The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to engage the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks on trade talks this offseason as they look to upgrade their lead guard position. 

The Hawks are expected to trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason, while the Cavaliers could also entertain offers on Darius Garland if they sign Donovan Mitchell to an extension. 

The Pelicans engaged both the Cavaliers and Hawks ahead of the February deadline. 

Zion Williamson had interest in joining Trae Young with the Hawks ahead of the lottery in 2019 and there could be mutual interest in playing together now with the Pelicans. 

Host Danny Leroux and Keith Smith of Spotrac discuss the NBA Finals and offseason.

They discuss how the Celtics and Mavericks match up and how the series could go plus how the new CBA changes the timing of the NBA offseason.

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The Detroit Pistons are in serious talks to hire Michael Blackstone as the No. 2 decision-maker of the front office under Trajan Langdon. 

Blackstone has served as the New Orleans Pelicans’ VP of basketball administration over the last several seasons where he worked alongside Langdon. Before the Pelicans, Blackstone worked as an assistant general manager with the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of basketball operations with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Pistons parted ways with Troy Weaver this week. Weaver had years remaining on his contract and was offered an off-site scouting role to remain with the franchise in a smaller capacity. 

Nolan Traore will sign a two-year contract with Saint-Quentin in the French first division.

Traore is a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft as a 17-year-old, 6'5 playmaker. 

Traore was being recruited by Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga, and Alabama, as well as the Australian NBL and Euroleague and EuroCup teams in France and abroad. 

"It was cool to have all these programs interested in me," Traore said. "I don't take that for granted. It was a reward for all the work I've put in. I was happy to have all these options, but the possibility of staying close to my family was also important. They can visit me, and I can go home easily."

The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to bring back Nico Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry next season, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Sixers, who are reportedly looking to add a max player to the roster, could have up to $65 million in free agency.

Batum, Oubre, and Lowry each mesh well with Joel Embiid and could return for a smaller salary.

Oubre may have played himself into a mid-level exception worth $8 million, according to league sources.

Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to receive a contract offer between $80 million and $100 million, league executives told Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.

The Knicks can only offer Hartenstein a four-year, $72.5 million deal due to early Bird rights.

The Thunder are reportedly interested in Hartenstein.

Nic Claxton is also expected to receive a similar deal as Hartenstein. 

The Chicago Bulls were unable to trade Zach LaVine last season before he underwent surgery on his right foot. Whatever asking price the Bulls had for LaVine at that point will likely be lower as they reengage this offseason.

"I do get the sense both sides are motivated to make something work this offseason," writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. "I don’t think the Bulls will take an awful deal if little materializes, but I do get the sense they’re open to more possibilities than before. More to the point: I’ve reported before what their asking price was---All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both---and my sense is that it has dropped significantly."

Johnson adds that "the desire from both sides to make a change has grown."

LaVine re-signed with the Bulls in 2022 on a five-year, $215 million deal. LaVine will make $43 million during the 24-25 season.

In 25 games last season, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

LaVine is represtned by Rich Paul and Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports. 

Kristaps Porzingis fully participated in the Boston Celtics' practice on Saturday, according to Joe Mazzulla.

Mazzulla did not reveal whether he would insert Porzingis into the starting lineup for Game 1.

"When KP's at his best, he's been tremendous for us. We expect that from him, and we know he'll give that to us. And as far as everything else, just what goes into winning is the most important thing.

"What gives us the best chance to win each particular game, each particular possession and each particular matchup," said Mazzulla.

Porzingis has missed the last 10 playoff games due to a calf strain.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals starts on June 6.

The Boston Celtics' sweep of the Indiana Pacers averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.31 million viewers.

That number is down 15% in viewership from last year's Celtics-Heat series.

Game 4 finished with a 3.5 rating and a series-high 6.63 million viewers. 

The Celtics-Pacers series ranked as the fourth most-watched Eastern Conference Finals of the last nine years. 

Jonas Valanciunas is expected to receive contract offers at around the $12.9 million mid-level exception this summer, league executives told Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports.

The 32-year-old free agent averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds last season.

Valanciunas is not expected to return to the Pelicans.