Rounding up NBA trade rumors and which players could be available on draft night
This article was first published as the Jazz Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Friday.
Every year there are a million different things that could happen on NBA draft night, but this year feels like it’s going to be particularly crazy.
By now you know how many of the top draft picks could be on the move, but the amount of top-level NBA talent that could be on the move on draft night is just as staggering.
When the Jazz Insiders newsletter reaches your inbox next week, all will be answered, and draft night will be over. But for now, I figured it might be a good idea to catch you up on all the rumors that have been swirling about players that could be on the move, should the right draft night deal arise.
Starting with the Utah Jazz, the front office has been very clear and upfront about the fact that they will be a part of any major trade conversations that happen, simply because they have so many assets. They could be willing to package players and/or picks in order to move up in the draft or bring in a proven NBA player that they feel can add to their future.
Over the past several weeks rumors have been swirling about players that teams would be willing to trade and as we get closer to the draft, more names are being dropped in reports.
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In the Eastern Conference, the 76ers don’t know if James Harden is going to return, and if he doesn’t, that gives the Sixers cap space with tradable contracts to do some maneuvering. Fred VanVleet is going to decline his player option with the Toronto Raptors, but that doesn’t guarantee free agency just yet. The Raptors could choose to do a sign-and-trade with VanVleet, and since there have already been rumors about Pascal Siakam potentially being available, things could really shake up in Toronto.
The Washington Wizards are reportedly looking for deals to trade Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. With new management in the Wizards’ front office, who knows what else they would be willing to deal. The Brooklyn Nets are trying to build a contending team and in their search for a star player, could have to let go of some of their role playing talent. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers both found out in the playoffs that they aren’t quite where they need to be so there’s bound to be changes on their rosters, and the Atlanta Hawks have long been rumored to be looking to make changes.
In the Western Conference, things are sure to shake up after Denver’s seemingly easy run to the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly been shopping both Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga, and the Phoenix Suns are looking at ways to get rid of Chris Paul. The Pelicans could potentially be making Zion Williamson available, and it’s been rumored that they could be willing to part with Brandon Ingram for a top draft pick. And who knows what’s going on in Dallas with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic?
That’s a lot of big names, and it’s not even a complete list. The Celtics are reportedly shopping guards, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to trade up in the draft meaning they are willing to part with someone, the Los Angeles Lakers are definitely looking for ways improve their roster, the Chicago Bulls could be on the verge of blowing everything up and there are more than a handful of teams who are looking to move up on draft night.
To put it mildly, the NBA could see drastic and major changes with player movement on Thursday.
New with the Jazz
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This week on ‘Unsalvageable’
Check out “Unsalvageable,” hosted by Deseret News Utah Jazz beat reporter Sarah Todd and lifelong Jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster).
The Unsalvageable crew is back from summer break and has an episode that will prime you for the NBA draft. Not only do they discuss the upcoming draft and some of the most interesting prospects, but they also congratulate the Denver Nuggets on the championship run and talk about NBA Summer League.
New episodes come out every week. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you stream podcasts.
How to pass the offseason
I listen to a lot of podcasts. You might have just read that sentence and assumed that I listen to a few a week. No, I listen to A LOT of podcasts — more than I probably should. But I figure that if podcasts are my addiction, then life is probably going fine.
I listen to them when I’m driving, when I’m shopping, when I’m walking, when I’m cleaning, when I’m doing my nails, when I’m showering, when I’m playing games on my phone, when I’m trying to come up with ideas for newsletters, or while I’m watching draft prospect film. It’s constant.
So, I thought I’d just share a few of my favorites. When I want something basketball related, I love listening to “Greatest of All Talk,” “The Lowe Post” and “The Mismatch.”
When I’m in the mood for a laugh, I like listening to “The Dollop,” which is an American history podcast hosted by two comedians or “Do You Need a Ride?,” which is a show hosted by two comedians who give rides to their comedian friends and record the conversations.
I’m an absolute sucker for true crime (I used to run a true crime fan club when I lived in Philadelphia. Shout out to all the murderinos out there). There are a bajillion true crime pods, but a couple of the very best which are well produced, researched and cover a number of different types of cases are “Someone Knows Something” and “Uncover”.
Lately I’ve really been enjoying going back and listening to the huge catalogs from “Radiolab” and “Beautiful Anonymous,” which are both podcasts that are hard to describe. Every episode is different and truly cover the range of topics and emotions.
I’m always looking for great podcasts to add to the list, so send your suggestions my way. Or, if you’re looking for a podcast suggestion, I love passing along my deep podcast knowledge, so just reach out.
Stat of the week
The Denver Nuggets are one of just four surviving teams from the NBA/ABA merger in 1976. Until this year, they had never even reached the NBA Finals. In their first Finals appearance, they became NBA champions, with Finals MVP Nikola Jokic becoming the first player to ever lead the entire postseason in points, rebounds and assists.
From the archives
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BYU football offers scholarship to son of former Utah Jazz guard
Walker Kessler will reportedly represent the United States later this summer
Extra points
A look at the Utah Jazz’s new coaching additions (Deseret News)
Five players the Jazz could select with the 16th pick (Deseret News)
Five players the Jazz could select with the 28th pick (Deseret News)
Around the league
Nuggets celebrate first NBA title with parade in Denver.
Michael Jordan’s flu-game sneakers sell for $1.38 million.
Way-too-early power rankings for the 2023-24 NBA season.
Up next
June 22 | 6:30 p.m. | NBA draft | ESPN
