1/8 - 2/5 Basketball News
Slam Dunk Contest participants:
Trey Murphy III
Kenyon Martin Jr.
Shaedon Sharpe
Mac McClung, the first ever G-League player in the Slam Dunk Contest.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Nets traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 1st round pick, and 2027 and 2029 2nd round picks.
Kyrie Irving will wear #2, which was the Dallas number of his idol growing up as a Nets fan, Jason Kidd.
The Wizards traded Rui Hachimura to the Lakers for Kendrick Nunn, the Bulls' 2023 2nd round pick protected, the least favorable of Washington and LAL's 2028 2nd round picks, and LAL's 2029 2nd round pick.
The Wizards actually did not offer a trade package centered around Rui Hachimura to the Suns for Jae Crowder (according to Josh Robbins).
The Lakers had decided that a trade package of Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, and an unprotected 1st round pick in 2027 or 2029 for Bojan Bogdanovic was too much (according to Marc Stein).
Wizards officials have stood firm that they intend to keep Kyle Kuzma past the trade deadline and hope to re-sign him in free agency this summer (according to Jake Fischer).
The Pacers and Myles Turner agreed to a 2 year $58 million contract extension that includes an additional $17.1 million renegotiation of his 2022-23 salary. H/t Woj. The deal is $35 million this season, $20.9 million next, then $19.2 million (according to Shams).
Myles Turner had rejected the Pacers' previous contract extension offers (according to Marc Stein).
The trade interest from the Mavericks and Pelicans in Myles Turner in recent seasons dissipated (according to Jake Fischer).
The Spurs and free agent Gorgui Dieng re-signed on a 10 day deal and then a 2nd 10 day deal.
The Suns and Saben Lee of the G-League team the Raptors 905 signed a 10 day deal then re-signed on a 2nd 10 day deal.
The Kings and PJ Dozier of the G-League team the Iowa Wolves signed a 10 day deal. Instead of re-signing him to a 2nd 10 day deal, they signed Deonte Burton of their G-League affiliate the Stockton Kings to a 10 day deal.
The Hawks and free agent Derrick Favors had signed a 10 day deal that has since expired.
The Nets waived Alondes Williams and his two-way contract. He rejoined their G-League affiliate the Long Island Nets.
The Nets and Dru Smith of the G-League team the Sioux Falls Skyforce signed a two-way contract.Austin Rivers' $2.91 million partially guaranteed for $650k with the Timberwolves became fully guaranteed.
Jaylen Nowell's non-guaranteed $1.93 million with the Timberwolves became fully guaranteed.Nathan Knight's $1.84 million salary for this season with the Timberwolves partially guaranteed for $350k became fully guaranteed.
Luke Kornet's $2.13 million salary with the Celtics this season partially guaranteed for $1.07 million became fully guaranteed.
Justin Jackson's non-guaranteed $2.13 million with the Celtics became fully guaranteed.James Johnson's non-guaranteed $2.91 million with the Pacers became fully guaranteed.
Oshae Brissett's non-guaranteed $1.85 million with the Pacers became fully guaranteed.
Ryan Arcidiacono's non-guaranteed $2.13 million with the Knicks became fully guaranteed.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk's $1.97 million partially guaranteed for $50k with the Knicks became fully guaranteed.Vit Krejci's $1.56 million salary with the Hawks this season partially guaranteed for $782k became fully guaranteed.
Tyrese Martin's $1.02 million salary with the Hawks this season partially guaranteed for $450k became fully guaranteed.Jonathan Isaac's $17.4 million salary with the Magic partially guaranteed for $16.0 million became fully guaranteed.
Danny Green's $10.0 million with the Grizzlies partially guaranteed for $6.96 million became fully guaranteed.
Dennis Smith Jr.'s non-guaranteed $2.13 million with the Hornets became fully guaranteed.
Lamar Stevens' non-guaranteed $1.78 million salary with the Cavaliers this season became fully guaranteed.
Haywood Highsmith's $1.75 million partially guaranteed for $700k with the Heat became fully guaranteed.
Stanley Johnson's non-guaranteed $1.67 million with the #Spurs became fully guaranteed.
Jose Alvarado's $1.56 million with the Pelicans partially guaranteed for $1.10 million became fully guaranteed.
Jock Landale's $1.56 million with the Suns partially guaranteed for $46k became fully guaranteed.
Free agent Tyler Dorsey signed a G-League contract and was reacquired by the Texas Legends.
Free agent Justin Champagnie was claimed off the G-League waivers by the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The cash considerations the Celtics sent the Spurs was $1.5 million.
The Spurs are optimistic that they have enough in the works with their cap space to get up to the salary floor. San Antonio is eager to add via trade (according to Eric Pincus).
The Wizards intend to convert Jordan Goodwin's two-way contract to a standard contract through at least the end of the season (according to Josh Robbins).
Kings stash Sasha Vezenkov, who signed a contract extension with Greek team Olympiacos through the 2024-25 season with a buyout worth about $1.1 million, said that he is still open to joining Sacramento. H/t Jason Anderson. He was the 57th pick in 2017.
TRADE RUMORS:
Bojan Bogdanovic is the player with the most trade demand at the moment, with the list of teams interested in him reaching double digits. The Pistons' asking price is at least an unprotected 1st round pick (according to Marc Stein). At the moment, the Pistons won't trade Bojan Bogdanovic for anything less than an unprotected 1st round pick and a good young player (according to James L. Edwards III).
Bojan Bogdanovic's potential trade suitors are hoping that the Pistons' apparent hesitation to trade him is a negotiating ploy and that their asking price will drop closer to the trade deadline (per Stein).
The Pistons would demand the Mavericks' 2027 1st round pick from the Mavs for Bojan Bogdanovic, probably with a player like Davis Bertans (according to Eric Pincus).
Alec Burks has drawn interest on the trade market from several playoff-caliber teams. The Pistons are expected to pick up his $10.49 million team option after this season if he is not traded (according to Michael Scotto).
In addition to Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pistons have maintained to rival executives their preference to keep Alec Burks barring a tremendous trade return (according to Jake Fischer).
The Cavaliers are in the market for a defensive-minded wing who is also an outside shooting threat (according to Chris Fedor).
The Cavaliers would be interested in trading for Kyle Anderson or Jae'Sean Tate, but there's no indication that either player will be available at the trade deadline (per Fedor).
Saddiq Bey has some fans in Cleveland, but there's a gap between how the Cavaliers and the Pistons value him and Detroit's asking price would have to come down significantly for him to be a realistic trade target for the Cavs (per Fedor).
The Cavaliers believe that Tim Hardaway Jr. is available for trade and he could be had at the right price. The Cavs have been keeping an eye on him. If they had their choice it would be between Bojan Bogdanovic and Tim Hardaway Jr (per Fedor).
The Mavericks have been seeking another shot creator to complement Luka Doncic and kicked the tires on Caris LeVert before the Cavaliers acquired him from the Pacers a year ago (according to Jake Fischer).
The Cavaliers can trade for Tim Hardaway Jr. if they're willing to take on his contract (according to Stein).
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s contract ($34.1 million total over the two seasons past this one) has given the Cavaliers hesitancy when it comes to trading for him, and there's a belief that Caris LeVert is a better overall player than him (according to Michael Scotto).
The Heat and Mavericks have had initial trade talks on Tim Hardaway Jr. Miami is also high on a few players from the Mavs like Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith (according to Adam Borai).
The Cavaliers are not going to trade Isaac Okoro unless they get a significant piece in return (according to Fedor).
The Cavaliers have not internally considered the possibility of trading Kevin Love (according to Fedor).
The Cavaliers won't make a trade just to make one. Some people within the Cavs organization want to see what it looks like if Dean Wade gets an extended shot at the starting small forward job (according to Fedor).
The Cavaliers are not all that interested in trading for Terrence Ross. If the Cavs liked Ross, they could have acquired him multiple times in the past (per Fedor).
The Cavaliers, who are about $2.5 million below the luxury tax threshold, are unwilling to go into the tax this season (per Fedor).
According to executives around the league, multiple teams are at least preparing for the possibility that LeBron James will seek to force a trade this summer as he looks to finish his career in a winning environment (according to Sean Deveney). He is now 38.
According to Zach Lowe, though, LeBron James wants to stay with the Lakers.
An Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Deveney said that if he wants to end it all on a good note, the most likely thing is LeBron James going back to the Cavaliers.
An Eastern Conference GM who spoke with Deveney said that the Heat would take LeBron James back if he wanted to return.
A Western Conference executive who spoke with Deveney said that LeBron James has always had a soft spot for Chicago.
If the right trade emerges that will make the Lakers better in the next 3 years in their eyes, that's their priority. They want the team to get to the best level it can while they LeBron James is on the roster. If that means waiting for a better deal in the offseason and riding out this season they'll do that.
Any Russell Westbrook trade for the Lakers league-wide starts with a 1st round pick (according to Pincus). An Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Pincus said that if they wanted a valued player like Jakob Poeltl, the cost would be a second 1st and then some.
A three-team trade is the most likely avenue for the Suns to trade Jae Crowder (according to Jake Fischer).
An Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Eric Pincus said that Buddy Hield has been available for trade since the Pacers got him but they're not looking to tank.
At the start of the season, the Pacers expected to vie for a top 5 pick in the draft (according to Fischer).
There's a growing sense among rival teams that the Pacers will search for upgrades ahead of the trade deadline, with an eye toward those who fit their long-term vision. They're not a potential suitor for Jae Crowder or Bojan Bogdanovic (per Fischer).
While the Pacers had marked Chris Duarte as off-limits in trade talks with some opposing personnel, multiple front office figures said that Indiana has since made him available in recent talks (per Fischer).
The Pacers have been looking for a power forward for seasons. Indiana highly valued Keegan Murray in last year's draft but he went #4 and they happily selected Bennedict Mathurin at #6 (per Fischer).
If the opportunity arises, the Pacers will be willing to work in tandem with Goga Bitadze's representation to find a new team for him. He has been uninterested in joining their G-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (per Fischer).
The Pacers have internally discussed the idea of trading for John Collins (per Fischer).
John Collins on not caring if he’s traded: https://theathletic.com/4067336/2023/01/09/john-collins-trade-rumors/?source=nbatw
The Jazz and Hawks have discussed a trade surrounding John Collins for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, but Utah has lobbied Atlanta for a 1st round pick in addition to Collins to complete the deal (according to Jake Fischer).
Some speculate that the Clippers could possibly look to trade for John Collins (according to Eric Pincus).
The Hawks had pitched a trade concept of John Collins for Trey Murphy III and 1st round compensation to the Pelicans in the offseason (per Fischer).
In addition to John Collins, the Hawks are shopping Justin Holiday (per Pincus).
In some scenarios, the Hawks are merely asking for a quality player in a trade for John Collins, and not a 1st round pick (according to Sam Amick).
The Hawks have been one of the more active teams in the league on the trade market, focusing on landing players who can help win now (according to Amick).
Two teams who spoke with Stein said that the Rockets' asking price for Eric Gordon is an unprotected 1st round pick. But, Houston probably knows it won't get that sort of return for him (according to Marc Stein).
The Rockets may be willing to wait until the summer to trade Eric Gordon since he is under contract next season (according to Pincus).
The Bulls are expected to remain relatively quiet at the trade deadline. No one expects them to blow it up and commit to a complete rebuild now (according to Darnell Mayberry). The Bulls may just be happy to play it out and be in the middle of the pack (according to Pincus).
Coby White has been available for trade and has been in a lot of talks. The Grizzlies were interested in him last summer (according to K.C. Johnson).
Based on his conversations with executives around the NBA, Michael Scotto doesn't believe that Patrick Williams or Alex Caruso are on the trade block. One executive who spoke to Scotto said that the Bulls may have devalued Williams by holding onto him.
The executive who spoke with Scotto said that if the Bulls want to shake up their team, they can get a decent trade return for Alex Caruso.
The general consensus among executives around the league is that the Bulls are likely to keep Nikola Vucevic beyond this season. There's a belief that Chicago wouldn't want to lose him for nothing in free agency after giving up so much to trade for him (per Scotto).
Ever since Billy Donovan benched Zach LaVine against the Magic, they spoke and then things were better after that and it seemed like the situation was resolved (per Scotto). LaVine especfully made his feelings known very clearly to Donovan how much that stung him. Donovan explained it went beyond the shots and LaVine not playing to the standard Donovan and his coaches were desiring (per Johnson).
If the Bulls were to put Zach LaVine on the trade market, executives around the league Scotto has spoken with would question his health a bit because if Chicago just signed him and looked to flip him that quickly it would raise their antenna a little bit.
The Raptors appear unlikely to tear down the foundation of their team before the trade deadline, though Toronto is open to trading Gary Trent Jr. The player to watch might be Fred VanVleet (according to Marc Stein).
An Eastern Conference scout who spoke with Tim Bontemps said that the Raptors are a talented team yet it just hasn't worked.
The Raptors might be content with taking a shot at French Victor Wembanyama (2004) or another elite draft prize rather than trying to reconfigure their roster on the trade market (per Stein).
An Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Tim Bontemps said that the Raptors' players are better than whoever else might be available for trade, and they'll have plenty of interest if they're made available.
Rival executives believe that the Raptors will be aiming to add immediate draft capital given their struggles this season (according to Brett Siegel).
Gary Trent Jr. is undeniably available for trade and a handful of teams are showing interest (per Stein). The Knicks and Suns are two teams with a level of internal interest. The Suns have been said to have interest in adding another scoring weapon on the perimeter (per Siegel).
Rival teams around the league have been keeping an eye on OG Anunoby (per Siegel). Scottie Barnes is the Raptors' only true untouchable, though it would take a king's ransom for them to trade Pascal Siakam or Anunoby (according to Josh Lewenberg).
The Suns are among several teams who have emerged with interest in trading for Jalen McDaniels in recent weeks (according to Shams).
According to John Gambadoro, however, the Suns and Hornets have had no recent trade talks and Phoenix has not had any discussions about Jalen McDaniels.
Jalen McDaniels is considered a favorite of Mitch Kupchak (according to Jake Fischer).
The Bucks have consistently discussed a Grayson Allen trade with rival teams (according to Fischer).
There is a push within the Knicks' front office to keep both Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley if possible (according to Brett Siegel).
The Bucks, Mavericks, Wizards, and other teams have expressed interest in trading for Immanuel Quickley (according to Michael Scotto).
The Knicks are now willing to trade Cam Reddish for two 2nd round picks (according to Scotto).
League personnel are now expecting the Jazz become another seller heading into the trade deadline and they have received plenty of incoming calls on both Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt (according to Jake Fischer).
The Wizards have been receiving calls on the trade availability of Will Barton ahead of the trade deadline. He fell out of the rotation. Washington isn't said to be actively shopping him (according to Chris Haynes).
The Suns have left opposing front offices with the impression that they are searching for greater guard depth, targeting ball-handlers who could serve as reserves to Chris Paul and long-term replacements for him (according to Fischer).
League executives are monitoring the Clippers and Suns as teams in search of backcourt improvements before the trade deadline (per Fischer).
76ers officials have been encouraged by the pairing of Joel Embiid and James Harden, as well the team's overall performance, and they will be active in exploring ways to add to their championship quest (according to Fischer).
Richaun Holmes is available for trade (according to Fischer).
There was little progress for any contract extension between the Timberwolves and D'Angelo Russell this past offseason, and word among league personnel about Minnesota's openness to trading him has only persisted since their interest in Dejounte Murray before the Atlanta trade (according to Fischer).
The Timberwolves trading D’Angelo Russell to the Heat for Kyle Lowry is a popular idea that has been floated by league executives. Miami has registered interest in Russell (per Fischer).
The Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Trail Blazers, and Kings are included in the teams believed to be in a holding pattern ahead of the trade deadline (according to Eric Pincus).
The Nuggets would like to add a bench defender (per Pincus).
The Hornets and Magic haven't shown aggressiveness yet to trade away veterans (according to Pincus).
The Cavaliers, Suns, and Raptors had been circulating as teams interested in trading for Kelly Oubre Jr. until his hand surgery (according to Marc Stein).
An Eastern Conference executive who spoke with Pincus said that one of the unintended consequences of the play-in tournament is a chilling of the trade market.
A Western Conference executive who spoke with Pincus said that another thing slowing the trade market is that nobody really wants cap space this summer, in part because the really bad teams are so bad.
The Warriors are expected to hang back from the initial action ahead of the trade deadline and watch what other teams do, and they have yet to show an eagerness to trade James Wiseman (according to Brett Siegel).
According to Monte Poole, though, the Warriors are active in the trade market, looking to add size and shooting, but nothing is imminent.
CONTRACT EXTENSIONS:
Jordan Clarkson has so far rejected contract extensions from the Jazz (according to Marc Stein).
However, the Jazz and Jordan Clarkson have mutual interest in moving forward and contract extension talks are expected to continue. Utah views him, at 30, as young enough to be part of the rebuilding process (according to Tony Jones).
Jordan Clarkson wants an annual salary in the $18-$20 million range and the Jazz appear willing to give him that when they're able to (per Stein).
Jordan Clarkson appears set to decline his $14.26 million player option in the offseason (according to Jake Fischer).
Before the start of the season, Fred VanVleet rejected a contract extension offer from the Raptors worth about $114 million, the maximum they could offer at the time. The 4 year $130 million Tyler Herro got last fall is expected to be the baseline for what he's looking for on the open market (according to Josh Lewenberg).
However, according to Michael Grange, Fred VanVleet never really rejected the nearly $114 million contract extension the Raptors offered - it was a mutual decision to wait with no deadline discussed.
Fred VanVleet said that he was never made a formal contract extension offer by the Raptors. H/t Tim Bontemps.
Fred VanVleet said that he loves being on the Raptors and he's confident they'll find a deal. H/t Bontemps.
The expectation around the NBA is that Fred VanVleet will opt-out of his $22.82 million player option (according to Sean Deveney).
FREE AGENCY:
Free agent Meyers Leonard (shoulder surgery, ankle surgery) has been fully cleared to work out for NBA teams and he worked out for the Lakers last month (according to Shams).
PJ Washington reached starter criteria, raising his qualifying offer from $8.0 million to $8.49 million.
Tre Jones met starter criteria, raising his qualifying offer from $2.23 million to $5.22 million.
One NBA executive who spoke with Michael Scotto said that nobody will give Bulls Ayo Dosunmu a big offer sheet in his impending restricted free agency, saying his situation reminds them of Josh Hart, and that he could get that type of contract or bet on himself by taking the qualifying offer.
Ayo Dosunmu loves playing in his hometown for the Bulls (according to K.C. Johnson).
Brook Lopez, who is on an expiring contract, told Michael Scotto that he loves it with the Bucks and can't imagine being anywhere else.
FRONT OFFICE:
The Bears hired Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren as President and CEO.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has become a co-owner of the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian NBL.
BUSINESS:
The Heat's arena is now named the Miami-Dade Arena.
Nerlens Noel, Rich Paul, and Klutch Sports Group settled Noel's legal case, with Noel paying full commissions owed to Klutch Sports on the $5 million deal with the Knicks in 2020, and Noel withdrawing all legal proceedings.
Agent Carl Poston has been sued for theft of retirement plan assets:
https://www.plansponsor.com/professional-athlete-sports-agency-is-accused-of-retirement-asset-theft/
AGENTS:
JT Thor signed on with Verus Management (according to Guido Guida).
D.J. Wilson of the G-League team the Oklahoma City Blue signed on with One Legacy Sports Management (according to Guida).
Brandon Williams of the G-League team the College Park Skyhawks signed on with One Legacy Sports Management (according to Guida).
NIL:
Western Illinois senior PG Alec Rosner signed on with FR Action for NIL (according to Guido Guida).
Western Illinois junior SG Quinlan Bennett signed on with FR Action for NIL (according to Guida).
Eastern Illinois senior PG Yaakema Rose Jr. signed on with FR Action for NIL (according to Guida).
Memphis senior SG Keonte Kennedy signed on with FR Action for NIL (according to Guida).
2023 3 star SG Daniel Johnson signed on with FR Action for NIL (according to Guida).
RECRUITING:
2023 4 star PF Eric Dailey Jr. committed to Oklahoma State. H/t Joe Tipton.
2023 3 star PF Baye Ndongo committed to Rutgers. H/t Tipton.
2024 4 star PG-SG Kayvaun Mulready committed to Providence. H/t Tipton.
2024 3 star C Eli DeLaurier is down to 3 schools: Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech. He would like to decide in the next couple months.
2024 5 star SF-SG Trentyn Flowers trimmed his list from 13 to 6: Alabama, Arkansas, Creighton, Louisville, UNC, and Kansas. He is aiming for a commitment in March or April. H/t Tipton. He said that it could be even sooner. H/t Travis Branham.
2024 4 star SF Marcus Adams Jr. said that he is looking to decide in the next 4-5 months. H/t Dushawn London.
2024 4 star PG Labaron Philon, the #1 recruit in his class from Alabama, is down to 6 schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Kansas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. H/t Joe Tipton.
2024 5 star PG Zoom Diallo, the #1 recruit in his class from Washington, is down to 6 schools: Arizona, Florida State, Gonzaga, Kansas, USC, and Washington. H/t Tipton. He said that he would say he's going to commit within the next month or two. H/t Dushawn London. 24/7 lists Arizona, Florida State, and Gonzaga as the favorites.
2024 4 star SF Marcus Allen said that he will cut his list probably after the season before the EYBL starts. H/t Travis Branham.
2024 4 star SF-PF Liam McNeely said that Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have been prioritizing him lately. H/t Branham.
2024 4 star PF Christian Nitu said that he probably hears from TCU, Mississippi State, and Creighton the most. H/t Jamie Shaw.
2024 4 star SG Tyler Bailey said that Butler, Creighton, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, and VCU are all involved in his recruitment. H/t Brandon Jenkins.
TRANSFERS:
West Virginia's Jose Perez, a transfer from Manhattan, had his appeal for a waiver denied by the NCAA (according to Jon Rothstein).
Louisiana Tech sophomore David Green entered the transfer portal.
Jacksonville State sophomore Camron McDowell entered the transfer portal.
FRONT OFFICE/COACHING:
The Hawks promoted Kyle Korver from director of player affairs and development to assistant general manager.
Promoting Kyle Korver was one of Landry Fields' immediate priorities (according to Woj).
There's been plenty of talk of the Hawks looking to add more former NBA players to the front office (according to Jake Fischer).
Despite his new senior advisory role, Travis Schlenk is no longer part of the Hawks' organization in any way and is free to leave for another organization. Team owner Tony Ressler had previously said internally that he wanted Schlenk to lead them through the decade (according to Sam Amick).
The Hawks' trade with the Spurs for Dejounte Murray had gone down despite Travis Schlenk expressing his concerns about the price being paid (per Amick).
Tony Ressler may add a more experienced front office executive to address the reality of the current regime's inexperience (per Amick).
Hawks director of business and basketball operations Nick Ressler, the son of team owner Tony Ressler, has had increased influence on roster and staffing decisions since he was given his title in December 2020 (according to Amick).
Key Hawks figures were feeling undermined by Nick Ressler's influence in recent months and it became a growing issue, specifically in relation to Trae Young, and it led to the front office overhaul (per Amick).
Ryan Silverstein, coordinator of cap strategy and administration for the Hawks, is a close friend of director of Nick Ressler (per Amick).
Grant Liffman, who was recently promoted from pro personnel scout for the is close friends with Landry Fields, his college roommate (per Amick).
West Virginia fired associate head coach Larry Harrison.
DRAFT:
Houston senior SG-PG Marcus Sasser is a projected draft pick (according to Jake Weingarten).