NBA rumors: Warriors after Paul George, Rockets dangling Alperen Sengun, newest on DeMar DeRozan, and extra

The 2024 NBA Draft begins in just some hours.

And as you may anticipate, the rumors are flying.

Two beautiful trades on Tuesday evening, together with the massive transfer that despatched Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, have kicked the NBA pre-draft rumor mill into overdrive. While there are only a few hours remaining till the whole lot will get underway, the rumors should not slowing down.

Here is the newest buzz with just some hours left.

Will Paul George be traded?

One of the largest draft-day rumors proper now includes the way forward for Paul George in Los Angeles. According to long-time NBA insider Marc Stein, there may be “a growing feeling” in league circles that George will decide up his participant possibility for 2024-25 forward of the Saturday deadline.

That possibility is for $48.4 million subsequent 12 months.

George is reportedly in search of a brand new four-year deal, and so far the Clippers have been hesitant to play alongside, partially because of the three-year deal they reached not too long ago with Kawhi Leonard which got here in beneath max. Los Angeles desires to get George nearer to that worth vary, however with potential suitors on the market maybe prepared to provide George that four-year deal, the ahead could land elsewhere.

As for who these suitors is likely to be, groups just like the Golden State Warriors are definitely within the combine, and should have one thing of a “geographic” benefit. George could favor to remain on the West Coast, one thing different potential trade suitors like the Philadelphia 76ers are viewing as a hurdle to touchdown George.

Golden State looms because the flashiest vacation spot for George if the 2 sides can work out a sign-and-trade:

Might Kevin Durant keep put?

Two huge strikes on Tuesday evening kicked the NBA rumor mill into overdrive. One was the commerce that despatched Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. The different? The commerce between the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets, whereby quite a lot of future first-round picks and first-round decide rights modified arms.

While the bones of the commerce are difficult, the underlying motive was not: Houston obtained as a part of the deal picks that after belonged to the Phoenix Suns, and if the Suns wished these picks again, there may be a straightforward technique to get them.

Trade both Kevin Durant or Devin Booker to Houston.

It is a situation we walked readers by on Tuesday evening. But because the draft approaches, sources out of Phoenix point out that the group shouldn’t be going to maneuver Durant or Booker, because the Suns need to transfer forward with their present core:

Is this a pre-draft negotiating ploy from Phoenix, or an indication that they honestly are going to remain pat in the case of Durant and Booker?

Does the 2024 NBA Draft start at No. 3 and the Houston Rockets?

Let’s take the above concerning Durant and put it to the aspect for the second.

Does the 2024 NBA Draft start at No. 3 with the Houston Rockets, and may it in some way nonetheless contain Durant?

That was the purpose made by Brian Windhorst on ESPN’s “Get Up” Wednesday morning. Windhorst outlined how the third decide is maybe the draft’s inflection level, and if the Rockets had been to remain pat and make a decide in that spot — particularly UConn heart Donovan Clignan — it might make Alperen Sengun out there for a possible commerce for Durant.

Again, this situation requires us to disregard the opposite rumor out of Phoenix, which is that the Suns are prepared to maneuver forward into the 2024-25 season with their present core intact. But if the Rockets are on the clock tonight at No. 3, and Clingan is certainly their choice, maintain this hypothetical in thoughts.

KAT staying in Minnesota?

Financially talking, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a tough place. Fresh off their spectacular run to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota finds themselves facing the luxury tax, and that truth has led to questions concerning whether or not they would wish to commerce certainly one of their huge names to ease their monetary place.

However, in line with ESPN NBA Insider Zach Lowe, don’t anticipate the Timberwolves to half methods with Karl-Anthony Towns. According to Lowe, the Timberwolves need to retain KAT, whose four-year max extension kicks in subsequent season.

Any value reducing may need to come back elsewhere.

DeMar DeRozan a Plan B for the Clippers?

DeMar DeRozan is on the cusp of changing into a free agent after spending the final three seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

If George finally ends up leaving the Clippers, might Los Angeles view DeRozan as a Plan B?

According to stories, that may be a risk:

Again, the requires the Clippers shifting on from George, which stays a powerful risk. Speaking concerning the George scenario on “Get Up” Wednesday morning Brian Windhorst had this to say concerning the present negotiating place between Los Angeles and George: “To this level, the Clippers have solely been prepared to supply Paul George about what they gave Kawhi Leonard,” said the ESPN NBA insider Wednesday. “Three years at somewhat bit lower than the max contract, and Paul George, frankly, desires 4 years. He desires a full out max and there are a variety of groups on the market, I’m instructed, which might be ready to provide it to him, who’re ready to commerce for him. One of these groups, probably, is up the coast in Golden State.”

If this certainly occurs, look ahead to DeRozan to be the Clippers’ Plan B.