The Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Lakers discussed a trade involving D'Angelo Russell moving to the Nets and Dejounte Murray going to the Lakers at the trade deadline, sources told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

Trade negotiations eventually fell through between the Hawks and the Lakers.

The Nets would go on to trade for Dennis Schroder.

Russell has an $18.7 million player option this summer. Early indications are that Russell will decline the option to seek a multi-year deal.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers await a decision from Donovan Mitchell on an extension offer this offseason, Koby Altman said his exit interview was encouraging.

"This is a player that has had two of the best years of his career here, has had a lot of success here, understands the infrastructure," Altman said. "I think he has a lot of trust in what we're doing and understands that our goal is to win a championship.

"From his own words, he says he's happy here. He likes it here. And so he's always been very genuine. He's always been very intentional. He's been a great teammate. We have to take all that at face value and say, OK, we feel good about where we are with Donovan. Obviously, things could change."

Cleveland can offer Mitchell a four-year, $209 million extension.

The Cavaliers also parted ways with J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach this week.

The Los Angeles Clippers remain hopeful they can will be able to retain Paul George this offseason, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

After Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million extension with the Clippers, there was an expectation that George would sign next. But because Leonard signed at a discount below the four-year, $223 million deal he could have signed, it complicated the situation with George.

Rival teams and agents are under the impression that the Clippers are reluctant to commit to guaranteed money beyond 26-27 when Leonard's three-year deal expires.

George could also try to negotiate a no-trade clause if he becomes a free agent, which most NBA teams are reluctant to offer.

If George takes meetings with other teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Miami Heat could be involved. 

The Philadelphia 76ers internally are viewing their offseason with upwards of $60 million in cap space as a highly unique situation similar to when the Golden State Warriors had enough cap space to add Kevin Durant to their 73-win roster, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Throughout his tenure in the NBA, Daryl Morey has steadfastly believed that teams need multiple superstars in order to truly contend for a title. 

The Sixers can add a max contract player to their core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey will be a restricted free agent on a discounted cap hold.

It is rare for teams to be have that amount of flexibility to add a third max player to an MVP and a young player about to hit his first max contract. The Sixers are willing to spend future money and sacrifice draft capital this offseason to improve their roster. 

Paul George appears to be the best player who will possibly hit the open market as he and the Los Angeles Clippers have been unable to agree to an extension. 

The Warriors, however, were able to add Durant to a roster that also included Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. 

Chris Paul has been linked with both the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs should he leave the Golden State Warriors this offseason.

Paul is on a non-guaranteed salary worth $30 million that the Warriors have yet to make a decision on. With a June 28th deadline, the Warriors and Paul could mutually agree to extend the deadline with the possibility of a trade using his salary as ballast. There could be a number of additional trade possibilities available to the Warriors if the deadline is extended, while Paul increases his chances of earning the additional salary for 24-25.

In 58 games last season, Paul averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 26.4 minutes. 

Paul is represented by Steven Heumann and Ty Sullivan of CAA.

LeBron James has yet to make a decision on his $51.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 24-25 season, sources tell The Athletic.

James can opt-in or he can opt-out and become a free agent. If James were to have interest in playing for another team, the opt-in could be attractive as it would allow him to maintain his salary via trade. There are a limited number of teams with sufficient cap space to sign James to a contract anywhere close to his $51.4 million option.

James is expected to play up to two more seasons in the NBA.

The Houston Rockets are monitoring the potential availability of Donovan Mitchell should he decide not to sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

The Rockets are believed to be more interested in a star of Mitchell's quality rather than other potentially available players such as Brandon Ingram and Mikal Bridges.

The Rockets are well-positioned to make a major trade with their rostered young players and future draft capital, both in terms of their own picks and those belonging to the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets also own the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft via the Nets.

Mitchell can become a free agent in 2025 and has most strongly been linked with the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat if he ends up not signing long-term with the Cavaliers. 

While the Phoenix Suns had a disappointing season and need to upgrade their roster around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the franchise doesn't want to trade its stars and there are no trade requests coming.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith fueled rumors of Booker potentially wanting to play for the New York Knicks, but there were to subsequent reports by any other media members to back up the assertion. The Suns went on to hire Mike Budenholzer to replace Frank Vogel, and Phoenix is set to run it back.

"I know Stephen A. Smith mentioned Devin Booker," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "I continue to hear, regardless of what Mat Ishbia and James Jones say publicly about 'We're not trading anybody,' I continue to hear that there is no Devin Booker, like, trade request coming. Not in the foreseeable future anyway."

Booker cannot become a free agent until 2028.

The New York Knicks are entering the 2024 offseason as the opportune time to trade for a big star, sources tell Fred Katz of The Athletic.

The Knicks have been patient in their efforts in trading for a star, such as the 2022 offseason when they couldn't agree on a deal with the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.

New York's roster will be more expensive a year from now as Julius Randle can become a free agent in 2025 and will probably receive a raise, as will Jalen Brunson. Brunson can sign an extension now, or wait until 2025 free agency to sign for a max.

The Knicks own all of their future first round picks, as well as the Dallas Mavericks' first round pick this June, and several protected picks from other teams.

Jarrett Allen would be an attractive trade target should the Cleveland Cavaliers re-sign Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Allen has "numerous admirers" across front offices around the league, added Stein.

Members of the team were reportedly frustrated by the way Allen handled his rib injury during the playoffs. 

Allen refused an injection to numb the pain in order to play.