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Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic has cropped up in NBA trade rumors.<\/p>\n
Another spin for the NBA trade rumor mill as the league\u2019s summer presses forward. We\u2019re nearing (hopefully) the conclusion of the latest LeBron James saga, which should free up some other teams to finally make deals. Around the NBA \u2026<\/p>\n
One of the challenges the Miami Heat have in the wake of completing the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo is filling out the roster, which currently has 12 players and needs at least two more. Obviously, they\u2019d like one of those spots to go to LeBron James, but they\u2019re also seeking to add rotation-worthy veterans who can help them win immediately. They\u2019d hoped that there would be a trade market for Nikola Jovic, the 2022 first-round pick who has not developed as the Heat envisioned.<\/p>\n
He is only 23, though, and at 6-foot-10, there is something to work with. Jovic has been mentioned as a potential trade piece in a deal for the Mavericks\u2019 Klay Thompson, but the Mavericks (and teams around the league) are wary of the four-year, $62 million contract that kicks in this season.\u00a0 Coming off a season in which he averaged 7.3 points and shot 36.6%, the Jovic market is decidedly tepid\u2013teams can\u2019t afford to have useless 10-figure contracts on their books in the apron era.<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
As per usual, the Thunder move in stealth, and that appears to be what\u2019s happening this summer. The team is still about $12 million over the second apron, and is looking at a luxury-tax payment of $100 million even after offloading the contracts of Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe. The Thunder picked up the team option of Lu Dort, and the presumption was that they\u2019d trade him to an Easter Conference team (they sent Wiggins to Atlanta and Joe to Detroit, and don\u2019t want Dort in the West.)<\/p>\n
That\u2019s still a possibility. But, it was pointed out, the Thunder do not have to get below the second apron in short order\u2013they can circle back to this once other teams settle their pending business. \u201cLu Dort is a popular target,\u201d one GM texted.<\/p>\n
NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Updates on Bronny, Jonathan Kuminga<\/p>\n
It was back on July 5 that we referenced<\/a> what we\u2019ve been told repeatedly about Bronny James and the Lakers. Yes, L.A. would be open to trading him if it was what LeBron James wanted\u2013out of respect for LeBron\u2013but the Lakers have no plans to dump Bronny James just for the sake of it. Reporting by Dan Woike of The Athletic<\/a> this week confirms it.<\/p>\n As we wrote, the talk of Bronny James\u2019 future, \u201charkens back to last summer, when we were told that for all the nepotism criticism the Lakers took by adding him to the roster, the team actually likes Bronny James\u2019 upside as a 3-and-D player, which he showed in small spurts last year (38.6% on 3s in the NBA, 45.6% in the G League). \u2026 At some point, Bronny James needs to sink or swim in the NBA without his Hall of Fame father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026<\/p>\n Also of interest to the Lakers is a warning on Jonathan Kuminga, who appears to be the player L.A. is betting on to close out its summer, if a sign-and-trade deal can be worked out with the Hawks. Remember, concerns about Kuminga\u2019 work ethic stretch back to his rookie year in Golden State, and his lack of progress is more likely tied to that than to the narrative that Warriors coach Steve Kerr short-circuited his career.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is athletic, he has talent and he is still only 23,\u201d one NBA assistant coach said. \u201cBut we saw him a lot before he came in and early in his career. And now, if you watch him, it is hard to find one thing that he has really gotten better at. Rebounding, maybe, he is a little better as as rebounder. But shooting? No. Defense? No. Ballhandling, play-making, any of that, you just never saw an area where it was like, \u2018Oh, he added that to his game.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThey wanted him to find a role and get great at it, and it just did not happen. You just hope somewhere along the line, that gets through to him because the talent is there.\u201d<\/p>\n NBA Trade Rumors: Search for Stars<\/p>\n LeBron James is still on the market, but we\u2019re getting skeptical on the notion of more stars being shipped out this summer. Still, some candidates remain \u2026<\/p>\n Kevin Durant<\/a>, Rockets. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) There does not seem to be a market for Durant, who is 37 and has $90 million over two years on his contract. Rumors of Pistons interest has faded as the focus there is on re-signing Jalen Duren. Maybe a Durant deal comes back up after that gets done? It\u2019s a longshot.<\/p>\n Jamal Murray<\/a>, Nuggets<\/a>. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) The Nuggets are on track to operate over the second apron, which is not a place any team\u2013especially a Kroenke team\u2013likes to operate. Dealing Murray could shave some money off the cap but he was an All-Star last year and dumping him might be too much to ask of the Nuggets.<\/p>\n Anthony Davis, Wizards. (Remaining contract: two years, $121 million, including player option.) Davis has been the subject of much speculation this offseason, but around the league, there isn\u2019t a sense he is going to be dealt. The Wizards would like to get Davis on the floor and see if he can help them compete for a playoff spot. If not, he could be dealt by the February trade deadline.<\/p>\n Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) It just does not appear that the Warriors are looking to move Butler. He\u2019s the team\u2019s main path to adding another star, as he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery. There are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix, and the Warriors are not likely to find a player who is better than Butler when healthy.<\/p>\n GettyAnthony Davis has been a rumored trade target\u00a0<\/p>\n NBA Trade Rumors: Jalen Duren\u2019s Situation<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to bring in a young star\u2013or even a young potential star\u2013on the trade market. But there could be some wrangling for these guys, the 25-and-under (OK, 26 for Trey Murphy) crowd.<\/p>\n Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody him self said he is \u201ccurious\u201d about what will happen to him on the trade market if James comes to Golden State. He has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season.<\/p>\n Jalen Duren<\/a>, Pistons. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) Sign-and-trade options for Duren are all but extinguished\u2013were the Pistons ever really weighing a deal with the Kings for Domantas Sabonis? The Pistons have made moves to be able to give Duren more money, and that\u2019s the likely way this all plays out.<\/p>\n Trey Murphy<\/a>, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) Murphy is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, but there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there\u2019s been no movement yet.<\/p>\n Evan Mobley<\/a>, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: four years, $223 million.) We\u2019re not taking Mobley off the list just yet. If LeBron James goes to Cleveland, Mobley could be nudged back into the NBA trade-rumor arena because the roster is far too expensive and the guy who will most likely suffer is Mobley. Cleveland could take back a good haul for him.<\/p>\n Peyton Watson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) The long restricted free-agent slog is on for Watson, and the Nuggets have surprised many by not being aggressive in moving players to create some breathing room to keep Watson. The sign-and-trade market reportedly includes the Clippers, Hawks and Bucks, but there is not much that would attract the Nuggets\u2019 attention on a deal.<\/p>\n Eastern Conference Targets: Changes Afoot<\/p>\n We\u2019ve taken Celtics guard Derrick White out of the mix here because it just does not appear Boston will make further moves.<\/p>\n Nikola Jovic, Heat. (Remaining contract: four years, $62 million.) There is trepidation about trading for Jovic, who is certainly available and is still only 23 years old. But the remaining contract is a hefty bite for teams to take.<\/p>\n Michael Porter Jr., Nets. (Remaining contract: one year, $40 million, partial guarantee.) Rumors have started cropping up about Porter Jr., but the Nets have not gotten the kind of draft-asset offers they\u2019d hoped for. New draft rules mean the Nets will want to be competitive next season, so Porter could stick around and be dealt at the February deadline.<\/p>\n Jarrett Allen<\/a>, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: three years, $90 million.) As with Mobley, if the Cavs entice LeBron James to Cleveland, Allen could be trade bait. It\u2019s more likely that Allen gets traded than Mobley, and the Cavaliers could get some relief and a contributor. Allen is a standard offensive center but is a valued rim-runner who can protect the paint.<\/p>\n Max Strus, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $16 million.) The Cavs are trying hard to fit everything under the second apron, and that likely means moving off Strus, if they can find a taker. He would be sacrificed to get LeBron James in.<\/p>\n Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $14.6 million.) Schroder has played for 11 teams in the NBA so far, and the Cavs would be open to making it 12 as they seek to duck the second apron and still stay in the contending picture.<\/p>\n Myles Turner<\/a>, Bucks. (Remaining contract: three years, $80 million.) Milwaukee has little incentive to keep Turner, but reports suggest they are not shopping him. The Bucks don\u2019t control their next draft picks in the four coming drafts, so they can\u2019t exactly tank or seek to get into the lottery. Still, the Bucks have more to gain by playing young bigs Dieng and Kel\u2019El Ware significant minutes so he could keep popping up in NBA trade rumors.<\/p>\n Western Conference Targets: Kings Ransoms<\/p>\n Keldon Johnson, Spurs. (Remaining contract: one year, $17.5 million.) The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is heading into the final season of his contract, and San Antonio is likely to phase out his minutes in favor of younger players. He is still a valued leader on the team, but he could be a chip worth cashing in if the Spurs can land a first-round pick.<\/p>\n Domantas Sabonis<\/a>, Kings<\/a>. (Remaining contract: two years, $93 million.) Sabonis has had some nibbles, but no bites. There was a rumor that the Hornets were planning to trade for him, but that proved fruitless. Then there was the Jalen Duren sign-and-trade with the Pistons, which was far-fetched from the beginning. This one might have to wait until the season gets going.<\/p>\n Jrue Holiday, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $72 million, with player option.) Certainly, something has to give in Portland with the arrival of Morant. Holiday is not getting any younger, but he has value around the NBA.<\/p>\n Rudy Gobert<\/a>, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $74 million, including player option.) The Wolves might be a longshot for LeBron James, but they\u2019re holding steady to see what happens with him going forward. If he lands elsewhere, the Wolves will need to evaluate their frontcourt and could find that dealing Gobert, who is up for an extension this summer, is their best bet to bring in younger options.<\/p>\n Zach LaVine<\/a>, Kings. (Remaining contract: one year, $49 million.) LaVine picked up the player option worth $49 million. There was some hope that he could be waived, but after the Kings let DeMar DeRozan go, they\u2019ll keep LaVine on the books and hope they can find a place to dump him.<\/p>\n Aaron Gordon, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $110 million.) Gordon has struggled to stay healthy, but is still a valued connective piece when he plays. He needs to be a No. 3\/4 option on a good team, and teams aren\u2019t falling over themselves to cough up assets for that, and the Nuggets have not pushed hard for a trade.<\/p>\n Daniel Gafford<\/a>, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team\u2019s top options. The concern is whether the guy the Mavs want to be their stalwart center\u2013Dereck Lively\u00a0II\u2013can stay healthy. Lively has played 98 games<\/a> in three seasons.<\/p>\n PJ Washington, Mavericks.\u00a0(Remaining contract: 4 years, $90 million.) Like Gafford, Washington is aging out of the Mavericks\u2019 timeline, as he turns 28 this summer. He\u2019s a stretch 4 who plays good defense, but his shooting has been suspect\u2013he made just 32.5% of his 3s last year. Washington\u2019s extension kicks in this year, though, so he might be a better trade target down the line.<\/p>\n Klay Thompson<\/a>, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: one year, $17 million.) Another aging Mav! Thompson does not fit Dallas\u2019s timeline, and if the Mavs can get anything\u2013youth, a few second-rounders\u2013for him, they will. He\u2019s still a 38% 3-point shooter. The addition of Tarik Biberovic is more incentive to move Thompson.<\/p>\n Cam Johnson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: one year, $23 million.) Johnson has been a disaster in Denver, and he has been a prominent feature on the NBA trade rumor mill for years now. He still has enough of a reputation around the league to warrant trade interest, but a report from The Stein Line<\/a> suggests the Nuggets are not going that route \u2026 yet.<\/p>\n GettyCam Johnson<\/p>\n What\u2019s Been Done: NBA\u2019s Blockbusters<\/p>\n The NBA has had a busy summer, interspersed with some controversy. Here\u2019s what\u2019s happened so far \u2026<\/p>\n Celtics-Sixers Trade<\/p>\n Jaylen Brown, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $183 million.) The Celtics set out to find a package of four first-round picks or a young superstar, but came away with about half that. A 2028 first-round pick that could convert to a swap, Philly\u2019s 2031 unprotected first-rounder, and two second-round picks.<\/p>\n Paul George, Sixers. (Remaining contract: two years, $110 million, including player option). George has been healthy for just 78 games over the last two seasons, and the Celtics could look to trade him off, either in the short-term or the longer term.<\/p>\n Heat-Bucks Trade<\/p>\n The deal that kicked off the summer was the one most expected to be expanded, but wound up staying a two-teamer.<\/p>\n Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Remaining contract: two years, $120 million.)\u00a0TRADED to Heat<\/a>.\u00a0The deal is done, and Antetokounmpo is off to Miami.\u00a0Bobby Portis\u00a0also is going to Miami.\u00a0Tyler Herro, Kel\u2019el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.<\/p>\n Bobby Portis,\u00a0Bucks.\u00a0(Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including player option.)\u00a0TRADED to Heat.\u00a0Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel\u2019el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.<\/p>\n Tyler Herro, Heat. (Remaining contract: one year, $33 million<\/a>.)\u00a0TRADED to Bucks.\u00a0Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel\u2019el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick. But the Bucks could still seek to move Herro before the trade becomes official.<\/p>\n Hornets-Timberwolves-Nets-Bulls Trade<\/p>\n The Wolves have combined their two major transactions, which may be expanded further still before the whole deal is finalized.<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball<\/a>. (Remaining contract: three years, $131 million.)\u00a0TRADED to Timberwolves.\u00a0Ball will connect with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota as the team tries to give the offense a strong No. 2 scoring option without moving off of\u00a0Jaden McDaniels. The Hornets will get\u00a0Naz Reid<\/a>\u00a0and a first-round pick in 2033, plus three swaps and three second-round picks. This deal was folded into the Wolves\u2019 Julius Randle-Nets trade.<\/p>\n Naz Reid. (Remaining contract: three years, $103 million).\u00a0TRADED to Hornets. The Wolves did not want to trade Reid, of course, and now are faced with a severe weakness in the frontcourt. But they feel the cost of replacing him was outweighed by the Ball opportunity. Again, this deal was folded into the Wolves\u2019 Julius Randle-Nets trade.<\/p>\n Julius Randle<\/a>. (Remaining contract: two years, $69 million including player option.)\u00a0TRADED to Nets<\/a>. Randle is heading to the Nets after a miserable playoff performance sent up subtle shots from teammates and wide calls to ship out Randle. The Wolves did so, and used the resulting flexibility to re-sign\u00a0Dosunmu and acquire LaMelo Ball.<\/p>\n Nic Claxton<\/a>. (Remaining contract: two years, $42 million.)\u00a0TRADED to Bulls<\/a>. The Bulls gave up next to nothing as the Nets were looking to simply clear Claxton off their books. Chicago is hoping for a bounce back now that he is out of Brooklyn.<\/p>\n Grizzlies-Blazers trade<\/p>\n Ja Morant<\/a>. (Remaining contract: two years, $86 million.)\u00a0TRADED to Blazers.\u00a0Portland took the gamble on Morant, sending out Jerami\u00a0 Grant and Kris Murray, finally giving some closure to the Grizz.<\/p>\n Jerami Grant<\/a>. (Remaining contract: two years, $70 million.) TRADED to Memphis. Memphis could ride it out with Grant, but might look to flip him elsewhere, perhaps during the season.<\/p>\n Clippers-Pistons-Grizzlies-Mavericks-Wizards-Bucks Trade<\/p>\n A classic NBA deal that started as Isaiah Stewart going to Memphis, but has ballooned since. We\u2019ll arrange this one by team for clarity\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n GRIZZLIES GET: Isaiah Stewart, D\u2019Angelo Russell, AJ Johnson, five second-round picks. (Lose: Santi Aldama.)<\/p>\n PISTONS GET: John Collins, Taurean Prince, Gary Harris. (Lose: Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser.)<\/p>\n CLIPPERS GET: Trade exception. (Lose: John Collins.)<\/p>\n WIZARDS GET: Khris Middleton. (Lose: D\u2019Angelo Russell.)<\/p>\n BUCKS GET: Caris LeVert. (Lose: Taurean Prince, Gary Harris, AJ Johnson.)<\/p>\n MAVERICKS GET: Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser. (Lose: Khris Middleton.)<\/p>\n Raptors-Clippers Trade<\/p>\n Now, the NBA has undone this trade as it works out punishment for the Aspiration scandal, but it\u2019s still likely to get done once that situation is settled.<\/p>\n Kawhi Leonard. (Remaining contract: one year, $50 million.)\u00a0TRADED to Toronto. Despite the lingering\u00a0Aspiration scandal<\/a>, the Clippers moved Leonard to the Raptors<\/a> for a package of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks (2031 and 2033), plus a swap and two second-round picks.<\/p>\n Brandon Ingram. (Remaining contract: two years, $81 million, team option.)\u00a0TRADED to LA Clippers<\/a>. Ingram heads to LA in the Kawhi Leonard deal.<\/p>\n Pistons-Thunder Trade<\/p>\n![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2254995390-e1782778024757.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Cam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2268338359-e1782655614858.jpg\")
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