Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to convert second-round pick Meleek Thomas to a full NBA contract through the league’s second-round exception, league sources told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Team officials have been encouraged by the guard’s scoring touch and view him as a potential spark off the bench, a role that has remained unfilled since Ty Jerome’s departure last offseason.
Thomas topped the 20-point mark nine times for Arkansas and connected on 41.6 percent of his three-point attempts. With one of the NBA’s priciest payrolls — and ongoing efforts to secure a new deal for James Harden — Cleveland is prioritizing inexpensive, internally developed contributors.
Nuggets
Nikola Jokic has expressed a desire to stay in Denver, yet multiple reports indicate there is little urgency to sign an extension this summer. Delaying a new agreement until 2025 could make the three-time MVP eligible for a richer contract, increasing scrutiny on the club’s front office.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line report the Nuggets have gauged interest in veterans Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, though neither player is formally on the block. Denver continues to explore roster upgrades around Jokic without shifting players solely to trim salary.
The organization is also looking for an experienced assistant to join head coach David Adelman’s staff. Free-agent guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is considered unlikely to re-sign unless he accepts a team-friendly offer.
Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers remain open to inquiries on Kawhi Leonard but have found proposed deals unappealing, according to Tomer Azarly and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. A reported Toronto package built around Brandon Ingram failed to gain traction, and league sources say a Dallas offer would have to include young center Dereck Lively II to spur serious discussions.
Los Angeles continues to prefer keeping Leonard, though contract talks have stalled, with the two sides described as far apart financially. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange adds that the forward is unlikely to sign an extension with the Clippers at this stage.
Source: Hoops Wire
