As we await the opening whistle of the current NBA season’s final series, it’s the perfect time to assess what personnel changes might await the league next summer. Many teams are already making attempts to re-sign their star players or negotiating to strengthen their rosters. Every change will undoubtedly impact the strength of the teams and their chances for high positions in the new season. Soon, you will be able to make your predictions again, highlighting the favorites and underdogs. If you bet on the NBA, you will find good odds and a wide variety of sports bets on the Mostbet UZ .com website. It’s a reliable bookmaker that offers generous bonuses for new clients, as well as excellent opportunities for basketball betting. Let’s break down the hottest rumors about key teams and players.
Race for the Big Free Agents
This year, there won’t be superstar centers among the available free agents. But that won’t stop a few players from becoming the most coveted and highly paid new recruits. New York Knicks’ point guard Isaiah Hartenstein and Brooklyn Nets’ big man Nic Claxton are sure to be in high demand on the market.
Experts predict that both players can expect maximum “100%” contracts in the region of $100 million over 4 years. However, due to the Knicks’ “Early Bird” rights restrictions, the cap for Hartenstein is only $72.5 million over 4 seasons. Meanwhile, the Nets will be able to keep Claxton for any desired term thanks to Larry Bird rights. If the 25-year-old big man maintains his current impressive form, he could well be in line for a 5-year mega-deal with the club worth $100+ million.
Bulls Selling LaVine’s Asset?
Another top player featured in transfer rumors is Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. After a recent foot surgery, the forward’s chances of a move have evaporated. But now the team has to decide the fate of its star.
According to insiders, the Bulls’ previously demanded price for LaVine, which included an All-Star level player plus a first-round draft pick, has now “significantly dropped.” After a disastrous season and considering the gigantic 3-year, $138 million contract of the 30-year-old LaVine, Chicago’s chances of getting any substantial asset for the forward are close to zero.
The option of rebooting the team and keeping LaVine until the trade deadline to increase his value looks more realistic. Right now, finding anyone willing to take on Zach’s enormous salary for a player who has little impact on the outcome and is ineffective on defense is highly unlikely.
Cavs to Keep Star Core?
Cleveland, on the other hand, will try to keep its leading quartet as much as possible. The Cavaliers’ main task is to convince guard Donovan Mitchell to extend his contract for 4 years for $208.5 million and cement him as a franchise player until 2029.
If Mitchell agrees, the team will only need to build a competitive team around this leader and his supporting young players, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. However, there are nuances—sometimes this star company has not shown the necessary cohesion. And Garland’s agents might request a trade if Mitchell secures his place in Cleveland for the long term.
So far, the Cavaliers’ management is not eager to change the core of the team despite last season’s failures. Keeping Mitchell and 22-year-old Mobley is almost guaranteed. However, a trade involving either Garland or Allen could still happen if Donovan agrees to the extension. The president of basketball operations will have to carefully consider what pieces are needed to create a truly formidable team.
The Fate of the Rockets’ No. 3 Draft Pick
One of the main intrigues of the next NBA draft will be the question of whom the Houston Rockets will choose with the third pick. It is predicted that the Texans’ main priority is a tandem of two top prospects—point guard A’John Matlock and shooting guard James Ames.
However, rumors suggest that besides this pair, the Rockets might also consider two intriguing draft players. This refers to the tall Latvian forward Henri Soma and the extraordinary combo guard Leday Banke. However, sources speculate that the club would have to negotiate with other teams about pick trades to make this happen.
In any case, the No. 3 pick will land Houston a potential franchise player. For a team stuck at the bottom of the standings in recent years, this choice could be decisive and set its development vector for the next decade.
Thus, a tumultuous offseason awaits a number of clubs, big and small stars, NBA rookies, and veterans. The main intrigue will undoubtedly be where the main players of the upcoming transfer period—Hartenstein, Claxton, Mitchell, Allen, Garland, and other key figures in the Association’s rumors and insights—will end up.
