NBA Intel: Jaylen Brown trade talks, Jalen Duren’s free agency, Nikola Jokic’s future, Tyler Herro, more
· Yahoo Sports
With the start of NBA free agency merely days away, several storylines are garnering headlines, including trade talks surrounding Boston Celtics All-NBA swingman Jaylen Brown, free agency buzz for Detroit Pistons All-NBA center Jalen Duren, the future of Denver Nuggets franchise icon Nikola Jokic, Tyler Herro trade interest, and more.
Thus, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on Brown, Duren, Jokic, and Herro, along with Pistons forward Tobias Harris, Nuggets forwards Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and guard Tim Hardaway Jr., Heat guard Norman Powell, Knicks guard Landry Shamet, Cleveland’s trio of Dean Wade, Max Strus, and rookie Meleek Thomas, Mavericks free agents Marvin Bagley and Brandon Williams, Atlanta's duo of Jock Landale and Buddy Hield, and Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey.
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What’s next for Jaylen Brown?
After finishing sixth in the NBA’s MVP voting and coming off the best statistical season of his career, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was mentioned in trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite the Greek Freak landing in Miami, rumors have persisted to the point that NBA executives across the league are wondering not if Brown will be traded, but rather when and where.
Brown has drawn trade interest from various teams across the league, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype.
Portland’s most desired draft assets are two future first-round Milwaukee Bucks swaps in 2028 and 2030. In 2029, the Blazers will also get the best and worst first-round pick between Boston, Milwaukee, and Portland. Furthermore, Portland has its own future firsts in 2031, 2032, and 2033, which can be dangled if needed.
Trail Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija was not on the table in trade talks for Antetokounmpo, and he remains off the table in Brown discussions as of now, league sources told HoopsHype. Portland’s other young players, such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, are considered available. With Boston considering center upgrades and needing to replace Brown’s position if he’s traded, Portland’s Donovan Clingan and 2025 All-Defensive forward Toumani Camara would both be coveted by Boston. However, neither has been put on the table at this time.
The Raptors have been linked to several All-Star caliber players over the past calendar year, including Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and now Brown. Toronto owns all its first-round draft picks from 2027 to 2033.
The Nuggets have considered a major roster shakeup, with the franchise willing to listen to offers for anyone other than Nikola Jokic. We have a full outline in the next section of this story on all the Denver trade chatter surrounding its core.
Brooklyn nearly acquired Brown in trade talks for Kevin Durant before pivoting to Phoenix’s package in 2023. The Nets are armed with a treasure chest of future first-round picks, the expiring contract of last year’s All-Star candidate Michael Porter Jr., which would likely be needed to make any trade logistically, and center Day’Ron Sharpe, whom Boston had interest in last year, as HoopsHype reported.
Charlotte also had exploratory conversations regarding Brown, which included a newly acquired player from the LaMelo Ball trade. The Hornets recently landed Naz Reid from Minnesota. Before the Ball trade, Boston desired Reid as part of Brown trade talks with Minnesota, as noted by The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. Reid once again was brought up in talks for Brown after joining the Hornets, HoopsHype has learned. Charlotte has also gauged the trade market value of forward Miles Bridges, who’s on an expiring $22.83 million deal. His salary would be needed to make any Brown trade work with Charlotte. With that said, exploratory talks with the Hornets have cooled.
While Atlanta has kept tabs on Brown, a Georgia native, such an acquisition would be an all-in move for the Hawks, which would go against their current trajectory after adding three players in the draft, including Kingston Flemings, whom they hope is their point guard of the future, while building around 24-year-old All-Star forward Jalen Johnson.
The Los Angeles Clippers were primarily connected to Brown ahead of the draft, given that they had the fifth overall pick as a major trade asset. However, the franchise selected Keaton Wagler and is excited about his future.
Other teams, such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic, who’ve been loosely linked to Brown, have been described as not in the mix.
This weekend, all eyes are on Boston and Brown as the start of free agency nears, while trade talks are holding up some players in the market.
Pistons intel: Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, more
Following a 60-win season and a loss in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Detroit Pistons have already begun shaking up their roster by trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies, hoping that Paul Reed can replace his production for cheap and acquiring three-point sniper Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Amid those transactions, the biggest piece of Detroit’s offseason puzzle, restricted free agent center Jalen Duren, was recently underwhelmed by Detroit’s initial offer and plans to explore possible sign-and-trade scenarios, according to a report from Sam Amick of The Athletic.
With that said, the Pistons have maintained a strong desire to keep their 22-year-old, All-NBA center. Fellow All-NBA selection, Cade Cunningham, also wants Duren back, according to league sources.
Within league circles, there’s a belief that Duren is seeking close to $40 million annually, or roughly 25 percent of the NBA’s salary cap. Ultimately, multiple NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype project Duren to remain with the Pistons and land somewhere around the mid-30s annually once the smoke clears from negotiations.
Elsewhere in Detroit’s frontcourt, Tobias Harris, Detroit’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs and one of the team’s strongest locker room leaders, is expected to have several teams interested in pursuing him in free agency. The 33-year-old forward has been one of the key figures in Detroit’s turnaround in recent years, and Pistons executive Trajan Langdon has publicly said he wants to re-sign the 15-year veteran.
Furthermore, Pistons guard Marcus Sasser is said to be available on the trade market, according to NBA executives around the league who’ve spoken with HoopsHype. Sasser, a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter, has a $5.20 million salary for the upcoming season and will then be eligible for restricted free agency the following year.
Regarding other potential acquisitions, the Pistons were linked with interest in free agent Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard as a trade suitor. However, that chatter has lessened over the past few days following the Joe acquisition and rumblings that Leonard wouldn’t want to extend with Detroit within league circles.
Will the Denver Nuggets break up their core?
After winning the NBA Finals in 2023, the Nuggets lost in the Western Conference Semifinals the following two years before a first-round exit this past season, and are contemplating big roster changes with the franchise currently above the second apron.
Despite the possibility of Nikola Jokicholding off on extension talks for now, per The Stein Line, Jokic has reiterated a desire to stay long-term in Denver in recent talks, league sources told HoopsHype. If Jokic waits until next summer, he’s eligible for an additional year on an extension, which should be noted.
Meanwhile, as the Nuggets navigate getting below the second apron, sharpshooting forward Cam Johnson has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic, league sources told HoopsHype. The 30-year-old forward shot career-highs from the field (.480) and beyond the arc (.430), and is on an expiring $23.06 million contract for the upcoming season.
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was considered among the contingency plans for the Heat if the franchise didn’t land Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade, league sources told HoopsHype. Similarly, the Portland Trail Blazers have expressed trade interest in Gordon should they not land Jaylen Brown, their preferred target, HoopsHype has learned. Ironically, the Celtics have also kept tabs on Gordon from afar.
Fellow Nuggets forward Peyton Watson will enter restricted free agency with Denver determined to retain him. Watson, who turns 24 in September, had a career year, averaging 14.6 points on 49.1 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent beyond the arc. In addition, Nuggets forward Spencer Jones will be tendered a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent, with the expectation that he’ll return to Denver.
In the backcourt, Tim Hardaway Jr., who shot a career-high 40.7 percent from three-point range and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting, would have to take a discount to stay in Denver, given all the expected interest he’ll receive as an unrestricted free agent and a bevy of teams that have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to use.
Tyler Herro trade interest
Wisconsin native Tyler Herro is set to return home after being acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks in the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would’ve involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Brooklyn Nets also did due diligence and gauged the price tag for Herro, HoopsHype has learned.
Heading into the upcoming season, Herro is on an expiring $33 million deal and is expected to continue to draw trade interest, with many executives around the league curious if Milwaukee will eventually trend more towards a full rebuild or maintain a competitive team with the players acquired for Antetokounmpo.
Norman Powell’s free agency interest
Following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat, there’s a growing consensus within league circles that All-Star guard Norman Powell won’t return to South Beach.
The Chicago Bulls are among the teams expected to have interest in Powell as free agency nears, league sources told HoopsHype. The 33-year-old guard is a career 39.6 percent 3-point shooter.
The Detroit Pistons have also been linked to Powell as a potential suitor. Yet, it remains to be seen how the acquisition of Isaiah Joe could impact Detroit’s pursuit of Powell.
Can the New York Knicks keep Landry Shamet?
Given his strong play during the regular season and the title run, Landry Shamet is expected to have a robust market in free agency with numerous teams interested. Shamet, despite being beloved by Knicks coach Mike Brown and the front office, is not a lock to return to the Knicks, however.
Shortly after the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years, owner James Dolan appeared as a guest on The Carton Show on WFAN and said, “There are certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron. That’s up to Leon (Rose). I’m just telling him how big of a check I can write. I'll write as big of a check as possible, but I can't write a check that goes into the second apron.”
Looking ahead, if New York’s front office can’t go into the second apron as Dolan proclaimed, many executives around the league are salivating at the possibility of prying Shamet away from the Knicks.
Similarly, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is expected to draw full non-taxpayer mid-level exception interest or slightly higher in unrestricted free agency, and is also considered unlikely to return to New York if remaining below the second apron remains a mandate.
Cavaliers intel: Dean Wade, Max Strus, Meleek Thomas
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade is expected to have various suitors in free agency, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Cavaliers had a chance to extend Wade last offseason, but couldn’t agree on a new deal. There were also trade talks with the Houston Rockets before the franchise eventually added Dorian Finney-Smith. However, the Cavaliers kept Wade instead, and he helped the franchise advance to the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.
Now, the 29-year-old forward is not expected to give Cleveland a hometown discount upon entering unrestricted free agency. The 76ers recently hired longtime Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey as their new president, who identified Wade as a rookie two-way player. The Blazers had the third-worst shooting percentage in the league last season (.343), while the Lakers ranked 14th, and the Pistons and 76ers ranked in the bottom half of the league in that category. Wade, of course, is a capable 36.7 percent career 3-point shooter and a noted defender.
Meanwhile, as the Cavaliers navigate James Harden’s return and Wade’s free agency, Cleveland’s Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have been mentioned in trade talks with the franchise currently projected over the second apron.
With that in mind, after finding Jaylon Tyson in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft to give themselves a young, cheaper rotation option, the Cavaliers appear to feel equally bullish about rookie Meleek Thomas, who turns 20 on August 6th. Thomas, who was selected 34th overall in the second round of the draft, is expected to agree to a standard NBA contract with the second-round exception, HoopsHype has learned.
Mavericks free agency intel: Marvin Bagley and Brandon Williams
After being acquired in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade, Marvin Bagley III made the most of his opportunities with Dallas, averaging 11.0 points on 60.6 percent shooting from the field and 48.5 percent beyond the arc with 6.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game.
Bagley, 27, is expected to draw interest from several teams and command an average annual salary in the taxpayer mid-level exception range or slightly higher.
While in Portland, New Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz gave current Mavericks guard Brandon Williams his first opportunity to be an NBA player during the 2021-22 season. Four years later, Schmitz is beginning his tenure as Mavericks general manager, and Williams is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 13.0 points and 3.9 assists in 66 games, including 15 starts.
Several teams are expected to show interest in signing Williams as an unrestricted free agent, including the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and the Mavericks, who want to retain him, league sources told HoopsHype. Dallas has Early Bird Rights on Williams entering free agency this summer.
Hawks intel: Jock Landale’s free agency, Buddy Hield’s future
Jock Landale has become an intriguing stretch-five heading into free agency, shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range over the past two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks.
Landale, 30, is expected to have a strong market, including interest from the Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype. Expect the Australian center to command offers north of the bi-annual exception in free agency.
In addition, Hawks guard Buddy Hield, who’s currently guaranteed $3 million of his $9.66 million salary for the 2026-27 season, had his fully guaranteed date pushed back to the 28th. That allows the Hawks and Hield’s representation to consider possible trade scenarios for the 33-year-old sharpshooter. Should Atlanta waive Hield, the Heat are among the teams expected to have interest in signing him, per the Miami Herald.
Pelicans intel: Saddiq Bey’s future and a coaching staff change
Saddiq Bey is coming off the best season of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans and now both sides are interested in an extension, league sources told HoopsHype. He is eligible to sign one as early as July 11. After a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season, the 27-year-old forward averaged career highs in points (17.7) and field goal percentage (.451), while starting 64 of 72 games played. Bey was drafted in Detroit by current Pelicans executive Troy Weaver, who also traded for the 6-foot-8 forward upon joining the front office in New Orleans.
While the Pelicans hope to retain Bey going forward, the same can’t be said for assistant coach Jodie Meeks, who won’t return to New Orleans next season, league sources told HoopsHype. Meeks was with the Birmingham Squadron, the G League affiliate for New Orleans, from 2022-24 before moving up as an assistant coach on former head coach Willie Green’s staff.
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Jaylen Brown trade talks, Jalen Duren’s free agency, Nikola Jokic’s future, Tyler Herro, more