This edition of NBA rumors and news will look at several trade possibilities. The first rumor is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in restricted free agent P.J. Washington. Meanwhile, the Raptors are a potential partner in helping Damian Lillard reach his preferred destination, the Miami Heat, per an NBA Insider.
NBA Rumors: Cavs Targeting P.J. Washington, Raptors Interested In Tyler Herro
Cavs Reportedly Interested In P.J. Washington
The Charlotte Hornets and restricted free agent Washington are still at a stalemate. Washington continues to hope to secure a $20 million deal this offseason, but no team has that much cap space available. Thus, leaving two solutions. One is that Washington accepts the Hornets’ one-year qualifying offer at $8.6 million. If Washington signs the one-year deal, the Hornets risk losing him for nothing next year.
The second option is for Charlotte to work out a sign-and-trade. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are one team that has expressed interest in the 6-7 power forward. While Fedor added that there is belief that there is still interest by the Cavs, there haven’t been any extensive, detailed, or meaningful trade discussions with Charlotte at this point.
It is surprising that other teams wouldn’t be willing to discuss at least a trade for a 24-year-old double-figurer scorer who can shoot and pass. Washington is coming off a career year with 15.7 points and 2.0 3-pointers while shooting .444/.348/.730. He is also a solid physical defender who can guard on the perimeter.
There hasn’t been any word out of the Hornets’ camp about what they seek in a trade. But, Fedor did propose one trade that might work.
“If Washington would be willing to take less money — a contract in the same range as Markkanen’s $15-million-per-year number in 2021 — the salaries of Dean Wade and Ricky Rubio would theoretically work financially. Toss in some second-round picks as sweeteners and there’s an alternate trade framework.”
Rubio is the perfect backup point guard that the Hornets are reportedly looking for. However, Rubio is dealing with mental health issues, and there is no assurance he will play this year. Wade is a decent defensive rebounder and defender overall, but he doesn’t provide much offensively. Wade’s contract runs through 2025.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus believes that the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks could also be interested in Washington if the Hornets were inclined to trade him. Pincus did add that most of his sources expect Washington to accept the qualifying offer.
Raptors Could Be Interested In Tyler Herro
The Athletic’s Eric Koreen was asked if Lillard made his way to the Heat, how interested Toronto would be in acquiring Tyler Herro as the third team. Koreen said that the Raptors would have moderate interest.
Depending on what Toronto has to give up to be involved in the trade, Koreen’s answer is a bit surprising. Koreen did add that the Raptors shouldn’t be giving up any more first-round picks. The Raptors owe the San Antonio Spurs (top 6 protected) one of their first-rounders over the next three seasons. Other than that, Toronto has all of its first-rounders.
Herro is an excellent scorer and a very good 3-point marksman. He is also a decent ball-handler and playmaker capable of playing either the one or two. Granted, Herro is not very good defensively, but neither is Dennis Schroder. Herro is a considerable upgrade offensively over Schroder and perhaps slightly worse defensively. Plus, the Raptors have some pretty good other defenders, and Herro does defend the 3-point line well.
Herro recorded his second straight 20-point season last year. He averaged 20.1 points, 3.0 threes, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 2022-23. He also posted a shooting slash line of .439/.378/.934 last year. Herro, who recorded his first triple-double a season ago, set career-bests in 3-pointers, free throw percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals.
