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Today’s edition of NBA Trade Deadline Rumors features the biggest name in the game: LeBron James. Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reports that James will not waive his trade clause to be moved at the trade deadline. The Cavs are definitely giving it at least one more run.
Sources: As NBA teams do due diligence on his no-trade clause and potential of him dropping it, LeBron James is determined to see year through in Cleveland, focused on season and will not waive the clause.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2018
Next up? Tyreke Evans. Nearly everyone seems to want Tyreke, even though his one-year contract may limit a team’s ability to re-sign him if they’re over the cap. However, a few teams are in win-now mode, and are willing to take that risk. But the price may be too high.
Three frontrunners (Boston, Denver and Philadelphia) and a fourth team (Miami) staying engaged on Memphis' Tyreke Evans, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2018
Evans’ availability, and Memphis’ reported requirement of a first round pick in return, has led to some scrambling from Danny Ainge.
The Celtics are chasing that extra first-round pick in Marcus Smart trade talks in hopes of flipping it in a deal for either Lou Williams or Tyreke Evans, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2018
Meanwhile, the Lakers may be giving up for this free agency cycle, and reloading for the next one.
Reporting with @ramonashelburne: As trade deadline approaches, Lakers beginning to recalibrate free agency focus to the class of 2019. https://t.co/c3hUTnlINH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2018
A Blazers-related note: David Aldridge speculates that perhaps Oklahoma City might be interested in Moe Harkless, because they had interested in him on draft night. There is no official report of interest, so we’re simply including it here.
Two potential names for OKC as the deadline nears & the Thunder look to replace @FlyDre21 for the playoffs: @moe_harkless and @aa000G9. Thunder dug deep on Harkless before the '13 Draft; The Grindfather could be a pickup candidate if the Bulls don’t/can't trade him & buy him out.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 6, 2018
Ersan Ilyasova is getting attention he apparently doesn’t want, according to Marc Stein.
There also continues to be considerable trade interest in Hawks forward Ersan Ilyasova, but Ilyasova can veto any trade as a One-Year Bird and to this point has shown little interest in relocating
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 7, 2018
And Adrian Wojnarowski claims that Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams, the subject of near-constant speculation since Blake Griffin was traded, may actually be in talks to remain with the Clippers.
Story with @WindhorstESPN filed to ESPN: Extension discussions between guard Lou Williams and the Clippers have gathered significant momentum and a new contract is within reach before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2018