Even though most of the big names are off the board in terms of free agents, there is still plenty of buzz around the NBA this offseason. With names like Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, and Kyrie Irving potentially being on the trade block, there is plenty of interest as teams jockey to put packages together and work on deals.
While nothing is imminent, teams like the Knicks (Mitchell), Warriors (Durant), and Lakers (Irving) have been kicking the tires on potential packages that could woo a trade being made.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the other stories from around the league this week.
Sexton And Cavaliers Struggling To Come To Terms
While most of the top free agents have signed, one interesting name that is still available is Collin Sexton. The guard has an offer in hand from the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reports that the two sides are still a ways off.
Fedor reported that the current offer is for three years at roughly $40 million. Sexton is hoping to get more, though, but barring an unexpected need for a guard due to an injury or a trade, his options may be limited.
Last season, Sexton was limited to just 11 games due to a torn meniscus. In that span, he averaged 28.7 minutes, 16 points, 2.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Sexton’s best season came in 2020-21 when he averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds and shot 47.5% from the field.
Still just 23 years old, a resolution for Sexton’s free agency may not come quickly as both sides are willing to play it out. For Sexton, he is hoping others will join in his pursuit, while the Cavaliers are simply hoping that the guard finds there to be no other suitable offers.
“Championship or Bust” For Timberwolves
Earlier this offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves made headlines as they sent a massive package to the Utah Jazz for center Rudy Gobert. The deal included five picks, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
With such a trade comes high expectations, and that is exactly what All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) has for the Timberwolves. Talking at a press conference where his super-max extension was announced, Towns said the expectations are “championship or bust.”
Last season, the Timberwolves finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 46-36 record. Statistically, they ranked 24th in scoring defense, allowing 113.3 points per game.
Bringing in Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year should help with that. Last season, Gobert averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game.
The projected starting lineup should be a good one with D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, Towns, and Gobert. Despite the addition and the projected lineup, they still have just the eighth-best odds to win the Western Conference at +1500. They are +3300 to win the NBA Finals.
In other Minnesota news, the team also announced that they have re-signed power forward Nathan Knight to a two-year contract. Last season, Knight averaged 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in a reserve role.
Suns Coach Gets Long-Term Deal
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, after winning the Coach of the Year award last season, Phoenix Suns’ coach Monty Williams has been rewarded with a contract extension.
In three seasons under Williams, the Suns are a combined 149-78 and made the NBA Finals in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks four games to two.
The Suns are again expected to be one of the best in the NBA this upcoming season. They have the third-best odds of winning the West at +450, and they are +900 to win the NBA Finals this season.
