NBA free agency is just around the corner and some of the picture is much clearer.
 
Kemba Walker is headed to the Boston Celtics on a 4 year Maximum contract
 
Nikola Vucevic is likely staying with the Orlando Magic on a 4 year 100 million dollar contract.
 

Kawhi Leonard according to our sources intends to sign with the LA Clippers.
Horford to Clippers is also still possible.
 
Terry Rozier is a target for the Charlotte Hornets, and Phoenix Suns
 
Here are some other well known free agents and what we are hearing on where they might be headed.
 
Kyrie Irving has committed to the Brooklyn Nets on a 4 year Maximum contract.
Kevin Durant is headed to the New York Knicks.
 
D’Angelo Russell has interest from LA Lakers, Minn Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers
 
Tobias Harris is interested in staying with the Philadelphia 76ers, however does share mutual interest with Brooklyn Nets as well.
 
Jimmy Butler could still re-sign with 76ers, has interest in Heat and Rockets with sign and trade scenarios being discussed.
 
The Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs have free agent interest in All star C Demarcus Cousins.
The Utah Jazz have strong interest in PF Bobby Portis. FA meeting already planned
Bojan Bogdanovic and the Utah Jazz have strong mutual interest
Nikola Mirotic has decided to sign with Barcelona in Euroleague. He will not be in the NBA next season.
Ricky Rubio and the Indiana Pacers have strong mutual interest.
 
The New York Knicks have expressed interest in Julius Randle, and Bobby Portis.
 
 Derrick Rose and the Detroit Pistons are planning to finalize a 2 year deal.

It hasn't been long since the 2019 NBA Draft ended but we can take a early look at potential picks for next year and the new batch of future NBA stars,

1. Anthony Edwards  (Georgia)

2. James Wiseman (Memphis)

3. RJ Hampton ( NBL)

4. Cole Anthony ( North Carolina )

5. Scottie Lewis ( Florida)

6. Killian Hayes ( France)

7. Lamelo Ball  ( NBL)

8. Nico Mannion ( Arizona)

9. Matthew Hurt ( Duke)

10. Deni Avdija ( Israel)

11. Tyrese Maxey ( Kentucky)

12. Josh Green ( Arizona)

13. Jaden McDaniels ( Washington)

14. Theo Maledon ( France)

I spend a lot of time harping on what I feel is poor planning or execution. I will admit Blake Griffin is an elite offensive player and very talented. However with the exception of Tim Duncan winning with a big man as your best player isn't that effective. For it to have any prayer of working that big needs to be elite on both ends like Patrick Ewing or Tim Duncan. Griffin is an average at best defender. 

However it gets worse Blake Griffin has played an average of 60 games a season over his career. He has had surgeries on both knees including a torn Meniscus, Broken Kneecap, Loose bodies cleared from both and missed time at the end of last season from knee inflammation.

Griffin is 30 years old playing on two surgically repaired knees how much longer can that last?
On top of the real concern as to whether Griffin has many seasons left. His supporting cast leaves much to be desired. 

The Pistons have no one their roster who should be an NBA starter at either wing position. Luke Kennard is promising 2nd year player  but other than praying he becomes Reddick 2.0 not much quality of young talent. 

​Reggie Jackson probably would be backup on over half the teams in the league and has his own injury concerns.

Andre Drummond is an all star caliber center but should not be your 2nd best player. 

The FO and Management think they are "close". Close to what exactly?

​

​​ Rj Barrett is a young superstar with James Harden level potential. The Knicks added a player with MVP level talent. Hard not to call that a win.

Cleveland Cavaliers- Kevin Porter Jr has star potential, Darius Garland could easily be a solid pro, Dylan Windler is one of the best shooters in the draft. Great haul overall.

Atlanta Hawks- Cam Reddish has star potential, DeAndre Hunter has the potential to be an excellent 3 and D player.

Losers:

Phoenix Suns- Cameron Johnson is almost 24 and despite his role player potential their were better prospects on the board at 11. The Suns traded out of the better part of the draft for Dario Saric who I am not convinced is even an NBA player.


Miami Heat-

Tyler Herro might be a decent player but the Heat passed up on better prospects for him. I'm not sure the Heat have the luxury of drafting safer picks and ignoring upside.

​

1.  Pelicans draft Zion Williamson
2.  Grizzlies draft Ja Morant
3.  Knicks draft RJ Barrett
4.  Lakers draft De'Andre Hunter (Lakers are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Pelicans, who reportedly will trade the pick to the Hawks)
5.  Cavaliers draft Darius Garland
6.  Suns draft Jarrett Culver (Suns are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Timberwolves)
7.  Bulls draft Coby White
8.  Hawks draft Jaxson Hayes (Hawks are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Pelicans)
9.  Wizards draft Rui Hachimura
10.  Hawks draft Cam Reddish
11.  Timberwolves draft Cameron Johnson (Timberwolves are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Suns)
12.  Hornets draft PJ Washington
13.  Heat draft Tyler Herro
14.  Celtics draft Romeo Langford
15.  Pistons draft Sekou Doumbouya
16.  Magic draft Chuma Okeke
17.  Nets draft Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Nets are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Hawks, who reportedly will trade the pick to the Pelicans)
18.  Pacers draft Goga Bitadze
19.  Spurs draft Luka Samanic
20.  Celtics draft Matisse Thybulle (officially traded to the Philadelphia 76ers)
21.  Thunder draft Brandon Clarke (Thunder are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Grizzlies)
22.  Celtics draft Grant Williams
23.  Jazz draft Darius Bazley (Jazz are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Grizzlies, who will reportedly trade the pick to the Thunder)
24.  76ers draft Ty Jerome (traded to the Boston Celtics, who are in discussions of trading the pick to the Suns)
25.  Trail Blazers draft Nassir Little
26.  Cavaliers draft Dylan Windler
27.  Nets draft Mfiondu Kabengele (officially traded to LA Clippers)
28.  Warriors draft Jordan Poole
29.  Spurs draft Keldon Johnson
30.  Bucks draft Kevin Porter Jr. (officially traded to Detroit Pistons, who are in discussions of trading the pick to the Cavaliers)
31. Nets draft Nicolas Claxton
32.  Suns draft KZ Okpala (Suns are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Pacers, who will reportedly trade the pick to the Heat)
33.  76ers draft Carsen Edwards (officially traded to the Boston Celtics)
34.  76ers draft Bruno Fernando (76ers are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Hawks)
35.  Hawks draft Marcos Louzada Silva (Hawks are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Pelicans)
36.  Hornets draft Cody Martin
37.  Mavericks draft Deividas Sirvydis (Mavericks are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Pistons)
38.  Bulls draft Daniel Gafford
39.  Pelicans draft Alen Smailagic (officially traded to the Golden State Warriors)
40.  Kings draft Justin James
41.  Warriors draft Eric Paschall
42.  76ers draft Admiral Schofield (officially traded to the Washington Wizards)
43.  Timberwolves draft Jaylen Nowell
44.  Heat draft Bol Bol (officially traded to the Denver Nuggets)
45.  Pistons draft Isaiah Roby (Pistons are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Mavericks)
46.  Magic draft Talen Horton-Tucker (officially traded to the Los Angeles Lakers)
47.  Kings draft Ignas Brazdeikis (Kings are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Knicks)
48. Clippers draft Terance Mann
49.  Spurs draft Quinndary Weatherspoon
50.  Pacers draft Jarrell Brantley (officially traded to the Utah Jazz)
51.  Celtics draft Tremont Waters
52.  Hornets draft Jalen McDaniels
53.  Jazz draft Justin Wright-Foreman
54.  76ers draft Marial Shayok
55.  Knicks draft Kyle Guy (Knicks are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Kings)
56.  Clippers draft Jaylen Hands (officially traded to Brooklyn Nets)
57.  Pelicans draft Jordan Bone (Pelicans are currently in discussions to trade this pick to the Hawks, who will trade the pick to the 76ers, who will trade the pick to the Pistons)
58.  Warriors draft Miye Oni (officially traded to the Utah Jazz)
59.  Raptors draft Dewan Hernandez
60.  Kings draft Vanja Marinkovic

1. Sekou Doumbouya- SF/PF France
Doumbouya is a lengthy athletic forward with intriguing defensive potential. However he lacks advanced feel for the game and is a complete project on offense. He could very easily bust at the next level.

2. Darius Garland- PG Vanderbilt
Garland is not a high level playmaker , has a knee injury already and very little post college basketball experience. How well he translates to the pro's is still a question mark.

3. Zion Williamson- PF Duke
Zion is a freak athlete "a high motor and by all appearances a good work ethic. The issue is he's a 6'7' big man without the perimeter skills to play the wing. Without the any advanced dribble moves and no real jumpshot to speak of it's hard to see him having a major impact at the next level. His athletic gifts will also not present as much of a advantage in the pro's.

4.
Jarret Culver- SG Texas Tech
I don't get why some love him, slow release point, hideous shooting form and not an elite defender. I don't see the appeal.

5. Nassir Little- Lack of length, inconsistent play and some defensive concerns makes Llittle far from a safe option.

Who are your favorite prospects? Let me know In the comments.

 
 Draft day is almost here. Here is our final mock draft covering the entire 1st round.



1. Zion Williamson- New Orlean Pelicans
2. Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
3. R,J. Barrett- New York Knicks
4. Darius Garland- LA Lakers
5. Jarrett Culver- Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Coby White- Phoenix Suns
7.  De'Andre Hunter- Chicago Bulls
8. Cam Reddish- Atlanta Hawks
9. Romeo Langford- Was Wizards
10. Kevin Porter Jr- Atlanta Hawks
11. Brandon Clarke- Minn Timberwolves
12. Jaxson Hayes- Cha Hornets
13. Nassir Little- Miami Heat
14. Goga Bitadze- Boston Celtics
15. Bol Bol- Detroit Pistons
16. Nickeil Alexander-Walker- Orlando Magic
17. Rui Hachimura- Atlanta Hawks
18. Grant Williams- Indiana Pacers
19. Talen Horton-Tucker- San Antonio Spurs
20. Matisse Thybulle- Boston Celtics
21. Keldon Johnson- OKC Thunder
22. Carsen Edwards- Boston Celtics
23. Dylan Windler- Utah Jjazz
24. Luka Samanic- Philly 76ERS
25.Cameron Johnson- Portland Trailblazers
26. Nic Claxton- Cleveland Cavaliers
27. Daniel Gafford- Brooklyn Nets
28. Bruno Fernando- Golden State Warriors
29. Jordan Bone- San Antonio Spurs
30. Ty Jerome- Milwaukee Bucks

Several big names could move this summer: 

Anthony Davis, Mike Conley are available there are rumors Blake Griffin and Karl Anthony Towns could become available via trade.

Here is the latest chatter:

Teams have been calling the Detroit Pistons about Blake Griffin sensing that a trade request or rebuild decision is coming. The New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and LA Lakers among teams to inquire.


Anthony Davis trade talks have resumed with the LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets among the most interested suitors. The Miami Heat have also inquired but may lack the assets to get a deal done.

{ Update}

Our source confirms Lakers and Pelicans have entered advanced trade talks. Anthony Davis becoming a Laker looking very possible.


The Utah Jazz, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers have all inquired about Mike Conley via trade.

The Pacers and Jazz are the most interested suitors.

Karl Anthony Towns may request a trade this summer unless the Timberwolves improve their roster.


The Okc Thunder, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers have all inquired about JR Smith via trade.

The Okc Thunder and Miami Heat have called to inquire about Bradley Beal, no active talks at the moment. Wizards are still looking for a new GM.

The Houston Rockets contacted the Chicago Bulls about a Chris Paul trade. The Bulls would only offer a salary dump. Talks didn't get far.

The Charlotte Hornets have discussed a Eric Gordon trade with the Houston Rockets.

Based on our intel some real interesting player movement is coming. You know the names now we will say where they are going and why.

Kevin Durant- New York Knicks
Durant want to be the best player on a team again. He's want to prove he's enough of an alpha dog he's willing to go to New York alone. pairing him with De'Andre Jordan and Knicks young talent will be an interesting experiment. 

Kawhi Leonard- LA Clippers
Toronto has proven they can build a championship team and Kawhi is said by a trusted source to love Toronto. However Kawhi wants to come home and doesn't want to play with Lebron.

Kyrie Irving- Miami Heat or Brooklyn Nets , Kyrie loves the Heat culture but the Heat are in cap hell, our source tells us they trying to clear two max slots. One is for Kyrie.

Jimmy Butler- Miami Heat or Philly 76ers, if Pat Riley can clear enough space Butler is Heat bound. If not he has already told the 76ers he would be willing to stay one more year.

Tobias Harris- Philly 76ers
Harris and Nets have mutual interest but as long as a 5 year max is offered Harris is staying.

D'angelo Russell- Brooklyn Nets. Sean Marks is not letting his young all star walk.

Khris Middleton- Milwaukee Bucks. Strong mutual interest, max deal on table.

Klay Thompson- Golden State Warriors. There were rumors Thompson was unhappy with his role but we hear Thompson is committed to Golden State as long he gets the max.

Kemba Walker- Charlotte Hornets. Walker has suitors in Celtics, Knicks and Heat that share mutual interest but has made it clear he will stay as long as he gets offered the supermax.

Update: Charlotte has low balled Kemba and he plans to sign with the Boston Celtics

Julius Randle- Knicks
Randle has strong mutual interest with New York who have a starting spot waiting for him.
​
Nikola Vucevic- Sacramento Kings.  The Kings love what Vucevic brings to their team and his fit beside Marvin Bagley. Interest is strong and mutual.

Demarcus Cousins- LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks Interest is mutual with both teams but Boogie grew up a Lakers fan. He probably heads to LA unless Mavericks overpay.

Ricky Rubio-  Our sources confirm mutual interest with Suns, Bulls, Pacers and Kings. Decision will come down to role, money and situation.

Patrick Beverly- Mutual interest with Bulls and Clippers. Decision will likely come down to personal preference. 

The LA Lakers intend to take Darius Garland No 4 overall possibly as part of Anthony Davis trade package.
If The Cavs stay at 5 most likely picks are either Jarrett Culver or Cameron Reddish.
The Knicks are looking to move down in draft.
The Knicks want to add veteran help via trade down if possible.
The Cavs want to move up to No 3 to snag RJ Barrett
The Bulls and Suns are looking for veterans to move picks 6 and 7 for Lonzo Ball and Mike Conley among potential targets.
The Celtics intend to move at least one 1st round pick.
The Kings would like to acquire a 1st round pick.
​The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs both covet SF Kevin Porter Jr. Spurs are looking to move up to mid 1st if Porter Jr falls out of Lottery.

​More to come as we have updates.