And-Ones: Ellis, Butler Jr., Stretch-Run Goals, Harper, Bailey
The Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers’ NBA G League affiliate, acquired the rights to Boogie Ellis from the Stockton Kings in a three-team trade, Sacramento radio reporter Sean Cunningham tweets.
The rookie guard out of USC has made 19 G League appearances this season, including three starts. Ellis averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 21.7 minutes per game for Stockton. He participated in Sacramento’s training camp after going undrafted but was waived before the start of the season.
The Mad Ants traded Kyle Mangas to the Austin Spurs, who dealt the returning player rights of Matt Lewis and their 2026 first-round pick to the Stockton Kings.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- In more G League news, the Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) acquired the rights to John Butler Jr. from the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards), Milwaukee’s affiliate tweets. The Go-Go received a 2026 first round and 2026 second round pick and the rights to Darryl Morsell. Butler, who started his NBA career with Portland, had a two-way contract with Washington for part of last season. He also participated in Washington’s camp this season but was waived prior to the opener. Butler made 34 appearances, including 10 starts, with the Go-Go this season. He scored 12 points in his first outing with Washington’s affiliate.
- What are the stretch-run goals for each NBA team the remainder of this season? The Athletic received input from its various beat writers on that topic. For Cleveland, it’s going for 70 wins. For the Knicks, it’s integrating Mitchell Robinson into the lineup. For Milwaukee, it’s getting home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
- While Rutgers had a mediocre season, the Scarlet Knights have two of the premier lottery picks in Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo polled NBA executives on the duo. Harper drew comparisons to All-Star Cade Cunningham, while Bailey was likened to Brandon Miller. Bailey might be the top offensive prospect in the draft and have the highest ceiling of any prospect, according to one executive.
Wizards Notes: Smart, Sarr, Poole, Holmes, Middleton
Marcus Smart finds himself on one of the league’s worst teams. The veteran guard was dealt by Memphis to the Wizards last month and is attempting to make the best of it, he told Candace Buckner of the Washington Post.
“Controlling what I can control is my motto now as I’ve gotten older and I think that helps a lot because we are put to the test,” he said. “When you’re such a competitor and you’re so passionate, [then] to come to a team that’s young, rebuilding in a sense, you know, trying to figure it out. You know, it is frustrating, but the older you get, that experience, I went through it. So now I can see, sit down and understand by looking from 2017 till now, what can I do differently? And that is the way I respond.”
Smart, who is signed through next season, is trying to give his new teammates some tough love.
“They know I’m not here to hold your hand. I’m here to help you get better,” he said. “This group is very young but they have some talented guys who can be defensive players of the year, or all-star candidates, all-NBA candidates with some work. A little bit of experience, a little bit of guidance, and that’s what I’m here for.”
Here’s more on the Wizards:
- Alex Sarr has struggled to score at the rim in his rookie season but he was an inside force against Utah on Wednesday, racking up 21 points and making all but one of his seven attempts in the lane. “Definitely just trying to be aggressive. Get some easy ones around the rim before spacing out,” he said, per Varun Shankar of the Washington Post.
- Jordan Poole missed his third straight game with a right elbow hyperextension, Shankar notes. Coach Brian Keefe indicated that Poole did some on-court work, including shooting, on Wednesday. Big man Richaun Holmes missed his first game since late January with a left knee contusion, Shankar adds.
- While Smart and Khris Middleton, another trade-deadline acquisition, are playing key roles as mentors for the younger players, it’s quite possible – or perhaps likely – the Wizards will attempt to trade them after this season or before the 2026 trade deadline, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes in his latest mailbag. Robbins also fields questions on the draft and the organization’s player development program.
Southeast Notes: Hornets, Kokoskov, Heat, Adebayo, Banchero
Have the Hornets already gone into tank mode? It might seem that way, considering they’ve lost 17 of their 19 games. Head coach Charles Lee denies that’s the case.
“I think it would be very easy to sometimes lay down when you are in the position that you are, but we are obsessed with daily improvement,” Lee told Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “Part of daily improvement is going into every game and facing a different type of opponent, different strategy, different coverages, different matchups, and adjusting and adapting. And they’ve done a really good job of doing that.”
Miles Bridges says the players aren’t giving up, even as the losses pile up.
“We’ve got to play with pride — we’re in the NBA,” Bridges said. “We are blessed to be in the NBA. That’s my mindset coming into a game. I’m blessed to be here in the NBA, so I want to go out and give 100% and I try to give that to the other guys. Just going out and playing with pride. Being on a losing streak sucks for everybody. If we can get a win next game against the best team in the league (Cleveland on Friday), that will probably turn us up.”
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Igor Kokoskov became an NBA head coach again — at least for one night. The Hawks assistant filled in on Tuesday for Quin Snyder, who was battling an illness. Atlanta lost to Milwaukee, 127-121. Kokoskov was Phoenix’s head coach during the 2018/19 season. “None of us knew until right before tipoff,” point guard Trae Young told Charles Odum of the Associated Press. “He was here early. It kind of surprised us but we still had a game to go play. It sucks we couldn’t get him the win.”
- As things stand, the Heat could wind up with two first-round picks in this year’s rich draft. The Heat will keep its own pick if it misses the opening round of the playoffs, most likely by losing in the play-in tournament. The Heat will receive the Warriors first-round pick if it falls between 11-30, which is becoming an increasing likely outcome. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald takes a look at some of the players who might be available in the middle of the first round, including UConn’s Liam McNeeley, Duke’s Kon Knueppel and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears.
- Bam Adebayo‘s offensive production has increased since rookie Heat center Kel’el Ware was inserted into the starting lineup. That’s no coincidence, he told Jackson. “It gave me more energy to play offense,” he said. “I’m not in every pick-and-roll. Obviously, he’s guarding the five [the center]. A lot of four men [power forwards] don’t and do the things that fives do. For me, it definitely let a load off me where I definitely could focus more on scoring.” Adebayo averaged 15.7 PPG in the first 40 games and 21.3 PPG in the past 19 games, including 17 with Ware starting.
- The Magic anticipated they’d be on the upswing once Paolo Banchero started producing at his usual levels again. It hasn’t worked out that way. Banchero, who was sidelined for two-and-a-half months with an abdominal injury, has averaged 29.6 points on 47.8% shooting, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34.7 minutes over the past seven games. However, Orlando has lost four straight, including twice to the Raptors. “We’ve got to do some soul-searching,” Banchero told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “The good thing about a time like this is that, really, the only way you can go is up.”
Atlantic Notes: Towns, Drummond, Raptors, Norris
Karl-Anthony Towns missed the Knicks’ loss to Golden State on Tuesday due to personal reasons, Ian Begley of SNY TV tweets. It’s uncertain whether Towns will join the team in Los Angeles when the Knicks face the Lakers on Thursday and Clippers on Friday.
“When he’s ready to come back, obviously we want him back,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But he needs some time right now.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Andre Drummond posted big numbers in the Sixers’ loss to Portland on Monday, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes. The veteran center finished with season highs of 25 points and 18 rebounds. Philadelphia will continue to rely on Drummond with Joel Embiid out for the season. “I mean, that’s what I set out to do on a nightly basis — [show] that I still am effective,” he said. “Regardless of whatever minutes you give me and whatever chance that I get, I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do.” Drummond holds a $5MM player option on his contract for next season.
- With the Raptors pointing toward the offseason, Eric Koreen of The Athletic suggests ways they can subtly tank the remainder of the way. That includes limiting the minutes of their top players, going with younger players off the bench and not signing another center.
- Miles Norris‘ two-way contract with the Celtics is a two-year deal, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets. The forward, who had been playing for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League, signed his contract on Tuesday.
Southeast Notes: Suggs, Champagnie, Heat Injuries, Nurkic
With point guard Jalen Suggs out for the season after undergoing knee surgery, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley will rely more on his frontcourt players to create offensive opportunities, he told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.
“It’s going to be different handlers at different times of the game,” he said. “If we realize a team is fully aggressive picking our point guard up, we might have to play through our bigs. Wendell (Carter Jr.), Goga (Bitadze), JI (Jonathan Isaac), those guys being able to handle the basketball and get us into easier sets. If they’re not pressuring Paolo (Banchero) and Franz (Wagner), those guys become our point-forward play-makers. That’s going to be a big key but that’s also going to vary game-to-game as well.”
Longtime veteran Cory Joseph made his first start of the season in place of Suggs on Tuesday.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- Justin Champagnie had his two-way contract converted into a standard four-year, $10MM deal by the Wizards on Monday. He’s been angling for a standard contract since going undrafted in 2021. “It means a lot,” he told Varun Shankar of the Washington Post. “I’ve been working hard these past four years of my career, trying to get to this point, and I’m super happy. I’m super thankful. I’m grateful that I got the opportunity here to be myself.” He will earn $1.8MM for the remainder of 2024/25, well above this prorated minimum. The final three seasons of the contract will be non-guaranteed.
- Jaime Jaquez (right ankle sprain), Nikola Jovic (broken right hand), Kel’el Ware (left knee sprain) and Andrew Wiggins (right ankle sprain) will miss the Heat‘s game against the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers on Wednesday, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Undrafted rookies Keshad Johnson and Isaiah Stevens, who have been playing the G League, are expected to suit up for the NBA team to add depth.
- After losing his starting spot with Phoenix and getting traded to the Hornets, Jusuf Nurkic is eager to reestablish himself, he told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I’ve been in this league long enough. I know what the situation can be and how it’s good for the player to change the situation and have a fresh start,” he said. “I have an eagerness and excitement for the game again. I can’t wait to play again on the court.” He’s averaging 7.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in six games with Charlotte.
Hawks Sign Jacob Toppin To Two-Way Contract
6:46pm: The signing is official, the Hawks confirmed in a press release.
4:21pm: The Hawks are filling their open two-way slot by signing second-year forward Jacob Toppin, The Stein Line contributor Jake Fischer tweets.
Toppin became a free agent when the Knicks waived him on Sunday. The 6’9″ Toppin made 16 appearances for New York this season but his minutes were limited — he averaged 0.4 points and 0.7 boards across 3.1 minutes per game.
Toppin posted big numbers for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League. In 11 regular season games, the younger brother of Pacers forward Obi Toppin averaged 25.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals per contest.
Toppin went undrafted out of Kentucky in 2023 and had a two-way deal with the Knicks for much of last season. New York re-signed him on a two-way deal in August.
He can be active for as many as 12 games for the remainder of the Hawks’ regular season.
Atlanta created an opening to sign another two-way player by elevating Dominick Barlow to the 15-man roster on a standard, two-year contract. The Hawks opened a spot on the 15-man roster for Barlow by terminating Kevon Harris’10-day deal.
Tuesday night is the deadline for teams to sign two-way players.
Jaren Jackson Jr. ‘Week To Week’ With Ankle Sprain
Grizzlies star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, the team’s PR department tweets.
Jackson suffered the injury during the first quarter against the Hawks on Monday. He is considered week-to-week, the team adds.
This could impact the Grizzlies’ playoff position. They’re currently in fourth place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of Houston. They have a 5 1/2-game cushion on the teams currently sitting in the top three play-in spots.
However, the team’s other star, guard Ja Morant, is also currently sidelined with shoulder soreness. On Monday, coach Taylor Jenkins expressed optimism that Morant would return soon.
“I don’t think there’s any long-term concern. It’s just some day-to-day soreness that he’s been navigating,” he said. “Not feeling comfortable with how the arms been raising after taking a hit or two over the course of the last couple of weeks. He’s been playing through it, and obviously, I think it’s just more of a short-term situation.”
Jackson is averaging 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals in 29.4 minutes per game. The forward/center has appeared in 59 games and needs to see action in six more to qualify for NBA postseason awards. He’d have to return by early April to make that happen — Memphis has seven games in April before the postseason begins.
With Victor Wembanyama out for the season, Jackson is considered a top candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. That has major implications in terms of Jackson’s future earnings.
As we recently detailed, if Jackson wins the DPOY award this season, he’d become eligible for a super-max contract extension, starting at up to 35% of the 2026/27 salary cap.
Warriors Promote Pat Spencer, Sign Braxton Key To Two-Way
6:07pm: Spencer has officially had his contract converted and Key has signed his two-way deal, the team’s PR department tweets.
4:57pm: The Warriors are converting Pat Spencer‘s two-way deal into a standard contract and will fill that two-way spot by signing forward Braxton Key, The Stein Line contributor Jake Fischer reports (Twitter links).
Golden State had two open spots on the 15-man roster and needed to fill at least one of them. The signing of Kevin Knox to a second 10-day contract at the beginning of the month bumped its roster count to 13.
Spencer has appeared in 28 games off the bench for the Warriors this season, averaging 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 7.0 minutes per night. He scored a career-high 17 points against Indiana on Jan. 10.
Spencer, 28, went undrafted out of Northwestern in 2020. He had a brief stay in Germany but has spent the bulk of his pro career in the G League. He’s played five games for the Santa Cruz Warriors this season.
Key, 28, has appeared in 34 career NBA games, including 20 contest with Denver last season. He was part of the Clippers’ training camp roster last fall but was waived prior to the season opener.
Key has been playing in the G League with the San Diego Clippers. In a total of 38 NBAGL appearances, he’s averaging 14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.4 steals in 31.8 minutes per game.
Nets Sign Tyson Etienne, Waive Kendall Brown
The Nets have agreed to a two-way contract with guard Tyson Etienne, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. They opened up a two-way spot by waiving Kendall Brown, Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweets. Both moves are now official, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
Etienne has averaged 20.0 points, 3.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals for the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets in 24 regular season games. The 6’2″ guard has been extremely proficient as a three-point shooter, knocking down 47.6% of his attempts while taking an average of 7.0 per game. He has yet to make his NBA debut.
Etienne was signed and waived by Brooklyn on an Exhibit 10 deal in September. He had been in the Hawks organization after going undrafted out of Wichita State in 2022, playing for their G League team.
Brown was signed to a two-way deal late last month and didn’t appear in a game with the Nets. The 48th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Brown spent his first two professional seasons with the Pacers, first on a two-way contract and then on a standard deal. However, the 6’7″ swingman was waived by Indiana in October and then had his G League rights acquired by the Long Island Nets later that month.
Brown has appeared in 37 games with the Long Island Nets this season, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Knicks Add Anton Watson On Two-Way Deal
The Knicks have claimed former Celtics forward Anton Watson off waivers, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets. Watson is on a two-way contract and will fill New York’s lone two-way opening.
Boston waived Watson on Sunday. A rookie forward selected with the No. 54 pick in last year’s draft, he signed his two-way contract in August but has yet to make his NBA regular season debut.
Watson has appeared in a total of 37 games (34 starts) for the NBA G League’s Maine Celtics in the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season. He’s averaging 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.9 minutes per game.
Watson, 24, played five seasons at Gonzaga and averaged career highs of 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season.
The Knicks opened up a pair of two-way slots by waiving Matt Ryan and Jacob Toppin on Sunday. They filled one of those spots by signing MarJon Beauchamp earlier on Tuesday.
Tuesday night is the deadline for teams to sign two-way players.