NBA Rumors - HoopsRumors.com

Nuggets’ Cam Johnson To Undergo MRI After Injuring Knee

December 23rd, 2025 at 10:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Nuggets have another injury concern heading into the holidays. Forward Cameron Johnson limped off the court during the fourth quarter against Dallas on Tuesday after injuring his right knee.

Johnson will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon tweets. He had started 27 games entering Tuesday’s contest, averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30.9 minutes per game. He was coming off a 20-point outing in a win over Utah on Monday.

Johnson was acquired from the Nets during the summer. Johnson is in the third year of a four-year, $94.5MM deal.

Denver is already down two starters with Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) on the sidelines. Braun has been out since Nov. 12, while Gordon hasn’t played since Nov. 21.

If Johnson is out for an extended period, Denver will have to rely more heavily on Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown and Julian Strawther.

Magic Notes: Banchero, Wagner, Richardson, Carter Jr., Bitadze

December 23rd, 2025 at 9:59pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Magic star forward Paolo Banchero bristles at the notion that he and Franz Wagner can’t coexist on the court.

“I think that’s bull—,” Banchero told Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “I’m not going to lie. People are going to say whatever they want to say about me, Franz and whoever. But we know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor.

“People say that the ball moves more (when only one of us is out there). I don’t think that’s true, honestly,” Banchero continued. “I think sometimes you beat teams or you play certain games and it may look that way, but if you really watch and analyze, we play the same way every game. Nothing changes when somebody is out. We play the same way, especially on offense. Nothing really changes. I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there.”

Banchero also addressed his shooting struggles. He entered Tuesday’s contest against the Trail Blazers shooting 43.4 percent from the field and a career-low 23.7 percent on 3-point attempts. He feels the groin strain that cost him 10 games had something to do with it.

“It was definitely a setback,” Banchero said. “Nothing major, but definitely a minor setback. Just frustrating. But I was able to just focus on the rehab process and then get back on the court (as) quick as possible. I knew coming back that, with it being a groin injury, it would take some time. But I’ve been feeling better, and I’m looking forward to just kind of taking off and really finding my feet and starting to play some really good basketball.”

Here’s more on the Magic:

With Jalen Suggs out, rookie Jase Richardson received extended minutes for the third game in a row on Monday. He had 11 points in 22 minutes in a 23-point loss to Golden State but turned the ball over three times, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel notes.
Wendell Carter Jr. was held to nine points by the Warriors after reaching double figures in his previous four outings. He’s shot the ball well all season — a career-best 54.1 percent overall and 42.2 on 3-point attempts. “That’s just who we want him to be — just aggressive, shooting the 3, getting to the rim, rebounding on the boards and defending,” Banchero told Beede.
Goga Bitadze (left knee strain) missed Tuesday’s game at Portland, the second of a back-to-back. Coach Jamahl Mosley said during his pregame press conference that Bitadze suffered his left knee strain when he got kicked in the knee as he was going up for a rebound, Beede tweets.

Free Agent Ben Simmons Working Toward NBA Comeback

December 23rd, 2025 at 8:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Free agent Ben Simmons is looking to return to the NBA sometime this season, he told Marc J. Spears of Andscape.

“Yeah. It depends on what I want to give them, though,” he said of coming back this season. “It’s one of those things where I can go out and play and probably do really well and do important things for a team. But I want to get my body to the best it’s been. That’s the best of focus. I don’t want to have any setbacks or anything like that. That’s my major focus because I don’t think it’s good for anybody if I’m out there and I’m not 100 percent. So, for me, it’s getting to my peak physicality right now and then we’ll see what happens.”

A report surfaced in September suggesting that Simmons was weighing the possibility of retirement, but his comments to Spears indicate he’s focused on getting back to the league.

Simmons split last season with the Nets and Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 51 games. It was the most appearances he has made in a season since 2020/21, which was his last All-Star year.

Simmons was expected to be a perennial All-Star early in his career but his career was derailed by injuries, along with his offensive limitations and issues with management. His main physical issue has been back injuries — he’s had two surgical procedures done on his back.

He’s working on getting that issue resolved.

“The original time we were just approaching a lot of my rehab wrong. And I don’t think it was on the therapist. I just think we had to get a new set of eyes on it,” he said. “And a lot of it was my mobility and that nerve running through your back, through my leg. I could barely jump off it or really move around. So, where I’m at now, I’m back on court in the gym [six days per week]. It’s two-a-days right now and then on court, too. It’s exhausting, but this is the best I’ve felt in terms of the work I’ve been putting in. And so, when you see that and you’re getting rewarded for it, it keeps you in there. You want to see more. So, I feel really good. I feel like physically, mentally, I’m in a great place and I’m very blessed.”

Simmons said he was limited physically last season, even when he did play.

“I felt like I could barely really move how I wanted to. It was tough to really do what I wanted to do given where I was,” he said. “And at the same time, some people are happy with maybe you can give me a few minutes doing this and that. For me, I want to be able to do as much as I can. I don’t want to go out there knowing I’m going to play a certain amount of minutes when I know I can give more.”

As Spears details, Simmons has been doing basketball, strength, and rehabilitation workouts twice a day, six days a week, and believes it won’t be much longer before he’s ready to go.

“I’m looking maybe halfway through this year, if not next season,” he said. “Yeah, it just depends how far I can come along in that next month or so. But I’m feeling great. I haven’t had any setbacks.”

Simmons made a major change in representation, re-signing with super-agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports while parting ways with Bernie Lee. Paul represented Simmons earlier in his career.

“I had to make a hard decision. The first thing was letting go of my original agent last summer,” he said. “I just told him right now it’s not a fit. And it was nothing personal against him at all. It was just for me, I wanted to take that time to get my body right, get my mind right, and just make that the sole focus.”

Simmons is relying on Paul to help him find another opportunity.

“I don’t think there’s any real pressure or worry. I think it’s just they felt the same way as I felt. I said, ‘I need just time to get ready and just focus on my body.’ There’s no point in going out there and not being physically able and everyone’s on the same page, so it’s just working until you’re right,” he said. “I never had any bad blood with [Klutch Sports]. It was just one of those things where it’s like, we’re men. We’re not boys. It is what it is. S–t happened. Let’s figure it out. Let’s talk. That’s how relationships figure themselves out, and you talk them through. But there’s no bad blood. It is what it is. It’s family. I fight with my family all the time and things happen.”

Raptors Notes: Poeltl, Frontcourt Depth, Barrett, Davis, Shooting

December 23rd, 2025 at 6:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Raptors have often been forced to play small-ball with center Jakob Poeltl sidelined by a back injury, The Athletic’s Eric Koreen notes. Power forwards Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili have been filling in during his absences and the results have been predictable.

With Poeltl out, Toronto lost to the Celtics last week while getting out-rebounded 55-37. Poeltl played just seven minutes on Sunday and the victorious Nets beat the Raptors on the boards, 48-39.

Poeltl has been nagged by back issues since the opening weeks of the season. He signed a three-year extension during the offseason.

“It’s pretty unpredictable. He goes in the game and is great in the game. He might wake up in the next morning feeling good or not feeling good. Same thing with practice,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We have a long-term plan for him which consists of managing his injury, which consists of building his strength, which consists of him playing through a certain level of pain. Long-term, we are not concerned at all. It’s just something we’re dealing with in the middle of the season. If it were the offseason and we were to shut him down for two weeks, he would be completely fine.”

Here’s more on the Raptors:

Poeltl and RJ Barrett missed Tuesday’s game in Miami, Josh Lewenberg of TSN tweets. Poeltl was listed on the team’s injury report as having a lower back strain, instead of “injury management.” Barrett has been out since Nov. 23 due to a knee injury.
Michael Grange of Sportsnet argues that the team needs to acquire depth at the center position rather than hoping Poeltl’s back issues subside. Grange doubts the Raptors will take a big swing and try to acquire Anthony Davis from the Mavericks, noting that Dallas may end up not trading the big man anyway. Grange believes Toronto’s front office should chase a reliable backup instead.
Another approach the Raptors could take to address their frontcourt depth issues is to sign a free agent. Veteran Mo Bamba is currently toiling in the G League and Grange suggests that a 10-day contract next month might be a worthwhile pursuit (Twitter links).
The Raptors could also use another shooter, Koreen writes in his latest mailbag. He suggests the Raptors pursue potentially available wings such as Quentin Grimes, Keon Ellis and Collin Sexton.

Attorneys For Terry Rozier Seek Dismissal Of Federal Charges

December 23rd, 2025 at 5:37pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Attorneys for Heat guard Terry Rozier are seeking a dismissal of federal charges against their client, ESPN’s David Purdum reports.

Rozier pleaded not guilty to two federal charges related to illegal sports betting in Brooklyn federal court earlier this month. Rozier, who was arraigned alongside friend and alleged co-conspirator Deniro Laster, was released on $3MM bond secured using his Florida home.

Rozier was placed on leave by the league after he was arrested on October 23 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

His attorneys say the government overstepped when it accused his client of wire fraud. If the wire fraud charge were to be dismissed, the money laundering charge would be moot for lack of a predicate crime.

In a legal document made public Tuesday, Rozier’s attorney Jim Trusty argues that the federal government failed to clearly state Rozier’s offense in the indictment and is trying to “enforce its view of integrity in sports wagering.”

“The government has billed this case as involving ‘insider betting’ and ‘rigging’ professional basketball games,” Trusty wrote. “But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some bettors broke certain sportsbooks’ terms of use.”

In his motion to dismiss, Trusty cited a 2023 United States Supreme Court ruling on the requirements for a wire fraud charge. Paul Tuchmann, a former U.S. assistant attorney in the Eastern District of New York, said in a wire fraud case, prosecutors must prove that the purpose of the alleged scheme was to deprive the victim of money or property.

The government’s response is due by Feb. 2.

Trade Rumors: Sexton, Wolves, Pelicans, Hawks, Bagley

December 23rd, 2025 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Hornets are willing to discuss potential trades, they still hope they can contend for a play-in spot and aren’t looking to simply sell off veterans, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). According to Fischer, veteran guard Collin Sexton and his expiring $19MM contract looks like Charlotte’s most logical trade candidate.

Minnesota is one team that has done its homework on Sexton, Fischer says, explaining that the Timberwolves appear to be trying to get a sense of their range of options at the point guard spot as they seek an upgrade on their current options. While sources tell Fischer that the Wolves are adamant about not including budding star Jaden McDaniels in any deals, rival executives suspect the back-to-back conference finalists will be more aggressive on the trade market than most other Western contenders.

As Fischer explains, teams like the Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, and Spurs aren’t considered likely to make in-season splashes, so the only other club currently in the top six of the West that figures to be actively seeking meaningful upgrades is the Lakers. And it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to acquire the sort of three-and-D player they’d love to add.

Here are a few more NBA trade rumors:

As coveted as Pelicans forward Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III are, sources believe they’re unlikely to be moved at the trade deadline, writes Brett Siegel of Clutch Points. Rival scouts view Jose Alvarado, Saddiq Bey, Jordan Hawkins, and Jordan Poole as New Orleans’ more likely trade candidates, in that order, per Siegel.
Although the Hawks have checked in on Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, there has been no momentum in those talks and there’s a sense that Atlanta is more likely to target a lower-salary replacement if the team builds a deal around Kristaps Porzingis‘ expiring contract ahead of the deadline, says Siegel. One hypothetical proposal put forth by league personnel would see the Hawks target a package like Nikola Vucevic and Coby White from the Bulls, though there’s no indication that the two teams have explored that sort of trade, Siegel clarifies, noting that it’s just an example of the type of move that would likely appeal more to Atlanta than going after someone like Davis.
Siegel singles out Wizards big man Marvin Bagley III as a player to watch ahead of the deadline, writing that he has begun generating interest from teams looking to fortify their frontcourts.

Hawks Sign Malik Williams To Two-Way Contract

December 23rd, 2025 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

4:01 pm: The Hawks’ two-way deal with Williams is official, the team confirmed in a press release.

2:54 pm: The Hawks have reached an agreement with center Malik Williams on a two-way contract, sources tell Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN (Twitter link).

Williams has been playing for Atlanta’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, appearing in 14 games for the team so far this season. The 6’11” big man has averaged 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 27.4 minutes per contest.

A former Louisville standout, Williams played in seven NBA games near the end of the 2023/24 season when he signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Raptors, but has been in the G League since then. The 27-year-old was a regular contributor for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s affiliate, prior to joining the Skyhawks this fall.

The Hawks have recently seen their two-way and frontcourt depth decimated by a series of major injuries. Two-way forwards Jacob Toppin underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and Eli Ndiaye will soon follow suit, while center N’Faly Dante – who is on a standard contract – sustained a torn ACL. Starting center Kristaps Porzingis is also currently on the shelf due to an illness.

Toppin was waived by Atlanta last week, so the team won’t need to make a corresponding roster move to open up a two-way slot for Williams. As our chart shows, the Hawks’ newest two-way player will be eligible to be active for up to 32 games for the NBA squad.

Central Rumors: Bucks, Grant, Kispert, Cavs, White, Duren

December 23rd, 2025 at 3:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The expectation around the NBA is that the Bucks are looking to make an impactful in-season trade in the hopes of upgrading their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner, reports Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

According to Siegel, Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant – rumored to be a potential Milwaukee target – was the name linked to the Bucks most frequently by executives at the G League Winter Showcase over the weekend, with some sources speculating that Milwaukee could land both Grant and center Robert Williams in a deal with Portland.

While Siegel suggests that the Bucks could package Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and one more smaller contract for those two players, I’m not convinced that sort of deal would meaningfully affect Milwaukee’s outlook. Williams’ availability has been extremely limited due to his extensive injury history, and the Blazers have been better when he’s off the court than when he’s on it this season.

In addition to confirming that Grant and Heat forward Andrew Wiggins are receiving consideration from the Bucks, Siegel identifies Wizards wing Corey Kispert as another player who is on Milwaukee’s radar. Known as a three-point marksman, Kispert is hitting 40.3% of his outside shots this season, though he’s playing a career-low 19.9 minutes per game.

We have more rumors from across the Central Division:

Many sources who have spoken to Siegel downplayed the idea that the Cavaliers are looking to shake up their roster in a significant way this season. Still, that doesn’t mean the team won’t be active with non-core players prior to the deadline. Siegel singles out forwards De’Andre Hunter and Dean Wade as trade candidates to watch, noting that the Rockets had interest in Wade before signing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency this past summer.
At least six teams around the NBA have inquired on Bulls guard Coby White, Siegel writes, with league executives speculating that the Magic, Hawks, and Cavaliers could be among his suitors. There’s a belief that Orlando wants to add more scoring punch by trading Jonathan Isaac and second-round draft capital, per Siegel, though he adds that the Bulls are optimistic about getting at least one unprotected first-round pick for White. While Chicago could probably extract a 2026 first-rounder from a playoff team for White, I think the team would have a harder time acquiring a future first-rounder with more significant lottery upside in exchange for a player who almost certainly won’t sign an extension prior to reaching unrestricted free agency at season’s end.
Teams around the NBA are curious to see what Jalen Duren‘s next contract will look like, with the Pistons big man in the midst of a career year ahead of restricted free agency, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). “The Pistons are being overshadowed by OKC and San Antonio, but they’re just as set up to compete for the next five years as anyone,” one assistant general manager told Fischer, who writes that Duren could be headed for $40MM+ per year on his second NBA deal. A five-year, maximum-salary contract for a fifth-year player like Duren next summer projects to be worth over $48MM annually.

Pacific Rumors: Warriors, Kuminga, Kings, Monk, McCollum, Clippers

December 23rd, 2025 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

The Warriors have been one of the NBA’s most aggressive teams in scouring the trade market to get a better sense of which players are and aren’t available, multiple sources tell Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

Golden State is known to be in the market for an “athletic” forward as well as frontcourt help, according to Siegel, who reports that the Warriors would ideally like to add a big man who can rebound and defend the rim, since those aren’t among the strengths of current bigs like Al Horford and Quinten Post.

Although Nets center Nic Claxton has been connected to the Warriors by multiple reporters this month, Siegel says the club would probably prefer to target a player whose contract doesn’t exceed approximately $15MM annually. Siegel adds that Golden State has engaged in trade talks with the Nets, Pelicans, and Bulls, though he doesn’t specify which players those teams have discussed.

Here are a few more rumors from around the Pacific:

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), some rival executives at the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando over the weekend wondered how much more playing time Jonathan Kuminga will see before he becomes trade-eligible on January 15. Kuminga has fallen out of the rotation as of late, and it’s probably in the Warriors‘ best interest to make sure he’s healthy ahead of the trade deadline. For what it’s worth, none of the executives polled by Fischer said their opinions of Kuminga would change based on how he plays (or doesn’t) in the next few weeks.
Unless a third team gets involved, a deal sending Kuminga to the Kings looks like a long shot, per Siegel, who says the Warriors still aren’t enamored of the assets Sacramento would offer for the fifth-year forward. That includes guard Malik Monk, who has generated very little interest around the NBA due to his contract, says Siegel. Monk, who is said to be available, is still owed nearly $42MM over two years after this season.
CJ McCollum has been mentioned as a possible trade target for the Clippers, Siegel reports, noting that people around the league believe the Wizards guard could be had for second-round picks. McCollum’s $30.7MM cap hit could complicate a potential trade, but it’s an expiring contract and the Clippers wouldn’t have a problem matching the incoming money if their package starts with John Collins‘ $26.6MM expiring deal. They could also get there by stacking three or more contracts, including Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s, worth $16.2MM this season.
Sources tell Fischer that the Clippers continue to dismiss the idea that veteran stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will land on the trade block this season. Rival teams have reportedly expressed confidence that Harden, at least, will be made available.

Wizards’ Cam Whitmore Has Blood Clot, Out Indefinitely

December 23rd, 2025 at 2:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Wizards forward Cam Whitmore has been ruled out indefinitely after being diagnosed with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (a form of blood clot) in his right shoulder, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

The Wizards have formally confirmed Charania’s report, announcing (via Twitter) that Whitmore’s progress and recovery will be monitored and that his status will be updated as appropriate.

Whitmore hasn’t played since December 4, having sat out of Washington’s past six games. He was a DNP-CD in the first four of those contests before being added to the injury report with right shoulder soreness for the last two. Further testing on that sore shoulder revealed the blood clot, according to Charania (Twitter link).

A one-and-done prospect at Villanova in 2022/23, Whitmore was viewed as a potential top-five pick in the 2023 draft, but ultimately fell to No. 20, where he was selected by the Rockets. In two seasons with Houston, he played a limited role off the bench but showed some promise as a scorer, averaging 10.8 points in 17.4 minutes per contest with a shooting line of .449/.357/.707.

Recognizing that Whitmore wasn’t part of their long-term plans, the Rockets traded him to the Wizards during the 2025 offseason in exchange for a pair of second-round picks. Through his first 21 games in D.C., he averaged 9.2 PPG on .456/.286/.742 shooting.

After Whitmore’s first DNP-CD on December 6, head coach Brian Keefe suggested in his comments to reporters that the 21-year-old was held out for failing to meet “certain standards,” and a subsequent report suggested that Whitmore’s poor practice habits were a factor in his benching. However, Keefe later walked back his initial remarks and said Whitmore’s removal from the rotation was about giving other players an opportunity.

Charania’s report echoes that messaging, suggesting that Whitmore had begun “working closely” with Keefe in recent weeks as “part of his development plan.”

While that development plan will be on hold for now, there’s no indication at this point that blood clotting issues will threaten Whitmore’s career. Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Ingram, and Ausar Thompson are among the current NBA players who have fully recovered and return to action after facing similar diagnoses.