The LA Lakers have seemingly had a change of heart when it comes to potentially trading one of their stars.
Plus a leading championship contender is reportedly seeking depth to strengthen their roster ahead of a title push.
Catch up on all of the latest whispers in our NBA Rumour Mill!
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MAVS LINKED TO GUARD AS KNICKS CHASE FUTURE FIRST ROUND PICK
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly being touted as a possible destination for New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley as they chase support for star point guard Luka Doncic, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.
“Dallas is a team that would fit the profile,” a Western Conference executive told Deveney.
“He [Quickley] would be a good fit there, but they’re trying to get deeper all over, so it is hard to say where they will focus. Point guard is a need.”
The executive reportedly also believes the Mavericks would need to part with at least a first-round draft pick to convince the Knicks to part with Quickley as they are chasing ammunition to trade for a big name star.
“The Knicks are still trying to stockpile picks,” the executive said.
“That is what it is all about for them. They are approaching things like there will be a star who they can get – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Davis, [Kevin] Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, someone – a star who comes on the market soon. They want picks. If they can get two first-rounders for Quickley, they would, but that is too high a price. Maybe a young guy or a prospect playing in Europe, someone like that, and a first-rounder, a protected first-rounder, that is probably where the market ends up on him.”
The Mavericks are hoping to go at least one step further in the playoffs this season after losing 4-1 to eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the Western Conference finals last year.
Despite Doncic seemingly taking his play to another level this season, he is equal $3.50 favourite to win his first league MVP award, Dallas have looked like a one man show as they currently languish in 8th spot in the stacked Western Conference with a middling 9-7 record.
If they want to make a serious title run, they will likely need to make moves throughout the season to improve their depth and relieve some of the burden placed on their 23-year-old face of the franchise following the loss of Jaylen Brunson in free agency this past offseason.
Odds courtesy of TAB
TEAMS MONITORING TROUBLED STAR
The Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons are reportedly among the teams “monitoring” Miles Bridges’ free agency situation, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The 24-year-old remains a restricted free agent after he pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge on Nov. 3 as part of a deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to three years of probation. He is also required to attend domestic violence counseling and parenting classes, undergo weekly drug testing and complete 100 hours of community service.
Bridges was arrested on June 29 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in front of their two children.
The NBA is investigating the forward and can still fine, suspend or disqualify him if it determines he violated its policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
Bridges had the best season of his career in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 80 games while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Since the Hornets extended their former first-round draft pick a qualifying offer before he was arrested, they can match any offer he receives from another franchise. According to an earlier report by Eric Pincus of the Bleacher Report an “executive familiar with the Hornets’ thinking” believes the franchise still views Bridges as a “core piece”.
EAST CONTENDERS ‘ENGAGED’ IN TALKS FOR CROWDER
Two of the top Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls are reportedly interested in trying to acquire the services of disgruntled Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder via trade, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania reported that both the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks “have been engaged” with the Suns in trade negotiations focused on Crowder.
The former second-round draft pick had been a productive member of a Phoenix team that made back-to-back deep playoff runs, including a 2021 NBA finals appearance, over the last two seasons but has not played at all this season amid the Suns attempts to find a trade partner.
Crowder is in the final year of a three-year, $29m ($43.7m AUD) contract, but reportedly officially requested a trade back in September due largely to his desire for a contract extension that the Suns were unwilling to offer, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
