A flurry of trades at the NBA Draft had repercussions that will affect the best free agents on the market, including: Deandre Ayton† Jalen Brunson† Tyus Jonesand others.
Below is the latest information gathered by HoopsHype on what’s next for Ayton, Brunson, Jones and behind the scenes of how Paolo Banchero learned that he would be the best overall choice.
Deandre Ayton
Rick Scuteri-US TODAY Sports
With the Detroit Pistons trading for downtown Jalen Duren in the draft, it’s unclear if that could affect the team’s pursuit of Deandre Ayton as primary target free agent† Duren, who won’t be turning 19 until November, is a raw talent and needs time to develop. general manager pistons Troy Weaver has always been enamored with Ayton, dating back to 2017, a competition source familiar with Weaver’s reminiscent of HoopsHype told me.
The Atlanta Hawks are among the teams interested in Ayton and have a potential sign-and-trade chip in the middle Clint Capelawho had career highs in points (16.6) and field goal percentage (.652) next to play Chris Paul during their two seasons on the Rockets.
The San Antonio Spurs have the flexibility of the cap space to make a potential run on Ayton in a limited free agency and have a center Jakob Poeltl, who averaged a career-high 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, as a possible sign-and-trade chip. Poeltl enters the last year of his contract with $9.4 million†
Privately, some in the league questioned whether the Indiana Pacers would make sense for Ayton in a contract with Myles Turner. Both players are represented by agent Bill Duffy from BDA Sports† Turner, arguably the league’s top shot blocker, would represent a defensive upgrade for the Suns entering a contract season. However, some question whether Indiana would be willing to spend the maximum amount of money on a center during a renovation.
Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was reportedly interested playing with Ayton. Portland, however, loved Jusuf Nurkic by the trade deadline with the intention of re-signing him to free agency this summer, which remains the case a week before free agency starts, league sources told HoopsHype.
Jalen Brunson
Sam Navarro-US TODAY Sports
Rival NBA executives across the league believe New York Knicks are “all in” to try to sign guard Jalen Brunson in free agency this summer after their draft night trades with more anticipated moves. The Knicks also hired his father, Rick, as an assistant coach and team president Leon Rose was his former agent.
Keep an eye out for the Knicks who may be waiving Taj Gibson to create more cap space for a run on Brunson, league sources told HoopsHype. Gibson, a beloved player for the Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeauhas a $5.2 million non-guaranteed salary for next season.
It is also worth mentioning Cam reddish, which has nearly $6 million in credit next season, could get moving this summer to create more cap space. When the Knicks Tried to Trade for Pistons Guard Jaden Ivey on draft night, Reddish was part of the proposal, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Knicks were dangling too Alec Burks in the trade market to various teams, including the Pacers and Cavaliers, before it was reported Burks underwent foot surgery and is expected to return before the start of training camp, competition sources told HoopsHype.
Tyus Jones
Joe Rondone-US TODAY Sports
Add free agent point guard Tyus Jones to the long list of point guards the Washington Wizards have on their radar, league sources told HoopsHype. Washington has the complete mid-level exception of the non-taxpayer moving towards free agency and could potentially give Jones a chance to get started, which he ideally wishes.
Jones has been a solid backup point guard for the Grizzlies since signing a three-year deal in 2019. This summer, Jones is ranked as one of HoopsHype’s top free agent point guards on the market†
Memphis traded for former Tennessee high Kennedy Chandler as insurance if Jones leaves free this summer.
Learn about Chandler’s game and why he’s been compared to Chris Paul and Jeff Teague by our recent HoopsHype interview†
Paolo Banchero
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Leading up to the design, Paolo Banchero was tentatively scheduled to visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday. However, the potential visit fell through and Banchero never met the Magic for pre-design training. When the draft officially began, Banchero and his side didn’t know Orlando would select him until a few minutes on the clock in the Magic’s roster.
Orlando has a charged frontcourt looking ahead with Banchero, Jonathan Isaacand Wendell Carter Jr. It’s unclear how Banchero’s roster could face the looming free agency of . will affect Mo Bamba†
Vasilije Micic
Nicholas Muller/SOPA Images/Sipa USA
Vasilije Micicthe 2021 EuroLeague MVP and back-to-back Final Four MVP winner, aims to play in the NBA next season and land with a team of playoff caliber.
The Oklahoma City Thunder owns Micic’s rights, but he is Reportedly attracted interest from the Bucks, Bulls, Nuggets and Spurs.
Micic is looking for a salary close to the average non-tax-payer exemption if he plays in the NBA next season, league sources told HoopsHype.
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on Twitter.
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