In today’s Dub Hub:
Source: The Bulls passed on multiple offers to trade Alex Caruso for multiple picks, including one in the top 10 of the 2024 draft
The reason? A mandate from ownership at the trade deadline to push for the playoffs
More at @CHGO_Bulls ⤵️ https://t.co/AAdSMkcPrc
— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) June 17, 2024
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, June 18th:
Warriors News:
The Chicago Bulls have passed on great offers for Alex Caruso before. Will they do it again or look to extend him? | All CHGO
Ultimately, they declined.
Internally, the Bulls party line was that they would have to start searching for a Caruso replacement from the moment they traded him. That may have been fine in a rebuild, which lead executive Arturas Karnisovas admitted ownership supported.
However, the source indicated that there was a mandate from the Reinsdorfs to fight for the Playoffs. That, no doubt, impacted the front office’s decision making when it came to pulling the trigger on any Caruso deal.
Klay Thompson ‘open to all external options’ according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania
Klay Thompson to join Team Bahamas in Houston for Olympic training camp: Sources | The Athletic
As a decision on his NBA future looms, Klay Thompson will join the Bahamian national basketball team for its training camp in Houston this week, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. However, he is not expected to get clearance and compete for the Bahamas in the Olympic qualifier this summer, those sources said.
Thompson, who won a gold medal with Team USA in 2016, would need to receive an official release from USA Basketball and approval from FIBA in order to be cleared to play in the Olympic qualifiers and further competition for Team Bahamas, which isn’t expected to happen.
Barbosa hopes Klay prioritizes happiness in free-agent decision | NBC Sports Bay Area
Gone are the days when Thompson was among the NBA’s best two-way wings, an All-Defensive team selection whose exceptional shooting was the basis for five consecutive trips to the All-Star game. He still can go for 30 or 40 on a given night, but frequency and efficiency have dipped, as has his defensive versatility.
For those reasons, Thompson realizes he won’t see anything like his expiring contract, a five-year max worth $190 million. League sources indicate he’s seeking an offer of at least three years.
“If he goes to a different team – and I’m just giving this scenario – he’s going to have to start all over again,” Barbosa said. “If he stays, this is home for him. This is his house.
“So, I hope he thinks and he kind of understands the business, what’s the deal, and go from there.”
Warriors announcer Bob Fitzgerald set to call 2024 Olympic Basketball
NBA News:
Boston Celtics +280 favorites to repeat as NBA champions | ESPN
The Boston Celtics, fresh off winning the franchise’s 18th NBA championship, enter the offseason with some of the shortest sportsbook odds for a repeat title since the great Golden State teams of the late 2010s.
Boston forward Jaylen Brown named 2024 NBA Finals MVP
Boston Celtics forward-guard Jaylen Brown received seven of the 11 votes for #NBAFinals MVP from a media panel covering the series. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum received the other four votes.
Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/i9g51gD10S
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 18, 2024
Hawks intend to keep No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft | NBA
Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields says he likes his options for the potential top picks in the NBA draft — and he insists he’s not planning on trading the No. 1 pick, even though his phone lines remain open.
“I think we’re really excited by the draft,” Fields said Monday as he continued to prepare for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on June 26. “And the more that we uncover, like we go, great, I’m glad we have No. 1. I keep joking around like I’m not giving it back. So, I think we’re in a really good position here. I’m excited about it, frankly.”