NBA Free Agency buzz: Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker rumoured to be on the move

With less than a week to go until NBA free agency opens up on July 1, the league’s rumour mill is firing on all cylinders.

More information about the potential landing spots for some of the league’s biggest names has slowly been coming to light.

Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker and dominated headlines on Wednesday, all for different reasons.

Also, LeBron James could be looking to bring two former teammates to Los Angeles, and the Dallas Mavericks are looking to extend a massive offer to one of their European stars.

Houston continue pursuit of Jimmy Butler

It’s been a weird 12 months for Jimmy Butler.

He guided the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first playoffs in more than a decade, but became disgruntled in the off-season, ultimately demanding a trade prior to this season.

The Wolves eventually sent Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers, picking up Sixers fan favourites Dario Saric and Robert Covington in return.

Butler looked at home in the City of Brotherly Love, despite a questionable on-court fit alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

With the addition of Tobias Harris at the trade deadline, the 76ers came within one freakish Kawhi Leonard shot of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Those additions came at a cost for the Sixers - both Butler and Harris are due for new contracts heading into this season.

Now, Houston have entered the race to sign Butler, a prospect which, if successful, would create a formidable trio with James Harden and Chris Paul.

Fortunately for Philly, the Rockets’ means of acquiring Butler are extremely difficult.

Their salary cap situation prevents them from signing Butler outright, meaning they would have to find a way to open up cap space using the contracts of key players like PJ Tucker, Eric Gordon or Clint Capela.

Regardless, the Rockets have had their eye on Butler for some time, even offering four first-round picks for him to prise him out of Minnesota.

Shock new suitor for Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker could be one of the most important free agents to keep an eye on.

The Hornets point guard is in line for a massive new deal with Charlotte, one in which he would earn significantly more money than if he signed with another team.

(Under the CBA, teams who draft a player or who have had a player on their roster for a certain amount of time can offer much larger contracts.)

Walker has made noises indicating he would prefer to return to Charlotte, despite their poor roster and lack of playoff success.

Nonetheless, the former UConn standout has been linked to the Lakers, the New York Knicks, and even the Dallas Mavericks.

But on Wednesday, it emerged the Boston Celtics had thrown their hat in the ring for Walker, with incumbent point guard Kyrie Irving all but certain to move on after a disastrous 2018-19 season.

New York Times reporter Marc Stein reported both the Celtics and Mavericks had emerged as the strongest suitors for Walker.

Mavericks hope for Porzingis/Doncic tandem

Dallas seized headlines at the trade deadline when they traded for injured New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis.

Ostensibly a move to open cap space this summer for the Knicks, who were hoping to sign both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the Mavericks had a tough call to make on the Latvian star once the season was over.

Despite having never actually played for Dallas as he recovered from his ACL injury, Porzingis was a prime candidate for a juicy contract extension.

Questions as to whether the Mavericks would baulk at Porzingis because of his injury history look to have been answered on Wednesday though - The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the team plans to offer him a five-year, 158-million dollar max contract.

Pairing Rookie of the Year winner Luka Doncic with Porzingis was widely seen as one of the most exciting partnerships in the NBA if it works out.

Basketball fans can only hope.

LeBron James rumoured to reunite old teammates

Kyle Korver and JR Smith (!) could find their way to Los Angeles if the Lakers get their way, according to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes.

James won an NBA title with the mercurial Smith in 2016, and went to the Finals twice with the sharpshooter Korver in two after the Cavaliers traded for him in 2018.

Haynes wasn’t optimistic about any deals for the two going through - while Smith hasn’t played in nearly a year, despite remaining contracted to the Cavs, Korver was recently sent to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Jazz’s deal for Mike Conley.

Given the Lakers’ dicey salary cap situation, a reunion with James is unlikely - but the door isn’t yet closed.