The NBA reopened its transaction window on Monday, November 16, sparking a flood of trades, rumors and reports from around the League. With the trade window open again, there should be a lot of action this offseason leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday, November 18, and NBA free agency shortly after at the end of the week. Since there will likely be a flurry of news from day-to-day, we’ll be tracking all the latest updates, rumors and reports right here.
Nov. 20 — Celtics send Kanter back to Blazers
The Boston Celtics are sending C Enes Kanter back to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-way deal involving the Memphis Grizzlies, per Woj. The Grizz get Mario Hezonja and TCU G Desmond Bane, the 30th pick in the 2020 draft. The Blazers are using their trade exception to take on Kanter’s $5 million salary.
Nov. 19 — Hayward opts out of contract with Celtics
Boston Celtics SF Gordon Hayward has opted out of his player option of $34.2 million for 2020-21, per Shams. The Celtics had been trying to move Hayward via a sign-and-trade but couldn’t find any teams to strike a deal.
Nov. 19 — T-Wolves make Beasley available via trade
The Timberwolves have made G Malik Beasley available via trade, per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. The Knicks are expected to be interested in the guard among other teams, per the report. Beasley faces felony charges after a family incident.
Nov. 19 — Hawks deal Dedmon to Pistons
The Atlanta Hawks have traded C Dewayne Dedmon to the Detroit Pistons, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Detroit is sending Khyri Thomas and Tony Snell to Atlanta as part of the deal, per Woj. The Hawks just drafted C Onyeka Okongwu with the No. 6 pick in the draft last night. The Pistons brought in Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart. This was essentially a move to free up roster spots for both teams.
Nov. 19 — Lakers to waive G Quinn Cook
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving guard Quinn Cook, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday. Cook had a non-guaranteed contract for this upcoming season. Cook played in 44 games for Los Angeles last season and got a ring.
Nov. 18 — Bogdanovic will enter restricted free agency
Bogdanovic will enter restricted free agency when the window opens on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. So that certainly sounds like the trade between the Kings and the Bucks either has fallen through or never was agreed upon.
Nov. 18 — Rockets send Ariza to Pistons for future pick
The Houston Rockets are sending Trevor Ariza and the No. 16 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Detroit Pistons for a future first-round pick, Woj reported late Wednesday. The Rockets had acquired Ariza from the Trail Blazers in the Robert Covington trade a day ago.
Nov. 18 — Mavs discussing Danilo Gallinari trade with Thunder
Dallas is interested in sending the No. 18 pick in this year’s draft to Oklahoma City and is discussing a sign-and-trade that would make Gallinari a Maverick, according to BasketballNews.com’s Matt Babcock. Gallinari is a popular free agent target and has the attention of the Atlanta Hawks as well, according to Marc Stein.
Nov. 18 — Kings’ Bogdan Bogdanovic rejects sign-and-trade deal with Bucks
Bogdanovic was reportedly dealt to Milwaukee in a sign-and-trade that send Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova and DJ Wilson to Sacramento earlier this week but never agreed to be moved, according the The Athletic’s Sam Amick. The deal could be null and void without Bogdanovic’s approval, and that could impact the Bucks’ title odds significantly.
Nov. 18 — 76ers send Al Horford and two picks to Thunder for Danny Green
Philadelphia has managed to dump Horford’s massive contract by dealing him a future first-round pick, and a future second-round pick to the Thunder for Danny Green, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 76ers dumped Horford’s heft contract and got some outside shooting while the Thunder managed to acquire even more draft capital.
Nov. 18 — Magic, Bucks swap second-round picks
The Magic have agreed to trade the No. 45 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Bucks for two future second-rounders, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The Bucks had traded their second-round pick to the Pelicans as part of the Jrue Holiday deal. Now, this gets them a pick in the 2020 draft. Milwaukee needs to fill out the roster and this gives them a player to make it 11 on the roster before free agency.
Nov. 18 — Celtics trying to get into top of draft
The Celtics have been doing everything to try and move into the top 3 of the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, Marc Stein of the NYT reported. Boston had reportedly tried to make a play to move Gordon Hayward for Jrue Holiday and failed. The Celtics are now scrambling to get better after the moves by the Bucks and potentially James Harden going to the Nets at some point.
Nov. 18 — Knicks, Jazz make draft day trade, swap picks
The New York Knicks traded the Nos. 27 and 38 picks in the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night to the Utah Jazz to move up four spots to No. 23 overall, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Nov. 18 — Bulls, Warriors discussed trade involving WCJ
The Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors discussed a trade involving C Wendell Carter Jr. and the No. 4 overall pick for the No. 2 pick in Wednesday’s draft, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. This deal is a bit confusing. Carter is on a rookie deal and was a former lottery pick. It would be for Chicago to move up just two spots, so maybe the feeling if Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 and the Bulls want LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman at No. 2.
Nov. 17 — Hawks in play for sign-and-trade for Hayward
The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as a potential landing spot for Celtics F Gordon Hayward via a sign-and-trade, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The Celtics have been trying to find a new home for Hayward, who has a player option for $34.2 million in 2020-21. It was reported earlier that the Celts are trying to extend the deadline for him to make a decision on the option until Thursday.
Nov. 17 — Rockets, Wizards discussed Westbrook for Wall deal
The Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards have talked about a deal centered around Russell Westbrook for John Wall, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Westbrook has stated via reports that he wants out of Houston. James Harden also wants out, so the Rockets are trying to stop a complete crisis. Wall didn’t play all last season after suffering an Achilles injury. This would be more of a change of scenery type of deal for both sides. If Wall can bounce back, the Rockets could still remain somewhat competitive.
Nov. 17 — Pelicans turned down Celtics trade for Holiday
The Celtics made an attempt to land Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans and failed. According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Celtics threw Gordon Hayward and three first-round picks at the Pels for Holiday, which was shot down. The two-way guard was then dealt to the Bucks.
Nov. 17 — Celtics trying to extend deadline for Hayward
The Boston Celtics are looking to extend Gordon Hayward’s deadline to make a decision on his player option worth $34.2 million for the 2020-21 season. It was Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. ET and the Celtics are trying to push it to Thursday afternoon, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Nov. 17 — More players make decisions on player options
A few more players have made their decision on player options for 2020-21, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Kings F Jabari Parker opted into his deal worth $6.5 million. Magic F James Ennis declined his option for $2.1 million and will become a free agent.
Nov. 17 — Drummond picks up option to remain with Cavs
Cleveland Cavaliers C Andre Drummond has decided to opt into his $28.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season, Marc Stein of The New York Times reported early Tuesday morning. Drummond was acquired by the Cavs from the Detroit Pistons prior to the Trade Deadline last season. He has chosen not to head into free agency when the window opens at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday.
Nov. 17 — Bucks make another splash, get Bogdan Bogdanovic
The Milwaukee Bucks are not done making deals. A few hours after acquiring Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Bucks are now landing SG Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Bucks dealt Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, plus three draft picks in order to land Holiday from New Orleans. Now, the Bucks will ship off Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova and DJ Wilson to Sacramento to land Bogdanovic, who was set to become a restricted free agent on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Nov. 16 — Bucks land Jrue Holiday from Pelicans
The Milwaukee Bucks are making a play to keep MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo happy, acquiring two-way stud guard Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported late Monday night. Holiday has been the talk of trade rumors for over a season now and the Pelicans had been trying to find him a new home. The Hawks and Hornets had been teams rumored to be interested in dealing for the veteran guard. Instead, the Bucks just got a little more scary in the East by replacing Bledsoe with Holiday.
Nov. 16 — RoCo heading to Portland from Houston
The Houston Rockets are trading F Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for SF Trevor Ariza, a 2020 first-round pick and a protected 2021 first-round pick, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Monday night. This comes hours after reports surfaced that the Rockets wanted to keep All-Star James Harden despite The Beard wanting out to Brooklyn.
Nov. 16 — Harden adamant on trade to Nets
We’ve got some more details from Woj on the Harden front. The Rockets All-Star is focused on a trade to the Nets and wants to play in Brooklyn. The two sides have been in contact but not much progress has been made. Houston made an attempt to keep Harden by throwing more money at him in the form of a two-year, $103 million extension tacked onto his current deal. That doesn’t matter to Harden, who wants a chance to win a title in Brooklyn with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Update: Rockets intend to try and keep Harden, mend relationship
The Rockets are going to try and keep James Harden this season and mend the relationship, rather than trading him to the Nets, as he’s reportedly trying to force. Marc Stein of The New York Times has the latest on the Harden front after Woj just reported The Beard wants to go to Brooklyn. Would he hold out for a trade? Will Russell Westbrook be forced to stay too? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z!
Nov. 16 — Robin Lopez is declining player option, will become FA
Milwaukee Bucks C Robin Lopez is declining his player option of $5 million for the 2020-21 season and will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday evening.
Nov. 16 — Bulls don’t plan on extending qualifying offer to Kris Dunn
The Chicago Bulls don’t plan on extending a QO to RFA G Kris Dunn, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Dunn can become a unrestricted free agent on Friday. The Clippers are expected to have interest in the FA guard, per Johnson.
Nov. 16 — Jerami Grant declines player option to become UFA
Denver Nuggets SF Jerami Grant will decline his player option of $9.3 million for the 2020-21 season and will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Nov. 16 — James Harden would like to be traded to either Brooklyn or Philadelphia
Harden wants to be moved and the Nets and 76ers are his top two choices, per Shams Charania. Charania noted Houston would be comfortable not dealing either Harden or Westbrook this offseason.
Nov. 16 — DeMar DeRozan will opt into his player contract for 2020-21
Spurs star DeMar DeRozan told the team he will opt into his $27.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season, per Chris Haynes. This was expected news.
Nov. 16 — Thunder finalizing deal to send Chris Paul to Suns
The Oklahoma City Thunder are working out a trade to deal All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal will net the Thunder Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and draft compensation, per Shams Charania. The draft pick is a future Suns first rounder that is protected 1-12 in 2022, 1-10 in 2023, 1-8 in 2024, and unprotected in 2025, per Charania.
Nov. 16 — Pistons trade Bruce Brown to Nets
The Detroit Pistons are sending G Bruce Brown to the Brooklyn Nets for F Dzanan Musa and a 2021 second-round pick, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported early Monday morning. The 2021 pick will come from the Toronto Raptors, per Woj.
Brown, 24, was heading into the final year of his contract, which was for the mid-level exception. The 2018 second-round pick averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 assists in 58 games (43 starts) last season for Detroit. Per Woj, the Nets like Brown’s defensive ability and he adds another backcourt body at a cheap price for 2020-21.
Musa, 21, was a late first-rounder in 2018 and played 40 games for the Nets last season, averaging 4.8 points per game. Woj says the Pistons like the versatile forward. Detroit could use some depth in the front court with Blake Griffin returning from injury and the possibility of losing Christian Wood via free agency later in the week.
Nov. 15 — Dennis Schroder to be dealt to Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to acquire G Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Sunday afternoon. The agreement is set in place and is expected to be finalized either Monday or following the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday. The Thunder will get another first-round pick, this one coming from 2020 at No. 28 toward the end of the first round. That makes 16 first-round picks for OKC from now until 2026.
Schroder gives the defending champs another scoring option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The veteran guard averaged 18.9 points per game off the bench and was one of the finalists for 6th Man of the Year in 2019-20. Schroder is set to make $15.5 million in 2020-21, so the heavy salary could mean the end of Rajon Rondo’s time in Los Angeles, per reports. The Lakers could also lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and/or Avery Bradley to free agency; each has a player option for the upcoming season.
Anthony Davis declines player option, becomes UFA
Lakers All-Star PF Anthony Davis declined his player option for the 2020-21 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported late Sunday night. Davis was set to make $28.7 million in the final year of his contract with L.A. Instead, Davis is expected to re-sign with the Lakers on a new max deal. He is fresh off winning his first NBA championship with the Lakers this past season and had no plans to go play anywhere else.
Nov. 13 — Westbrook market slow developing so far
Houston Rockets PG Russell Westbrook reportedly requested a trade last week, wanting out of Houston. As of Friday, the market for Westbrook and his massive contract has been “slow developing,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook is set to make $43 million in 2020-21 and has a player option for $46 million in 2021-22, so fitting in his salary would be difficult for almost every team after the cap didn’t move up from last season to this season ($109 million). There have been some teams thrown out there in reports, including the Knicks and Hornets, but that’s about it.