A crazy day around the NBA has seen two major trades so far, with the Chicago Bulls sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers acquiring Jeff Teague in a three-team trade with the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz. However, that's far from the only news going on around the league. Check out the latest NBA news and rumors below:
Dwight Howard to join Rose in New York?
The Knicks made the first big splash of the offseason by trading for Derrick Rose, but they’re far from done. With plenty of cap space and a need for a center, they may be interested in pursuing Dwight Howard, who just became a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Rockets.
Howard, for his part, has the Knicks near the top of his wishlist, according to ESPNNewYork’s Ian Begley:
The Knicks are looking to upgrade their backcourt this offseason. But if they have any interest in a center, one of the top bigs on the market would be open to signing with them. The Knicks are one of several teams Dwight Howard would consider in free agency, league sources say. Howard told friends earlier in the season that he was interested in playing for the Knicks; that interest remains as Howard approaches free agency, per league sources. It’s unclear, though, if Phil Jackson and the Knicks would have any interest in Howard. They signed Robin Lopez to a four-year contract last summer. Lopez was a bright spot for the club during last year’s 32-win campaign. The club is expected to have at least $30 million in cap space this summer.
The Knicks were looking to upgrade their frontcourt, and after sending Robin Lopez to the Bulls for Rose, they have a huge need for center. Phil Jackson would likely prefer to sign Hassan Whiteside over Howard, but other than him, there aren’t any shot-blocking centers better than Howard.
New York was planning on making a run at Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley in free agency this summer, though that pursuit appears to be dead after getting Rose. They will also be looking to find a starting shooting guard on the open market.
Hawks trading draft picks?
Atlanta received the No. 12 overall pick in the draft from Utah in the Jeff Teague trade, giving them two first-round selections. However, they don’t plan on holding on to them, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
Back to Hawks: Sources say they'll now try to trade their two first-rounders (one from the Teague deal) to make re-signing Al Horford easier
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 22, 2016
The Hawks would prefer to acquire a veteran with those picks, but are also interested in using those picks to trade into the top 10 in the draft.
Millsap to Raptors?
Atlanta is hoping to still be competitive after the Teague trade, but if they also lose Horford in free agency, they could be starting a total roster rebuild. If that happens. the Toronto Raptors plan to try and trade for Paul Millsap, according to TSN 1050’s Josh Lewenberg:
Teague out in ATL. Hawks could also lose Horford in FA. If they're selling expect Raptors to call re: Millsap, a player they've long coveted
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 22, 2016
Raptors had inquired about Millsap at the deadline but were rebuffed, according to a source. Team views him as ideal fit next to Valanciunas
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 22, 2016
Toronto has the No. 9 pick in the draft, which they would likely try to flip to the Hawks if a trade is made on draft day.
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