{"id":33216,"date":"2020-09-01T09:51:46","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T13:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=33216"},"modified":"2020-09-01T09:52:09","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T13:52:09","slug":"nba-rumors-playoffs-rage-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/09\/01\/nba-rumors-playoffs-rage-on\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors as the Playoffs Rage On"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NBA rumors are oftentimes the lifeblood of the offseason in the NBA. With the delay in the season, there has been a delay in those ever-so-juicy NBA rumors that NBA fans crave. As the NBA Playoffs kick into high gear and teams start to leave the Orlando bubble, rumors are starting to come about. Some are realistic, while others seem a little far-fetched.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>NBA Rumors as of September 1st<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Carmelo Anthony back to the New York Knicks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A recent report has surfaced that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/new-york-knicks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Knicks&#8217;<\/a> leadership has been looking for a way to welcome\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carmelo Anthony<\/a><\/strong> back to town.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Carmelo Anthony has reportedly been on Knicks GM Leon Rose&#39;s &quot;radar&quot; since March, per <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NYPost_Berman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NYPost_Berman<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Melo said he hopes to return to Portland next year. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WN6qTkOWok\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/WN6qTkOWok<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BR_NBA\/status\/1300507201065213953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 31, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bringing Anthony back to town would be another head-scratching move by a franchise that always seems to be lacking common sense in the team building department. Anthony doesn&#8217;t fit in with the Knicks timeline. He is an aging score-first (and second) player that is looking to add a championship to his already Hall of Fame resume. Anthony has also stated that he wishes to return to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/portland-trail-blazers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> next season.<\/p>\n<p>For Anthony and his quest for a ring, that might be the best move. With\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lillada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Damian Lillard<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccolcj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CJ McCollum<\/a><\/strong>, a healthy\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nurkiju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jusuf Nurkic<\/a><\/strong>, and a healthy\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/colliza01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Collins<\/a><\/strong>, Portland will be very good again next season.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Victor Oladipo Wants Out<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/indiana-pacers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> appear to have a core that will be ready to compete for the Eastern Conference crown next season. The emergence of\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/warretj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">T.J. Warren<\/a><\/strong> to go along with\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brogdma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Malcolm Brogdon<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sabondo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Domantas Sabonis<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/turnemy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Myles Turner<\/a><\/strong>, and a healthy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/oladivi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Oladipo<\/a><\/strong> would be one of the best starting units in the entire NBA. However, rumors are swirling that Oladipo won&#8217;t renew his contract following the 2021 season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Rumor: Victor Oladipo leaning toward leaving Pacers in 2021 free\u00a0agency <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tGBRnsIxBh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/tGBRnsIxBh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/basketballtalk\/status\/1299709675332534277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 29, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So, the questions that the Pacers front office needs to ask themselves is whether or not they go for it next season knowing Oladipo is leaving? Or do they trade Oladipo prior to free agency?<\/p>\n<p>The wise move for Indiana would be to find a trade partner. While Oladipo&#8217;s numbers were down once he returned, it is understandable as he was recovering from a serious injury. He will have many suitors.<\/p>\n<p>Teams like the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/miami-heat\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miami Heat<\/a>, New York Knicks, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/los-angeles-lakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> have already been rumored to have interest in Oladipo.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Anonymous Western Conference Coach Would Trade Joel Embiid<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/nba-teams\/philadelphia-76ers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> &#8220;Process&#8221; appeared to be a successful tactic. Except they haven&#8217;t been able to cash in. Although\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/simmobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Simmons<\/a><\/strong> was out of action, Philadelphia still disappointed this season with a really talented roster of Simmons,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/richajo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Richardson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tobias Harris<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Horford<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong>. Of course, that talented roster did have a major hole. Shooting.<\/p>\n<p>One anonymous Western Conference coach thinks the 76ers should move Embiid to Miami.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;I would try to trade Embiid to Miami and get some of their young, hungry shooters and guards like Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, etc. Ideally, I\u2019d get Bam, but I doubt Miami would trade him.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Western Conference Coach <\/p>\n<p>(Via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hoopshype?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@hoopshype<\/a> ) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Nwaehx1M5l\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Nwaehx1M5l<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheDunkCentral\/status\/1297990926883848198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 24, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That kind of return would be incredible for Philadelphia. Not only do they shore up their major weakness of a lack of perimeter shooting. The addition of some combination of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/herroty01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Herro<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nunnke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kendrick Nunn<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/robindu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Duncan Robinson<\/a> <\/strong>would surely do that, but they add a replacement for Embiid with\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adebaba01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bam Adebayo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>While Adebayo isn&#8217;t quite the offensive force that Embiid is, he is a really good all-around player. He was also an All-Star this season.<\/p>\n<p>For Miami, they keep one of their young shooters in either Herro or Robinson and swap a great player in Adebayo for an elite one in Embiid to pair up with\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Butler<\/a><\/strong>. This seems like the ideal trade for both parties.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>More NBA Rumors Sure to Surface<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As the playoffs wind down and we head to an eventual 2020 NBA Champion, more NBA rumors are sure to surface. NBA Draft season also brings on silly season. When silly season begins the NBA rumors start flying. Needless to say, this year has been a strange one, in all aspects of life, let&#8217;s hope the NBA offseason is just as exciting as always.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<br \/>\n<a id=\"s5kJSwueRclzN9Um3ci3hw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1081212612\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'s5kJSwueRclzN9Um3ci3hw',sig:'mzSxaE7BbIKrUeLedN1VCI3p2ehNFRzE532WZEM_HBo=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1081212612',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NBA rumors are oftentimes the lifeblood of the offseason in the NBA. With the delay in the season, there has been a delay in those ever-so-juicy NBA rumors that NBA fans crave. As the NBA Playoffs kick into high gear and teams start to leave the Orlando bubble, rumors are starting to come about. Some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3059,"featured_media":33220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,11,16,62,12,13,23],"tags":[250,266,67,1934,187,1102,2803,142,267,254,135,2521,609,637,4774,3142,343,1896,351,970],"class_list":["post-33216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-pacers","category-heat","category-nba","category-knicks","category-76ers","category-trailblazers","tag-al-horford","tag-ben-simmons","tag-carmelo-anthony","tag-cj-mccollum","tag-damian-lillard","tag-domantas-sabonis","tag-duncan-robinson","tag-jimmy-butler","tag-joel-embiid","tag-josh-richardson","tag-jusuf-nurkic","tag-kendrick-nunn","tag-malcolm-brogdon","tag-myles-turner","tag-rumors","tag-tj-warren","tag-tobias-harris","tag-tyler-herro","tag-victor-oladipo","tag-zach-collins"],"modified_by":"Chase Gage","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3059"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33216"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33216\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}