Spurs’ Mitch Johnson To Coach All-Star Game
Mitch Johnson, who is in his first full season as head coach of the Spurs, has clinched the second of three coaching spots for the All-Star game, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Johnson earned the honor on Sunday night, when San Antonio (33-16) defeated Orlando and Denver (33-17) lost to Oklahoma City.
“It would be an honor and humbling to be able to be a part of All-Star Weekend with the best players in this league,” Johnson said. “The league always does a great job of putting a great weekend on. It’s an example of and a reflection of the work that these guys have put in.”
David Adelman of the Nuggets, who is also in his first full season as a head coach, just missed out for the Western Conference. J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons) wrapped up the East’s coaching spot on January 24.
The Thunder have the best record in the NBA for the second straight year, but Mark Daigneault is ineligible after coaching the All-Star game last season. The league previously announced that the coach of the Western team with the second-best record on Feb. 1 would earn the second spot.
The NBA hasn’t announced how the third coach will be decided, Wright notes.
Johnson is the second Spurs coach in franchise history to be named head coach of the All-Star game, joining Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich, according to Wright.
San Antonio went 34-48 last season, a 12-win improvement over 2023/24, when the team was 22-60. The Spurs are currently on pace to win 55 games, which would be their best season since ’16/17.
Stephen Curry Out Tuesday, Considered Day-To-Day
Warriors star Stephen Curry was forced to exit Friday’s loss to Detroit after aggravating a right knee injury he first experienced a week prior. As Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area writes, the 37-year-old guard underwent an MRI on Saturday, which didn’t reveal a serious injury.
Curry was diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome — also known as runner’s knee — and is considered day-to-day. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater (Twitter link), the 12-time All-Star is receiving regular treatment on his ailing right knee and will miss Tuesday’s game vs. Philadelphia.
“That’s up to [Warriors director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini], and Steph. As soon as Rick tells me he can play, obviously he’ll play,” head coach Steve Kerr said Monday (Twitter video link via Joseph Dycus of The Mercury News). “But they’re working together every day. I don’t have an answer for you, though.”
Jonathan Kuminga, who is recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee, will miss his fifth straight game Tuesday, tweets Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
According to Poole, the Warriors issued an update on Seth Curry (sciatic nerve irritation) over the weekend. The younger brother has resumed on-court workouts and will miss at least two more weeks, which is when he’ll be reevaluated.
Mavs Rumors: AD, Russell, Marshall, Christie, Dirk, GM
Within a story about the one-year anniversary of the shocking Luka Doncic trade, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) shares several rumors related to the Mavericks.
According to Stein’s sources, the Mavs “continue to welcome” trade inquiries on Anthony Davis in advance of the February 5 deadline. That said, Stein hears Dallas doesn’t feel pressure to deal Davis and is ready to keep him on the roster into the offseason, and Davis seems to prefer that outcome as well.
The 32-year-old big man is currently recovering from ligament damage in his left hand. He has been limited to just 29 games with Dallas since the team acquired him last February, Stein notes.
Here’s more from Stein on the Mavs:
- While the team remains open to trading Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, Dallas’ front office “does not want” to move Naji Marshall or Max Christie, Stein reports.
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Saturday that the Bucks showed some interest in Russell. Stein has heard that as well, but the details are a little different. Scotto wrote that the Bucks were likely seeking second-round draft compensation to take on Russell’s contract — he makes $5.7MM this season, with a $6MM player option for 2026/27. Stein clarifies that the Bucks initiated those talks, which occurred before they began listening to offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Citing league sources, Stein writes that Milwaukee’s interest in Russell was contingent on the veteran guard declining that player option for next season in favor of re-signing with the Bucks on a minimum-salary deal in the summer. Russell wasn’t interested in that scenario, per Stein.
- Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has had an “open dialogue” with governor Patrick Dumont since the spring and the team “badly wants” its all-time leading scorer to return to the franchise in “any role he chooses,” according to Stein. However, Nowitzki’s current focus is on his work as a studio analyst for Prime Video and his job as a FIBA board member and global ambassador, Stein writes.
- While Dumont wants to find someone with experience to become the Mavs’ new head of basketball operations, not much else is known about the types of candidates he’s looking for. Echoing previous reporting from The Athletic, Stein hears the search process likely won’t pick up steam until the spring, but the team intends to fill the position prior to June’s draft. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are currently operating as the team’s co-interim general managers.
Dillon Brooks, Brandon Miller Earn Player Of Week Honors
Suns forward Dillon Brooks and Hornets forward Brandon Miller have been named the Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, according to the league (Twitter links).
Brooks led his team to a 3-1 record during the week of January 26 to February 1 while averaging 28.8 points per game on 54.5 percent shooting from three-point range. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists during those four contests, which included victories by double-digits over the Pistons and Cavaliers.
Miller averaged 26.3 points in just 29.8 minutes per game as the Hornets enjoyed a 4-0 week capped by a win over San Antonio The third-year wing shot 50 percent from three-point range, grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game, and made all 25 of his free throw attempts en route to his first ever Player of the Week award.
Besides being named Player of the Week for the first time in their respective careers, Brooks and Miller are each became the first player from his team to earn the honor this season.
Brooks beat out a handful of stars for the weekly awards. Luka Doncic (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Rockets), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) were the other Western Conference nominees.
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), OG Anunoby and Josh Hart (Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Joel Embiid (Sixers) and Aaron Nesmith (Pacers) were also nominated in the East.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 2/2/2026
Hoops Rumors hosted a live chat today at 2:00 pm Central time (3:00 pm Eastern).
Northwest Notes: Avdija, Markkanen, Porter, DiVincenzo
For Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, the excitement of being selected for his first All-Star appearance was mixed with a return of the back pain that has limited his playing time lately, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. Avdija was forced to sit out Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, marking the third time he’s been unavailable in the past five games and his sixth absence since January 13. While Avdija is looking forward to the All-Star game, that wasn’t his priority when reporters asked him about the honor.
“I have a lot of other things I think about,” Avdija said. “We’re struggling a little bit right now as a team, so I’m thinking more about the team right now than actually the All-Star (game).”
Freeman notes that Sunday was an eventful day for the Blazers, marked by a trade with Atlanta for Vit Krejci and the return of Blake Wesley, who had been sidelined with a broken bone in his right foot since October 31. Wesley was able to play 19 minutes, finishing with five points, three rebounds and four assists, and said it felt good to be back on the court.
“I feel like I did what the team wanted me to do,” he said. “Bring the energy. Bring the spark off the bench. That’s what I’m known to do. So I’m going to continue to do that.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen was among this year’s most notable All-Star snubs, observes Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune. Markkanen, who’s averaging 27.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 36 games, said before the reserves were announced that he thought he deserved consideration. “I think I’ve played at that level,” he said. “The NBA is really talented and there are a lot of high-level players. Obviously, that is an individual goal of mine. I hope I make it and, like I said, I’ve played at that level.”
- Michael Porter Jr. harbors no resentment toward the Nuggets for trading him. In fact, the Nets forward, who could get moved again this week, fully understands why Denver’s front office made the transaction. “I don’t look back at it with any saltiness toward the organization or anything. I think they got a lot out of trading me,” Porter told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “They got not only Cam (Johnson), but (Jonas) Valanciunas, Bruce (Brown), Tim Hardaway, who’s playing amazing. … I think it’s cool. And I still keep up with them. They’ve been able to stay afloat when Joker is out, AG (Aaron Gordon) is out, CB (Christian Braun) is out. And I don’t know with our roster last year, if some of those guys went down, if it would have been the same. So it probably is one of those unique trades where it kind of worked out for everybody.”
- Donte DiVincenzo of the Timberwolves credits Khris Middleton as being his favorite and most impactful veteran during his early years in the league, he stated on the RedHead Sports Pod. “He’s not the most athletic guy. He’s not the most flashy guy. Like, he just knew how to get a bucket and he knew how to be a pro,” DiVincenzo said of his former Bucks teammate. DiVincenzo has been on a tear lately, averaging 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game last month.
Dana Gauruder contributed to this post.
Cavaliers, Kings Actively Looking To Make More Deals
The Cavaliers and Kings made a splash over the weekend, completing a deal that saw Cleveland acquiring Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Emanuel Miller, with De’Andre Hunter headed to Sacramento. The Bulls were also involved in the transaction, acquiring Dario Saric and two second-round picks to facilitate it.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Cavaliers and Kings aren’t through wheeling and dealing.
The Cavs’ top executive, Koby Altman, is aggressively pursuing trades involving Lonzo Ball and injured wing Max Strus. The Hunter trade took the Cavs from $22MM to just $13.9MM above the second apron and brought their total payroll down to $221.7MM.
Altman is hoping to move his team out of the second apron, thus giving him more flexibility to make significant roster changes over the summer. Shedding Ball’s contract — he’s making $10MM this season with a $10MM club option for next season — would help the Cavaliers achieve that goal. Ball has only averaged 4.6 points and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game, so dumping his salary would likely cost the Cavs some draft capital.
As for Strus, he’s still recovering from offseason left foot surgery. Strus has become a focal point in talks surrounding the Cavs in the aftermath of Saturday’s trade, according to Siegel.
He’s become even more expendable with the acquisitions of guards Ellis and Schroder. Strus is making nearly $16MM this season and has $16.66MM more remaining on his contract for next season. If the Cavs can’t move him this week, he will be a prime trade candidate in the offseason, Siegel adds.
As for the Kings, they’re continuing to look for any takers for Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis. While it’s unlikely DeRozan or Sabonis will be dealt before Thursday’s deadline, one intriguing suitor remains in the mix the big man — the Raptors.
Jakob Poeltl‘s ongoing back problems have led Toronto to consider the possibility of adding an impact frontcourt player. They’ve cooled on the idea of trading for the Mavericks’ Anthony Davis but adding Sabonis would be less complicated, especially since the Kings are interested in RJ Barrett.
The Kings could also help to facilitate other trades around the league with Monk’s contract. He’s in the second year of a four-year, $78MM deal. The Timberwolves have expressed exploratory interest in Monk.
Whatever the Kings may do this week, they will likely soon convert Dylan Cardwell‘s two-way contract into a standard deal.
As for the transaction that was completed, the Bucks and Lakers held trade discussions with the Cavs regarding Hunter.
The Lakers’ package revolved around Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht but they balked at not receiving any additional assets or draft compensation for the final year of Hunter’s contract. The Bucks made both Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis available to Cleveland.
Jason Kidd Fined $35K For Criticizing Officials, Using Profanities
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been fined $35K for public criticism of the officiating and using profane language during a media interview, the league announced (Twitter link).
Following Saturday’s loss at Houston, Dallas’ fourth straight defeat, Kidd went on an expletive-filled tirade regarding media criticism of Kidd using rookie Cooper Flagg as the team’s de facto point guard.
“I don’t give a f–k about the criticism,” Kidd said. “The criticism, that’s your opinion. You guys write that bulls–t. I’ve done this. I’ve played this game. I’ve played it at a very high level, and I know what the f–k I’m doing.”
The No. 1 overall pick has thrived the past two games, putting up 49 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday and finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds and five assists on Saturday.
“I don’t give a f–k what you guys write,” Kidd said. “Because you guys have never played the game before. I have built players. I know what the f–k I’m doing. To take criticism, it only makes me better. Because if I wasn’t doing it right, you guys wouldn’t be poking holes at what I’ve done.”
Kidd also ripped the officiating crew. He was particularly upset about a play with 25 seconds remaining, when Flagg drove down the lane and missed a left-handed layup that would have tied the game.
“I saw a foul,” Kidd said. “[Officials] Sean [Wright], Simone [Jelks] and Jason [Goldenberg] were awful tonight. The referees were unacceptable. It’s a foul, and he needs to be at the free throw line. Now, does he make both? That’s up to the player, but the referees did not do their job. They were terrible.”
Warriors Making Strongest Pitch For Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Warriors have been the most aggressive team in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, league sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Siegel states that owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. agree that no player other than Stephen Curry is off limits in a potential trade for the Bucks star. Siegel adds that Antetokounmpo is the Warriors’ sole focus in their search for a roster upgrade before the trade deadline. If a deal can’t be reached by Thursday, they plan to keep their most valuable assets and try again to land Antetokounmpo this summer.
Sources also tell Siegel that the Bucks haven’t turned down the Warriors’ latest offer. He describes general manager Jon Horst and Milwaukee’s front office as “fascinated” with the chance to acquire a large parcel of Golden State’s future assets. However, the Bucks’ leadership is taking its time in reaching a decision, which isn’t expected until the final 24 hours before the deadline.
Siegel adds that if Antetokounmpo finishes out the season with the Bucks, it becomes far less likely that Jonathan Kuminga will be dealt before the deadline. Golden State holds a $24.3MM option on Kuminga for 2026/27 and he could be a valuable asset to keep for the offseason.
Siegel hears that the Warriors also have some level of interest in Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. and Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, but they aren’t considered likely to trade for either player this week. Despite a slew of trade rumors, Siegel is skeptical that either player will be dealt prior to the deadline.
There’s an increasing chance that Draymond Green rather than Jimmy Butler might be part of an Antetokounmpo deal, Siegel writes, echoing recent reporting. He checked with sources close to trade talks over the weekend and states that he didn’t get an “emphatic no” about Green’s possible inclusion. A rival executive suggested Green could be agreeable to that scenario while planning to turn down his $27.6MM player option for next season and return to a much stronger Warriors team in free agency.
“Look, without Jimmy, the Warriors aren’t getting to the NBA Finals, even if they added Giannis right now,” the executive told Siegel. “If you leverage Draymond and get more assets, you can pull off the biggest blockbuster and leave these other teams wanting Giannis scrambling for answers. There is no doubt in my mind there are those who would immediately offer a first-round pick for Draymond to make a title push right now. I 100 percent believe there are teams who would essentially help the Warriors get Giannis if it meant they got Green for the next three or four months to pursue a title.”
Bulls Notes: White, Dosunmu, Jones, Essengue, Terry, Giddey
The two future second-round picks the Bulls received for helping to facilitate Sunday’s Cleveland-Sacramento trade could be useful in other deals this week, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes in a subscriber-only story. Cowley reported in December that executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas was being very aggressive in trade talks, and a source tells him that approach hasn’t changed as the deadline nears.
Chicago has eight potential free agents this summer, including guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. Cowley hears that Karnisovas is trying to find a taker for White, who’s expected to seek a substantial raise on the open market, but he’s receiving greater interest in Dosunmu and Tre Jones because they’re viewed as more affordable. Jones signed a three-year, $24MM contract last summer. Cowley states that White has been discussed with the Timberwolves and Rockets, and “the door wasn’t completely shut with either team.”
Cowley adds that Karnisovas has contacted the Pelicans in hopes of landing Zion Williamson and/or Yves Missi and has called about Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin as well.
There’s more from Chicago:
- The Bulls are focused on building their roster around Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. Essengue, the 12th pick in last year’s draft, only played two games before being lost for the season with a shoulder injury, but Lorenzi states that the front office still views him as a multi-positional defender and a strong transition threat. He’s seen as the eventual starter at power forward, with Buzelis moving into a wing role. Lorenzi also mentions Missi as a potential trade target, noting that Giddey has never played alongside that type of rim-running center, and he states that the Bulls have indicated to rival teams that they’re willing to help facilitate more trades in exchange for assets.
- Dalen Terry hasn’t been able to establish himself as a rotation player during his four seasons in Chicago and didn’t receive a rookie scale extension before the October deadline. His NBA future might be elsewhere, Cowley relays in a separate story, but that doesn’t mean he’s hoping to be traded by Thursday. “I wouldn’t say that,” Terry said. “I don’t put too much into it. The trade deadline is what it is. You get traded, you get traded. Hopefully it’s to a good place if you do, or hopefully if you don’t, they make a trade, and a good player comes in.”
- Giddey missed his third straight game on Sunday for left hamstring injury management, but he’s not expected to be out of the lineup much longer, Cowley adds. “I think he’s feeling better, but I think it’s going to be, at least in talking to the medical guys, they’re not going to put him out there until they see the tightness is gone,” Donovan said.