Kings Rumors: Holmes, Barnes, Bagley, Bjelica
Although the Kings are open to listening to trade inquiries for anyone not named De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton, sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN that it will take a significant return to pry away forward Harrison Barnes or big man Richaun Holmes.
Barnes has been a popular subject of trade speculation in recent weeks, having reportedly drawn interest from Boston and other teams, while a report earlier today said Toronto and Charlotte are among the teams eyeing Holmes. However, according to Lowe, the Kings are telling teams that they don’t consider themselves far off from being a playoff team, so they’re not eager to trade productive veterans in their prime for draft picks and prospects.
As Lowe points out, given Marvin Bagley III‘s struggles and health problems, the Kings may also view Holmes as their center of the future and will have the cap flexibility to re-sign him in free agency this offseason. If that’s the case, there’s no reason to try to get what they can for him on the trade market.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report also hears that the Kings are willing to discuss anyone besides Fox or Haliburton, but that the asking price for Barnes is high. Sources tell Fischer it may take multiple first-round picks to pique Sacramento’s interest. “Every playoff team would be interested in him, but that’s why I don’t think that deal’s gonna happen,” one assistant general manager said of Barnes.
- There’s a belief in league circles that Bagley would welcome a change of scenery, according to Fischer. Bagley’s father pushed for a trade earlier this year, and the former No. 2 overall pick didn’t exactly denounce it. However, the big man is currently sidelined with a broken hand and Sacramento is asking for a first-round pick, reducing the likelihood of a deal, Fischer says.
- Although it’s unclear whether any team will meet Sacramento’s asking price of a younger player and a second-round pick, Nemanja Bjelica remains the King most likely to be traded, per Fischer. “They want to move him, and Bjelica told them he wants to be moved,” an assistant GM said. League sources who spoke to Bleacher Report identified the Celtics as a top suitor for the stretch four.
Charania’s Latest: LeBron, Fournier, Raptors, Holmes, More
There’s an initial expectation that the high ankle sprain LeBron James suffered over the weekend will sideline the Lakers star for multiple weeks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
As Charania explains, James has been incredibly durable throughout his career and has a high pain tolerance, but high ankle sprains are generally multi-week injuries and the Lakers will want to play it safe with the superstar forward to ensure he’s back to 100% by the time the playoffs begin in May. The team has a 28-15 record and isn’t in any danger of losing a playoff spot, so James won’t be rushed back.
Here’s more from Charania:
- The Celtics are eyeing Magic guard Evan Fournier, sources tell The Athletic. Fournier’s $17MM expiring contract could be absorbed using Boston’s $28.5MM trade exception.
- Charania adds the Raptors to the list of teams showing interest in Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Toronto is also – along with the Hornets – among the clubs interested in Kings center Richaun Holmes, according to Charania.
- Although the Mavericks have discussed a possible Andre Drummond trade with the Cavaliers, Dallas is more likely to pursue the veteran center if he’s bought out, says Charania.
- Teams around the NBA are monitoring Raptors swingman Norman Powell and Lakers wing Talen Horton-Tucker, per Charania. Both players are eligible for free agency in 2021 — Powell will be unrestricted, while Horton-Tucker will be restricted.
Hawks Rumors: Smart, Bogdanovic, Collins, Hunter, Ball
The Hawks have expressed interest in Celtics guard Marcus Smart, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. Smart, who is one of the NBA’s stronger perimeter defenders, would be a nice fit in Atlanta’s backcourt alongside Trae Young, but Boston’s appetite for trading Smart is unclear.
At 21-21, the Celtics have had a disappointing season, but they’re still a playoff team and Smart plays a key role for the club. Boston likely won’t simply trade him for picks or prospects, so any deal that sends him to Atlanta would likely have to include a player like John Collins or Bogdan Bogdanovic, as Jared Weiss and Sam Amick of The Athletic write.
Speaking of Bogdanovic, in addition to drawing interest from the Celtics, he’s being eyed by a few other teams as well. Charania adds the Warriors to the list of players with interest in Bogdanovic, while Weiss and Amick say the Clippers are also on that list.
Here’s more on the Hawks:
- League sources with knowledge of the Hawks’ Collins trade discussions tell Weiss and Amick that there’s a “significant gulf” in how much Atlanta values the big man and how much teams are willing to give up for him. The fact that the Hawks only offered in the range of $90MM in extension talks last offseason has created the impression they wouldn’t go any higher than that this summer when Collins reaches restricted free agency, which isn’t the case.
- According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Hawks’ initial response to the Celtics‘ inquiries on Collins was to try to build a deal around Jaylen Brown, which was a non-starter for Boston.
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe estimates that the odds of a Collins trade this week are only about 30%, given how highly the Hawks value him and how badly they want to make the postseason. It would be difficult for the club to find a fair deal without taking a step back in the short term.
- Hawks wing De’Andre Hunter may return to action as soon as Monday night, sources tell Charania. Hunter has been sidelined since January 29 after undergoing meniscus surgery.
- Charania confirms that the Hawks are among the teams expected to pursue Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, which was first reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer on Sunday.
Aaron Gordon Reportedly Requests Trade; Rockets, Others In Mix
8:56am: Gordon has reportedly requested a trade through his representatives, sources tell Jared Weiss and Sam Amick of The Athletic. A report last week suggested that the Magic forward would be “open to a change of scenery.”
8:42am: The Rockets and Magic have engaged in serious talks about a potential Aaron Gordon trade, league sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN. While Lowe isn’t clear on the exact terms that have been discussed, he says it would likely take significant draft compensation from Houston (ie. multiple picks) to land Gordon.
Shams Charania of The Athletic published a similar report, writing that the Rockets and Magic have discussed a Gordon trade that would involve two first-round picks. A previous report indicated that Orlando was seeking a first-rounder and a quality young player, so this sounds like a similar ask.
Both Lowe and Charania say that no deal is imminent, but that there have been substantive talks. Although Gordon has been the subject of trade rumors for a year or two, this is the first time a deal really feels possible, according to Lowe, who suggests the odds could even be better than 50/50.
If the Magic do trade Gordon, it wouldn’t necessary be to Houston. Both Lowe and Charania say that the Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Trail Blazers remain interested, while sources tell Charania and The Athletic’s Jared Weiss that the Celtics are also still eyeing Gordon.
A Sunday report on the discussions between the Rockets and Magic suggested that Victor Oladipo could be part of those talks, with the two-time All-Star re-routed to a third team.
According to Charania, Houston’s asking price for Oladipo is thought to be a quality first-round pick or a good young player — if the team gets a first-rounder for Oladipo, it could be flipped to Orlando for Gordon. However, some teams around the NBA are wondering if the Rockets will have to settle for second-round compensation for Oladipo, Charania writes. League sources tell The Athletic that the Heat, Knicks, and Pistons have showed some interest in Oladipo.
Heat, Sixers Lead Pursuit Of Kyle Lowry
MARCH 22: The Heat and Sixers are the leaders for Lowry if the Raptors move him, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who says that sources with knowledge of the point guard’s mindset thinks he wants to compete for a championship.
Meanwhile, teams have told ESPN’s Zach Lowe that the Raptors haven’t been aggressive in engaging in Lowry discussions yet, but that could change between now and Thursday’s deadline. Lowe expresses some skepticism that the Heat would part with Herro in a deal for Lowry.
MARCH 21: The Heat are one of several teams expressing interest in Raptors star Kyle Lowry ahead of the March 25 trade deadline, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who says Miami’s interest appears to be the strongest among Lowry’s potential suitors.
The Clippers and Sixers also retain an interest in Lowry, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Miami is Lowry’s preferred destination should he be moved ahead of the deadline, league sources tell O’Connor, noting the close relationship between him and Jimmy Butler.
In any deal involving Lowry between the Heat and Raptors, Toronto would expect to acquire either Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson in return, according to O’Connor.
On the season, Lowry has averaged 17.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, shooting 44% from the field and 39% from deep in 34 contests. He was a focal point of the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship team and is in his ninth season with the franchise.
Miami is also said to be the favorites to sign LaMarcus Aldridge if he receives a buyout from the Spurs, O’Connor adds. Additionally, the Heat have a $7.5MM trade exception generated in the 2020 deal featuring Jae Crowder that will officially expire at the end of Monday.
Western Notes: Ball, Oladipo, Poole, Mavericks
The Pelicans‘ decision on whether to trade Lonzo Ball before the deadline will largely impact their chemistry for the rest of the season, Scott Kushner of Nola.com examines.
New Orleans has accrued just an 18-24 record this season, struggling to give a consistent effort on the defensive end. The team is only 2.5 games behind the Grizzlies for the No. 10 seed, which is needed to make the play-in tournament under the league’s new format.
“We’re not where we want to be,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Certainly on some nights, we look like we’re better than that. On other nights, we don’t. Everybody plays good games, though. When you’re good, it’s when you can do it consistently, night after night after night.
“It’s not what you do on your best night. We have 30 teams who will look great for a game. It’s who can do it night after night. And who can do it when it doesn’t have to be their best game and when they’re not lighting it up shooting the ball and can still find a way to win?”
There’s more from the Western Conference tonight:
- Rockets guard Victor Oladipo is being increasingly regarded as one of the top names that could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Houston, losers of 20 straight games, acquired Oladipo in the multi-team deal featuring James Harden earlier this season.
- Warriors guard Jordan Poole continued to emerge in the team’s three-game trip, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes. Poole, a talented 21-year-old player in his second NBA season, finished with 26 points, four rebounds and five assists in the team’s loss to Memphis on Saturday.
- Tim Cato and John Hollinger of The Athletic examine the Mavericks‘ situation as the trade deadline nears. Dallas currently owns the eighth-best record in the West at 21-19 and could express interest in multiple players — including Cleveland’s Andre Drummond.
Heat Notes: Losing Streak, Shooting, Trade Deadline, Free Agency
After winning 11 of 12 games, the Heat have now lost three straight contests and currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings at 22-21, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
Miami lost a tough 109-106 game to Indiana in overtime on Sunday, ending the contest with Tyler Herro at point guard due to the absence of Goran Dragic. The team compiled 14 turnovers and often struggled to get good looks, shooting below 30% from three-point range for the third game in a row.
“Losing sucks. It’s either winning or misery,” said Bam Adebayo, who finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the outing. “… Nobody wants to lose three games in a row, especially considering we fought back from being at the bottom of the East.”
The Heat have upcoming games against the Suns on Tuesday, Blazers on Thursday and Hornets on Friday.
Here are some other notes out of Miami tonight:
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald examines why the team has recently struggled with three-point shooting. The Heat are shooting 26-of-105 (24.7%) from deep in their last three games, largely due to inconsistent play at point guard and missing makeable shots. “I think we’re getting good looks,” Duncan Robinson said. “There’s definitely areas for improvement, just in terms of ball movement, player movement, everything. It’s not anyone being selfish or anything like that. It’s just about finding that connectivity and that rhythm. Sometimes it takes seeing a couple go through to really build that. So I think we all agree that we’re right there. We’ve got plenty of guys that can take and make shots. So it’s only a matter of time. But you don’t just want to sit back and be just kind of passive with that stuff. You have to try to work for solutions.”
- Miami is being faced with a trade deadline conundrum, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel examines. The Heat have expressed interest in players such as Kyle Lowry and LaMarcus Aldridge, but both talents are set to become free agents at season’s end.
- Winderman also explores whether the team is facing a tricky free-agency proposition in his latest “Ask Ira” mailbag.
LaMelo Ball Expected To Miss Rest Of Season With Fractured Wrist
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has suffered a fractured bone in his right wrist and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). The team confirmed the injury and stated that Ball will be out indefinitely.
Ball was dealing with wrist soreness and underwent an MRI in San Antonio today which revealed the injury. He’ll seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis, with the fracture being located around the area of his thumb, Wojnarowski notes.
Ball has averaged 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in his first NBA season, making a strong case to be named Rookie of the Year. Now that he’ll miss the final two months of the season, it could open the door for Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Haliburton to make a run for that award.
The Hornets are 20-21 and have lost three straight contests. Ball’s injury could affect how the team approaches the trade deadline this week, perhaps reducing the odds of a Devonte’ Graham trade or a major splash for a big man.
O’Connor’s Latest: Collins, Bogdanovic, Gordon, Oladipo, More
The Hawks are receiving significant interest on star John Collins ahead of the trade deadline, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes. Among the interested teams are the Celtics, Kings, Mavericks, Pistons and Timberwolves.
Collins, who was drafted 19th overall by Atlanta in 2017, is averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game this season. The 23-year-old’s role has decreased a little with the additions of Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela, though he’s started in all 42 contests for the team this year.
Atlanta is seeking one young player and a first-round pick in any deal involving Collins, O’Connor notes. The team reportedly sought Malik Beasley and a first-rounder from the Timberwolves, but Minnesota ultimately declined the offer.
Here are some other notes from O’Connor as the March 25 deadline nears:
- The Celtics‘ and Hawks‘ discussions surrounding Collins have also included Bogdan Bogdanovic, according to O’Connor. Bogdanovic signed a contract to join Atlanta in free agency, appearing in just 17 games this season due to injury.
- The Rockets have discussed a deal with the Magic involving Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon, though the team’s may need to find a third club to finalize any deal, O’Connor notes. Oladipo likely wouldn’t have a future in Orlando, as the 28-year-old spent the first three seasons of his career there and is set to reach free agency this offseason. The Rockets could also add a first-round pick or other assets to make a deal happen.
- The Mavericks are among the teams who’ve held trade discussions with the Cavaliers on center Andre Drummond. Cleveland is hoping to move Drummond ahead of the deadline, though a buyout is likely if a trade doesn’t materialize in time.
- The Warriors recently inquired on Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman, O’Connor reports, though talks stalled. Osman is shooting just 36% from the field and 32% from deep in his 40 games this season.
- Grizzlies center Gorgui Dieng could receive a buyout if the team is unable to trade him, O’Connor writes. Dieng hasn’t played in the club’s last nine games.
- According to O’Connor, the Warriors are shopping Kelly Oubre Jr., who is set to become a free agent at season’s end. Oubre’s averaging 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 30.4 minutes per game this season, making $14.37MM.
Bulls, Hawks Pursuing Lonzo Ball
The Bulls and Hawks are among the teams interested in Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, but skepticism remains that New Orleans will deal the 23-year-old ahead of the March 25 trade deadline, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Chicago has offered a package that features Tomas Satoransky and second-round picks, per O’Connor, but the Pelicans are hoping to acquire at least one first-round pick or a young player.
Trade discussions with the Hawks have mostly revolved around second-year wing Cam Reddish, O’Connor adds. Atlanta signed two point guards (Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn) last offseason to a roster that already features Trae Young as a starter, but Dunn has yet to make his debut to an ankle injury and Rondo’s play has been up and down.
By offloading a guard, the Pelicans would have a clearer pathway toward playing some of their younger backcourt players, though it’s probably safe to assume the team would rather move Eric Bledsoe than Ball.
Ball is set to become a restricted free agent at season’s end. Similar to the Kyle Lowry situation with any interested teams, both the Bulls and Hawks will have enough cap space to potentially sign Ball this offseason, but New Orleans would have the ability to match any offer. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged a career-high 14.2 points and 5.6 assists in 31.7 minutes per game on the year.