The Nets continue to dominate the headlines in the NBA as changes appear to be on the horizon following Kevin Durant’s bombshell.
Not only do the Nets have to deal with Durant’s trade request, but they also might consider listening to offers on Kyrie Irving, who exercised his $36-M player option few days ago.
The Lakers have emerged as a suitor for Irving, although it remains to be seen on whether both teams would pull the trigger or not.
Elsewhere, the money keeps pouring in for some of the top young players today but others are still playing the waiting game.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps what’s new in free agency with the latest NBA 2022 updates.
Lakers, Nets mulling mega swap
The Nets and the Lakers are apparently in advanced talks on a trade that would swap Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers are reportedly seeking to add Seth Curry into the said trade, but the Nets are inclined to give away Joe Harris instead, who is on the recovery room due to an ankle surgery.
For the Lakers, adding Irving gives them another talented guard who is a skillful creator and can knock down the three-pointer at an efficient rate – which is what they were lacking last season since Westbrook was never a great outside shooter.
Irving was a former teammate of LeBron James in Cleveland where they won the 2016 title together after coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-9 Warriors, although their relationship soured when the former decided to leave for Boston during the 2019 season.
His inclusion would create a new Big 3 in Hollywood (James, Irving, and Davis), but their durability will be put into question since neither of them have played at least 75 games in these past few seasons.
As for the Nets, acquiring Westbrook doesn’t make sense basketball-wise, but the team is in a bad spot following the Durant news and they might be willing to take on an expiring contract assuming they’d get some draft capital as well.
Getting Westbrook would also reunite him with Kevin Durant, who was his teammate before in Oklahoma City before the latter left for Golden State in 2016.
Darius Garland get huge payday, Miles Bridges’ career in jeopardy
Darius Garland has agreed to a five-year, $193-M contract extension with the Cavaliers, which is the largest in franchise history.
Garland, 22, had a breakout 2021-22 season with norms of 21.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. He also earned his first-ever All-Star citation and finished third behind Ja Morant and Dejounte Murray for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
He helped defy the NBA 2022 odds by leading the Cavaliers to their best record in four seasons (44-38), although they failed to make it back to the playoffs after losing back-to-back play-in tournament games.
Another young free agent who was bound to have a huge payday was Miles Bridges, but he took a plunge at the worst possible time.
Bridges was arrested Tuesday in Los Angeles on suspicion of domestic violence following his wife’s viral photos of her injuries on Instagram.
The 24-year-old had a stellar 2021/22 season at Charlotte with averages of 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He turned down a four-year, $60-M extension last offseason.
Deandre Ayton remains unsigned, John Wall finds new home
Deandre Ayton has yet to sign with a team despite being one of the key factors in the Suns’ finals run two years ago.
The Bahamian center averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds this regular season, shooting a career-high 64-per cent, which is why many were surprised why the Suns have yet to offer him a max.
Recent reports indicate that the Jazz are the first team who is firmly linked with Ayton, although it would have to be on a sign-and-trade since Utah do not have cap space to sign the restricted free agent outright.
Meanwhile, John Wall has agreed to a buyout with the Rockets to join the Clippers on a two-year, $13-M deal.
Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game in 40 games for Houston, but he was frozen out of the rotation to give more playing time for their young core players in Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.
The top pick in the 2010 NBA Draft fills a need for the Clippers since they were looking for another capable playmaker. Wall will compete with Reggie Jackson – who averaged 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per game last season – for the starting PG spot.
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