The Cleveland Cavaliers are celebrating their NBA title with a championship parade today, but the rest of the league has turned their attention to tomorrow's NBA Draft and their preparations for the start of free agency on July 1. Check out the latest NBA news and rumors below:
Massive three-team trade on tap?
The Lakers are interested in acquiring another high lottery pick, the Pelicans are looking to add help for Anthony Davis and the 76ers are looking to guard help. According to Fansided's Bret Stuter, that could lead to a massive three-team trade between the two sides.
LA would receive the No. 6 pick from New Orleans, who would get Jahlil Okafor from Philadelphia, who would get D'Angelo Russell from the Lakers:
The pieces exchanged by the Pelicans for Russell in that scenario are the sixth overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft. That pick gives the Lakers an opportunity to exercise a mulligan for the back court, selecting any of several possible pieces at six — all the while preserving their second overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft. In essence, the team could walk away from the draft with Brandon Ingram and a top point guard.
The Philadelphia 76ers would exchange Okafor for New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca, as well as Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell. Why Ajinca? He is the center brought to the Toronto Raptors by Colangelo back in 2011, a veteran presence in the front court which gives Colangelo that veteran presence off the bench. But the other piece is D’Angelo Russell, a point guard whose strengths lie in shooting — the perfect match in a lineup where the ball handling migrates to the Ben Simmons, who is expected to take on a point forward role.
The Lakers have already talked about the possibility of trading Russell, and have shown a high amount of interest in Buddy Hield - who is expected to still be available with the No. 6 pick. Philadelphia has been shopping Okafor with the hope of improving their backcourt, and this trade would give them a long-term starting point guard.
Teams unwilling to trade with Boston for No. 3 pick?
The Celtics have been "aggressively shopping" the No. 3 pick in the draft with the hope of landing an established veteran player, but all of their attempts have been shot down to this point, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
But sources told ESPN that the Celtics, to date, have been rebuffed in their efforts to assemble a sufficiently enticing deal to acquire any of these four prime targets: Chicago Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward and Milwaukee Bucks teammates Jabari Parker or Khris Middleton.
Who the Celtics like at No. 3, if they end up keeping the pick, has likewise emerged as one of the bigger mysteries of draft week, sources say.
Philadelphia has been trying to convince the Celtics to trade the No. 3 pick to them for a package centered around Okafor or Nerlens Noel, but Stein says Boston has "resisted those pitches."
If Boston keeps the pick, they are expected to select Jaylen Brown.
LeBron returning to Cavs despite rumors of leaving
After months of speculation that he may leave the Cavs this offseason to return to Miami, go to the Lakers or form a superteam with Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, LeBron told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he will return to the Cavs next season:
LeBron to ESPN (1 of 1): "I love it here in Cleveland. I have no intentions of leaving."
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2016
LeBron to ESPN (2 of 2): "There are some technicalities to take care of I'll leave up to my agent. That's right from the horse's mouth"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 22, 2016
James signed another one-year deal with a player option for a second season with the Cavs prior to this season, but is expected to opt-out in order to capitalize on the rising salary cap. He signed the same deal when he originally re-joined Cleveland in 2014, and will the same deal again with the Cavs this offseason - just for more money.
Lakers to take Ingram with No. 2 pick
The Los Angeles Lakers will draft Brandon Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, according to ESPN's Chad Ford and Ramona Shelburne:
Barring a last-minute blockbuster trade offer, the Los Angeles Lakers intend to select Duke freshman Brandon Ingram with the second pick in the 2016 NBA draft on Thursday night, league sources told ESPN.
The Lakers spent three hours huddled with new head coach Luke Walton on Tuesday night before signaling to multiple league sources that Ingram would be their choice if the Sixers select Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick.
The Lakers believe that Ingram is a great fit for the organization and a potential All-Star player down the road. His shooting and ability to defend multiple positions on the floor fit a huge need for them. Ingram has been ranked No. 2 on ESPN's Big Board since December and is widely considered the consensus No. 2 pick in the draft by rival general managers.
Philadelphia told Simmons yesterday that they will pick him first overall, leaving Ingram for the Lakers. LA has reportedly targeted Ingram throughout the entire draft process and would've taken him No. 1 if they had won the lottery.
Ingram averaged 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for Duke last season.
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