NBA MVP odds are out, with some names missing

The Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat have reportedly had very little dialogue on a Damian Lillard trade despite his trade request coming on July 1st.

The expectation among those close to the situation is that talks could pick up once training camp gets closer.

The Blazers have not been in a rush to deal Lillard as they hope for an improved offer, but bringing him into camp and potentially the preseason is viewed by some as a risk.

Blazers general manager Joe Cronin went on the record in July indicating that a Lillard trade could “take months.”

Austin Reaves has become hot commodity during this Los Angeles Lakers playoff run. Reaves will be a restricted free agent this summer. With only two years of service, Reaves is also subject to the Arenas Provision.

Because of that status, the Lakers can match any offers Reaves may get as a free agent. And Reaves is likely to get at least one offer, if not two or more, for more money than Los Angeles would like to pay him.

In matching an offer sheet, the Lakers could be forced to match under terms that would see Reaves paid around the Mid-Level Exception ($12.2 million) for the first two seasons. Reaves salary then could jump up by double or more for the third, and potentially fourth, seasons of a deal. That’s the kicker with matching an offer sheet for an Arenas free agent.