NBA Announces Weather-Related Time Change For Sunday’s Magic-Spurs Game
February 1: The starting time has been pushed back a second time, to 9:00 pm ET, after the Spurs had travel issues, per the league (Twitter link). As Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes, the Spurs’ plane had a “minor equipment issue,” which forced the team to divert to Atlanta and board a new plane.
January 31: The starting time for Sunday’s game between the Magic and Spurs in San Antonio has been moved from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET due to weather issues, the NBA announced (via Twitter).
The Spurs played Saturday afternoon in Charlotte in a game that was moved up three hours because of a major winter storm moving through North Carolina. They were expecting to return home after the game, but were stuck on their private plane for two hours before the airport was shut down.
The team spent the night in Charlotte with hopes of flying back to San Antonio in the morning. Further changes may have to be made if conditions haven’t improved by early Sunday.
The Magic arrived in San Antonio late Saturday afternoon, according to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (subscription required), and should have a significant rest advantage if the game is able to be played on Sunday.
Two games were postponed last Sunday because of Winter Storm Fern, and two others started early on Monday due to weather conditions. The postponed games — Denver at Memphis and Dallas at Milwaukee — were rescheduled for March, which caused the dates of two other games to be moved.
Knicks Rumors: Dosunmu, Towns, Bridges, Trade Tiers, More
Within a trade deadline guide for the Knicks, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic mentions Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu as a player New York might be interested in. The Knicks are fans of Dosunmu’s game, but it would “cost a lot” to acquire him, says Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link).
Edwards specifically points to Miles McBride as a player the Knicks might have to give up in a deal for Dosunmu, who earns $7.5MM this season and will be a free agent in the offseason if he doesn’t sign an extension before then. However, Edwards doesn’t view scenario as likely, noting that McBride has been a key contributor for New York and is on a team-friendly contract.
A “few” rival executives Edwards spoke to don’t think Karl-Anthony Towns is off-limits in trade talks, but his value is believed to have declined since the Knicks acquired him. That’s also the case for Mikal Bridges, multiple league sources tell Edwards. Both of those factors seemingly make the Knicks a long shot to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, even though they remain interested in the superstar forward.
If Towns is traded by February 5 in a deal that doesn’t involve Antetokounmpo, Edwards hears the Knicks would likely receive salary-matching pieces. Minor draft compensation may be included as well. While he wouldn’t be surprised if the five-time All-Star is moved in a non-Antetokounmpo deal, Edwards thinks that outcome is unlikely.
Here’s more from Edwards on the Knicks:
- New York continues to shop Guerschon Yabusele, but his contract is viewed negatively and rival teams think the Knicks will have to attach assets to move him unless he’s included in a major multi-team trade, sources tell Edwards. Yabusele is included in Edwards’ “most likely to be traded” tier along with Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson. According to Edwards, Clarkson could be a buyout candidate after the deadline if the two sides decide to part ways — the veteran guard has been out of the rotation lately.
- Edwards’ “could get traded, but I wouldn’t bet on it” tier consists of Towns, McBride and Mitchell Robinson. As Edwards writes, New York’s front office has a history of trading players on expiring contracts, but Robinson has been very valuable when active and it probably doesn’t make sense to move him given his on-court contributions.
- The “won’t get traded unless in an Antetokounmpo-type deal” group features OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Bridges. The only untouchable player on the Knicks’ roster is Jalen Brunson, according to Edwards.
- Edwards also lists three small-scale trades that could make sense for the teams involved. One of Edwards’ fake deals would see New York acquire Jose Alvarado and Karlo Matkovic from New Orleans in exchange for Yabusele, Dadiet and Washington’s 2026 first-round pick, which is top-eight protected and almost certain to be conveyed as two second-round picks. Those two second-rounders hold real value though, and Edwards isn’t sure it would be worth it, but Alvarado has drawn a good deal of interest on market.
Cavs, Kings, Bulls Finalize Trade Involving Ellis, Hunter, More
The Cavaliers, Kings and Bulls have officially completed their three-team trade, according to press releases from Cleveland, Sacramento and Chicago.
The full deal is as follows:
- Cavaliers acquire Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Emanuel Miller; waived Luke Travers.
- Kings acquire De’Andre Hunter.
- Bulls acquire Dario Saric, 2027 second-round pick, and 2029 second-round pick; waived Jevon Carter.
“After careful evaluation and a clearer view of the Eastern Conference landscape, we believe adding Dennis and Keon strengthens our depth, expands our flexibility, and positions us to keep building a Championship caliber team now and into the future,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a statement.
“In a season defined by its parity, this move better aligns us for a deeper postseason run. I’m thankful as well to De’Andre, who made an immediate impact upon his arrival to Cleveland and represented the Cavaliers with class. We appreciate everything he did for us both on and off the court, and we wish him the best in Sacramento. We drafted Luke in 2022 and have seen his development improve each year and thank him for his contributions to the franchise.”
Our primary breakdown of the trade can be found here. The involvement of Miller and Travers was outlined here.
The Kings have now have two standard roster openings after sending out three players (Ellis, Schröder, Saric) for one (Hunter). They will have 14 days to get back to at least 14 players on standard contracts. The Cavs and Bulls, meanwhile, have full 18-man rosters.
Warriors Reportedly Assured Jimmy Butler They Won’t Trade Him
The Warriors recently informed Jimmy Butler they don’t plan to trade him as he rehabilitates from a torn ACL in his right knee, a league source tells Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported on Saturday that they have received “strong indications” that Golden State’s offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlikely to include Butler. Both players make $54.1MM this season.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said he didn’t expect to trade Butler in the wake of the six-time All-Star’s season-ending injury. However, that was before the Bucks became more receptive to offers for the two-time MVP.
Multiple reports have indicated Stephen Curry is the only untouchable Warrior in talks for Antetokounmpo. Golden State’s actions will speak louder than words when it comes to Butler, Friedell notes.
If Butler is not part of the Warriors’ offer, four-time champion Draymond Green will likely have to be part of the outgoing package for salary-matching purposes. He addressed that possibility on Friday.
“I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said. “I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep, though. I slept great last night.”
Other members of Golden State’s roster admit the lead-up to the trade deadline is a stressful experience.
“It’s hard on all of us,” veteran big man Al Horford told Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, “but especially for younger players that are trying to find their way and establish themselves. This time of year, I find that it doesn’t matter what team you’re on, it’s always going to be stressful.
“It’s tough. We kind of have to have some sort of empathy for everybody, because we’re all just kind of going through it. And there’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ and things like that. From my experience, once the deadline passes, everybody kind of takes a deep breath. It slows down, and you’ll see a better team.”
Backup guard De’Anthony Melton is trying to tune out the outside noise, according to Poole.
“Honestly, you just got to put your head down and work,” Melton said. “Some stuff is out of your control. Early in my career, one of the vets told that when a superstar or whatever wants to get moved, everybody’s on the (trading) block. Nobody’s above the program.”
Jason Kidd Rips Media, Officials After Saturday’s Loss
Following Saturday’s loss at Houston, Dallas’ fourth straight defeat, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd went on an expletive-filled tirade regarding media criticism of Kidd using Cooper Flagg as the team’s de facto point guard to open his rookie season, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic.
“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.”
As Clark observes, the Mavs went 2-5 and had the worst offensive rating in the league in the first seven games of the season before Kidd moved Flagg off the ball. But the Mavericks have once again been playing without a traditional point guard of late and 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.”
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Kidd also ripped the officiating crew following Saturday’s loss. 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.”
Flagg set a record for a teenager when he scored 49 points and his 83 combined points are the most a teenager has scored over a two-game span in league history. The 19-year-old also became the first teenager to record consecutive 30-point double-doubles, per MacMahon.
“I definitely felt some contact, but at the end of the day, the refs are the ones making the call, so it is what it is,” said Flagg. “I mean, it’s tough. You just got to play through it. It’s part of the game. It’s not the first time in my life that I haven’t got calls, and it’s probably not going to be the last. So whatever it is, just got to keep playing through it.”
For what it’s worth, Dallas (15-of-26) attempted 11 more free throws than Houston (11-of-15), Clark notes.
Trade Rumors: Jones, Smith, Bulls, Kings, Cavs, Sharpe
The Bulls have been receiving interest in point guard Tre Jones and forward/center Jalen Smith over the past few weeks, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. While Jones seems to be available, Poe suggests the Bulls are unlikely to trade Smith unless they get an appealing offer.
Both Jones and Smith have guaranteed contracts for next season. Jones’ deal also features a $8MM team option for 2027/28.
According to Poe, any of Chicago’s players on expiring contracts could be on the move prior to the deadline if the Bulls receive a “reasonable return.” The Bulls already showed a willingness to take on unwanted salary when they agreed to acquire Dario Saric for a pair of second-round picks (they’re waiving Jevon Carter to make roster space).
However, that doesn’t mean the Bulls are going to make trades just for the sake of it, particularly one that involves a player like Coby White, multiple sources tell Poe.
Most of the players on Chicago’s roster are in their mid-20s and have been in the league for several years. Head coach Billy Donovan says the team is focused on acquiring more young talent.
“We have to keep building out with younger people,” Donovan said, per Poe. “I don’t think there’s any question about that from a roster standpoint. … If you’re just talking about the guys that are here that are going to be under contract, they’re going to need more. So however those conversations take place, whether it’s in July or whether it’s at the trade deadline, I think the front office is looking to try to build it out as best they can.”
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Kings had opportunities to trade Keon Ellis for multiple second-round picks, but they wanted to unload Dennis Schröder‘s contract and value De’Andre Hunter‘s size and length, viewing him as a better positional fit moving forward, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. As Siegel reported a few days ago, the Lakers also had interest in Hunter, but they were leery of taking on the $24.9MM he’s owed next season without receiving draft compensation in return, so they backed out of conversations with the Cavaliers.
- According to Siegel, the Kings are viewed as the “biggest sellers” at the deadline, and they have been making trade calls involving Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk. Of the three players, Sacramento is most motivated to move Monk, Siegel adds (via Twitter). A “few” teams — most notably the Raptors — have some interest in Sabonis, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for DeRozan or Monk, per Siegel.
- The Cavaliers continue to dangle Lonzo Ball in trade talks, according to Siegel (Twitter link). The veteran guard has had a disappointing first season in Cleveland and earns $10MM this season, with a $10MM team option for ’26/27.
- As Siegel observes, if the Cavaliers decide to retain Ellis long term (he will be extension-eligible on Feb. 9), that could have an impact on the futures of Sam Merrill and Max Strus. While I’m skeptical the Cavs would move Merrill given how well he’s played this season when healthy, Strus has yet to play in ’25/26 due offseason foot surgery and ’26/27 is the final year of his contract. Siegel suggests those sorts of conversations would likely wait until the summer and may depend on what happens with Ellis.
- The Nets appear to be reluctant to trade Day’Ron Sharpe, but the backup center has drawn interest from the Lakers, Raptors, Celtics and Pacers, Siegel reports.
Cavs Receiving Miller From Bulls, Waiving Travers To Complete Ellis Deal
In order for all three teams to “touch” in the agreed-upon trade involving Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder and De’Andre Hunter, the Bulls are trading two-way player Emanuel Miller to Cleveland, sources tell Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune.
The Cavaliers are waiving Luke Travers, who is also on a two-way contract, to make roster room for Miller, as first reported by Olgun Uluc of ESPN and confirmed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter links).
Miller, a second-year forward, has only made five NBA appearances this season, averaging 3.0 points in 6.6 minutes per game. He’s had a much larger role in the G League with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 17.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.2 APG and 0.9 SPG on .529/.354/.691 shooting in 21 games (33.8 MPG).
Travers, a former second-round pick, made 12 appearances for the Cavs in his second season, averaging 2.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 8.6 MPG. The Australian wing filled the stat sheet in the NBAGL with the Cleveland Charge, putting up 17.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.6 BPG in 15 games (31.5 MPG). He struggled with efficiency, however, posting a .424/.283/.618 shooting line.
The full trade appears to be as follows:
- Cavaliers receive: Ellis, Schröder (from Kings), Miller (from Bulls). Will waive Travers.
- Bulls receive: Dario Saric (from Kings), two second-round picks (a 2027 second-rounder from Cleveland via Denver, and a 2029 least favorable pick from Sacramento). Will waive veteran guard Jevon Carter to acquire Saric.
- Kings receive: Hunter (from Cavaliers). Open two roster spots to eventually promote Dylan Cardwell from his two-way deal.
As Keith Smith of Spotrac observes (via Twitter), the Cavs’ standard roster will be full once the trade is finalized, which means they won’t have room to convert Nae’Qwan Tomlin from his two-way deal. The second-year forward, who has become a rotation regular in Cleveland, can only be active for four more games.
The Cavaliers are still likely to promote Tomlin, Smith notes, whether by making additional trades or waiving a player after the deadline.
Cavaliers To Acquire Ellis, Schröder In Three-Team Trade
The Cavaliers will send De’Andre Hunter to the Kings in exchange for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The three-team trade also includes the Bulls, who will pick up Dario Saric from Sacramento and will receive two second-round picks as well.
The trade will save Cleveland nearly $50MM in salary and luxury tax this season, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
The Cavs unload Hunter’s $23.3MM contract while taking back Schröder at $14.1MM and Ellis at $2.3MM. The move takes the Cavs from $22MM to just $13.9MM above the second apron and brings their total payroll down to $221.7MM, per cap expert Yossi Gozlan (Twitter link).
The Cavaliers were among many reported suitors for Ellis, an accomplished defensive guard who is set for free agency this summer. He will become eligible for an extension worth up to $52MM over three years on February 9, and Cleveland will acquire his Bird rights in the deal.
Ellis fell out of the Kings’ rotation early in the season, which prompted trade speculation, but he still appeared in 43 games, averaging 5.6 points and 1.1 steals in 17.6 minutes per night with .397/.368/.625 shooting numbers.
Schröder, 32, will be joining his 11th NBA team. He was one of Sacramento’s major offseason additions, agreeing to a three-year, $44.4MM contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Detroit. However, he shot poorly from the field and eventually lost his starting job to Russell Westbrook. Schröder has two more years left on his contract at $14.8MM and $15.5MM with a $4.3MM guarantee on the final season. He’s also a strong defensive guard and had a positive impact on the Pistons after they traded for him at last year’s deadline.
Gozlan points out (via Twitter) that the Cavs have an opportunity to get below the second apron by unloading Lonzo Ball‘s $10MM contract and a couple of minimum salaries. He notes that they have three more tradable second-round picks to use for further moves before the deadline.
The Cavaliers added Hunter in a deal last February in hopes that he would become a dependable small forward to team with their four established starters. However, he has been more effective off the bench since coming to Cleveland and wound up being an expensive backup with the emergence of Jaylon Tyson. He has one more year left on his contract at $24.9MM and will get a chance to revive his career in Sacramento.
In a full story, Charania notes that trading two players for one will give the Kings roster flexibility to convert two-way big man Dylan Cardwell to a standard contract.
Saric, who has an expiring $5.4MM deal, will be absorbed into a $6.2MM trade exception Chicago has from last year’s Zach LaVine deal, according to Marks (Twitter link). The Bulls don’t have a roster opening, so they’re waiving Jevon Carter in order for the trade to be completed, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link). The 30-year-old guard has a $6.8MM expiring contract and will become a free agent once he passes through waivers.
Chicago’s draft compensation for helping to facilitate the deal will be a 2027 second-rounder from the Cavs that originally belonged to Denver and a 2029 second-rounder from the Kings that includes stipulations, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. It will be the least favorable of picks among Detroit, Milwaukee and New York, according to Charania.
League sources tell Siegel that the Cavaliers were reluctant to take on Schröder’s contract during trade negotiations, but the Kings threatened to move onto other offers if they couldn’t unload the veteran guard. Ellis was at the top of the Cavs’ wish list heading into the deadline, Siegel adds, so they decided to accept Sacramento’s terms.
Sacramento was hoping to land a first-round pick for exchange for Ellis, but several teams that had expressed interest recently turned away, including the Pacers, Celtics and Timberwolves, sources close to the Kings tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
According to Amick, Indiana was concerned about finding enough playing time for Ellis while Bennedict Mathurin is still on the roster. Even though Mathurin may be traded by Thursday’s deadline, the Pacers believed it was too much of a risk to part with a first-rounder.
The Wolves had been willing to include two second-round picks as part of their offer, Amick adds, but their priorities changed over the past week when it began to appear that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be available.
Pacers Notes: Bradley, Toppin, Furphy, Trade Deadline
Tony Bradley is back on the free agent market after his second 10-day contract with the Pacers expired Wednesday night, but there’s a chance he could return to the team later this season, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Indiana’s only option would be to sign Bradley to a standard contract, and coach Rick Carlisle told reporters before tonight’s game that a decision likely won’t be made until after the trade deadline.
“There is a chance he could be back for us,” Carlisle said. “For obvious reasons right now, I think flexibility is something that’s important. We’ll see what shakes out.”
It has already been an eventful season for Bradley, who won a roster spot on a non-guaranteed contract, but was waived January 5 before his $2,940,876 salary became fully guaranteed. He was re-signed to a 10-day deal three days later, then received another 10-day contract on January 19.
In total, Bradley has appeared in 38 games this season, making three starts and averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per night. Carlisle has been impressed by Bradley’s play, especially under the unusual circumstances.
“He’s been terrific,” Carlisle said. “He really has. I’d have to think this opportunity has resurrected his career. He’s a very good rebounder, defender, passer, plays within the system really well.”
There’s more from Indiana:
- Carlisle also provided a medical update on Obi Toppin, who has been sidelined since undergoing surgery in November for a stress fracture in his left foot, Dopirak states in a separate story. Toppin has been able to do some on-court work recently, but Carlisle cautioned that he’s not close to playing again. “I believe he’s ahead of schedule technically,” Carlisle said. “He’s back on the court doing things as you guys have seen, but it will be a while. It will be a little longer.”
- Johnny Furphy was used for the final defensive possession in Wednesday’s win over Chicago because he’s earned the trust of the coaching staff with his play on that end of the court, Dopirak adds in another piece. Furphy has started 16 of the team’s last 17 games and is making a strong case to keep his rotation role past this season. “He’s a tough-minded kid that has a good feel for having friction without committing fouls. That’s what we want,” Carlisle said. “… He’s tough-minded, he’s physically tough, he’s put on a lot of strength and he’s made a lot of improvements in a lot of areas. The opportunity that he’s getting is important.”
- With an open roster spot and a cushion of about $5.5MM below the luxury tax line, the Pacers plan to explore opportunities to facilitate trades ahead of Thursday’s deadline, sources tell Tony East of Circle City Spin. East notes that the team can also use the remaining portion of its non-taxpayer mid-level exception and a disabled player exception granted for Tyrese Haliburton‘s injury to take on salary.
Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson Fined $50K After Ejection
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has been fined $50K for “aggressively pursuing, berating, and making inadvertent contact with a game official,” the NBA announced (via Twitter). He was ejected after picking up his second technical foul early in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game at Phoenix.
Atkinson was irritated that his team only attempted one free throw through the first three quarters, and he repeatedly held one finger in the air as a reminder, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only story. His anger carried over into the post-game press conference, where he blasted the officials for their performance.
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.”
Fedor notes that Atkinson’s frustrations with the officiating crew of Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green and Michael Smith began much earlier in the game, as he picked up his first technical with about four minutes left in the first quarter. Atkinson’s complaint at the time was that fouls weren’t being called the same way at both ends.
“I sensed it early,” he explained. “I got an early technical to try to slow it down. Shocked. One free throw after three quarters as aggressive as they were playing, we knew they were going to play super physical, but you have to blow your whistle, and you have to be fair about it.”
The second technical was sparked by a no-call when Sam Merrill tried to drive past Collin Gillespie. Atkinson ran onto the court and screamed at the officials before being thrown out and receiving an escort to the locker room from team security. He bumped into an official during the tirade, but insisted it wasn’t on purpose.
“I think that was incidental,” Atkinson said. “There was no intention. I think we touched. I wouldn’t say bumped. I’d argue with you on that.”