Warriors Notes: Green, Horford, Santos, Dunleavy
Warriors forward Draymond Green believes complaints over a lack of intensity in the All-Star Game are a result of the league overscheduling players, relays Eden Collier of NBC Sports Bay Area. Speaking Friday on his podcast, Green recalled several All-Star appearances that featured a series of required events leading up to the game.
“I’ve been at this community thing, I’ve been at this event, I’ve been at this this sneaker deal thing, I’ve been at this this podcast thing,” Green explained. “By the time you get to the game … oh, I get 20 minutes to shoot the basketball.”
Green added that he prepares all day for a normal game, starting with morning workouts, followed by cardio, treatment, hot tub recovery, work in the weight room, shooting sessions, team meetings and then taping with trainers. That process is cut way short for the All-Star Game, so players are reluctant to compete at full speed for fear of injury.
“I’m going to go out here and play hard in this game that I prepared for, for 20 minutes?” he said. “That played a big part.”
Green’s solution is to let big-name players who weren’t selected for the All-Star Game handle the other events and have the All-Stars devote their time to the game.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Green has been kept on the bench for the closing minutes of the team’s last two victories, Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle notes in a subscriber-only story. Green started the games as a small-ball center, but coach Steve Kerr opted to close with Al Horford in the middle surrounded by shooters and ball-handlers. “Al in the Phoenix game and last night was playing so well and I think without (Stephen Curry), it’s easier for us to score if Al is at the five and we space the floor around him,” Kerr said after Monday’s comeback win over Memphis. “… It’s harder to find lineup combinations without Stephen where we can play Dray at the four.”
- A roster shakeup caused by the season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler and the trade of Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta has resulted in Gui Santos moving into the starting lineup for the last five games, Gordon states in a separate piece. For the first time in his career, Santos is being trusted to create opportunities for his teammates by driving to the basket. “Without Jimmy, we don’t have much size at the (small forward and power forward) spots,” Kerr said. “Gui is — you can see by the way he’s been playing. He’s been one of our best players. He’s consistent, gaining confidence by the day.”
- The Warriors have a chance to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis at a reduced price, and Horford could be a bargain if he picks up his $6MM option to return next season, but general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. needs to add more youth and athleticism to the roster, contends Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Southwest Notes: Durant, Irving, All-Star Weekend, NBPA
Rockets star Kevin Durant doesn’t buy the argument that players used to compete much harder in the All-Star Game, according to Devon Henderson and Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Sunday will mark Durant’s 16th appearance in the contest, so he has a lot of personal experience to offer a comparison. In addition, he told reporters on Saturday that he watched “at least the first quarter of every All-Star Game from like the ’70s up until the late ’90s” to see if there was a noticeable difference in the level of play.
“I’ve been watching All-Star Games and the intensity the older generation been talking about,” Durant said before trailing off and shaking his head disapprovingly. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it.”
Henderson and Nehm note that ratings for the game have been falling dramatically amid the perception that the players don’t really care, with last year’s contest marking a 13% decline from 2024. However, Durant believes the players are easy scapegoats for the public’s waning interest in the event.
“I just feel like fans and media need something to complain about, and the All-Star Game don’t make them feel like it made them feel back when they were kids, so they need something to complain about,” he said. “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, to be honest. The All-Star Game, the All-Star Weekend, it’s here to celebrate the game of basketball.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Posting on Twitch, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said he’s planning to provide an update after the All-Star break on his recovery from ACL surgery and the possibility of a return this season, relays Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). There has been speculation for months that Irving may be able to return around this point of the season, but the team hasn’t announced any sort of timetable. “It’s not easy to come back from any injury,” Irving said (Twitter video link), “but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready and the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired.”
- Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required) asked Grizzlies players for their suggestions to improve All-Star Weekend, which include convincing star players to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and adding a one-on-one tournament to Saturday’s schedule. Rookie guard Jahmai Mashack believes the addition of an international team this year will help to boost interest. “I like the idea of USA versus World,” he said. “That’s really cool. I just think players got to be more competitive. Once you go out there, you got to treat it like a real game. Maybe have the stakes be a little bit higher and give them something to compete for.”
- The Grizzlies‘ Santi Aldama and the Pelicans‘ Trey Murphy III have been selected as vice presidents for the NBPA executive committee, Cole tweets.
Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Bryant, Harper, M. Johnson
The NBA’s All-Star Game has suffered from a lack of intensity over the past few years, but Victor Wembanyama plans to change that, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Speaking to reporters during today’s interview sessions, the Spurs star outlined what he expects to bring to Sunday’s contest.
“Exclamation-point plays, playing in a solid manner and sharing the ball with energy,” Wembanyama said. “If you share that energy, people feel like they have a responsibility to share it back to you.”
This is the second straight All-Star appearance for Wembanyama, who will be part of the World team in the game’s new format. There will be a round robin competition with four 12-minute games and the top two teams meeting in the finals. It’s the fourth different All-Star format in the last four years, and Wembanyama is optimistic that it will be successful.
“I’m confident in the way it’s going to go,” he said.
There’s more on the Spurs:
- Carter Bryant had a chance to win Saturday’s Slam Dunk Contest, but he couldn’t connect on his final attempt — a reverse slam off the backboard — and had to settle for a safer dunk just before time expired. It was a disappointment for the rookie forward, who got 50s from all the judges on his first dunk of the finals, a between-the-legs slam off the bounce. “If I put that dunk down, I win it,” Bryant told Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). “That’s probably the dunk I’ve made the most out of all the dunks I did today in my life. I’ve been doing that dunk since I’ve been 14. Just didn’t get the ball. Didn’t roll my way.”
- Ron Harper Sr., who teamed with his sons, Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper, in the Shooting Stars event, is happy that Dylan wound up in San Antonio, Orsborn relays (Twitter link). As the No. 2 pick in the draft, Dylan might have been given a larger role elsewhere, but his father believes he’s in a good environment. “I think the Spurs are a first-class place,” Harper Sr. said. “He has a chance to learn the ball game and play with some very good basketball players there. And if they keep continuing to build as a basketball club, they will have a chance.”
- In a full story (subscription required), Orsborn examines the bond that Mitch Johnson has been able to create with his players. In his first full season as head coach, Johnson earned a spot in the All-Star Game and will coach the Stripes team on Sunday. “We’d run through walls for him the same way he’d run through walls for us,” Julian Champagnie said.
Norman Powell ‘Definitely’ Wants To Re-Sign With Heat
Norman Powell, who entered the league in 2015, is making his first All-Star appearance on Sunday as a member of the Heat. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Powell is hoping his time in Miami doesn’t end after this season, he told Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald and Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
“Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen that I bring to the table,” Powell said. “And hopefully a deal is able to be done sometime. But yeah, I see myself being here and being a part of the Heat organization for however long they’ll have me.”
Powell is in the final year of a five-year, $90MM contract that he signed with Portland. He’s averaging a team-best 23.0 points, to go along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 45 starts. The scoring average is also a career best and his shooting averages are strong — 47.4 percent overall and 39.6 percent on three-point tries.
Powell is extension-eligible and would prefer to stay put, even though he’d certainly have suitors on the free agent market.
“This is definitely a place that I want to be,” Powell said. “It’s been nothing but great. Coming here getting adjusted, the organization has been amazing. I love where I’m at. I love the setup. I love the mentality. I love the approach. It has been, honestly, a super easy transition because I feel like everybody in the organization has the same mentality I have of pushing yourself to achieve the best and be the best version of yourself. It’s been fun.”
Powell has been traded a few times in his career – including from the Trail Blazers to the Clippers to the Heat since signing his current contract – and it happened again this week in a odd way. He was moved from the USA Stripes team in the three-team All-Star event on Sunday to the World Team due to Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s injury.
Powell was disappointed last season when he wasn’t selected for the All-Star Game as a member of the Clippers. He averaged a career-best 21.8 points in 60 starts, then was dealt to Miami a three-team swap in July. He now finds himself making that coveted appearance in the new Intuit Dome, the home of the Clippers.
“I really thought that I’d be an All-Star last year with the team, and it didn’t happen,” said Powell, who will also take part in the three-point contest on Saturday night. “Moves are made, and then the venue is actually where you just got traded from and you get selected to be one and go back there in front of the fans, in front of that organization. I think it’s just a nice little Easter egg to the story of my career. … I don’t think they freely wanted to give me up, but I think it’s just a little in-your-face. I still was able to do it.”
VJ Edgecombe Named 2026 Rising Stars MVP
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe was named the 2026 Rising Stars MVP after closing out two straight wins for Team Vince en route to the Rising Stars championship.
In Game One between Team Melo and Team Austin’s G League rising stars, Dylan Harper (Spurs) hit the game-winning shot to get Team Melo to the target score of 40 points. Team Austin had the top two scorers in the game in Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers) and Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers), but Team Melo’s balanced scoring attack, led by Reed Sheppard (Rockets) and Donovan Clingan (Blazers) with nine points each, was too much for the G League stars to contain.
In Game Two between Team Vince and Team T-Mac, Edgecombe exploded for 17 points, including the last 10 and the step-back game-winner over Cam Spencer (Grizzlies). Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers) led Team T-Mac with 10 points and Tre Johnson (Wizards) added eight while facing off against teammate Kyshawn George. Team Vince came away with the 41-36 victory.
The Rising Stars championship game, with a target score of 25, kicked off with back-to-back Clingan three-pointers while Matas Buzelis (Bulls) carried Team Vince early with a one-handed dunk and a smooth post move. An Edgecombe rebound and putback brought the game to 23-22 for Team Vince, prompting a Team Melo timeout.
After a Stephon Castle (Spurs) putback dunk, Edgecombe was fouled by Clingan on a drive, heading to the free throw line, where he knocked down the game-winning free throws. Carter Bryant (Spurs) contributed five points while playing against his teammate Harper, who led Team Melo with eight points.
Kevin Durant, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Jamal Murray, Cade Cunningham are among the future All-Stars who have won the Rising Stars MVP award over the past couple decades.
International Notes: World All-Star Team, Doncic, Bueno, Johnson
Kevin Durant threw some playful shade at the international representatives for this year’s All-Star game, Michael C. Wright writes for ESPN.
When asked about how hard his older squad that featured LeBron James, Stephen Curry (who will miss the game with a knee injury), and Kawhi Leonard will play on Sunday, Durant said the question was being posed to the wrong group.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “… These two dudes out there, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, they don’t care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They’re shooting from half court. But you’ve got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It’s just an overall topic that everybody’s been talking about.”
Wright notes that at least one international player says he’s planning on giving it his all.
“I’ve seen the All-Star Game, and obviously it hasn’t been competitive,” said Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. “And I’ve always thought myself that if I was in there, I’m never stepping onto the court to lose or not caring. Just like at home, I’m never stepping into a board game not caring, thinking I’m going to lose. … I’m going to be out there, I might as well win.”
Durant was unmoved by Wembanyama’s comments.
“He said that last year too,” Durant said. “They said it was the worst All-Star Game that people watched. So we’re going to see. Who knows what’s going to happen? This format might change the game, but who knows? We’ll see.”
We have more from around the world of international basketball:
- The NBA’s deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, recently confirmed Doncic’s interest in being a part of the NBA Europe project in Italy, Aris Barkas writes for Eurohoops. “We have talked a lot about the concept, and he really, really thinks that it’s time for the NBA to do something in Europe,” Tatum said of Doncic. The Lakers’ star recently entered into a preliminary agreement to buy the Italian team Vanoli Basket Cremona, with the intention of moving the club to Rome and having it be a part of NBA Europe.
- The NBA has wanted to find a way to work more closely with the EuroLeague, Barkas writes, and with former NBA Europe executive Chus Bueno becoming the EuroLeague CEO, that goal could quickly become a reality. Tatum said that Bueno can be a “bridge” between the two leagues. “We always said from the very beginning that we wanted to work together with the EuroLeague to align everyone in the ecosystem, and that was always our objective,” Tatum said. “And that will continue to be our objective, and I think that having Chus there, somebody we know well and who knows European basketball well, perhaps he can be a bridge between us, FIBA, and the EuroLeague clubs.” Barkas writes that the NBA is hoping for answers from potential investors by the end of March and is still eying 2027 as a potential start date for the new league.
- Alize Johnson is joining the Shenzhen Leopards in China on a “lucrative deal,” Marc Stein reports (via Twitter). Johnson, a five-year NBA veteran, appeared in a career-high 18 games with the Nets in 2020/21 and averaged 5.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game. He started this season with the Iowa Wolves in the G League and averaged 20.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists while shooting 41.3% on 3.9 three-point attempts per game.
Lakers Notes: LeBron, Doncic, Ayton, Bronny
LeBron James‘ future beyond this season, whether with the Lakers or elsewhere, has been a subject of speculation in recent months. And much of that speculation has centered on a specific hypothetical, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who says there is widespread talk about James returning to the Cavaliers for a final reunion with his hometown team.
“I don’t know if LeBron knows what he’s going to do,” MacMahon said on NBA Today (YouTube link; hat tip to RealGM. “I certainly don’t know what he’s going to do. I know what the rampant speculation is around the league and that is this summer there’s going to be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year.”
While the financial realities of adding James could be complicated for the Cavs, he would fit a positional need, as Cleveland has long struggled to find a permanent wing starter to play between Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.
James has also been linked to the Warriors and Knicks, though other teams would surely have interest if he became available on the free agent market.
We have more from the Lakers:
- James added another record to his collection on Thursday, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The record had previously been held by Karl Malone, who was 40 years and 127 days old when he accomplished the feat. James was 41 years and 44 days old on Thursday as he put together a 28-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound performance to lead Los Angeles to a 124-104 victory over the Mavs. “To be able to do it and get the win is, that means more to me than anything,” James said. “But I’m very blessed to play this game, play it at a high level.”
- Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers just over a year ago, a move that has had massive implications for the franchise — notably, switching from a team built around James’ timeline to one built around Doncic’s, writes Kevin Pelton for ESPN. As Pelton notes, this year’s record of 33-21 is not dissimilar to the team’s record last year, when they were 32-19 after winning the first game of the Doncic era. But while the team’s record and the Slovenian star’s statistical production might not be vastly different from their pre-trade levels, L.A.’s team-building approach has shifted to be more future-facing. After previously being very aggressive to put complementary pieces around James, the team has chosen not to send out first-round picks since the voided Mark Williams deal collapsed, Pelton points out. The Lakers are prioritizing flexibility, and will head into the 2026/27 season with just four players on guaranteed deals: Doncic, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt, though Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Austin Reaves hold player options.
- Doncic remains day-t0-day for the Lakers with a left hamstring injury, Benjamin Royer writes for the OC Register. “He’s progressed really good,” coach JJ Redick said of the decision to sit him on Thursday’s game against the Mavericks. “I think part of him, you know, wanted to push to get back part of the break, but, you know, we just got to be cautious with the soft tissue injuries … We all feel comfortable with the decision to hold him out and should be good to go post-All-Star (break).” Redick declined to comment on whether Doncic needed to check off certain recovery boxes before he could suit up for Sunday’s festivities, but Marc Stein reports that the star guard is expected to play a short stint (Twitter link).
- Ayton underwent imaging due to the lingering right knee soreness that has caused him to miss the last two games, reports Dan Woike of The Athletic (Twitter link). The tests came back clean and the Lakers are hopeful that the time off will allow the veteran center to recover and return to play following the All-Star break, per Woike.
- Bronny James‘ counting stats might not look wildly different in year two than they did in his rookie season, but he can feel his own growth when he’s on the court, Royer notes in a separate story. “(I) feel different. Feel way more comfortable,” Bronny said. “My teammates believe in me, my coaches believe in me. That’s all I’ve wanted. It’s just good to get out there and take advantage of the minutes I get.” The younger James had his best game of the season on Tuesday, recording 12 points and six assists in 25 minutes and even taking some matchups against Victor Wembanyama that impressed Redick. “In terms of the physicality we wanted on defense, he had two really good possessions in the first half against Wemby,” Redick said. While his shot has been much more efficient this season, James knows that if he wants to carve out a role on this Lakers team, it will start on the defensive end.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Won’t Play In All-Star Contest; Fox Chosen As Replacement
Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play in the All-Star Game on Sunday, according to the Bucks (Twitter link).
The news comes as no surprise, since the star forward hasn’t played since suffering a right calf strain on Jan. 23. Antetokounmpo was chosen to play for World Team in the new three-team format.
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been selected by commissioner Adam Silver as his replacement, the league announced (Twitter link), but Fox won’t join the World Team. Rather, he’ll play for the USA Stripes group while the Heat‘s Norman Powell will be reassigned to the World Team. Powell has ties to Jamaica.
According to the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will help coach the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday and then cheer on his World teammates on Sunday. The perennial All-Star, who is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season, had been the subject of trade rumors leading up last week’s deadline.
His availability to Milwaukee, which currently sits 12th in the Eastern Conference, is another matter of intrigue. The Bucks could make a push for a play-in spot when he’s ready to go but it’s also possible they may limit his availability or even shut him down in order to improve their lottery chances.
Fox will be making his second All-Star appearance — his first came in 2023 with Sacramento. The veteran guard is averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 32.0 minutes per game while appearing in 45 contests.
He’ll give San Antonio, the team sitting in second place in the West, another All-Star representative along with Victor Wembanyama. The Stripes team will be coached by the Spurs’ Mitch Johnson.
Ace Bailey, Bub Carrington, Jahmir Young Added To Rising Stars Event
Jazz forward Ace Bailey, Wizards guard Bub Carrington and Heat guard Jahmir Young have been selected to participate in Friday’s Rising Stars competition as injury replacements, the NBA announced in a series of tweets.
Bailey will replace Mavericks star Cooper Flagg, who is unavailable due to a left midfoot sprain, while Carrington will take the place of his Wizards teammate, Alex Sarr, who is sidelined by a strained hamstring. Young will fill in for Bulls guard Mac McClung, who is out with a right calf injury.
Bailey will be part of Team Melo, coached by Carmelo Anthony, Carrington will be on Team T-Mac, coached by Tracy McGrady, and Young is on Team Austin, coached by Austin Rivers.
Selected with the fifth pick in last year’s draft, Bailey is part of a talented rookie class throughout the league. The 19-year-old has appeared in 48 games, making 37 starts, and is averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.2 minutes per night with .449/.343/.708 shooting numbers.
Carrington, 20, was the 14th pick in the 2024 draft. He hasn’t missed a game in his NBA career and is averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in his second season with .402/.393/.761 shooting splits.
Young has spent most of the season in the G League and has only appeared in eight games with Miami. The 25-year-old is averaging 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 16 regular season games with Sioux Falls.
The Rising Stars event will match three teams consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores, along with a fourth team of G League players. They will compete in a three-game tournament to crown the winner.
Western Notes: Kerr, Braun, Barnes, Hinson
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr admits that tanking is a major concern for the league, but he doesn’t have any simple solutions, Nick Friedell of The Athletic writes.
“Ironically, the last few years, it seems like it has not been at the forefront like it is this year because of the play-in (tournament),” Kerr said. “More teams felt like they were in it. This year, it’s pronounced just because of the circumstances and where a lot of teams are — injuries, starting rebuilds, that sort of thing. I know the league is really concerned about it, as they should be. It’s not good for the fans, for the league itself. They’re considering everything. It’s a really tough issue.”
Kerr also sees the issue from the perspective of teams jockeying for lottery positions, knowing that one of the top picks in the 2026 draft could be a franchise-altering player.
“The bottom line is you kinda have to get lucky in the lottery,” Kerr said. “It’s what makes this issue so tricky, is that great players — Steph (Curry) and Tim Duncan, Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) — they’re not only team-changing, but they’re franchise-changing, for even beyond the scope of those guys’ careers. And so there’s only a handful of players that can do that, that are that valuable. And so teams are all clamoring for them. Sometimes, you don’t know who they are. Steph was the seventh pick. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) was the (15th) pick. So it’s not always the first couple guys, but more often than not, the first pick has an opportunity to be that guy, and that’s what creates this issue.”
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Nuggets guard Christian Braun has appeared in four games since returning from a left ankle sprain. Braun missed nearly two months of action previously before an aborted attempt to come back last month from the same ailment. He played in only three January games before the ankle issue grounded him again and realizes now he wasn’t at full strength last month. “I think the biggest (factor) was, ‘Can I jump in the air?’” he told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “Obviously, they do all their tests (on an injury) and they do a really good job, but truthfully, I couldn’t jump. And if everybody has seen me play, I jump off my left leg a ton. So I’m just navigating, like, ‘Before I come back this next time, I need to make sure I can jump. I can run full speed and I can jump.’ It sounds really elementary and really basic, but that’s the truth. The explosion just wasn’t there.”
- Commissioner Adam Silver selected Brandon Ingram to replace Stephen Curry in the All-Star Game. Spurs forward Harrison Barnes felt teammates Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox were more worthy candidates. “We’re No. 2 in the West,” Barnes told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News. “Teams below us have two All-Stars. I don’t know a case where if you’re talking about having an impact on winning, either of them shouldn’t be selected and/or at least under consideration.”
- Blake Hinson‘s two-way contract with the Jazz is a two-year deal, per Spotrac contributor Keith Smith (Twitter link). The 26-year-old small forward is in the midst of a standout year in the G League, where he’s averaging 21.8 points and 5.8 rebounds with Portland’s affiliate, the Rip City Remix. Hinson signed his new contract on Monday.