The latest NBA rumors have Chris Paul drawing interest from the Lakers, James Harden from the Suns and everyone else from Dwight Howard in Taiwan.
In the past few days, as the NBA world prepared for the opening of the conference finals, the NBA rumor mill caught fire. The Suns might trade Chris Paul, James Harden could go anywhere, Doc Rivers has been fired and Dwight Howard is trying to build a super team. Here's everything you missed.
NBA rumors: Lakers are the betting favorite to land Chris Paul
At the trade deadline, NBA rumors were buzzing about the Phoenix Suns potentially trying to upgrade at point guard, sending out Chris Paul and bringing back Kyrie Irving. Those rumors persisted even after Irving went to Dallas and Phoenix landed Kevin Durant, centered around bringing in Irving in free agency this summer. The way Phoenix wilted against the Denver Nuggets in the second round certainly won't quiet those rumors.
Since they were eliminated, we've heard that the Suns would explore trading Paul this summer and the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly the betting favorite. This isn't just about Paul's friendship with LeBron James or the legacy of the voided trade that would have sent him to the Lakers so long ago.
If the Lakers don't re-sign D'Angelo Russell, decline the player option on Malik Beasley and shed Mo Bamba and his partially guaranteed contract for next season, they'd theoretically be able to absorb Paul's salary into cap space. That would allow the Suns to wipe him from their books and create space to try and sign Irving. There are a lot of moving parts but if there is any lesson to take away from the past few NBA offseasons it's that the Lakers usually find a way to get what they want.
NBA rumors: Phoenix Suns entering the hunt for James Harden
James Harden is one of the biggest free agents on the market this summer, based on the assumption he'll exercise his player option and enter free agency. The 76ers can offer him more money and an extra year but NBA rumors have been circling for months that he may just want to return to the Houston Rockets. Now there is reporting that the Phoenix Suns may be interested in Harden as well.
The Suns are short on cap space so landing Harden would likely mean a sign-and-trade that includes them sending out Chris Paul. It's not clear if the 76ers would be that interested in Paul but it's certainly better than losing him for nothing and they might be able to squeeze some additional assets out of Phoenix.
Harden will enter next season with the same questions, regardless of where he plays. But Phoenix may actually be the best fit for him, with two other primary scorers to handle the load and him being allowed to fully recede into the background as a full-time point guard and facilitator and really just picking his spots as a scorer.
NBA rumors: Dwight Howard is trying to recruit Ja Morant to Taiwan
Dwight Howard spent this past season in Taiwan, averaging 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 blocks per game for the Taoyuan Leopards. He's been largely out of the NBA limelight but he seems determined to make the Leopards a major player this summer. In a recent social media video, he appeared to be recruiting Jordan Poole, Julius Randle, Ben Simmons, Klay Thompson, Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and James Harden to come join him. He had a separate pitch for Ja Morant.
Morant has found himself in hot water again after another Instagram video showing him flashing a gun in public, in this case riding as a passenger in a car. He was suspended for eight games earlier this season after sharing a video of himself with a gun in a Colorado strip club, stepping away from the team to 'get in a better space mentally' during the suspension.
After this latest video, the Grizzlies announced he had been suspended from all team activities while they investigated. The NBA is investigating as well and it seems likely he could face additional punishment.
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