News of the second major trade of the NBA offseason came down Wednesday morning: The Memphis Grizzlies have traded point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three players and the No. 23 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. The draft is causing all sorts of other rumored movement: The Knicks have rejected an offer from the Hawks to move up to No. 3, and the Pelicans are shopping No. 4. After the draft comes free agency, and that has plenty of rumors, too: Kyrie Irving might be headed to Brooklyn, and the Lakers continue to try to rustle up cap space to get help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. And the drama in Houston continues.
Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver and Grayson Allen, along with the No. 23 pick, are headed to Memphis in exchange for Conley.
What more can I say about my city! You guys made me the man I am today! Memphis is home. Always! 🙌🏾🙌🏾..Time for another chapter! Excited to give all I have to The Jazz and the city of Utah! #LetsGetIt #GodsPlan #takenote 💪🏾
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) June 19, 2019
With Al Horford already opting out and news now that Irving might choose the Nets, the Celtics are going to look quite different next season.
The Boston Celtics are preparing for strong scenario that All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford will leave as free agents, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2019
The Lakers would like some second-round picks in the draft in order to create more cap space.
Lakers are aggressively pursuing the purchase of second-round picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft too, league sources tell ESPN. Those picks will offer two important things for LA: acquisition of inexpensive labor and ability to exceed the salary cap with those minimum contracts. https://t.co/19s9qn8Lbm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2019
There will be plenty of wheeling and dealing before the draft is over, but the Knicks declined this deal for the Nos. 8 and 10 picks. Perhaps the Hawks will go after the Pelicans’ No. 4 pick with the same offer.
Source: The Atlanta Hawks have been aggressive exploring trades packaging the No. 8 and 10 picks to move up in the draft. Their offer to the Knicks for the No. 3 pick was apparently rebuffed. The Pelicans are considering the possibility of trading the No. 4 pick for 8+10.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019
Some reports say Chris Paul and James Harden don’t want to play with each other, but the Rockets are adamant that Paul is sticking around. And we’re fairly certain Harden isn’t going anywhere, either. So what gives?
Just spoke to Daryl Morey. He reiterated there has been no trade demand from Chris Paul. “Tweet that I said that. Print it. Tweet it twice.” https://t.co/oo6ge0Wkop
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 19, 2019
TOP STORIES
• Sources: Conley sent to Jazz for 3 players, picks | ESPN.com
• Reports: Kyrie Irving leaning toward signing with Nets | Yahoo Sports
• Sources: Lakers hustling to create max salary slot | ESPN.com
• Source: Knicks reject Hawks’ offer for No. 3 pick | ESPN.com
• Chris Paul will be a Rocket next season, Daryl Morey says | Houston Chronicle
