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In the wake of the NBA Draft, GMs, agents and players turn their focus to NBA Free Agency and trades with team/player options already being exercised and declined. Let’s take a look around the league for rumors that have sprouted following the draft.
Keith Pompey of philly.com confirms a Markelle Fultz trade could be had on draft night if the price was right:
The Sixers say they aren’t shopping him. However, there was a report that they had internal discussions about packing him with Nos. 10 and 26 picks to move up into the Top 5 in Thursday’s draft. And multiple league sources have said that Fultz was available to be traded.
Veteran Denver forward Wilson Chandler has decided to return to the Nuggets, exercising his $12.8 million option, Chris Haynes of ESPN reports:
Denver forward Wilson Chandler will exercise $12.8 million player option for the 2018-19 season, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 22, 2018
As expected, Carmelo Anthony has decided to settle for his $27.9 million option and stay in Oklahoma City in 2018-19, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times:
Oklahoma City’s Carmelo Anthony does not intend to opt out of his current contract before his Saturday ETO deadline, @NYTSports has learned. Full coverage here: https://t.co/MfJmRqL6Oj
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2018
Dwane Casey continues to build his new staff in Detroit, adding former Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Sweeney has been credited with developing Milwaukee’s defensive schemes as well as building strong ties with star Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Milwaukee Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney has agreed to a deal to become one of Detroit coach Dwane Casey’s new top assistants, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2018
Casey has also added Wizards assistant coach Sidney Lowe to his bench.
Washington Wizards assistant Sidney Lowe has agreed to a deal to become the top assistant to Dwane Casey with the Detroit Pistons, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 25, 2018
Miami veteran Dwyane Wade told Joel Weber of Bloomberg Businessweek he hopes to one day be a part-owner of an NBA franchise:
”I definitely want to be a part of ownership in the NBA. I’m not going to try to buy a team. I don’t have that kind of bread, but I definitely want to be a part of a great ownership group. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is all about players being involved in an ownership capacity. You’ve got players like Grant Hill involved in the Atlanta Hawks. Shaquille O’Neal is involved in the Sacramento Kings. It’s definitely something that I’ve talked about, some of my friends have talked about. But, first of all, I’d have to be retired. When that time comes...”
Serbian guard Milos Teodosic will return to the Clippers in 2018-19, exercising his $6.3 million player option, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports:
Los Angeles Clippers guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3M player option for the 2018-19 season, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2018
Hawks stretch big man Mike Muscala will return to Atlanta, opting in on his $5 million contact for this season, according to Wojnarowski:
Hawks forward Mike Muscala has exercised his $5M player option, source tells ESPN. He will be back with Atlanta.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2018
Memphis has parted ways with forward Omari Johnson, according to Charania. Johnson’s deal was non-guaranteed for the 2018-19 season:
Sources: The Grizzlies have released forward Omari Johnson. Johnson signed a multiyear deal with Memphis late in the season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2018
Knicks big man Enes Kanter has denied any rumors he intends to opt on or out of his $18,622,514 for 2018-19, according to Taylor Rooks of SportsNet New York. Kanter initially signed an offer sheet for his contract with the Blazers in 2015 before it was matched by the Thunder:
Just spoke to Enes Kanter regarding report that he is expected to opt out. He says it’s not true and he has made no decisions yet.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 24, 2018
And Frank Urbina of HoopsHype has put together four possible locations for former Portland wing and free agent Will Barton. Urbina suggests Phoenix, Indiana, Philadelphia or staying in Denver:
The six-year veteran has blossomed into quite the player – one comfortable starting or coming off the pine, and one that will garner serious interest once he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.