The NBA free agency frenzy has died down, but there are still a few quality players available on the open market. Trade rumors have also started to swirl, specifically centered around the futures of Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City and Blake Griffin in Los Angeles. Here are the latest NBA rumors and news from you need to know.
Celtics not interested in Okafor?
Despite striking out on making a deal for Jimmy Butler or another superstar prior to the draft, the Boston Celtics are still working hard to try to make a move. Sixers center Jahlil Okafor has been considered to be the most likely trade target for the Celtics, but according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Okafor is not a high priority for Boston:
Word out of Boston is that the Celtics will not give up much for the 6-foot-11, 257-pounder.
They have concerns about his playing in the city after being involved in two street fights there in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning. Nor do they like the fact that the center saw a gun pointed at his head in Old City and that he was stopped for going 108 mph over the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The Celtics have a practice of minimizing the risk when acquiring guys who have had what they view as a character flaw.
So the Celtics probably won’t offer anyone or anything the Sixers would perceive as equal value for Okafor. At least they won’t at this time.
Acquiring Okafor is not a high priority for Boston at the moment. No one is doubting that they like him. However, they’re just not prepared to give up a lot to get him.
Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a rookie last season.
Draymond Green avoids jail time
Warriors forward Draymond Green has reached a plea agreement on the assault charge brought against him by a former Michigan State football player, Jermaine Edmondson. Green pled guilty to reduced charges and will avoid jail time, according to Christopher Haxel of the Lansing State Journal.
The former MSU All-American will pay a $500 fine and $60 restitution fee. He had faced a charge of misdemeanor assault or misdemeanor assault and battery. A noise violation is a civil infraction.
Assistant city prosecutor David Meyers said the deal involves neither a guilty nor a no contest plea, since the infraction is not a criminal charge.
The only reason Green didn't fight the charge and demand a jury trial is because of his work schedule, said James Heos, Green's attorney.
Green was arrested after a July 10 incident in which he slapped Edmondson in front of police. As part of the plea deal, he also has to avoid contact with Edmondson for one year. If Green violates that clause, or is convicted of another crime within one year, the original charges brought against him will be reinstated.
Lakers eyeing mystery target
Los Angeles is known to be looking to acquire a superstar through free agency for via a trade, and it appears they have their eyes set on making a deal for someone in particular. According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the Lakers have an "unnamed target" in mind:
The team has held off on signing Tarik Black, Marcelo Huertas and second-overall pick Brandon Ingram, keeping an eye on what could be $13.6 million in cap room (assuming the team also waives and stretched Nick Young).
The Lakers do have an unnamed trade target in mind, but are also preserving space for another opportunistic (Jose) Calderon-like deal.
The Lakers are known to have interest in Westbrook, and were also linked to Indiana's Paul George at the start of the offseason.
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