The Bucks informed rival teams a few hours ahead of Thursday’s deadline that they wouldn’t be trading superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and several other noteworthy players will remain with their respective teams after the deadline passed at 2:00 pm CT.
Point guard Ja Morant was available on the trade market for at least four weeks, but even after lowering their asking price, the Grizzlies were unable to find a taker for the two-time All-Star, confirms Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (via Twitter). According to Siegel, Memphis will revisit trade talks for Morant in the offseason.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), while a few teams were “intrigued” by the 26-year-old’s talent, none were willing to make a “serious offer.” The Kings, Bucks, Heat and Timberwolves were all linked to Morant in recent days, though there’s no indication that talks ever reached an advanced stage.
As Siegel writes, the Grizzlies were looking for a first-round pick for the two-time All-Star, but no teams were willing to meet that asking price. Miami, for instance, was only willing to give up expiring contracts and second-round picks for Morant, sources tell Siegel.
Morant’s injury history and maximum-salary contract limited his appeal on the trade market, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. The former No. 2 overall pick is on a guaranteed deal that runs through 2027/28.
“You’re committing to several years, and if it doesn’t work, you’re probably carrying that contract until it’s an expiring at least,” one league source told Afseth. “Most teams would want to be compensated just to take that deal on, whether they believe in Morant or not.”
The Clippers made a pair of major trades, swapping James Harden for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to Indiana for two first-round picks, one second-rounder, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson. All-Star Kawhi Leonard won’t be going anywhere though, tweets NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Two-time All-NBA big man Domantas Sabonis, who was repeatedly linked to Toronto until Sacramento’s talks with the Raptors “flat-lined,” will stay put with the Kings, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). The Kings were also unable to find suitable deals for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, per Haynes (Twitter link).
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), and Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones of the Pelicans are among the other noteworthy players whose names came up in trade speculation this season who will remain with their respective clubs.
Of course, we saw a flurry of trades that did transpire in the lead-up to the deadline. The full list can be found here.
This is a giant load of burning crap in a brown paper bag on my doorstep !!!
What gives?? Standing pat??
THIS DOES NOT FLY. Wasted season of Curry because of a couple of draft picks.
Warriors have had top 10 picks for 30 years and did nothing with them !!
Kuminga, Wiseman, Patrick O’Bryant, Ekpe Udoh, Adonal Foyle, Ike Diogu, Mike Dunleavy Jr, Antawn Jamison, Jason Richardson, Mitch Richmond, Billy Owens, and zero rings !!
Curry‘s been great this year and they’re wasting it. He always sits three weeks in February. Then he’s ready to go in the playoffs.
Guy like this comes along once every 50 years and the warriors are worried about three draft picks.., and you get to keep every other one !!
I’m not talking about Giannis, but they could’ve gotten someone. Zubac? My goodness.
This is complete rubbish.
Deep breaths
They should have gone for JJJ all it cost was 3 1st round picks and some add in cap money. Giannis was always a dream they never had the assets to get him so why be all in. They should have gone for McCain an athletic player. That is why its time for Kerr to retire. He is no good with a rebuild which they need to do. Trading Curry next year before the draft might be the best option for the team. I don’t see them having a top team for the next 3 to 4 years.
I can’t believe they pivoted away from being able to get JJJ while holding out for Giannis. Lacob just pining for Giannis while wasting Curry’s years is criminal.
They’ll never trade away Curry unless he demanded it. And Kerr will be the coach until Curry is either retired or he signs elsewhere.
I know it was lacob holding out for Giannis. They never had the assets to get him. I was hoping they would go after Williamson. Notice all the teams that stacked too many all stars are the ones that faltered this year. Clippers, warriors, Mavs, bucks and ect… Even Orlando found out 1 all star added doesn’t give you wins.
Richmond was a good player and J. Rich and Jamison had nice NBA careers. I understand your frustration, why didn’t you include Webber as well then?
Yes, definitely Chris Webber and Joe Smith too.
Very high draft picks. No rings. No playoff success. Nothing.
This is a “golden” time in San Francisco and the Warriors are poo pooing it away like fools.
Plus, that list is only top 10 guys.
I looked online to see the couple guys that I had forgotten, and then also realized there’s a whole truckload of other guys picked 10 through 20 who were absolute wasted pics.
And here the Warriors are worried about 3 lousy draft picks in total, and that land every other year !!
Don’t get me started.
Morant, KCP, someone else, one 1st and two 2nds to NOP for Murray, Poole, Fears, Missi and Queen
I need ur strain asap
Lol make it a double for me!
I have a hookah
What a pipe dream! A unicorn for jk was the consolation prize
At this point he is a donkey lol.