Trade Rumors: Raptors, Ayton, Russell, Olynyk, Heat, Celtics
The NBA is still waiting to see what the Raptors will decide to do ahead of next week’s trade deadline, but it’s seeming more likely that they’ll be active.
“I would be shocked if they didn’t do anything,” one high-ranking league executive told Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
The Raptors are open to offers for everyone on the roster except for second-year forward Scottie Barnes, sources tell Lewenberg. Just because they’re listening doesn’t mean they’re going to totally overhaul the team in the next week though, with Lewenberg pointing out that more options could be available in the offseason.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors from around the NBA:
- The Raptors came close to landing Deandre Ayton from the Suns via sign-and-trade over the summer, a source tells Lewenberg, who notes that Phoenix is reportedly interested in OG Anunoby.
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on his Lowe Post podcast that trade chatter involving Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell has died down a little with his strong play of late. “He has been a good offensive player for them,” said Lowe (hat tip to RealGM). “That noise, to me, has kind of quieted. I know there are deals out there that they would do. I don’t think any teams have met those deal points yet.” Russell is making $31.4MM in the final year of his contract.
- Both the Heat and Celtics are interested in a reunion with Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk, sources tell Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. Boston is still trying to figure out what Utah might seek in return for Olynyk, but a source from a team looking for frontcourt help expressed skepticism that the Celtics or Heat will be able to meet the Jazz’s asking price, per Bulpett.
- A front office source from a rival team doesn’t expect the Celtics to do anything drastic on the wings at the deadline, suggesting that even if they sign someone in a buyout, that player is likely to be a deep-bench reserve who is buried on the depth chart. “I’m not saying they wouldn’t upgrade their end of the bench wings, but there’s really no room in the rotation,” the source told Bulpett.
Trade Rumors: Bogdanovic, Collins, Pistons, Wood
Numerous teams have been calling to inquire about the availability of Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
However, as Amick writes, Atlanta hasn’t shown a whole lot of interest in trading the veteran wing, who makes $18MM in 2022/23 and holds an $18MM player option for ’23/24. If Bogdanovic does get moved, whichever team acquires him would have his Bird rights, so it would be able to go over the cap to re-sign him and potentially offer him more years and more money than another team could.
Now in his third season with the Hawks, the 30-year-old is averaging 15.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 3.1 APG on .427/.367/.769 shooting through 26 games. Bogdanovic primarily comes off the bench, but he is averaging a career-high 30.8 minutes per game.
Here are a few more rumors from around the NBA:
- Amick says the Hawks are focused on “landing a quality player, or players” in return for forward John Collins, and aren’t necessarily seeking draft compensation. That’s essentially what Amick reported a few weeks ago, with rival executives telling him that Atlanta’s asking price for Collins had come down considerably compared to where it was in past years.
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Monday that the Pistons appear to be committed to keeping Bojan Bogdanovic. Marc Stein has heard the same thing from rival teams, writing in his latest Substack article that one league source tells him the Pistons would decline an offer of an unprotected future first-round pick, which is what they were reportedly seeking.
- The Pistons have consistently maintained that they would require “quality draft capital” to part with either Alec Burks or Saddiq Bey, Stein adds. It’s unclear what exactly they’re asking for based on that wording, but it sounds like at least some type of decent first-round pick. Time will tell if that stance changes in the next week.
- Mavericks big man Christian Wood, who is currently sidelined with a fractured left thumb, will likely be out for around another week, according to Stein, who says Wood is “unlikely to play before next week at the earliest.” Sources tell Stein that contract extension talks between Wood and Dallas are still in the early stages, which is notable with the trade deadline fast approaching — the 27-year-old is earning $14.3MM in the final year of his contract.
Elfrid Payton Signs G League Contract
Free agent guard Elfrid Payton has signed a contract to play in the NBA G League, sources tell veteran reporter Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Payton, who turns 29 in a few weeks, was a lottery pick back in 2014, selected 10th overall by the Magic. He spent last season with the Suns on a minimum-salary contract, but didn’t see much playing time as the third string point guard, appearing in 50 games with career lows in minutes per game (11.0), points (3.0), rebounds (1.8), assists (2.0), FG% (38.3) and FT% (37.5).
While Payton has never been a great shooter, posting a career .447/.287/.623 slash line, he has been an above-average rebounder and decent play-maker. Across 500 regular-season games (395 starts, 26.8 MPG) with Orlando, New Orleans, New York and Phoenix, he holds career averages of 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals.
The eight-year veteran is joining a growing list of free agents attempting to drum up interest by playing in the NBAGL. Other veterans who have signed G League deals in the past couple months include Tony Snell, Stanley Johnson (now with the Spurs), Sterling Brown (who later inked a 10-day deal with the Lakers), David Nwaba and Andre Roberson, among others.
Blazers’ Grant, Nurkic Exit Wednesday’s Game With Injuries
The Trail Blazers had two starters go down with injuries on Wednesday night against Memphis. Center Jusuf Nurkic, who was probable entering the game with left calf soreness, aggravated the injury after just two minutes of action and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, Portland announced (via Twitter).
Forward Jerami Grant was also ruled out after 20 minutes of playing time after having concussion-like symptoms, per the team (Twitter link). If Grant did indeed suffer a concussion, he will have to clear the NBA’s protocol before returning to the court.
Despite being down both players, the Blazers came away with a much-needed 122-112 victory, snapping an eight-game home winning streak for the Grizzlies. Memphis has now lost six of seven after winning 11 straight, notes Marc J. Spears of Andscape (Twitter link).
Backup center Drew Eubanks had a strong performance in place of Nurkic, recording 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes. If Nurkic is sidelined for additional time, Eubanks will continue to receive an uptick in minutes.
As for Grant’s replacement, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups elected to go small, with Gary Payton II receiving a season-high 29 minutes. Trendon Watford and Nassir Little are also candidates for more playing time.
The Blazers are now 25-26 through 51 games.
Thunder’s G League Affiliate Acquires Andre Roberson
The Oklahoma City Blue, the NBA G League affiliate of the Thunder, has acquired veteran NBA wing Andre Roberson, the team announced (via Twitter).
After being drafted 26th overall in 2013, Roberson spent his first seven seasons with the Thunder. He emerged as one of the league’s top defensive players before a major knee injury and a series of setbacks derailed his career.
Roberson, who turned 31 in December, last played for the Nets during the 2020/21 season, making five appearances. In 307 career regular-season games (269 starts, 22.2 MPG), the very limited offensive player averaged 4.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 0.9 SPG on .473/.253/.468 shooting.
Considering he has played 12 games since January 27, 2018, and his most recent appearance was March 3, 2021, it’s safe to say it’s a long shot that Roberson will make it back to the NBA. Still, it would be a great story if his comeback attempt is successful.
Heat’s Orlando Robinson Sustains Fractured Thumb
Orlando Robinson has sustained a fractured right thumb on his shooting hand and will be sidelined for at least Thursday’s game against New York, the Heat announced (via Twitter).
The 22-year-old rookie went undrafted last June out of Fresno State, but has worked his way into Miami’s rotation — he has been the team’s primary backup center since late December. Through 24 games, he’s averaging 4.3 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 14.4 MPG.
As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes, it’s a very unfortunate turn of events for Robinson, who has been playing on a two-way contract. He’s only eligible to play 10 more NBA games as part of his prorated two-way contract, and he was looking like an excellent candidate to be promoted to a standard deal, but the injury might cause the Heat to “delay or torpedo” that idea, per Jackson.
Hashtag Basketball’s injury database states that players have missed an average of 32 days with Robinson’s injury, with the shortest return being 18 days.
Dewayne Dedmon could be in line for more playing time with Robinson sidelined. Dedmon has not appeared in a game since he was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team on January 11, Jackson notes.
A longer-term option at the backup five could be Omer Yurtseven, Jackson adds. The Turkish big man hopes to make his season debut after the All-Star break following ankle surgery in November.
Although the Heat have an open roster spot, they are only $193K below the luxury tax line, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. That means they’re unlikely to fill the last roster spot unless they make a cost-cutting move (or perhaps a one-for-two deal) before the February 9 trade deadline.
Trade Candidate Watch: Players On Rookie Scale Contracts
Leading up to the February 9 trade deadline, we’re keeping an eye on potential trade candidates from around the NBA. We’re continuing today with a handful of former first-round picks who are still on their rookie scale contracts.
This list does not include players in the last year of their rookie contract, as those players could become restricted free agents in the offseason. We covered some of those players here.
Bones Hyland, G, Nuggets
2022/23: $2.2MM
2023/24: $2.3MM
2024/25: $4.16MM team option
The No. 26 overall pick of the 2021 draft, Hyland is looking like perhaps the most likely player to be traded out of this group.
Hyland only makes a combined $4.5MM this season and next, with a $4.16MM club option for 2024/25. That’s really cheap for a talented shooter (37.8% on threes, 86.6% on free throws) who has a fairly substantial role (19.5 MPG, 10.3 FGA) on the West’s No. 1 seed.
On the other hand, he might be looking for more minutes, and has reportedly had “occasional clashes” with head coach Michael Malone. His decision-making and shot selection can be questionable, his net rating (-8.4) is kind of a disaster (Denver’s bench units haven’t been great), and some advanced stats say he’s one of the worst defenders in the league.
Denver is said to be looking for a two-way wing and/or draft compensation for Hyland.
Saddiq Bey, F, Pistons
2022/23: $2.96MM
2023/24: $4.56MM
The No. 19 pick of the 2020 draft, Bey was productive right away for Detroit, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team by averaging 12.2 PPG and 4.5 RPG while shooting 38% on threes.
He had a tough start to his sophomore year, averaging 11.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 2.3 APG on .345/.296/.735 shooting through 26 games (31.7 MPG). However, he was solid the rest of the way, averaging 18.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 3.1 APG on .417/.364/.849 shooting over his remaining 56 contests (33.6 MPG).
Bey, who turns 24 in April, can be wildly inconsistent from game-to-game offensively. For example, last March he scored a career-high 51 points (on 17-of-27 shooting) against Orlando, but in the five games preceding that victory, he posted a .321/.235/.737 shooting line.
One of Bey’s best attributes is that he has been quite durable, having played all 82 games in ‘21/22 and only missing six of a possible 206 games to this point in his career. The Knicks are reportedly among the teams that have shown interest in Bey, who is eligible for a rookie scale extension in the offseason.
Obi Toppin, F, Knicks
2022/23: $5.35MM
2023/24: $6.8MM
It’s hard to know what to make of Toppin, who was the No. 8 pick of the 2020 draft. On one hand, he averaged 20.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 3.0 APG on .571/.436/.818 shooting in 10 games as a starter last year. On the other, those numbers were somewhat inflated because most of them came in early April, when many teams aren’t exactly taking the games seriously.
Toppin is shooting – and making – more threes this season in an effort to expand his game, but it has come at the cost of his rim-running, which is a little strange (he shot 64.7% on twos over his first two seasons, but is only at 48.9% in ‘22/23). I’m not sure it’s wise for him to be attempting more threes than twos, and it hasn’t helped him get more playing time.
It’s a tough spot for both the player and team, as Julius Randle has been a better all-around player and head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t shown much interest in playing the two power forwards together. Toppin is a limited defensive player, but he tries.
Randle is under contract through at least ‘24/25, with a player option in ‘25/26. What’s the pathway for Toppin to become a starter in New York going forward? Does that matter to him?
The Pacers reportedly showed interest in Toppin earlier this season, though it’s unclear if they remain interested.
Payton Pritchard, G, Celtics
2022/23: $2.24MM
2023/24: $4.04MM
Pritchard, who just turned 25 over the weekend, was the No. 26 overall pick of the 2020 draft. The former Oregon standout is a career 39.8% three-point shooter who has seen his minutes reduced due to a backcourt logjam.
After averaging 19.2 minutes per game as a rookie in ‘20/21, he logged 14.1 MPG last season and is down to 12.5 MPG in ‘22/23. He has also been a healthy scratch several times this season.
The Celtics have the NBA’s best record, and having a cheap insurance policy like Pritchard capable of filling in when called upon is a reflection of the team’s depth. He has posted a positive net rating in each of his three seasons.
However, you could also make the case that his presence is more of a luxury than a necessity, with Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon all ahead of him in the backcourt pecking order. If the Celtics want to upgrade their depth at another position (center?), Pritchard could be used as part of a return package.
The Warriors are among the teams that have reportedly expressed interest in Pritchard. As was the case with Bey and Toppin, the 6’1″ guard will be extension-eligible in the summer.
Note: This list isn’t meant to be comprehensive, just a brief overview. A number of other former first-rounders on their rookie scale deals could be traded ahead of next week’s deadline, including Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, James Wiseman, Moses Moody, Jaden Springer, James Bouknight, Kai Jones and Shaedon Sharpe, among others.
Some of the aforementioned young players haven’t been involved in rumors to this point, but are worth keeping an eye on due to their roles and/or team situations. For example, in Sharpe’s case, the Blazers are reportedly a buyer, but their ability to trade a first-round pick is limited due to protections from a previous deal, making the 19-year-old a logical trade chip.
Trade Rumors: Guards, Centers, Hornets, Mavs, Hyland, More
Previous reports have indicated that the Suns and Clippers are interested in point guards, and they have been the two most active teams looking for help at the position, sources tell Matt Moore of Action Network.
At least one report indicated that the Heat aren’t actively shopping Kyle Lowry, but that hasn’t stopped rival teams from calling to check in on him, Moore writes.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer wrote last week that the Clippers are interested in Lowry and Fred VanVleet, and their names are not a coincidence. According to Moore, Kawhi Leonard “has made it clear” that he would welcome backcourt help, and the three players were teammates when the Raptors won the championship in 2019.
Moore believes VanVleet is more likely to be on the move than Lowry due to his age and contract situation. VanVleet, who turns 29 next month, is expected to decline his player option and hit free agency in 2023. Lowry, on the other hand, turns 37 in March and is owed $29.7MM in 2023/24.
As for the Suns, they’ve been looking more at reserves than starters. His name hasn’t come up in trade talks, according to Moore, but rival executives are keeping a close eye on Chris Paul‘s situation in Phoenix in case new owner Mat Ishbia decides to go in a different direction — Paul turns 38 in May.
Moore says Bulls guard Alex Caruso might be the most difficult guard on the market to acquire, as his contract, age, and versatility hold a lot of appeal. Nearly a dozen teams are thought to have “serious interest” in Caruso, but some have already pulled out of talks with Chicago due to a high asking price.
Here are several more trade rumors from Moore:
- If the Spurs trade Jakob Poeltl, Moore believes it will come right before the deadline. Rival executives are skeptical San Antonio will be able to get two first-rounders for the veteran center.
- While Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is reportedly available, Moore writes that Portland will only move him for an upgrade at the position.
- Multiple teams have inquired on Timberwolves center Naz Reid, but evidently Minnesota didn’t like the offers. Moore hears the Wolves are going to hang onto the 23-year-old and will try to sign him to a contract extension.
- The Hornets have set a pretty high bar in talks regarding Terry Rozier and Mason Plumlee. They’re looking for a first-rounder in exchange for either player, according to Moore.
- The Mavericks are open to discussing their wing players in an effort to upgrade the roster, but they might also look to shed long-term money. Keep an eye on the Jazz, says Moore, as they could offer “short-term upgrades on expiring contracts” to fulfill both of those desires.
- Moore classifies the Pelicans as a team “unlikely to make moves,” though they are interested in wing help. Sources tell Moore the Hawks are unlikely to trade John Collins, as the new front office regime appears to value him more than the previous one did.
- The Nuggets are looking for a “playoff-ready wing who can defend” for guard Bones Hyland, but have only received “lowball offers” thus far. Moore believes they’re unlikely to make a deal. However, sources tell Mike Singer of The Denver Post that the Nuggets “believe they have traction on potentially acquiring a first-round pick” for the 22-year-old. Singer also reports that the Nuggets are looking for players on “cost-controlled” contracts similar to Hyland’s, who is in the second year of his rookie scale deal.
Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo Named Players Of The Week
Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named the NBA’s players of the week, the league announced (Twitter link).
Lillard averaged 42.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.3 steals on .632/.514/.920 shooting in leading Portland to a 2-1 record last week. The Western Conference winner’s highlight performance was Wednesday’s victory over Utah, when the star point guard put up 60 points, seven boards, eight assists and three steals on an absurd .724/.600/.900 shooting line.
Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, led Milwaukee to a 4-0 week by averaging 38.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steal on .624/.467/.580 shooting. It’s the third Eastern Conference player of the week honor this season for the 2021 Finals MVP.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), the other nominees in the West were Anthony Edwards, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, while Bam Adebayo, Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle were nominated in the East.
Bulls, Trail Blazers Reportedly Interested In Jae Crowder
While the Bucks, Heat and Hawks have been the three teams most commonly linked to Suns forward Jae Crowder, league sources tell Matt Moore of Action Network that the Bulls and Trail Blazers are also interested in his services.
Previous reports have indicated that Josh Hart might be the most available player on the Blazers’ roster, and Moore hears the same. As we previously noted, Hart’s $13MM player option for next season is non-guaranteed, so he’s expected to decline the option and hit free agency.
The Bulls discussed a deal with the Suns that would have sent Coby White to Phoenix, but “no real traction is thought to be present,” according to Moore. The Suns are reportedly looking for backcourt help and have been hit hard by injuries to key guards this season.
Portland and Chicago have also discussed deals with one another, Moore writes, but he doesn’t specify which players may have been involved.
The Suns have been on the hunt for a star player, with most trade talks veering toward “grander ideas,” per Moore. Phoenix has held out on a Crowder trade in part because it could include his $10.2MM expiring contract in a larger deal for salary-matching purposes.
However, Moore states that the most likely outcome is Crowder will be involved in a smaller trade for a rotation player. The 32-year-old has yet to play this season after a mutually agreed upon holdout.