NBA 2020 Rumors & Betting News December 10th Edition

With the start of the 2020-21 NBA regular season less than two weeks away, it’s time to take a look at some of the latest rumors making the rounds across the league’s landscape. While there have been a bunch of changes in both conferences following the 2020 NBA draft and free agency, there are still a handful of juicy rumors taking place right now. Let’s get to the best of them so you can start planning your bets against our NBA odds for the upcoming season!

2020-21 NBA Rumors Making the Latest Rounds

Harden Expands Trade Request

While it’s no secret that James Harden wants out of Houston, his desire to play for the Brooklyn Nets hasn’t come close to fruition and it looks like that deal may never happen. Now, reports say that Harden has expanded his potential new teams to include the Philadelphia 76ers first and foremost, and now, Milwaukee and Miami as well.

Of course, Houston is in no rush to trade the game’s best scorer with Harden under contract for the next two years. The Rockets are said to want either Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons from Philly, but the Sixers have reportedly balked at offering either of their foundation stars in any deal.

Bucks Looked to Add Oladipo or Dinwiddie

In an effort to improve their chances of winning the 2021 NBA championship – while increasing their chances of retaining two-time reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, reports say that Milwaukee looked into acquiring Indiana Pacers shooting guard Victor Oladipo and Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie.

Oladipo, a two-time All-Star, averaged 14.5 points per game this past season while making his way back from a ruptured quadriceps injury he suffered in January 2019 and had him out of action for a full year.

The underrated Dinwiddie averaged a career-high 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game last year, but will be part of an overcrowded Nets backcourt this coming season, so stay tuned as I believe a trade with Brooklyn could happen at some point. Milwaukee did add a big-time player in combo guard Jrue Holiday, but the Bucks blew it with their chance to add sweet-shooting Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Refs To Focus on Offensive Fouls in 2020-21

According to a recent report, NBA officials are going to focus more on offensive fouls this coming season. Now, players driving to the rack will be scrutinized for pushing off with their off hand to create more space. Believe it or not, there are reports that say traveling will be called more often,( I don’t believe it) while players making extreme gestures after calls could be whistled more for their grievances.

Mavericks Set to Part Ways with J.J. Barea

Despite just signing veteran backup point guard J.J. Barea to a one-year $2.5 million deal just a month ago, reports say the Dallas Mavericks are now set to waive their longtime off and on again star. The 36-year-old Barea will now look for a new team to call home after spending 11 years with the Mavs.

Bagley, COVID-19 Update

A recent report says that Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley recently missed several training camps workouts because of COVID-19 protocols. Now, Bagley is unlikely to play in Friday’s preseason opener against Portland.

Like Father…Like Daughter?

San Antonio Spurs two-way guard DeMar DeRozan is know as one of the better defensive players at his position – and clearly, his young daughter is thinking ‘defense first’ as well. DeRozan’s 7-year-old daughter is a hero after spotting an intruder at their L.A. home and immediately sounding the home’s alarm. The quick thinking helped local police nab 22-year-old suspect Justin Bergquist– peeping inside DeRozan’s house on Nov. 19 around 7 PM. Needless to say…You go girl!

Pau Back in Action?

Last, but not least, reports say that former NBA all-star power forward Pau Gasol would like nothing better than to suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers again – particularly with the franchise signing his brother, center Marc Gasol to a contract recently. Gasol, who won consecutive titles with the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant in 2009 and 2010, also plans to suit up for Spain in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.

“There is meaning and history there,” said Gasol, who “I’m not going to lie. It would be very special, and now that my brother [Marc] is there, even more special. But I’m not in a position now to be very demanding. I don’t have 10 offers on the table.”

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?