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Lakers Notes: Hachimura, LeBron, Identity, TPEs

December 31st, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

After missing two games last week due to right groin soreness, Lakers forward Rui Hachimura sat out on Tuesday vs. Detroit as a result of right calf soreness. The team is optimistic that it won’t be a long-term issue, writes Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.

“He’ll miss a couple games,” head coach JJ Redick said. “Then we’ll get him ramped up and, hopefully, he’s playing again in the next week.”

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link), the expectation is that Hachimura will miss games on Friday and Sunday vs. Memphis. The Lakers will play a back-to-back set in New Orleans and San Antonio next Tuesday and Wednesday, so presumably the hope is that Hachimura will return for one or both of those games.

We have more on the Lakers:

While LeBron James‘ performance on or around his birthdays have often served as reminders of his unprecedented longevity as an NBA star, he looked mortal in a loss to the Pistons on Tuesday, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic. Celebrating his 41st birthday, James made just 6-of-17 shots from the floor for 17 points and committed five turnovers, while the Lakers were outscored by 16 points during his 32 minutes.
Mark Medina of RG.org spoke to an NBA assistant coach and a pair of scouts about what the Lakers can expect from a 41-year-old version of James, as well as his fit alongside standout guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. “When all three of them are out there, it’s hard to watch LeBron,” the assistant said. “He’s not completely uninvolved. But it’s just weird not to see him touch the ball so much. It’s odd watching him out there. When it’s just him and one of them, (head coach) JJ (Redick) is able to find a way to keep LeBron involved and run ATOs for him and utilize his passing out of the post through different actions. But when it’s all three of them, it doesn’t seem like there is enough of a pie to split up.”
Although the Lakers have a 20-11 record, they’ve allowed more points than they’ve scored this season, and they had the NBA’s No. 29 defense in December. They’re still searching for an identity, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times.
James cited injuries as one reason for the Lakers’ recent struggles, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “We haven’t had a full team all year,” James said. “We got some very important guys out right now. And obviously I started the year being out. And having our All-Star two guard (Reaves) out, and Rui is now out. And Gabe (Vincent has) been out for a minute. Jaxson (Hayes) just came back. There’s been a lot of in and out. So that’s very hard to get a rhythm of chemistry on the floor with guys that you know you’re going to play with every night. … But still no excuse. We still got to go out and execute.”
A pair of Lakers trade exceptions expired earlier this week following the one-year anniversary of the deal that sent Maxwell Lewis and D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn. Neither exception was significant though — the larger of the two was worth just $1.9MM.

Each Western Conference Team’s Most Likely Trade Candidate

December 31st, 2025 at 3:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Not every NBA team will make a trade between now and the February 5 deadline, but every club will at least entertain the possibility of doing so, engaging in discussions with potential trade partners in the coming weeks.

So which players are the most likely to come up in those talks, and which are the most likely to actually be on the move in the month-and-a-half? We're exploring that subject, taking a closer look at all 30 teams and identifying the player we believe is most likely to be dealt by each club.

After examining the 15 Eastern Conference teams last week, we're shifting our focus today to the Western Conference.

Let's dive in...

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Jazz Notes: Nurkic, Love, Core Four, George

December 31st, 2025 at 2:52pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jazz raised eyebrows over the summer when they attached a second-round pick to Collin Sexton in a trade with Charlotte for center Jusuf Nurkic. However, Nurkic has played a larger role than anticipated due to Walker Kessler‘s season-ending shoulder injury, making 24 starts (and counting) and averaging 25.4 minutes per contest. In the process, he has made a positive impression on his teammates and his head coach, per Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.

“Nurk helps us create an advantage in a way that no one else does,” coach Will Hardy said. “His screening, his ability to get his teammates open — and I think he’s done a better job of rolling and making himself available, but more than that, his teammates have rewarded him … But his physicality in general, his screening, rebounding, is unique in our league. Like, he’s in a category almost all by himself, in terms of the way that he can help you create advantage.”

As Todd points out, when Nurkic has found himself in less-than-favorable situations, he hasn’t been shy about expressing his frustrations publicly, as he did a year ago in Phoenix. But he sounds very happy to be in Utah, raving about the support he has gotten from Hardy and telling reporters that the Jazz have made him feel “wanted” (Twitter video link via JP Chunga).

“I can’t really stress enough how this organization is good,” Nurkic said. “… Me and Kevin (Love) talk every day to the young guys that we have a such a great thing here. (They) don’t understand how it is somewhere else … This is such a great environment, and you have everything you need to succeed.”

Here’s more on the Jazz:

An apparent throw-in in the three-team trade that sent Norman Powell to the Heat and John Collins to the Clippers, Love has played more than expected for the Jazz this season after considering pursuing a buyout during the offseason, writes Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Love, who averaged 10.9 minutes per game in Miami last season, has averaged 9.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per night on .413/.370/.769 shooting in December. “He’s an elite rebounder, and so those things continue to show up,” Hardy said in explaining Love’s role. “And then obviously, just kind of his general savvy in his 18th year — he’s gotten a little more familiar with his teammates, and I think his spacing element gives us a different look.”
The Jazz appear to have a “core four” of Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, and Kessler, according to Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, who explores what sort of player might complement that unit as a fifth option. Observing that the group could use a defensive-minded wing, Larsen suggests that Utah should be targeting a player in the mold of Luguentz Dort, Herbert Jones, Tari Eason, or Matisse Thybulle — not necessarily at this year’s trade deadline, but in general going forward.
In a story for The Deseret News, Todd sets “New Year’s resolutions” for the Jazz, explaining what each player on Utah’s roster should be focused on in 2026.
In case you missed it, George was nominated for the Western Conference’s Player of the Week award for a second consecutive week on Monday.

Magic’s Suggs, Pacers’ Sheppard Return On Wednesday

December 31st, 2025 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Following a seven-game absence due to a left hip contusion, Magic guard Jalen Suggs will return to action on Wednesday against Indiana, the team announced (via Twitter). Suggs will immediately reenter Orlando’s starting lineup.

It’s good news for the Magic, who have a 13-8 record with Suggs available this season and a 5-7 mark in games he hasn’t played. An important contributor on both ends of the court, the fifth-year guard has averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 25.6 minutes per game, with a .471/.328/.862 shooting line. He has been out since injuring his hip in the NBA Cup semifinal vs. New York.

Orlando’s numbers with Suggs on and off the court reflect his value to the team. In his 538 minutes of action this season, the Magic have outscored opponents by 9.6 points per 100 possessions. In 1,056 minutes without him, the Magic’s opponents have the edge, by a margin of 2.6 points per 100 possessions.

Jonathan Isaac (sore left knee) and Jett Howard (illness) will miss Wednesday’s game for Orlando.

On the other side of the court, the Pacers are also getting a member of their backcourt back following an injury absence. According to head coach Rick Carlisle, Ben Sheppard will be available for Wednesday’s contest (Twitter link via Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star).

Sheppard has missed Indiana’s past 11 games due to a left calf strain, having last suited up on December 3. Prior to the injury, the third-year shooting guard was averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes per game, though he was struggling with his shot (.354 FG%, .273 3PT%).

Like Aaron Nesmith, who played 19 minutes on Saturday and 24 on Monday in his first two games back from a knee injury, Sheppard will likely be on a minutes restriction as he works his way back to 100%. Carlisle told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game that the team’s plan with Nesmith is to “gradually progress” his workload (Twitter link via Tony East of Circle City Spin).

Bulls Share Injury Updates On White, Giddey, Collins

December 31st, 2025 at 1:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bulls have put out a press release confirming that guards Coby White and Josh Giddey and big man Zach Collins will miss multiple games due to injuries.

According to the team, White is experiencing tightness in his right calf and will be reevaluated in one week. Based on that timeline, White – who exited Monday’s game against Minnesota in the first quarter due to the injury – will miss games against New Orleans (Wednesday), Orlando (Friday), Charlotte (Saturday), and Boston (Monday) before being examined next Wednesday.

The Bulls’ update on Giddey comes after Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that the standout guard will miss “a few weeks” due to a left hamstring strain. The club has confirmed that diagnosis and stated that Giddey will be reevaluated in two weeks. That means he’ll miss at least Chicago’s next eight games and could remain on the shelf beyond that.

As for Collins, the forward/center sustained a right toe sprain and will be reevaluated in 10 days, per the team. It will be the second extended absence this season for Collins, whose debut was delayed until December 5 after he fractured his wrist during the preseason. He played in each of the Bulls’ past 10 games after missing the first 21.

White and Giddey are the Bulls’ leading scorers so far this season at 19.2 points per game apiece, while Collins had scored double-digit points in each of his past six outings.

The injuries to White and Giddey will result in larger roles for Tre Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, and Jevon Carter in Chicago’s backcourt, while forward Patrick Williams seems likely to return to the frontcourt rotation with Collins sidelined.

The banged-up Bulls are also currently dealing with injuries affecting all three of their two-way players, Trentyn Flowers (right knee hyperextension), Emanuel Miller (right hamstring strain), and Lachlan Olbrich (left ankle sprain). Additionally, this year’s lottery pick, Noa Essengue, is out for the season following shoulder surgery.

Eastern Notes: Edgecombe, Wizards, Hall, Williams, Cavs

December 31st, 2025 at 12:03pm CST by Luke Adams

While he has been overshadowed to some extent by former Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe has been one of the NBA’s very best rookies so far this season. As Tony Jones of The Athletic writes, Edgecombe is further along his development than anticipated and showed again on Tuesday why Philadelphia made the right call drafting him with the No. 3 overall pick.

In a back-and-forth overtime matchup with Memphis, Edgecombe racked up 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals in nearly 41 minutes of action. He also knocked down five shots from beyond the arc, including a game-winning three-pointer with two seconds left in the overtime period (video link via NBA.com).

“VJ has been telling us for three weeks that he deserves to shoot a game-winner,” said Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who had the assist on that final shot. “I said, OK. I trust him. I knew he would shoot it with confidence. He took the shot, and he made it. We’re blessed to have him. You can thank the basketball gods, or (Sixers president of basketball operations) Daryl Morey, or whoever. He’s got a chance to be a special player.”

We have more from around the Eastern Conference:

The Sixers were able to draft Edgecombe because they were bad enough last season to hang onto a top-six protected 2025 first-round pick. The Wizards find themselves in a similar position this season, with their 2026 first-rounder headed to New York if it doesn’t land in the top eight. As David Aldridge of The Athletic writes, that no longer looks like the lock that it did after Washington lost 15 of its first 16 games this season. The Wizards’ young core has shown positive signs during the team’s recent 4-4 stretch, which bodes well for the future but could jeopardize the team’s 2026 first-round pick if the trend continues.
The two-way contracts recently signed by PJ Hall with the Hornets and Malik Williams with the Hawks each cover two seasons, Hoops Rumors has learned. If Hall and Williams play out those full deals, they’ll be eligible for restricted free agency during the 2027 offseason.
With the Cavaliers off to an 18-16 start after winning 64 games last season and surpassing the second tax apron over the summer, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) considers potential moves for Cleveland’s front office, exploring whether it would make sense for the team to shake up its roster in a major way at the upcoming trade deadline. As Gozlan outlines, the Cavs’ inability to aggregate salaries will create challenges on the trade market, but players on smaller or mid-sized contracts – like Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado of the Pelicans – would still theoretically be attainable.

Hornets’ Plumlee Undergoes Groin Surgery, Out At Least Six Weeks

December 31st, 2025 at 10:25am CST by Luke Adams

Mason Plumlee will be reevaluated in six weeks, according to the Hornets, who announced today in a press release that the veteran center has undergone surgery to address a right groin injury.

That timeline suggests Plumlee will miss at least Charlotte’s next 22 games, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to return at the six-week mark (February 11).

A 2013 first-round pick who has made 874 career regular season appearances since entering the NBA, Plumlee signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Hornets over the summer and has provided depth in the middle behind young centers Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate. In 14 outings for Charlotte, the 35-year-old has averaged 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes per game.

Given how well Kalkbrenner and Diabate have played this season, Plumlee’s injury shouldn’t have a significant impact on the Hornets’ rotation. However, Kalkbrenner is dealing with his own health issue, having been ruled out for a fifth straight game on Wednesday due to a left elbow sprain. As a result, newly signed two-way player PJ Hall has been getting minutes as Charlotte’s backup center behind Diabate.

While Plumlee faces an extended absence, Kalkbrenner remains on the shelf, and Miles Bridges (right ankle sprain) will be inactive for Wednesday’s game vs. Golden State, the Hornets did share some positive injury news earlier today, announcing that standout rookie Kon Knueppel will be available on Wednesday after missing Monday’s game due to a sprained ankle (Twitter links).

Amick’s Latest: AD, Kuminga, Warriors, Hawks, Trae, Bucks, MPJ, Clippers

December 31st, 2025 at 10:05am CST by Luke Adams

Although team sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that the Warriors haven’t fully closed the door on the possibility of pursuing a trade for Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, Amick also hears from club sources that Golden State is “staunchly” opposed to the idea of trading Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green.

The Mavericks do have some interest in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, a league source tells Amick. But given that Golden State is operating right up against the second tax apron and Davis is earning $54MM+ this season, it would be nearly impossible to trade for the Warriors to acquire AD without an outgoing salary bigger than Kuminga’s $22.5MM.

Amick adds that it was the Mavericks, not the Warriors, who instigated discussions about the possibility of the two teams making a Davis trade, so it’s not as if Golden State was actively looking for a way to make it work.

Focusing on a handful of teams who look like they need to make a trade, Amick shares several more items of interest in his latest story for The Athletic. Here are more highlights:

Following up on rumors linking Davis to the Hawks, Amick says sources in Atlanta have “pushed back hard” on the idea that the team would be willing to send 2024’s first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, to the Mavericks in a deal for the veteran big man. Dallas is known to be seeking young prospects and expiring contracts in return for Davis, but Hawks officials remain bullish on Risacher’s long-term potential based on his second-half performance in 2024/25, Amick explains.
The Hawks appear more open than ever to talking to teams about a potential Trae Young trade, but the veteran guard’s market seems to be limited, according to Amick, who suggests that Atlanta might need to wait until the summer to resolve Young’s situation. “Trae is an extremely difficult player to win at the highest level with,” one rival scout said, explaining why a market for the four-time All-Star hasn’t materialized.
League sources who spoke to Amick added Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. to the growing list of potential trade targets on the Bucks‘ radar. Jerami Grant, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk are among the other players who have been cited as possible options for Milwaukee.
Despite a very slow start to the season, the Clippers have no plans to sell off veterans and would actually prefer to add an impact player to complement James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, league sources tell Amick. L.A. has been surging as of late, with five consecutive wins, and there have been no signs that Harden is seeking a change of scenery, Amick notes, adding that the Clippers still hope to maintain cap flexibility for the summer of 2027 and will be hesitant to take on any contracts that run beyond that.

Hawks, RayJ Dennis Agree To Two-Way Deal

December 31st, 2025 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

Just four days after being cut by the Clippers, free agent point guard RayJ Dennis has reached an agreement on a two-way deal with the Hawks, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Atlanta will be Dennis’ third team of the season. The former Baylor standout opened the fall with the Pacers on a two-way contract that carried over from 2024/25, but was waived on November 30. He signed a new two-way deal with the Clippers on December 4 and spent most of the month with L.A. before being let go on Saturday to make room for TyTy Washington Jr.

A second-year pro, Dennis has appeared in 25 total NBA games for the Pacers and Clippers, but hasn’t seen much playing time. He holds averages of 3.8 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per contest.

While his NBA output has been modest, Dennis keeps earning new contracts due in large part to his play in the G League. In seven outings this fall for the Noblesville Boom and San Diego Clippers, the 6’1″ guard averaged 20.9 points, 5.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals in 33.1 minutes per game.

News of Dennis’ agreement with Atlanta comes on the heels of the team waiving forward Eli Ndiaye following a season-ending shoulder injury. Dennis will join center Malik Williams and forward Caleb Houstan as the Hawks’ two-way players.

If Dennis officially finalizes his new deal before the end of the day, he’ll be eligible to be active in up to 30 NBA games for his new team. His two-way salary would become fully guaranteed as long as he sticks with the Hawks through next Wednesday (January 7).

Hawks Waive Eli Ndiaye

December 31st, 2025 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

The Hawks have requested waivers on forward Eli Ndiaye, the team announced today in a press release.

A rookie free agent who had been playing for Real Madrid, Ndiaye signed a two-way contract with the Hawks in early July, less than a week after going undrafted. Viewed as a developmental prospect for the franchise, the 21-year-old didn’t suit up at all for Atlanta in 2025/26, having instead spent the first half of the season with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League.

In nine games (seven starts) with the Skyhawks, Ndiaye averaged 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 26.2 minutes per game.

Unfortunately, in a G League contest on December 9, Ndiaye suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which will require season-ending surgery. The 6’8″ forward will reportedly undergo that procedure in early January.

Ndiaye is Atlanta’s second two-way player to sustain a season-ending injury this year. Forward Jacob Toppin underwent right shoulder surgery earlier in December and was also waived by the Hawks, who signed center Malik Williams as replacement.

The club now has another open two-way slot alongside Williams and forward Caleb Houstan and reportedly plans to fill it with free agent guard RayJ Dennis.