Trail Blazers Rumors

Windhorst/MacMahon’s Latest: Jazz, Pelicans, Fox, Mavs, Grizzlies

February 4th, 2022 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The relationship between Jazz stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell is back to being “passively aggressively awkward,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon stated in the latest episode of Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast. Windhorst said he has heard the same thing, suggesting Gobert and Mitchell have gotten “under each other’s skin” and referring to it as “the most underplayed story in the league.”

Asked today about the report, Mitchell dismissed it, per Sarah Todd of The Deseret News: “No, no, no, no. We’re good. That’s not true. … I’m getting tired of answering (these questions) to be honest. Look, we put in the work, we’re leaders for our team, and we’re going through a tough stretch and that happens. But this is part of the business and that’s just how it goes.”

Rumors of tension between Gobert and Mitchell were at their height back in 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We haven’t heard as much about the relationship since then — MacMahon says that when the Jazz have everyone healthy and are playing well, the issue “falls in the manageable category.”

Here are a few more highlights from Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast:

As the trade deadline nears, the Pelicans have been “pretty active looking to buy,” according to Windhorst, who reports that New Orleans has talked to the Trail Blazers, Kings, Rockets, and Hawks about CJ McCollum, De’Aaron Fox, Eric Gordon, and Kevin Huerter, respectively. Windhorst adds that Josh Hart is believed to be among the players the Pelicans would move.
Following up on Fox, Windhorst confirms that the Knicks have shown interest in the Kings‘ point guard and says that people around the league don’t really believe Sacramento is fully out of the Ben Simmons sweepstakes.
Windhorst and MacMahon have both heard whispers that the Mavericks are talking to the Celtics about Marcus Smart, though MacMahon admitted he’s not sure whether those discussions have taken place as of late. “I can say with certainty that they’ve shown interest in Marcus Smart in the past,” MacMahon said. “I don’t know how much of that has been recent.”
After stating earlier in the week that the Mavericks likely won’t move Jalen Brunson unless they get blown away by an offer, MacMahon repeated that point and applied it to Dorian Finney-Smith as well. MacMahon added that Brunson’s preference in free agency would be to stay in Dallas, but after earning a total of $6.1MM in his first four NBA seasons, the point guard’s top priority will be getting paid — he won’t be interested in taking a home-team discount.
Windhorst, MacMahon, and ESPN’s Tim Bontemps all agreed – based on what they’ve heard – that the Grizzlies are unlikely to do anything significant at the trade deadline unless they get an opportunity that’s a “grand slam home run.”

Cronin: Blazers Not Planning To Blow Up Roster

February 4th, 2022 at 8:21am CST by Luke Adams

The Trail Blazers have fallen short of their expectations on the court this season, having posted a 21-31 record to date. The team has also undergone front office and head coaching changes within the last year. However, interim general manager Joe Cronin told Mark Medina of NBA.com that the Blazers don’t plan to blow up their roster and launch a full-fledged rebuild at the trade deadline.

“I don’t think we have the appetite to tear it all the way down,” Cronin said. “We have too many good players and too many ways to get better without taking too big of a step back.”

When I previewed the trade deadline for Northwest teams on Thursday, I wrote that the Blazers’ most likely path would be to hang onto players like Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Nassir Little while perhaps moving one or more veterans from a group that includes CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and Jusuf Nurkic.

In his conversation with Medina, Cronin didn’t confirm or deny shopping specific players, but hinted that Portland would be open to reshaping its roster to have a better chance of competing in 2022/23 and beyond, even if it means taking a bit of a hit in the short term.

“It’s delicate,” Cronin said when asked about the team’s short- and long-term goals. “I think we all take a big-picture approach knowing that one season is a small vacuum of a larger picture. It’s hard. We’re all so competitive that we want to win consistently. Sometimes to do that, you have to take a step back at times. Sometimes you just have to be patient. So, you’re trying to balance deal by deal what accomplishes the overall big-picture goals.”

Here are a few more of the most noteworthy comments Cronin made in his discussion with Medina:

On what message ownership has sent the interim GM about his job status:

“They’ve been very open with me as far as I’ll have an opportunity to keep this job. But there’s going to be a (GM) search. They showed a lot of trust in me by allowing me to make some decisions with staffing and going into this trade deadline with some roster decisions. So, the trust they’ve shown is really I can ask for and it’s a big compliment. We’ll just take it as we go as far as what the job search looks like and what my chances are.”

On Lillard’s recovery from abdominal surgery:

“It’s coming along great. The surgery was a success. That had been bothering him for years and years. It’s a big relief for him to finally address it. The hope that comes with it is knowing it’s a lot better and that this is really going to enhance his game and hopefully prolong his career.

“… We’re going to be patient and make sure he’s fully healed physically and mentally. I think the break for him is really good. These years really ran together the last three. The weight that he carries, that’s a lot. The way he carried through that injury. Physically, we want to make sure he’s good. Mentally, we want to make sure he’s refreshed and ready to go whenever he comes back.”

On whether the Blazers’ place in the standings will influence Lillard’s return date:

“With our whole approach, it’s going to be big-picture. We’re not going to rush him back just to win a few ball games. We’re going to make sure he’s healthy and right and perform for many years, not just this closing season. We’ll address it and look at it. But I don’t want to put any pressure on him. He can come back once he’s fully healed.”

2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Northwest Division

February 3rd, 2022 at 9:34am CST by Luke Adams

With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Northwest Division.

Denver Nuggets

Trade deadline goals:

A report in early January clearly laid out the Nuggets’ goals: Denver was in the market for help on the wing, along with a backup center. Since then, the team has made a trade with the Spurs to acquire sharpshooter Bryn Forbes and signed big man DeMarcus Cousins to a pair of 10-day contracts.

While the Nuggets moved quickly to address their most pressing needs, we shouldn’t necessarily assume they’re done dealing. Forbes and Cousins are good offensive players, but they could be exposed on defense in big games. That’s the main reason why Forbes fell out of the Bucks’ rotation in the NBA Finals last year, and why Cousins has had a hard time finding a permanent home since dealing with a series of leg injuries from 2018-20.

The Nuggets will likely continue shopping for players – especially on the wing and in the frontcourt – who are more reliable two-way contributors. However, the team’s assets are limited, so it may end up being a fairly quiet deadline.

That wouldn’t be the end of the world for Denver though. The team is holding out hope that Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will be able to return to action by the time the playoffs begin in April. If the Nuggets can get both players back healthy, they’ll be more significant lineup additions than just about any team can hope to acquire at the trade deadline.

Top trade candidates:

JaMychal Green and Jeff Green have popped up in trade rumors here and there this season, but if the Nuggets are going to move either Green, it would probably have to be for a clear upgrade. Jeff has been in the starting lineup for the last month, so I’m skeptical he’ll be shopped; JaMychal is struggling this season, but would have the ability to veto any trade he doesn’t like.

If they do try to move one of those forwards or another veteran player for a roster upgrade, the Nuggets will be hard-pressed to find sweeteners. Having traded away R.J. Hampton and Bol Bol in the last year, they don’t really have expendable prospects to include in trade offers anymore — Bones Hyland and Zeke Nnaji are still around, but they’ve looked good this season and are part of the regular rotation.

Denver’s previous trades also left the club without the ability to realistically trade a future first-round pick due to the Stepien Rule and the Seven-Year Rule. Second-round picks in 2024, 2025, and 2026 are essentially the Nuggets’ only draft ammo.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Trade deadline goals:

The Timberwolves’ desire to land a power forward has been an open secret for the last couple years, and it remains a top priority for the club. However, the urgency to address the position has been lessened by the emergence of Jarred Vanderbilt and the continued development of Jaden McDaniels.

A lineup that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell doesn’t require any more offense-first players who need the ball in their hands, so defense-first players like Vanderbilt and McDaniels (along with guard Patrick Beverley) have meshed well with Minnesota’s stars.

Still, a player who can provide solid defense like Vanderbilt and McDaniels while more reliably knocking down open three-point looks would be an even better fit in the frontcourt. It would keep opposing defenses more honest and would give the Wolves’ top scorers more room to operate. Minnesota will remain on the lookout for that kind of player, with Harrison Barnes and Robert Covington among the veterans who would make sense as targets.

The Wolves have also remained involved in the Ben Simmons sweepstakes, but probably won’t have the assets to make a serious play for him unless Philadelphia significantly lowers its asking price.

Top trade candidates:

Malik Beasley is one player the Timberwolves are known to be shopping. In theory, he could be the sort of three-and-D wing who would make sense alongside Edwards, Russell, and Towns, but both his shooting and defense have been erratic this season — Minnesota has been about eight points per 100 possessions better when he’s not on the court.

Beasley’s contract isn’t exactly team-friendly, but it’s not a major albatross either. He makes $14.5MM this season and $15.6MM in 2022/23, with a $16.5MM team option for 2023/24. In other words, if he doesn’t bounce back going forward, he’s just a few months away from being on an expiring deal.

Beasley isn’t a significant asset on his own, so the Wolves would need to attach a young player or draft pick if they’re seeking an upgrade. McDaniels, Naz Reid, or Jaylen Nowell could fit that bill.

If a team is unwilling to take on Beasley’s multiyear contract, Taurean Prince‘s expiring deal could be in play. Former first-round pick Josh Okogie is also a trade candidate, and the Wolves have even been willing to discuss Beverley, though the odds of him being moved are slim.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Trade deadline goals:

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but it looks like the Thunder’s primary goal at this season’s deadline will be to acquire more draft picks.

Someday, the Thunder will shift from asset accumulation mode into contending mode, but that day hasn’t arrived yet. At 16-34 and with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander battling an ankle injury, Oklahoma City isn’t in the running for a play-in spot in the West and is once again prioritizing player development and draft positioning over its place in the standings.

The Thunder are well positioned to acquire draft picks this season even if they don’t want to sell off any of their current players. Their cap situation means they’ll get the first call from any team looking to dump an unwanted contract. And, depending on the size of the contract, they should be able to accommodate multiple deals — if they remove all the cap holds from their books, the Thunder will have over $33MM in cap room to work with.

Oklahoma City acquired two future first-round picks in the 2021 offseason by taking on Kemba Walker and Derrick Favors in separate deals. They’ll be looking for ways to do that again at the deadline.

Top trade candidates:

While the Thunder could be satisfied to take on unwanted contracts and the draft picks that come along with them, they also could shop two or three of their veterans, if they so choose.

Kenrich Williams is perhaps the most intriguing player in this group. A throw-in for salary-matching purposes in 2020’s Steven Adams trade, Williams has emerged as a reliable (and underrated) three-and-D forward who would fit nicely into most playoff teams’ rotations. I’m not sure the Thunder will get the first-round pick they reportedly want for him, but it’s certainly not inconceivable, especially if they take back some bad money. Williams is under contract through next season at just $2MM per year.

Oklahoma City would also presumably move Favors for a modest return, but he has a $10MM+ player option for 2022/23, so he’s probably doesn’t have positive trade value at this point.

Certain Thunder youngsters – particularly Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey – will be off the table at the deadline, but the club will be willing to discuss the ones who are less likely to be part of the long-term plan in OKC. I expect the Thunder to receive plenty of inquiries on Luguentz Dort — I’d be surprised if they move him unless they get an offer they can’t refuse.

Portland Trail Blazers

Trade deadline goals:

There are a whole lot of directions the Trail Blazers could go at the trade deadline.

The most logical direction based on their roster situation and their place in the standings – and the one we’re assuming they’ll take – would be to hang onto injured star Damian Lillard and their most promising young players (Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little), making any other veterans available as they prioritize next season over this one.

At 21-31, the Blazers are hanging onto the 10th spot in the Western Conference and could conceivably make the playoffs. But even with Lillard back, this isn’t a team that’s going to contend for a title — or even win a first-round series. So reshaping the roster a little and trying to bounce back in 2022/23 makes the most sense.

Top trade candidates:

Focusing on next season means veterans on expiring contracts are logical trade candidates. In Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic, Portland has two good ones. Covington, in particular, should net a nice return, with so many playoff teams in the market for a two-way wing.

If the Blazers are willing to move Larry Nance Jr. just a few months after surrendering a first-round pick to acquire him, he’d likely draw plenty of interest too. But he’s under contract for 2022/23 at a team-friendly rate, so there’s no urgency at all to make a move with him.

Simons’ recent emergence has made him a worthwhile long-term keeper, but a backcourt made up of Lillard, Simons, CJ McCollum, and Norman Powell is just too crowded. Even though trading a contract as big as McCollum’s or Powell is harder to do during the season than in the summer, I expect the Blazers will be very open to discussing both players. Ben McLemore is another guard who could be on the move in the next week.

Portland’s front office situation is worth taking into account as we consider what they may or may not do at the deadline. Will interim GM Joe Cronin have the freedom to make significant changes to the roster? Based on the changes he has already made to the organization’s basketball operations department, it appears the answer is yes.

Utah Jazz

Trade deadline goals:

The Jazz couldn’t ask for a better defensive anchor than Rudy Gobert, but the three-time Defensive Player of the Year isn’t getting a whole lot of help on that end of the floor. Despite Gobert’s presence, Utah ranks in the middle of the pack in defensive efficiency. The team is also giving up nearly nine more points per 100 possessions when Gobert isn’t on the court.

The Jazz’s top priority at the trade deadline stems from this shortcoming — the team badly needs another solid defensive wing or forward who won’t be a black hole on the offensive end. Adding a second unit play-maker who could step in for injured forward Joe Ingles would be a bonus.

Like Minnesota, the Jazz would love to acquire a forward like Jerami Grant, Harrison Barnes, or Robert Covington, but they aren’t loaded with the assets necessary to make it happen. Utah can’t trade a first-round pick earlier than 2026, and even then, it would have to be conditional (based on the team’s traded 2024 first-rounder not falling in its protected range). The club also lacks the sort of promising young prospects who would move the needle in a trade offer.

If those higher-end targets are out of reach, the Jazz could shift their focus to a Plan B like Josh Richardson or a Plan C such as Josh Okogie or Jarrett Culver.

Top trade candidates:

Ingles has been lauded for years for his impact both on the court and in the locker room. However, he became a trade candidate this year due to his expiring contract and his declining production. Unfortunately, a season-ending ACL tear makes him even more expendable — he won’t be able to play again before his contract expires, so his $13MM salary represents a logical matching piece for the Jazz.

Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson has seen his shooting efficiency fall off this season — his .400 FG% would easily be a career low. I imagine Utah would be open to moving him in a deal for a defensive upgrade, but his guaranteed $13.3MM salary next season and a $14.3MM player option for 2023/24 may turn off some potential trade partners.

Like Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic is an important part of Utah’s scoring attack, but could probably be had in a trade that upgrades the team’s defense without dealing a significant blow to the offense.

Pelicans Rumors: Barnes, Covington, Alexander-Walker, Hayes, Hart

February 2nd, 2022 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

Multiple reports in January indicated that the Pelicans would likely be buyers at the trade deadline, and there are no signs that has changed, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto reports that New Orleans is expressing interest in several trade candidates, including Kings forward Harrison Barnes and Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington.

As previously relayed, the Pelicans have also been “repeatedly linked” to Rockets guard Eric Gordon and are said to be among the teams with interest in Pacers center Domantas Sabonis. Blazers guard CJ McCollum has also been cited by multiple reports as a player firmly on New Orleans’ radar.

Here are a few more updates on the Pelicans:

Rival executives believe Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes are available in trade discussions, Scotto said on the latest episode of the HoopsHype Podcast. Multiple executives tell HoopsHype that the Pelicans are more willing to listen to inquiries about Alexander-Walker than they have been in the past.
Noting that Josh Hart is a player worth keeping an eye on because of his strong play this season and his team-friendly contract structure, Scotto says the Hawks are among the teams that are fans of Hart.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Pelicans are believed to be revisiting a trade concept that they first discussed with the Kings in the 2021 offseason — the hypothetical deal would involve Barnes and Hart.

Western Trade Rumors: Covington, Nurkic, Beverley, Culver, Lakers

February 2nd, 2022 at 9:01am CST by Luke Adams

Of the veteran Trail Blazers who are candidates to be traded by the February 10 deadline, Robert Covington has been described as the most likely one to be moved, says Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Ben McLemore‘s name has also emerged in recent trade discussions, Fischer adds.

Conversely, there doesn’t seem to be any momentum toward a trade involving Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, according to Fischer. Marc Stein said something similar in a recent Spotify Greenroom session, suggesting he hasn’t heard Nurkic’s name mentioned much in his recent conversations with teams. Stein gets the sense there’s not a “huge amount” of interest in the veteran center (hat tip to HoopsHype).

Nurkic himself recently told Jason Quick of The Athletic that he doesn’t think he’ll be traded this season. If the latest reports from Fischer and Stein are accurate, he may be right.

Here are a few more items from around the Western Conference:

The Timberwolves are exploring some possible trade avenues involving Patrick Beverley ahead of his upcoming free agency, Fischer reports. Responding to that report, Minnesota-based reporters Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter links) said that head of basketball operations Sachin Gupta is casting a wide net and is willing to discuss anyone besides Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. However, neither Wolfson nor Krawczynski expects Beverley to be traded.
The Grizzlies aren’t considered likely to make any major moves at the trade deadline, but they may receive inquiries on fourth-year swingman Jarrett Culver, Fischer writes. There’s so much leaguewide interest in wings who can play defense that Culver – who isn’t currently part of Memphis’ rotation and will be a free agent this summer – could appeal to another team, Fischer explains.
The Lakers, who continue to shop veteran wing Kent Bazemore, have been mentioned as a potential suitor for big man Paul Millsap if he reaches the buyout market, says Fischer. Brooklyn is still looking to trade Millsap.

Josh Richardson, Josh Okogie Among Players On Jazz’s Radar

February 2nd, 2022 at 8:27am CST by Luke Adams

Celtics swingman Josh Richardson and Timberwolves swingman Josh Okogie are among the wing options the Jazz have discussed as they weigh their trade options, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on HoopsHype’s latest podcast.

Utah also continues to keep an eye on Kings forward Harrison Barnes and Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington, according to Scotto. Barnes – whom new Jazz executive Danny Ainge pursued during his time in Boston – and Covington have previously been identified as potential targets for the club.

Barnes and Covington would certainly come at a higher cost in a trade than Richardson or Okogie. Scotto has heard from executives around the NBA that the Kings are seeking at least a first-round pick in any deal involving Barnes. Utah has a future first-rounder to offer along with Joe Ingles‘ expiring contract, but Scotto thinks Sacramento might push for a player like Bojan Bogdanovic, who could contribute right away, over Ingles, who will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL.

If the Jazz are unable to use Ingles and draft assets to land a player like Barnes or Covington, they could shift their focus to a target like Richardson. In his latest roundup of leaguewide trade rumors, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report says that Utah has been “consistently mentioned” as a possible destination for Richardson.

A January report indicated Boston has been “surprisingly open” to discussing Richardson after trading for him and signing him to a one-year extension during the 2021 offseason. Richardson’s scoring average has dipped to 9.8 PPG, his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2015/16, but he’s hitting 39.1% of his three-point attempts and is a versatile defender.

Okogie, who is shooting a career-worst 35.6% from the floor in just 12.7 minutes per contest (32 games) in 2021/22, will be a free agent at season’s end and is likely viewed as a fallback option for Utah. The former first-round pick is earning just $4.1MM and is a solid defender, but won’t contribute much on offense and probably can’t be counted on to play a significant role on a contending team. He has been in and out of Minnesota’s rotation this season.

Trade Rumors: Brunson, Simmons, Horton-Tucker, More

February 1st, 2022 at 3:37pm CST by Luke Adams

After Marc Stein reported on Monday that Jalen Brunson is more likely to stay with the Mavericks through February 10 than to be traded at the deadline, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon conveyed a similar sentiment during an appearance on Zach Lowe’s podcast, The Lowe Post.

“I have been assured that they will not move Brunson before the trade deadline unless it is, and I quote, a ‘What the bleep are they thinking?’ type of offer,” MacMahon said, according to NBC Sports.

Brunson has become an integral part of the Mavericks’ offense, posting career highs in PPG (15.7) and APG (5.6) so far this season. While he has generated plenty of interest ahead of his looming free agency, Dallas reportedly remains confident in its ability to re-sign him. However, Lowe – who previously suggested the flight risk for Brunson is “very, very real” – warns that the Mavs should be careful about how they approach those negotiations.

“The thing on Brunson is I wouldn’t mess around too much if I were the Mavs,” Lowe said, per NBC Sports. “That’s all I’ll say. I wouldn’t be too cute with the negotiating. I wouldn’t be too cute, based on what I’ve heard.”

Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:

Executives around the NBA aren’t fully convinced that the Kings are really finished with the Ben Simmons sweepstakes, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “The Kings needed to walk away because the Sixers were unreasonable in their demands,” an Eastern Conference executive told Bleacher Report. “If Philly backs off [those demands] some, perhaps Sacramento could still make a run at [Simmons].”
Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker is viewed by rival teams as a “marginal asset,” Pincus writes in the same Bleacher Report story. Even though he’s still a developing prospect, Horton-Tucker earns a higher salary than virtually every other 21-year-old in the NBA and will be able to reach unrestricted free agency as early as 2023, diminishing his value.
Pincus adds in the same Bleacher Report story that most teams expect Damian Lillard to sign a two-year contract extension with the Trail Blazers in the offseason. That suggests Lillard won’t be asking for a trade anytime soon.
The Celtics are open to virtually any trade inquiry leading up to the February 10 deadline, but any roster “fireworks” are more likely to happen in the offseason than this month, writes Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. According to Bulpett, multiple sources believe that if Boston doesn’t play well in the second half, it’s possible Jaylen Brown could “acknowledge that the mix isn’t right and seek a move.”

Nassir Little Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Done For Season

February 1st, 2022 at 1:08pm CST by Rory Maher

FEBRUARY 1: Little underwent surgery this morning in Florida, with Dr. James Andrews repairing the torn labrum in his left shoulder, the Blazers announced in a press release. According to the team, Little is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp in the fall.

JANUARY 31: Little will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss the rest of the season, the Blazers confirmed today in a press release.

JANUARY 27: Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little has a labral tear in his left shoulder, the team announced in a press release. Little was hurt in the fourth quarter on Tuesday against Minnesota. An MRI taken Wednesday revealed the injury.

Portland said an update on Little’s status would be provided when available, which is standard among NBA teams. However, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link) that the forward is likely to miss the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

Little, who turns 22 in a couple weeks, in his third year in the league after being selected by the Blazers with the 25th overall pick of the 2019 draft. He was having the best season of his career to date, averaging 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks on .460/.331/.734 shooting through 42 games. Little had been particularly effective in January, putting up 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds on .454/.403/.727 shooting this month.

An athletic, energetic defensive presence, Little has blossomed into a rotation regular this season after receiving limited playing time during his first two seasons. He reportedly had a terrible bout with COVID-19 at the beginning of last season, losing 20 pounds and suffering grinding headaches, which impacted his development. However, he got back into shape and made a strong impression in the offseason, earning a huge minutes increase — going from 13.3 per game last season to 25.9 this season.

As a third-year former first round pick, Little is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer. The injury might hurt his leverage in contract negotiations, but Portland has likely seen enough to know that his improvement is legitimate. The Blazers picked up their fourth-year team option on Little in October, a few weeks before the season started. He’ll make $4,171,548 in 2022/23.

Northwest Notes: Nurkic, Little, Muscala, Wolves

January 29th, 2022 at 5:22pm CST by Arthur Hill

Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is enjoying the best season of his career and he doesn’t want to see it disrupted by a trade, writes Jason Quick of The Athletic. Along with averaging 14.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, Nurkic has provided a strong interior presence for a defense that was the league’s worst last season. Fivethirtyeight.com’s RAPTOR rating has Nurkic as the eighth-best defender in the league.

Even so, Nurkic is considered to be a trade candidate because of his $12MM expiring contract. He said Joe Cronin talked to him after taking over as interim general manager and promised to keep him as part of the core in Portland.

“Nothing is 100 percent, but I feel like for the team, and who I think I am as a player, there is no way I’m leaving (in a trade),” Nurkic said. “I don’t see anything possible. Obviously, I want to be part of this organization as long as (Damian Lillard) is, and as long as we want to win. But if the team wants to go in a different direction, then I’m willing to do whatever they want to do.”

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

The loss of Nassir Little, who may miss the rest of the season with a labral tear in his left shoulder, was a major disappointment for the Trail Blazers, notes Casey Holdahl of NBA.com. Little had established himself as a rotation player in his third NBA season and his first under head coach Chauncey Billups. “He didn’t play very much before I was here, or at least have a consistent role, so one of the things for him was to try to earn the trust of the coaching staff, and he did that,” Billups said. “And to earn the trust of his players, he did that.”
Thunder forward Mike Muscala is considering right ankle surgery after the season ends, tweets Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Muscala has been dealing with pain in the ankle since suffering a stress fracture last season.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch says the team has “clean-up things to do” regarding the new defensive approach he implemented this season, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Minnesota has been a top-10 defense for most of the year, but has surrendered at least 110 points in eight of its last 10 games.

Stein’s Latest: Grant, Simmons, Fox, Millsap, McCollum

January 28th, 2022 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Some rival teams believe there’s something of a split within the Pistons organization on the idea of trading Jerami Grant, says Marc Stein in his latest Substack column.

Signing Grant was one of the first major moves made by general manager Troy Weaver when he took the reins in Detroit’s front office in 2020, and he’s had a “longstanding affinity” for the forward, as Stein writes. However, there’s a belief that Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem is more open to the idea of trading Grant before the deadline.

Echoing some previous reporting, Stein suggests the Pistons want a significant return for Grant, who in turn wants a significant offensive role and a contract extension with whatever team acquires him. Finding a trade partner willing to check all those boxes could be a challenge for Detroit, so there’s no guarantee the 27-year-old will be on the move by February 10.

Here’s more from Stein:

Teams that have been in touch with the Sixers don’t believe Daryl Morey is bluffing about his willingness to hang onto Ben Simmons through the trade deadline, says Stein. However, clubs are less convinced about reports that De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton are off-limits for the Kings — according to Stein, there’s a sense among rival executives that Fox, in particular, could be had.
Paul Millsap is away from the Nets as the team seeks a new home for the veteran big man. Stein hears from sources that Brooklyn would ideally like to upgrade their perimeter shooting in the process of moving Millsap. That could mean either trading Millsap for a shooter or trading him and then signing a shooter using the newly-opener roster spot.
Anfernee Simons‘ emergence in Portland has sparked “some of the loudest speculation” that the Trail Blazers are finally prepared to break up their longtime backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Stein writes. There has been no indication that the team is interested in shopping the injured Lillard, so McCollum will be the trade candidate to watch. A Thursday report stated that he has been linked most frequently to New Orleans.

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