Kings, Bulls, Lakers Interested In Jonathan Kuminga
While it’s widely expected that Jonathan Kuminga will be on the move by the February 5 deadline, the Warriors don’t feel any urgency to deal him when he becomes trade-eligible on January 15, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
As Fischer writes, the market for Kuminga has shrunk since he was a restricted free agent over the summer, and it doesn’t help matters that he couldn’t crack Golden State’s rotation even before he reportedly started being held out due to trade talks. Fischer points to the Suns as a team that was interested in Kuminga over the offseason but has since moved on.
While the Mavericks reportedly initiated trade talks with the Warriors and expressed some interest in Kuminga, those conversations were centered around Anthony Davis. With the star big man injured and thus not expected to be moved, Dallas seems unlikely to circle back to Kuminga now, Fischer explains.
According to Fischer, the Wizards were once viewed as a possible landing spot for the former No. 7 overall pick, but that was when they still had Corey Kispert on the roster, a player the Warriors have liked for years. Kispert was traded to Atlanta in the Trae Young deal.
Confirming recent reporting from ESPN and The Athletic, Fischer hears the Kings remain high on Kuminga and “would welcome” the opportunity to acquire him prior to Feb. 5, but they know a two-team deal is unlikely and that may be true of multi-team constructs as well if general manager Scott Perry maintains his stance of being unwilling to include a first-round pick.
The Bulls are another team that has expressed previous interest in Kuminga, Fischer writes, and a source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that they’re still evaluating whether to make a run at him. Cowley hears there has been increased recent chatter about Coby White being on the market, and Fischer refers to the impending free agent as being “oft-discussed,” though the Warriors don’t appear to have interest in the 25-year-old guard.
Cowley also confirms the Bulls have long been intrigued by Zion Williamson, but he may not be available.
Lastly, while the Lakers are known to be looking for a three-and-D wing and Kuminga doesn’t really fit that bill, they did inquire about his availability in the offseason and have continued to keep an eye on his situation, Fischer reports.
Warriors Reportedly Targeting MPJ, Murphy, H. Jones
There have been mixed reports about whether the Nets are open to trading Michael Porter Jr. ahead of the February 5 deadline, and one report said the Pelicans are shutting down trade inquiries on Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, among others. However, those three players currently sit atop the Warriors‘ trade wish list, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
While he doesn’t state it outright, Siegel implies Jonathan Kuminga would be the primary outgoing salary in a deal for Murphy, with Golden State believed to be open to including two first-round picks. Siegel doesn’t include any details on what a potential offer for Jones might look like.
According to Siegel, early indications are the Warriors are reluctant to trade more than one first-rounder for Porter because a deal would include both Kuminga and Moses Moody. Siegel says Golden State is “very open” to moving Moody ahead of the deadline, explaining that front office has been a little disappointed that the 23-year-old hasn’t made more progress in his development.
It’s unclear if Brooklyn would accept such a package — or if the Nets will trade him at all — but Siegel writes that Porter may be the Warriors’ top trade target if they can acquire him for Kuminga, Moody, Buddy Hield and an unspecified first-round pick.
If Golden State is unable to land Porter, Murphy or Jones, Siegel hears the team would likely pivot to other wings and big men on the trade market, listing Naji Marshall, Ayo Dosunmu, Daniel Gafford and Bobby Portis as a few of the players who could be available and wouldn’t cost as much to acquire.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Fined $35K By NBA
Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been fined $35K for “public criticism of the officiating” following Saturday’s game vs. San Antonio, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
The fine was anticipated after Brown went on a prolonged rant about the officials, including calling out crew chief Curtis Blair by name, after Boston attempted four free throws in the four-point home loss, compared to 20 for San Antonio.
“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I’m tired of the inconsistency,” Brown said, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I’ll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bulls— tonight. I think [the Spurs are] a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good.
“I hope somebody can just pull up the clips, because it’s the same s— every time we play a good team. It’s like they refuse to make a call then call touch fouls on the other end. That’s just extremely frustrating, bro. Like, we play hard. We were outplaying our expectations. We compete hard on the defensive end. Then they reward the other team with touch fouls. Then we go down there and guys are allowed to get away with … I hope, just somebody please pull it up.
“Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f—ing fine. Curtis, all them dudes was terrible tonight. I don’t care. They can fine me whatever they want. But it’s crazy. Every time we play a good team, it’s the same bulls—. Somebody please pull up the clips.”
The 29-year-old guard/forward finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 43 minutes. He shot 11-of-28 from the field and didn’t attempt a single free throw, which he noted to reporters after the game.
“I’m driving to the basket,” Brown said as part of a larger quote. “I’m physical. I don’t flop. I don’t shy away from contact. I go up strong. I’m athletic. And nothing. Zero free throws tonight. The inconsistency is f—ing crazy. Give me the fine.”
Brown is earning $53.1MM this season as part of a super-max extension, so the fine will have very little financial impact on the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
Peyton Watson, Scottie Barnes Named Players Of Week
Nuggets wing Peyton Watson and Raptors forward Scottie Barnes have been named the Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, according to the NBA (Twitter links).
Watson led the depleted Nuggets to a 3-1 record during the week of January 5-11, posting averages of 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while making 70% of his three-point attempts (14-of-20).
The fourth-year swingman entered Denver’s starting lineup in November due to injuries and is enjoying a career year ahead of his restricted free agency. This is the first Player of the Week award of his career.
The Raptors also had a 3-1 record last week with Barnes averaging 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists — he sat out the team’s loss to Boston on Friday due to a right knee sprain, so Toronto was 3-0 when he played.
Barnes’ best game of the week came in an overtime victory over Philadelphia on Sunday — he racked up 31 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, and was a +15 in a game the Raptors won by a single point.
It’s the second time Barnes has earned Player of the Week honors in his career.
Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) were the other Western Conference nominees, while Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Darius Garland (Cavaliers), Jalen Johnson (Hawks) and Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) were also nominated in the East.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 1/12/2026
Hoops Rumors hosted a live chat today at 2:00 pm Central time (3:00 pm Eastern).
Rudy Gobert Suspended For One Game
1:53pm: The league has confirmed Gobert’s suspension, which he’ll serve on Tuesday (Twitter link).
7:12am: Rudy Gobert will be suspended for one game due to his accumulation of flagrant fouls, reports The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski (Twitter link).
Gobert was assessed a flagrant foul for a reckless closeout on a Victor Wembanyama three-point attempt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game between the Timberwolves and the Spurs. Wembanyama came down on Gobert’s foot but, after flexing his ankle on the ground, appeared to be uninjured.
The call marked Gobert’s fifth flagrant foul this season, four of which are categorized as Flagrant Foul 1, and one Flagrant Foul 2, which occurred in a game against the Suns. That puts Gobert at six total flagrant foul points, which automatically earns him a one-game suspension.
Following the suspension, which Gobert figures to serve on Tuesday against the Bucks, any flagrant assessed to the 33-year-old for the rest of the season will result in a two-game suspension, notes Chris Hine of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). That counter resets once the postseason begins.
And-Ones: Kennedy, RSNs, Thomas, Trade Market, RFAs
Longtime NBA referee Bill Kennedy will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a hamstring strain during Friday’s game in Orlando, Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime tweets. There’s hope he can return before the regular season ends, Haynes adds. Kennedy left the court in a wheelchair on Friday after suffering the injury during the first quarter.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- There is continuing uncertainty regarding the regional sports networks broadcasting NBA games. Main Street Sports Group, with its pending sale to DAZN teetering, it is in talks with a second potential buyer that could keep its FanDuel Sports Network broadcasts afloat, according to Tom Friend of the Sports Business Journal. That potential buyer could be FUBO TV, though that hasn’t been confirmed. Main Street missed January payments to some or all of the 13 NBA teams that it broadcasts. Main Street/DAZN wanted teams in the NBA and NHL to extend their deals through the 2028/29 season, including digital rights, something the teams and the leagues were uninterested in doing, according to Friend. Main Street is also asking NBA and NHL franchises to take a 20% dip in rights fee payments for the rest of this season and also defer those reduced payments.
- Former NBA guard Matt Thomas has joined Besiktas GAIN Istanbul for the remainder of the EuroLeague season, Eurohoops.net reports. The 31-year-old shooting guard had been playing for Spain’s Coviran Granada, where he averaged 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Thomas appeared in 126 NBA games over three years from 2019-22, suiting up for Toronto, Utah and Chicago.
- The Hawks traded a former All-Star guard in Trae Young during his prime and didn’t receive any draft compensation in return. Yossi Gozlan of ThirdApron.com examines why the trade market has crashed and how this could impact future moves, such as the Grizzlies potentially dealing Ja Morant.
- Who was the biggest loser among the restricted free agents last offseason? The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi, Tony Jones and Nick Friedell discuss how Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes were impacted by the current CBA and why potential suitors were reluctant to tie up cap space to extend an offer sheet to an RFA.
Postponed Heat-Bulls Game Rescheduled For January 29th
The Heat–Bulls game that was postponed on January 8 has been rescheduled for Jan. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET, the NBA announced (via Twitter). Additionally, a Chicago at Miami game, previously scheduled for Jan. 30, has been rescheduled to Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.
The Jan. 8 game was called off due to moisture on the court at the United Center. The game was delayed and eventually postponed after several players noticed slick spots on the court during warmups. The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, who also compete at the United Center, played the previous night and unseasonably warm (mid-50s Fahrenheit) and rainy conditions in Chicago the next day led to the excess moisture on the court.
The Heat and Bulls will now in fact play three consecutive games against each other. Chicago was already scheduled to visit Miami for a Feb. 1 contest, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. So they’ll play on Jan. 29 in Chicago, Jan. 31 in Miami, and Feb. 1 in Miami.
Both clubs will also play on Jan. 28, so each team will wind up taking the court for four games in five nights, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network notes (Twitter link). Chicago has a road game against the Pacers on the 28th, while Miami will host the Magic on that night.
Grizzlies Notes: Morant, Jackson, Koloko, Coward
The Grizzlies are dealing with a limited market as they consider their options in a potential Ja Morant trade, writes Zach Harper of The Athletic. Harper speculates that the offers Memphis receives might be similar to the meager return Atlanta got for Trae Young, even though Morant is only 26 and is a two-time All-Star.
Harper starts by pointing out that 15 teams are already set at point guard, which eliminates half the league. Among the rest, Boston, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Orlando don’t have enough trade assets or financial flexibility to be realistic contenders for Morant, and Harper doesn’t believe Atlanta will be in the market for another point guard after parting with Young. Toronto is probably out because the Grizzlies wouldn’t want Immanuel Quickley‘s long-term contract, and Sacramento likely wouldn’t part with the draft assets necessary to get Memphis’ interest.
Harper whittles his list down to the Nets, Bulls, Heat and Mavericks as the most likely contenders for Morant, but none of them appear to be a perfect fit. Chicago needs to find a star, but Josh Giddey is already entrenched as the team’s lead ball-handler. Dallas could use a younger point guard than Kyrie Irving if the plan is to rebuild around Cooper Flagg, but Morant’s injury history might make the Mavs reluctant to pull the trigger on a deal. Brooklyn is in the early stages of rebuilding, and Morant might not be happy to wind up there.
Harper suggests that Morant’s best option is to finish the season strong and rebuild his trade value for a potential deal this summer. However, he speculates that the Grizzlies may already have a deal in hand that they can live with and they’re just seeing if they can do better before the deadline arrives.
There’s more from Memphis:
- The Morant trade rumors are starting to raise questions about whether Jaren Jackson Jr. is on board with a complete rebuilding project, Tim MacMahon states on the latest edition of The Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to Real GM). Memphis is hanging on to the final play-in spot at 17-22 after sending Desmond Bane to Orlando last summer. “Their actions are telling you that they’re determined to rebuild the Grizzlies, I would say, around Jaren Jackson Jr.,” MacMahon said. “There’s a lot of discussion around the league wondering if that is mutual, I would say.”
- Christian Koloko‘s second 10-day contract has expired, per Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) so the Grizzlies would need to sign him to a standard deal to keep him for the rest of the season. Koloko appeared in 11 games over that span, making two starts and averaging 2.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per night.
- Rookie Cedric Coward is already emerging as a reliable clutch-time option, observes Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints. “(Coward) is a first-year player coming out of college, but is picking his spots,” coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “Overall, I would talk about our very good offense for stretches. He was a part of those, making quick decisions off the catch. Ball movement was great; he was finding open players. Those are the things we’ve got to build on and also look to use in crunch time.”
Knicks Notes: Hart, Towns, Kolek, NBA Finals Chances
Josh Hart‘s return made the Knicks feel like a more complete team, writes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. Hart was back in the starting lineup in Sunday’s win at Portland, logging 31 minutes and finishing with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists. He told reporters that he considered trying to come back earlier from a right ankle sprain he suffered on Christmas Day, but the lingering pain prevented it.
“My plan, originally, I wanted to come back (for) the Clippers game (on Wednesday),” Hart said. “I learned a day or two before that was not going to happen because of how it was feeling. If we were on a good little run, I probably would have taken a couple more days, couple more games, but I felt like I could come in and help with where I am right now. If I’m banged up a little bit, I go out and play, get the movement, and it helps me heal faster.”
New York had lost five of its previous six games without Hart and slow starts were a recurring problem, with Edwards noting that coach Mike Brown frequently had to call the first timeout of the game. The energy level was noticeably better from the opening tip on Sunday, Edwards adds, as the Knicks improved to 12-3 with Hart as a starter.
“A lot of our guys are irreplaceable, but especially a guy like Josh who does so many little things for you,” Brown said. “Sometimes they don’t even show up in the stat sheet. To have him back is good. To have him back helps with our pace because he gets out and runs, throws it ahead or pushes the ball at an extremely fast pace. We get easy baskets when we play like that.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Karl-Anthony Towns sat out the final 9:24 of the fourth quarter, with Brown explaining that he made the decision to stick with a combination that was working, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. New York outscored Portland 31-20 during that stretch, using either Mitchell Robinson at center or a small-ball lineup. Towns has talked about the challenges of adapting to his new head coach, but Brown said it’s a mutual project. “I’ve said this before: It’s not all on KAT to adjust to and adapt to what we have to do,” Brown said. “He’s had the hardest adjustment period because he’s had to learn the most. In the same breath, I have to make sure that I help him by simplifying what we do and making sure I’m putting him in the right spots and then he’s got to do the things necessary to help out, as well.”
- Hart’s return forced Tyler Kolek out of the rotation, Bondy adds. The second-year guard picked up his first DNP-CD since November 19.
- ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill examines the Knicks’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals, offering three reasons why it could happen and three things that might prevent it.