Latest news with #JakeFischer
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13 hours ago
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New Offseason Targets Emerge For Sacramento Kings Amid Uncertain Future
New Offseason Targets Emerge For Sacramento Kings Amid Uncertain Future originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A 40-42 record in the 2024-25 NBA season has left the Sacramento Kings in the worst spot to be for a team: the middle. The Kings are not quite bad enough to bottom out. However, they are not nearly good enough to compete for anything of substance. Advertisement A shakeup to the Kings front office is expected to get some movement in one direction of the other. Scott Perry will look to make his mark on the team after taking over as the new general manager. The question Kings fans are asking is which direction will the new executive pick. NBA insider Jake Fischer offered some clues. Mar 7, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center.© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images One obvious hole that is abundantly clear to everyone would be the point guard position. Fischer reported that Sacramento will be looking to address that concern. The NBA insider wrote, "At the opposite end of the lineup spectrum, Sacramento has continued to evaluate its point guard options, according to league sources." Advertisement Fischer continued: "New general manager Scott Perry, remember, immediately highlighted the Kings' need for improved playmaking during his introductory press conference and sources have duly linked Sacramento to various guards known to be available this summer." The NBA reporter revealed, "That list includes [Jrue] Holiday in Boston and Marcus Smart in Washington ... and stretches to more affordable free agent ballhandlers like Malcolm Brogdon." The Kings have done themselves no favors of late at the lead guard position. It is tremendously ironic considering they once had more than what they knew to do with at that spot. After landing an absolute steal with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Sacramento infamously traded Tyrese Haliburton away to the Indiana Pacers. Haliburton has led his team to a 2-1 NBA Finals lead. Advertisement The Kings chose to prioritize De'Aaron Fox over Haliburton. However, Fox is gone now too, having been traded to the San Antonio Spurs this past season. If the goal is attempting to be competitive, a move for one of the targeted names would help. However, none of those guards come close to rivaling either former Kings point guard. Related: 3 Sacramento Kings Player Headline 'Favorites' to be Traded to Eastern Conference Team Related: Sacramento Kings Set to Pursue 2 All-Star Guards as 'Long-Term Solution' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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13 hours ago
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Hawks rumors: What Jake Fischer is hearing about draft trades, free agency
The post Hawks rumors: What Jake Fischer is hearing about draft trades, free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Atlanta Hawks made a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. However, the Hawks have participated in the Play-In Tournament in every season since then. With one NBA expert backing Atlanta's plan to hold on to Trae Young, how the team approaches the draft and free agency is crucial. With Bryson Graham and Onsi Saleh in new roles, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported that Caris LeVert could remain with the Hawks as the team continues to climb the ranks in their conference. Advertisement Atlanta holds the 13th and 22nd pick in this year's draft. In the past, teams with multiple picks in the first round package them together in an effort to move up. However, it appears as though the Hawks will make both picks instead of making a trade. In a draft class as deep as this year's is expected to be, taking multiple bites at the apple could help Atlanta unearth another solid role player. Their dynamic trio of Young, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu have talent, but need 3-and-D players around them. Graham joined the front office and Saleh taking the mantle as general manager earlier this year. Because of their lack of cap space, they could be biggest changes the team makes. Both bring experience into their positions and face pressure to help the Hawks improve. With Jayson Tatum's torn ACL ruling him out next season, the Eastern Conference is wide open. Atlanta's last deep playoff run was as a dark horse team. Next season provides them a perfect opportunity to do it again. In order to do that, they need to retain their rotation this offseason. LeVert was a part of the return that the Hawks got when they traded DeAndre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to Fischer, Atlanta wants to bring him back this summer. Advertisement 'Sources say Atlanta has shown a keen interest in retaining free agent guard Caris LeVert after bringing the veteran scorer to the Hawks as part of the return for trading De'Andre Hunter,' said Fischer. Despite being in trade rumors all season, it appears that Young could be in Atlanta for the long haul. If they capitalize in the draft and stay healthy, the Hawks have what they need to make noise in the Eastern Conference. Related: Trae Young gives inside look at Oklahoma basketball job Related: Zach Lowe drops firm take on Trae Young's future with Hawks
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a day ago
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76ers rumors: ‘Prime candidate' emerges at No. 3 among 2 draft possibilities
The post 76ers rumors: 'Prime candidate' emerges at No. 3 among 2 draft possibilities appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Philadelphia 76ers own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It's not entirely clear what the front office plans to do with that pick. However, the latest rumors reveal a 'prime candidate,' while also revealing two likely possibilities to play out. Advertisement Philly is deemed to either stick and pick, or trade back just a couple of slots, according to Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. Those are the two possibilities rumored to come to fruition for the 76ers with the NBA Draft around the corner. Fischer reports that one Eastern Conference executive fully believes those are the two options at play for Philadelphia. 'The only thing that seems certain, according to our latest conversations on the matter, is that Philadelphia will be drafting a top prospect in the very early stages of draft proceedings on June 25. 'They're keeping the pick,' said one Eastern Conference executive, 'or they're trading down a few slots.'' So, it sounds like the 76ers plan to remain within the Top 5 of the draft. However, it appears a prime candidate has emerged in Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe. Reports indicate that Edgecombe, who is 19 years old, has visited with the 76ers. It's said that Philly loves his work ethic and likes the idea of his defensive abilities pairing up with point guard Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Additionally, Edgecombe's high ceiling is intriguing as well. 'The prime candidate at No. 3, at this juncture, appears to be Baylor freshman guard VJ Edgecombe, who sources say visited with the Sixers last week… Edgecombe is said to have impressed with his work ethic, personality, and interviews. Advertisement 'He went to dinner with Morey and other 76ers higher-ups. Even Tyrese Maxey, sources say, flew in for the occasion. The Sixers are certainly intrigued by what type of defensive complement Edgecombe could provide their All-Star guard, sources say, in addition to his explosive upside on the offensive side of the ball.' As of now, VJ Edgecombe is the only known prospect to visit with Philadelphia. However, there is speculation that Rutgers forward Ace Bailey is in line to visit the 76ers at some point before the draft. Edgecombe won the Big 12 Freshman of the Year Award for his efforts in the 2024-25 campaign. He leaves Baylor after playing one season for the Golden Bears, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest while owning a 43.6% field goal percentage and shooting 34.0% from beyond the three-point line. Related: Ace Bailey lands 76ers workout amid draft speculation Related: Ace Bailey's draft odds take hit after mysterious report
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4 days ago
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Raptors Predicted to Make NBA Draft Trade After Kevin Durant News
Raptors Predicted to Make NBA Draft Trade After Kevin Durant News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Raptors finished the 2024-25 regular season with a 30-52 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five seasons. However, despite their team struggles, the future may be looking brighter in Toronto. Advertisement In addition to having a young core led by one-time All-Star Scottie Barnes, the Raptors also have the No. 9 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The Raptors could keep the pick and add to their young core, or they could use it to swing a deal that could change their status in the Eastern Conference. Nothing is official yet, but NBA insider Jake Fischer recently predicted that the Raptors could trade their draft pick this year (subscription required), and it directly correlates with recent news surrounding Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).Scott Wachter-Imagn Images After two-and-a-half seasons in Phoenix, many expect Durant to be on the move this offseason. The Suns star has been linked to numerous teams regarding a possible trade, including the Raptors, who ESPN's Brian Windhorst said are "lurking" in his sweepstakes. Following Windhorst's report, Fischer made a prediction that the Raptors could trade their draft pick, and while he did not outright say it, the team's willingness to move their pick could be related to Durant. Advertisement "The Raptors' No. 9 pick is also increasingly viewed as perhaps the most likely top-10 pick in the draft to be traded. My sense is that Toronto would prefer to simply trade down rather than trade out of the first-round completely," Fischer wrote. "Perhaps there is some swap potential in a deal with Phoenix and the Suns' No. 29 overall selection." This past season, Durant appeared in 62 games for the Suns. In those games, he averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. Though his best days are behind him, the 36-year-old still provides a lot of value on the court. For a team like the Raptors, landing Durant would immediately improve their team and make them legitimate playoff contenders for next season. Related: Kevin Durant to Raptors Trade Report Surfaces After Giannis Antetokounmpo News Related: Raptors Named in Trade Report After Giannis Antetokounmpo News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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4 days ago
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Kristaps Porzingis Named in Celtics-Suns Trade Report After Kevin Durant News
Kristaps Porzingis Named in Celtics-Suns Trade Report After Kevin Durant News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kristaps Porzingis endured a challenging 2024-25 campaign with the Boston Celtics. Limited to just 42 regular-season games, the 7-foot-2 forward averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 48.3% from the field and a stellar 41.2% from three. However, his availability was hindered due to injuries and an upper-respiratory illness that flagged him down throughout the season. Advertisement Porzingis' health issues carried into the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, he averaged just 4.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in only 15.6 minutes per game, shooting a meager 24.0% from the field. Debilitated by lingering fatigue from his illness, he was unable to impact the Celtics' rotation meaningfully, paving the way for questions about his health and future role. Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8).© David Butler II-Imagn Images With Porzingis under contract for another year at a high salary, and the Celtics already managing luxury-tax commitments, there have been growing whispers that the 29-year-old could be one of the players Boston moves. Amid this backdrop, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reports that the Phoenix Suns have been doing preliminary work on Porzingis. Advertisement 'I've also heard that Phoenix has done some background work on Kristaps Porzingis with Boston known to be exploring its trade options up and down the roster," he wrote. "Sources say you can likewise add Phoenix to the list of teams that had been hoping to elbow its way into Myles Turner's free agency this summer.' This comes on the heels of reports that Kevin Durant could be traded from Phoenix any day now, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That move could give Phoenix some flippable assets and create a need for another floor-spacing seven-footer—making Porzingis a compelling match given his size and skill set. If the Suns were to acquire Porzingis, he could offer them high-ceiling offense, complementary rim protection, and elite spacing. It will also be interesting to see if the Celtics would involve Durant in the trade package that sends Porzingis to Phoenix. Advertisement Related: New Report on Celtics NBA Champion Potentially Joining Lakers Related: Celtics Fans Excited After Jayson Tatum News on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
