NBA Rumors Roundup: Phoenix Suns interested in Kevin Love, LA Clippers in talks with Russell Westbrook, and more
The Phoenix Suns are rumored to be interested in Kevin Love. The Suns were the biggest winners at the trade deadline following their acquisition of Kevin Durant. Could they also win the buyout market?
Meanwhile, the LA Clippers are reportedly in talks with Russell Westbrook of the Utah Jazz. The Clippers are pretty stacked as a whole, but lack playmakers. They have Terrance Mann, Eric Gordon and Bones Hyland, who are not natural point guards.
Here is the latest NBA rumors roundup for February 17 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
Phoenix Suns interested in Kevin Love
Shams Charania and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love are finalizing a contract buyout. Love has been with the Cavaliers since 2014, but was removed from the rotation late last month.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst revealed on SportsCenter that the Phoenix Suns could be interested in Love. The Suns' depth is thin following the Durant trade, but the buyout market will help them. Love was a top player off the bench last season and a thumb injury could have affected his shooting this season.
"Keep an eye on the Suns as a contender for Kevin Love."
🗣️ @WindhorstESPN
https://t.co/UkCdH2Oj8y
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LA Clippers in talks with Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook and the Utah Jazz are negotiating a buyout following his trade from the LA Lakers. Westbrook was having a bounce-back season, averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists as a sixth man.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Westbrook and the LA Clippers have held preliminary discussions. The Clippers are looking to add a point guard for a potential championship run. Kurt Helin of Yahoo! noted that Westbrook loves playing in Los Angeles and has fans within the Clippers organization.
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Miami Heat prefer Kevin Love over Russell Westbrook
When reports of Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook negotiating their respective buyouts came out, the Miami Heat were the first team linked to them. The Heat are looking to improve their roster for a playoff run. They have been inconsistent this season after a pretty quiet summer.
However, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the Heat prefer to add a big man like Love over a guard like Westbrook. Winderman added that Miami are also monitoring Serge Ibaka, who was waived by the Indiana Pacers last week.
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Kyrie Irving likely to stay with Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are 2-2 with Kyrie Irving on the roster and 0-2 with Irving and Luka Doncic playing together. Despite the small sample size, it seems like Irving and Doncic are capable of making it work. But will Irving stay in Dallas? ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski thinks so.
"I think it's more likely than not Kyrie Irving stays in Dallas," Wojnarowski said. "Just because of what they invested in him. And his chance to get the kind of contract he wants. … I think given of what they gave up and Dallas' track record of being willing to pay players who want to be there.
"I think it's more likely than not Kyrie Irving is in Dallas. Of course it can all change."
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Chicago Bulls could waive Goran Dragic if they add another point guard
The Chicago Bulls are looking to solve their playmaking issues through the buyout market. The Bulls have been using Goran Dragic, Alex Caruso and Coby White this season in the absence of the injured Lonzo Ball. However, it has not worked out for the Bulls.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Chicago reported that the Bulls are interested in Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley and John Wall. If the Bulls sign one of these guards, Dragic is the likely odd man out and could get waived.
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