Rumor review: Warriors hope to keep Kuminga? George exchanges KD? Spurs second-hand draw to exchange Antetokounmpo?

NBA trade rumors are starting to get more and more lively, especially given that there are several teams eager to make the playoffs that will get a high pick in the 2025 draft.

Can the Philadelphia 76ers use the Tesco sign to get rid of Paul George's contract and get a star? Will the San Antonio Spurs consider trading the second pick to help Victor Vinbanyama immediately? According to Lonzo Ball, where is Lamelo Ball expected to go?

It is time to judge whether these latest and most popular transaction rumors should be believed or should not be believed.

Rumor 1: If the Boston Celtics put Ju Holiday on the shelves, he should attract the interest of several championship teams

According to capsheets.com, the Boston Celtics are expected to have a total salary and luxury tax of more than $493 million next season, and they will lose the superstar for most of next season due to Jason Tatum's rupture in the Achilles tendon.

Putting players like Ju Holiday (salary of $32.4 million) on the shelves can help the Celtics avoid triggering the second rich line (currently over $22.7 million) because he is the third highest-paid player in the Celtics after Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

As The Athletic reporter Jay King wrote: "Although Holiday has been plagued by injuries throughout the regular season, according to league sources, as a recognized player and top defender who can bring victory, if the Celtics do consider trading him, he should attract the interest of several championship teams."

Holiday has long been hailed as one of the "good guys" and best teammates in the league. He has won championships with both the Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, and he seems to be able to play any defender position in the starting lineup of any championship team.

With that being said, now is not the time to believe in Holiday's value.

Holiday will turn 35 in a few weeks, and he has just experienced his worst season in statistics since his 2009-10 rookie season. Over the next three years, Holiday will still have contracts of up to $104.4 million, or an average annual average of $34.8 million. The Detroit Pistons need to get an experienced defender and they have plenty of cap space in the future. The Orlando Magic need to upgrade their point guard position, and the Sacramento Kings can also benefit from Holiday's stability and defense.

Given Holiday's age, data decline, and future salary levels, getting him is no longer a matter of no thought. Although the use of the word “several” may be a bit exaggerated, at least a few teams may become interested in Holiday based on the quote.

Should believe it or not: biased towards not believe it. Holiday in this state only makes sense to a few teams.

Rumor 2: The Spurs are not expected to use the second draw to get the star

San Antonio Spurs can use the second draw as a bargaining chip to trade to get Giannis Antetokounmpo?

The Spurs' first-round picks in the past two seasons were selected as Rookie of the Year, and then they were lucky enough to draw the second pick in the 2025 draft.

Given that Stephen Castle and De Aaron Fox are already in the backcourt, will the Spurs choose another defender, such as Dylan Harper? Or will the Spurs trade this draft pick to help Victor Vinbanyama, Fox, Castle and other players enter the playoffs next season?

"Although speculations have been heard about the San Antonio Spurs and this draft pick since the lottery night, at this stage, it seems to be just speculation. The Spurs want to get Vampanyama into the playoffs, but they don't have to rush to make a big deal, whether it's for Giannis Antetokounmpo (if he can be traded) or another star," ESPN reporter Jeremy Wu wrote.

already has the best young player in the world and has a talented auxiliary lineup, the Spurs should consider all the options for the second pick.

Perhaps the Spurs need to have a discussion about Giannis Antetokounmpo, because his frontcourt partner with Vinban Yama can defend almost any opponent's score. The Spurs can also be a little more conservative, choose a more suitable player, such as Ace Bailey, and try to obtain an experienced player or future draft assets.

After all, the Spurs can stay patient. Wenban Yama's rookie contract has two years left and Castle has three years left. As NBA stars’ salaries soar as their salary increases by 10% each year, having a top rookie in the contract period becomes more valuable. The Spurs should weigh all options, but they shouldn't have any pressure to give up the second pick.

Should believe it or not: Should believe it. The Spurs can still be patient with their very young core squad.

Rumor 3: The Warriors "very hope" to leave Jonathan Kumingga

Jonathan Kumingga's years of experience with the Golden State Warriors have not been smooth.

Kuminga is one of the most athletic players in the league and can average over 15 points per game for two consecutive years, but he still hasn't found a stable role in a seasoned Warriors team. The No.7 pick in the 2021 draft has been DNPed sometimes this season, including some of the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets.

Despite the ups and downs of the role, the Warriors claim they want to stay Kumingga.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said in an interview with ESPN reporter Om Janmisuk: "We value JK (Kuminga). I think he has a resilient season... As for bringing him back next season, I think we are very interested because when I see things JK is good at, like breaking through the basket, ending the offense, causing fouls, these are all things we need very much. We know he can bring these. It's not an assumption."

In this case, action is better than words. The Warriors are still trying to compete for the championship with Stephen Curry, 37, Jimmy Butler, 35, and Draymond Green, 35. Head coach Steve Cole seems reluctant to let 22-year-old Kumingga make mistakes and learn from them.

Signing first and then changing is still the best direction for both parties. The Warriors can trade Kumingga to a younger team where he can have a stable role and the Warriors can get experience in combat and/or draft picks in return.

Should believe it or not: Should not believe it. Both the Warriors and Kumingga should want to part ways.

Rumor 4: According to Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball will be traded to the Clippers

NBA trading rumors can come from anywhere, although we rarely hear from the players' brothers, let alone a brother who is currently playing in the league.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball predicts the future of his brother Charlotte Hornets point guard Lamelo Ball.

London said in his What An Experience podcast: "I privately think Dylan Harper will go to the Hornets and Mello will go to the Clippers."

The Hornets peddled Ball, a talented but injured player who has been selected for an All-Star once, wouldn't be shocking, although Lonzo's predictions have some problems.

Most mock drafts (including Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report) believe Harper will be selected by the Spurs at the second place. Unless the Hornets plan to trade upward, Harper is likely to be selected before the fourth pick.

The Los Angeles Clippers have also had serious shortage of assets available for trading after they got Paul George and James Harden. The Clippers have the last draft pick in the first round of 2025 and will not control their other first round picks until 2030. There are not many young talents in the Clippers' roster that satisfy the Hornets, who have been in the reconstruction period. Even considering Ball's injury issues, the trading plan that includes Kobe Brown, Cameron Christie, the balanced salary player and one or two future first-round picks is still not enough to impress the Hornets.

Should believe it or not: Should not believe it. Ball may be traded, but won't go to the Clippers.

Rumor 5: The 76ers can trade the Title Lottery and Paul George to get Kevin Durant or Laurie Markanen

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2024-25 season with the hope of winning the championship, but the injury made them sink early. The 76ers can return to the championship ranks next season with the help of the Tanhua lottery.

"Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade negotiations, with players such as Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and Laurie Markcanen of the Utah Jazz likely to be potential trading targets, and the trading plan may include Paul George and the Titans signing," wrote ESPN reporter Jonathan Givony.

Such a deal means the Sixers can get rid of George's remaining contract ($162.4 million for three years) while bringing them a different star, with Durant likely being the top target. Unless Durant renews his contract with the Suns early, this hypothetical deal will allow the Sixers to focus on Joel Embiid, Durant and Teres Maxi next season, and future cap space will be cleared.

It is tempting to clean up George's contract. Introducing players of Durant’s level will certainly increase the cap of this team.

With that being said, in a draft year, using the Tanhua lottery would be a huge waste of assets just to get Durant, who is now 37 years old, with an expiration of his contract or Lauri Markanen, who has an annual salary of $49 million.

If the Title Lottery is to be sent away, it is best to exchange for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo. If not, the Philadelphia 76ers need to retain this draft pick.

Rookies like Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecom can contribute immediately and may only take a few years to become a star. By then, Durant, who was nearly 40, had already entered the free agent market. The

76ers were trapped by George, who could still be a high-level starter when he was healthy, even if he was overly paid. The Sixers can only pray that Embiid will stay healthy, and Maxi and Jared McCain can also show some young talents.

Leave this pick is a safe option. Trading this draft pick just for Durant or Markcanen will be another short-sighted move by 76ers president Darrell Morey.

Should believe it or not: Should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, should not believe it, the Sixers would do such a stupid move. We hope they don't do that.

Author: Greg Swartz

Translator: GWayNe