NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook Interested in Heat as Thunder Explore Trade

Stay up to date with the latest NBA news and rumors as free agency gets underway.
NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook Interested in Heat as Thunder Explore Trade
NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook Interested in Heat as Thunder Explore Trade /

The NBA free-agent frenzy calmed down after Friday night as Kawhi Leonard signed with the Clippers, but the rumor mill is still buzzing as the league convenes in Las Vegas for Summer League. 

The Clippers' coup of Leonard and Paul George has created a flurry of Russell Westbrook trade rumors. The Heat are reportedly favored to land the 2016-17 MVP. The Lakers and Clippers aren't done with their respective offseasons, either by rounding out their rosters to aid a pair of dynamic duos out West. 

Here is the latest roundup of news and rumors from around the league in the aftermath of Leonard's decision. For more coverage of free agency, check out The Crossover's Top 50 free-agent rankings, & our wide-sweeping primer and our burning questions for every team.

• The Timberwolves are declining to match the Grizzlies' three-year, $28 million offer sheet for restricted free agent guard Tyus Jones. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)

• Russell Westbrook is interested in joining the Heat if the Thunder trade the eight-time All-Star. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)

• Marcus Morris has a one-year, $15 million offer from the Knicks as he re-evaluates his two-year contract with the Spurs. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports)

• Kawhi Leonard recruited Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to play for the Clippers before Los Angeles traded for Paul George. (Zach Lowe, ESPN)

• The Knicks and Reggie Bullock are re-working their two-year, $21 million contract as the two sides evaluate "Bullock's fitness to play a full season in 2019-20." (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)

• D'Angelo Russell is "excited" to play for the Warriors rumors of a potential trade during 2019-20. (Logan Murdock, NBC Sports Bay Area)

• The Pistons and Rockets are potential suitors for Russell Westbrook. (Sam Amick, Brett Dawson, The Athletic)

• LeBron James is expected to start at point guard for the Lakers in 2019-20. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports)

• The Thunder traded forward Jerami Grant to the Nuggets for a 2020 first-round pick. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)

• Avery Bradley signed a two-year, $9.7 million deal with the Lakers. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)


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Michael Shapiro
MICHAEL SHAPIRO

Michael Shapiro is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated. He is a Denver native and 2018 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.