Nets To Retain Tyrese Martin, Jalen Wilson Through Guarantee Deadline
The Nets won’t waive wing Tyrese Martin or forward Jalen Wilson prior to this week’s salary guarantee deadline, according to reports from Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter links) and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Both Martin and Wilson have non-guaranteed contracts, so Brooklyn could’ve avoided locking in their full-season salaries by placing them on waivers on Wednesday. However, the Nets won’t do so, which means Martin will earn his full $2,191,897 salary and Wilson will make his full $2,221,677.
Martin, a former second-round pick out of UConn, signed a two-way contract with the Nets ahead of the 2024/25 season, then was promoted to the standard roster last February.
After he averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on .406/.351/.793 shooting in 60 games (11 starts) last season, the 26-year-old has seen his production slip a little in 2025/26, but he’s still a regular rotation player, with averages of 7.4 PPG and 3.0 RPG on .385/.322/.708 shooting through 29 contests (six starts).
Wilson, selected by the Nets with the 51st overall pick in the 2023 draft, opened his NBA career on a two-way deal, but has been on Brooklyn’s standard roster since March 2024.
The 25-year-old averaged 25.7 minutes per night and started 22 of his 79 games in ’24/25, but has played a lesser role this season, coming off the bench in all 23 appearances averaging 13.9 MPG. He’s contributing 4.9 PPG and 1.0 RPG in his reserve role.
While many of the players on non-guaranteed contracts were considered locks to remain with their respective teams through the salary guarantee deadline, the Nets could conceivably made a move involving either Martin or Wilson, so their decision to hang onto both is noteworthy.
Brooklyn won’t open up a spot on its 15-man roster but still has more than $15MM in cap room that could be used to take on unwanted salary at the trade deadline. Both Martin and Wilson, meanwhile, will be eligible for restricted free agency during the 2026 offseason, assuming they finish out their current contracts.
Trade Rumors: Trae, Dillingham, Wizards, Kuminga, Warriors
The Wizards have been monitoring Trae Young‘s situation in Atlanta since the Hawks opted against extending him during the offseason and have engaged in “serious” discussions about a potential trade, confirms Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). However, Atlanta isn’t rushing into an agreement, since the front office wants to wait to see if other suitors emerge in the weeks leading up to the February 5 trade deadline.
So far, Fischer writes, it’s unclear whether any other teams have joined Washington in actively exploring a deal for Young. Fischer hears that the point guard’s camp has suggested the Timberwolves and Nets as two potential trade partners that would appeal to Young, but neither of those teams has reciprocated that interest to this point.
The Wolves, in fact, are unlikely to pursue any high-priced point guard, Fischer writes, explaining that Minnesota wants to upgrade the position but is more focused on players with more manageable cap hits.
Fischer points to Mike Conley‘s $10.8MM expiring deal and Rob Dillingham‘s rookie scale deal (which pays him $6.8MM this season) as contracts that the Wolves could use for matching purposes in that sort of trade, noting that they aren’t opposed to discussing Dillingham, who hasn’t yet developed into a reliable rotation player.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- If the Wizards and Hawks do make a trade involving Young, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the 27-year-old and his new team agree to a contract extension that replaces his $49MM player option for 2026/27 with a lower cap hit and tacks on at least a couple new years to his deal, Fischer writes. League insiders that Fischer spoke to about that subject suggested the extension offer would likely have to be worth $100MM+ to convince Young to decline that $49MM option.
- Ben Golliver of The Washington Post lays out the cases for and against a Wizards trade for Young.
- The Warriors have had many trade conversations about forward Jonathan Kuminga, but have yet to make “substantial movement” toward a deal, league sources tell Anthony Slater of ESPN. Team sources have said recently that Golden State would be willing to hang onto the 23-year-old beyond the trade deadline if no appealing offers materialize, according to Slater, though he notes that may be posturing. The Warriors have also been unwilling to take on contracts that extend beyond the current season if they consider them to have negative value, Slater adds.
- League sources tell Slater that the Warriors have “sniffed around” the center market. If Al Horford – who has played better since Christmas than he did earlier in the season – stays healthy and continues to improve, the front office may feel less inclined to target a big man at the trade deadline, Slater notes.
- Sam Quinn of CBS Sports takes a look at the teams currently operating in luxury tax territory and considers which ones are the best bets to try to duck below the tax line at the trade deadline — and which players could be on the move in those types of trades.
Hawks Waive Malik Williams
The Hawks have waived center Malik Williams, who had been on a two-way contract with the team, according to a press release. Because the move occurred prior to the league-wide salary guarantee date, Williams will receive just a prorated portion of his two-way salary.
A former Louisville standout, Williams opened this season with Atlanta’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, and was promoted to a two-way deal last month following season-ending injuries to Hawks two-way players Jacob Toppin and Eli Ndiaye.
Although Williams was technically under contract with the NBA club in recent weeks, he remained in the G League for most of that time. The 27-year-old big man was active for just three games with Atlanta and didn’t see any action in any of them.
Assuming he doesn’t catch on with a new NBA team upon clearing waivers, Williams is expected to remain with the Skyhawks, who still hold his G League rights, tweets Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Williams has played well at the NBAGL level in 19 outings this season for College Park, averaging 16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game. However, he’s shooting just 39.9% from the floor, due in large part to the fact that he’s launching a career-high 7.1 three-pointers per contest and making only 32.1% of them.
Atlanta now has an open two-way slot alongside forward Caleb Houstan and guard RayJ Dennis, whose recently signed two-way contract is a two-year deal.
Latest On Anthony Davis
Although the Mavericks will continue fielding calls on Anthony Davis, team sources insist to Christian Clark and Sam Amick of The Athletic that the front office feels no urgency to move the star big man. As Clark and Amick explain, the Mavs have signaled that they’d like to see Davis play alongside Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg and can envision a scenario in which he stays in Dallas long-term.
A report earlier this week indicated that Davis’ preference would be to remain in Dallas and sign a contract extension with the Mavericks. However, AD’s representatives at Klutch Sports, led by CEO Rich Paul, aren’t convinced the Mavs are interested in extending their client and wouldn’t mind getting him to a team more likely to pursue a new contract agreement, league sources tell The Athletic.
While Davis and his camp haven’t requested a trade, Clark and Amick suggest that Paul has encouraged the Mavericks to be “more aggressive” in gauging the 32-year-old’s market rather than waiting for teams to call.
Here’s more from The Athletic’s latest report on where things stand with Davis:
- As previously reported, the Hawks and Raptors are among the teams with Davis on their radar, but it’s unclear how motivated either team will be to get a deal done with Dallas. Atlanta wouldn’t want to take on Davis’ contract without moving Trae Young, who doesn’t appeal to the Mavericks, Clark and Amick write, while a deal with Toronto would require the Mavs to take on significant multiyear money.
- As Amick wrote last week, the door isn’t completely closed on the idea of a trade sending Davis to Golden State. However, with the Warriors still “staunchly” opposed to giving up Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green in such a deal, there’s no feasible path to a salary-matching fit.
- The Bucks are among the teams to convey interest in Davis, league sources tell Clark and Amick. Milwaukee is probably a long shot though, since the club is short on appealing assets and also lacks sizable contracts for matching purposes.
- Many league insiders believe the Mavericks will have to wait until the offseason to find a deal they like for Davis, but there’s also a sense that the lack of dominant teams in the Eastern Conference could make one of those potential contenders more inclined to take a shot on Davis during the season, per Clark and Amick. “Every team in the East believes they’re an Anthony Davis away from making the (NBA) Finals,” a high-level source explained to The Athletic.
Wednesday Is Decision Day For Non-Guaranteed Contracts
The NBA’s league-wide salary guarantee date technically falls on January 10 each season, but January 7 always represents decision day for teams carrying players on non-guaranteed contracts.
A player with a non-guaranteed contract who is still on waivers as of Jan. 10 is assured of receiving his full salary, so in order to avoid that scenario, a team must cut that player on or before Jan. 7. As long as the player is placed on waivers by 4:00 pm Central time on Wednesday, he’ll clear waivers on Friday (Jan. 9), a day before his salary would become guaranteed.
A couple teams have already made moves with players on non-guaranteed contracts so far this week. The Pacers waived center Tony Bradley on Monday, while the Raptors cut big man Mo Bamba on Tuesday. More transactions may be on the way ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, but most of the players with non-guaranteed salaries around the NBA look pretty safe.
For instance, the Hornets aren’t about to waive Moussa Diabate, who has been their starting center as of late; the Mavericks aren’t going to cut Brandon Williams, who made a game-winning three-pointer on Tuesday vs. Sacramento. Those are just two of many players on non-guaranteed deals who have earned not just spots on their team’s roster but a regular place in the rotation.
Wednesday is also a big day for players on two-way contracts, who are subject to the same salary guarantee deadline and will receive their full salaries if they’re not cut today. That works out to $636,435 for players who have been under contract since the start of the season, and a prorated portion of that figure for players who have signed during the season.
A handful of two-way players have been waived within the past couple weeks – including Bulls guard Trentyn Flowers on Tuesday – and more could follow today. However, there’s less urgency for clubs to make moves involving two-way players, since those deals don’t count against the salary cap and won’t meaningfully impact a team’s roster and cap flexibility as the trade deadline nears.
The full list of players on non-guaranteed contracts is below, while the full list of players on two-way contracts can be found right here. The players listed below are earning minimum salaries unless otherwise noted.
Atlanta Hawks
- Vit Krejci
- Partially guaranteed for $1,500,000.
- N’Faly Dante
- Note: Dante would receive his full salary even if he’s waived due to his season-ending ACL tear.
- Mouhamed Gueye
- Keaton Wallace
Boston Celtics
- Jordan Walsh
- Partially guaranteed for $1,110,839.
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dean Wade ($6,623,456)
- Partially guaranteed for $4,623,458.
- Thomas Bryant
- Craig Porter Jr.
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat
- Terry Rozier ($26,643,031)
- Partially guaranteed for $24,924,126.
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New York Knicks
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Washington Wizards
Pacific Notes: Durant, Suns, Sanders, Kerr, Kuminga
Playing against his former team on Monday, Rockets forward Kevin Durant secured a victory for his current team by making a game-winning three-pointer with one second left in the fourth quarter. He admitted to reporters after the victory that being able to deliver that dagger against the Suns made the moment more meaningful, per Kristie Rieken of The Associated Press.
“Most definitely,” Durant said. “A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time — I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place.
“It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems they had. And it hurt because I put all my effort and love and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area and Arizona in general. But that’s just the business, that’s the name of the game. So, when you play against a (former) team, yeah you got a chip on your shoulder.”
The Suns, whose “big three” of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal never meshed like they hoped, began discussing possible KD trades ahead of last season’s trade deadline, which was news to Durant. He helped nix those talks by making it clear he had no interest in returning to Golden State, then put Houston on his list of preferred destinations when the Suns renewed those trade efforts in the summer.
“It’s nothing but love for the players, but I want to beat that team,” he said on Monday. “I want to show them that I still got some juice in the tank. Even though I’m old, I still can play. I feel like every player has that mentality playing against their former team. I don’t think it’s malicious in any way towards them. But just as a competitor, you want to go out there and beat them.”
We have more from around the Pacific:
- Clippers rookie Kobe Sanders made his fourth career start on Monday with James Harden out due to shoulder stiffness and set or matched career highs in points (20), rebounds (seven), and minutes (36). Sanders, who has now been active for 29 games, has made a strong case for a promotion from his two-way contract to the standard roster and is earning praise from head coach Tyronn Lue in the process, writes Beth Harris of The Associated Press. “His poise, his ability to understand what we’re doing defensively and offensively, and just getting more and more confident,” Lue said of what has impressed him about the 2025 second-rounder.
- Monday’s one-point loss to the Clippers was a frustrating one for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who received two technical fouls and was ejected after disputing multiple referee decisions, including a no-call that crew chief Brian Forte acknowledged after the game should have been a goaltending violation, per Anthony Slater of ESPN. Veteran assistant Terry Stotts coached the team following Kerr’s ejection, then took Kerr’s place during the post-game media session. “I’m up here because I’m saving Steve some money,” Stotts explained.
- Monday’s game was the ninth in a row that Jonathan Kuminga didn’t play, including his seventh DNP-CD during that stretch. Asked after the game about whether he thinks Kuminga’s nonexistent role and uncertain future are weighing on his Warriors teammate, Jimmy Butler quickly replied, “Nope, not at all,” and referred to Kuminga as his “friend” and brother” (Twitter video link via Slater). “I tell JK, you be a pro of all pros,” Butler said. “Come here and get your work done. Smile and have a good time. Because you’re still an NBA player (and) one of the best people in the world. I’m not even talking about basketball. So you keep smiling and you keep being the great human being that you are.”
Scotto’s Latest: Trae, Risacher, AD, Zubac, Pacers, Celtics, Cavs
The Bucks, Timberwolves, and Clippers are among the teams that are monitoring Trae Young‘s situation along with Washington, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
While Dallas doesn’t appear to have any interest in the Hawks‘ point guard, the Mavericks are among the clubs that have called to inquire about former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, league sources tell Scotto. However, the Hawks have been opposed to including either Risacher or their top 2026 first-rounder (the most favorable of the Bucks/Pelicans picks) in any trade discussions involving big man Anthony Davis.
If Atlanta and Dallas do pursue a deal involving Davis, the Mavericks would likely be seeking expiring contracts like those belonging to Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7MM) and Luke Kennard ($11MM), according to Scotto, who notes that Hawks senior VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham is close with Davis dating back to their time together in New Orleans.
Here’s more from Scotto’s latest rumor round-up:
- Although Ivica Zubac has drawn significant interest from potential suitors, the Clippers don’t appear inclined to become deadline sellers, especially after their recent run of seven wins in eight games. Earlier in the season, there was a sense that it would take at least two first-round picks for L.A. to consider parting with Zubac, Scotto writes, adding that the Pacers and Celtics both expressed interest in the big man. Those two clubs were previously linked to the Clippers center.
- In addition to Zubac, the Pacers have checked in on Nic Claxton of the Nets, Yves Missi of the Pelicans, Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks, and Walker Kessler of the Jazz as they seek out a long-term answer at center, league sources tell Scotto.
- The Celtics, meanwhile, have been unwilling to attach a first-round pick to Anfernee Simons to move off his contract, Scotto writes. Presumably, the Celtics would be more open to that idea in a deal that nets them a quality player, but not in a pure salary-dump trade for luxury tax purposes. Scotto goes on to say that Boston isn’t looking to take back multiyear salary in any Simons trade, so if the team were exploring a deal with a trade partner like the Nets, Day’Ron Sharpe ($6.25MM team option for 2026/27) and Ziaire Williams (ditto) would hold far more appeal than Terance Mann, who is owed $31.5MM over the two seasons after this one.
- The Cavaliers have rebuffed inquiries on their core players, but teams around the NBA – cognizant of Cleveland’s unfavorable cap/tax situation – are continuing to monitor the situation to see if that stance changes. According to Scotto, the belief among executives is that if the Cavs do decide to move someone like Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, it’s more likely to happen during the offseason than in the next month.
Keegan Murray Expected To Miss At Least 3-4 Weeks
An injury-plagued season for Keegan Murray will continue, as the Kings forward has been diagnosed with a moderate sprain after undergoing an MRI on his injured left ankle, reports James Ham of The Kings Beat (Twitter link). According to Ham, Murray will be reevaluated in approximately three or four weeks.
The Kings have formally confirmed the diagnosis and the timeline for the injury, which occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s matchup with Milwaukee.
It will be the third multi-game injury absence this season for Murray, whose fall debut was delayed after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb in mid-October. The fourth-year forward returned about a month into the season, then missed a couple games in December due to a mild calf strain.
Murray, 25, has appeared in a total of 19 contests so far this season for the Kings, averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 35.9 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .429/.272/.789. The former No. 4 overall pick signed a five-year, $140MM rookie scale extension that will go into effect this July and is considered one of the few building blocks whose long-term spot on Sacramento’s roster is secure.
During Murray’s recent two-game absence, Keon Ellis entered the starting lineup in his place, while Doug McDermott saw rotation minutes. Rookie Nique Clifford is among the other Kings who could play larger roles with Murray on the shelf.
For what it’s worth, Murray and center Drew Eubanks both recently returned from injuries earlier than the recovery timelines provided by the Kings suggested they would, so it’s possible Murray will be back before the end of January. Still, his absence will be another obstacle to overcome for an 8-28 Sacramento team that looks headed for a high-lottery finish.
Injury Notes: Strus, Bogdanovic, Wagners, Bouyea
The Cavaliers still aren’t close to having swingman Max Strus back in their lineup. Strus, who is coming off left foot surgery to repair a Jones fracture, recently underwent evaluation and imaging on that foot, and while that exam showed “positive progress,” more time is required for the fracture to fully heal, the team announced today (Twitter link).
According to the Cavs’ statement, Strus will continue doing rehab and conditioning work and is scheduled for a follow-up evaluation with the club’s medical staff and Dr. David Porter (who performed the surgery) within the next four weeks. A clearer timeline for Strus’ return could be established in the wake of that follow-up evaluation.
Strus was a key contributor last season for a 64-win Cavs team that has missed him in 2025/26. A healthy version of Strus would have slotted into the starting lineup in between the backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and the frontcourt pair of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. However, Cleveland has been forced to rotate players in and out of that lineup spot over the course of the season – while also dealing with injuries affecting other starters – in an effort to find the right fit.
Here are more injury updates from around the NBA:
- It doesn’t sound like veteran guard Bogdan Bogdanovic will return from his left hamstring injury during the Clippers‘ upcoming three-game road trip. According to Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link), Bogdanovic – who last played on December 26 – has been ruled out for the week. The Clippers are playing in New York on Wednesday, Brooklyn on Friday, and Detroit on Saturday before returning home.
- Magic color commentator Jeff Turner said last Friday that Franz Wagner (high ankle sprain) and Moritz Wagner (ACL recovery) should both be back within a week, but the team hasn’t corroborated that report and the duo has yet to be upgraded on the injury report at all. Asked on Sunday about the status of the Wagner brothers, head coach Jamahl Mosley said there’s still no timeline for their respective returns, though he did add that they’re “responding to the treatments pretty well” (Twitter link via Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel).
- Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea, who has been playing a rotation role since late November, traveled with the club on its two-game road trip, but sat out on Monday in Houston while going through the concussion protocol and may not return on Wednesday in Memphis, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Bouyea is already halfway to his limit of 42 active games and looks like a strong candidate to be promoted from his two-way contract to a standard deal before season’s end.
Nuggets Notes: Depth, Jokic, Braun, Gordon, Murray, Holmes
With Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon back in action on Sunday in Brooklyn following extended injury absences, the Nuggets submitted a disappointing effort that head coach David Adelman referred to as “embarrassing” and “unprofessional,” resulting in a 12-point loss to the Nets.
A day later, all five of Denver’s regular starters were inactive on Monday in Philadelphia for the second game of a back-to-back, as Adelman deployed a starting lineup of Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett, Bruce Brown, Spencer Jones, and DaRon Holmes, with Zeke Nnaji, Hunter Tyson, Julian Strawther, and Curtis Jones coming off the bench. The team’s effort represented a 180 after Sunday’s dud, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic, as Denver pulled off a shocking 125-124 upset in overtime.
Pickett, who had played double-digit minutes just 12 times this season entering Monday’s game, led the way by scoring a career-high 29 points on 11-of-20 shooting in 42 minutes. Nnaji (21 points, eight rebounds) and Tyson (14 points) also had their best games of the season. Those performances from reserves represent a very encouraging sign for a team that Adelman says is in “survival mode” with star center Nikola Jokic out, according to Jones.
“The thing is that we don’t want to take too much of a fall in the standings,” general manager Jon Wallace told The Athletic prior to Monday’s victory. “I think we did a good job of giving ourselves a cushion at the beginning of the season, knowing that the unexpected can happen. But, at the same time, we have to face the reality that we might take a slight fall. But I think we have enough guys and enough leaders in that locker room to hold the line, until we get back to full strength.”
Here’s more on the Nuggets:
- The Nuggets are feeling good about Jokic’s recovery from a hyperextended knee and are hopeful that he’ll be back in action by the All-Star break at the latest, team sources tell Jones.
- Braun and Gordon were on “pretty strict” minutes limits when they returned on Sunday, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Braun played 24 minutes in his first game back from a sprained ankle, while Gordon came off the bench and logged 21 minutes after being out since November 21 with a strained hamstring. Restrictions will likely remain in place for a few games as Braun and Gordon work their way back to full strength.
- Jamal Murray missed a game for just the second time this season on Monday, with an injury designation of a left ankle sprain. He has been playing through “mild pain” in that ankle in recent weeks, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “He’s played limitless minutes. … It’s not just the minutes guys play. It’s what they’re doing in those minutes,” Adelman said. “The responsibility has been crazy. His ankle flared up. Even (Sunday), I thought he fought through it. The fourth quarter, I kept thinking I was gonna get him out, and we kept kind of staying in the game. So if anybody needed (a game off), it was him. Not to mention all the other small injuries for that guy. He’s beat up.”
- After making just two garbage-time appearances in Denver’s first 31 games of the season, Holmes has appeared in each of the past five, making three starts and averaging 18.0 minutes per night. Holmes, a first-round pick in 2024 who missed his entire rookie season due to an Achilles tear, spoke to Spencer Davies of RG.org about finally getting an opportunity to play NBA minutes.