Timberwolves, Suns Interested In Thaddeus Young
The Timberwolves and Suns are among the teams that have expressed interest in trading for veteran Spurs forward Thaddeus Young, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Young, who was sent from the Bulls to the Spurs in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade in the offseason, had a nice year in Chicago last season, averaging 12.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 4.3 APG in 68 games (24.3 MPG).
However, he was essentially just a salary-matching placeholder in that DeRozan deal and hasn’t been used much in San Antonio this season. His averages of 6.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 14.2 MPG in 26 games are career lows.
Still, the Spurs are hopeful they’ll be able to find a trade partner willing to give up at least one draft pick for Young, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who hears that San Antonio and Minnesota have discussed a deal that would feature Taurean Prince. Scotto has heard the same thing, writing that the two teams have had exploratory talks about a trade that would send Prince and a second-round pick to the Spurs for Young.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has had previous discussions with San Antonio about trading Dario Saric, Jalen Smith, and a second-round pick for Young, per Scotto. While Smith – like Prince – will be a free agent at season’s end, Saric has one more year left on his contract. If Saric is fully healthy next season following his 2021 ACL tear, that second guaranteed year may not be a problem for the Spurs, but it will certainly be an important factor to consider as they weigh their options.
If the Spurs don’t end up finding a deal they like for Young, the two sides would likely try to negotiate a buyout agreement, says Fischer.
Pacers Rumors: Turner, Sabonis, Ayton, Rubio, McCollum
After trading Caris LeVert to Cleveland, the Pacers continue to talk to teams about centers Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, but are still seeking a substantial return, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Indiana wants at least two first-round picks for Turner and an even more significant package for Sabonis, according to Fischer.
The Trail Blazers, Mavericks, Raptors, Knicks, Hornets, and Kings are among the teams to express interest in Turner, but they’ve all balked at the Pacers’ asking price so far, Fischer writes. As Fischer reported last week, Toronto has discussed a framework of Goran Dragic‘s expiring contract and a first-round pick for Turner, but it sounds like Indiana would want more assets than just a single first-rounder.
The Kings have engaged with the Pacers about both Turner and Sabonis, though it’s unclear how much progress was made in those talks, says Fischer. De’Aaron Fox was “at least mentioned in some capacity” in discussions between the two teams, according to Fischer, which echoes a January report.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Some people around the NBA who have spoken to Bleacher Report have suggested the Suns may be one of the teams interest in Sabonis. While Phoenix isn’t expected to shake up their roster this week, some of Fischer’s sources believe an offseason deal that involves Sabonis and a Deandre Ayton sign-and-trade is a possibility.
- Both Fischer and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst say that Ricky Rubio‘s expiring contract could be flipped before Thursday’s trade deadline, which Adrian Wojnarowski first reported on Monday. T.J. Warren and Jeremy Lamb, also on expiring contracts, look like trade candidates too, per Fischer.
- Fischer reports that the Pacers are believed to be one of the teams with some interest in Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum.
2022 NBA Trade Deadline Preview: Pacific Division
With the NBA’s February 10 trade deadline around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at all 30 teams, breaking down their potential plans for the deadline and identifying their most likely trade candidates. We’re focusing today on the Pacific Division.
Golden State Warriors
Trade deadline goals:
Few, if any, NBA teams should feel less urgency to make a move at the trade deadline than Golden State.
The Warriors already benefited from one major in-season “addition” when Klay Thompson returned to action last month for the first time since 2019. James Wiseman could be a second one if he’s able to make it back in the second half from a pair of knee surgeries.
While rival teams may try to pry away young Warriors prospects like Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, or Moses Moody, the Dubs have shown no inclination to mortgage their future for short-term gains. They’ve gone 40-13 this season without ever really being fully healthy — as long as they have all their guys available heading into the postseason, there’s no obvious weak spot on the roster.
Having said that, health is certainly a wild card worth considering. If they’re at all nervous about Draymond Green‘s ability to be back to 100% this spring, the Warriors could peruse the market for a frontcourt fill-in.
Top trade candidates:
One reason why the Warriors seem unlikely to make a trade is that their roster lacks expendable players. A team with the NBA’s second-best record won’t feel compelled to break up its starting lineup, and many of Golden State’s low-priced role players – such as Otto Porter, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II – are outplaying their contracts and will be retained.
Perhaps a player like Juan Toscano-Anderson or Nemanja Bjelica could be moved in the right deal, but even those guys are probably more valuable the Warriors could get back for them on their own.
For what it’s worth, the Warriors’ success this season means they could safely move their unprotected 2022 second-round pick without worrying about losing a top-20 selection. I’m skeptical they’ll feel compelled to do so, but it’s an option.
Los Angeles Clippers
Trade deadline goals:
Entering February, we didn’t have a clear picture of what the Clippers would try to do at the trade deadline. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were out indefinitely, but there was no incentive for the team to tank this season, since Oklahoma City owns L.A.’s first-round pick.
We got our answer on the Clippers’ deadline plans on Friday, when they traded Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a second-round pick to Portland for Norman Powell and Robert Covington. Powell is under contract for several years beyond this one, but Covington is on an expiring deal, so Los Angeles isn’t just looking to the future — the team wants to stay competitive this season, whether or not Leonard and George return.
Having already made one big move, the Clippers may be content to stand pat this week, but I expect them to remain engaged in trade talks for the next few days. They’re still in the market for a play-maker who can set up their stars and who is also comfortable playing off the ball and making open shots.
Top trade candidates:
Serge Ibaka is on an expiring contract, he has battled injury problems, and his playing time has been inconsistent this season even when he’s been healthy. The big man, who has a $9.7MM cap hit, looks like the Clippers’ best remaining candidate to be dealt.
I’ll be curious to see to what extent the Clippers shop Marcus Morris and/or Luke Kennard in the coming days. They overlap to some extent with the skills Powell and Covington bring to the roster, so if the Clippers plan to re-sign Covington in the offseason, it’s hard to imagine all four players sticking with the team long-term, given their price tags. Morris and Kennard each have two guaranteed seasons beyond this one at about $15-17MM per year.
Nicolas Batum could also be a player to watch. He has acquitted himself nicely since arriving in Los Angeles and I doubt the Clippers will want to move him, but he’s a solid two-way contributor at a very team-friendly price ($3.2MM). He’d certainly draw interest, and if he’s the piece the Clips need to give up to get the play-maker they want, they’d probably do it. Batum would need to approve any deal, however.
Los Angeles Lakers
Trade deadline goals:
The Lakers’ big move of the 2021 offseason was to send out Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and a first-round pick (which became Isaiah Jackson) in exchange for Russell Westbrook and a handful of future second-round picks.
The move, which received its share of criticism at the time, looks even worse six months later. Westbrook has struggled mightily in Los Angeles, and with Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope, and Harrell out of the picture, the Lakers hardly have any players left who are earning between the minimum and maximum and could be shopped in trade talks for an impact player.
The Lakers will still be on the lookout for deals that improve their defense and shooting around stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but it won’t be easy to make something happen. The Lakers just don’t have many appealing assets, and potential trade partners won’t exactly be lining up to help bail them out.
Top trade candidates:
While the Lakers would probably love to find a taker for Westbrook, his contract will make it virtually impossible. The former MVP is making $44.2MM this season and has a $47MM player option for 2022/23 that looks like a virtual lock to be exercised.
Given Westbrook’s recent play, no team will want to take on that sort of money unless it comes with draft assets, such as L.A.’s 2027 first-round pick (which is the next first-rounder the club can trade). For their part, the Lakers are better off hoping Westbrook can turn things around and preserving their limited assets for something besides a salary dump.
If Westbrook is off the table, that leaves Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn as Los Angeles’ most logical trade chips. They’re the only players on the roster earning more than the minimum salary and less than the max. Together, Horton-Tucker ($9.5MM) and Nunn ($5MM) could bring back a player earning a little over $18MM.
A year ago, attaching a future first-round pick to those two players would’ve made for a pretty tantalizing package. But the shine has come off Horton-Tucker now that he’s on a more expensive contract and hasn’t taken a step forward in his third NBA season. Nunn, meanwhile, has yet to play at all this season due to a knee injury.
Horton-Tucker is still just 21 years old, Nunn is a solid player when he’s healthy, and that 2027 first-rounder holds intrigue because no one knows what the Lakers will look like five years from now. However, L.A. will be competing with other buyers who will be able to offer stronger packages for higher-end trade candidates.
Whether or not they can make a bigger deal, I’d expect the Lakers to try to at least make a smaller trade or two, moving off minimum-salary players such as DeAndre Jordan and/or Kent Bazemore.
Phoenix Suns
Trade deadline goals:
Like the Warriors, the Suns aren’t under any real pressure to make a move at the deadline. Their 42-10 record so far this season is the NBA’s best, and there are no obvious holes in their regular rotation.
Still, the Suns will likely be on the lookout for one more wing who can knock down three-pointers. Offseason acquisition Landry Shamet is shooting a career-worst 35.3% on threes and there’s no guarantee that stretch four Dario Saric will return from his ACL tear in time to provide any help this spring. Shoring up the rotation with one more shooter would give Phoenix some added peace of mind entering the postseason.
Top trade candidates:
Saric’s injury makes him a trade candidate for salary-matching purposes. Among Phoenix’s highest-paid players, the Croatian forward and his $8.5MM cap hit are the most expendable. Of course, it’s worth noting that Saric is also under contract for $9.2MM next season, which may turn off some teams, especially since there’s no guarantee he’ll be back to 100% following his ACL tear.
Second-year center Jalen Smith would be a more interesting trade candidate if the Suns had exercised his $4.7MM option for 2022/23. Because they turned it down, whichever team has Smith on its roster at the end of the season won’t be able to offer him a starting salary higher than $4.7MM when he reaches free agency. In other words, there’s little incentive for a club to take a flier on him, since if he plays well down the stretch, he might price himself off that club’s roster.
Other veterans who aren’t vital rotation pieces, such as Elfrid Payton, Frank Kaminsky, or Abdel Nader, would presumably be available. The Suns also have a fair amount of draft-pick flexibility — they own all their own second-round picks and could offer any future first-rounders starting in 2024.
Sacramento Kings
Trade deadline goals:
There have been mixed messages out of Sacramento in the weeks leading up to this year’s trade deadline. After signaling last summer that they weren’t interested in moving De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton, the Kings seemed to become more receptive to the idea after getting off to a terrible start this season, with multiple reports indicating no one was off-limits.
However, last month, the Kings reportedly recommitted to the idea of building around Fox and Haliburton and told Fox they don’t want to move him.
While Haliburton may legitimately be off the table, rival teams are skeptical that Fox is actually untouchable. And it’s safe to assume anyone else on the roster could be had. The Kings badly want to end a playoff drought that has lasted a decade-and-a-half (and counting) and appear prepared to shake up their roster this week to try to make it happen.
Even at 20-35, Sacramento is just two games out of a play-in spot, so we shouldn’t necessarily assume the team is focused on next season quite yet. I expect the front office will be focused on making adjustments to the mix of players on the roster, not simply selling off veterans for draft assets.
Top trade candidates:
Even if the Kings ultimately decide not to move Haliburton and Fox, there are a ton of trade candidates on the roster.
Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, and Marvin Bagley III are a few of the players whose names have frequently popped up in trade rumors this season. Barnes and Holmes, in particular, should be intriguing targets for rival teams. Barnes is a solid defensive player who is making over 40% of his three-pointers this season, while Holmes is the kind of rim-running center who would look good in Charlotte or Toronto — both players are on very reasonable multiyear contracts.
It will be more challenging for the Kings to get a positive return for Hield or Bagley. Hield’s ability to stretch the floor is his calling card, but his 36.8% mark on three-pointers this season is easily the worst of his career and he’s owed another $40MM for the next two years after earning $23MM this season. Bagley, meanwhile, still hasn’t delivered on the promise that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 and he’ll be a free agent this summer.
Tristan Thompson, Alex Len, Damian Jones, and Maurice Harkless are among the other veterans the Kings could move, though some will have more value – both to Sacramento and to trade partners – than others. Youngsters Robert Woodard and Jahmi’us Ramsey also haven’t shown much yet and should be available, but they may not generate much interest.
LaMelo Ball, Dejounte Murray Named All-Star Replacements
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will replace injured Nets forward Kevin Durant in the All-Star Game, while Spurs guard Dejounte Murray will take the place of injured Warriors forward Draymond Green, the NBA announced today in a press release. Commissioner Adam Silver named Ball and Murray as replacement players.
Previous reported had indicated that Durant (MCL sprain) and Green (back/disc) would miss the All-Star Game in Cleveland on February 20 due to their respective injuries, so it comes as no surprise that a pair of replacements have been added to the 12-man rosters for the event. There’s no indication at this point that any other All-Stars will have to miss the game, though that could change in the next couple weeks.
Ball has averaged 19.6 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 7.1 RPG in 47 games (32.1 MPG) this season for the Hornets. He beat out a handful of worthy candidates – including teammate Miles Bridges, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, Pacers center Domantas Sabonis, and Raptors forward Pascal Siakam – to be named Durant’s replacement.
Like Ball, Murray has filled up the box score this season in a breakout season in San Antonio. He has put up 19.6 PPG, 9.2 APG, and 8.4 RPG with a league-leading 2.1 SPG in 47 games (34.4 MPG). Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Lakers big man Anthony Davis, and Suns forward Mikal Bridges were among the other candidates to be named Green’s replacement.
Since Durant was a starter, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been moved into the starting lineup, per the league. Tatum was the next-highest vote-getter among Eastern Conference frontcourt players.
Durant is still one of the two All-Star captains, along with LeBron James, and will be responsible for drafting his All-Star roster.
Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram Named Players Of The Week
Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been named the Player of the Week for the Eastern Conference, while Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram earned the award in the Western Conference, the NBA announced today (via Twitter). It’s the first time this season that either Siakam or Ingram has been named Player of the Week.
Ingram returned from a five-game absence last Tuesday and led the Pelicans to three consecutive road wins in Detroit, Denver, and Houston, moving the team into the final play-in spot in the West. In those three games, Ingram averaged 27.3 points on .475/.400/.846 shooting and thrived as a play-maker, with 9.3 assists per game. He also chipped in 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest.
Siakam’s Raptors improved their playoff outlook with a winning streak this week too. After going 4-0, Toronto now holds the sixth seed in the East, having moved ahead of Brooklyn. In the Raptors’ four victories, Siakam put up 24.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 1.8 SPG on .493/.500/.806 shooting while averaging over 40 minutes per game.
Ingram beat out fellow nominees Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Luguentz Dort, Ja Morant, and Karl-Anthony Towns for the Western Conference award. The other Eastern Conference nominees were Jarrett Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, DeMar DeRozan, and Joel Embiid (Twitter link).
Cavs Notes: LeVert, Trade Talks, Okoro, Draft Pick
The Cavaliers and Pacers began to engage in exploratory discussions about Caris LeVert shortly after Ricky Rubio tore his ACL, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who notes that the Cavs’ deadline priorities likely would’ve looked different if Rubio’s injury hadn’t occurred.
Before officially acquiring LeVert, the Cavaliers looked into a series of other options, per Fedor, inquiring on Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo, Rockets guard Eric Gordon, Spurs guard Derrick White, Kings sharpshooter Buddy Hield, and Magic wings Terrence Ross and Gary Harris.
Cleveland didn’t move forward on any of those players for a variety of reasons. For instance, the Bucks didn’t want to help a team they might have to face in the playoffs, while the Cavs didn’t want to part with a first-round pick for Gordon or with a combination of picks and young players for White, says Fedor.
Ultimately, the Cavs decided LeVert was the right fit at the right price, satisfying their goal of improving in the short term without losing sight of their long-term goals. LeVert is only under contract through 2022/23 for now, but if things go well in Cleveland, he could become the next piece of the team’s core, Fedor writes.
Here’s more on the Cavs:
- Sources tell Fedor that the Cavaliers will continue to seek upgrades around the margins in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline. Cleveland controls San Antonio’s 2022 second-rounder and would prefer to keep it, but that pick has drawn plenty of interest, says Fedor.
- The Pacers expressed interest in Isaac Okoro during their negotiations with the Cavaliers, but Cleveland didn’t want to part with the former lottery pick, sources tell Fedor. The Cavs’ willingness to include Houston’s 2022 second-rounder in their package helped bring the deal across the finish line, since that pick was viewed as something close to a first-rounder.
- Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised head of basketball operations Koby Altman for the moves he has made to help turn the Cavs around, as Fedor relays. “When you look at the deals that he’s made, he has made us much better basketball team through his aggressiveness and seeking value where others may not see, but having the idea of how this one impacts the next,” Bickerstaff said. “The proof is there. You look at guys like Jarrett (Allen) and what he’s been able to do for this team and that’s a credit to Koby for making sure we got involved in what Brooklyn was trying to do. It wasn’t just Koby being singularly focused on something. He put himself in position with other teams as well and that speaks to the communication, his reputation, and being able to have those conversations with other teams.”
- Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and John Hollinger of The Athletic view the LeVert trade as a win-win for the Cavaliers and Pacers, since Cleveland looks like an ideal fit for the swingman and Indiana got a good return for him.
- The first-round pick the Cavaliers traded to Indiana in the deal is top-14 protected in 2022 and again in 2023, per RealGM. In the unlikely event that the pick lands in the lottery both years, the Pacers would instead receive Cleveland’s 2025 second-round pick and the Lakers’ 2026 second-rounder.
Timberwolves Eyeing Marcus Smart
The Timberwolves remain interested in Celtics guard Marcus Smart, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News said during an appearance on the Mackey & Judd podcast on SKOR North (Twitter link). However, Boston’s asking price for Smart may be too high for Minnesota.
“Here’s what I was told, I’m reading this verbatim: ‘Minnesota (is) definitely trying to trade for Marcus Smart,'” Wolfson said, quoting a source. “‘But unless they include a first-round pick or Jaden McDaniels in addition to Malik Beasley, (it) most likely doesn’t get done.'”
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said last week that Smart was on the Timberwolves’ radar, especially in the event that they move Patrick Beverley in a separate deal. However, Beverley still seems more likely to stay put than to be moved, in which case the Wolves probably wouldn’t make another defense-first guard like Smart their top priority.
While Boston and Minnesota may not end up making a deal involving Smart, the two teams have apparently been having a variety of trade discussions leading up to the deadline. A previous report stated that the Celtics explored a possible deal that would’ve sent Josh Richardson and either Romeo Langford or Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota in exchange for Beasley. The Wolves reportedly weren’t interested in that concept at the time.
Trade Rumors: Pelicans, Bulls, Poeltl, Grant, Nets
The Pelicans, who have been described as trade deadline buyers, are making an effort to fortify their core, Marc Stein reports at Substack.com. In addition to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, New Orleans views Jonas Valanciunas and Herbert Jones as part of that core, according to Stein, so those players appear to be off limits in trade talks.
While the Pelicans are apparently unwilling to move Valanciunas or Jones, they do have other players who would appeal to trade partners. Most notably, Stein suggests that forward Josh Hart, who is in the midst of a career year, could be on the move this week. Multiple previous reports have indicated Hart may be a trade candidate.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Bulls made an offer for center Jakob Poeltl that was centered around a first-round pick, but they were rebuffed by the Spurs, according to Stein. Chicago has already traded away two of its own future first-round selections – including one to San Antonio – so the pick in the offer for Poeltl may have been Portland’s 2022 first-rounder, which is top-14 protected and appears unlikely to convey this year.
- In his preview of the Pistons‘ trade-deadline week, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic says the Wizards, Kings, and Trail Blazers are the teams that have exhibited the most interest in Jerami Grant. Sources tell Edwards that the Nets have also “poked around,” but are a longer shot to acquire the forward.
- Within his look at the James Harden and Ben Simmons situations, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reports that the Nets have been looking for more shooting on the wing. That makes sense, given that Joe Harris‘ status for the second half and postseason remains up in the air. O’Connor also echoes some of the same points made in a series of other Harden/Simmons reports this morning, including reiterating that the Sixers aren’t willing to entertain trading Tyrese Maxey this week.
Knicks Rumors: McCollum, Robinson, Reddish, Randle
Two rival teams say the Knicks are emerging as a legitimate suitor for Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, Marc Stein reports in his latest article for Substack. Up until this point, the Pelicans had been the team most frequently linked to McCollum, but Stein suggests New York is a real possibility for the Blazers veteran.
It’s an intriguing idea, and one that appears more viable after seeing the deal Portland made with the Clippers on Friday. The Blazers were seemingly motivated to move off Norman Powell‘s long-term money in that trade, so it’s not out of the question that the team could take a similar approach with McCollum, who is owed $33.3MM next season and $35.8MM in 2023/24.
Many of the Knicks’ top trade candidates, including Alec Burks, Kemba Walker, and Nerlens Noel, are only owed guaranteed money through ’22/23, and New York has a ton of extra draft picks – including Dallas’ top-10 protected 2023 first-rounder – that could grease the wheels of a potential deal.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, the Pistons are among the teams that have shown interest in Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. However, Begley says it’s unclear whether Detroit will try to trade for Robinson this week or if the team would only consider him in free agency. Robinson, who is extension-eligible, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- As Cam Reddish continues to spend most of his time on the bench for the Knicks, one NBA source who has been in contact with the team’s brass tells Marc Berman of The New York Post that head coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t exactly pushing the front office to trade for Reddish last month. “From my understanding, Thibs didn’t want him and they did it anyway,” that source told Berman. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report previously reported that Thibodeau “wasn’t necessarily gung-ho” about the acquisition of Reddish.
- In a separate story for The New York Post, Berman cites a rival GM who says Julius Randle doesn’t have a whole lot of trade value at this point. “I think you could look at last season as more an anomaly,” one Western Conference personnel director told Berman. “This season is more akin to his first six seasons.”
Eastern Notes: Bamba, Gafford, Sabonis, Kyrie
Magic center Mohamed Bamba made his 41st start of the season on Saturday, reaching the starter criteria for restricted free-agents-to-be, as Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report tweets. A player meets the starter criteria when he makes at least 41 starts or logs 2,000 minutes in the season prior to his restricted free agency, or if he averages 41 starts or 2,000 minutes across the two seasons before he becomes a restricted free agent.
If Bamba hadn’t achieved the starter criteria, his qualifying offer this offseason would’ve dipped to $7,228,448. Now that he has met the criteria, his QO amount will remain at $10,096,703.
In many cases, the amount of an RFA’s qualifying offer isn’t all that important, since a player who intends to sign a longer-term deal won’t seriously consider accepting it. But that’s not always the case. For a player with a somewhat limited NBA résumé like Bamba, a $10MM+ qualifying offer wouldn’t be a mere placeholder — the Magic would have to decide whether they’re comfortable making that offer, and if they do, Bamba could realistically accept it if he doesn’t get a multiyear deal he likes.
Here are a few more items from around the Eastern Conference:
- Wizards center Daniel Gafford entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Sunday, tweets Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Thomas Bryant and Montrezl Harrell figure to share center duties for as long as Gafford remains sidelined.
- Pacers center Domantas Sabonis exited the COVID-19 protocols on Sunday, per James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star (Twitter link). The big man had a relatively quiet return to the lineup, scoring just nine points in a loss to Cleveland — it was only the fifth time this season that Sabonis hasn’t had double-digit points.
- Nets guard Kyrie Irving said on Sunday that he remains hopeful about his ability to play in home games at some point, tweets Nick Friedell of ESPN. “I’m keeping a positive mindset that anything can happen in these next few days or the next week,” Irving said. “Just crossing my fingers that something can come up either before the All-Star break or even just after.” Of course, Irving would become eligible to play games in Brooklyn if he received the COVID-19 vaccine, but it sounds like he’s hoping for the city to change its rules related to unvaccinated individuals.