The NBA preseason is now in full swing for every team in the league, and we're only two weeks away from the start of the regular season. Teams are in the process of finalizing their rosters through the preseason and as such, there's a chance that some notable players will be cut. Here are all the latest news & rumors you need to know:
Klay Thompson willing to take less money to stay with Warriors
Thompson's contract expires following the 2018-19 season, but the Golden State Warriors are already trying to figure out how they can keep him around for longer than just the next two years. However, if Kevin Durant refuses to take less money again this offseason, the team may not have enough cap space to offer Thompson the full max contract he'd receive on the open market.
In speaking to The Athletic's Tim Kawakami, Thompson said that he would be willing to take less money to stay with Golden State and keep their current group together.
"I probably could, yeah. That much? I don't know. I don't make as much as Kevin off the court," Thompson said. "If it's a few million...It's a blessing whatever contract I sign. I would definitely consider it cause I don't want to lose anybody."
Thompson averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game last season.
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Cavs may cut Richard Jefferson
The Cleveland Cavaliers may release Richard Jefferson before the start of the regular season, according to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd. They have 16 players on the roster with guaranteed contracts after signing Dwyane Wade last week and need to trim their roster to 15 before the season starts.
Cleveland will try to trade Jefferson in the coming weeks in order to avoid paying more luxury taxes. The 37-year-old is on the books for $2.5 million this year, but if he’s released, the Cavs will pay $10.5 million in luxury taxes since they're a repeat offender. Lloyd reports that they will include a second-round pick in the trade to incentivize teams to take Jefferson.
Kay Felder, last year's second-round pick, has a partially guaranteed contract but will also be traded or released.
Jefferson has spent the last two seasons with the Cavs and averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game.
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Wizards expect to win Eastern Conference this year
The Washington Wizards were one of the best teams in the league last season in the second half, finishing 49-33 following a dreadful 16-18 start. This year, they expect to beat both the Cavs and Boston Celtics and win the East.
"I feel like we're the best team in the East, I really do," Bradley Beal told ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "That's how we feel coming into the season."
John Wall echoed those sentiments and also proclaimed himself as the best point guard in the conference.
"I feel like I am the best point guard in the Eastern Conference," Wall said. "Maybe people didn't get to see me on national TV as much last year, but they will this year."
Washington opens their season on Oct. 18 at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off time is set for 7:00 pm ET on ESPN.
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