NBA Rumors: Heat, Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard, Thunder, Pistons

Heat

The Heat would love to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. Like everyone else.

The bigger question may be what happens if they don’t.

According to longtime Miami insider Ira Winderman, the Heat could shift their attention to other star players if Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee or chooses another destination.

“Honestly, if they get a signal it’s not going to be Giannis, I think they explore Kawhi,” Winderman said on 104.3 WQAM. “I think they explore Ja. You can’t get stale, especially in this market.”

Miami has frequently been linked to Antetokounmpo, with various reports suggesting a potential package could center around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and draft assets.

Whether the Bucks would have interest in such an offer remains unclear.

Thunder

One draft rumor that refuses to disappear involves Oklahoma City potentially packaging picks No. 12 and No. 17 to move into the top tier of the draft.

The theory is that the Thunder could target a prospect such as Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson.

League observers remain skeptical.

For one, teams drafting near the top typically don’t want to pass on potential franchise-changing talent. For another, it’s difficult to imagine rival executives lining up to help the defending champions get even stronger.

Pistons

Jalen Duren looked like a lock for a massive payday after an All-NBA season in Detroit.

Then came the playoffs.

The Pistons center struggled at times during the postseason, leading some around the league to wonder whether a maximum contract remains inevitable.

“If he wants to get a max, they’ll tell him to go get one,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN.

Detroit is still expected to keep Duren, who is a restricted free agent. The question now is whether his next deal lands closer to the max or a tier below it.