NBA Rumors: Raptors, Bronny James, Hawks, Hornets, Miles Bridges

Raptors

The Raptors are among the teams interested in Bronny James ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, agent Rich Paul revealed to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

James is doing individual workouts with just two teams — the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.

“There are other teams that love Bronny,” Paul said. “For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto. If it’s not the Lakers, it will be someone else. Minnesota would love to get Bronny in, but I don’t know who their owner is going to be. (Mavs GM) Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny. If the Lakers don’t take him at 55, Dallas would take him at 58 and give him a guaranteed deal.

“(Raptors president Masai Ujiri) loves him. They could take him without even seeing him at 31. Workouts aren’t everything for these teams.”

• The Raptors are expected to trade wing Bruce Brown this offseason, as we relayed here, but it appears they will pick up his $23 million contract option first. “Numerous rival teams have said they expect Toronto to pick up the option so Brown’s expiring contract can function as a trade-friendly contract,” wrote Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Hawks

The Hawks own the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft but have yet to secure a workout with French center/forward Alex Sarr, per Stein. 

“On many teams’ draft boards, Sarr and countryman Zaccharie Risacher are regarded as the top two contenders to go No. 1 overall, which has increasingly led to the forecast of Atlanta selecting Risacher and Sarr going to Washington at No. 2 overall,” Stein wrote.

• Several reports suggested the Hawks could also go with UConn center Donovan Clingan at No. 1, though that would be a bit of a surprise. Along with that, Atlanta could trade the pick.
• GM Landry Fields suggested the Hawks are most likely to keep the pick. “I think we’re really excited by the draft,” he told reporters. “And the more that we uncover, like we go, great, I’m glad we have No. 1. I keep joking around like I’m not giving it back. So, I think we’re in a really good position here. I’m excited about it, frankly.”

Hornets

• Along with the No. 6 pick, the Hornets are facing a major decision on what to do about unrestricted free agent forward Miles Bridges, as relayed by Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.
• Several sources have told Hoops Wire they believe Bridges will sign elsewhere and that the Hornets won’t have a major issue with it if he does. Word is, though, the preference would be to keep him on a team-friendly deal. But the goal is to build around LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and whoever the Hornets land at No. 6, sources said. Anyone else could be moved before the start of the season.