Warriors trade talk: Called about LeBron James, Trey Murphy III, shot down Hield sign-and-trades

Warriors trade talk: Called about LeBron James, Trey Murphy III, shot down Hield sign-and-trades

The Golden State Warriors’ offseason remains in a holding pattern while Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency plays out. Al Horford, Gary Payton II and others are expected to sign in the Bay Area once Kuminga and the Warriors agree to terms.

None of that has stopped the rumors about the Warriors this offseason, and on Friday NBA insider Jake Fischer dropped a trio of them in The Stein Line substack.

Warriors called multiple times about LeBron

Back at last February’s trade deadline, the Warriors tried to pry LeBron James away from the Lakers, but that effort went nowhere, in part because LeBron’s agent Rich Paul quashed it. That rejection did not stop the Warriors, Fischer said.

“I’m told that the Warriors have called the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to see whether there is any trade pathway to pairing James with Stephen Curry, who roughly a year ago at this time was teaming with LeBron for the United States senior men’s national team on its run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.”

Golden State won’t stop trying because this push comes from owner Joe Lacob — remember, he even called then-Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to pitch this idea at last year’s deadline. That said, don’t expect it to happen. After LeBron opted into his $52.6 million contract for this season, making this trade work under the cap rules (even with three or four teams involved) becomes nearly impossible. That is true of any LeBron trade. If he is leaving the Lakers, it likely will be next summer as a free agent (or in a sign-and-trade).

Warriors interested in Trey Murphy III

New team president Joe Dumar’s long-term vision for the New Orleans Pelicans is… fuzzy. Around the league, nobody is exactly sure where the team is headed, which is why there remains considerable trade interest in several of their players.

One of those is Trey Murphy III and the Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are interested in the two-way wing, Fischer reported.

Murphy averaged 21.2 points and 5.1 rebounds a game for the Pelicans last season, but he played in just 53 games due primarily to a shoulder injury, and staying healthy has been an issue in his career. Murphy is set to make $25 million next season in the first year of a four-year, $112 million contract.

Warriors shooting down Hield, Moody trades

It’s a strange thing to say about Golden State considering its recent history, but this team lacks shooting. Which is why when teams called about possible Moses Moody or Buddy Hield trades — both are extension eligible and could be part of a sign-and-trade — the Warriors shot it down, Fischer reports.

“Sources tell The Stein Line, furthermore, that Golden State has refused this summer to even entertain sign-and-trade scenarios that would require it to surrender either Buddy Hield or Moses Moody because of the limited options currently on the roster in terms of proven shooters not named Curry.”

Last season, Hield played in all 82 games averaging 11.1 points a game and shooting 37% from beyond the arc. Moody played in 74 games and averaged 9.8 points while shooting 37.4% from 3. Both are expected to have slightly larger roles on the team this season.

by Editor

Mike Weinar, Pacers Mutually Agree To Part Ways

Mike Weinar, Pacers Mutually Agree To Part Ways

Assistant coach Mike Weinar and the Indiana Pacers have mutually agreed to part ways. Weinar had been a candidate to join the coaching staff of Mike Brown with the New York Knicks before he pulled his name out of the running earlier this month.

“Mike Weinar has been a trusted friend and loyal colleague for 17+ years. As a coach, he is a proven winner with two National Championship rings with Florida Men’s Basketball in 2006 and 2007, and an NBA Championship ring from our 2011 championship run in Dallas. Mike also played a major role in this year’s historic Finals run with the Pacers,” Rick Carlisle. “Mike’s exemplary character as a father, husband, and man has been evident to me over nearly two decades. Professional success has followed Mike everywhere he has gone, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.”

by Editor

Pacers mutually part ways with assistant coach Mike Weinar, 2 months after NBA Finals run

Pacers mutually part ways with assistant coach Mike Weinar, 2 months after NBA Finals run

Two months after falling just short at the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers are making a coaching change. The team announced Friday that it had mutually agreed to part ways with assistant coach Mike Weinar.

In a statement, head coach Rick Carlisle praised Weinar’s character and his success. Carlisle and Weinar have worked together since 2008, starting with a 13-year stint with the Dallas Mavericks before both being hired by the Pacers in 2021.

“Mike Weinar has been a trusted friend and loyal colleague for 17+ years. As a coach, he is a proven winner with two National Championship rings with Florida Men’s Basketball in 2006 and 2007, and an NBA Championship ring from our 2011 championship run in Dallas. Mike also played a major role in this year’s historic Finals run with the Pacers,” said Carlisle in the statement. “Mike’s exemplary character as a father, husband, and man has been evident to me over nearly two decades. Professional success has followed Mike everywhere he has gone, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.”

Earlier this month, multiplereports indicated that Weinar was in talks for a top assistant job with the New York Knicks under new head coach Mike Brown. However, Weinar reportedly pulled himself out of consideration, citing both a desire to keep his family in Indiana and to maintain his long-term partnership with Carlisle.

It is unclear what Weinar will do now after parting ways with Indiana.

The move comes a few days after Carlisle signed a multi-year extension with the Pacers, cementing his future with the team after leading Indiana on a thrilling and somewhat unlikely Finals run last season.

Weinar, however, will not be staying with Carlisle in this next chapter. With Weinar out, Lloyd Pierce remains the Pacers’ lead assistant coach, with Jim Boylen and Jenny Boucek as assistant coaches.

by Editor

This rugby equivalent of the ‘Kick Six’ is mullet-filled beauty

This rugby equivalent of the ‘Kick Six’ is mullet-filled beauty

The ‘Kick Six’ is one of the most memorable plays of all time when Auburn beat No. 1 ranked Alabama by returning a missed field goal for a touchdown. Well, it just happened in the National Rugby League in Australia, and it was absolutely wild.

Let’s set the scene here: The Canberra Raiders are the best team in the league this season, and were on the verge of losing to the Penrith Panthers. A tied game led to GP1, which stands for the first “Golden Point” overtime. The first team to score wins, and Penrith had the best kicker in the sport Nathan Cleary teed up for a field goal. Cleary knocks these through all the time, heck, he’s the go-to kicker for the Australian national team.

DOINK

The ball hit the uprights and the sound echoes through the stadium. Then the ball is caught by a Raiders player, two defenders fail to make the tackle, and we have a legendary footrace that results in one player with an impressive mullet, passing to another player with an ever more impressive mullet to score the try and win the game.

This is one of the most ludicrous, impressive, mullet-filled plays in sports.

by Editor

Jahmir Young, Heat Agree To Deal With Two-Way Spot Possible

Jahmir Young, Heat Agree To Deal With Two-Way Spot Possible

Jahmir Young and the Miami Heat have agreed to a contract where he will compete for a Two-Way spot with the team.

Young, who went undrafted in 2024 out of Maryland, appears in six games last season with the Chicago Bulls while on a Two-Way contract.

In 43 G League games, Young averaged 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 34.1 minutes. Young had a PER of 19.3.

Miami also has Myron Gardner and Vladislav Goldin on their roster as Two-Way players.

by Editor

Tom Dundon To Bring ‘New Vibe’ To Blazers, Hope To Close By End Of Regular Season

Tom Dundon To Bring ‘New Vibe’ To Blazers, Hope To Close By End Of Regular Season

The Portland Trail Blazers hope to close the $4.25 billion sale of the franchise to Tom Dundon by March 31, 2026, shortly before the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, is expected to bring a “new vibe” to the Blazers.

“He brings a swagger,” a source close to Dundon told The Athletic. “If Tom was the owner last year, he would have been trying to get Luka (Doncic). He would be like, ‘Why should the Lakers have him?”’

Dundon and the estate of Paul Allen have agreed upon all the major points of the sale and are currently in an exclusivity agreement. The Blazers will remain in Oregon though the future of Mona Center is unclear.

Dundon helped turnaround the Hurricanes, who had missed the playoffs in nine straight seasons when he purchased the team. Carolina has now made the playoffs in all seven seasons since he took over.

“He’s a winner,” the source said. “He’s a straight shooter, and rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. He’s already talking basketball, and he already knows all the salaries of players and employees. He’s really invested in the players – he says you can’t compromise on players.”

by Editor