Central Notes: Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon, Pistons, Bulls

Pacers

  • The Pacers are viewed as one of the most active teams so far this offseason, with rumors still circulating about Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner, as we’ve relayed.
  • Brogdon is supposedly drawing loads of interest, particularly from the Wizards, who are seeking a running mate for Bradley Beal. The point guard-starved Knicks are also said to be exploring what it would take to land Brogdon. One team that may also try to make a run, per Hoops Wire sources: The Celtics.
  • Meanwhile, Turner has been linked to several teams, most recently the Suns. Per Marc Stein of the Stein Line and others, the Pacers may have interest in a sign-and-trade for the Suns’ Deandre Ayton. If so, Turner presumably would be part of such a package.
  • The Hornets are among the teams that have reached out to the Pacers about Turner, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Charlotte has been linked to Turner since last offseason.
  • Indiana owns the No. 6 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft. You can check out our mock draft right here.

Pistons

  • The Pistons are “weighing” whether to pursue free agent point guard Dennis Schroder, per Stein. Schroder most recently spent time with the Rockets after a February trade with the Celtics. Houston is not expected to try to re-sign him.
  • Along with Schroder, the Pistons frequently have been linked to Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, Stein wrote. Robinson is eligible for a contract extension with the Knicks until July 1. If no deal is reached, he’ll become a free agent.
  • Pistons forward Jerami Grant remains a hot commodity in the offseason trade market. Grant has been linked to the Trail Blazers in a deal that would also involve Portland’s No. 7 overall pick, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
  • Pistons GM Troy Weaver admitted that teams are calling on Grant. Weaver also discussed Detroit’s No. 5 pick. You can read that full story right here.

Bulls

  • The Bulls own the No. 18 overall pick, and Chris Boghossian of the Chicago Tribune rounded up some of their projected selections via multiple mock drafts. Most have Chicago selecting either LSU forward Tari Eason or Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell. Both players have been climbing the charts recently.
  • Of course, Chicago could always trade the pick in search of some immediate help, as written by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Also, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that the Bulls use the pick for a draft-and-stash international player, Mayberry wrote.
  • The closer we get to free agency, the more reports begin to surface that Zach LaVine will return to Chicago. As we relayed, the Bulls are expected to offer a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $200 million. LaVine has also been linked to the Trail Blazers and Spurs, among others.

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