DETROIT – NBA Draft Week is upon us, and the rumor mill is in full overdrive ahead of Thursday night in Brooklyn.
It's been a crazy week in the NBA with not only draft picks moving, but some big names already being traded, front office changes and rumors swirling about some of its biggest stars.
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Here's some of the latest news and rumors from around the NBA:
What offseason? A week after Finals, the NBA in overdrive
Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez are on the move. Dwyane Wade is opting in. Pau Gasol is opting out. The Los Angeles Lakers provided the clearest indication yet that Lonzo Ball is their guy.
The NBA offseason is already in overdrive.
A dizzying series of moves came on Tuesday. Howard got traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Charlotte Hornets, who acquired the eight-time All-Star center for a package that included Miles Plumlee and Marco Belinelli.
And Lopez - another center - is leaving Brooklyn and headed to the Lakers, part of a deal that has D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov going to the Nets.
That leaves the Lakers with a clear need at point guard, a problem they will likely rectify on Thursday when they presumably will take Ball with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. It was a big move for the Lakers in another way; Mozgov is still owed $48 million over the next three seasons, while Lopez's contract will expire after next season.
Howard will be playing for his third team in three seasons following a disappointing homecoming in Atlanta. He signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta and then sat out the fourth quarter in two of six playoff games in the Hawks' first-round loss to Washington.
Kings passed on swapping first-round draft picks with Lakers
The Lakers made a move on Tuesday, but they almost made it with the Kings, per reports. David Aldridge of Turner Sports backed that up with a report that the two sides had engaged in talks that would have sent the second overall pick of the draft to Sacramento in exchange for the Kings' two first-round picks. The Kings were hoping to flip the deal for Paul George.
Clippers exploring market for DeAndre Jordan?
ESPN's Chris Haynes reports the LA Clippers have gauged the market on potentially trading All-Star defensive stalwart center DeAndre Jordan. One of the teams contacted was the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN.
Jimmy Butler shoots down possible trade to Cavaliers
From David Aldridge: Per source, Jimmy Butler has informed Cavs that he wants to stay in Chicago rather than be traded to Cleveland.
Reports also say Cavs players have told Butler to stay away from the "suddenly volatile" situation in Cleveland.
Knicks open to trading Porzingis?
From Woj: Sources: As teams become aware Phil Jackson isn't ruling out possibility of trading Kristaps Porzingis, frenzy of interest is growing today. Celtics are reportedly interested.
Greg Monroe opting into contract with Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe plans to opt-in on his 2017-18 deal for $17.88 million, league sources tell @TheVertical.
Dwyane Wade tells Bulls he's picking up $24M option
Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls that he will pick up his $23.8 million player option for next season, ESPN reports.
Kyrie out if LeBron leaves?
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kyrie Irving could try to force a trade if LeBron James leaves the organization as a free agent after next season.
On Tuesday, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Irving has let some of his former Team USA teammates "know that he might be willing to push for a trade, especially if he feels the Cavs' run could end quickly with James able to opt out after next season."
Billups and Cavs continue talking
Conversations between Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and Chauncey Billups expected to continue today, source told ESPN.
Check back for updates.