooting a stellar 41.6 percent from distance. Detroit is currently knocking down only 34.7 percent of its 3-point attempts, which ranks 18th in the NBA.</p><p>The Pistons require more offensive variety, and the 2016 first-round draft pick enjoyed his best year yet with the emerging squad. A seemingly perfect marriage is now on pause due to unforeseen circumstances. The aforementioned investigation derailed Beasley’s hopes of securing a three-year, $42 million contract in free agency and put his NBA future in limbo. This current situation <a href="https://basketnews.com/news-234382-malik-beasley-china-move-nba-investigation.html" rel="noopener">could result in him venturing overseas</a>.</p><p>Malik Beasley is drawing “strong” interest from teams in China and Europe, per Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. He could collect a nice chunk of change and shine on the international scene. Not a bad alternative.</p><p>Multiple intriguing paths lie ahead of the veteran sharpshooter, but none of them are currently accessible. He hopes to press forward imminently.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Pistons rumors: Malik Beasley, Detroit still have ‘mutual interest,’ but there’s a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-warriors-lakers-predicted-to-make-big-move-before-trade-deadline');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Warriors, Lakers predicted to make ‘big move before trade deadline’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Stephen-Curry-and-LeBron-James.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Warriors, Lakers predicted to make ‘big move before trade deadline’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T08:48:16-07:00">August 26th, 8:48am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T15:59:42-07:00">August 26th, 3:59pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-news-2025-26-regular-season-schedule-comes-with-surprising-detail">2025-26 NBA season approaching</a>, speculation around trade activity is already building. According to an ESPN report, league insiders predict the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are the most likely teams to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46030771/nba-predictions-summer-forecast-2025-2026-turnarounds-turbulent-teams-biggest-questions" rel="noopener">make significant roster moves</a> before the trade deadline.</p><p>The Warriors topped the list with seven votes from ESPN’s panel, while the Lakers followed with five votes. Both franchises have been active in reshaping their rosters over the past year and remain positioned for additional maneuvering as the season unfolds.</p><p>ESPN’s Anthony Slater outlined why Golden State leads the projections.</p><p>“The Warriors lead this list because they’ve essentially spent the offseason signaling a desire for deadline movement. Their two-year, $45 million contract offer to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga was designed to get him on a salary number they can flip come January.</p><p>“The Lakers, who are transitioning into the Luka Doncic era, have maintained a few first-round sweeteners that can be used to get a deal done as LeBron James’ expiring contract looms. For the Cavaliers’ situation, disappointment and desperation can breed movement. If they fear their high-value core four won’t get it done in the playoffs again, they may decide to flip one and change up the mix.”</p><p>The Warriors’ potential trade strategy centers on balancing their veteran core with younger assets. Stephen Curry, entering his 17th NBA season, remains the cornerstone of the franchise. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-jimmy-butler-heat-trade">Golden State added Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster deadline deal</a> last year, signaling a win-now mentality. The decision to potentially <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/should-warriors-change-jonathan-kuminga-contract">extend Kuminga on a short-term deal could provide the financial flexibility</a> needed to pursue additional high-level talent during the upcoming season.</p><h2><b>Lakers, Cavs join Warriors as teams predicted to make trade deadline moves</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LeBron-James-Stephen-Curry-after-Lakers-Warriors-game.jpg"><figcaption>Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Lakers also remain firmly in the conversation for a midseason move. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-news-anthony-davis-luka-doncic-top-players-watch-2025-26-stephen-a-smith-says">acquiring Luka Doncic in a February trade with the Dallas Mavericks that sent Anthony Davis</a> to Dallas, the team has embraced a new direction. While James prepares for his 23rd season and faces free agency next summer, Los Angeles has preserved some draft capital that could be used to strengthen the roster.</p><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers came in third with three votes following their 64-18 regular season that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-cleveland-season-ends-familiar-collapse-pacers">ended in the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers</a>. Despite their success, the Cavaliers face mounting pressure to advance further, and questions remain about whether their current core can deliver postseason results. That uncertainty leaves them as another franchise to monitor closely ahead of February.</p><p>Both the Warriors and Lakers face heightened pressure to contend in a competitive Western Conference. Golden State’s core of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green aims to extend the franchise’s championship window, while Los Angeles is focused on maximizing the partnership between Doncic and James. The uncertainty surrounding James’ future adds another layer of intrigue to the Lakers’ potential trade approach.</p><p>The 2025-26 trade deadline is set for February, but the conversation is already shaping the season’s narrative. For Golden State, Los Angeles and Cleveland, the possibility of a “big move” underscores the urgency to remain among the league’s top contenders.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Warriors, Lakers predicted to make ‘big move before trade deadline’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-cavs-mavericks-knicks-hoping-lebron-james-buyout');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Cavs, Mavericks, Knicks among teams hoping for LeBron James buyout');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-news-Chris-Broussard-makes-favorites-in-the-West-declaration-but-there-s-a-catch.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Cavs, Mavericks, Knicks among teams hoping for LeBron James buyout</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-16T16:51:22-07:00">July 16th, 4:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-16T16:51:22-07:00">July 16th, 4:51pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The speculation surrounding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/sources-lebron-james-retirement-plan-offseason-lakers-rumors">LeBron James’ future has reached a fever pitch</a> during the 2025 NBA Summer League, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks among the teams reportedly monitoring the situation in hopes of a potential buyout from the Los Angeles Lakers according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints.</p><p>James, now 40 years old, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-makes-52-6-million-contract-decision">recently exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season</a>, committing to what will be his eighth consecutive season with the Lakers, the longest stint of his career with a single franchise. Despite this commitment, his relationship with the Lakers appears strained.</p><p>Tensions have grown in recent weeks, with James reportedly frustrated over the team’s lack of direction. Lakers officials, meanwhile, are reportedly fatigued by what they perceive as passive-aggressive behavior from the four-time champion.</p><p>Reports indicate that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/nba-rumors-lebron-james-lakers-never-discussed-trade-buyout">there have been no discussions between James and the Lakers about a trade or buyout</a>. Sources close to both parties have consistently maintained that James is expected to be with the Lakers for training camp and the upcoming season.</p><p>Klutch Sports, which represents James, has fielded interest from at least four NBA teams about potential trade scenarios. However, none have resulted in substantive negotiations, primarily due to the complexities of James’ massive contract and the lack of mutual benefit in potential trade proposals.</p><p>Still, teams are watching closely. The Cavaliers, where James won a championship in 2016, remain a sentimental and logistical candidate. James was recently seen at the Cavs’ practice facility, fueling speculation of a possible return.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks present an intriguing option with a roster that includes former teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, as well as Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II, and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg.</p><p>However, Dallas has made it clear it is unwilling to gut its roster to absorb James’ $52.6 million salary. As a second-apron hard-capped team, options are limited. Trading Davis is theoretically possible, given his $54.1 million salary, but would be a bizarre reversal of the blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February.</p><p>Complicating any potential move is LeBron James’ no-trade clause, which grants him veto power over any deal. Without his explicit request for a buyout, something he has not made, the Lakers are unlikely to entertain the idea.</p><p>Furthermore, league rules prevent teams above the first apron from signing buyout players during the season, meaning time is running out for contenders like the Cavaliers, Knicks, and the Mavericks to remain in play.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Cavs, Mavericks, Knicks among teams hoping for LeBron James buyout

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-sneaky-rule-tweaked-cavs-bulls-lonzo-ball-isaac-okoro-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The sneaky rule that tweaked Cavs, Bulls’ Lonzo Ball-Isaac Okoro trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lonzo-Ball-on-his-father.jpg"><figcaption>Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The sneaky rule that tweaked Cavs, Bulls’ Lonzo Ball-Isaac Okoro trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-16T08:25:05-07:00">July 16th, 8:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-16T08:48:28-07:00">July 16th, 8:48am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls recently <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/chicago-bulls/bulls-news-chicago-posts-lonzo-ball-tribute-video-cavs-trade">engaged in a straight trade for Lonzo Ball and Isaac Okoro</a>. Generally, straight swaps involve a straight salary match while taking into account other details such as the number of years left on player contracts and future expectations.</p><p>However, this deal, according to journalist Keith Smith, was facilitated using a rather sneaky salary cap rule which allowed the two teams to participate without altering their financial outlook for the upcoming season.</p><p>Due to an injury protection clause in Lonzo Ball’s contract, Chicago was compelled to utilize $11 million of their $17.18 million traded player exception (TPE) from the earlier Zach LaVine–Sacramento Kings trade to absorb Okoro’s contract. Hence, instead of processing the swap as a traditional salary match, this maneuver not <a href="https://x.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1945339934409461945" rel="noopener">only adhered to the clause restrictions</a> but also generated a brand-new $11 million TPE for Cleveland, offering them added flexibility moving forward.</p><p>The Bulls’ LaVine exception, originally worth $17.18 million, has $6.18 million remaining and is set to expire on February 3, 2026, per Sportrac. On the other hand, Cleveland’s freshly created TPE from the Okoro trade is valued at $11 million and expires on July 6, 2026. </p><p>The Cavaliers also possess another exception from the Georges Niang trade with Atlanta, valued at $8.5 million and available through early February 2026. While the specific language of Ball’s clause has not been disclosed, it is understood that it impacted Chicago’s ability to process the trade without invoking the TPE mechanism.</p><p>This simple workaround effectively leveraged the LaVine exception and turned a simple swap into a nuanced agreement. Lonzo Ball, who played just 35 games last season after returning from a two-and-a-half-year absence due to persistent knee injuries, had signed a two-year, $20 million extension earlier in February.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/chicago-bulls/chicago-bulls-grade-lonzo-ball-isaac-okoro-trade">Okoro, on the other hand, is owed $11 million</a> for the upcoming season and joins a Bulls squad looking to shore up its defensive identity on the wing. The trade seems to be a win-win for both teams, especially considering the financial maneuvre they have managed.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The sneaky rule that tweaked Cavs, Bulls’ Lonzo Ball-Isaac Okoro trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-brian-windhorst-shut-down-cavs-lakers-lebron-james-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst shuts down Cavs-Lakers LeBron James trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NBA-rumors-Brian-Windhorst-shuts-down-Cavs-Lakers-LeBron-James-trade.jpg"><figcaption>© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst shuts down Cavs-Lakers LeBron James trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-09T06:38:16-07:00">July 9th, 6:38am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-09T06:38:16-07:00">July 9th, 6:38am</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Rumors have been swirling around LeBron James since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-thinking-lebron-james-trade-rich-paul-comments">Rich Paul hinted at the ‘King’ being traded</a> more than a week ago, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tag/brian-windhorst">but Brian Windhorst</a>, who has covered James for a long time, is effectively ruling out another Cleveland Cavaliers reunion.</p><p>James, a native of Akron, Ohio, was drafted by the Cavs in 2003 and led the franchise to its first and, to date, only NBA championship in 2016. He played in Cleveland from 2003 to 2010, as well as 2014 to 2018, leaving the second time to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won a title in 2020 but has since failed to achieve similar success.</p><p>After James exercised his $52.6 million player option for next season, his agent, Paul, hinted that James could be unhappy with the Lakers’ purported shift toward building for the future with Luka Doncic, not the present. That has, naturally, led some to believe he could make his second return to the Cavs.</p><p>While James could be traded this offseason — <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-insider-thinks-lebron-james-is-venting-instead-of-eyeing-trade">some insiders have expressed their skepticism</a> — Windhorst is pretty sure <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCleveland/status/1942616387911897406" rel="noopener">it won’t be to</a> Cleveland.</p><p>“And if the Lakers are trading LeBron James, they’re going to want really good stuff for it,” Windhorst said on 850 ESPN Cleveland. “With a straight face, I can’t say that it’s impossible, but you have to understand, they can’t feasibly trade for him.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"With a straight face, I can't say that it's impossible, but you have to understand, they can't feasibly trade for him" – <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WindhorstESPN</a> on if the Cavs would trade for LeBron James. <a href="https://t.co/odch1XhV3G">pic.twitter.com/odch1XhV3G</a></p><p>— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCleveland/status/1942616387911897406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>James is guaranteed all of his $52.6 million salary next season, making him one of the 15 highest-paid players in the league. And while that is not necessarily a complete roadblock — Kevin Durant ($54.7 million) was dealt to the Houston Rockets this summer — it does make it difficult for both the Lakers and whoever would acquire James.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-insider-concocts-4-team-lebron-james-trade-sending-him-to-cavs">Cavaliers, in particular, would have a hard time swinging the trade. </a></p><p>According to Spotrac, they are currently $93.9 million over the salary cap, $37.1 million into the luxury tax, and $19.7 million over the second apron. The latter is the biggest issue; to even acquire James as a second-apron team, they would have to take in no more salary than they send out, but they have the added restriction of not being able to trade multiple players at once. Since no one on the Cavs makes as much as or more than James, they would likely have to make trades before then to get under the second apron, which would allow them to package players such as, for example, Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter to legally absorb James’ salary.</p><p>James, 40, is the oldest active player in the NBA, and when he next steps on the court — for whatever team — he will become the first player in league history to play 23 or more seasons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst shuts down Cavs-Lakers LeBron James trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-insider-concocts-4-team-lebron-james-trade-sending-him-to-cavs');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LeBron-James-in-action-2.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-02T14:21:02-07:00">July 2nd, 2:21pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-02T16:53:25-07:00">July 2nd, 4:53pm</time><address><a>Randall Barnes</a>Randall Barnes is a Fall 2019 Graduate of Fort Valley State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Fort Valley, Georgia, where he majored in Media Studies. He is the Founder of HBCU Pulse, a multimedia outlet with the mission to tell the authentic stories of HBCU Life via traditional, digital and social media outlets to amplify our voice. He is also the host of HBCU Pulse Radio, which can be heard on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 p.m. EST and wherever you get your podcasts.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As free agency continues, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/lakers-rumors-brian-windhorst-unlocks-door-lebron-james-trade">trade speculation around LeBron James</a> has continued to be a headline of the offseason. The conversations about James potentially being traded from the Lakers started to circulate after he opted into his $52.6 million option to return to the team for the upcoming season.</p><p>To further enflame the conversations, Rich Paul’s statement on Sunday morning vaguely hinted that James could be interested in moving on and competing for a championship elsewhere in the final years of his career.</p><p>“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”</p><p>Although Paul’s quote wasn’t an outright trade demand, it appears that LeBron James James is monitoring the Lakers’ moves to see if they’re truly setting themselves up to be a true contender in the Western Conference. The first couple of days of free agency for Los Angeles haven’t been encouraging, as the team hasn’t made any significant moves outside <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/grading-jake-laravia-lakers-contract-2025-nba-free-agency">of signing former Kings sharpshooter Jake LaRavia</a> as they wait to see if they land Deandre Ayton.</p><p>Should the Lakers emerge from free agency as losers, James could deem that it’s time to move on, and NBA Insider Eric Pincus has proposed an <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25219062-lebron-james-trade-idea-land-lakers-star-cavaliers-final-career-chapter" rel="noopener">interesting mock trade</a> in his latest piece on the Bleacher Report that would bring the four-time NBA champion back to Cleveland for his last dance. Pincus’s four team trade includes:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><table class="border border-neutral w-max table-auto"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px] text-left bg-neutral-100"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Team</p></th><th class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px] text-left bg-neutral-100"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Players/Picks Received</p></th></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><h2 class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Cavaliers</h2></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"></p></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– LeBron James (from Lakers)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]">– Bronny James (from Lakers)</td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Shake Milton (from Lakers)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Walker Kessler (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Jaden Springer (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– 2027 first-round pick* (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– 2029 first-round pick** (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– $16.47 million trade exception (De’Andre Hunter)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><h3 class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"><strong>Lakers</strong></h3></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"></p></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– De’Andre Hunter (from Cavaliers)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]">– Jarrett Allen (from Cavaliers)</td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Jordan Clarkson (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– KJ Martin (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Svi Mykhailiuk (from Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><h3 class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"><strong>Jazz</strong></h3></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"></p></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– Jock Landale (from Rockets)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]">– Darius Garland (from Cavaliers)</td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><h3 class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"><strong>Rockets</strong></h3></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"></p></td></tr><tr><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]"><p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">– 2030 LA Clippers second-rounder (via Jazz)</p></td><td class="border border-neutral p-2 min-w-[48px] max-w-[400px]">– Dorian Finney-Smith (from Lakers via sign-and-trade)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>The mock trade either shows Pingus has a future in an executive role in an NBA front office or that he knows something is coming. The trade would be a great move for the Lakers, who would get a surefire center option in Jarrett Allen that would be a perfect lob threat for Luka Doncic as well as an elite three &amp; D defender in De’Andre Hunter. Not to be lost in the mock transaction would be Jordan Clarkson’s return to the Lakers as a volume scorer, and an athletic forward in KJ Martin.</p><p>The Cavaliers would also be in an advantageous position to win, as they’d receive LeBron James, who would serve as a co-star with Donovan Mitchell and share the frontcourt with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. Plus, their front line wouldn’t take much of a step back without Allen as they’d add Walker Kessler. Plus, they’d set themselves up well for the future post-LeBron with two first-round picks and a $16.47 million trade exception.</p><p>While a LeBron James trade seems unlikely at this point, a four-team trade of this magnitude would certainly shift the balance of power in the NBA and fortify both the Lakers and Cavaliers as serious contenders almost instantly.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-lakers-cavs-jazz-lebron-james-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bill Simmons already has a Lakers-Cavs-Jazz LeBron James trade idea');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LeBron-James-during-Lakers-warmups.jpg"><figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bill Simmons already has a Lakers-Cavs-Jazz LeBron James trade idea</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T07:29:30-07:00">June 30th, 7:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T07:32:49-07:00">June 30th, 7:32am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As is true with any major LeBron James move, his decision to opt in for the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers has sent teams into a frenzy. Instead of becoming a free agent, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-what-lebron-james-didnt-discuss-la-contract">James exercised a $52.6 million player option</a> for the 2025-26 season.</p><p>This may be James’ way of monitoring what moves the Lakers make and whether the team is capable of contending for a championship in the near future. However, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons already has a trade idea that sees <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-bobby-marks-details-why-lebron-james-trade-cavs-wont-be-easy">James and Bronny leave to Cleveland in a three-team trade</a> that also involves the Utah Jazz.</p><p>“Does he have a trade veto?” Simmons joked, when <a href="https://x.com/ringer/status/1939548574871945704" rel="noopener">asked about the possibility</a> of Bronny not wanting to go to Cleveland. </p><p>“Utah gets Darius Garland and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers get Kessler, Lonzo Ball, Jordan Clarkson, and John Collins. Utah has to throw a pick or two, has to sprinkle some picks around, because ultimately they are getting Darius Garland,” Simmons continued.</p><p>The Cavs have been said to be open to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-floats-intriguing-darius-garland-trade-nets">listening to offers for Darius Garland</a>, and a potential reunion with LeBron will surely tempt them. Garland earned All-Star honors, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game last season. </p><h2><b>Should Lakers cash in on LeBron (and Bronny)?</b></h2><p>While Simmons does not believe the Cavs should trade Garland, he suggested it may be in the Lakers’ best interest to get assets for LeBron.</p><p>“On the record, I don’t think Cleveland should trade Darius Garland, But I’m just saying, I wonder if those type of deals are being talked about. The whole reason I am talking about this, I think this is going to be really hard now that he has opted in, for any other option, monitoring it,” Simmons said.</p><p>Simmons claimed that now that LeBron has opted in, the Lakers are left with few assets to get a starting center. Further, considering LeBron may be looking to ‘monitor progress’ over the next season before making his decision over a new contract, focusing on building around Luka Doncic makes more short and long-term sense.</p><p>Whichever way this goes, LeBron’s decision to opt in will undoubtedly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-thinking-lebron-james-trade-rich-paul-comments">force the Lakers to make big decisions</a>. Should they continue hoping to land a championship with the LeBron-Luka duo, especially now, when they may struggle to get a starting center this offseason? </p><p>Rob Pelinka and co. might instead be better served building a winning team around Doncic. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bill Simmons already has a Lakers-Cavs-Jazz LeBron James trade idea

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/nba-rumors-kevin-oconnor-suggests-cavs-try-lebron-james-trade-lakers');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Kevin O’Connor suggests Cavs try LeBron James trade with Lakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Brian-Windhorst-sends-Lakers-dangerous-warning-NBA-sale.jpg"><figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Kevin O’Connor suggests Cavs try LeBron James trade with Lakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T12:27:22-07:00">June 29th, 12:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T12:27:22-07:00">June 29th, 12:27pm</time><address><a>Jaren Kawada</a>Jaren Kawada is a former full-time sports bettor and is now a NFL, College Football and Betting Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. Kawada was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, after graduating from Butler University with a B.A. in sports media. Aside from football, Kawada is an avid combat sports and basketball bettor.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-makes-52-6-million-contract-decision">LeBron James opting into his $52.6 million player option</a> for the 2025-2026 season, many assume he is returning for one final season. However, NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor proposed an interesting trade idea that the Cleveland Cavaliers could offer the Los Angeles Lakers to bring ‘The King’ back home for one last ride.</p><p>The Cavaliers could <a href="https://x.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1939369064893190569" rel="noopener">pull off the blockbuster trade</a> with an offer based around point guard Darius Garland and All-Star center Jarrett Allen, according to O’Connor. The reporter believes the trade would actually be beneficial for Cleveland’s short-term and long-term outlook.</p><p>“LeBron James to the Cavaliers would require getting under the second apron, which would mean losing Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and a third guy,” O’Connor tweeted. “It’s a lot to give up for a player who may not put you over the top and may have only one year left. Then again, Allen has folded in the playoffs and Garland is a tiny guard. Could trading them be a low-key salary dump for Cleveland?</p><p>“Then, whenever LeBron retires, the front office would have cap flexibility to build next to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley with better-fitting players than Allen and Garland. So in a strange way, adding LeBron could help them optimize their short-term title odds while also helping in the long term.”</p><p>James, 40, continues to mull retirement each offseason, but has yet to show any signs of significant decline on the court. His decision to exercise his player option instead of re-negotiating his deal furthers his one-year-at-a-time approach. However, James’ agent, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-thinking-lebron-james-trade-rich-paul-comments">Rich Paul, recently raised another question</a> with his comments on his client’s latest career decision.</p><h2><b>LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul sparks Lakers trade rumors</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lakers-fans-thinking-LeBron-James-trade-after-Rich-Paul-comments.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After James opted into his final contract year, Paul raised eyebrows with his cryptic comments on the decision. Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania that James “wants to compete for a championship” and wants to end his career with a team that has a “realistic chance” to give him his fifth ring. Paul’s comments alluded to their belief that the Lakers are not in a position to win a title.</p><p>James managed to check off the final item on his retirement bucket list by playing with his son, Bronny James, for the Lakers. With nothing else left to prove in his dominant career, James seems to continue to be on the brink of retirement.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Kevin O’Connor suggests Cavs try LeBron James trade with Lakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-ty-jerome-garnering-interest-from-warriors-according-to-zach-lowe');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Ty Jerome garnering interest from Warriors, according to Zach Lowe');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/741965493-ty-jerome-cavs.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Ty Jerome garnering interest from Warriors, according to Zach Lowe</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T09:15:31-07:00">June 29th, 9:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T09:15:31-07:00">June 29th, 9:15am</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-sam-merrill-planning-to-sign-38-million-contract-with-cleveland">Cleveland Cavaliers signed Sam Merrill to a new contract</a>, there seems to be some notions that the team won’t retain Ty Jerome this summer, leading to his departure. On top of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-acquiring-lonzo-ball-trade-bulls">Cavs also trading for Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro</a>, there’s more evidence that the Sixth Man of the Year finalist is likely headed to a new team, with one organization possibly being the Golden State Warriors.</p><p>Golden State’s interest was mentioned by Zach Lowe on his self-titled show, where he spoke about how head coach Steve Kerr <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1038&amp;v=WytdZw7GHE0&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="noopener">“loved”</a> Jerome when the 27-year-old was with the team from 2022 to 2023 before the guard played for Cleveland. Lowe would also speak on the amount of money the team has for Jerome in a potential pursuit, plus the other players in question, like with Jonathan Kuminga.</p><p>“The Warriors, Steve Kerr reportedly loved Ty Jerome, loved him during his brief sojourn with the Warriors,” Lowe said. “They have about $17 million dollars of wiggle room below the tax. $26 million dollars below the first apron. Before, however, you account for Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, and another one of this summer’s free agency main characters, Jonathan Kuminga, boy oh boy is this going to be interesting.”</p><p>ClutchPoints’ NBA Insider Brett Siegel would <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-warriors-jonathan-kuminga-nba-free-agency-intel">report that it also seems unlikely</a> that the Cavs would retain Jerome and had other teams listed besides the Warriors, like the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and others.</p><p>“Plenty of teams will hold interest in potentially signing Jerome using their full mid-level exception in free agency,” Siegel wrote. “Keep an eye on teams like the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings as potential landing spots for Jerome. These four teams have a key need for backcourt depth.”</p><h2><b>Ty Jerome’s departure from the Cavaliers is near </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ty-Jerome-scores-Cavs.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-ty-jerome-suitors-expected-cavs-exit">suitors reportedly lining up for the Cavs guard</a> after a productive season, serving as the team’s sparkplug off the bench, it does seem inevitable that he will be on another team. Jake Fischer of “The Stein Line” <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/nba-free-agency-and-trade-talk-latest?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=167049600&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">would echo the same sentiments</a> that, after the Ball trade and Merrill’s new contract, it signals Jerome’s departure is coming.</p><p>“The Cavaliers are widely expected to re-sign forthcoming free agent Sam Merrill, but the move to acquire Ball is a signal that Cleveland anticipates losing Ty Jerome in free agency,” Fischer wrote.</p><p>“Jerome is said to be seeking a deal that starts at the full midlevel exception, which is valued at $14.1 million,” Fischer continued. “Ball’s recent contract extension with the Bulls, which as we’ve pointed out previously was instantly described as soon as it was agreed to in February as a highly tradeable contract, will earn him $20 million over the next two seasons … with his new employers in Cleveland holding a team option for 2026-27.”</p><p>It remains to be seen which team ultimately ends up with Jerome, but either way, one team will get a highly effective player.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Ty Jerome garnering interest from Warriors, according to Zach Lowe

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-ty-jerome-suitors-expected-cavs-exit');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Ty Jerome suitors lining up amid expected Cavs exit');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ty-Jerome.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Ty Jerome suitors lining up amid expected Cavs exit</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T08:15:26-07:00">June 29th, 8:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T08:15:26-07:00">June 29th, 8:15am</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Charlotte Hornets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>This NBA free agency cycle doesn’t have the stars that it sometimes does, but there are still plenty of quality players who can make an impact in a playoff series that will be hitting the open market. Ty Jerome, who played some of the best basketball of his career at the end of the 2024-25 regular season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is one of the names on that list.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/ranking-3-best-ty-jerome-free-agency-destinations-leaves-cavaliers">Jerome is hitting the open market</a> as an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he should have a pretty solid market for his services. However, the Cavs likely don’t have any room for him on the roster or in the rotation for him after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cavs-news-acquiring-lonzo-ball-trade-bulls">trading for Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls</a>.</p><p>However, there will be plenty of teams that would love to have Jerome’s size and shooting ability in the backcourt off the bench. The Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets are four <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-warriors-jonathan-kuminga-nba-free-agency-intel">teams that could make a run</a> at the Virginia product, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.</p><p>“After trading for Ball, it looks increasingly unlikely that the Cleveland Cavaliers Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome will return in free agency,” Siegel wrote. “Plenty of teams will hold interest in potentially signing Jerome using their full mid-level exception in free agency. Keep an eye on teams like the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings as potential landing spots for Jerome. These four teams have a key need for backcourt depth.”</p><p>The Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies are <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-lots-more-of-the-latest" rel="noopener">two teams that are also interested</a> in Jerome, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.</p><p>“Charlotte and Memphis are two teams that keep coming up as likely suitors for Ty Jerome, who is now regarded as a lock to leave Cleveland to find the deal he is known to be seeking that starts at (or at worst adjacent) to the full $14.1 million midlevel exception,” Stein wrote.</p><p>Zach Lowe also mentioned the Golden State Warriors as a potential landing spot for Jerome after he played one season there in 2022-23.</p><p>Jerome struggled at times in the Cavs’ second-round loss to the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs, but he was being a bit overtasked due to the injuries in Cleveland, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/darius-garland-toe-surgery-announced-amid-cavs-trade-rumors">particularly to Darius Garland’s toe.</a> If one of these teams in free agency is able to scale his role back down, he could be a big pickup this offseason.</p><p>The 27-year old played in 70 games this season, scoring a career-high 12.5 points per game while shooting an incredible 43.9% from 3-point range. While it won’t make the biggest headlines, a deal for Jerome is something that could play a major factor over the next few seasons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Ty Jerome suitors lining up amid expected Cavs exit

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-the-truth-behind-suns-cavs-trade-talks-kevin-durant-darius-garland');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Darius-Garland-takes-a-three-pointer.jpg"><figcaption>Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T13:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 1:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T13:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 1:59pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Phoenix Suns seemed to be fielding calls from almost anybody when they were trying to find a trade partner for Kevin Durant. Even though <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-kevin-durant-controlled-trade-process-to-get-to-rockets">Durant had his preferred destinations</a>, the Suns still made sure to do their due diligence and find the best deal that could help them in the long run.</p><p>In the end, the Suns sent Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft. The Suns got what they wanted as far as young talent and assets, and Durant was able to go to a team of his choice. Before the trade, the Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2025/6/25/24455638/cavs-nba-trade-rumors-darius-garland-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-durant-phoenix-suns" rel="noopener">had talks about a trade</a> that involved Darius Garland, but apparently, it was Phoenix doing all the talking.</p><p>“The Suns were the ones to reach out that had interest in Garland”, Windhorst said on his show. “It was not the Cavs that wanted to trade Garland.”</p><p>After a great regular season, it would have been hard to see the Cavs trading Garland, and Windhorst noted that they don’t seem to be shopping him.</p><p>“I do believe that the Cavs are not trying to shop him (Garland) and I do believe when they got some phone calls, they had some conversations,” Windhorst said.</p><p>The Cavs have a good chance of being at the top of the Eastern Conference once again, especially looking at the landscape currently, with key players on several teams having long-term injuries. Durant would have been a nice acquisition for the Cavs, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-floats-intriguing-darius-garland-trade-nets">Garland just seems more valuable</a> in his role with the team. Going into the offseason, the Cavs might not make many moves, as their starting five is locked in and their key players on the bench seem to be returning as well.</p><p>For the Suns, they were just trying to find the best offer they could, but it looks like the Rockets came out on top and were more willing to make a deal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: The truth behind Suns-Cavs trade talks with Kevin Durant, Darius Garland

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-rumors-iman-shumpert-broken-lebron-james-injury-news');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cavs rumors: Iman Shumpert might have accidentally broken LeBron James injury news from 2015');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cavs-Iman-Shumpert-might-accidentally-broke-LeBron-James-2015-injury-news.jpg"><figcaption>© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cavs rumors: Iman Shumpert might have accidentally broken LeBron James injury news from 2015</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-24T10:12:28-07:00">June 24th, 10:12am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-24T13:25:54-07:00">June 24th, 1:25pm</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Iman Shumpert divulged some details about a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/players/b1a9094f/lebron-james">potential LeBron James</a> surgery (when they were Cleveland Cavaliers teammates) that had not been previously known.</p><p>In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, much was understandably made of the impact of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-shams-confirms-tyrese-haliburtons-achilles-tear-in-nba-finals-game-7">Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury</a> in the first quarter of the game. But injuries, sometimes severe and devastating ones, ultimately dictate which way the Finals go.</p><p>Shumpert knows that all too well. In 2015, after the New York Knicks traded him to the Cavs at midseason, Shumpert made his first trip to the Finals as Cleveland rolled through the Eastern Conference playoffs. But injuries mounted, and in the Finals, it became too much for the Cavs to overcome league MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.</p><p>While explaining the effect that injuries can have on a team’s championship hopes, though, Shumpert <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdKlofB1lWc&amp;list=PLu1neCd4swuakibtwr6887z4D8YH3YUnK&amp;t=1123s&amp;ab_channel=NBAonESPN" rel="noopener">may have revealed that</a> James had surgery on his back following the 2015 season.</p><p>“To my standard, I don’t feel like we should have lost the first championship in 2015. Kyrie [Irving] hurt his knee. I had my shoulder out of place. J.R. [Smith]’s back was messed up. Kevin Love’s back was messed up,” Shumpert said before Windhorst corrected him on that Love had dislocated his shoulder, not injured his back, during the first round of the playoffs.</p><p>“I can’t remember what LeBron’s issue was, but I believe he went and got some back operation after that before the next season,” Shumpert said.</p><p>“He might have just broken news, but we’ll just move past that,” Windhorst replied.</p><figure class="op-interactive"></figure><p>If true, it would be intriguing considering <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/10-biggest-injuries-that-affected-lebron-james-career-ranked">James has long been considered one of the most durable players</a> and, for the most part, avoided undergoing surgeries. While he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-back-on-court-knee-surgery">went under the knife this offseason</a> following an MCL sprain during the playoffs, he has otherwise — from what we’ve seen, at least — stayed off the operating table.</p><p>It would also make what he accomplished the following season all the more impressive. After leading the team to the best record in the East, James and the Cavs fell behind 3-1 in the Finals to the Warriors in a rematch. Despite the deficit, they won each of the final three games to win the NBA title and become the first team (and only so far) to come back from 3-1 in the NBA Finals.</p><p>James, 40, is the oldest player in the NBA and would become the first player in league history to play 23 seasons in the league if he, as expected, returns this fall for another season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cavs rumors: Iman Shumpert might have accidentally broken LeBron James injury news from 2015

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-floats-intriguing-darius-garland-trade-nets');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bill Simmons floats intriguing Darius Garland trade to Nets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Bill-Simmons-floats-intriguing-Darius-Garland-trade-Nets.jpg"><figcaption>© David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bill Simmons floats intriguing Darius Garland trade to Nets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-09T12:41:33-07:00">June 9th, 12:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-09T12:41:33-07:00">June 9th, 12:41pm</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers were stunningly eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, leaving the team’s fans and analysts wondering if the 2025 offseason could be one of change. In particular, could <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-cleveland-resist-trading-darius-garland-jarrett-allen">Darius Garland be on the move?</a></p><p>Popular NBA podcaster Bill Simmons certainly thinks so. Simmons, on the latest episode of his podcast, suggested Garland <a href="https://youtu.be/56NDsvAYcjU?list=PLYHjB_Comy8RBysZtkqGfChKg1eUdYx4C&amp;t=3931" rel="noopener">could be traded by the</a> Cavaliers this offseason. To whom is unclear, but he thinks a potential deal with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/brooklyn-nets">the Brooklyn Nets</a> could make sense for both sides.</p><p>“I feel like Garland is going to be in play, and I think a lot of people in the league feel this way. And now in the last week, there’s been some media people and there’s been some buzz about it. There’s a couple pieces to this, which is Cleveland, the second apron, the tax. They have some real money stuff,” Simmons said.</p><p>“So if they trade Garland, they have to go down a little bit. I was looking at Brooklyn for him, and that’s going to be my ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if’ team. With Brooklyn, if it was Garland and Okoro, Cam Johnson coming back to the Cavs with the number-seven pick and some other asset, because I think he’s worth more than that. But there’s something there. And if you’re Brooklyn, you’re like, we finally have our guy. This is one of the best 25 guys in the league. He’s young, he’s gonna be [on] his own team, he could be our Haliburton, we’re going to build an entire roster around everything that he’s good at.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"></figure><p>The Nets, after shipping out veteran players Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, don’t have much else other than Johnson that could entice a team trying to compete for a championship like the Cavaliers. However, Cleveland could theoretically make a trade for Johnson in order to get under the second apron, opening up other trades in the process.</p><p>A potential wrench in the plans of a Darius Garland trade may be his health; the All-Star guard struggled with a toe injury during the playoffs, and earlier today, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/darius-garland-toe-surgery-announced-amid-cavs-trade-rumors">he underwent surgery and will be rehabbing</a> for the next four to five months. The Cavaliers say Garland is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45480086/cavs-darius-garland-toe-surgery-4-5-months" rel="noopener"> reported that he</a> “is likely to miss time to start the regular season.”</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bill Simmons floats intriguing Darius Garland trade to Nets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/darius-garland-toe-surgery-announced-amid-cavs-trade-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Darius Garland toe surgery announced amid Cavs trade rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Darius-Garland-of-the-Cleveland-Cavaliers.jpg"><figcaption>Scott Kinser-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Darius Garland toe surgery announced amid Cavs trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-09T10:29:45-07:00">June 9th, 10:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-09T11:05:38-07:00">June 9th, 11:05am</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-rumors-anfernee-simons-darius-garland-must-be-on-trade-radar">Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for the offseason</a>, and there has been some speculation that the team could trade Darius Garland. However, amid the rumor buzz, the Cavs’ star point guard recently underwent surgery.</p><p>On Monday, the Cavs announced that the 25-year-old point guard had a successful surgery on his toe. It’s said that Darius Garland will <a href="https://x.com/cavs/status/1932115818092904570" rel="noopener">need four to five months of recovery time</a>.</p><p>“Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland underwent successful surgery today to repair his great toe injury,” The team wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The procedure was performed by Dr. Nicholas Strasser at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in consultation with the Cavaliers team doctor, Dr. James Rosneck (Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine), and Dr. Bob Anderson (OrthoCarolina). His status will be updated as appropriate, following a progression of treatment and rehabilitation in approximately 4-5 months. Garland is expected to make a full recovery and resume basketball activities by the start of training camp.”</p><p>Unfortunately for the Cavs and Garland, the news went from bad to worse as Monday dragged on. Garland is now <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1932133813439926499" rel="noopener">expected to miss the start</a> of the 2025-26 regular season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. He played through the injury throughout the playoffs despite re-aggravating it.</p><p>The news comes with rumors swirling around the idea of Cleveland potentially trading Darius Garland this offseason. However, insider Brett Siegel reports that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/donovan-mitchell-cavs-core-secured-disappointing-playoff-exit">Cavs plan to keep the core of the lineup intact</a> moving forward. Despite the disappointing early playoff exit, the Cavaliers seem to believe that if injuries hadn’t occurred late in the season, the team could have had a much better chance of going on a deeper run.</p><p>If what Siegel claims is true, then Darius Garland is here to stay and play alongside Donovan Mitchell. Garland proved to be a dominant point guard once again, providing the Cavs with solid numbers up until he suffered the toe injury during the first round of the NBA Playoffs.</p><p>In the regular season, Garland averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, while recording a 47.2% field goal percentage and shooting 40.1% from beyond the three-point line.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Darius Garland toe surgery announced amid Cavs trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-rumors-anfernee-simons-darius-garland-must-be-on-trade-radar');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insider');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Darius-Garland-10-drives-against-Portland-Trail-Blazers-guard-Anfernee-Simons-1-in-the-fourth-quarter.jpg"><figcaption>© David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insider</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-07T14:03:07-07:00">June 7th, 2:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-07T15:44:58-07:00">June 7th, 3:44pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-rumors-why-orlando-is-team-to-watch-in-trade-market">Orlando Magic continue to surface in trade speculation</a> as the franchise prepares for a pivotal offseason, and NBA insider Zach Lowe believes two prominent guards should be on the team’s radar: Anfernee Simons and Darius Garland.</p><p>On a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe discussed the potential availability of both guards and their fit with Orlando, stating that the Magic are among the teams that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHc0mSsSi2s" rel="noopener">should pursue upgrades</a> in the backcourt.</p><p>“Anfernee Simons is eligible for an extension that feels like a rubber meets the road moment for the Blazers and Simons,” Lowe said. “And I think there’d be teams that would be interested in Simons.</p><p>“The internet’s favorite fake trade for like three years has been Simons to the Magic. Yes, I don’t think that’s a miss by the internet. I think that makes a lot of sense. And the other guy for the Magic… if I were one of these teams in need of a guard, I will be trying like hell to get Darius Garland.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/nba-rumors-magic-linked-trade-100-million-blazers-star">Simons, 25, has long been linked to the Magic</a>, with trade rumors surrounding the Central Florida native for several seasons.</p><p>He is coming off a productive year with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 19.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Simons appeared in 70 games during the 2024-25 season, playing 32.7 minutes per contest.</p><h2><b>Magic’s shift highlights possible Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Darius-Garland-dribbles-Cavs.jpg"><figcaption>Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>He enters the final year of a four-year contract, carrying a $27.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season. According to a recent report by NBA insider Brett Siegel, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-rumors-portland-to-explore-deandre-ayton-jerami-grant-trade-markets">uncertainty remains about Simons’ long-term future in Portland</a> following a 36-46 campaign — a 15-win improvement from the season prior but still short of postseason contention.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-favored-for-potential-darius-garland-trade">Garland, also 25, has emerged as another name to watch</a> amid questions about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ direction <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/nba-rumors-cavs-darius-garland-jalen-suggs-trade-idea">following their second-round playoff exit</a>. Despite a 64-18 regular-season record and a franchise-best 16-game win streak, Cleveland fell to the Indiana Pacers in five games.</p><p>Garland, a two-time All-Star, posted regular-season averages of 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game on 47.2% shooting from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.</p><p>In the playoffs, Garland was limited to five appearances due to injury. He averaged 18.0 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field and just 28.6% from three.</p><p>Garland is currently in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract, with $39.4 million owed for the 2025-26 season. His potential availability could depend on Cleveland’s willingness to retool its core following a disappointing playoff run.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-rumors-orlando-wants-to-make-25-million-trade-to-help-paolo-banchero">Magic, who were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round</a> of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, have made it clear through recent comments that they are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-president-drops-win-now-truth-bomb-future">entering a “win-now” phase</a>. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner forming the foundation, Orlando is expected to explore trade options to strengthen its backcourt and improve one of the league’s least productive offenses.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insider

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/nba-rumors-cavs-darius-garland-jalen-suggs-trade-idea');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Cavs insider floats Darius Garland-Jalen Suggs trade idea');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Darius-Garland-before-Spurs-Cavs-game.jpg"><figcaption>David Richard-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Cavs insider floats Darius Garland-Jalen Suggs trade idea</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-29T08:59:43-07:00">May 29th, 8:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-29T08:59:43-07:00">May 29th, 8:59am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Could the Cleveland <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/ranking-best-darius-garland-trade-destinations-if-cavs-blow-it-up">Cavaliers trade Darius Garland</a> this offseason? Nothing is guaranteed to come to fruition, but Cavs insider Chris Fedor <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh9aOM7N6wo&amp;t=845s" rel="noopener">recently suggested</a> an intriguing trade idea involving Garland and Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, via Cleveland Cavaliers on cleveland.com’s YouTube channel.</p><p>“I think there’s a framework, and I say framework because salary stuff becomes very, very difficult for the Cavs,” Fedor said. “So, you’re just talking about a general framework with an understanding that other pieces are probably going to have to be involved. Maybe a third team is going to have to be involved. Matching salary becomes very, very difficult when you’re talking about the Cavs and the salary situation that they’re in. But I think there’s a framework of a deal between the Cavs and the Magic that would involve Darius Garland and Jalen Suggs.”</p><p>The Cavs enjoyed a tremendous 2024-25 regular season before getting eliminated in the postseason. Cleveland had serious championship hopes but failed to make a deep playoff run.</p><p>As a result, the idea of making a significant trade or two has gained traction as rumors begin to swirl. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/4-early-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-free-agency-targets-in-2025-offseason">Cavs’ official offseason plan</a> has yet to be revealed, but Garland could be traded if Cleveland finds a tempting enough offer.</p><p>There is a chance that Cleveland will decide to keep the core of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley together. After all, the core led the Cavs to no shortage of success during the regular season. The question is whether or not the team believes those players can lead them to a championship.</p><p>If the Cavs feel any uncertainty, a trade or two could end up being made. As for the Magic, acquiring a guard such as Garland would give them a new big three as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner lead the way.</p><p>The specific details of a potential trade would make the deal challenging to make official. However, the idea of a Garland-Suggs trade could prove to be enticing for both teams.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Cavs insider floats Darius Garland-Jalen Suggs trade idea

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-bill-simmons-giannis-antetokounmpo-evan-mobley-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Bill Simmons ponders Giannis Antetokounmpo for Evan Mobley trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-defends-Evan-Mobley.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Bill Simmons ponders Giannis Antetokounmpo for Evan Mobley trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-19T07:59:55-07:00">May 19th, 7:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-19T07:59:55-07:00">May 19th, 7:59am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Giannis <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/bucks-news-brian-windhorst-breaks-down-giannis-trade-interest-around-nba">Antetokounmpo trade rumors are already swirling</a> around the NBA world. Bill Simmons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0hQXIKVCA&amp;t=3018s" rel="noopener">recently proposed</a> a possible Giannis for Evan Mobley trade on his podcast. Although Giannis is the better player, Simmons explained why the deal could make sense.</p><p>“Mobley for Giannis straight up, what do you think? We could do the deal on July 1st when Mobley’s kicker comes in,” Simmons said. “Straight up, he’s (Mobley) six and a half years younger, call it in right now.”</p><p>Giannis will turn 31 years old during the 2025-26 season. Mobley is only 23 years old and earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award this past season. Antetokounmpo, however, is a two-time MVP and an NBA champion.</p><p>“I think it’s a great trade and I don’t even know if you had to say one side has to throw in something else,” Simmons added. “Which team would you pick to have to throw something else in? Giannis is a better player, but Mobley is six and a half years younger.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-bobby-marks-claims-rockets-spurs-check-all-boxes-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade">Giannis is a candidate to be traded</a> in the offseason. The Bucks were eliminated early from the playoffs in 2025, and Antetokounmpo could be looking for a new team.</p><p>The Cavs enjoyed a terrific regular season but they failed to replicate their success in the postseason. Trading a 23-year-old star in Mobley seems unlikely, but the idea of having Giannis and Donovan Mitchell team up could appeal to Cleveland as they look for a way to build a championship contender.</p><p>Parting ways with Giannis Antetokounmpo would obviously be difficult for the Bucks as well. Milwaukee may be headed toward a rebuild, though. Evan Mobley could become a player to build around for the future. Many NBA teams have found recent success by building around centers, a strategy the Bucks would follow if they do end up acquiring Mobley.</p><p>This trade is just an idea at the moment. It will be intriguing to see if the Cavs and Bucks engage in trade discussions at some point this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Bill Simmons ponders Giannis Antetokounmpo for Evan Mobley trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavaliers-offseason-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-proposal-after-latest-rumor');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cavaliers offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade proposal after latest rumor');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cavaliers-offseason-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-trade-proposal-after-latest-rumor.jpg"></figure><h1>Cavaliers offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade proposal after latest rumor</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-12T13:29:14-07:00">May 12th, 1:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-12T13:29:14-07:00">May 12th, 1:29pm</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-cleveland-looks-lost-pressure-mounts-game-4-loss">Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled mightily</a> in their second-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Despite dominating during the regular season and earning the one-seed, the team is down 3-1, and they were <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-fans-react-cleveland-concerning-game-4-start-vs-pacers">down by 41 points at halftime in Game 4.</a> That deficit was <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/pacers-cavaliers-game-4-tie-record-halftime-lead-2025-playoffs" rel="noopener">tied for</a> the largest at halftime in postseason history.</p><p>The Cavaliers still have a glimmer of hope this season, but this disastrous series has led some to believe that change is necessary. Luckily, Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been more available than he is now, and the Cavaliers should consider trading for him this offseason.</p><h2><b>Cavaliers trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo</b></h2><p><b>Cavaliers receive:</b> Giannis Antetokounmpo</p><p><b>Bucks receive:</b> Evan Mobley, Max Strus, 2031 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap</p><p><i>Note: The Cavaliers would have to trade Dean Wade’s $6.6 million deal in order to get under the second apron before they could make this trade. Cleveland could dump Wade’s contract and a future second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls before trading for Antetokounmpo.</i></p><p>Superstars being loyal to the team that drafted them has become a rarity in the modern NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo has stuck with the Milwaukee Bucks team that drafted him through the highs and the lows, though.</p><p>However, <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1921909954014839207" rel="noopener">for the first time</a> in his career, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-rumors-giannis-antetokounmpo-open-exploring-trade-milwaukee">Antetokounmpo is open to playing for another team</a>, according to Shams Charania. A trade involving the two-time MVP is a realistic possibility this upcoming offseason.</p><p>Most superstar trades involve a boatload of draft picks. The Cavaliers don’t have that to offer, but they might have something even more intriguing. That would be Evan Mobley, a power forward who is only 23 years old but already has an All-Star nod and a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-evan-mobley-history-defensive-player-of-the-year-draymond-green">Defensive Player of the Year trophy</a> to his name.</p><p>Mobley is near 7 feet tall, yet he can guard out on the perimeter. He is also an elite rim protector inside. On offense, Mobley can score inside or outside, and he even has a rare handle for a big man.</p><p>That description is eerily similar to how one might describe Antetokounmpo, so the Bucks could view Mobley as one of the few players who could replace their former two-time MVP. Not to mention, Mobley is significantly younger than The Greek Freak.</p><h2><b>Why should the Cavaliers shake up their roster?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Giannis-Cavs.jpg"><figcaption>Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>For the Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo would solidify their case as championship contenders. They were close this season, as they even started the season with one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/longest-undefeated-streaks-nba-history">longest unbeaten streaks in league history.</a> They finished the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference.</p><p>However, it appears that they are going to fall just short. The team’s postseason struggles could be attributed to injuries, but all of their big four was active in their recent blowout loss.</p><p>Antetokounmpo is one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-top-100-player-rankings-2024-25-season">best players in the NBA</a>. He can do everything that Mobley can do for the Cavaliers, but he’d provide even more on offense. Antetokounmpo averages around 30 points per game year in and year out, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.</p><p>The star forward hasn’t outright requested a trade, but a move to a new team is more likely than ever before, and there is arguably no team that could give him a better chance at competing for another title than the Cavaliers.</p><h2><b>Is a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade inevitable?</b></h2><p>Just months ago, Antetokounmpo reconfirmed his commitment to the Bucks. A lot has changed since then, though.<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-damian-lillard-posts-emotional-message-on-ig-after-torn-achilles"> Damian Lillard tore his Achilles</a> just a few games after returning from a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/victor-wembanyama-chris-bosh-history-blood-clots-nba-players">blood clotting issue</a>. His career as a whole is in doubt, but he is surely set to miss most or all of next season.</p><p>Additionally, the Bucks’ first-round loss to the Pacers marked their third straight exit in the first round. They’ve only won one playoff series since winning the 2021 NBA Finals, so it is becoming pretty clear that the Bucks’ championship window has already passed.</p><p>The Bucks don’t have a clear path towards improving. They are depleted of draft capital and have struggled to field a deep roster. By trading Antetokounmpo to the Cavaliers, the Bucks would get a building-block piece in Mobley while adding some draft picks for the future.</p><p>The Cavaliers don’t have much to offer when it comes to draft capital, but their 2031 first-rounder could be near the top of the draft because Cleveland’s stars will be out of their prime by that point. Plus, the Cavaliers are a second-apron team, so their financial situation may cause them to blow things up at some point down the road.</p><p>The Bucks could likely get more in a trade return from a different team, but Mobley would be an elite youngster to bring in to the fold. The 2021 draftee could play at a high level for the next decade-plus in Milwaukee.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cavaliers offseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade proposal after latest rumor

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-rumors-the-evan-mobley-reason-cleveland-could-lose-ty-jerome');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cavs rumors: The Evan Mobley reason Cleveland could lose Ty Jerome');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cleveland-Cavaliers-players-Evan-Mobley-and-Ty-Jerome.jpg"><figcaption>Ken Blaze-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cavs rumors: The Evan Mobley reason Cleveland could lose Ty Jerome</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-06T19:11:10-07:00">May 6th, 7:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-06T19:11:33-07:00">May 6th, 7:11pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers and new head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-tyrese-haliburton-stepback-3-steal-game-2-cavs">Kenny Atkinson face an uphill climb after falling behind 2-0</a> against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the Eastern conference playoffs. However, they have a larger problem looming once their offseason begins. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-evan-mobley-history-defensive-player-of-the-year-draymond-green">Evan Mobley won Defensive Player of the Year</a>, triggering a clause in his contract that increases how much of the salary cap his contract makes up. The increase puts Cleveland up over the second apron, and Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome could be a casualty.</p><p>Mobley’s contract increases from 25 to 30% of his team’s cap. As a result the Cavaliers’ salary is at $219 million next season, making them <a href="https://x.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1915535165214122109" rel="noopener">a second apron team</a>, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Ever since its inception, the second apron has hamstrung teams with big payrolls, making it difficult to make any moves at all in trade or free agency.</p><p>In order to avoid the second apron, Cleveland has two options. They can let a player like Jerome walk into free agency or move multiple smaller contracts in order to re-sign him. If he had played enough minutes to qualify, Jerome would have likely been a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player. The former Virginia guard saw a huge leap in his first full season with a defined role.</p><p>The 6-foot-5 guard is one of the more interesting players set to be a free agent this summer. If the Cavaliers were to let him go, multiple teams would be in line to offer Jerome a hefty contract and a bigger role. However, <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-free-agency-for-malik-beasley-dennis-schroeder-ty-jerome-suns-nuggets-pelicans/" rel="noopener">his desire is to remain</a> in Cleveland, according to HoopsHype.</p><p>Atkinson has grown attached to his players in his first season with his new team. His players spoke highly of his approach to coaching and Mobley credited him with his improvement.</p><p>He might need to take his coaching to another level as the Cavaliers face a crucial financial decision that could impact the team for years.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cavs rumors: The Evan Mobley reason Cleveland could lose Ty Jerome

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-rumors-cavs-thunder-coaches-on-suns-radar-to-replace-mike-budenholzer');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Cavs, Thunder coaches on Suns’ radar to replace Mike Budenholzer');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NBA-rumors-Cavs-Thunder-coaches-on-Suns-radar-to-replace-Mike-Budenholzer.jpg"><figcaption>John Hefti-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Cavs, Thunder coaches on Suns’ radar to replace Mike Budenholzer</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-29T15:25:51-07:00">April 29th, 3:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-29T15:26:17-07:00">April 29th, 3:26pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA is delivering drama and excitement for its fans in the postseason. However, for teams that didn’t make it there, their offseason has already begun. For example, the Phoenix Suns are looking to give an opportunity to a first-time head coach. While the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-rumors-houston-kevin-durant-hold-mutual-interest-in-potential-trade">Suns expect to make a lot of moves</a>, their top priority appears to be finding a replacement for Mike Budenholzer.</p><p>When it comes to where his successor could come from, two teams have emerged as possibilities: the top seed in either conference. Phoenix is looking to give an opportunity to a first-time head coach, and top assistants of the Cavaliers and Thunder are <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-atlanta-hawks-phoenix-suns-new-orleans-pelicans-sacramento-kings-nba-draft/" rel="noopener">top targets</a>, according to HoopsHype.</p><p>Jordan Ott and David Bliss are top assistants for the Cavaliers and Thunder, respectively. Both are young, enthusiastic coaches who have built the league’s best defenses. They have molded a young star into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Evan Mobley and Chet Holmgren.</p><p>Ishbia, who is an unorthodox NBA owner, is willing to take risks. He believes that the team can still be competitive, even if they trade Kevin Durant away this summer. The first box to check is a coach who can refocus the team and get them to buy in.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-kevin-durant-mike-budenholzer-heated-moment-in-front-fans">Dysfunction between the Suns’ coaching staff and players</a> became a theme over the last season. Their lack of unity manifested itself in inconsistency throughout the season for Budenholzer’s team. Now, the Suns prepare to hit the reset button and try to make the most of Devin Booker’s prime.</p><p>Whoever the Suns bring in will be under pressure. Head coaches, especially new ones, are depended upon to instill their culture within an organization.</p><p>J.B. Bickerstaff is one of the NBA’s best examples of how the right coach can help a team. In a Western Conference that is as competitive as ever, Phoenix’s coaching decision will go a long way in deciding their offseason, for better or worse.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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