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The NBA Finals are currently the talk of the basketball world - although there is no shortage of other stories emerging across the league.
The 2019 draft is just weeks away and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, while a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.
With plenty happening around the NBA, here's a look at the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for June 11th.
#3. Pelicans open to multi-team Anthony Davis trade
Anthony Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans back in January, and while the team opted to keep him for the remainder of the 18-19 season, Davis is expected to leave in the coming months. The 26-year-old has just a year remaining on his existing deal, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Pelicans are open to completing a multi-team trade:
David Griffin, New Orleans' executive vice president of basketball operations, has started to provide potential suitors with the framework of the package he is seeking in a trade for All-NBA forward Anthony Davis, including multiteam scenarios that would expand the Pelicans' pool of assets in a deal, league sources told ESPN.
So far, Los Angeles and New York teams - the Clippers, Lakers, Knicks and Nets - have been among the front offices inquiring with New Orleans, league sources said.
According to front offices that have engaged in conversations with Griffin, he hasn't sounded convinced that one team is likely to fulfill his wishes for a Davis deal. To that end, Griffin has been working to find multiteam trade scenarios that could redirect assets for players or picks more preferable to the Pelicans, sources said.
Davis has spent his entire career in New Orleans. Over the course of the 18-19 season, he averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
#2. Tony Parker announces his retirement
Following an 18-year career, Tony Parker has announced his retirement. The 37-year-old explained his decision during an interview with The Undefeated:
I’m going to retire. I decided that I’m not going to play basketball anymore. A lot of different stuff ultimately led me to this decision. But, at the end of the day, I was like, if I can’t be Tony Parker anymore and I can’t play for a championship, I don’t want to play basketball anymore.
The Frenchman was selected 28th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2001 NBA draft and during his time in San Antonio, Parker formed part of one of the best trios in NBA history. Alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, Parker helped the Spurs to win four championships, and he was also the first European player to win Finals MVP.
The point guard finishes his career averaging 15.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.
#1. Cavs engaged in trade talks for J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith has not played for the Cleveland Cavaliers since November after he publicly criticized the direction of the franchise. While Smith still remains on the Cavs' roster, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com is reporting that the team is active in trade talks:
The Cavs had been looking at the Nets as a logical fit for JR Smith’s contract. Why didn’t it happen? Tough to know for sure. Cleveland is tight-lipped when it comes to trade talks and negotiations. But there are plenty of daily conversations that never materialize.
But there are at least 10 other teams that could be looking to clear salary ahead of free agency. The Cavs are actively pursuing similar deals and still believe they will get a nice haul for Smith.
During the 18-19 season, Smith played a career-low 11 times, averaging 6.7 points and 1.9 assists per game.
