Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley is not the target of a federal gambling investigation, his lawyers told Shams Charania of ESPN, saying they've spoken extensively with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Did Charania confirm that with the U.S. Attorney's Office? A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson declined comment, though it's quite conceivable someone from the office confirmed off the record. I'd be surprised if ESPN ran this story without further corroboration.

Still, I'm hesitant to trust a lawyer's characterization of someone else's plan on behalf of the lawyer's client. Among my questions:

Is this a rhetorical trick – like Beasley is no longer THE target of the investigation but is still being looked into as part of a gambling ring with someone else higher up considered THE target? Is there evidence that exonerates Beasley, or is there just a lack of proof necessary to charge him?

If Beasley wasn't involved in bets on his games, it's a shame he has had his career derailed. But I'd also like to hear more details from someone who isn't his paid advocate.

Malik Beasley

The obvious intent behind this statement: To get Malik Beasley signed in the NBA.

But this late into the summer, teams have largely used their cap flexibility and made other plans. That includes Detroit, which added Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert on the wing.

The Pistons could still theoretically sign Beasley through Non-Bird Rights (technically a form of Bird Rights). The Non-Bird exception allows Detroit to re-sign him for up to 120% his prior salary. For Beasley, who made $6 million last year, that'd mean a $7.2 million salary.

That's a far cry from three-year, $42 million contract he and the Pistons reportedly neared before the gambling allegations became public. But he would build Early Bird Rights by spending another season in Detroit. With Early Bird Rights, he could re-sign with the Pistons next year for the Early Bird exception (approximately equal to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception).

If re-signing now on a one-year contract, he could also get an implicit no-trade clause (subject to negotiation). That's because, if traded, he'd lose his Bird Rights.

Josh Giddey

The Bulls have resolutely refused to engage in Josh Giddey sign-and-trade discussions, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

This fits Chicago's larger reputation for not being willing even to negotiate trades. It's hard to see this as anything other than unproductive stubbornness, especially given the team's lackluster results.

Maybe the Bulls will be best off using their matching rights to cool the market and re-sign Giddey to a relatively modest contract. But maybe there's a sign-and-trade option that's even better for the Bulls. How can they know without even exploring the possibility?

Plus, they risk engendering resentment from Giddey, who probably feels stuck in restricted free agency. If forced back to Chicago without even a chance to find a higher-paying contract in an arrangement THAT ALSO SATISFIES THE BULLS, he might hold ill will toward the organization.

Russell Westbrook

The Kings are Russell Westbrook's most likely destination if he's going to be in the NBA at all, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said.

Why did Westbrook opt out with the Nuggets? They might not have welcomed him back, but he was at least assured of an NBA salary. If they waived him, he would've had a chance to double dip.

It's not as if Westbrook needed to hit free agency immediately. It's mid-August, and it's apparently between him falling from the league or going to "basketball hell."

Malik Monk

Rumor, via DallasHoopsJournal: The Kings have been trying to trade Malik Monk to open a spot for Russell Westbrook.

People are acting like Sacramento prefers Monk to Westbrook. That might be the case. But I wouldn't assume it.

It's very possible the Kings prefer Westbrook and the trade package they hope to get for Monk to just keeping Monk – which could be reasonable, depending on the Monk trade.

Sacramento has 15 standard-contract players, the regular-season limit. But waiving Terence Davis, whose salary is unguaranteed, would be a far simpler way of clearing a spot for Westbrook if necessary.

Toronto Raptors

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said he already has the Raptors earmarked as a buyer ahead of the trade deadline if all goes to Toronto's plan, with R.J. Barrett potentially outgoing.

What are the odds the Raptors are as good as they think they will be? At least they seem to recognize they need more help. But Toronto might be well behind in the standings by the start of trade season, depending on the team's goal. Merely reaching the postseason with a top-10 finish is far more attainable than directly qualifying for the playoffs from the regular season with a top-six spot.

I also wonder what the Raptors believe they'll get for Barrett. Maybe they just see his $27,705,357 salary as necessary for matching in a pick-heavy package. But if they think Barrett himself will yield significant return, that seems delusional.

Heat-Nets trade

I'm surprised how harshly Kevin Pelton of ESPN graded the Heat-Nets trade for Miami.

Sure, dumping Haywood Highsmith might have been sensible for Heat owner Micky Arison. But why should fans care what saves Arison money? They should want the best team on the court, and this trade was all about dodging the luxury tax. Not an apron, which has team-building consequences. The tax, which is just about money. I don't cheerlead owners maximizing profit at the expense of the team.

Pelton, though, generally positively grades salary dumps that save the owner money at a reasonable cost to the team. And he still disliked this move for Miami, too.

I wonder, though, whether the Heat just knew Highsmith's injury is more severe than we think.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo actually played for Greece. So, that ends questions about whether the Bucks would grant him permission.

-Dan Feldman