RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 July 2024

• Bryce McGowens, Blazers Agree To Two-Way Deal

  Bryce McGowens and the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed on a Two-Way deal. McGowens, who spent the first two seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets on a Two-way, was waived last week.

  McGowens has appeared in three Summer League games this year with the Hornets, averaging 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes. McGowens appears in 59 games with the Hornets last season, averaging 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.9 minutes.

  McGowens is represented by Kyle McAlarney.

• Lakers Have Discussed Trades With Nets, Trail Blazers, Jazz

  The Los Angeles Lakers haven't made many roster changes to start the offseason, but they have made plenty of waves. Thus far, the Lakers have swapped out Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince for rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. All other moves have seen players return to Los Angeles on new contracts or via having their options picked up.

  With LeBron James back in the fold for nearly $50 million next season, the Lakers are basically out on signing any free agents. Los Angeles is just over the second apron, and limited to signing players to minimum contracts. The Lakers also have 15 players on fully guaranteed contracts for next season.

  That means the path forward for improvement will be via trade. The Lakers have engaged the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz in recent days in various trade talks. Los Angeles has been linked to players like Dorian Finney-Smith of the Nets and Jerami Grant of the Blazers. The Jazz talks could involve moving a salary or two into Utah's cap space to facilitate a trade.

• Justin Minaya, Blazers Agree To Two-Way Deal

  Justin Minaya and the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a Two-Way contract. Minaya is represented by Jared Mucha.

  Minaya, who went undrafted in 2022 out of Providence, averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.2 minutes over 34 games last season with the Blazers. In nine G League games, Minaya averaged 16.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.4 minutes.

• Blazers Exercise $2.2M Option On Dalano Banton For 24-25

  The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their $2.2 million 24-25 team option on the contract of guard Dalano Banton.

  Acquired by Portland on Feb. 8, 2024, Banton appeared in 30 games (8 starts) for the Trail Blazers during the 2023-24 season and averaged 16.7 points (40.8% FG, 31.1% 3-PT, 78.0% FT), 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. Banton scored in double figures in 27 of the 30 games for Portland including scoring 30 points or more twice and scored 20 points or more in nine games.

  Banton, who is represented by Aaron Turner, will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

• 2024 NBA Draft Results: Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard Picked Top-3

  The Atlanta Hawks opened the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick, followed by Alex Sarr to the Washington Wizards. Risacher and Sarr going first and second was widely expected for several weeks even though there was some suspense over the Hawks' decision at No. 1 as they reportedly narrowed their choices down to Risacher and Reed Sheppard heading into the draft.

  Sheppard went No. 3 to the Houston Rockets after they had been linked to multiple trade scenarios. The Detroit Pistons selecting Ron Holland at No. 5 was a surprise considering his struggles with the G League Ignite, but he entered this draft cycle as one of the candidates to go No. 1.

  After Donovan Clingan dropped to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7, the biggest surprise of the first round occurred when the Minnesota Timberwolves sent an unprotected first round pick in 2031 and a pick swap in 2030 to the San Antonio Spurs for Rob Dillingham.

  Dalton Knecht surprisingly fell out of the lottery and all the way to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 17, while Isaiah Collier fell even further than expected to the Utah Jazz at No. 29.

  First Round Results
  1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
  2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr
  3. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn): Reed Sheppard
  4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle
  5. Detroit Pistons: Ron Holland
  6. Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun
  7. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan
  8. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Toronto and San Antonio): Rob Dillingham
  9. Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Edey
  10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams
  11. Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis
  12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Houston): Nikola Topic
  13. Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter
  14. Washington Wizards (from Golden State via Boston, Memphis, Portland): Bub Carrington
  15. Miami Heat: Kel'el Ware
  16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain
  17. Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht
  18. Orlando Magic: Tristan da Silva
  19. Toronto Raptors (from Indiana): Ja'Kobe Walter
  20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson
  21. New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee): Yves Missi
  22. Denver Nuggets (from Phoenix): DaRon Holmes II
  23. Milwaukee Bucks (from New Orleans): AJ Johnson
  24. Washington Wizards (from Dallas and New York Knicks): Kyshawn George
  25. New York Knicks: Pacome Dadiet
  26. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers via Dallas, Oklahoma City, Washington, New York): Dillon Jones
  27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.
  28. Phoenix Suns (from Denver): Ryan Dunn
  29. Utah Jazz (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana): Isaiah Collier
  30. Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman

• Blazers Acquire Deni Avdija From Wizards For Malcolm Brogdon, 14th Overall Pick, 2029 Pick

  The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the second most favorable of their 2029 first round picks, and two second round picks.

  Avdija is signed through 27-28 after agreeing to a four-year, $55 million extension before the 23-24 season. Avdija is on a descending contract.

  Brogdon is on an expiring contract for the 24-25 season worth $22.5 million.

• Lakers Make No. 17 Pick Available In Trades, Interested In Jerami Grant

  The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to trade the No. 17 pick in the upcoming draft, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.

  The team is looking for a "significant contributor" next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

  Jerami Grant is on the Lakers' wishlist as a potential trade candidate.

  Jonas Valanciunas has also been mentioned as a possible signing.

• Celtics Would Have Had Tyus Jones Instead Of Jrue Holiday If Original Kristaps Porzingis Trade Went Through

  If the Boston Celtics would have been able to complete their first iteration of their trade for Kristaps Porzingis, they may not have had enough pieces to also trade for Jrue Holiday in September, reports Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

  The Celtics were set to trade Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Washington Wizards would have acquired Marcus Morris and the No. 30 pick in the draft. Boston also was sending Danilo Gallinari to Washington to make the contracts work. The Clippers backed out of the trade after flagging an issue with Brogdon medically.

  If the trade with the Clippers would have been agreed upon, Boston was going to trade Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies for Tyus Jones and two first round picks. The Celtics instead pivoted to combine their two separate transactions with the Grizzlies and Wizards into one deal, which sent Jones to Washington, and allowed Boston to keep Brogdon.

  The Celtics ultimately used Brogdon in their trade for Holiday in September.

• Blazers Hire Nate Bjorkgren, Chris Fleming As Assistant Coaches

  The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to hire Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming as assistant coaches.

  Bjorkgren was head coach of the Indiana Pacers for one season. Bjorkgren was an assistant coach under Nick Nurse from 18-19 to 19-20 and then again from 21-22 through 22-23.

  Fleming has been an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls since 19-20.

• Mavericks Among Several Teams To Check In On Jerami Grant

  The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to listen to offers for several of their veteran players this offseason. Portland is currently set to be over the luxury tax line, and that's not where a rebuilding team can be.

  One player the Blazers may move is veteran forward Jerami Grant. Several teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, have checked in on Grant's availability.

  Grant is owed $132.4 million over the next four seasons. This upcoming season, Grant is on the books for $29.8 million.

  The Trail Blazers are also expected to explore the trade market for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and potentially Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton.