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11:38 p.m.: Kris Dunn might be the favorite for the Boston Celtics at No. 3, but that doesn’t mean the Providence College guard necessarily is hoping to play there.
Keith Pompey reports that "Kris Dunn is begging to play for the #Sixers. He really wants to be a Sixer"
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) June 23, 2016
8:45 p.m.: The top of the NBA draft might be starting to shake out a bit.
https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/745759415173791744
https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/745762833330233344
8:20 p.m.: We’ve got a new contender in the Mike Conley sweepstakes.
Source: Mike Conley's respect for Rick Carlisle gives Mavs a shot at top PG in free agency.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 23, 2016
7:20 p.m.:Â There seems to be more buzz about Dwight Howard and/or Joakim Noah joining the Knicks.
The Knicks are one of several teams Dwight Howard would consider in free agency, per sources. More: https://t.co/53OFr23FX7
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2016
With Derrick Rose on board, some in the Knicks organization want to make a run at Joakim Noah. Details: https://t.co/N8YU0Sddru
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2016
5:55 p.m.:Â The trade between the Bulls and Knicks involving Derrick Rose is official. Rose is going to New York to join forces with the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.
3:58 p.m.:Â It’s already been a crazy day, but it sounds like the wheeling and dealing might be far from over.
Back to Hawks: Sources say they'll now try to trade their two first-rounders (one from the Teague deal) to make re-signing Al Horford easier
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2016
Draft picks for sale! By my count that's picks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, & 21 on the market https://t.co/Wk8FKlimOo
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 22, 2016
3:15 p.m.:Â And the NBA’s version of the hot stove season is officially underway. Former MVP Derrick Rose is on his way to the Big Apple, as the Chicago Bulls traded the point guard to the New York Knicks as part of a huge trade, according to multiple reports.
Knicks and Bulls are in advanced talks on a deal to send Derrick Rose to New York, sources tell @ShamsCharania and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2016
The Bulls are sending Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 2nd-round pick for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon, per source.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2016
This actually could be the start of something even bigger for the Knicks, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
By dealing Robin Lopez, look for Knicks to possibly pursue Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard in free agency.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) June 22, 2016
2:24 p.m.:Â That three-way deal between Utah, Atlanta and Indiana also involves the No. 12 pick, which will go from Utah to Atlanta.
Sources: Utah is sending the No. 12 pick in Thursday's Draft to Atlanta as part of deal that sends George Hill to Utah, Teague to Indy.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2016
So, here’s what we’ve got so far.
Atlanta receives: No. 12 pick
Utah receives: George Hill
Indiana receives: Jeff Teague
2:15 p.m.:Â Things are starting to happen.
There’s a big trade going down involving the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The only details we know other than that, are both Atlanta’s Jeff Teague and Indiana’s George Hill are involved.
Atlanta is sending guard Jeff Teague to Indiana as part of a three-way deal, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2016
Three-way deal with Atlanta, Indiana and Utah, with George Hill going to the Jazz, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2016
1:50 p.m.:Â Here’s an interesting tidbit regarding big man Joakim Noah.
Free agency buzz, which comes fast: can add the Wizards to the list of teams with interest in Noah. He'll have a few suitors. #twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 22, 2016
1:15 p.m.:Â It certainly looks like we’ll need to keep monitoring this Celtics-Jazz situation with Gordon Hayward as the reported centerpiece of talks.
League sources tell https://t.co/aPhi5ponKj that the Boston Celtics are pushing hard for Hayward and the Jazz are not biting right now
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 22, 2016
The Jazz are putting a steep price tag on Hayward. It remains to be seen if Boston will pay it but Brad Stevens wants Hayward…
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 22, 2016
11:54 a.m.:Â This isn’t exactly surprising, but …
Barring a last minute blockbuster trade offer, the Lakers intend to select Brandon Ingram #2 league sources tell me & @ramonashelburne
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 22, 2016
11:22 a.m.:Â We haven’t even reached the draft, and the Kevin Durant/Golden State thing is already gaining some momentum.
Will KD end up with the Warriors? @Chris_Broussard is betting on it. (via @MikeAndMike) pic.twitter.com/Oe8Ylr9oCB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 22, 2016
10:55 a.m.:Â The Boston Celtics appear hellbent on getting something done before Thursday night’s draft. This, from the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett.
Celts trying very hard to make major deals, apparently well prepared. Source says they have quick comebacks when different scenarios raised.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 22, 2016
10:10 a.m.: Will Manu Ginobili play next season? By most all indications, it’s still too early to tell, but if he does return for at least another season, ESPN’s Marc Stein says the veteran will test the market.
The expectation in San Antonio, meanwhile, is that Manu Ginobili also heads to free agency as he continues to weigh playing one more season.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2016
10 a.m.: The Golden State Warriors appear to be gearing up for an attempt at a big offseason splash.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Tuesday night that the Warriors plan on making Kevin Durant their No. 1 target in free agency. Stein added that the San Antonio Spurs also are a potential suitor for Durant … if he decides to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder.
9:15 a.m.:Â Here’s a potential Boston Celtics trade target for you: Gordon Hayward.
HoopsCritic.com’s Brian Geltzeiler reported Wednesday morning that the Utah Jazz forward is unhappy in Utah and wants to be traded. According to Geltzeiler, the Jazz are “actively” trying to move him.
League sources tell https://t.co/aPhi5p6MSL that the Utah Jazz are actively trying to trade Gordon Hayward.
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 22, 2016
Hayward has expressed his unhappiness in Utah and the Jazz are attempting to accommodate him per league sources…
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 22, 2016
How does this affect the Celtics, you might ask? Hayward is an intriguing possibility and has been mentioned in connection with the C’s in the last 24 hours. There’s also great familiarity for Hayward with Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who coached Hayward at Butler.
9:08 a.m.:Â A lot of the attention in the next couple of days will center around the draft and rightfully so. But there are also some developments regarding Al Horford, one of the top free agents in this summer’s class.
There’s already a growing list of suitors, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Free Agency Rumble: Orlando, Detroit and the Lakers are all among the teams that intend to make a run at Atlanta big man Al Horford.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2016
9 a.m. ET:Â The NBA’s crazy season is upon us.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the kings of the NBA world, and while they’ll get a chance to celebrate with their fans Tuesday, it’s time for them and the rest of the league to start focusing on next season.
The 2016 NBA Draft is Thursday night, which means there figures to be no shortage of news and rumors over the next 36 overs.
The first two picks of the draft seem to be squared away. The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly informed LSU’s Ben Simmons that they’ll select him with the No. 1 pick. Duke’s Brandon Ingram is the consensus No. 2 pick for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After those two players, however, that’s where the real fun starts. Many eyes will be on the Boston Celtics in the next two days, as Danny Ainge holds three first-round picks, including the No. 3 selection, and eight picks overall. And if you think the Celtics are going to make all eight picks, you’re a crazy person.
Over the next two days, we’ll be following all of the rumors — draft, free agency, trades and anything else — so be sure to check back here early and often for all the latest.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images