NBA Rumors: Suns, Draft, Blazers, Jerami Grant, Kings

Suns

The Suns are likely to run it back with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, trying again under new coach Mike Budenholzer. But there are still loads of questions on whether it can work.

As for the draft, the Suns very well could try to move down or completely off their No. 22 overall pick, per multiple reports.

“But Phoenix would also benefit from adding a rookie capable of injecting youth and athleticism, like centers Yves Missi or Kel’el Ware in a role similar to Dereck Lively II‘s with the Mavericks,” wrote Kevin Pelton of ESPN. “Ideally, they’d look to address a point guard via free agency, hoping to land Kyle Lowry or Delon Wright for the minimum.”

• Added Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports: “If Phoenix can find avenues to move down in the first round, while picking up additional second-round picks, the Suns could wisely find more future ammo to make trades down the line, while also adding several rookie salaries onto a very expensive roster, which would prove quite prudent considering Phoenix’s lofty payroll and incoming luxury tax bill.”
• One player the Suns won’t be landing: LeBron James. At least, that seemed to be the word from agent Rich Paul, as we relayed here. (They could still draft Bronny James, though.)

Trail Blazers

The Blazers called the Rockets about trading up to the No. 3 overall pick, per Fischer. Portland currently owns the Nos. 7 and 14 picks in the first round (and Nos. 34 and 40 in the second.)

They also have a pretty nice trade chip on the roster already.

“Portland will ideally take advantage of a team desperate for an immediate upgrade to command a massive return for forward Jerami Grant, whose contract looks far more palatable with the salary cap set to jump 10% annually going forward,” Pelton wrote.

• Pelton added that if the Blazers keep their lottery picks, they should be used on landing “the best possible talent,” as opposed to drafting for position or to fill some perceived need. When you’re as bad as the Blazers were, you have needs everywhere.
• It does seem unlikely that the Blazers keep all four picks. “Portland’s roster remains in an in-between stage, but Scoot Henderson is the presumptive centerpiece to rebuild around,” wrote Jeremy Woo of ESPN. “Although they don’t need more guards at the moment, their various needs should be less important than simply continuing to swing for upside.”

Kings

The Kings are staying aggressive even after re-signing guard Malik Monk, particularly when it comes to their starting small forward and shooting guard.

“Sacramento remains active in exploring trade opportunities for Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter, league sources told Yahoo Sports, with Huerter receiving a healthy amount of external interest,” Fischer wrote.

• The Kings are also open to dealing the No. 13 overall pick, Fischer added. They own the No. 45 overall pick as well.
• One of their targets could be no less than Jerami Grant (see above). “Sacramento would want to rope in a third team to shed some additional salary,” Pelton wrote of a potential Grant pursuit.
• The Kings are viewed as one of the teams that very well could be in play for available Bulls guard Zach LaVine. We have that full story here.