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If the Kings move one of their veteran stars before the February 5 deadline, DeMar DeRozan is the name rival teams are watching most closely.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that DeRozan’s contract — $24.6 million this season, with only $10 million guaranteed next year — makes him far easier to trade than either Zach LaVine or Domantas Sabonis.
LaVine is owed nearly $50 million per season. Sabonis will make $42.3 million this year and $94 million over the next two. DeRozan? Much more digestible.
Siegel lists the Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Trail Blazers, and Grizzlies as possible suitors, while noting that Sabonis will likely need to prove he’s healthy from his meniscus tear before any real traction develops.
His return-to-play process isn’t expected to begin until around Christmas.
Wolves and Randle: There’s a “growing sense” that the Timberwolves may be willing to listen on Julius Randle if the right deal appears, Siegel writes.
Minnesota continues poking around the point guard market — they’ve checked on Ja Morant and have been inquiring about Darius Garland for more than a year.
But there’s one big hurdle. The Wolves lack the tradable first-round picks needed to pull off a blockbuster, which limits their leverage.
Warriors linked to Claxton: Nets center Nic Claxton continues to surface as a trade candidate, with the Warriors mentioned by league sources as a team to monitor, per Siegel.
One wrinkle: Brooklyn had zero interest in pursuing Jonathan Kuminga when he hit restricted free agency this summer, so the Nets don’t appear to value him as a trade target.
Claxton has also been floated as a possible Lakers option dating back to last season.
Pacers scouting Kuminga: Indiana has been “quietly” tracking Kuminga since last season, Siegel reports.
If the Warriors show interest, the Pacers could dangle one of Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, or Obi Toppin — a byproduct of their looming cap crunch.
Mathurin is the name that would truly move the needle.
Warriors also eyeing others: Golden State wants more long, versatile wings, and Siegel notes that the Warriors are expected to connect with the Pelicans about Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones.
Whether New Orleans is willing to entertain offers is a different story. But those are exactly the types of players the Warriors want if they decide to flip Kuminga.
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