The NBA playoffs are taking center stage, but it's already the offseason for 14 franchises. Plenty of buzz is surrounding those both in and out of the 2024 postseason.

One Los Angeles Lakers starter is now likely to hit free agency. We supposedly know how the point guard-needy San Antonio Spurs feel about Trae Young and Chris Paul. Are the Charlotte Hornets really going to give JJ Redick their head coaching job? What about Nic Claxton's future with the Brooklyn Nets?

It's time to buy or sell the latest 2024 offseason rumors.

Nic Claxton Could Get $20 Million-to-$25 Million per Season on New Contract

Nic Claxton is arguably the best center set to hit the free-agent market this summer.

The 25-year-old is coming off back-to-back strong seasons as the full-time starter in Brooklyn and is the team's "No. 1 priority" this offseason, according to general manager Sean Marks.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported: "Through my conversations with executives, I'd say he remains around that $20 million figure annually. I think $25 million would be his ceiling as of now."

Claxton has a few things going for him in a quest to secure this kind of payday.

The 2024 center free-agent class isn't good. Outside Claxton, Jonas Valančiūnas and Isaiah Hartenstein, there are no starting-caliber centers available. After these three, the options turn to Andre Drummond, Mo Wagner, Goga Bitadze and Precious Achiuwa.

Outside the Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies could all use more frontcourt muscle. That's a lot of potential suitors, although some would need to clear cap space first.

The Nets also can't afford to lose Claxton. Brooklyn's next four first-round draft picks are controlled by the Houston Rockets, so this team needs to be competitive. Rebuilding is pointless if there's no top draft pick at the end of the rainbow, meaning the 32-50 Nets need to bring back Claxton and look to add talent.

Even though he's limited offensively (average shot distance of just 3.6 feet), Claxton is an outstanding defender who protects the rim, can switch on the perimeter and rebounds at a high level. He's still years away from hitting his prime as well.

Jarrett Allen's five-year, $100 million contract signed in 2021 is a reasonable ask from Claxton's representation.

Buy or Sell: Buy Claxton getting this kind of money on a multiyear deal.

JJ Redick Is a 'Serious Candidate' for Hornets Head Coach

The Charlotte Hornets are in need of a new head coach now that Steve Clifford is stepping into a front office role with the franchise.

While the Hornets have interviewed a number of candidates already, perhaps the most notable is former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Redick is considered a "serious candidate" for the Hornets' vacancy and that the former Duke star "could have another interview soon as well."

Redick retired from the NBA in 2021 following 15 seasons. Those who turn into his game broadcasts on ESPN or have listened to the Old Man and the Three podcast know that Redick has a brilliant basketball brain, one that's now joined forces with LeBron James for Mind the Game.

Redick has shown the ability to break down the X's and O's in an easy-to-understand way that would make him an effective head coach. He's also played with some of the biggest stars in the league over the past 20 years (Joel Embiid, Luka Dončić, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard, Zion Williamson, Jalen Brunson, Paul Pierce, etc) and should know how to manage egos.

This would be a solid PR move as well from Charlotte but a loss for fans of Redick's media endeavors.

Buy or Sell: Buy Redick being a serious candidate, although would he really give up an outstanding media career for the grueling life of a coach?

Spurs Not Interested in Trae Young...

The San Antonio Spurs are in need of a franchise point guard. Tre Jones and Jeremy Sochan took turns manning the position this season, yet neither looked like the answer next to Victor Wembanyama.

Armed with 14 first-round draft picks and swaps over the next seven years, the Spurs could look to acquire a star point guard via trade—with Trae Young's availability in question.

According to NBC Sports' Kurt Helin, "League sources have told NBC Sports not to bet on that happening, as San Antonio doesn't see Young as a fit with Wembanyama going forward. The Spurs might be more interested in the Hawks' Dejounte Murray if he is available."

The question now becomes: If Young doesn't fit with perhaps the greatest defensive talent the NBA has seen since Bill Russell, who does he fit with exactly?

Young and Wembanyama would complement each other's games perfectly. Young is one of the best passers in the NBA who would allow Wembanyama to feast off lobs and no-look cuts to the basket.

On the other end, the 7'4" center would cover up Young's defensive deficiencies perhaps better than anyone after already leading the NBA in blocked shots per game as a rookie (3.6). Young's unlimited shooting range would make it tougher for defenses to double-team Wembanyama as he only gets stronger and adds to his offensive game.

The Spurs should have at least exploratory interest in the price of a Young trade.

Buy or Sell: Sell the Spurs not seeing Young and Wembanyama as fits. This would be an ideal pairing for the next 10-plus years.

...but San Antonio Could Pursue Chris Paul

If the Spurs don't want 25-year-old Trae Young to be their next point guard, could they go the opposite direction and look to sign a 39-year-old Chris Paul?

NBA insider Marc Stein says it's a possibility, as he writes: "A potential team to watch, should Paul and the Warriors part ways, is San Antonio. Among the early personnel rumbles in circulation: The Spurs could emerge as a Paul suitor if they decide to pursue some veteran know-how on a short-term contract basis to furnish presumptive Rookie of the Year winner Victor Wembanyama with more seasoned help in Year 2."

From the Spurs' perspective, this is a no-brainer if the price is right.

Paul being around Victor Wembanyama and a young Spurs nucleus would be tremendous for their development and increased knowledge of the game. The 12-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer still averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 44.2 percent shooting from three in his 18 starts for the Golden State Warriors this season.

From Paul's perspective, a move to San Antonio makes no sense.

Playing what could be his final season on a team that doesn't even look playoff ready would cost Paul a chance at winning his first championship. There's a geography concern as well, as Paul's wife and kids continue to reside in Los Angeles. Moving out of California to South Texas would only make it harder to see his family.

Buy or Sell: Sell Paul playing for a rebuilding Spurs team, even if they have interest in him.

D'Angelo Russell Likely to Turn Down $18.7 Million Player Option to Become FA

D'Angelo Russell and the Los Angeles Lakers could be headed for a breakup. Again.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast that he believes it's "likely" that Russell will turn down his player option for next season to become a free agent.

Russell, 28, can choose to return to the Lakers next season for $18.7 million or test the market.

If Russell turns down this money, he must already have a deal lined up somewhere or really wants to be out of Los Angeles.

His market isn't going to be great, especially after another poor playoff showing. The point/combo guard market is fairly strong this summer with Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, Immanuel Quickley, Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Tyus Jones, De'Anthony Melton and others potentially being available. It's hard to imagine Russell getting more than a $12.9 million mid-level exception anywhere.

The sad truth is that both Russell and the Lakers need each other. If he walks, Los Angeles doesn't have the cap space to replace him. If Russell leaves, he's going to have to take a pay cut.

The best path forward would be for Russell to pick up his option and the Lakers to find a trade partner so as not to lose him for nothing.

Buy or Sell: Buy this being Russell's last stint with the Lakers, sell him becoming a free agent just yet.