The New Orleans Pelicans will defer the first round pick they are owed from the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2024 draft to the 2025 edition. The Lakers own the 17th overall pick in what is widely considered a down draft, whereas the 2025 draft is expected to be strong. There are also a number of potential scenarios where the Lakers end up sending the Pelicans a higher pick in 2025.

The Lakers traded three future first round picks to the Pelicans in 2019 as part of the Anthony Davis trade.

David Griffin informed Rob Pelinka of his decision on Friday, one day ahead of the deadline.

The Pelicans own the No. 21 pick in the draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers do not appear motivated to listen to trade inquiries at this point for any member of their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

There has been an expectation that the Cavaliers could trade either Mitchell or Garland this offseason. If Mitchell declines Cleveland's extension offer, he becomes an instant trade candidate. If Mitchell signs the extension, there are reports that Garland's representation at Klutch Sports could work to facilitate a trade.

Allen is also a trade candidate as the big man tandem with Mobley hasn't produced the type of results they were expecting due to spacing issues.

Allen has two seasons and $40 million remaining on his contract and figures to have multiple trade suitors interested in him if he becomes available. 

The Los Angeles Lakers would prefer to avoid trading Austin Reaves this offseason, sources tell The Athletic. 

The Lakers previously refrained from including Reaves in trade talks in 2023 for Kyrie Irving and again in 2024 for Dejounte Murray.

Reaves is entering Year 2 of a four-year, $56 million contract signed with the Lakers last offseason. 

The Golden State Warriors are expected to express interest in trading for Jimmy Butler should he become available, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. 

Butler is interested in a two-year extension this offseason, which the Miami Heat are believed to be resistant to offering.

Brandon Ingram, however, is not a potential trade target that the Warriors would expected to be interested in pursuing. There has been considerable speculation that the New Orleans Pelicans will entertain trading Ingram as they balance out their roster and salary cap.

Jimmy Butler has at least three teams willing to trade for him this offseason with the intent of then signing him to a max-level extension, sources tell Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. 

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported earlier this week that the Sixers have interest in trading for and then extending Butler.

The two-year max extension that Butler and his camp will push for this offseason includes salaries of $54.3 million for the 25-26 season and $58.6 million for 26-27.

Butler would be eligible to sign the same two-year, $113 million extension that he can sign with the Heat with any team he’s traded to because his Bird Rights carry over in a trade, but that deal could not be agreed upon for six months.

Butler would ideally like to finish his career with the Heat, but he also is seeking the extension. 

The Utah Jazz are expected to explore trading their first-round picks this upcoming draft, including the No. 10 pick.

The Jazz also have the No. 29 and 32 pick in the draft.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith is looking to add more star power to the roster.

The team is also interested in working out Bronny James.

The Philadelphia 76ers are prepared to offer Jimmy Butler a max contract extension this offseason if they acquire him via trade from the Miami Heat, sources tell Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Butler has $48.8 million guaranteed for next season and a player option for $52.2 million for the 2025-26 season. Butler would like a two-year max extension worth $113 million. Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald followed up Pompey's report by indicating that "whether it's from the Heat or another team, [Butler] wants a max extension."

While Butler has said he wants to remain with the Heat, there is believed to be some level of reluctance to extend him this offseason.

The Sixers could offer future draft capital and cap relief to the Heat as they have enough cap space to absorb his contract without sending back anything in return.

Philadelphia would prefer to sign Paul George, but Butler is a secondary option.

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly looking to upgrade their guard rotation. The Pelicans are looking at trading for a point guard. The team is expected to resume trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after discussing deals ahead of the trade deadline.

The Pelicans target is reportedly Darius Garland. It's been reported that Garland will seek a trade from the Cavaliers if the team extends Donovan Mitchell. It's likely that a New Orleans offer for the veteran guard would involve Brandon Ingram and his $36 million expiring contract.

Garland has four years and $163.2 million left on his contract. The deal is fully guaranteed with no options, with $36.7 million owed in 2024-25.

The New Orleans Pelicans had trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks for both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young ahead of the trade deadline. Those talks are expected to resume this summer.

While New Orleans has interest in both Hawks point guards, sources indicate that the Pelicans prefer to swing a deal for Murray. Murray has a more team-friendly contract, and he's a better defender than Young is.

Some have suggested that New Orleans star Zion Williamson would like to play with Young. The star guard's father even went on social media making a similar suggest that Young and Williamson would like to play together.

The Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Lakers discussed a trade involving D'Angelo Russell moving to the Nets and Dejounte Murray going to the Lakers at the trade deadline, sources told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

Trade negotiations eventually fell through between the Hawks and the Lakers.

The Nets would go on to trade for Dennis Schroder.

Russell has an $18.7 million player option this summer. Early indications are that Russell will decline the option to seek a multi-year deal.