After a day of trades that involved four different NBA teams, some might think that superstars such as Paul George, or Jimmy Butler might be next. For George, who recently told the Pacers he will leave after this season, there has been a lot of speculation of a deal getting done before Thursday's draft, but Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation says pump the breaks.
Pacers may not get deal done by Thursday
According to the report, the Pacers are fielding many trade offers. However, Indiana does not feel they need to get a trade done by Thursday. The Cavaliers and Lakers were the top two teams to make a deal for George this week.
The Lakers have emerged as the top trade contender for George. The Lakers traded away D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 27 overall pick and Brook Lopez. The Lakers are hoping to flip the No. 27 overall pick, the No. 28 overall pick, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson for George. Then, after this season, the Lakers could resign George, make a run at LeBron James, and take Lonzo Ball on Thursday.
The problem with the Pacers not feeling obligated to get a deal done means one of two things. The Pacers are curious at who drafts who this Thursday or they are making a huge mistake.
Pacers need to make trade happen soon
The Pacers have no leverage which makes making the best deal possible nearly impossible.
The Pacers are not going to get Brandon Ingram or the No. 2 overall pick this Thursday. Getting Randle, Clarkson, and these two last first round picks might be the best deal possible.
There have been no rumors of Kevin Love being used in a trade with the Pacers yet. Love was linked to a three-team trade with the Bulls and Suns.
The Suns could send the No. 4 overall pick to the Pacers, Love to the Suns, and George to the Cavaliers, but no such talk as happened. Long story short, the longer the Pacers wait, the less leverage they have, and the higher chance they will run into a situation of losing George for nothing.
Ellis suspended five games
Monta Ellis and Reggie Bullock will be suspended the first five games of the 2017-2018 season according to Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated.
Ellis and Bullock are in violation of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The only way to be suspended five games is when a player receives a third offense. These offenses are typically related to marijuana violations.
The first time a player violates the program requires the player to get into the marijuana program. The second offense is a $25,000 fine.
