NBA Rumors: Nets, Julius Randle, Bucks, Kel’el Ware, Trail Blazers

Nets

Julius Randle apparently isn’t viewing the Nets as a rebuilding stop.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Randle is excited about joining Brooklyn and wants to be there, even after arriving from a Timberwolves team that won 49 games last season.

The deal that landed Randle in Brooklyn also sent center Nic Claxton to the Bulls. Per Scotto, one reason the Nets were comfortable moving Claxton was their growing belief in Day’Ron Sharpe.

Sharpe, now the longest-tenured player on the roster, is expected to enter next season as Brooklyn’s starting center.

The former first-round pick has steadily carved out a larger role and posted career-best numbers in points (8.7), rebounds (6.7), assists (2.3) and steals (1.1) while shooting 60.1 percent from the field in 2025-26.

Bucks

The Lakers may have interest in center Kel’el Ware, but it doesn’t sound as if the Bucks are interested in moving him.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Milwaukee intends to keep Ware, whom the organization liked coming out of the 2024 draft.

The same goes for guard Kasparas Jakucionis, another young piece acquired from the Heat in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster. Fischer indicated the Bucks plan to keep him as well.

Meanwhile, center Myles Turner could become one of the more intriguing names on the trade market in the wake of the Antetokounmpo deal.

Scotto wrote that Turner has long understood he could emerge as a trade candidate if Giannis was moved. The Hornets, Pelicans and Lakers have previously been linked to Turner, while Scotto also suggested the Celtics could make sense as a potential landing spot.

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers took a big swing at Giannis Antetokounmpo before eventually backing away.

According to Scotto, Portland attempted to include its 2028 and 2030 first-round pick swaps with Milwaukee as part of a package for the former Bucks star, but those efforts went nowhere.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Blazers were aggressive early in their pursuit before Antetokounmpo made it known he wouldn’t commit to a long-term extension in Portland.

The Blazers have also been linked to Celtics forward Jaylen Brown as they continue to explore ways to accelerate their climb up the Western Conference standings.