The NBA offseason is underway for all but four teams, with NBA free agency and the NBA Draft now the focus for most teams. So while the Eastern and Western Conference finals are on the verge of starting, there quite a few notable NBA rumors to discuss on big players like Kawhi Leonard and teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know:
Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers?
Every year, there's a report about the Lakers getting a big name player in next year's offseason. According to Bleacher Report, the 2019 free agent target for the Lakers is Kawhi Leonard. And the team feels very confident about their chances of landing Leonard.
"It's commonly heard on the front office grapevine that Leonard is eyeing the Lakers as a free agent in 2019," Ken Berger writes. "One of the Western Conference executives noted it's no accident that the Lakers reportedly have shifted their free-agent plans to focus on the '19 class (which Leonard may headline), according to Shelburne and ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski, as opposed to a quick fix this summer.
"That's why [the Lakers] are spinning it into 'wait till next year,'" an executive told Berger. "They know they can get Kawhi."
The Lakers have long been linked to Paul George, but he could elect to stay with the Thunder or join a more competitive team like the 76ers. Of course, the Lakers might not even have a chance to land Leonard if the Spurs can salvage the relationship with their star.
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Knicks Still Done With Noah?
Although Joakim Noah texted new Knicks head coach David Fizdale after his hire, a potential spark of hope for Noah's chances of remaining the Knicks, it's still not the likely outcome. The New York Post reports the likely outcome is the Knicks use the stretch provision on Noah on September 1st. The move would save the Knicks $12 million in cap space this coming year.
The Knicks and Noah's relationship totally fell apart after former head coach Jeff Hornacek benched Noah, who was later suspended. Amid injuries, Noah's game has regressed. The Post does report the Knicks could try to trade Noah, although that seems like quite a long shot.
Warriors Targetting Trevon Blueitt?
The Warriors are in the midst of (another) playoff run, but they are taking a look at various NBA draft prospects. One of those players is Xavier's Trevon Blueitt, one of the top NBA prospects not invited to the NBA Combine. Per Shannon Russell, a Cincinnati-based reporter, Blueitt is meeting with the Warriors on Sunday after his meeting with the Timberwolves Wednesday. A guard, Blueitt is older than most prospects, having already turned 23 years old. But his production at Xavier was great, putting up 19.3 points per game and hitting 41.7% of his 3-pointers this year. Blueitt might not even be drafted, but the Warriors clearly have at least some level of interest.
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