Shams says 25 games for Morant.

Woj said 2 games. Looks like a typo. Shams is officially replacing Woj as king.

Ja Warrant. pic.twitter.com/xnK8PH30cm

— nba paint (@nba_paint) June 16, 2023

Developing: Washington is in serious talks with two finalists – Miami and Phoenix – on a Bradley Beal trade, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Suns have emerged as a serious threat for Beal, who holds a no-trade clause.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2023

Lol they'd be awful

Which team?

I honestly don't think Beal would move the needle much for either team and would just deplete depth in the process.

The suns would be in eternal cap hell and be awful

Beal for Cameron Payne and DeAndre Ayton works financially, but adds another 8mm to the suns' already awful cap situation.

Cut or trade paul for the savings.

Durant
Shamet
Booker
Beal

And.... nothing else.

Chris Haynes is saying Chris Paul + Landry Schamet for Beal.

Miami's offer is Kyle Lowry and either Duncan Robinson or Dipo

Beal to Phoenix done!

BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2023

Starting 5:

Ayton (32.5mm)
Durant (46.4mm)
Beal (46.7mm)
Booker (36mm)
Cameron Payne (6.5mm)

Also under contract:
Ishmail Wainright (team option - 2mm)

$168.1 mm if they waive Ish Wainright.

Luxury Tax Line: $162mm
Apron line: $169mm
2nd Apron: $179.5mm

Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023

Match the point guard with the team they have played for or been traded to:

A. Chris Paul
B. Russell Westbrook
C. John Wall



1. Clippers
2. Rockets
3. Wizards

(Please have John Wall end up on the Thunder somehow, so a 4th team could be added)

I have to say that I really can't ****ing wait to see this Suns team melt down and never win, just like Durant's Brooklyn team and Durant's OKC team.

Bill Simmons saying that a reliable source informed him Zion will no longer be on the Pelicans come Thursday. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/wmK2d1x0ee

— 𝕁. 𝔻𝕦𝕓𝕓 (@TheMindOfJDubb) June 19, 2023

I can't believe how low the ask was for Beal..

Lake08 said:

---

I can't believe how low the ask was for Beal..

---

He had a no-trade clause, so he could make them trade him for a tuna sandwich if he wanted.

Draymond officially declining his option to become a FA.

Charlotte makes some sense for Zion as does Portland.

With Portland I can 100% see them convincing themselves that Zion's the best available piece out there to pair with Dame. Realistically no one else is available, and if the trade is

Portland:
Zion plus lottery protected picks

New Orleans:
Number 3 overall pick +
Simons or Grant to make the money work

Then I think both sides say yes to this trade. The one hold up is probably that NO will want to wait to make sure that Charlotte doesn't take Scoot before they execute the trade.

It's easy to make fun of Zion for his lack of urgency to play, but supposing that it's all a misunderstanding and he's about to be the generational talent consistently that he looks like when he does rarely play, then the trade is a steal for the Blazers. Especially because Scoot is a terrible fit for how their roster is built right now. They have 75 million in Dame and Simons, and last year's pick Sharpe looks good too. Scoot would be underutilized on that team.

Of course, Zion might just be the fat loser he comes off as and never play in Portland either.

ETA

If Portland gets good Zion, they can legitimately say they are a championship contender next year. You do this trade to win Championships. Next year with Scoot, they are still rebuilding while Scoot learns the ropes. Sometimes you gamble on the chance to win.

Heard where Bill Simmons said the Rockets should could give up Jalen Green, the 4 pick, and two future firsts from Brooklyn for Zion and the 27th pick? IMO, Simmons has been trash since right around before Grantland launched, so this is all fodder. But I can't think of another major basketball media guy that dislikes the Rockets more than Simmons besides early TNT Charles Barkley.

I like Jalen Green, but I don't love him so I'm not overvaluing based on homerism - but LMFAO at this trade prop.

Head Ninja In Charge said:

---

Heard where Bill Simmons said the Rockets should could give up Jalen Green, the 4 pick, and two future firsts from Brooklyn for Zion and the 27th pick? IMO, Simmons has been trash since right around before Grantland launched, so this is all fodder. But I can't think of another major basketball media guy that dislikes the Rockets more than Simmons besides early TNT Charles Barkley.

I like Jalen Green, but I don't love him so I'm not overvaluing based on homerism - but LMFAO at this trade prop.

---

It's a bad trade, and NOLA doesn't want #4, they want Scoot.

AggieEP said:

---

Charlotte makes some sense for Zion as does Portland.

With Portland I can 100% see them convincing themselves that Zion's the best available piece out there to pair with Dame. Realistically no one else is available, and if the trade is

Portland:
Zion plus lottery protected picks

New Orleans:
Number 3 overall pick +
Simons or Grant to make the money work

Then I think both sides say yes to this trade. The one hold up is probably that NO will want to wait to make sure that Charlotte doesn't take Scoot before they execute the trade.

It's easy to make fun of Zion for his lack of urgency to play, but supposing that it's all a misunderstanding and he's about to be the generational talent consistently that he looks like when he does rarely play, then the trade is a steal for the Blazers. Especially because Scoot is a terrible fit for how their roster is built right now. They have 75 million in Dame and Simons, and last year's pick Sharpe looks good too. Scoot would be underutilized on that team.

Of course, Zion might just be the fat loser he comes off as and never play in Portland either.

ETA

If Portland gets good Zion, they can legitimately say they are a championship contender next year. You do this trade to win Championships. Next year with Scoot, they are still rebuilding while Scoot learns the ropes. Sometimes you gamble on the chance to win.

---

IF Zion put together a full season, he's All-NBA. Don't think the Pellies are adding picks to that.

Grant is a S&T, so he would have to agree to it. Nurkic is attached to any trade of #3 by default.

I don't think NOLA trades Zion for 3 if Scoot goes #2.

Lol, it's an asinine trade proposal. Zion's value is nothing more than 1 good first round pick plus whatever balances the contract money. If Charlotte wants him, I'm pretty sure #2 plus Hayward gets it done as the major framework. Zion's a great player, but he doesn't play and he's got a huge contract attached to him. Both of these severely limit his value.

Also, stories about him knocking up porn stars don't help his value either.

AWW MAN COACH REALLY?! THATS HOW YOU FEEL 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/32215GcQgQ

— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) June 20, 2023

Vegas developer proposing NBA arena as part of $10B project.

Plans for a 20,000-seat arena as part of a $3 billion hotel, gaming and entertainment district near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road have grown substantially.

The arena is now part of a 66-acre planned development, more than two-and-a-half times the size of the original parcel, and the project's budget has a $10 billion price tag all privately financed.

Iowaggie said:

---

Vegas developer proposing NBA arena as part of $10B project.

Plans for a 20,000-seat arena as part of a $3 billion hotel, gaming and entertainment district near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road have grown substantially.

The arena is now part of a 66-acre planned development, more than two-and-a-half times the size of the original parcel, and the project's budget has a $10 billion price tag all privately financed.

---

Reports of James Harden being in a gym to try to extend his NBA career by 10 more years.

Cap numbers for next season reported..

Updated financial figures for the 2023-24 NBA season nears the 10 percent maximum increase, league informed teams today:

- $136 million salary cap, $2M higher than prior projection
- $165 million luxury tax level, $3M higher than prior https://t.co/udaRDUBXRK

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2023

Slam ball back

BREAKING: SlamBall has struck a two-year media rights deal with ESPN.

The agreement will provide "unprecedented" national reach for the upstart property — returning after more than 20 years.

Play begins July 21 » https://t.co/Vwdx7uyIDlpic.twitter.com/TcEH1rrxnk

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 21, 2023

How soon will there be a major betting scandal surrounding Slam Ball and can we bet on that too?

Sources: Wizards, Celtics and Clippers are in strong talks on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles. Sides are still working through details and Porzingis’ $36M player option.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2023

Guitarsoup said:

---

Sources: Wizards, Celtics and Clippers are in strong talks on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles. Sides are still working through details and Porzingis’ $36M player option.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2023

---

How in the world does Boston have room to take on that contract?

Enzo The Baker said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Sources: Wizards, Celtics and Clippers are in strong talks on a trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, Marcus Morris and draft compensation to Washington and Malcolm Brogdon to Los Angeles. Sides are still working through details and Porzingis’ $36M player option.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2023

---

How in the world does Boston have room to take on that contract?

---

Brogdon and Danilo for Kristaps works financially before July 1. Adds 6.7mm to bottom line