As expected, the Suns won't trade Steve Nash before today's deadline, tweets Chris Mannix of SI.com.
For weeks, Phoenix had maintained that they'd explore deals for Nash if the star point guard asked to be dealt. However, Nash never made such a request, indicating that he didn't want to betray loyalty to his teammates and the franchise.
Jermaine O'Neal, currently sidelined with a wrist injury, has been angling for a contract buyout, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. However, the Celtics are still exploring trades that could include O'Neal's expiring contract.
According to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), O'Neal has significant interest in rejoining the Heat. However, the Celtics are unlikely to buy out the big man's contract if they think that's the likely outcome.
GM Danny Ainge said this morning that there's about a 50% chance of the Celtics making a deadline deal. We also heard today that Ray Allen is drawing heavy interest from a number of contending teams.
The Lakers and the Nets are the latest teams to enter the Jamal Crawford sweepstakes, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com hears that Crawford is hoping for a trade, and that his preferred destination is Orlando (Twitter link).
The Lakers had already been engaged in talks involving Crawford, but the proposed three-team deal would have sent Crawford to Minnesota rather than Los Angeles. The Nets, meanwhile, are reportedly close to a deal for Gerald Wallace, so it's unknown whether they would maintain their interest in Crawford if they acquire Wallace.
True to his word, Dwight Howard has waived his early termination option, locking him into his contract for next season, manager Kevin Samples tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). Chris Broussard of ESPN.com received a text from Howard himself confirming the news (Twitter link).
SI.com's Sam Amick (all Twitter links) says the league has agreed to execute the paperwork without the verification letter from agent Dan Fegan that would usually be required. The Magic have announced, via press release, that they'll hold a press conference at 1:00pm local time.
Zach Lowe of SI.com examines the ripple effect that Howard's official opt-in will cause across the league.
It's looking more and more like the Clippers will stand pat at today's deadline, barring a late change, tweets Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. The Clips expect Eric Bledsoe to have more trade value closer to a June draft that lacks top point guards, adds Howard-Cooper. Ken Berger of CBS Sports confirms Los Angeles' position, saying a Bledsoe deal is becoming less likely (Twitter link).
Bledsoe, who hasn't received a ton of playing time in L.A. this season behind Chris Paul and Mo Williams, represents one of the team's most attractive trade chips. The Clippers had reportedly been exploring trades involving Bledsoe that would net the club a two guard.
11:11am: Al Iannazzone of Newsday names Crawford and Gerald Wallace as two targets to watch for the Nets (Twitter link). Both guys have player options for next season, so it's unclear if New Jersey views them as longer-term additions or potential expiring contracts.
10:46am: The Nets are "calling everyone" about potential trades, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). However, Wojnarowski hears that one player emerging as a prime trade target for the team is Jamal Crawford.
Crawford is rumored to be part of three-team talks between the Blazers, Timberwolves, and Lakers, though nothing is imminent on that front. The T-Wolves, Clippers, and Bobcats are among the teams that have expressed interest in Crawford.
Now that it appears Dwight Howard will opt in for 2012/13 with the Magic, the Nets are looking for deals that will improve the team around Deron Williams, and continue to try to clear future cap space. The Nets are turning away trade offers for Williams at the moment.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is sending out plenty of tweets today on a variety of trade topics. Here are a few of his latest updates (all links go to Twitter):
While no reports have suggested a deal is imminent, Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal hears that Ramon Sessions will be on the move today (Twitter link).
Sessions has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks, with the Lakers cited as the point guard's most likely suitor. Lloyd isn't sure if the Cavs will get the first-round pick they've been seeking for Sessions, but if he's dealt to Los Angeles, the Lakers have two first-rounders (their own and the Mavericks') that could be sent to Cleveland.
Lloyd adds in a separate tweet that Antawn Jamison's name barely comes up anymore, and that there's "very little buzz" surrounding him.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that if the Lakers offered Pau Gasol for Deron Williams, the Nets would turn it down. According to Stein, the Lakers actually did make that pitch to New Jersey in December, so the Nets have already said no once.
News of Dwight Howard's latest decision, to opt in for next season and remain with the Magic, has led to rampant speculation about potential trades involving the Nets' star point guard. However, New Jersey is still turning away all interest in Williams.
Ray Allen is drawing significant interest from several contending teams, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The Celtics have received offers of either a good young player or a first-round pick, and may move Allen if they were offered both a young player and a pick.
GM Danny Ainge told WEEI earlier today that he put the odds of a Celtics trade at 50/50, though he cautioned that the team may just make a small move. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com reported yesterday that Allen was the most likely Celtic to be moved at the deadline.