NBA Notes: Nets, Kyrie Irving, Magic, Kings

Nets

• The report that Kyrie Irving and the Nets are at a contract impasse could be an attempt at Irving’s camp to create leverage in negotiations, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
• That said, several rival teams believe that Irving could indeed hit the trade market this summer, Windhorst said. No matter how you spin it, the Nets and Irving still have bridge the gap, added Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
• Meanwhile, GM Sean Marks and the Nets seem to firmly believe Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons will all be members of the team and ready to go at the start of training camp, per Fischer.
• In the event the Nets don’t work out, Irving has been linked to the Lakers and Knicks. But opposing execs aren’t taking those rumors seriously, given how difficult it would be for either LA or New York to clear the necessary cap space, Fischer wrote. 

Magic

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman told reporters that the Magic have yet to decide who they will select with the No. 1 overall pick — though that has been met with a bit of skepticism.

Either way, Weltman added that the Magic have options and are keeping them open.

 “Dialogue is always ongoing,” Weltman said, via Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. “But, most importantly, we get to do what we want. That’s the real benefit of having the No. 1 pick.”

While the Magic are said to be leaning toward Auburn power forward Jabari Smith Jr., there is also talk they could switch things up and go with either Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren or Duke forward/center Paolo Banchero. Weltman gave offered no clues.

“It’s confirmed that there are a lot of talented players at the top of this draft, that’s for sure,” Weltman said.

Kings

• As we’ve relayed, GM Monte McNair and the Kings are open to moving the No. 4 overall pick and it has generated plenty of interest, Fischer wrote.
• The Pacers, Spurs, Wizards and Knicks would all like to move up in the lottery, per Fischer, making perhaps each a natural trade partner for Sacramento.
• We may not know what the Kings decide to do until draft night. Per Fischer, they are expected to explore deals for the pick all they up until they are on the clock (and perhaps even after they draft someone).
• If the Kings do keep the pick, several rival teams expect them to take Iowa small forward Keegan Murray, Fischer added. With De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell already on the roster, they would likely take a pass on Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, listed as the fourth-best prospect by some.