Trade Rumors: Morant, Thomas, Gafford, Hawks, Raptors
While Sacramento has been one of the teams linked to Ja Morant, the Grizzlies guard and his camp don’t have interest in a trade to the Kings, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that Morant’s other rumored suitors – the Heat and Timberwolves – would rank much higher on his wish list.
The Kings essentially reciprocate Morant’s tepid interest, says Sam Amick of The Athletic. As Amick explains, Sacramento hasn’t ruled out the possibility of acquiring Morant, but would want Memphis to add draft capital as an incentive to take on his maximum-salary contract, which runs through 2027/28. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are looking to acquire a draft pick or two in a Morant deal, even if it means taking on some unwanted salary.
The Kings also have potential fit and chemistry concerns about Morant, Amick adds, noting that a deal between the two teams appears unlikely.
While that could just leave Miami and Minnesota in the running for Morant, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link) says he’s been advised not to rule out the Bucks. All three of those teams may need resolution on the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation before they can realistically make a play for the Grizzlies guard.
We have more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Nets guard Cam Thomas wasn’t with the team for its flight to Orlando today and is listed as out for Thursday’s game due to personal reasons, tweets Fischer. Thomas holds a de facto no-trade clause after signing his qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in 2025, but has long been considered a trade candidate and is drawing interest from the Cavaliers and Bucks, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
- The Hawks have maintained interest in Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter links), who reports that Dallas has been seeking a first-round pick for Gafford and Atlanta has only been willing to give up second-round capital. Stein’s report came in just before word broke that the Hawks had agreed to acquire Jock Landale from Utah — adding a minimum-salary big man on an expiring deal wouldn’t preclude a trade for Gafford, who is under contract for three more seasons after this one, but it may reduce Atlanta’s need for immediate help in its frontcourt.
- The Raptors were engaged in trade talks with the Mavericks about Anthony Davis before Dallas agreed to send him to Washington, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who says Toronto also spoke to the Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr. prior to the trade that sent the big man to Utah. The Raptors, who are on the lookout for a frontcourt upgrade, have also discussed Domantas Sabonis but reportedly reached an impasse in their negotiations with Sacramento.
Kristaps Porzingis’ Return Postponed Due To Illness
5:19 pm: Porzingis has been downgraded to out due to an illness and will miss his 13th consecutive game, tweets Rowland.
2:42 pm: After missing the past 12 games due to left Achilles tendinitis, Hawks big man Kristaps Porzingis has been upgraded to available for Tuesday’s contest in Miami, tweets Brad Rowland of Locked on Hawks.
Porzingis, 30, arrived in Atlanta in an offseason trade and opened the year as the team’s starting center. However, health issues have limited him to 17 total appearances as a Hawk, and he has played more than two games in a row just once so far this season. Besides his left Achilles issue, Porzingis has also battled illnesses and dealt with a minor right knee ailment.
When he has been available, Porzingis has been a welcome addition to the Hawks’ lineup. He has averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game, with a .457/.360/.840 shooting line, and Atlanta has a +5.8 net rating when he’s on the floor, compared to a -2.3 mark when he’s not.
Porzingis is on an expiring $30.7MM contract and was considered a prime trade candidate earlier in the season. He still could be on the move — Atlanta hasn’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of an Anthony Davis trade, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, and Porzingis would need to be included in an AD package for salary-matching purposes.
However, Siegel suggests the Hawks would only be interested in Davis if the Mavericks are willing to accept a modest return, and Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) suggested late Monday night that Atlanta has “largely abandoned searching for aggressive moves” after making its major move with Trae Young last month.
Assuming Porzingis remains in Atlanta through the trade deadline and stays healthy, he’ll look to help the Hawks hold their tenuous grip on a play-in spot. The team currently ranks 10th in the East at 24-27, a half-game behind the No. 9 Bulls and one game ahead of the No. 11 Hornets.
Trade Rumors: Grizzlies, Bulls, Poeltl, Draymond, Giannis, More
After shedding significant salary and creating a $28.9MM trade exception in their blockbuster deal sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, the Grizzlies are viewed as a potential landing spot for Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link).
The Raptors have been discussing a possible Domantas Sabonis trade with the Kings, who have no interest in Poeltl, so a third team would likely be required if Toronto and Sacramento hope to get those talks over the finish line. Poeltl’s contract, which runs through 2029/30 and has more than $100MM left on it, is widely viewed as a negative asset, so Memphis would need to be incentivized to take it on.
The Bulls are also considered a potential facilitator for Poeltl, according to Siegel (Twitter link), but as things stand, Chicago would have to send out salary to accommodate the veteran center’s incoming $19.5MM cap hit, whereas Memphis wouldn’t.
We have more trade rumors on a busy day around the NBA:
- While it was essentially a given, based on reports that the Warriors weren’t including Jimmy Butler in their offer for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Slater of ESPN confirms that Golden State has included 14th-year veteran Draymond Green in active trade conversations with Milwaukee. Without Butler involved, the Warriors would need to use Green’s $25.9MM salary for matching purposes in order to have a shot at Giannis.
- The Heat have expressed “some level” of interest in Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant in recent weeks, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link), but their focus remains squarely on Antetokounmpo. One source who spoke to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required) suggested Miami figures to remain involved in both fronts, since it wouldn’t be impossible for the team to land both players if Memphis’ asking price is low enough.
- The Timberwolves also remain in on Antetokounmpo, but they’re exploring other possible avenues on the trade market and have a lot of balls up in the air, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link), who cautions that Minnesota’s cost-cutting deal involving Mike Conley doesn’t necessarily mean the team will be acquiring Giannis.
- After agreeing to acquire Jackson from Memphis, the Jazz may not be done, tweets Tony Jones of The Athletic. Siegel (Twitter link) hears that Utah remains “very active,” with Jusuf Nurkic and his $19.3MM expiring contract included in the team’s trade discussions.
- Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been the subject of some trade speculation in recent weeks, but he doesn’t want to go anywhere. Marshall tells Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports (subscription required) that he’d like to spend the rest of his career playing alongside rising star Cooper Flagg, adding that he expects Flagg to “create history.”
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel Once Again Named Rookies Of Month
Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Hornets wing Kon Knueppel have once again been named the Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in January, according to the NBA (Twitter links).
Flagg and Knueppel, who were Duke teammates last season, have monopolized the award this season, gaining those monthly honors three consecutive times. No one else has won it this season, as the months of October and November were combined.
Flagg, the top overall pick, averaged 20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last month. He capped off the month with a 49-point eruption against Charlotte and 34 points against Houston.
Knueppel averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per night in January. He scored a season-high 34 points in the same game Flagg scored 49.
Ace Bailey (Jazz), Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), Caleb Love (Trail Blazers) and Derik Queen (Pelicans) were the other Western Conference nominees. Egor Demin (Nets), VJ Edgecombe (Sixers), Tre Johnson (Wizards) and Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors) were also nominated in the East.
Luka Doncic, Jaylen Brown Named Players Of The Month
Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been named the NBA’s Player of the Month for the Western Conference, while Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has won the award in the East, the league announced today (Twitter link).
The Lakers were 9-6 in games Doncic played in January, and the All-Star guard increased his league-leading scoring average by racking up 34.0 points per game in those 15 outings. He posted a shooting line of .506/.392/.747 for the month while also contributing 9.1 assists, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per night.
Doncic had four 30-point triple-doubles in January, capped by a 37-point, 13-assist, 11-rebound outing in Washington to wrap up the month last Friday. It’s the sixth Player of the Month award of his career and his first since he became a Laker almost exactly one year ago.
Brown’s career year continued in January as he led the Celtics to a 9-5 record in the 14 games he played, averaging 29.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 4.6 APG. The 29-year-old matched a career high by scoring 50 points in a win over the Clippers on January 3, then had a 27-point triple-double in a double-overtime victory in Brooklyn on Jan. 23.
While his teammate Jayson Tatum has racked up five Player of the Month awards over the course of his career, this is the first time Brown has earned the honor.
Brown beat out fellow nominees Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell of the Heat, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Sixers center Joel Embiid, Hornets forward Brandon Miller, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, and Pacers forward Pascal Siakam for the January award, per the NBA (Twitter link).
The other Western Conference nominees were Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, Rockets forward Kevin Durant, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.
Pacific Notes: Harden, Clips, Luka, Kuminga, Suns
Several members of the Clippers expressed surprise after Monday’s loss to Philadelphia that Los Angeles native James Harden is looking to find a new team, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. The Cavaliers are reportedly interested in Harden and have discussed a trade that would send Darius Garland to the Clippers, but only if they receive draft compensation in return.
“Of course I’m surprised to hear the news,” Kawhi Leonard said. “But he’s got to do what is best for him. I respect his decision, or whoever’s decision it was, and that’s it. At the end of the day, he’s still going to be my boy. He’s still going to be my brother.”
While Harden is certainly no stranger to trade requests, having asked out of Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and now L.A. over the past five years, these circumstances feel different, according to Jones, since the Clippers have been on a roll lately, going 17-4 over their past 21 games even after dropping Monday’s contest.
On the other hand, Harden reportedly wants to sign a new two-year contract in the summer and the Clippers have long been rumored to be focused on preserving their cap flexibility for the 2027 offseason. So the matter may not be very complicated, even if it caught his teammates off guard.
“It was shocking,” John Collins said (Twitter video link via Joey Linn). “Hell yeah [it would be disappointing to see him traded]. It would be a shock for me and for the team. And what we’ve been able to do. Our season turned around. Definitely something different, something out of left field.”
“We have to go out and be professionals and do our jobs,” head coach Tyronn Lue said, per Jones. “James means a lot to our team. You guys have seen it for the last three years. He means a lot.”
We have more from around the Pacific:
- Luka Doncic expressed confidence in the Lakers‘ direction following Sunday’s loss at New York, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. “I think we’re in a good spot,” the superstar guard said. “Obviously, got some work to do. But I think today we obviously missed a lot of good looks, but I think we have a great group.” Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the stunning blockbuster trade that sent Doncic from Dallas to L.A. Although the Lakers have been linked to some members of the Mavericks this season, sources who spoke to Woike were extremely skeptical about the two teams engaging in discussions that would make the Lakers better after all the backlash the Mavs have received in the last year.
- Assuming he’s still on the team past Thursday’s trade deadline, Jonathan Kuminga will be part of the Warriors‘ rotation once he recovers from his left knee bone bruise, head coach Steve Kerr said Monday on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show (hat tip to Lauren Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area). “We’ve always gotten along well, and there’s never been any issues on that front. It’s really been more about playing time and the door is wide open for him with these injuries,” Kerr said of Kuminga. “I hope we get him back and I hope he can continue to play like he did in those couple games when he got back in the rotation, he was really good.”
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently spoke to Suns center Mark Williams, an impending restricted free agent, and guard Collin Gillespie, who will be an unrestricted free agent. “I don’t really think about it that much,” Gillespie said of his contract situation. “I try not to think about it. Obviously, I love where I’m at. I love this team and the organization. We’ll see what happens at the end of the year, but I just try to go out there and play my best basketball and play winning basketball to do whatever helps the team win.” Some executives predicted that Gillespie’s market in free agency could be in the range of $10-15MM per year, according to Scotto, who said Phoenix wants to retain the former Villanova standout.
Rival Teams Skeptical Bucks Will Trade Giannis This Week
A two-time Most Valuable Player could be on the move this week, with the Bucks listening to offers on Giannis Antetokounmpo and several clubs believed to be in pursuit of the superstar forward. However, teams around the NBA aren’t convinced that Milwaukee will actually pull the trigger on a deal involving Antetokounmpo within the next 50 hours or so.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, as of Monday evening, the offers on the table for Antetokounmpo were said to be “underwhelming” enough that most agents and rival executives he spoke to believe the saga will carry over into the offseason.
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link) also cites a “healthy skepticism” across the league that the Bucks will move their longtime this week, while ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps share a similar sentiment.
“Everyone is preparing for this to happen in the summer,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN.
As Windhorst and Bontemps explain, a team like the Warriors – who can offer virtually all of their future first-round picks and swaps at this time – could put a similar pick-heavy offer on the table in the offseason. Meanwhile, some suitors who have a shortage of tradable first-rounders due to the Stepien and seven-year rules will have more flexibility to offer picks at this year’s draft when restrictions lift on certain selections, meaning they could improve their offers at that point.
The Bucks would also have clarity following the draft lottery about where their own first-round pick – and every other 2026 selection – will actually land. That would give them a better sense of the value of any 2026 first-rounders included in offers for Giannis, as well as an idea of what sort of potential cornerstone they could land with their own selection.
Additionally, Bontemps notes, there may be teams who expect to make a deep playoff run this spring and instead get bounced from the postseason early, prompting them to either enter the Giannis sweepstakes or to get more aggressive in terms of what they’re willing to offer for him.
Still, plenty of teams with interest in Antetokounmpo appear motivated to try to get a deal done now. The Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves, and Knicks have been the suitors cited most frequently, but they aren’t necessarily the only clubs in the mix. Windhorst said today during an ESPN Cleveland appearance (Twitter video link) that the Cavaliers are among the teams to call Milwaukee about Antetokounmpo too, and that they’ve also inquired on Mavericks big man Anthony Davis.
The Cavs aren’t permitted to aggregate two or more player salaries as long as they’re operating over the second tax apron, and both Giannis and AD have higher cap hits ($54MM+) than anyone on Cleveland’s roster, so the team would need to shed significant salary in order to realistically make a play for either star. The Cavs are currently operating about $14MM over the second apron.
While the Cavs may not end up making a blockbuster deal, it certainly sounds as if they’re more open than ever to discussing players who had previously been viewed as off limits, such as Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, according to Windhorst (Twitter video link), who suggested that concerns about the current group’s championship upside and Donovan Mitchell‘s willingness to sign an extension in the offseason are likely driving Cleveland’s approach to the deadline.
The Bucks are believed to be prioritizing impact players in their Giannis trade discussions, says Amick, which could improve the Cavs’ chances for Antetokounmpo if they can figure out a way to make the money work. At this point, Cleveland only has one first-round pick to offer (either 2031 or 2032).
The Cavs don’t necessarily have to get below the second apron to make a significant shake-up though. They’re reportedly in talks with the Clippers about a possible deal involving Garland and James Harden, with NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link) reporting within the past hour that the two teams have ramped up those conversations as they try to reach an agreement before Thursday’s deadline.
Trade Rumors: AD, Mavs, Bridges, Sabonis, Pistons, More
In their initial trade discussions with teams earlier this season about big man Anthony Davis, the Mavericks were seeking multiple first-round picks or an impact player, sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. However, there were no takers at that price, even prior to Davis’ most recent injury, a hand issue that will keep him sidelined through the deadline.
While a pre-deadline Davis deal is no longer considered likely, it’s not impossible, Windhorst writes — but it would almost certainly require Dallas to drop its asking price and settle for perhaps one solid asset, plus matching salary. With no urgency to make a move right now, it probably makes more sense for the Mavs to wait until the offseason to make a decision on the 32-year-old.
Rival teams anticipate that Dallas will pursue trades involving other players in an effort to reduce their team salary for 2026/27, Tim Bontemps of ESPN says within the same story. Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and D’Angelo Russell are among the Mavs’ trade candidates who have guaranteed salaries or (in Russell’s case) a player option for next season. Turning any of them into a player – or players – with expiring salary could help the Mavs manage their cap situation for next season, reducing the need to move off Davis’ maximum-salary contract, Bontemps observes.
Here are a few more of the latest trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Hornets forward Miles Bridges likely won’t be moved at the trade deadline, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic. Amick reported in January that Bridges was drawing legitimate trade interest from a handful of teams, but Charlotte has been in a roll since then, registering seven consecutive wins and moving within one game of a play-in spot. A league source tells The Athletic that the forward – for whom the Hornets were reportedly seeking at least one first-round pick – is “highly likely” to remain in Charlotte.
- In their discussions about Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have explored three-for-one or four-for-one frameworks with the Raptors, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat, who suggests such a package would start with forward RJ Barrett and may include players like Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick. Sacramento would also want rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, but he’s someone Toronto would “fight to hold onto,” Ham adds. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter video link) has also heard that Barrett and Agbaji have come up in the Sabonis talks between the Raptors and Kings.
- Checking in on the Pistons‘ approach to the trade deadline, Hunter Patterson of the Athletic suggests the team seems unlikely to make any major moves and hasn’t engaged in discussions involving veteran forward Tobias Harris, whom head coach J.B. Bickerstaff refers to as his “security blanket.” Detroit will be opportunistic if a favorable deal arises and still has a $14MM trade exception available, but that exception doesn’t expire until July 7, so the team could end up hanging onto it until the offseason, Patterson writes.
- Following up on a HoopsHype report that suggested the Sixers were among the team to express exploratory interest in Celtics forward/center Chris Boucher, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required) says a source downplayed Philadelphia’s interest, despite Boucher’s connection to 76ers head coach Nick Nurse.
Injury Notes: Braun, Durant, Henderson, Spurs, Washington
Nuggets guard Christian Braun appears to be on the verge of returning to action. He has been upgraded to questionable for Denver’s game in Detroit on Tuesday, as Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette tweets.
A left ankle sprain has been a problem for Braun for much of the season. The 24-year-old initially injured the ankle on November 12 and returned on January 4, but suited up for just three games before heading back to the Nuggets’ injured list for several more weeks. He has been limited to just 14 total appearances in 2025/26.
Although Braun is trending toward returning either Tuesday or Wednesday, Denver’s starting lineup will still be far from whole. Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) and Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) remain on the shelf for the team.
Here are several more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Rockets forward Kevin Durant missed his third game of the season on Sunday due to a left ankle sprain, but head coach Ime Udoka is hopeful the former MVP’s absence won’t extend beyond that contest, tweets Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Houston picked up a win in Indiana on Sunday with Reed Sheppard starting in place of Durant.
- Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson has been listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s matchup with Phoenix. While his season debut may not happen tonight, Henderson said on Sunday that he feels “amazing” and “ready” to play after missing Portland’s first 50 games this season due to a hamstring tear, per Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
- Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was initially listed as questionable on Sunday due to left calf soreness, while guard Stephon Castle missed the contest as a result of left adductor tightness, but neither ailment is viewed as serious, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). “It’s just been something that’s been a little tight,” head coach Mitch Johnson said of Castle’s injury. “Don’t foresee it being anything major or long-term. The (back-to-back) circumstances we were coming out of only added to it. We felt like it was the best decision for him (to sit out one game).”
- Mavericks forward P.J. Washington has entered the NBA’s concussion protocol and will miss at least Tuesday’s game vs. Boston, tweets Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Washington will have to work his way through the protocol before being cleared to return to action.
Kings Rumors: Sabonis, Hunter, Kuminga, Morant, LaVine
The Kings haven’t ruled out the possibility of trading Domantas Sabonis this week, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), and the Raptors‘ interest in the veteran center is very real, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Most sources with knowledge of the situation view Toronto as the most viable Sabonis suitor at this time, Fischer writes.
While Fischer gets the sense that Keon Ellis no longer be in play shouldn’t have any material impact on talks between the Raptors and Kings, he acknowledges that Toronto is also looking elsewhere for frontcourt upgrades. Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks and Day’Ron Sharpe of the Nets continue to be possibilities, and some members of Anthony Davis‘ camp still think the Raptors will pursue the 10-time All-Star, Fischer writes.
However, Jakob Poeltl and his long-term contract (he’s owed nearly $104MM over four seasons after this one) will complicate any Raptors deal for Sabonis. Team and league sources who spoke to Amick think Toronto would need to find a new home for Poeltl in order to acquire Sabonis, and Sacramento is known to have no interest in taking him back.
Given the potential roadblocks, Amick suggests he wouldn’t be surprised if nothing happens with Sabonis this week and the two teams renew their discussions in the offseason.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Although Hunter fills a roster need, the trade the Kings made with Cleveland and Chicago shows a lack of foresight and vision from the front office, contends John Hollinger of The Athletic. Trading for Dario Saric in a cost-cutting move and then using the extra breathing room under the tax to sign Dennis Schröder to a three-year deal were two of the first moves general manager Scott Perry made on the job last summer, and he essentially sold both players at a loss just seven months later. Hunter’s 2026/27 salary also pushes the Kings over the projected luxury tax line for next season, Hollinger notes.
- While the trade sending Ellis to Cleveland and Hunter to Sacramento shouldn’t have an impact on the Raptors’ talks for Sabonis, that deal probably reduces the odds of Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga being dealt to the Kings, Fischer writes. Ellis was a potential target for Golden State, and Sacramento’s desire to add a forward has presumably lessened after its acquisition of Hunter.
- Perry has expressed a desire to build the Kings’ roster around players who can impact the game on both ends of the court — Hunter fits that bill, but Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant doesn’t, according to Fischer, who says he’s skeptical Sacramento will pursue Morant in the coming days. Fischer has heard that Morant would be reluctant to sign a contract extension with the Kings and that Sacramento is aware of that fact.
- A league source tells Sam Amick of The Athletic that Zach LaVine is expected to pick up the $49MM player option on his contract for 2026/27. That comes as no surprise, given that LaVine would almost certainly have to accept a significant pay cut if he were to opt out in favor of free agency. That $49MM cap hit for next season is the primary reason why the Kings appear unlikely to find a taker for the high-scoring guard this week.