Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, Eric Gordon Shopped Individually

The Houston Rockets are reportedly trying to trade either center Clint Capela, shooting guard Eric Gordon or power forward PJ Tucker for the best available first-round draft pick, which they would attempt to flip in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for star guard Jimmy Butler.china nfl jerseys cheap

Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN reported the update Wednesday but noted the number of potential suitors is limited because they would need cap space to take on one of those players’ salaries.

None of the Rockets’ core players—the three trade candidates mentioned above along with James Harden and Chris Paul—authentic nfl jerseys china are free agents this summer, so the front office has the option of maintaining the status quo with the hope the Golden State Warriors take a step back next season.hi-res-57aafb4e0130ac83a55a9f2ffa445143_crop_north

Instead, the trade winds continue to gust strong in Houston as general manager Daryl Morey and Co. appear to be ready to shake up a group that’s reached the Western Conference Finals twice in the past five years.authentic nfl jersey cheap

Speculation about a rift in the relationship between Harden and Paul has dominated the conversation around the Rockets this summer, and while Tucker labeled it as “fake news” in an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, he also hinted it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in Houston.nfl jerseys nike

“Nah, but we’re talking about winning championships, right? So that’s all that matters,” Tucker said. “To win a championship. That’s it. Nothing else matters. If we win a championship together and we f–king hate each other, then guess what? Who cares?”authentic nfl jerseys cheap china

Adding the notoriously fickle Butler to the equation could risk further problems, but it’d also mean the Rockets are going all-in to win their first championship since 1995.

Capela, Gordon and Tucker all carry legitimate trade value, so it would come down to the potential trade partner, the team’s amount of cap space and where it’s projected to finish next year.nfl nike jersey

It’s a fluid situation and one Houston must work through quickly with the 2019 free-agent moratorium period scheduled to open at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, giving Butler access to every franchise as an unrestricted free agent.nfl jerseys nike

Kevin Durant Declines Warriors’ $31.5M Contract Option, Hits Free Agency

The Kevin Durant sweepstakes are underway. The 10-time NBA All-Star intends to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Durant’s plans beyond that remain unclear, with Wojnarowski reporting he is “evaluating free agency options” and that the “process has stayed private.”personalized nfl jerseys

Wojnarowski added Durant is considering returning to the Warriors with the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers also in the mix.

The 30-year-old was his usual self in the regular season, averaging 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The postseason is where everything went wrong.nfl jersey sale

The two-time NBA Finals MVP suffered a right calf strain in Golden State’s second-round series win over the Houston Rockets and missed a little over a month before returning for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He played 12 minutes before going down and grabbing his right ankle area.nfl official jersey hi-res-614611a15c235e7ec493c661e8007d0d_crop_north

Durant confirmed he ruptured his Achilles.

Last summer, Durant signed a two-year, $61.5 million extension with the Warriors that let him to opt out this offseason and hit free agency.

At the time, the intention of the move was clear. Durant allowed himself to either sign another lucrative short-term deal or commit to a long-term max contract. In both scenarios, becoming a free agent was clearly the smart play before his injury.

Because he’s going to miss so much of the 2019-20 season, some wondered whether Durant would opt in since the net effect is ultimately the same. He’d still get paid and could’ve then reevaluated free agency when he’s healthy.where to get nfl jerseys cheap

But teams will assuredly line up to offer Durant a max contract—even with the injury—and that’s a tough opportunity to turn down.

The question now becomes where Durant ultimately lands.

The New York Knicks will surely be near the top of the list.

Ian Begley reported for ESPN.com in April: “It’s easier to find street parking in Manhattan than it is to find an NBA executive, player or coach who doesn’t think Durant is going to sign with the Knicks in July.”china nfl jerseys cheap

Stephen A. Smith also said on the May 13 edition of First Take that Knicks owner James Dolan was prepared to do whatever was necessary to land Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Going to the Knicks would largely be a legacy play for Durant. Fair or unfair, his two NBA titles with the Warriors don’t hold as much weight from a narrative perspective as winning a championship with the Knicks, who last won an NBA title in 1973, would.authentic nfl jerseys china

LeBron James was a two-time champion with the Miami Heat, but guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever title elevated him from a legacy standpoint.

If the Knicks aren’t Durant’s ultimate destination, he’ll almost certainly be motivated by a similar goal if he’s turning down what would potentially be a third ring in Golden State.

Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher reported Irving is hopeful of convincing Durant to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.authentic nfl jerseys cheap china

James had an opportunity to alter the NBA landscape last summer when he left the Cavaliers for a second time. By signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, James essentially maintained the status quo.

The effect on the league might be the same if Durant chooses the Knicks or Nets, especially with the difficulty of predicting what kind of player he’ll be post-Achilles injury.nfl jerseys nike