A host of NBA superstars could opt to stay right where they are in free agency, while the Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly put a massive price on the head of one of its stars.
There’s also rumblings out of Portland that trouble could be brewing with Damian Lillard.
Catch up on the biggest whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the NBA Rumour Mill!
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LILLARD LEFT SEETHING OVER PORTLAND’S DRAFT MOVE
Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard has made it abundantly clear he does not want to be part of a rebuild and had hoped the team would have traded its No. 3 pick in the draft for some more help.
However, Portland instead held onto their pick and selected Scoot Henderson.
The fact the Trail Blazers opted to select a player at No. 3 reportedly left Lillard and his representatives unhappy, per The Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin.
Highkin reports all parties will now have a “conversation” as they plot the path forward, whatever that may look like.
Should Lillard officially want out, he’d have no shortage of potential suitors although he has gone on record saying he’d fancy a move to Miami or Brooklyn.
WARRIORS’ CORE TO STAY INTACT AMID RIVAL ‘PLOTTING’ FOR LATE PUSH
Perhaps the Golden State Warriors’ core won’t be broken up after all.
Draymond Green was set to become an unrestricted free agent after he declined his player option for the 2023/24 season and was already picking up some serious interest from elsewhere.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Memphis Grizzlies held a “strong interest” in Green and were “plotting” to make a push for his signature.
However, Stein claims Green is now unlikely to go anywhere, with “nothing but strong confidence” coming from the Warriors that a multi-year agreement can be struck.
It remains to be seen how much Green could get in his new deal, but the 33-year-old did repost a graphic from ESPN on Instagram in which Stephen A. Smith said he was “easily worth another $100m.”
SIXERS’ BONKERS ASKING PRICE FOR STAR REVEALED
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t been too keen on trading Tobias Harris unless they could get a serious return from a trade partner.
It’s now been revealed just how extravagant a trade package the Sixers were asking for.
In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, the Cavaliers, Pacers and Pistons all made calls into Harris’ availability.
But, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Harris wouldn’t come cheap.
When the Cavaliers made inquiries before the draft, the Sixers wanted a draft pick, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley — two of Cleveland’s key players.
Whether the Sixers soften their stance remains to be seen, but it’s clear they want a big return from potential trade partners.
HARDEN SET TO RUN IT BACK?
There had been plenty of talk surrounding James Harden’s future after his lacklustre displays towards the end of the Sixers’ playoff run this season.
The Sixers’ exit threw Harden’s future under a cloud of uncertainty as rumours of a return to the Houston Rockets were rife.
But Stein since claims the superstar will likely stay in Philadelphia, as the idea of him re-signing “has gained momentum” in recent weeks.
The 33-year-old has a player option on the table but can decline that in an attempt to boost his salary.
A return to the Sixers would also mean a new head coach at the helm given Doc Rivers was fired and replaced by Nick Nurse.
SUNS ‘MOVING FORWARD’ WITH PLANS TO KEEP BIG MAN
The Phoenix Suns are going all in on their championship window.
The Suns recently added Bradley Beal while parting ways with Chris Paul in a major play, but they’re now set to make a big call on one of their prized assets.
According to TNT reporter Chris Haynes, Phoenix are “moving forward” with their plan of keeping Deandre Ayton to play with Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Haynes claims the Suns feel Ayton’s value to the team is “at an all-time high” and are excited to watch Ayton play alongside Beal.
Phoenix had reportedly been looking to trade Ayton previously, but the stance has evidently changed.