Rumors: Harden, Nets, Ibaka, LaVine, Pistons, Lakers

Rockets guard James Harden passes off during a game against the Clippers.

The Thunder have traded point guard Chris Paul and shooting guard Abdel Nadar to the Suns for small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., point guard Ricky Rubio, shooting guard Ty Jerome, guard Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. (Amico Hoops story.)

Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan will exercise the $27.7 million option on his contract, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Rockets guard James Harden has joined All-Star backcourt-mate Russell Westbrook in seeking a trade from the team, per Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.

Per Smith: “Harden wants to move on from the Rockets, the Chronicle has been informed, and is trying to force his way via trade to Brooklyn, allowing The Beard to form the NBA’s next superteam and rejoin forces with former Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant.” - Houston Chronicle

A trade of Harden to the Nets may be difficult if the Rockets are seeking “star talent” in return, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter.

The Nets and Raptors free agent forward Serge Ibaka share a “mutual interest,” per Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.com.

Bulls guard Zach Lavine is the most discussed name on the trade market, per Legion Hoops Ross. The NBA trade window opened at noon EST on Monday.

Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will decline the player option on his contract, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Caldwell-Pope will be an unrestricted free agent, and per Charania, open to offers.

Timberwolves forward James Johnson will exercise the $15.8 million player option on his contract, per Legion Hoops Ross.

Trail Blazers guard Mario Hezonja will exercise the $1.98 million player option on his contract, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Pistons have agreed to trade guard Bruce Brown to the Nets for forward Dzanan Musa and a 2021 second-round pick, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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12:01 a.m. EST

Harden may have the Nets at the top of his list of potential trade destinations, per ESPN.

Per ESPN: “The Nets are believed to be considering the viability of a deal for Harden, but it is unclear how far the franchise would go in delivering Houston the assets it might require in return.” (Full story.)

The Nets have spoken to the Rockets about Harden, per Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated. Names such as Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, guard/forward Caris LeVert, small forward Taurean Prince and center Jarrett Allen have been mentioned, Esnaashari wrote.

Not all members of the Nets are enamored with the idea of a trade for Harden, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv.

Per Begley: “People around Harden contacted some Nets players to discuss the possibility of the perennial All-Star joining the team, per SNY sources. Some were supportive, but not all players contacted about a potential Harden-to-Brooklyn deal were in favor of it, sources said.” - SNY.tv

The Rockets are making it known that small forward P.J. Tucker is available, per Legion Hoops Ross.

Lakers power forward Anthony Davis will decline the $28.7 million player option on his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Bucks shooting guard Wesley Matthews will decline the $2.7 million player option on his contract, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Matthews has been linked to the Lakers as a potential replacement for Danny Green.

Bulls small forward Otto Porter Jr. will exercise the $28.4 million player option on his contract, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Hornets guard/forward Nicolas Batum will exercise the $27.13 million player option on his contract, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier will exercise the $17 million player option on his contract, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Sunday, 3:51 p.m. EST

The Lakers have agreed to trade shooting guard Danny Green and the No. 28 overall draft pick to the Thunder for point guard Dennis Schroder, per ESPN and The Athletic.

“Los Angeles cannot outright send the draft pick to Oklahoma City because there is a rule that restricts teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years,” per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. So the Lakers will have to draft someone Wednesday before the trade can be complete.

The Lakers have interest in signing Bucks free agent shooting guard Wesley Matthews to replace Green, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.

The Thunder intend to “find a new home” for Green after the deal with the Lakers is complete, per Legion Hoops Ross. LA and OKC may even try to expand the trade to land Green elsewhere immediately, reported Brandon Robinson of Heavy.com.

The Lakers made the trade for Schroder because they believe veteran point guard Rajon Rondo intends to sign elsewhere, Stein added. Acquiring Schroder likely seals the deal.

The Celtics have interest in signing Rondo in free agency, per Legion Hoops Ross. Rondo played for Boston from 2006-2014, winning a championship in 2008.

NBA teams can begin officially make trades on Monday, per Wojnarowski. (Amico Hoops story.)

The Celtics may have offered two of their three first-round picks to the Cavaliers for the No. 5 pick, per Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. (Amico Hoops story.)

Cavaliers shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested Sunday morning and faces a gun charge. (Amico Hoops story.)

The 76ers have an interest in pursuing Nets free agent shooting guard Joe Harris in free agency, per Legion Hoops Ross.

Heat point guard Goran Dragic says he would like to return to Miami, but will still explore the market once free agency begins, via Shams Charania of Stadium.

About the Author

Sam Amico
Sam Amico is the founder and senior writer of Amico Hoops. He has covered the NBA on a full-time basis for both Sports Illustrated and FOX Sports, and has been a regular contributor to CBS Sports, the Boston Herald and NBA.com.

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