The NBA Finals are underway, but most teams across the league are focusing on their offseason plans. The draft is just over two weeks away, and teams are preparing for when free agency begins on July 1. Here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know:
Cavs to trade Kevin Love?
Cleveland has been blown out of the first two games of the Finals, and if things continue to go that way, the Cavs could be in line to shake up their roster this offseason. According to The Vertical's Chris Mannix, that means trading Kevin Love:
Two wins to go for Golden State, and perhaps two more games for Love in Cleveland. A humiliating defeat needs a scapegoat, and Love walks around these days with a wide target on his back. If changes are demanded this offseason, Love will be the asset pushed in trades needed to make them. As one league executive told The Vertical, “If they go out like this, I’m betting on a Kevin Love auction.”
Love suffered a concussion in their Game 2 loss, but is averaging just 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the Finals on 37.5 percent shooting. He averaged 16.0 points and 9.9 rebounds during the regular season.
Rubio wants out of Minnesota?
The Timberwolves have perhaps the most promising young core of players in the league, but their starting point guard may not be around for that bright future. Ricky Rubio told Catalunya Radio in Spain that he may ask for a trade if Minnesota doesn't make the playoffs this season.
"When I arrived to Minnesota, my hope was to break the seven years' streak without [a] presence in [the] playoffs. I still have that hope, but it's very tough mentally when year after year that goal is not met," Rubio said. "Next season will be crucial for me. I've been in the NBA for five years, and six years without playoffs would be a long time. At 26, I'd have to start thinking about teams that can get to the playoffs and win in the Finals."
Minnesota has already been rumored to be looking into trading Rubio this offseason and have been linked to Providence PG Kris Dunn with the No. 5 pick in the NBA Draft. Rubio averaged 10.1 points and 8.6 assists per game last season.
Lakers will draft Brandon Ingram
Los Angeles has been linked to Ingram or LSU's Ben Simmons since they got the No. 2 pick in the draft, but it now appears they have their man. Since the 76ers, who hold the No. 1 pick, plan on drafting Simmons, the Lakers decided to work out Ingram and Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Dragan Bender.
However, that only re-affirmed their interest in Ingram, who David Pick of Basketball Insiders says LA will pick on draft night.
Back to the NBA NewsfeedTold the Los Angeles Lakers have fallen out of interest in Dragan Bender. Sounds like No. 2 pick is Brandon Ingram.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 5, 2016