Hello, Hoops Heads! Here's the latest in NBA trade rumors.
NBA Trade Rumors: The Oklahoma City Thunder may soon land Cam Johnson
The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking more and more like title contenders by the day, but they are still looking to upgrade their roster ahead of the trade deadline. They have been linked to Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Cam Johnson as a potential trade target. But they will have to pay to land one of the best shooters in the NBA to bolster their roster.
Fortunately for the Thunder, they have enough assets to get a deal done, but it may cost them a player that they selected 12th overall in the 2024 NBA draft. Nikola Topic has yet to play a game in the NBA after tearing his ACL but could be the key to them landing Johnson. Topic was widely regarded as an elite playmaker and the best point guard in the draft, making him the ideal player for a rebuilding team.
Moving Topic, and a first-round pick in a deal for Johnson could net them one of the best available players on the trade market and solidify themselves as championship contenders. Not only that but adding Johnson and eventually getting Chet Holmgren back could make them the team to beat in the West.
NBA Trade Rumors: Is a Lakers reunion with former player Lonzo Ball in the cards?
With new rumors emerging involving the Los Angeles Lakers every day, it's hard to keep up. The latest trade rumor involves them being interested in a reunion with former Laker Lonzo Ball. Ball was drafted by the Lakers 4th overall back in 2017 and spent four seasons there before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis deal.
He is now a member of the Chicago Bulls and has played relatively well considering that he missed two and a half seasons of basketball prior to returning this year. Be that as it may, given his injury history and their need for a center rather than a point guard, the Lakers' interest in Ball is questionable at best.
In fact, their interest in Ball is likely one of the reasons why LeBron James and Davis are reportedly concerned about the Lakers trade deadline strategy. After all, the Lakers are currently fifth in the West, and a big trade could easily push them back into title contention.
After trading D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers are lighter on playmaking, but it's doubtful if reacquiring Ball would really help them, particularly with a need for a center. We will have to stay tuned and see what the Lakers decide to do.