NBA Rumors: Magic, D’Angelo Russell, Hornets, Miles Bridges, Hawks

Magic

The Magic may not be as interested in Warriors free agent Klay Thompson as has been reported, but they could be a natural landing spot for Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, per NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

“Thompson is also believed by league sources to want a deal of at least three seasons. Therefore, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would seem, at present, to be the veteran in line to benefit from the Magic’s cap space,” Fischer wrote.

• Another ballhandler could be on the Magic’s wish list as well, per Chris Herring of ESPN. “D’Angelo Russell, who can opt out of his deal with the Lakers this summer, would make a lot of sense for an elite defensive team like the Magic, who could cover for Russell’s shortcomings on that end.”

Hornets

The big name on the rumor mill for the Hornets is no less than free agent Miles Bridges … and other than the No. 6 overall draft pick, what happens next with Bridges is a high priority.

“Charlotte, sources said, held conversations with Brooklyn about swapping Bridges in a package that would have brought Ben Simmons to the Hornets in February,” Fischer wrote. “Sacramento was another team that inquired about Bridges at the deadline, sources said.”

• As we relayed here, league sources have told Hoops Wire they believe the Hornets will move on from Bridges, most likely via sign-and-trade.
• The Hornets may also be a candidate to move up in the draft. “Detroit and Charlotte hold the Nos. 5 and 6 picks, respectively, in next week’s draft, but only the Hornets have been characterized by league personnel as a legitimate possibility to move up in the draft,” Fischer wrote.
• One hypothetical trade proposal sends Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball to the Lakers. We have that full story here.

Hawks

Of course, the Hawks control the entire draft with the top overall pick, and the consensus is they will keep it.

“Atlanta will listen at No. 1, but the Hawks appear intent on holding firm, sources said, while the front office finalizes which prospect to select at the top of a draft class that’s full of question marks,” Fischer wrote. “At this point, most team personnel picking in the slots behind Atlanta believe the Hawks will ultimately choose between French wing Zaccharie Risacher and UConn center Donovan Clingan.”

• Any Hawks do-over, though, should start by dealing Trae Young, Herring wrote. The Lakers are listed as a trade partner who might make sense.