NBA News Roundup, Friday, April 26th: LeBron James tops NBA jersey sales, Oklahoma City Thunder departure? and more

With the 2019 playoffs now well underway, NBA fans are already speculating on who will be the main challengers for the title in a year's time. A number of high-profile stars will hit free agency this summer, and there are plenty of rumors regarding where the league's top stars will land.

NBA teams are also preparing for the upcoming draft, so here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for April 26th.

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Steven Adams to exit the Thunder?

Steven Adams struggled as the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Portland Trail Blazers

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma City Thunder crashed out of the playoffs in the first round for the third straight year. The Thunder have yet to win a playoff series since Kevin Durant exited back in 2016, and the Washington Post is reporting that Sam Presti may consider trading away Steven Adams:

Presti could try to trade Adams, a gritty center whose offensive rebounding and interior defensive presence have made him a strong fit alongside Westbrook and George.

But there are complicating factors of all kinds. Oklahoma City relies heavily on Adams thanks to a front line that is perilously thin, and he has proved to be one of the most dependable starting centers in the league. At the same time, he didn't play particularly well against the Blazers and is owed more than US$50 million over the next two seasons.

Would Presti be selling low by parting with a traditional center with no ability to shoot the three immediately after a dud series? Would he be forced to seek a center in return in an Adams deal, a la the Memphis Grizzlies' swap of Marc Gasol for Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors?

Adams was selected by the Thunder with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft. The 25-year-old has started more than 400 regular season games for the Thunder, although he struggled to make much of an impact during the team's first-round exit to the Blazers.

Clint Capela wants Warriors matchup

Clint Capela and the Houston Rockets overcame the Utah Jazz

On Wednesday, the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 100-93, a win that secured the Rocket's successful passage to round two of the playoffs. The Rockets now face the prospect of coming up against Golden State in the next round, and according to ESPN, Clint Capela is looking forward to a potential matchup with the reigning champions:

That's what I want.. I want to face them. We've been working on it all year long. I think if you want to be the champion, you've got to beat the champion. So at some point, you've got to do it, right?

After an incredibly tight series, the Warriors defeated the Rockets during the 2018 Western Conference Finals. The Warriors currently lead the Clippers 3-2, and despite dropping two games, Steve Kerr's men are still expected to advance to the next round.

LeBron James tops NBA jersey sales

LeBron James' jersey is the best selling in the NBA

LeBron James once again has the NBA's highest selling jersey. Despite the Lakers' poor season, James has managed to beat out Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo to take the crown.

The Lakers also finished first in the top-selling team merchandise list, with the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics rounding out the top three. The Philadelphia 76er's had three of the NBA's top 10 selling jerseys.

Top 10 Selling Player Jersey's of the Season:

1. LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers, 2. Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors, 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks, 4. Kyrie Irving - Boston Celtics, 5. Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers, 6. James Harden - Houston Rockets, 7. Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder, 8. Kevin Durant - Golden State Warriors, 9. Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers, 10. Jimmy Butler - Philadelphia 76ers