July 03, 2019
UPDATE [4:33 p.m.] — According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies are trading Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter to the Suns for DeAnthony Melton, Josh Jackson, and a pair of picks.
The Grizzlies are trading Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter to the Suns for DeAnthony Melton, Josh Jackson 2020 second-round pick and 2021 conditional second-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
So why is that important for Sixers fans? Because, per Woj, the Sixers are among the frontrunners to land Korver, who would presumably fill a need as a bench shooter, once the Suns buy out his contract. Despite his age, 38, that's a role Korver can still play.
Suns are planning to buyout the partially guaranteed contract of Kyle Korver, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers, Sixers and Bucks are frontrunners to sign Korver once he clears waivers, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
UPDATE [3:40 p.m.] — It looks like the Sixers won't be re-signing reserve point guard T.J. McConnell. The former Sixers draft pick is reportedly signing with the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Source: Deal is two-years, $7M. https://t.co/9FnZtlOSgH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2019
Based on the price tag for McConnell, he was never really even an option for the Sixers, since the $3.5 million per year is above the league minimum for someone with McConnell's experience — and at this point, Philly can only afford players on minimum contracts, because they allow the team to go over the salary cap.
With McConnell's exit, Joel Embiid is now the only player on the Sixers roster acquired by Sam Hinkie.
Joel Embiid is the only Sixer remaining who was acquired by Sam Hinkie.
— adam (@SixersAdam) July 3, 2019
Long live The Process.
UPDATE [2:00 p.m.] — Prize free agent Kawhi Leonard has reportedly landed in Toronto and is en route to meet with the Raptors. Yes, this coverage is a bit excessive, but you know we'd be doing the same thing in Philly.
The MLSE plane has landed in Toronto and someone is here 👀👀
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 3, 2019
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(Via: @CP24) pic.twitter.com/LtM5es1rnn
A CP24 news helicopter following two black SUVs. One of which believed to contain Kawhi. pic.twitter.com/dE6qn3NBv3
— Rob Gillies (@rgilliescanada) July 3, 2019
This is the growing crowd outside the Hazelton Hotel in #Toronto where it's believed Kawhi Leonard is about to meet with Raptors pres Ujiri and GM Webster
— James Wattie (@jameswattie) July 3, 2019
(Video: @GregRoss17)#KawhiWatch pic.twitter.com/tcBUtB7KSc
Stay tuned...
UPDATE [1:30 p.m.] — It is with great sadness that we announce the end of the Tobi & Bobi Era in Philly. According to multiple reports, Boban Marjonovic has signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Sixers were never really in the running to bring Boban back, so this move doesn't really impact the Sixers on the court, but that doesn't mean it isn't sad to see the fan-favorite, who was acquired along with Tobias Harris at the trade deadline, leave for another team. Especially once you saw Harris' reaction.
I’m not crying, you’re crying 😢. NO!!! IM CRYINGGGGGGGG!! 😢😢😢😢 https://t.co/ETkAogwyO0
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) July 3, 2019
Farewell, Bobi. It's been real.
After a couple of moves on Tuesday — including re-signing James Ennis and agreeing on a four-year deal with Shake Milton — the Sixers are more or less done in free agency, although they still need to add a backup point guard on a minimum contract, since that's all they have left room for under the salary cap.
The only way the Sixers can add someone for over the minimum is by re-signing T.J. McConnell, who remains available. But should the Sixers opt to add one at the minimum, a free agent believed to be off the board on Day 3 of free agency has suddenly become available again.
The Golden State Warriors have rescinded guard Quinn Cook’s qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2019
Other names out there to fill that backup point guard role on a minimum deal include: Shelvin Mack, Trey Burke, Jeremy Lin, and others. As you can see, the names are overly exciting.
With the Sixers now all but done when it comes to adding players, the biggest question remaining for Philly is whether or not they'll have to face Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs every year, or if he'll go back West and they won't have to worry about him until the NBA Finals. Should Leonard leave the Eastern Conference, the Sixers would likely be the team to beat in the East — at least for a year before Kevin Durant is healthy again.
Leonard has already met with two of the three teams from which he'll be picking — the Lakers and Clippers — and is expected to meet with the NBA champion Raptors on Wednesday. It should be quite obvious that Sixers fans would prefer he pick one of the two Western Conference teams over the one that knocked the Sixers out of the playoffs back in May.
Kawhi Leonard has completed both his meetings with the #Lakers and #Clippers, a league source tells ESPN. He is also meeting with the #Raptors today. The rest of the basketball world awaits Leonard’s decision...
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 2, 2019
The Board Man is supposed to make his free agent decision at some point this week, with reports suggesting that it could come by mid-week. Well, it's the middle of the week, tomorrow's a national holiday, so there's a chance today's the big day.
Either way ... Board Man gets paid.
Be sure to follow all the latest Kawhi Leonard news and rumors in our live free agency tracker below:
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