NEWSLETTER
We don’t know when free agency will take place, nor do we know when next season will start, but that hasn’t stopped some big offseason rumors from coming across our timelines. You know what that means … rumor roundup!
• After surprisingly losing in the second round of the 2020 playoffs, people started to wonder whether 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo would begin to question his long-term future in Milwaukee. Assuming that the Bucks are not ready to lose arguably the best thing to happen to their franchise since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, everyone and their mother has started to speculate that they’ll add another veteran piece this offseason. Khris Middleton has proven to be an All-Star talent, but the rest of the Bucks’ supporting cast has not helped in the way the organization has hoped come playoff time. The exact type of player Milwaukee can land is a bit hard to say, but one can only assume it would come via the trade market in a deal that includes point guard Eric Bledsoe.
• ESPN’s Zach Lowe gave us a better understanding of the type of talent the Bucks could look at in his latest offseason preview. He listed Bogdan Bogdanovic, Victor Oladipo, and Jrue Holiday as potential targets for Milwaukee. More specifically, Lowe said the Bucks “love” Bogdanovic from the Kings and would potentially be willing to take on Harrison Barnes’ contract in such a deal. While that doesn’t necessarily sound like the best “third star” to add into the rotation, Bogdanovic is coming off a career season and appears to be a steadily improving player. His basketball IQ and savvy scoring ability would certainly be quite a solid addition to an already strong Bucks roster. For what it’s worth: None of these deals seem to currently be more probable than the other. The Bucks are probably just doing their research as they prepare for key offseason dates to come to fruition.
NBA offseason mega-preview: https://t.co/Bu4dJ9Wywm
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 5, 2020
• As for whether or not Antetokounmpo will re-sign with the Bucks, Lowe reports that the team is optimistic: “Many within the Bucks remain confident Giannis Antetokounmpo will sign a five-year supermax extension valued at between $220 million and $250 million (depending on the cap level) before the start of the 2020-21 regular season. Unless something drastic changes, Milwaukee is not trading him. If Antetokounmpo doesn’t sign, the Bucks are prepared to play it out, sources have said.”
• Bulls chatter appears to be minimal. The only potential trade Lowe mentions around the Bulls is a draft night pick swap with the Golden State Warriors. To be clear, he didn’t classify this as a legitimate conversation but rather an “intriguing” idea. We’ve mentioned in the past how a trade-up would likely require the Bulls to throw in Lauri Markkanen or Wendell Carter Jr., which makes any deal feel highly unlikely. Chances are that’s exactly why Lowe states he has not heard much about a possible trade between these two parties. Instead, he writes that the Bulls “want to watch Markkanen and Carter develop under Billy Donovan.” Good. Me too.
• When push comes to shove, I just don’t believe we’re going to see a groundbreaking trade from the Bulls this offseason. The young core has yet to be tested under a competent coaching staff, and the last thing this front office wants to do is get rid of a potential cornerstone piece too early. I know GM Marc Eversley has called this a “retooling” and not a “rebuild,” but I don’t think we should mistake that for some kind of immediate roster overhaul that attempts to put the Bulls in a win-now situation. Before the organization can retool, they need to learn which tools are broken. Watching film and a couple of scrimmages in the bubble has probably not been enough for Arturas Karnisovas and Eversley to decide which talent is worth further investment.
• Most Bulls offseason buzz has centered around the upcoming draft. The consensus right now is that Deni Avdija is the team’s top target (sounds good to me … *he says wearing Avdija pajamas and drinking out of an Avdija mug*).
Four New Mocks All Have the Bulls Drafting the Same Guyhttps://t.co/eV7SXP2hJa
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 3, 2020
• According to The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo, Devin Booker and Gordon Hayward could be on the move this offseason. Russillo said on The Bill Simmons Podcast that Booker’s urge to leave the Phoenix Suns is “the worst-kept secret in the league.” All things considered, that comment feels like it would hold a lot more weight one offseason ago. The idea that Booker has wanted a better situation has been assumed for years. After all, he is one of the more promising young talents in the league. However, last season his Suns team had a bit of a breakout campaign. The squad went 8-0 in the bubble and there is reason to believe this could be a playoff team next season. Booker may still be skeptical of a future in Phoenix, but it feels like sticking around for at least one more season is worth a shot.
Rumor: Devin Booker wants to leave Suns https://t.co/yLxajfjhsO
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) November 5, 2020
• Also, as noted by Basketballnews.com, Arizona radio host John Gambadoro is pretty confident that Booker is currently comfortable with the Suns. Take that as you will.
This is 100% NOT TRUE. Book is happy in Phoenix, excited for the season, loves how they finished in the bubble, excited about free agency. Not one time has he ever told anyone he wanted out. Don't listen to this garbage.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) November 4, 2020
• Russillo’s comment about Hayward was similar to his one about Booker – the Celtics forward wants to play for another team. In my opinion, this one is far more believable. I don’t necessarily think he has beef inside the Boston organization, but his role has greatly been diminished due to injuries and a rather stacked Celtics roster. A change of scenery might be what he needs to get back on track. The interesting thing to keep an eye on with Hayward is his player option. He can grab $34 million next season or try to sign a new long-term deal from another organization. I don’t know about you, but $34 million is a lot to turn down for a player who has recently struggled to stay healthy. I’d take it.
Ryen Russillo says Gordon Hayward wants out of Boston
"I heard Gordon Hayward does want out."
(Via the Bill Simmons Podcast) pic.twitter.com/9sTAwqjRLv
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) November 4, 2020
• Who can pull Holiday away from the Pelicans?
Pelicans All-Star Guard Jrue Holiday Could be on the Movehttps://t.co/4dooGZGUjZ
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 4, 2020
• The Pistons look like they want LaMelo Ball, but that could be hard to do with the No. 7 pick.
STORY: Detroit Pistons intrigued by LaMelo Ball, plan on meeting with him soon. Ball has been training in their backyard throughout the pandemic with his mentor and manager, Jermaine Jackson Sr., a former Piston and Motown native. https://t.co/hSsFKWCYJv
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 5, 2020
