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The 2019 offseason is finally here, and it is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. The upcoming free agent class is perhaps the best in NBA history, as the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Kevin Durant will all be up for grabs.
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are also attempting to make big moves as they look to build a roster that can compete during the 2019/20 season. So, here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know for June 23rd.
Lakers will pursue either Kyrie Irving or D'Angelo Russell in free agency
D'Angelo Russell was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, although the young point guard was traded after just two seasons.
Russell has subsequently transformed into an All-Star with the Brooklyn Nets, and with Kyrie Irving likely to join the Nets, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report believes Russell could return to the Lakers:
The buzz around the league is that Irving will leave the Boston Celtics to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. If so, the Nets may need to renounce the rights to Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent. That might open the door to a reunion. Russell was dumped by former executive Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Pelinka in a trade to the Nets in 2017, shedding the contract of Timofey Mozgov.
Russell's breakup with the Lakers wasn't pretty, but it's difficult to hold grudges in this league. With Johnson gone, some close to Russell have indicated he may be open to the idea if Brooklyn isn't in the picture.
During the 18-19 season, Russell averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Wizards to decline option for Jabari Parker
After another underwhelming season, the Washington Wizards are set to undergo somewhat of a rebuild this summer, and Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the team is set to decline the final year of Jabari Parker's deal:
The Washington Wizards will decline the 2019-20 team option on Jabari Parker’s contract, and the forward will become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Wizards are very much open to re-signing Parker and the interest is mutual.
Parker averaged 15 points and 7.2 rebounds in 25 games with the Wizards after joining from the Chicago Bulls ahead of the February trade deadline. As Haynes' report states, the Wizards are eager to bring Parker back for the 19-20 season, although they are unwilling to shell out $20 million.
Willie Cauley-Stein wants to leave the Sacramento Kings
Willie Cauley-Stein was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft, and he has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances for the team. However, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the 25-year-old is keen to move on this summer:
After spending the first four years of his NBA career in Sacramento, Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein has decided he wants a new opportunity with another team.
The Kings could extend a qualifying offer to make Cauley-Stein a restricted free agent, but Cauley-Stein feels it’s time for both sides to move on.
During this past season, Cauley-Stein averaged 11.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He will become a restricted free agent later this month, so Sacramento has the ability to match offers from rival teams.
