Before acquiring PJ Washington in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks had another plan; they wanted to get Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma. The only problem was that Kuzma didn’t want to go to Dallas.

Speaking with The Athletic earlier this week, Kuzma revealed that the Wizards had an offer from the Mavs for him and that Washington’s president, Michael Winger, was willing to accept it if Kuzma wanted to go. However, the 28-year-old player preferred to stay put, prompting Winger to rebuff Dallas’s interest.

“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me,” Kuzma said. “Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”

While Kuzma didn’t get a no-trade clause as part of the four-year, $102 million deal he signed with the Wizards in the summer, the franchise’s brass promised him that he’d have input if a trade opportunity presented itself. That was unless the offer they received was something that the team couldn’t afford to pass on.

Winger obviously felt that the Mavs’ offer wasn’t in the “can’t refuse” realm, prompting him to reach out to Kuzma and leave the decision up to him. And perhaps surprisingly, Kuzma decided he likes it more with the rebuilding Wizards than the contending Mavericks.

Kuzma has been playing arguably his best season since turning pro in 2023-24. He is averaging a career-high 21.8 points and 4.2 assists to go with 6.3 rebounds.

The post Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma Rejected a Trade to the Mavericks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The NBA trade deadline came and went, but the Golden State Warriors didn’t engage in any deals despite various trade rumors surrounding the franchise. However, according to a recent report from NBC Sports’ K.C. Johnson, it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Johnson reports that the Warriors reached out to the Chicago Bulls in an attempt to acquire guard Alex Caruso. The two teams had various exploratory talks, but the Bulls just weren’t interested in what the Warriors had to offer.

Reportedly, Chicago was interested in making a deal only if the Warriors were willing to include forward Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State, on the other hand, viewed Kuminga as untouchable and preferred to center the package on young shooting guard Moses Moody.

Caruso has been in fine form this season, playing great defense as usual while averaging career-highs in points (9.8) and rebounds (3.8), alongside 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals. He drew interest from various other teams besides the Warriors, but the Bulls didn’t want to let him leave in a deal that would make their roster less competitive.

“We didn’t see anything that was going to make us better,” Bulls’ vice president Artūras Karnišovas explained after the NBA trade deadline concluded. “We would take a step back, which we don’t want. We want to stay competitive.”

The post Golden State Reportedly Tried to Trade for Bulls’ Alex Caruso appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA at the moment, and according to recent reports, they want to get even better. NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that the Celtics are currently pursuing a reunion with Utah Jazz’s big man Kelly Olynyk.

The Celtics believe they could use some quality depth on the center position to take the load off of Kristaps Porzingis. Olynyk is a perfect candidate, thanks to his familiarity with the system as well as his ability to stretch the floor.

 Olynyk is having a solid season with the Jazz, averaging 7.9 points, 5.5 assists, and a career-high 4.6 assists. The 32-year-old player is also making 41.4% of his shots behind the three-point line, his best mark since turning pro.

However, pulling off the deal won’t be easy for the Celtics. Olynyk is attracting interest from other teams, and the Jazz likely won’t let him leave for cheap. Also, he has a $12 million salary and is on an expiring contract, meaning Boston would have to give up some of their depth for a player that could be a rental.

Kelly Olynyk started his career with the Celtics, who acquired him in a draft-day trade with the Dallas Mavericks in 2013. After four seasons in Boston, Olynyk became a free agent and signed with the Miami Heat. He also had stints with the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons before landing with the Jazz.

The post Celtics Pursuing a Reunion With Kelly Olynyk appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of another disappointing season and are expected to be sellers at the NBA trade deadline. The player they are reportedly open to moving is All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray, who is already attracting interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania recently discussed the Lakers’ trade targets and mentioned Murray as a player of interest. According to Charania, Murray represents an alternative for the LA team if their pursuit of Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine doesn’t come to fruition.

The one issue for the Lakers is that they lack draft assets to present the Hawks with a credible offer that doesn’t include standout shooting guard Austin Reaves.

On the other hand, Ian Begley of SNY reports that Murray is a target for the Knicks. The New York team already tried to get Murray before the San Antonio Spurs sent him to Atlanta during the 2022 offseason. They still have interest in the 27-year-old player, viewing him as an ideal fit alongside their guard Jalen Brunson.

If the Knicks decide to make a run for Murray, they will have no trouble matching the Hawks’ asking price. The Knicks have a surplus of draft picks they gained in previous trades while also being able to sweeten the offer with several young players.

Murray is averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. The Hawks currently find themselves at No. 11 in the Eastern Conference with a 12-17 record.

The post Lakers and Knicks Reportedly Interested in Trading for Hawks’ Dejounte Murray appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Zach LaVine’s time with the Chicago Bulls might be coming to an end. According to a recent report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry, the Bulls are believed to be open to trading LaVine if the right offer comes their way.

LaVine has been the Bulls’ best player this season, averaging 21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. However, Chicago is far from competitive in 2023-24, currently sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference with a 4-7 record, and could be looking to shake up its roster. It is believed that the player would also be open to a move.

Reportedly, there are more than a few teams interested in LaVine if the Bulls get serious about trading him. The list includes the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Miami Heat. 

LaVine recently addressed the rumors in a chat with reporters, saying he understands the business side of it.

“This is a business, man,” LaVine said via NBC Sports Chicago. “We’ve dealt with a lot more than people talking in the media. There’s been a lot more than that. Obviously, there was some news in the media. But we’re grown men. We’re a professional business. We know how to handle that.”

Zach LaVine landed with the Chicago Bulls in 2017 in a trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since then, LaVine established himself as the face of the franchise and became a two-time All-Star. But his ascent to stardom didn’t include much team success, as the Bulls only made one playoff appearance during his time with the franchise.

The post Chicago Bulls Open to Trading All-Star Zach LaVine appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Golden State Warriors are close to moving another one of their recent high draft picks. And curiously, they would want to get a high draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in exchange.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Warriors are exploring the possibility of moving up in this year’s draft, and they would be willing to trade young forward Jonathan Kuminga to do so. Kuminga was the franchise’s seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft.

Back in February, Golden State traded away James Wiseman, their second overall selection in the 2020 draft. Prior to this, Wiseman and Kuminga were seen as future franchise cornerstones after the current core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green retires.

Kuminga averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 points during the 2022-23 regular season despite playing under 21 minutes per game. However, he had a cameo showing during the playoffs, playing a total of 61 minutes across two series.

It is unclear how far the Warriors can move up the 2023 NBA Draft with a package centered on Jonathan Kuminga and their own No. 19 pick. However, it is believed that a number of teams with high selections could be interested in trades. This includes the Portland Trail Blazers, who own the third overall pick, and Detroit Pistons at No. 5.

The post Warriors Looking to Trade Jonathan Kuminga for High Pick in 2023 NBA Draft appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran guard Terrence Ross appears to be on the road to signing with the Phoenix Suns after a long-winded race to acquire his signature, sources confirmed on Saturday. Currently, Ross is in the process of finalizing his contract buyout with the Orlando Magic and is expected to be able to sign as a free agent sometime early this coming week.

Initially, the Dallas Mavericks emerged as a frontrunner in the race to acquire the veteran, however, Ross was lured in by the Suns after owner Mat Ishbia and coach Monty Williams made a convincing argument to the player. This included the opportunity for Ross to play alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to add depth to the Suns’ wing as the team gears up for a lengthy playoff run.

With Ross set to clear his waivers, he will have until March 1 to agree to the buyout in order to be eligible to be registered on his new team’s roster.

Ross is a highly sought-after guard this season, posting 38% 3-point shooting while exhibiting a high level of athleticism on the court. Upon joining the Suns, Ross will lineup alongside new arrivals Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren, who were acquired in a headline-making deal with the Brooklyn Nets last week.

The post Terrence Ross Changes Course; Pursues Suns Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Multiple sources have reported that the Boston Celtics have approached the Brooklyn Nets to discuss the possibility of working out a deal for Kevin Durant. This comes as the fourth week following Durant’s trade request approaches.

The Celtics reportedly join a highly competitive race to sign Durant, with the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns, and the Toronto Raptors all expressing interest in the player. While the Nets have not advanced talks with any party as of yet, the Celtics appear to have the advantage of All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who they could include in a deal for the veteran star.

Although the Celtics would not consider a deal for All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, they are open to allowing Brown to depart depending on the rest of the terms for the Durant trade.

With four years and $198 million left on Durant’s contract, the Nets are in no hurry to offload the player, rather choosing to remain patient until they receive an offer that they deem worthy. It is believed that the Celtics could potentially put together a trade that includes Brown along with up to three unprotected first-round picks.

The post Celtics in Talks With Nets Over Potential Kevin Durant Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Portland Trail Blazers have decided to tear apart their iconic backcourt of CJ McCollum and Damien Lillard. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers have traded McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package highlighted by Josh Hart, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, and a 2022 protected first-rounder.

Reportedly, Portland will also get guards Tomas Satoransky and Didi Louzada alongside two second-round selections as part of the deal. On the other hand, the Pelicans acquire forward Larry Nance Jr. and veteran Tony Snell alongside McCollum.

The Trail Blazers have been shopping McCollum for a while now, looking to reshape their roster after coming up short in the playoffs in recent seasons and seeing four first-round exits in the past five years. At one point, they were close to sending the NBA’s Most Improved Player from 2016 to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, but the two teams couldn’t agree on a draft compensation included in the deal. After that, the market for McCollum dried up until the Pelicans picked up the phone to make the inquiry.

New Orleans was looking to add a reliable scoring threat recently, and it’s safe to say they have successfully completed the task with the acquisition of McCollum. The 30-year-old averaged 20+ points in each of the past six seasons and should comfortably clear the number in 2021-22 as well. In 36 games he played for Portland this season, he scored 20.5 points per contest while adding 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

On the other hand, Portland made the deal by having a long-term picture in mind. So while the deal won’t make them better at the moment, they have acquired tradable assets they can potentially flip into a difference-making player. Another benefit of the trade for them is that they are now more than $17 million under the tax. 

The post Portland Trail Blazers Trade CJ McCollum to the Pelicans appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Considering the youth movement in Houston, it is only a matter of time before the Rockets move on from veteran guard Eric Gordon. And according to New York Post’s Marc Berman, that time might be now with the New York Knicks emerging as a strong contender to land the 32-year-old.

Berman reports that the Knicks have been internally discussing a potential trade for Gordon for a while now, viewing him as a valuable contributor who could solve their offensive problems and add reliable 3-point shooting. The New York team is having a rough start of the season, which sees them sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference with a 13-16 record, and believes a player like Gordon could make an immediate impact.

The Rockets, on the other hand, wouldn’t mind getting some assets in return for Gordon. While he’s highly respected by the franchise, the Rockets are currently rebuilding and want to give their younger players a chance. Moving Gordon would open up valuable minutes and allow them to get a better look at some of their prospect. Getting draft capital or another young player is just a bonus.

If the Knicks pull off a trade for Gordon, they won’t just be a better team but will also make their point guard Derrick Rose happy. The two go way back, having played together in Amateur Athletic Union with the Mean Streets Express. Rose even tried to team up with Gordon during his first stint in New York, but Gordon chose to join the Rockets in free agency instead.

Gordon played 24 games for the Rockets this season and is currently averaging 14.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

The post Knicks Pursuing Rockets Veteran Guard Eric Gordon appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Before acquiring PJ Washington in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks had another plan; they wanted to get Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma. The only problem was that Kuzma didn’t want to go to Dallas.

Speaking with The Athletic earlier this week, Kuzma revealed that the Wizards had an offer from the Mavs for him and that Washington’s president, Michael Winger, was willing to accept it if Kuzma wanted to go. However, the 28-year-old player preferred to stay put, prompting Winger to rebuff Dallas’s interest.

“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me,” Kuzma said. “Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”

While Kuzma didn’t get a no-trade clause as part of the four-year, $102 million deal he signed with the Wizards in the summer, the franchise’s brass promised him that he’d have input if a trade opportunity presented itself. That was unless the offer they received was something that the team couldn’t afford to pass on.

Winger obviously felt that the Mavs’ offer wasn’t in the “can’t refuse” realm, prompting him to reach out to Kuzma and leave the decision up to him. And perhaps surprisingly, Kuzma decided he likes it more with the rebuilding Wizards than the contending Mavericks.

Kuzma has been playing arguably his best season since turning pro in 2023-24. He is averaging a career-high 21.8 points and 4.2 assists to go with 6.3 rebounds.

The post Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma Rejected a Trade to the Mavericks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The NBA trade deadline came and went, but the Golden State Warriors didn’t engage in any deals despite various trade rumors surrounding the franchise. However, according to a recent report from NBC Sports’ K.C. Johnson, it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Johnson reports that the Warriors reached out to the Chicago Bulls in an attempt to acquire guard Alex Caruso. The two teams had various exploratory talks, but the Bulls just weren’t interested in what the Warriors had to offer.

Reportedly, Chicago was interested in making a deal only if the Warriors were willing to include forward Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State, on the other hand, viewed Kuminga as untouchable and preferred to center the package on young shooting guard Moses Moody.

Caruso has been in fine form this season, playing great defense as usual while averaging career-highs in points (9.8) and rebounds (3.8), alongside 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals. He drew interest from various other teams besides the Warriors, but the Bulls didn’t want to let him leave in a deal that would make their roster less competitive.

“We didn’t see anything that was going to make us better,” Bulls’ vice president Artūras Karnišovas explained after the NBA trade deadline concluded. “We would take a step back, which we don’t want. We want to stay competitive.”

The post Golden State Reportedly Tried to Trade for Bulls’ Alex Caruso appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA at the moment, and according to recent reports, they want to get even better. NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that the Celtics are currently pursuing a reunion with Utah Jazz’s big man Kelly Olynyk.

The Celtics believe they could use some quality depth on the center position to take the load off of Kristaps Porzingis. Olynyk is a perfect candidate, thanks to his familiarity with the system as well as his ability to stretch the floor.

 Olynyk is having a solid season with the Jazz, averaging 7.9 points, 5.5 assists, and a career-high 4.6 assists. The 32-year-old player is also making 41.4% of his shots behind the three-point line, his best mark since turning pro.

However, pulling off the deal won’t be easy for the Celtics. Olynyk is attracting interest from other teams, and the Jazz likely won’t let him leave for cheap. Also, he has a $12 million salary and is on an expiring contract, meaning Boston would have to give up some of their depth for a player that could be a rental.

Kelly Olynyk started his career with the Celtics, who acquired him in a draft-day trade with the Dallas Mavericks in 2013. After four seasons in Boston, Olynyk became a free agent and signed with the Miami Heat. He also had stints with the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons before landing with the Jazz.

The post Celtics Pursuing a Reunion With Kelly Olynyk appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of another disappointing season and are expected to be sellers at the NBA trade deadline. The player they are reportedly open to moving is All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray, who is already attracting interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania recently discussed the Lakers’ trade targets and mentioned Murray as a player of interest. According to Charania, Murray represents an alternative for the LA team if their pursuit of Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine doesn’t come to fruition.

The one issue for the Lakers is that they lack draft assets to present the Hawks with a credible offer that doesn’t include standout shooting guard Austin Reaves.

On the other hand, Ian Begley of SNY reports that Murray is a target for the Knicks. The New York team already tried to get Murray before the San Antonio Spurs sent him to Atlanta during the 2022 offseason. They still have interest in the 27-year-old player, viewing him as an ideal fit alongside their guard Jalen Brunson.

If the Knicks decide to make a run for Murray, they will have no trouble matching the Hawks’ asking price. The Knicks have a surplus of draft picks they gained in previous trades while also being able to sweeten the offer with several young players.

Murray is averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. The Hawks currently find themselves at No. 11 in the Eastern Conference with a 12-17 record.

The post Lakers and Knicks Reportedly Interested in Trading for Hawks’ Dejounte Murray appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Zach LaVine’s time with the Chicago Bulls might be coming to an end. According to a recent report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry, the Bulls are believed to be open to trading LaVine if the right offer comes their way.

LaVine has been the Bulls’ best player this season, averaging 21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. However, Chicago is far from competitive in 2023-24, currently sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference with a 4-7 record, and could be looking to shake up its roster. It is believed that the player would also be open to a move.

Reportedly, there are more than a few teams interested in LaVine if the Bulls get serious about trading him. The list includes the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Miami Heat. 

LaVine recently addressed the rumors in a chat with reporters, saying he understands the business side of it.

“This is a business, man,” LaVine said via NBC Sports Chicago. “We’ve dealt with a lot more than people talking in the media. There’s been a lot more than that. Obviously, there was some news in the media. But we’re grown men. We’re a professional business. We know how to handle that.”

Zach LaVine landed with the Chicago Bulls in 2017 in a trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since then, LaVine established himself as the face of the franchise and became a two-time All-Star. But his ascent to stardom didn’t include much team success, as the Bulls only made one playoff appearance during his time with the franchise.

The post Chicago Bulls Open to Trading All-Star Zach LaVine appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Golden State Warriors are close to moving another one of their recent high draft picks. And curiously, they would want to get a high draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in exchange.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Warriors are exploring the possibility of moving up in this year’s draft, and they would be willing to trade young forward Jonathan Kuminga to do so. Kuminga was the franchise’s seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft.

Back in February, Golden State traded away James Wiseman, their second overall selection in the 2020 draft. Prior to this, Wiseman and Kuminga were seen as future franchise cornerstones after the current core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green retires.

Kuminga averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 points during the 2022-23 regular season despite playing under 21 minutes per game. However, he had a cameo showing during the playoffs, playing a total of 61 minutes across two series.

It is unclear how far the Warriors can move up the 2023 NBA Draft with a package centered on Jonathan Kuminga and their own No. 19 pick. However, it is believed that a number of teams with high selections could be interested in trades. This includes the Portland Trail Blazers, who own the third overall pick, and Detroit Pistons at No. 5.

The post Warriors Looking to Trade Jonathan Kuminga for High Pick in 2023 NBA Draft appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran guard Terrence Ross appears to be on the road to signing with the Phoenix Suns after a long-winded race to acquire his signature, sources confirmed on Saturday. Currently, Ross is in the process of finalizing his contract buyout with the Orlando Magic and is expected to be able to sign as a free agent sometime early this coming week.

Initially, the Dallas Mavericks emerged as a frontrunner in the race to acquire the veteran, however, Ross was lured in by the Suns after owner Mat Ishbia and coach Monty Williams made a convincing argument to the player. This included the opportunity for Ross to play alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to add depth to the Suns’ wing as the team gears up for a lengthy playoff run.

With Ross set to clear his waivers, he will have until March 1 to agree to the buyout in order to be eligible to be registered on his new team’s roster.

Ross is a highly sought-after guard this season, posting 38% 3-point shooting while exhibiting a high level of athleticism on the court. Upon joining the Suns, Ross will lineup alongside new arrivals Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren, who were acquired in a headline-making deal with the Brooklyn Nets last week.

The post Terrence Ross Changes Course; Pursues Suns Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Multiple sources have reported that the Boston Celtics have approached the Brooklyn Nets to discuss the possibility of working out a deal for Kevin Durant. This comes as the fourth week following Durant’s trade request approaches.

The Celtics reportedly join a highly competitive race to sign Durant, with the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns, and the Toronto Raptors all expressing interest in the player. While the Nets have not advanced talks with any party as of yet, the Celtics appear to have the advantage of All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who they could include in a deal for the veteran star.

Although the Celtics would not consider a deal for All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, they are open to allowing Brown to depart depending on the rest of the terms for the Durant trade.

With four years and $198 million left on Durant’s contract, the Nets are in no hurry to offload the player, rather choosing to remain patient until they receive an offer that they deem worthy. It is believed that the Celtics could potentially put together a trade that includes Brown along with up to three unprotected first-round picks.

The post Celtics in Talks With Nets Over Potential Kevin Durant Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Portland Trail Blazers have decided to tear apart their iconic backcourt of CJ McCollum and Damien Lillard. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers have traded McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package highlighted by Josh Hart, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, and a 2022 protected first-rounder.

Reportedly, Portland will also get guards Tomas Satoransky and Didi Louzada alongside two second-round selections as part of the deal. On the other hand, the Pelicans acquire forward Larry Nance Jr. and veteran Tony Snell alongside McCollum.

The Trail Blazers have been shopping McCollum for a while now, looking to reshape their roster after coming up short in the playoffs in recent seasons and seeing four first-round exits in the past five years. At one point, they were close to sending the NBA’s Most Improved Player from 2016 to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, but the two teams couldn’t agree on a draft compensation included in the deal. After that, the market for McCollum dried up until the Pelicans picked up the phone to make the inquiry.

New Orleans was looking to add a reliable scoring threat recently, and it’s safe to say they have successfully completed the task with the acquisition of McCollum. The 30-year-old averaged 20+ points in each of the past six seasons and should comfortably clear the number in 2021-22 as well. In 36 games he played for Portland this season, he scored 20.5 points per contest while adding 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

On the other hand, Portland made the deal by having a long-term picture in mind. So while the deal won’t make them better at the moment, they have acquired tradable assets they can potentially flip into a difference-making player. Another benefit of the trade for them is that they are now more than $17 million under the tax. 

The post Portland Trail Blazers Trade CJ McCollum to the Pelicans appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Considering the youth movement in Houston, it is only a matter of time before the Rockets move on from veteran guard Eric Gordon. And according to New York Post’s Marc Berman, that time might be now with the New York Knicks emerging as a strong contender to land the 32-year-old.

Berman reports that the Knicks have been internally discussing a potential trade for Gordon for a while now, viewing him as a valuable contributor who could solve their offensive problems and add reliable 3-point shooting. The New York team is having a rough start of the season, which sees them sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference with a 13-16 record, and believes a player like Gordon could make an immediate impact.

The Rockets, on the other hand, wouldn’t mind getting some assets in return for Gordon. While he’s highly respected by the franchise, the Rockets are currently rebuilding and want to give their younger players a chance. Moving Gordon would open up valuable minutes and allow them to get a better look at some of their prospect. Getting draft capital or another young player is just a bonus.

If the Knicks pull off a trade for Gordon, they won’t just be a better team but will also make their point guard Derrick Rose happy. The two go way back, having played together in Amateur Athletic Union with the Mean Streets Express. Rose even tried to team up with Gordon during his first stint in New York, but Gordon chose to join the Rockets in free agency instead.

Gordon played 24 games for the Rockets this season and is currently averaging 14.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

The post Knicks Pursuing Rockets Veteran Guard Eric Gordon appeared first on SportzBonanza.