This is the digital version of The Bounce.
If you wanted it earlier, start each day with The Bounce delivered to your inbox. Register here.
We will forever miss the perpetual rumors about John Collins being traded to Atlanta.
mrs dance
Is she tired now?
Remember Damian Lillard’s emotionless face afterward His ridiculous 3-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 playoffs? He waves goodbye to Russell Westbrook and Paul George before looking into the camera like he’s having a DMV date while his teammates cheer him on.? Unaffected and waiting for something more interesting to happen than wipe out thunder?
that It describes my face every time there is a “refresh” on Lillard’s business interface. Unrelated to the report itself, it’s just that the Blazers and Lillard have been very reluctant to initiate a move on from each other. We’re just waiting on the side – any Aspect – to do something here.
As Sam Amick noted in his free agency memoir, proving Lillard’s options to get the high-level veteran help he craves is inconvenient. Whether it’s trying to sign Draymond Green away from the Warriors while keeping Jerami Grant, or keeping Pascal Siakam and/or OG Anunoby away from Toronto, “It’s going to take some serious magic by (Joe) Cronin to make it happen.”
Chris Haynes from Bleacher Report reports yesterday Lillard, his agent, and the front office met to discuss the future of the franchise.
General Manager Joe Cronin said in a statement Monday that the Portland Trail Blazers “remain committed to building a winner around” star guard Damian Lillard.
Cronin said he met with Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin on Monday and that the three “had a great conversation.”https://t.co/Q3cnX9wx2b
– The Athletic June 27, 2023
Damian Lillard should do what makes him happy. If he wants to go somewhere else, great. If he wants to stay in Portland and keep trying to build a competitor, great.
I don’t think either of them diminishes or increases his greatness. It’s cemented regardless, IMO. https://t.co/g3bUeCcK2v
– Sam Vecenia (@Sam_Vecenia) June 27, 2023
Meanwhile, the internet seems sick of this constant “do they want or don’t they want” oblivion on both sides. Someone should cut the band-aid. Teflon Lillard’s public image often attracts attention with every comment about the trading situation, especially those who hedge their bets on whether to adopt it publicly.
Here’s why it’s time to trade Lillard: A year ago, when there were some rumblings about Lillard finding his way out of Portland, Blazers fans were seething with conversations about Lillard finding his way out.
now? More and more, it seems Blazers fans (online at least) are just wanting a solution to everything, whether it’s helping Lillard or getting him to where he can compete after retrieving the necessary assets to build around Scoot Henderson. Drafting Henderson may have helped Portland adopt the idea of trading Lillard. Henderson is a star of the future, and while it would be great for him to learn from Lillard, finding a foolproof direction for the franchise would be much better.
Someone do something please.
Let’s move from one business gossip guy to another by tagging in the sun.
The latest from Shams
John Collins’ business speculation is finally over. After years of being mentioned in countless trade possibilities, the Hawks agreed to a deal for Collins with the Utah Jazz in a deal Monday that will bring Rudy Gay and a second rounder back to Atlanta.
Collins has approximately $52 million left in his current deal, plus a player option worth $26.58 million in 2025-26.
League sources said the Hawks could have had Harrison Barnes in a deal with the Sacramento Kings a year ago but decided not to. Sources told me it was time for House to release his contract to give the team more roster flexibility. They found the right partner in Danny Ainge and Jazz.
So now everyone will have to come up with a new player to get into fake trade talks – at least in the near future.
Back to you, Zack!
Hawk Repair
How much is required?
We’ll be holding a candlelight vigil for the Collins Trade Block rumors this Thursday outside of the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Meet us at the Dominic Wilkins statue.
The madness is not about Collins’ trade finally It is happening. It’s about Utah’s gay-only acquisition of Collins and a future second-round pick! Jay turns 100 in NBA years (well, he turns 37 in August, but still) and what not The future second-round pick ends up being the MVP chosen during Wendy’s breakfast commercialI don’t see anything of value.
The best the Hawks could do for John Collins was 36-year-old Rudy Gay and a second-round pick?
cannot be an appropriate value, @tweet He writes.
Trade degrees: https://t.co/BT5MjE0zB9 pic.twitter.com/iMC615HrW4
– The NBA (The AthleticNBA) June 26, 2023
The Hawks are clearing the money from their books and creating a trade exception for potentially adding talent next year. It also points to the sweeping changes the Hawks have made to the core around Trae Young as Quin Snyder anchors his plan to drive with an All-Star point guard.
There have been rumors and trade ideas surrounding everyone outside of Young, with Clint Capela (making way for Onyeka Okongo), De’Andre Hunter (extension kicks this season) and even Dejounte Murray (a big ship acquisition last summer). being mentioned.
Murray and Hunter should still be in the mix, but Capella is expendable because of Okongwu. Perhaps Bogdan Bogdanovic’s move would also result in a beautiful interior piece. The Hawks have to grow up and find consistency in their court proceedings. These are Snyder’s top priorities. It would help if Young worked with his coach in creating that.
trade evaluator
Who is the next John Collins?
For years, we’ve been kicking around with the idea of trading Washington with Bradley Bell and Collins in Atlanta. They’ve been on online trade bans a lot, and their mail is finally getting there.
With both dealt with last week, who are the next players to get the trade block stay? Let’s throw in some ideas:
- Damien Lillard, Portland: For Blazers fans, I hope that’s not the case.
- Jaylen Brown, Boston: There have been good rumors of the Browns and Jason Tatum breaking up in recent years, but the Browns are about to sign a five-year, $295 million deal to stay in Boston.
- City of Carl Anthony, Minnesota: He’s never been in the trade yard, but his $235 million extension has yet to start, and the Wolves have ample future cash in the frontcourt.
- Zack Lavigne, Chicago: It looks like the bulls could start the trend, but no one is biting the trade bait yet. He got $178 million owed to him over the next four years.
- Miles Turner, Indiana: He once tried to get traded to the Lakers through a podcast appearance and has been rumored to have been taken for years – he’s a good candidate.
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans: this could Overreacting to the outlandish trade rumors from last month.
- OG Anunoby, Toronto: He’s had some great traction on the commercial block in recent seasons.
Bounce passes
Assistant Warriors GM Just compared to newly drafted Brendan Podziesmki By Galen Bronson and Donte DiVincenzo. What?
While Tottenham ends up with Victor Wimpanyama by chance?
Steve Kerr commented on the Warriors’ move Jordan Paul. Looks like he had to go.
Spottrack’s Keith Smith breaks down free agency by checking Salary cap and exceptions in the NBA.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. He already is The perfect heat culture guy for miami.
Listen to discussion of the Athletic NBA Show Chris Paul is fit for the Warriors.
(Top photo: Melissa Majcherzak/Getty Images)