Western Rumors: Pelicans, Rockets, Clippers, Suns, Blazers
Although the Pelicans have turned away teams expressing interest in forward Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, potential trade partners who have talked to New Orleans have gotten the impression the club is open to moving center Yves Missi and/or swingman Jordan Hawkins, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
After starting 67 games and averaging 26.8 minutes per night as a rookie, Missi has made just seven starts and is averaging 18.2 MPG this season, having fallen behind newcomer Derik Queen on the frontcourt depth chart. As for Hawkins, the former 14th overall pick is having his worst NBA season, averaging just 4.4 points in 14.2 minutes per game, with a 30.3% mark on three-point tries.
While Hawkins likely wouldn’t have much value on the trade market, the Pelicans could potentially extract a decent return for Missi, who had a solid first year in 2024/25. Fischer confirms the Pacers have inquired on the big man, as previously reported by Michael Scotto.
Meanwhile, some of the teams interested in Murphy and Jones continue to hold out hope that the Pelicans are just posturing when they say they aren’t trading either of them this season, but Fischer believes the Pels’ stance is real, given how strongly they’ve rebuffed inquiries on those players so far.
Here are a few more Western Conference rumors from Fischer:
- The Rockets have dropped four of their last six games and have gone just 8-9 since their 15-5 start, but Fischer doesn’t get a sense that Houston is panicking at all, pointing out that the club played 23 of its first 36 games on the road. According to Fischer, the Rockets’ struggles would probably have to worsen considerably for the team to feel any urgency to acquire another ball-handler, especially since there’s still a chance Fred VanVleet could return from his ACL tear for the playoffs.
- When the Clippers got off to a 6-21 start this season, there were teams optimistic that James Harden and Ivica Zubac would be on the trade block this winter, but those hopes have “faded considerably” with L.A. winning 11 of 13 games to reenter the postseason race, Fischer writes.
- Rival executives are keeping a close eye on the Suns and Trail Blazers, per Fischer. Phoenix has won nine of its past 12 games, while Portland won seven of eight before losing to New York and Golden State this week. There’s curiosity about whether one or both of those teams could emerge as a “sneaky” buyer at the trade deadline, Fischer explains, observing that both the Suns and Blazers have multiple mid-tier contracts that could be used as trade chips in various kinds of deals.
Hoops Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript: 1/15/2026
Hoops Rumors’ Arthur Hill held a live chat today exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers. Topics included whether any team will gamble on an Anthony Davis trade, Trae Young's chances of playing again this season, the Pistons' options at the deadline, the three players most likely to be traded and more!
Eastern Rumors: Ty. Jones, Ivey, Pacers, Okongwu, Raptors, Sixers
The Magic have made calls to multiple teams to explore the possibility of trading veteran point guard Tyus Jones in exchange for some second-round draft capital, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Jones, 29, signed a one-year, $7MM contract with Orlando over the summer but has played a limited role with the team and is performing well below his usual standard. He has averaged 3.2 points and 2.4 assists in 16.5 minutes per game across 40 outings (eight starts), while making just 35.3% of his shots from the floor, including 29.5% from beyond the three-point line.
The Magic are currently operating about $5.6MM above the luxury tax line and may be motivated to duck out of tax territory at this season’s deadline. Their roster will only get more expensive beginning in 2026/27 when Paolo Banchero‘s maximum-salary rookie scale extension takes effect, so avoiding the tax this season would postpone the repeater clock for another year.
Here are several more items of interest shared by Fischer from around the Eastern Conference:
- While the Pistons still aren’t looking to make a major in-season deal, they’ve gauged Jaden Ivey‘s value on the trade market, per Fischer. The former fifth overall pick has played a reduced role (16.9 MPG) this season in his return from a major leg injury and will be eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end.
- As the Pacers continue to scour the trade market for a long-term answer at the center spot, Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu is among the players they’ve inquired about, Fischer writes. There’s no indication that Atlanta engaged in discussions involving Okongwu, who is averaging a career-high 16.0 points and 31.9 minutes per game.
- Rivals view the Raptors as one of the teams most interested in making a significant in-season move, according to Fischer, who notes that Toronto was the only team besides Washington with real interest in Trae Young. The Raptors have also been connected repeatedly to Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis, and Fischer suggests they’re a potential suitor worth watching for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
- The Sixers and Grizzlies had some trade conversations in mid-December, Fischer says, clarifying that those discussions didn’t involve Morant. Based on “recent synergy” between them, Philadelphia and Memphis could end up being involved in the same transaction if either club needs help from a third team to facilitate a deal, Fischer notes.
Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Demands Trade
Newly eligible to be dealt as of today, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has demanded a trade out of Golden State, according to Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of ESPN.
Kuminga’s trade demand is something of a formality, since his desire for a change of scenery has been a poorly-kept secret for months.
The former No. 7 overall pick discussed potential deals with teams like Sacramento and Phoenix as a restricted free agent during the offseason, but those suitors didn’t have the ability to sign him outright to an offer sheet out of the Warriors’ price range and didn’t make a sign-and-trade offer compelling enough for Golden State to move him.
As a result, Kuminga ended up returning to the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8MM contract that features a team option for 2026/27. After opening the season in the starting lineup, he was moved to the second unit in November and eventually fell out of the rotation altogether. The fifth-year forward hasn’t seen any action since December 18.
The relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors has deteriorated to the point that virtually every party involved in the situation agrees a trade would be the best outcome, per Slater and Charania. Even team owner Joe Lacob, who has long been one of Kuminga’s top boosters in the organization, is “down” on the 23-year-old at this point, team sources tell Marcus Thompson II, Sam Amick, and Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
Still, Kuminga’s value has declined considerably in recent years and has fallen further during the first half of this season due to his DNP-CDs, so it will be difficult for the Warriors to get the kind of return they want. For instance, the Kings, who were offering Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick (top-12 protected) during the summer, remain interested in the forward but are no longer willing to include a first-rounder in their offer, according to The Athletic.
With Kuminga’s value at a low point, Warriors sources have insisted that the team would be comfortable keeping him on the roster beyond the trade deadline and revisiting the situation over the summer, according to both ESPN and The Athletic. While Golden State says it won’t make a deal unless it gets real value in return, per The Athletic, Slater and Charania say rival executives are skeptical of the Warriors’ posturing and believe Kuminga will be on the move before the February 5 trade deadline.
Phoenix is reportedly no longer interested in Kuminga, but there are other possible suitors in play. The Mavericks have also shown interest, Slater and Charania confirm, though one recent report suggested Dallas was only eyeing Kuminga as part of a potential deal involving Anthony Davis. It’s unclear if the Mavs would pursue Kuminga separately or if they just viewed him as an appealing piece within a larger return.
League and team sources confirm to The Athletic that the Lakers have some level in interest in Kuminga, though it doesn’t sound as if the two teams have engaged in any real talks about him to this point.
The Warriors have been cited as a potential suitor for Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., but a team source tells The Athletic that there haven’t been substantial discussions between those two teams. Slater and Charania, meanwhile, cite league sources who say the Warriors haven’t talked to Brooklyn in over a month and have “never shown real interest” in making a move for Porter.
Golden State has been frequently linked to Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, but there has never been any indication New Orleans wants Kuminga, and Joe Dumars‘ front office has been rebuffing inquiries on Murphy, ESPN confirms.
Here are a few more Kuminga-related items of interest:
- League sources tell Slater and Charania that the Warriors are prioritizing expiring salaries in a Kuminga deal and aren’t looking to take on multiyear contracts unless they view those contracts as “no-brainer positive value.” That’s why Golden State was never all that interested in a deal involving Monk, though sources tell ESPN that Kings guard Keon Ellis is a player who would intrigue the Warriors as a “potential sweetener.”
- For the right star, the Warriors would be open to moving multiple first-round picks, per Slater and Charania. Team sources tell ESPN that Golden State is more willing to part with its 2026 first-rounder than with picks in 2028 and beyond.
- It looked like Kuminga would get a chance to return to the Warriors’ rotation on January 2 with several regulars sidelined for health reasons, but he was a late scratch due to lower back soreness. According to Thompson, Amick, and Friedell, that turn of events created some frustration within the organization, with multiple team sources telling The Athletic they suspect Kuminga wasn’t actually injured. “I wouldn’t have played either,” one Warriors player said. “It’s clear the coach doesn’t believe in him.”
- Speaking of that coach, Steve Kerr was among the members within the organization who was in favor of drafting Franz Wagner with the seventh pick in the 2021 draft, team sources confirm to The Athletic. Wagner ended up being picked eighth overall by Orlando after the Warriors took Kuminga due to their desire to add “athleticism and potential star power” to the roster.
Injury Notes: Brunson, Garland, Flagg, Gafford, Avdija
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson exited Wednesday’s loss to Sacramento after just five minutes of action due to a sprained right ankle, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
According to Bondy, Brunson wasn’t using crutches or wearing a walking boot when he left the arena, which is a positive sign. Still, the team figures to be careful with the two-time All-Star, who missed about a month last season – and multiple games this past November – when he sprained the same ankle.
The Knicks struggled without their star guard available for most of the night on Wednesday — Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby made a combined 16-of-47 shots (34.0%) from the floor en route to a 112-101 loss to the Kings. New York will be back in action on Thursday as the team visits Golden State.
Here are a few more injury-related notes from around the NBA:
- Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland suffered a right foot injury on Wednesday in Philadelphia and is considered doubtful to play on Friday in a rematch with the Sixers, head coach Kenny Atkinson said after Wednesday’s victory, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). However, Donovan Mitchell told reporters that his teammate was in “good spirits” in the locker room. “That’s always a good sign,” Mitchell said. “That’s all we have.” Cavs wing Sam Merrill, who missed 14 games earlier in the season due to a right hand injury, also appeared to re-injured that hand on Wednesday and may miss time, Fedor notes.
- An already banged-up Mavericks squad lost two more players on Wednesday night vs. Denver, as Cooper Flagg exited the game with a left ankle sprain while Daniel Gafford aggravated a right ankle sprain he initially dealt with during training camp, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. It’s unclear if either player will be available when the Mavs host Utah on Thursday in the second game of a back-to-back set.
- Although Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is unlikely to play on Thursday after missing Tuesday’s game vs. Golden State due to lower back soreness, it bodes well that his injury designation is “doubtful” rather than “out,” tweets Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report. That’s a signal that Avdija shouldn’t be facing an extended absence.
Eleven More Players Become Trade-Eligible
Today is Thursday, January 15, which means that a total of 11 players who signed free agent contracts meeting specific criteria this past offseason are now eligible to be traded.
Most offseason signees became trade-eligible on December 15, but players who met the following criteria were ineligible to be moved for an extra month:
- The player re-signed with his previous team.
- He got a raise of at least 20%.
- His salary is above the minimum.
- His team was over the cap and used Bird or Early Bird rights to sign him.
These are the 11 players who met that criteria and are eligible to be traded as of Thursday:
Santi Aldama (Grizzlies)- Josh Giddey (Bulls)
- Quentin Grimes (Sixers)
- Isaiah Jackson (Pacers)
- Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)
- Tre Mann (Hornets)
- Sam Merrill (Cavaliers)
- Davion Mitchell (Heat)
- Paul Reed (Pistons)
- Naz Reid (Timberwolves)
- Ryan Rollins (Bucks)
Most of the players on standard 15-man rosters around the NBA are now eligible to be moved, though a small handful still can’t be dealt.
That group includes Kings guard Russell Westbrook, who becomes trade-eligible on Friday, Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (trade-eligible on January 18), Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan (Jan. 23), Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (Feb. 1), Lakers guard Luka Doncic (Feb. 2), Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (Feb. 4), and Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (Feb. 4).
Additionally, there are several players who won’t become trade-eligible at all prior to this season’s February 6 deadline, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Players on 10-day contracts are also ineligible to be traded.
Atlantic Notes: Brown, Embiid, Lowry, Shead
Jaylen Brown is set to return for the Celtics‘ matchup with the Heat on Thursday after missing Monday’s loss in Indiana due to back spasms, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel notes (Twitter link). The Celtics have lost two consecutive games after winning nine of their previous 11 contests.
Brown believes that the Celtics have not been getting the whistle they should from the referees, Jay King writes in an article for The Athletic. He was fined $35K earlier in the week for criticizing the officiating after a game against the Spurs, which he expected.
“I think something had to be said,” Brown said. “As a team, we get to the free-throw line the least in the league. So just protecting our guys and myself. I think that we deserve a little bit of more respect.”
King points out that the Celtics are the only team in the league averaging fewer than 20 free throw attempts per game, and that Brown is 15th in attempts, despite driving more than anyone in the league other than Deni Avdija and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who both rank in the top four in free throw attempts.
Brown says he’s studied what referees look for and doesn’t believe that the whistle he and the team receive is consistent with the calls other teams get.
“They just pick and choose who they like to call it on. That’s the part that pisses me off,” Brown said. “It should just be everybody should just get reffed evenly and consistently, but it just seems like there’s an agenda where some guys they choose to call certain fouls for, some guys they don’t. So I don’t know what goes into that decision-making, but it’s kind of clear that certain guys on certain teams, certain markets or certain profiles get preferential treatment versus others when it should just be basketball.”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla agreed with his star player’s assessment, though he cautioned against getting too caught up in it.
“We can’t put ourselves in a situation where other people are allowed to control the outcome of the game,” Mazzulla said. “So we have to get better.”
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Joel Embiid is the healthiest he’s been in two years, Tony Jones writes for The Athletic. His body responding the way he wants it to has helped bring him a newfound sense of joy to the Sixers. “I can’t sit here and say that I thought this would happen again. I was skeptical that I would have a chance of being this consistent,” Embiid said. “That’s why I’m kind of emotional about it. I think there were a lot of people that thought this would never be possible again. So, I’m happy that I’m getting the chance to play again and be consistent again. I just want to keep playing, and keep trying to get better every single night.” Embiid isn’t as explosive as he once was, as evidenced by his recording his first dunk of the season in a recent win over the Knicks, but he has been able to play with fluidity and intention, Jones writes. “What we love is that he looks happy,” said teammate Tyrese Maxey. “We want him to be happy, more than anything. And he looks healthy. I think the thing that I’m most proud of is that he’s staying on top of his treatment. He’s staying on top of getting ice and seeing the training staff. Just seeing him healthy, that is the stuff that really matters.”
- Kyle Lowry got to experience a special moment at the end of the Sixers‘ win against the Raptors on Monday, writes Ian Harrison of The Associated Press. With just under two minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the road crowd chanting his name, Lowry was inserted into the game and was greeted with an enthusiastic standing ovation. The game marked what could be the point guard’s last appearance in Toronto, six-and-a-half years after he helped bring the city its lone NBA championship. “I got an opportunity to experience probably one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career,” Lowry said after the game. Coach Nick Nurse heard the crowd chanting, “We want Lowry,” and gave them what they wanted. “I thought they didn’t think I was really going to do it, but I was planning on it there and got a good moment to do it,” Nurse said. “It was nice to be able to kind of bring him in on his own there.” Lowry emphasized after the game that his retirement plan still involves signing a one-day contract with the Raptors to retire with the team he spent nine seasons playing for.
- Jamal Shead has been one of the standout performers for the Raptors this season, Eric Koreen writes in his midseason report card for The Athletic (subscriber link). Shead is one of two players, along with Scottie Barnes, whom Koreen awards an A grade, writing that the guard’s defense and ability to get downhill have earned him coach Darko Rajakovic‘s trust late in games. Koreen also notes that in Shead’s clutch-time minutes, the Raptors outscore their opponents by 26.2 points per 100 possessions.
Mavericks Notes: Davis, Luxury Tax, Marshall, Christie
Confirming that the Mavericks have renewed trade talks for Anthony Davis, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), echoes a report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, writing that the Mavs would rather keep Davis than move him in a deal they don’t view as favorable in the long run. That could mean waiting until the summer, as the Suns did with Kevin Durant last season, in the hopes that a better offer materializes.
As Stein writes, one of the Mavs’ priorities in the second half of the season figures to be securing the highest draft pick possible, as this is the last year Dallas owns its first-round pick until 2031. So while the Mavs have expressed optimism about Davis’ ability to return this season from an injury affecting his non-shooting hand, they might hesitate to reactivate him down the stretch should that get in the way of their draft ambitions.
“For all intents and purposes, meaningful basketball in Dallas for Davis this season is over,” Shams Charania of ESPN said during an appearance on NBA Countdown (Twitter video link).
We have more on the Mavs:
- One factor complicating the path to a Davis trade is the Mavs’ desire to reduce their luxury tax bill and avoid the second tax apron next season, Stein writes. Dallas has a projected luxury tax bill of around $31.9MM this season, thanks in large part to Davis’ $54.1MM cap hit. The Raptors are one of the teams rumored to be a leading candidate to trade for the big man, which Charania reiterated in his report today, but any offer they make for Davis would likely include the multiyear contracts of RJ Barrett as well as one of Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl, Stein writes, which would fail to bring cap relief to Dallas.
- Naji Marshall has been rumored as a potential trade target for teams looking at the wing trade market. Stein confirms that teams have been inquiring about his availability, but writes that the Masvericks would prefer not to move the versatile 27-year-old, who has largely outplayed his contract value. Marshall is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. Stein adds, though, that an offer generating some level of salary relief to the Mavs would likely get consideration.
- Max Christie is now viewed by the Mavericks as part of the team’s long-term plans, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. Christie, who has started 29 of 38 games, is averaging a career-high 12.3 points per game while shooting 44.1% from three and taking on tough defensive assignments on the perimeter. He’s also on a team-friendly deal, making $7.7MM this season and nearly $8.3MM next year, with a player option in the 2027/28 season. The next step in his development, from the team’s perspective, is increasing his three-point volume — he’s taking 5.4 attempts per game, but Dallas wants to see that number increase, says Clark.
Knicks Notes: Trade Targets, Buyout Restrictions, Hart, Achiuwa
All signs point to the Knicks having a desire to move Guerschon Yabusele ahead of the trade deadline. Marc Stein reported as much recently, and that reporting has been confirmed by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post as well as by The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III.
In a recent mailbag for The Athletic, Edwards broke down the various limitations facing the Knicks – who have few expendable trade assets and little financial flexibility – as they look to improve their depth. The Knicks are currently only about $150K below the second apron and is unable to take back more money than they send out in a deal.
They’re unlikely to move on from any core pieces, and players like Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson have proven themselves important to the rotation. While Robinson is on an expiring contract that could make him a trade candidate, his ability to generate multiple possessions via offensive rebounds has become a staple of the team’s offense. McBride’s team-friendly deal also makes him unlikely to be moved.
That leaves Yabusele and possibly second-year wing Pacome Dadiet as the odd men out, in addition to whatever draft capital the Knicks are willing to surrender. Edwards notes that the two players’ combined salaries work out to roughly $8.3MM, so any trade would likely be for a player who makes around that much (or less) — Edwards notes Miami’s Simone Fontecchio is one player whose cap hit is right in that neighborhood.
When it comes to what kind of player the Knicks will prioritize, Edwards writes that his understanding is that the team is most interested in adding someone who can both handle the ball and defend, whether on the wing or in the backcourt. The team has plenty of guards already, but after McBride and Jordan Clarkson, the depth remains somewhat unproven.
Edwards adds that there has been talk of the team considering a reliable third-string big man as insurance for Robinson, who is prone to missing time.
We have more from the Knicks:
- Another impact of the Knicks’ financial situation is their ability to be players on the buyout market. While contenders are often able to add impact players after the trade deadline via the buyout player pool, the Knicks will not be able to sign any player who made more than the $14MM mid-level exception prior to being bought out by their team. Their position relative to the tax apron will also prevent them from adding a free agent until April unless they reduce their team salary at the deadline.
- The Knicks have become worryingly reliant on Josh Hart, writes Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. They’re 12-3 when Hart starts and 5-5 when he doesn’t play, but the impact goes beyond the win and loss columns. Winfield writes that the team’s offensive identity, built around ball movement and hammering the offensive boards, goes away without Hart, as does their defensive toughness. “He just does so many things for us that are hard to replace as a singular player and we — starting with me — have to do a better job of finding ways to continue to elevate others around us,” said head coach Mike Brown.
- Precious Achiuwa doesn’t believe that last year’s second unit got a fair shake, he told Bondy ahead of the Knicks’ matchup with the Kings on Wednesday. “I’m not going to sit here and go back and forth on what is a good bench and what is not a good bench,” he said. “But you can’t say something isn’t working if you’ve never tried it.” After playing well for former head coach Tom Thibodeau the previous year, Achiuwa found his minutes and role were inconsistent and he struggled to find his place with the 2024/25 team. “It wasn’t easy knowing things that you’re able to do to contribute to a team like that — especially if you just did it the year before and fast forward a year later, you’re not even given an opportunity to do that, to help get success in that type of way,” Achiuwa said. A New York native, Achiuwa said he’d never rule out a return to the Knicks if things broke that way.
Injury Updates On Bulls’ Josh Giddey, Zach Collins
Josh Giddey has been sidelined for the Bulls‘ last seven games with a left hamstring strain and will miss Wednesday’s matchup against the Jazz as well. However, there’s optimism that he won’t remain out for much longer.
Head coach Billy Donovan said on Wednesday that Giddey has been making good progress in his rehab and is starting to ramp up his activity, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (via Twitter).
“This is a big week for him,” Donovan said.
This season has been the best of Giddey’s career — the 6’8″ point guard has poted career highs in points (19.2), rebounds (8.9), and assists (9.0) per game, as well as three-point percentage (38.6%), and three-point volume (4.8 attempts per game).
The Bulls hold an 18-21 record heading into their contest with Utah. They are 3-6 without Giddey and 15-15 with him on the court.
Donovan also shared an update on backup big man Zach Collins, who has been out since December 27 with a big toe sprain. According to Johnson, Donovan expects Collins to be in a walking boot for several more weeks.
“I don’t think he’ll be available before the All-Star break,” Donovan said (Twitter link).
Collins has only suited up for 10 Bulls games this season after a fractured wrist suffered during the preseason caused him to miss the team’s first 22 games. In the games he has played, the veteran center has averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game while hitting 42.9% of his threes.