The NBA playoffs continue. Some fanbases (cough, cough, Philadelphia 76ers) have already witnessed heartbreak of the most severe nature. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum are New York Knicks fans who feel like anything is possible. Only the postseason can evoke such strong emotions.
But behind the scenes, NBA rumors are percolating. Half the league is in the offseason, and the other half is approaching it. As the draft, free agency and trades approach, here are today's most noteworthy stories.
Zion Williamson has never played in the playoffs. It's an absurd truth and perfectly sums up his career thus far. He has a special talent for breaking down games, but his body was failing him at key moments. He's not available when the New Orleans Pelicans need him most.
That story could change this postseason. That's a long shot — Williamson is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in a play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers — but it's not impossible. Zion left the door open when asked about the possibility of him coming back. It's not wide open, but it's definitely ajar.
”[A return] It's definitely realistic. It's totally realistic. As I said, you have to pass the test. Return to baseline. Hopefully I can get out there. “(via) Christian Clark, NOLA.com)
Mr Williamson was originally scheduled to be re-evaluated in two weeks. The first four games of the first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder will be played within a two-week window, so Game 5 would theoretically be the earliest Williamson could return. This is assuming the Pelicans are currently 0-1. Hole, reached the 5th game.
In theory, New Orleans could have Williamson back sooner than expected, but that's hard to imagine given his long injury history. The Pelicans can't lose sight of the long view here. If New Orleans doesn't beat the Thunder, we probably won't see the 23-year-old until next season.
The Golden State Warriors' season ended in a bitter disappointment. Change is clearly on the horizon, but the extent of that change is unclear. Chris Paul is likely retired and Klay Thompson's future isn't as solidified as we imagine. He'll likely end up re-signing, but there will be a market for his services and Golden State won't be able to get away with being underpaid.
Andrew Wiggins is another candidate. His contract runs through 2027, but Wiggins' struggles put him squarely in jeopardy at the trade deadline. This offseason presents another opportunity for the Warriors to find a buyer. At Bleacher Report, Zach Buckley has developed quite a proposal regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers.
So the Warriors' package is Wiggins, rookie standout Trayce Jackson-Davis and a handful of first-round picks from the Cavs for All-Star center Jarrett Allen.
Multiple factors will affect the feasibility of this trade, but the most important is how long Cleveland's postseason run lasts. All signs point to the Cavs potentially edging out the Orlando Magic in the first round quickly, while the Boston Celtics are closing in on a hypothetical second round. If the Cavs bounce back in four or five games, that could lead to the departure and/or departure of Donovan Mitchell. A complete paradigm shift in Cleveland's front office.
The Cavaliers' huge frontcourt of Allen and Evan Mobley was an ace in the regular season, but their ability to make the playoffs is under intense scrutiny. Perhaps the Magic aren't the best barometer of success, but the Celtics' dynamic offense and sharp defense will prove insurmountable. It's hard to survive multiple non-shooters in the playoffs.
Cleveland will strengthen its wing defense while keeping Evan Mobley as its full-time center and primary rim protector. Wiggins was selected by Cleveland with the first pick in 2014, but was traded to Minnesota for Kevin Love a few weeks later. It's a homecoming in a very blunt and circuitous way. He can still provide on-ball defense and spot-up 3s. A change of pace may also be helpful.
For Golden State, the appeal is obvious. Allen could anchor an elite defense and give Stephen Curry a true vertical threat at the rim. The Warriors have never had a lob threat like Allen or a rim protector who covers a lot of the paint.
It's certainly an attractive proposition.
The Lakers' offseason will be focused on one goal: re-signing LeBron James. Everyone expects that to happen, but it's worth wondering whether James will shock the world now that the Lakers are once again headed for an early exit from the postseason. His son is eligible for the NBA Draft and the Lakers are stuck in a rut. We've seen LeBron change teams four times now.
If he leaves, it won't be for Minnesota or OKC. No offense, of course, but James is a billionaire business enthusiast. He enjoys the finer things in life and is not willing to sacrifice his business endeavors to register in a small media market. One obvious and very logical destination for him is the New York Knicks.
New York doesn't have the cap space to sign James outright, but a sign-and-trade is within the realm of possibility. The Knicks have a ton of trade ammunition built up and are more motivated to star hunt. Few teams are as close as New York, and James' postseason experience could take Tom Thibodeau's hard-working (complementary) team to the next level.
At least that's what Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus claims.
“James, to the best of his ability, will likely dictate where his son lands, most likely with the Lakers, but some league insiders are speculating it could be the New York Knicks. If so, James would likely opt in and take over the team's trade from the Lakers (possibly sending Julius Randle, other salary and picks to Los Angeles). ”
James is expected to ask for a no-trade clause and a full guarantee in his next contract, so the Knicks will need to oblige on both fronts as well as convince James to break free from his deep roots in New York. there will be.
But it's worth revisiting this topic as the playoffs continue. The idea that James will never leave the Lakers is probably a bit exaggerated. He will definitely pick the right team and if he has enough motivation on the court and potentially off the court with his son Bronny.
