NBA trade tracker: Rumors, reported trades during free agency

Andy Wittry

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NBA trade tracker: Rumors, reported trades during free agency image

NBA trade rumors have flown around before, during and after the 2017 NBA Draft. Two of the top three picks in the draft changed hands; the Sixers got the No. 1 overall pick from the Celtics to select Markelle Fultz. Also, the Lakers cleared cap space in a trade with the Nets in order to make a run at Paul George, and maybe LeBron James next summer.

Follow along with our NBA trade tracker for the latest rumors, reports and confirmed deals.

MORE: Team-by-team NBA Draft grades

Carmelo Anthony closer to leaving Knicks, joining Rockets

Buried at the bottom of this ESPN.com article is a tasty nugget: Anthony is willing to waive his no-trade rights to join James Harden and Chris Paul (and play for Mike D'Antoni again) in Houston. New York reportedly is looking to jettison Anthony as it embarks on a youth movement, and Anthony reportedly is excited about joining the Rockets' stars. The ESPN.com report said no deal is imminent and a third team would likely be needed. 

Raptors, Pacers finalizing sign-and-trade involving Cory Joseph

The Raptors are back in trade discussions, this time with the Pacers. Toronto is finalizing a sign-and-trade that would send Cory Joseph to Indiana in exchange for C.J. Miles, according to ESPN.

Raptors clear up cap space — at DeMarre Carroll's expense

The Raptors found a way to clear up roughly $30 million in cap space — and remove the hassle of preparing for the 2018 NBA Draft — by sending DeMarre Carroll and both its 2018 NBA Draft picks to the Nets. In return, they get center Justin Hamilton, who is due $3 million in 2017-18.

Carroll, whose 31st birthday is July 27, has played 10 seasons, including two-year stints at Utah (2011-13), Atlanta (2013-15) and Toronto (2015-17). He played in 72 games last season, averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists.

UPDATE: ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Raptors will waive Hamilton and use the stretch provision to spread out his money over additional years. More importantly, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the move will put the Raps under the luxury tax threshold this season.

Heat looking to send Josh McRoberts to Mavs

Miami, in need of cap space to re-sign James Johnson and guarantee Wayne Ellington's contract, is working out a trade with Dallas involving veteran forward Josh McRoberts. Shams Charania of The Vertical reported terms of a potential deal:

McRoberts, 30, has played three seasons in Miami after signing as a free agent in 2014. He was limited to 22 games (14 starts) last season because of stress fracture in his left foot. He averaged 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.3 minutes.

Rockets trying to be creative

Houston clearly isn't done dealing. The Rockets are looking to squeeze value out of the players they've signed to non-guaranteed contracts, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Jazz, Celtics talking Hayward-for-Crowder sign-and trade

The Celtics want to clear cap space for new forward Gordon Hayward, and it looks as though the Jazz are ready to help them do that. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported a Hayward-for-Jae-Crowder swap has been discussed; later in the evening, the Salt Lake Tribune's Tony Jones reported the Jazz and Hayward's camp are willing to work on on a sign-and-trade that would get Hayward to Boston. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey declined to comment to Jones about the possibility.

Celtics want to clear space for Gordon Hayward deal

Now that Boston has received a commitment from free-agent forward Gordon Hayward, it has to offload money, and lots of it, to pay him a max deal AND fit him under the salary cap.

ESPN.com reported the Celtics are discussing trades involving forward Jae Crowder and guards Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley with multiple teams. Crowder is owed $21.9 million over the next three seasons, while Bradley ($8.8 million) and Smart ($4.5 million) each have one year remaining on their contracts.

One possible landing spot for those players: Memphis. The Vertical's Chris Mannix reported the Celtics are eyeing Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, and SN's Jordan Greer speculated whether Bradley, Smart, a forward and draft picks would be a enough of a return. 

Clippers, Hawks, Nuggets working on sign-and-trade involving Danilo Gallinari

Free agent Danilo Gallinari could become a member of the Clippers via a three-way trade with the Hawks and Nuggets, according to ESPN. Gallinari's deal with the Clippers would reportedly be a three-year, $65 million contract. The Hawks would reportedly receive Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone and a first-round pick from L.A. Crawford doesn't plan on staying in Atlanta if a trade is completed, according to USA Today.

Carmelo open to swapping Apple for banana?

So maybe Carmelo Anthony is ready to team up with one of his Banana Boat buds. That was the word early Monday from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that sources told him Anthony is now willing to waive his no-trade clause for a move to the Cavaliers (where he'd finally get to play with King James) or the Rockets (where he'd get to play with Chris Paul but also for Mike D'Antoni).

Woj reported the Knicks probably wouldn't be able to get much in return for Anthony, who's, um, steering this boat. New York doesn't want to take back power forward Ryan Anderson in a trade, Woj added.

Just last week, Anthony's estranged wife, La La, said Anthony didn't want to leave the Knicks because he wanted to be close to his son. What has changed, other than Phil Jackson being forced out of the Garden? Like most of this Melo drama, that's not clear. 

Toronto, Indiana in trade talks involving Cory Joseph

The Raptors are in trade discussions with the Pacers that involve sending guard Cory Joseph to Indiana, according to ESPN. Joseph, 25, averaged 9.3 points per game last season.

Cavs, Rockets in trade talks involving Iman Shumpert

The Cavaliers and Rockets are discussing a potential trade that would send guard Iman Shumpert to Houston, according to ESPN. Cleveland would receive a draft pick and trade exception as part of the deal.

Paul George traded to Thunder; Oladipo, Sabonis to Pacers

Whoa.

Ramona Shelburne reports that Paul George, one of the crown jewels of this NBA offseason, has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Timberwolves trade Ricky Rubio to Jazz

After the Jazz emerged as a potential trade partner with Minnesota earlier in the week, the deal was finalized to send point guard Ricky Rubio to Salt Lake City.

Clippers send Chris Paul to Rockets

Paul is heading to Houston in a blockbuster deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. 

Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade are possible buyout candidates and Cleveland free agent targets

It has long been speculated whether LeBron James would ever play with his "banana boat" pals — Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade — later in his career. "Later" could come sooner than expected, as Anthony and Wade are potential buyout candidates with the Knicks and Bulls, respectively, and the Cavaliers could be a leading contender to sign one or both of the players in free agency, according to ESPN.

Anthony's contract is worth more than $26 million for next season, and Wade is scheduled to make $23.8 million in the final year of his contract with the Bulls. As buyout candidates, both players could provide the Cavaliers with a relatively inexpensive way to sign complementary players to put alongside LeBron and Kyrie Irving.

Nuggets could be missing link to Paul George-to-Cavs trade

The Cavaliers are in hot pursuit of Paul George, even if he'd only spend one year in Cleveland as a rental, and the Nuggets could be the third team that makes the trade possible, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Chris Haynes. A possible three-team trade could result in George in Cleveland and Kevin Love in Denver, Stein reported. One version of the trade includes Kenneth Faried being traded to the Cavaliers, according to Haynes.

Denver also has young assets in guards Gary Harris, Emmauel Mudiay and Jamal Murray, who could potentially make the three-team trade possible.

Chris Paul to the ... Rockets?

Chris Paul will become an unrestricted free agent after opting out of his contract with the Clippers and there's a chance he leaves Los Angeles for another team in the Western Conference. Namely, the Rockets.

ESPN's Chris Haynes appeared on SportsCenter on Saturday and his top storyline was Paul potentially signing with Houston. The Rockets have a "serious chance of luring Chris Paul away," Haynes said.

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul opt out of contracts, become unrestricted free agents

The Clippers era that was built around Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan has likely come to a close. Griffin has opted out of his player option with the Clippers for the 2017-18 season, and he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. Paul did the same on Friday, according to Brad Turner.

Griffin, a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection, has proven to be one of the best players in the league when healthy, but he has been limited due to injuries in the last three seasons.

Paul, 32, is on the wrong side of 30 but he is annually one of the NBA's leaders in assists and he will likely receive serious interest as a free agent.

Hornets deal Duke's Frank Jackson to Pelicans

Charlotte trades No. 31 pick Frank Jackson to New Orleans for pick No. 40 (Dwayne Bacon) and cash.  

Golden State trades for Oregon's Jordan Bell 

The Warriors acquired Jordan Bell from the Bulls for cash. (A lot of cash, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.)

Lakers get Hart in trade with Jazz

The Lakers continue to stay busy in trade talks, sending the No. 28 pick (Tony Bradley) to Utah for the No. 30 pick (Josh Hart) as well as the No. 42 pick.

Memphis acquires Orlando's No. 35 pick

The Grizzlies traded for the No. 35 pick from Orlando in return for the Nets' 2019 second-round pick, which Memphis owned.  

Sixers pick up No. 25 pick

The Sixers weren't content with trading up to land the No. 1 pick in the draft, Markelle Fultz. On draft night, they obtained the Magic's No. 25 pick (Anzejs Pasecniks) for their 2020 first-round pick (via Oklahoma City) and 2020 second-round pick.

Nuggets trade Mitchell to Jazz

Denver selected Louisville shooting guard Donovan Mitchell with the No. 13 pick, but he didn't have a chance to get too comfy in that Nuggets hat. Denver traded Mitchell to the Jazz in exchange for Trey Lyles and the No. 24 pick (Tyler Lydon).

Kings, Blazers swap first-round picks

With three first-round picks, the Blazers packaged two of them in a deal to move up in the draft. Portland sent the 15th and 20th picks (Justin Jackson and Harry Giles, respectively) to Sacramento for the rights to the No. 10 overall pick (Zach Collins). 

Bulls send Butler to Timberwolves

The Bulls on Thursday agreed to trade star wing Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 pick (Justin Patton) in this year's NBA Draft to the Timberwolves for guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick (Lauri Markkanen).

Dunn was the No. 5 pick in last year's draft out of Providence. LaVine, a first-rounder of the T-Wolves in 2014 out of UCLA, is coming off an ACL injury. 

MORE: Timberwolves put finishing touches on rebuild, steal Butler 

More on the Knicks, Porzingis saga

Phil Jackson said Wednesday he'd need a lot in return to trade Kristaps Porzingis, but the 7-3 star is available. Jackson, in an interview with MSG Network, made a point to mention that Porzingis skipped his exit interview with Jackson after the season ended, so pettiness isn't limited to players. 

VECENIE: Phil intent on destroying Knicks | DEVENEY: Players avoiding NY

Wizards send second-rounder to Pelicans

Washington traded its pick in the draft, No. 52 overall, to New Orleans for point guard Tim Frazier, according to multiple reports. Frazier, 26, will be joining his fifth team in four seasons; he previously was with the Celtics, 76ers andTrail Blazers before joining the Pelicans in March 2016. Last season he averaged 7.1 points and 5.2 assists in 23.5 minutes per game. He made 35 starts as New Orleans dealt with a slew of injuries.

Clippers exploring market for DeAndre Jordan

The Clippers have been in contact with several teams, including the Suns, while exploring the market for center DeAndre Jordan, according to ESPN's Chris Haynes.

Phoenix reportedly shot down discussions with LA regarding a potential trade of Tyson Chandler and the Suns' No. 4 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft in exchange for Jordan.

Hawks, Hornets agree to three-player trade

The Hawks are sending Dwight Howard and the 31st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft to the Hornets, in exchange for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and the 41st pick in this year's draft, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jimmy Butler shoots down possible trade to Cavaliers

Bulls All-Star forward Jimmy Butler reportedly told the Cavaliers he would rather stay in Chicago than be traded to Cleveland, according to TNT's David Aldridge.

Could Paul George be traded to the Lakers?

The trade market for Paul George has changed significantly since last season's trade deadline, now that he has reportedly informed the Pacers he will enter free agency in 2018 with his sights set on the Lakers. Los Angeles is looking to acquire George this summer rather than waiting until July 2018, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Lakers, Nets agree to trade

In a move to clear cap space and likely prepare for the arrival of Lonzo Ball, the Lakers are trading guard D'Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov to the Nets for center Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in this year's NBA Draft, according to The Vertical.

The Lakers will shed the final three years of Mozgov's four-year, $64 million contract, along with a young starter in Russell, as they begin to target big names via trades or free agency. Lopez is on an expiring contract, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2018, the summer when LeBron James and Paul George will be unrestricted free agents.

Knicks open to dealing Kristaps Porzingis

The relationship between the Knicks and rising star Kristaps Porzingis has been turbulent in recent months, as Porzingis skipped his exit interview in April. Well, Porzingis' time in New York could be nearing its end. Phil Jackson is open to the possibility of trading Porzingis as the "frenzy of interest is growing," according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Timberwolves express interest in Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler could be reunited with Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski.

Celtics send No. 1 pick to Sixers for No. 3 pick, future first

The Sixers landed the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row, thanks to a predraft trade with the Celtics. In return, Boston receives the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, in addition to either the Lakers' 2018 first-round pick or the Kings' 2019 first-round pick. The Celtics will receive the Lakers' pick if it falls between No. 2 and No. 5. If it doesn't, they'll get the Kings' unprotected first-round pick in 2019.

Andy Wittry