Latest On Clippers, James Harden
The Clippers were “stunned” to learn that James Harden wanted out of Los Angeles, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who reports (via Twitter) that Harden and his camp expressed his desire to be traded.
However, Harden must have informed the team some time ago, as Siegel and his ClutchPoints colleague Tomer Azarly hear Harden and the Clippers have been discussing the possibility of parting ways for “weeks” (Twitter link). L.A. has strong interest in Darius Garland, per Siegel and Azarly.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier that the Clippers and Harden were working together to try and find a suitable deal by Thursday’s deadline. The Cavaliers appear to be the frontrunner to land the 11-time All-Star, but other teams appear to be in the mix as well.
According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, rival teams have speculated that Harden’s contract may be at the center of the trade request. The 36-year-old has a player option for 2026/27 worth $42.32MM, but only $13.32MM of that figure is guaranteed.
The Cavs are seeking draft compensation, particularly a first-round pick or swap, to trade Garland for Harden, sources tell Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). The Clippers have balked at that idea, says Mannix.
Appearing on SportsCenter (Twitter video link), Charania reports that Harden has expressed reservations about his future with the Clippers. The eight-time All-NBA is hoping to land with a championship contender, according to Charania, who confirms the Cavaliers are one of the main suitors for Harden.
Sources tell Azarly and Siegel that Harden was hoping to sign a two-year, $80MM (guaranteed) deal to remain with the Clippers this summer, but the team is unwilling to go beyond one year. There’s still a chance Harden remains with the Clippers past the deadline, Azarly and Siegel add.
The Cavaliers are believed to have asked about the Clippers’ 2030 first-round pick, sources tell ClutchPoints.
The Timberwolves are among the teams with interest in Harden, but they didn’t have traction on a potential trade as of Monday night, per ClutchPoints. The Raptors and Pelicans also inquired about Harden, but the 17-year veteran has “no interest” in being traded to either team, according to Azarly and Siegel.
After Monday’s loss to Philadelphia, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was asked about the situation. While he declined to talk specifics, he made it clear how he feels about Harden, saying the star guard “means a lot” to the organization, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link).
Cavaliers, Kings Actively Looking To Make More Deals
The Cavaliers and Kings made a splash over the weekend, completing a deal that saw Cleveland acquiring Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Emanuel Miller, with De’Andre Hunter headed to Sacramento. The Bulls were also involved in the transaction, acquiring Dario Saric and two second-round picks to facilitate it.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Cavaliers and Kings aren’t through wheeling and dealing.
The Cavs’ top executive, Koby Altman, is aggressively pursuing trades involving Lonzo Ball and injured wing Max Strus. The Hunter trade took the Cavs from $22MM to just $13.9MM above the second apron and brought their total payroll down to $221.7MM.
Altman is hoping to move his team out of the second apron, thus giving him more flexibility to make significant roster changes over the summer. Shedding Ball’s contract — he’s making $10MM this season with a $10MM club option for next season — would help the Cavaliers achieve that goal. Ball has only averaged 4.6 points and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game, so dumping his salary would likely cost the Cavs some draft capital.
As for Strus, he’s still recovering from offseason left foot surgery. Strus has become a focal point in talks surrounding the Cavs in the aftermath of Saturday’s trade, according to Siegel.
He’s become even more expendable with the acquisitions of guards Ellis and Schroder. Strus is making nearly $16MM this season and has $16.66MM more remaining on his contract for next season. If the Cavs can’t move him this week, he will be a prime trade candidate in the offseason, Siegel adds.
As for the Kings, they’re continuing to look for any takers for Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis. While it’s unlikely DeRozan or Sabonis will be dealt before Thursday’s deadline, one intriguing suitor remains in the mix the big man — the Raptors.
Jakob Poeltl‘s ongoing back problems have led Toronto to consider the possibility of adding an impact frontcourt player. They’ve cooled on the idea of trading for the Mavericks’ Anthony Davis but adding Sabonis would be less complicated, especially since the Kings are interested in RJ Barrett.
The Kings could also help to facilitate other trades around the league with Monk’s contract. He’s in the second year of a four-year, $78MM deal. The Timberwolves have expressed exploratory interest in Monk.
Whatever the Kings may do this week, they will likely soon convert Dylan Cardwell‘s two-way contract into a standard deal.
As for the transaction that was completed, the Bucks and Lakers held trade discussions with the Cavs regarding Hunter.
The Lakers’ package revolved around Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht but they balked at not receiving any additional assets or draft compensation for the final year of Hunter’s contract. The Bucks made both Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis available to Cleveland.
NBA Announces 2026 All-Star Reserves
The NBA has announced its 2026 All-Star reserves, revealing this year’s honorees on NBC ahead of the Knicks/Lakers matchup (Twitter links).
The following players will join the 10 All-Star starters the league announced on Monday, January 19.
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Guard: Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)- Guard: Norman Powell (Heat)
- Frontcourt: Jalen Johnson (Hawks)
- Frontcourt: Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
- Frontcourt: Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
- Frontcourt: Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
- Frontcourt: Jalen Duren (Pistons)
The East will see three first-time All-Stars in Johnson, Powell, and Duren. Powell is averaging a career-high 23.0 points per game in his first season in Miami, while Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile point forwards on offense, averaging 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per night while hitting 36.0% of his threes. Duren is averaging 18.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG, and is the second-leading scorer on the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.
Towns is having a down year from an efficiency standpoint but has managed to contribute in other ways, leading the NBA in rebounds per game (11.8) while scoring 20.0 points per game on 36.4% shooting from deep. He will join teammate Jalen Brunson, who was named a starter for the second straight year, while Duren will join running mate Cade Cunningham.
Western Conference Reserves:
- Guard: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
- Guard: Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
- Guard: Devin Booker (Suns)
- Frontcourt: Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
- Frontcourt: Kevin Durant (Rockets)
- Frontcourt: Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers)
- Frontcourt: LeBron James (Lakers)
For the Western Conference, Murray, Holmgren, and Avdija are all first-time All-Stars. Murray had long been considered one of the league’s best players – if not the best – to never take part in the event, but will no longer hold that title. He’s having his best scoring (25.8 PPG) and play-making (7.4 APG) season as a pro, and has helped the Nuggets hold onto the No. 2 seed despite missing co-star and All-Star starter Nikola Jokic for 16 games.
Avdija has exploded for the Blazers this season, averaging 25.5 points per game (after scoring 16.9 PPG last season) while also contributing 7.2 RPG and 6.7 APG and leading Portland to what is currently a play-in spot.
Despite cooling off a bit since his scorching start, Holmgren is averaging 17.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 2.0 BPG and has anchored Oklahoma City’s dominant defense all season, especially while starting center Isaiah Hartenstein faced an extended absence due to a calf injury.
Booker was named to the team after leading the overachieving Suns to a 30-19 record — they’re currently percentage points behind the Lakers for the No. 6 spot in the West.
James was named to his 22nd consecutive All-Star team despite having a down year by his own standards. He is currently averaging 21.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 6.6 APG for the Lakers, who are 29-18 coming into tonight’s game against the Knicks.
The Lakers, Knicks, Thunder, Pistons, and Nuggets are the teams with multiple players represented.
Some notable players not to make this year’s All-Star team include Michael Porter Jr., Kawhi Leonard, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, and Alperen Sengun — they’re among the top candidates to become injury replacements.
As Ian Begley of SNY notes (via Twitter), the NBA’s decision to include a USA versus World component requires at least eight international players. Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Jokic, Avdija, Murray, and Siakam will make up a majority of the World roster, but with starter Giannis Antetokounmpo injured, the league will need to decide whether Towns, who suits up for the Dominican Republic in international play, as well as Powell, who played with Jamaica last summer, will be considered international or American players, Marc Stein observes (via Twitter). Either way, an injury replacement will need to be named for the Eastern Conference.
Stein adds that the NBA will announce the official roster breakdowns on Tuesday (Twitter link).
Trade Rumors: Williams, Blazers, Kings, Strus, Dieng
The Trail Blazers have been “shopping” Robert Williams ahead of the trade deadline, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link). The veteran big man is on an expiring $13.3MM contract and has long been viewed as a possible trade candidate.
As Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report writes (Substack link), Portland values Williams, who is “beloved” in the locker room on top of being a “cultural tone-setter.” The 28-year-old has also been the healthiest he’s been in years, averaging 5.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 33 games (16.3 minutes per contest).
Still, it will be tricky for the Blazers to get a substantial return for Williams given his long injury history, Highkin notes. That spotty track record also makes the possibility of re-signing him in the summer a clear risk.
Here are some more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- The Trail Blazers reportedly have interest in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Incoming owner Tom Dundon is a wild card in the Giannis sweepstakes, writes Bill Oram of The Oregonian (subscriber link). As Oram explains, Dundon has developed a reputation as someone who is highly competitive and unafraid to take risks. While Dundon’s purchase of the team won’t be finalized until after the deadline, the front office has gotten to know him well and recognizes the types of moves he’d be willing to sign off on. Oram believes the Blazers should pass on Antetokounmpo, especially if the Bucks ask for Deni Avdija (and they definitely would). For what it’s worth, new Blazer Vit Krejci shares an agent (Alex Saratsis) with Antetokounmpo, Highkin notes.
- The Kings continue to be active in trade talks after the De’Andre Hunter deal, confirms James Ham of TheKingsBeat.com. The Kings created two openings on their standard roster by sending out three players for one, and Ham hears one of those spots will eventually go to Dylan Cardwell. However, that won’t occur until after the deadline. The additional roster flexibility could be useful if Sacramento takes in multiple players (starting with RJ Barrett) from the Raptors in a Domantas Sabonis trade, Ham observes, though nothing is imminent on that front.
- In addition to looking for trades involving Lonzo Ball, the Cavaliers have also received some external interest in swingman Max Strus, sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Strus has yet to play this season following offseason foot surgery.
- Fourth-year forward Ousmane Dieng is considered one of the Thunder‘s top trade candidates and there’s a “real possibility” he’ll be on the move by February 5, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman (subscription required). “I don’t really think about it,” Dieng told The Oklahoman. “I’m just trying to improve every day and help the team win.”
Trade Rumors: Jones, Smith, Bulls, Kings, Cavs, Sharpe
The Bulls have been receiving interest in point guard Tre Jones and forward/center Jalen Smith over the past few weeks, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. While Jones seems to be available, Poe suggests the Bulls are unlikely to trade Smith unless they get an appealing offer.
Both Jones and Smith have guaranteed contracts for next season. Jones’ deal also features a $8MM team option for 2027/28.
According to Poe, any of Chicago’s players on expiring contracts could be on the move prior to the deadline if the Bulls receive a “reasonable return.” The Bulls already showed a willingness to take on unwanted salary when they agreed to acquire Dario Saric for a pair of second-round picks (they’re waiving Jevon Carter to make roster space).
However, that doesn’t mean the Bulls are going to make trades just for the sake of it, particularly one that involves a player like Coby White, multiple sources tell Poe.
Most of the players on Chicago’s roster are in their mid-20s and have been in the league for several years. Head coach Billy Donovan says the team is focused on acquiring more young talent.
“We have to keep building out with younger people,” Donovan said, per Poe. “I don’t think there’s any question about that from a roster standpoint. … If you’re just talking about the guys that are here that are going to be under contract, they’re going to need more. So however those conversations take place, whether it’s in July or whether it’s at the trade deadline, I think the front office is looking to try to build it out as best they can.”
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Kings had opportunities to trade Keon Ellis for multiple second-round picks, but they wanted to unload Dennis Schröder‘s contract and value De’Andre Hunter‘s size and length, viewing him as a better positional fit moving forward, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. As Siegel reported a few days ago, the Lakers also had interest in Hunter, but they were leery of taking on the $24.9MM he’s owed next season without receiving draft compensation in return, so they backed out of conversations with the Cavaliers.
- According to Siegel, the Kings are viewed as the “biggest sellers” at the deadline, and they have been making trade calls involving Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk. Of the three players, Sacramento is most motivated to move Monk, Siegel adds (via Twitter). A “few” teams — most notably the Raptors — have some interest in Sabonis, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for DeRozan or Monk, per Siegel.
- The Cavaliers continue to dangle Lonzo Ball in trade talks, according to Siegel (Twitter link). The veteran guard has had a disappointing first season in Cleveland and earns $10MM this season, with a $10MM team option for ’26/27.
- As Siegel observes, if the Cavaliers decide to retain Ellis long term (he will be extension-eligible on Feb. 9), that could have an impact on the futures of Sam Merrill and Max Strus. While I’m skeptical the Cavs would move Merrill given how well he’s played this season when healthy, Strus has yet to play in ’25/26 due offseason foot surgery and ’26/27 is the final year of his contract. Siegel suggests those sorts of conversations would likely wait until the summer and may depend on what happens with Ellis.
- The Nets appear to be reluctant to trade Day’Ron Sharpe, but the backup center has drawn interest from the Lakers, Raptors, Celtics and Pacers, Siegel reports.
Eastern Notes: Raptors, MPJ, Nuggets, J. Smith, Enaruna
While the Raptors have primarily been linked to centers on the trade market, Eric Koreen of The Athletic believes they could use additional shooting around Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram more than a big man.
As Koreen writes, Toronto has looked particularly overmatched this season against New York, which has multiple wing defenders capable of slowing down Ingram and Barnes. The Raptors went just 7-of-26 from three-point range in Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks, and are currently 24th in the NBA in three-point attempts and makes per game and 27th in three-point percentage (34.2%).
“We took only one three in that (third) quarter, and that’s not sustainable,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “You cannot play against great teams and win (like that).”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Michael Porter Jr. views the summer trade that sent him from Denver to Brooklyn as a win-win for both the Nuggets and the Nets, tweets Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “I would say it’s a very unique situation where I think both organizations and both teams kind of benefited from the trade,” Porter said. “I don’t look back at it with any saltiness toward the (Nuggets) organization or anything. I think they got a lot of trading me. They got not only Cam (Johnson), but (Jonas) Valanciunas, Bruce (Brown), Tim Hardaway Jr., who’s playing amazing. … I think it’s cool. … So it probably is one of those unique trades where it kind of worked out for everybody.” The 6’10” forward made those comments on Thursday ahead of his first game in Denver as an opposing player, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Porter finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds and two steals, but he was disappointed that Brooklyn’s comeback bid came up short. “There was a little motivation,” Porter said. “We should’ve pulled it out, though. I felt like I missed a couple shots I should’ve made down the stretch.”
- Bulls big man Jalen Smith experienced tightness in his right calf during Thursday’s loss to Miami, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter link). Smith, who has been starting recently, was ruled out after just 15 minutes of action. However, the injury doesn’t appear serious — he’s listed as questionable for Saturday’s rematch with the Heat.
- The two-way contract Tristan Enaruna signed with the Cavaliers this week covers two seasons, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). The Dutch forward has been a key contributor at the G League level this season for Cleveland’s affiliate team, the Charge.
Trade Rumors: Magic, Raptors, Celtics, Cavs, Thunder, AD
Sources around the NBA expect the Magic to make a move at the trade deadline to move under the luxury tax line, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst. Orlando is operating about $5.6MM into the tax, so a deal involving Tyus Jones‘ expiring $7MM contract could address the issue. However, as Bontemps and Windhorst point out, it wouldn’t do anything to alleviate Orlando’s cap crunch in future seasons.
The Magic project to be in second-apron territory next season and will likely be opening negotiations with standout guard Anthony Black on a rookie scale extension that would begin in 2027/28. Rivals teams are curious to see if the team will be looking to move off of longer-term salary at the deadline or in the offseason, per ESPN’s duo, and are also wondering whether the front office has any regrets about the maximum-salary extension it gave Paolo Banchero last summer.
“Banchero is a physically gifted and highly talented player who doesn’t always make his team better, and it reminds you at times of Carmelo Anthony in that way,” one Western Conference executive said. “He’s young, and I’m sure they believe that he can mature into a player who does that. But I’d guess (Orlando) is concerned about having given him a full max with an opt out.”
We have more trade rumors from across the league:
- According to Bontemps and Windhorst, while it remains unclear whether a favorable opportunity will present itself, sources view the Raptors as a potential buyer with the assets necessary to be aggressive on the trade market at the deadline. “There are only a few teams out there who have full control of their drafts,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “That makes (the Raptors) a buyer if they want. But when you look at their contracts ($165MM to their top five players next year), they’re going to need those picks.”
- Rival teams view the Celtics as a candidate to make a deal for frontcourt help, but an upgrade along the margins is more likely than a significant deal for a player like Jaren Jackson Jr., Bontemps and Windhorst write.
- ESPN’s duo also checks in on the Cavaliers, noting that the team is heading toward a “gut check moment” with Donovan Mitchell, who has one more guaranteed year left on his contract and has yet to reach the conference finals. Cleveland also has the NBA’s highest payroll and projects to be in the second apron again next season. “Cleveland is active (in trade discussions),” one exec told Bontemps and Windhorst. “We’re not sure what they’re trying to set up — and they may not be either — but they’re active.”
- While the Thunder are unlikely to make any significant changes to their 38-11 roster at the trade deadline, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said in the latest Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link) that he has heard some rumblings about them poking around the market for centers.
- Responding to a report that stated he wants his client Anthony Davis to be traded, agent Rich Paul referred to it as “fake news” (Twitter video link). However, while Paul made it clear he has nothing against the Mavericks or Dallas, he didn’t exactly deny the substance of that report, which suggested he wants Davis on a team that’s more likely to extend him. “It’s not like you want a guy moved just for the sake of being moved,” Paul said on the Game Over podcast. “If a guy is happy where they are, great. You care about people’s families. You care about the guys’ well-beings, and you care about if they’re happy. Now, from a business perspective, you want guys to be positioned and you want guys to be paid. I really don’t care where the money comes from. The money can come from the 31st team of the NBA for all I care. It doesn’t matter, as long as my guy’s positioned and paid, that’s all I want to do.” At this point, a Davis trade appears unlikely to happen by Thursday’s deadline.
Giannis Trade Rumors: Timeline, Lakers, Sixers, Raptors
Although the Bucks are more willing than ever to consider trading two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the widespread expectation around the league is that the Giannis saga will extend to at least Thursday and potentially well beyond that, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
As Bontemps and Windhorst note, general manager Jon Horst and the Bucks won’t want to rush into an Antetokounmpo trade without making sure they’re getting the best deal they can. Three sources who spoke to ESPN speculated Milwaukee will decide not to pull the trigger until the offseason.
“I’m just not sure why it wouldn’t make sense to wait,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “They can see where the draft (lottery) is, and survey their options then.”
Several of the teams involved in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes will be in position to offer stronger trade packages in the summer. For example, the Knicks don’t have any of their own first-rounders to move now, but could put two (2026 and 2033) on the table in the offseason. The Heat have two of their own first-round selections available right now, but could offer as many as four (one would be conditional) in June.
Additionally, Bontemps and Windhorst write, the fact that Antetokounmpo is currently out indefinitely due to a calf strain is another factor for the Bucks to consider as they decide whether or not to wait. If Milwaukee plans to pivot into tank mode to improve its 2026 first-rounder (the team controls the last favorable of its own pick and the Pelicans’ pick), hanging onto the superstar forward and shutting him down may be the best way to do so.
Here’s more on Antetokounmpo:
- Appearing on The Zach Lowe Show (Spotify link; 19:00 mark), Howard Beck of The Ringer suggested the Lakers may appeal to Antetokounmpo as a landing spot. “I was told recently that the Lakers were a team to keep an eye on from Giannis’ standpoint, just as another team of interest,” Beck said. However, he acknowledged that Los Angeles probably doesn’t have the pieces necessary to make a strong offer, at least until the offseason. The Lakers can only offer one first-round pick (2031 or 2032) right now, but could include up to three (2026, 2031, and 2033) in an offseason package.
- While one Thursday report suggested Antetokounmpo is intrigued by the idea of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, there has been no indication to this point that the Sixers are planning to make a play for the nine-time All-Star. In fact, Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link) spoke to a league source who “completely shot down” the idea that Philadelphia would be willing to include standout rookie VJ Edgecombe in an offer for anyone on the trade market, including Giannis.
- Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca spoke to several sources around the NBA about what it would take for the Raptors to acquire Antetokounmpo, and the general consensus was that the Bucks would be unlikely to make a deal that doesn’t include Scottie Barnes. One executive who talked to Grange suggested that Toronto could still make a competitive proposal centered around draft assets (four first-round picks and three pick swaps) and promising youngsters like Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead, but Grange views either scenario as a long shot.
- In the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (YouTube link) observes that teams pursuing Antetokounmpo will have to determine not just whether they’re comfortable giving up a huge trade package for him, but also whether they want to do a four-year extension projected to be worth $275MM when he becomes eligible in October. That contract would begin in 2027/28, his age-33 season. “I think most teams would say yes, but I’m not sure everybody would. In fact, I know that,” Windhorst said. “There’s one team I talked to who would be able to put a package together, a pretty compelling package, and they said, ‘We’re just not crazy about that contract, with our other options that we can do. Just don’t know if we want to commit to $275MM to him.’ And you can’t trade all that stuff if you’re not that committed to him.”
Pacific Rumors: Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Sabonis, Suns
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and his expiring $18.3MM contract are considered available as Los Angeles scours the market for help on the wing, according to reports from Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The team has also dangled Gabe Vincent ($11.5MM) and Maxi Kleber ($11MM) on the trade market, Scotto notes.
Turner and Scotto provide a long list of names viewed as potential Lakers targets, including Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter, Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, Kings guard Keon Ellis, and several players who have previously been linked to L.A., like Herbert Jones, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga.
According to Turner, Hachimura’s strong play as of late has increased his trade value while also potentially making him less expendable for the Lakers. Turner confirms that second-year wing Dalton Knecht is another potential trade candidate to watch, as Marc Stein reported in the past 24 hours.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- The red-hot Clippers aren’t looking to trade Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, or Ivica Zubac, but John Collins isn’t off limits, according to Turner. Sources tell the L.A. Times that acquiring a pick-and-roll oriented point guard and creating room on the roster to promote two-way players Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller are among the Clippers’ goals at the trade deadline.
- The Kings have had discussions with some teams about the possibility of packaging DeMar DeRozan and Ellis together in a trade, sources tell HoopsHype. Scotto also checks in on the Domantas Sabonis situation, reporting that at least one team was told Sacramento would be seeking at least one first-round pick in return for the big man. In talks with the Raptors about Sabonis, RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji have been discussed, but the Kings are resistant to taking on the pricey long-term contracts of Jakob Poeltl and/or Immanuel Quickley, Scotto adds.
- Confirming reporting from the Arizona Republic, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) says the Suns are on the lookout for an upgrade at power forward, in the hopes of finding a player who can provide more “scoring punch” than current starter Royce O’Neale. However, Phoenix isn’t just looking for a short-term rental, per Fischer, who writes that the front office will be mindful of the long-term price and fit of any acquisition.
Raptors Among Teams Eyeing Yves Missi
Pelicans center Yves Missi is among the potential targets on the Raptors‘ radar as they seek frontcourt help at the trade deadline, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
With starting center Jakob Poeltl having battled back problems all season long, Toronto is believed to be looking to fortify its depth chart at the five while also ducking below the luxury tax line. The team, which is operating about $1MM into the tax, has been linked to big men like Daniel Gafford, Goga Bitadze, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Nick Richards over the course of the season.
The Raptors have also been connected to star-caliber bigs such as Anthony Davis of the Mavericks and Domantas Sabonis of the Kings, but they haven’t gained real traction on either front, sources tell Siegel, and they’re probably more inclined to make a smaller move.
At 29-19 (fourth in the East), Toronto has exceeded expectations so far this season, and Siegel suggests head coach Darko Rajakovic and the Raptors’ players have conveyed to management that they’d prefer if the roster isn’t shaken up too significantly.
A player like Missi would appeal to the Raptors – and other suitors – due to his modest salary ($3.4MM) and his favorable contract, which includes a $3.5MM salary for 2026/27 and a $5.6MM team option for ’27/28. The 21st overall pick in the 2024 draft, Missi started 67 games and averaged 26.8 minutes per game for New Orleans as a rookie, but has primarily come off the bench this season and has seen his MPG dip to 19.2.
Missi’s precise value on the trade market is unclear. According to Siegel, the consensus around the NBA is that the Pelicans will have to settle for multiple second-round draft picks if they move him. However, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) hears New Orleans wants to land a 2026 first-rounder for Missi and has already turned down at least one offer centered around second-round selections.
Toronto has also explored the idea of acquiring Missi as part of a larger package, per Siegel, who says the Raptors brought up the idea of offering RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, and draft picks for Missi and Trey Murphy III. However, the Pelicans – who have been averse to the idea of trading Murphy at all – didn’t have interest in that framework.
The Pacers, Knicks, and Bulls are among the other teams previously reported to have expressed interest in Missi. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hawks, Celtics, and Lakers are also in that group of potential suitors.