2021 NBA Trade Rumors and Free Agency

white lightning

Hall of Famer
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Messages
20,687
So far we have seen Grayson Allen sign with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Chicago Bulls have
signed Alex Carusso.

The Bulls are trying to move Lauri Markennen. At least four teams are interested so far including
the Mavericks. I would love to see him go to a team where he can start or play heavy minutes as this
kid should be an all star on the right team.

Although Lauri Markkanen is a restricted free agent, there's a decent chance he won't be returning to the Chicago Bulls for the 2021-22 season. And there seems to be plenty of teams that are interested in acquiring the 24-year-old forward.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves have "all shown interest" in signing Markkanen to a deal worth about $15 million per year. Meanwhile, the Bulls are looking to land a first-round draft pick in return for facilitating the deal, per Fischer.

That isn't Chicago's only requisite for working out a deal for Markkanen, though.

"Additionally, Chicago brass are requiring Markkanen's new team to find a third trade partner to take on the outgoing salary needed to create space for Markkanen's contract," Fischer wrote.

So while it would take a bit of work to acquire Markkanen, it may be more than worth it for a team to make it happen. He's been a solid player over four NBA seasons, and he's coming off a year in which he shot a career-best 48 percent from the field.


  1. fa9bec16c4fa59b727c2f6ff272aada2_crop_exact.jpg
 

Phall

Master
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
2,159
Location
not Brooklyn
Goran Dragic was traded to the Raptors from Miami after signing another one year deal for big bucks. The Heat are down to Duncan Robinson (also a big payday, good for him) and Tyler Herro now. Hopefully they are committed to building up Herro's role, as he seemed to be featured less in his second season. Dragic is a token whitey for the Raptors and their hotshot African general manager, although they did bring Sam Dekker back into preseason camp.

I'm glad Caruso got a payday from Chicago. However, the Bulls are down to Vucevic starting and Caruso as a 7th man. Not exactly white-friendly anymore after finishing last year with four whites in the rotation.

The Spurs signed Doug McDermott, and he may join Poeltl as a starter there. Joe Weiskamp could also factor in fast. This seems strange for woke-master Popovich, but whatever. The downside is that San Antonio will be a lousy team again. Meanwhile, Indiana got a bargain resigning TJ McConnell, but are unfortunately down to just him and Sabonis as rooting interests. It's amazing to me that McConnell got less money that Caruso after his incredible season as sixth man.

The Lakers signed a bunch of bums to guaranteed deals, pushing McClung and Austin Reaves further down the line.

Orlando will be another tanking team but now has brothers Moe and Franz Wagner in contributing roles. Iggy Brazdeikas signed a 2-way deal and hopefully will bounce up to the roster once in awhile.

Speaking generally, it seems like white players have been "spread out" a bit this offseason.
 

icsept

Master
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
3,531
Location
Oklahoma
Markannen would be a great fit for the Mavs. He’s more skilled and versatile than Kleber. He’s also younger.
 

booth

Mentor
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
Messages
1,717
I think the bright lights of Miami blinded Herro last year. He was making rap videos with Jack Harlow and hanging with black women. He just needs to decide what he really wants to do. You can't serve two masters.
 

Bucky

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Messages
9,097
I think the bright lights of Miami blinded Herro last year. He was making rap videos with Jack Harlow and hanging with black women. He just needs to decide what he really wants to do. You can't serve two masters.

Yup guy turned 21 living on South Beach, and dating models! Let's hope he bounces back with his head straight this season.
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Messages
44
Lauri markannen just got traded to the woeful Cleveland cavaliers in a three team deal. He maybe able to put up decent stats but the cavs are going to be terrible this year. This also puts a log jam at the 4/5 position in Cleveland this season with the speculation that Kevin love is going to be bought out or traded. On Twitter, the general consensus is that Kevin love will head to one of the lakers, nets, or suns if/when he is bought out. SMH.
 

white lightning

Hall of Famer
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Messages
20,687
Lauri markannen just got traded to the woeful Cleveland cavaliers in a three team deal. He maybe able to put up decent stats but the cavs are going to be terrible this year. This also puts a log jam at the 4/5 position in Cleveland this season with the speculation that Kevin love is going to be bought out or traded. On Twitter, the general consensus is that Kevin love will head to one of the lakers, nets, or suns if/when he is bought out. SMH.

This is really bad news. The Dallas Mavs were the favorite to land Markkenen for the last month or so. Not sure why the deal fell through. Yes the Cavs are about
as bad as it can get. I feel bad for him but maybe he can become a 20pts/10 reb. guy and shine for a few years and eventually get back on a contender.
 

Phall

Master
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
2,159
Location
not Brooklyn
Cleveland is only good for padding your stats. Hopefully Markkanen manages a robust year so he can find some new suitors next season. I believe that he is a 'restricted free agent' and simply wasn't getting offers, which is why Chicago pushed to deal him now rather than lose him for nothing later. The Cavs will surely try to extend him after giving up a 1st round pick. He can look at his new locker room neighbor Kevin Love to see how that plan worked out for him.

** Markkanen signed for 4 years - $67 million. not a bad haul at his stage.

Here is former Cavs "superstar" Ricky Davis shooting at his own basket to complete a triple-double in 2003. Like I said, a great place to pad your stats.

None of the white-friendly teams have improved their lots this offseason, except perhaps Milwaukee adding Grayson Allen to the bench. The Lakers seem to have filled their roster with a bunch of league castoffs on near-minimum deals, so it will be much tougher for Mac McClung and Austin Reaves to make the team.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Messages
44
@Phall , I tend to be optimistic on the Lakers young white guards. I concur that both reaves and mcclung will be at the end of the bench, but I think both have a great chance to make the team, and for Undrafted free agents that’s not bad. They may get some PT during this season since AD gets hurt frequently, and lebron will probably be load managing. They may also get championship rings as rookies too, that’s just the brightsider in me lol
 
Top