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NBA trade window opens today at noon
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA’s offseason moratorium will end today, November 16th, at 12:00 pm ET, allowing teams to officially make trades.
Trade season begins Monday afternoon, sources tell ESPN. Teams were informed the NBA’s moratorium will end at noon ET and deals can begin to be consummated.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers have deal in place for Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dennis Schroder
With the trade window opening at noon today, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t wasting any time. They’ve already agreed to a deal to land Dennis Schroder from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In return, the Thunder will recieve the 28th overall pick in Wednesday evening’s NBA Draft and Danny Green.
Schroder-to-the-Lakers is well on course to be completed on Monday, sources tell ESPN. Rival teams in pursuit of the OKC guard have started moving onto new targets. The Lakers will land an impactful, versatile guard in pursuit of the franchise's title defense. https://t.co/KOAcjyIked
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
Due to the Stepien rule, the Lakers and Thunder cannot officially complete the draft until the Lakers make a selection for the Thunder in the Draft.
James Harden linked to Brooklyn Nets
According to Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe of ESPN (via Woj), the idea of being traded to the Brooklyn Nets is “resonating” with Harden.
ESPN Sources with @RamonaShelburne and @ZachLowe_NBA: As Houston’s James Harden considers his future with franchise, one possible trade destination is rising to top of his list: Brooklyn. The idea of reuniting with Kevin Durant and joining Kyrie Irving is resonating with Harden.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
The Harden trade rumors could pick up steam as we approach the season. Harden has not officially requested a trade but the man who first brought him to Houston, Daryl Morey, is now in the Sixers’ front office and Mike D’Antoni, Harden’s coach for the last four seasons, has departed Houston as well... for an assistant coaching job with Brooklyn. With some closest allies no longer around, it could just be a matter of time before Harden looks to split from Houston.
2020-21 Player Options
A few player options are expected to be exercised today.
- Evan Fournier (Orlando Magic) will exercise his $17M player option for the 2020-21 season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
- Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets) will exercise his $27.13M player option for the 2020-21 season, per Charania.
- Otto Porter Jr. (Chicago Bulls) will exercise his $28.4 million player option for the 2020-21 season, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers) is expected to opt out of his player option for the 2020-21 season, according to Haynes, as is Wesley Matthews (Milwaukee Bucks), per Charania. I would expect Davis to re-sign with the Lakers at his full max. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Lakers could target Matthews as a free agent.