After reporting on Thursday morning that Bucks and Lakers among the teams evaluating the trade market this fall, Jake Fisher of The Stein Line in their latest post, Substack clarifies that the two clubs have held exploratory talks with each other over a potential deal.
League sources tell The Stein Line that as part of the trade, Los Angeles is adding a second-round draft pick to move Dalton KnechtThe Milwaukee contract sends the big man to the Lakers Jericho Sims. Fisher believes that in this case, the Bucks will give up Knecht.
However, Fisher also heard “some pessimism” about a potential deal, and writes that Los Angeles could end up giving up on Knecht if a trade doesn’t happen before Monday’s deadline to set up their regular season.
In addition to Sims, Milwaukee has also looked at deals involving participation Karis Levert and Kevin Porter Jr sources tell Fisher that the team is handling its own roster. According to Fisher, the Bucks would like to keep Pete Nance and there is some concern that he could be picked up by another team if they waive his non-guaranteed salary and try to bring him back on a two-way contract.
Here’s more from Fisher:
- For now Micah Peavy is considered a strong candidate to drop GrizzliesMemphis is also exploring the trade market, according to Fisher, with H. G. Jackson II and Walter Clayton Jr two players who were negotiating. The Grizzlies will have to cut two players before opening night if they don’t make any trades. Fisher doesn’t mention any specific teams Memphis has talked to about Jackson or Clayton, but writes that Warriors and Heat both were intrigued by Clayton prior to last year’s draft. DeMichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Link to Twitter) dismissed one aspect of Fisher’s report as he heard the Grizzlies were not discussing any trades for Jackson.
- According to Fisher, Art Hornets would like to keep the veteran wing Pat Connaughtonwhose salary is not guaranteed. To do that, however, they may have to trade or give up the No. 6 overall pick in 2024 Tijan Salaunwhose roster spot may be in jeopardy. Fisher has heard repeatedly that the French forward has improved this offseason, but he hasn’t played particularly well in the preseason and “realistically projects” to be a rotation player, while Charlotte once thought he had “star-level” upside. Fisher points to Liam McNeely as another player who could be vulnerable if the Hornets stick with Connaughton, a respected locker room leader.
- The Mavericks just as interested in keeping the veteran big man Dwight Powellwhose partial guarantee will increase from $1 million to $1.5 million if he makes the opening night roster. Dallas is “known to be looking for ways” to keep Powell, Fisher writes, which could mean parting ways with a player like the second-year center Moussa Cisse. Fisher says Sims and Cisse are potential future targets for Sixers once Philadelphia is eventually looking for a backup center to replace the free agent addition Ariel Hookportiwho suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the preseason.
- The Clippers refused Cam Christie on Wednesday, but Fisher is hearing they are interested in bringing back the 21-year-old guard on a two-way contract, suggesting he is open to the idea.
