NBA Rumors: Clippers, Terance Mann, Bulls, Zach LaVine, Bucks

Clippers

Guard Terance Mann has been mentioned repeatedly in the James Harden trade rumors with the 76ers, but Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Mann isn’t going anywhere.

“We love T-Mann, and T-Mann is gonna be here,” Lue told reporters. “So we’re not worried about what they’re saying outside, all the speculations. It’s a good thing to be wanted.”

• The Clippers and 76ers are said to be far apart in trade talks surrounding Harden, with the sides occasionally stopping, then starting back up, then re-starting. According to sources, they’re no closer to a Harden trade now than they were in July.

Bulls

Guard/forward DeMar DeRozan spent much of last season having his name mentioned in trade rumors, and it doesn’t appear as if that will be changing this year.

“One guy to keep an eye on, for everybody, the whole league, this year is DeMar DeRozan,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said, via NBA Central. “If he doesn’t extend with the Bulls, I think he becomes a trade target as the season goes along.”

• Shooting guard Zach LaVine could also be moved if the Bulls get off to a slow start or are hovering around .500 (or worse) at the February trade deadline, sources said.
• The Bulls were open to trading LaVine during the offseason, though they weren’t actively shopping him. Other teams checked in, but Chicago reportedly has a massive asking price.
• Lavine said he’s not bothered by the rumors. “My camp isn’t putting them out,” LaVine said, via ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “I committed to the Bulls when I signed my five-year deal. So … I’m committed to the Bulls. I’ve always brought professionalism and consistent play, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”

Bucks

Star guard Damian Lillard suggested he was stunned when assistant coach Terry Stotts stepped down just four months after taking the job. Stotts and Lillard were together for nearly a decade with the Trail Blazers, with Stotts coaching them to the playoffs eight times in nine seasons.

 “It kind of came out of nowhere,” Lillard said, via Shams Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “I’ve been in this league long enough to know that these types of things happen. Everything continues, so you’ve got to kind of process things like this and other things that may come up and continue to move forward. 

“For me, knowing Terry as long as I’ve known him — playing for him for nine years and him also making this transition for me easier just having a familiar face be such a huge part of it – was a good thing. I think now that I’m settled in, to see him go is unfortunate. It’s sad to see him go, but like I said, everything is still moving forward.”

Stotts reportedly left after not always seeing eye-to-eye with new Bucks coach Adrian Griffin, according to the report.

DeMar DeRozan is a potential trade candidate if he doesn’t sign an extension with Chicago, per @WindhorstESPN

“One guy to keep an eye on, for everybody, the whole league, this year is DeMar DeRozan. If he doesn’t extend with the Bulls, I think he becomes a trade target as the… pic.twitter.com/qsMKTvWGuV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 20, 2023