Southwest Notes: Jordan, Murray, Sheppard, Prosper
After signing with the Pelicans at the start of the regular season, veteran center DeAndre Jordan made two appearances in his first week on the roster in October, then didn’t see any action until after last month’s All-Star break. He has played regular minutes since then, earning five starts and logging double-digit minutes in each of New Orleans’ past six games.
Even before his return to the rotation, Jordan “elevated our program tremendously,” according to interim head coach James Borrego, who spoke glowingly about the the 37-year-old’s leadership and “massive impact” on the Pelicans’ locker room, per Mark Medina of EssentiallySports.
“He has a high standard,” Borrego said. “He’s the first one to show up. Pregame, he does his work. Then you add the leadership piece. He’s wrapped his arms around the vets. He’s wrapped his arms around the young guys. … He’s brought us an edge and a physicality. He’s a massive and tremendous communicator. I think that’s what we’re trying to get our young guys to develop more. That’s the ability to communicate, especially for bigs. It’s massive. To look like a big defense or be a good defense, you have to talk, especially from that five spot. He does it as well as anybody.”
Despite not seeing the floor for over three-and-a-half months and playing for a team that opened the season by losing 31 of its first 39 games, Jordan hasn’t been discouraged by his situation or the modest role he has been asked to take on, he told Medina.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced that locker room leader and mentor kind of role,” Jordan said. “Whenever my number is called, I’ll be ready to play and contribute in any way that I can in the days that I’m not playing. I encourage my teammates. I’ll criticize them when it’s necessary. I let them know about things that I see on the floor. I give them knowledge back.
“… We don’t want to be complacent and okay with losing nine or 10 games in a row. But we’ve had a lot of young guys who are playing big minutes early. So it’s about being able to get them some familiarity with the NBA and the speed and the sets and coverages. So that next year when we’re a healthy team, and these guys have a full rookie season under their belt, we’ll be better.”
Asked how much longer he hopes to play, Jordan – who is in his 18th NBA season – said it’s long been a goal to get to 20 seasons in the league if he can.
We have more from around the Southwest:
- Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has been effective since returning from his year-long absence due to an Achilles tear, scoring at least 13 points in each of his first four games, but he’s still not ready to play in back-to-back contests. Murray has been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup with Sacramento, the first of a back-to-back, due to “return to competition conditioning,” according to the team. Forwards Trey Murphy III (neck spasm) and Zion Williamson (right ankle sprain) are both considered questionable to suit up.
- With Reed Sheppard playing some of the best basketball of his career recently in an increased role, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports and William Guillory of The Athletic examine the strides the Rockets guard is making in his second NBA season and consider what his role will look like once starters Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. return from injuries. “My teammates are giving me the space to grow, and they’re pushing me to be aggressive. That’s made it a lot easier for me,” Sheppard told Guillory. “It hasn’t always been perfect, but I’m working to fix the mistakes. I know I can play an important role for us to get where we want to go.”
- The second year of Olivier-Maxence Prosper‘s new two-year, minimum-salary contract with the Grizzlies is a team option, as Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. Prosper’s rest-of-season salary is $527,879, while his 2026/27 option is worth $2,497,812.
Southwest Notes: Irving, Wembanyama, Jordan, Middleton
The Mavericks recently announced that Kyrie Irving would miss the rest of the 2025/26 season, and according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News, the decision was the right one, both for Irving’s health and the team’s long-term success.
Curtis notes that by the time Irving returns to play, nearly 600 days will have elapsed from the time of his last on-court action. While that time off will make it difficult to immediately recapture his previous form, it should give the veteran guard ample time to make sure that his knee is fully healthy before diving into the next era of Mavericks basketball.
Irving has undergone multiple surgeries on his left knee over the years, and given his age and the mileage he has accumulated over his 15-year career, there’s likely additional concern about the possibility of re-injuring the knee should he return too soon.
The Mavs will also be looking to maximize their draft position this summer to add another high-end talent to the duo of Irving and star rookie Cooper Flagg. This will be the last year Dallas controls its own first-round pick until 2031.
Curtis notes that it would have been useful for the team’s two cornerstones to get some time to start building their chemistry, but playing things safe on the injury and lottery fronts should yield even higher benefits over time.
“I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season,” Irving said. “The belief and drive I have inside only grows.”
We have more from around the Southwest Division:
- Victor Wembanyama had an outsized impact on the All-Star game this year, adding a sense of intensity and competitiveness to what is often a less-than-enthusiastic affair. Next, the Spurs‘ star may have his sights set on another event: the Slam Dunk Contest. “I’ll be in the dunk contest one day,” he said after Saturday’s San Antonio victory in which he unleashed a two-handed windmill dunk (Twitter video link via Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports).
- DeAndre Jordan hadn’t played for the Pelicans since October 29 heading into Saturday’s contest against the Sixers. Against Philadelphia, he logged over 31 minutes in a starting role, recording 15 rebounds (five of them offensive) and four blocks. In an article for NOLA.com, Rod Walker called it a “turn back the clock” performance. The blocks total was the highest Jordan has recorded since the 2020/21 season. “I was extremely excited,” Jordan said. “Anytime you can go out there and compete in this league, it’s a gift. It was cool to be able to go out there and be able to play.” After the game, Jordan said he was craving two things: wine and ice.
- Khris Middleton had his best scoring game of the season on Sunday for the Mavericks, putting up 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds and seven assists in a five-point victory over the Pacers. After the game, coach Jason Kidd effusively praised the veteran wing. “A lot of times, you don’t understand how tall he is so he can create space with his height, and mid-range game,” Kidd said, per Curtis (Twitter link). “He can always get his shot off. His ability to playmate, being able to run an offense with him. We got guys layups and wide open shots. He was really good tonight.” Middleton has stepped up with Flagg out, having also scored 18 points in Friday’s loss to the Wolves.
Eleven More Players Become Trade-Eligible
Today is Thursday, January 15, which means that a total of 11 players who signed free agent contracts meeting specific criteria this past offseason are now eligible to be traded.
Most offseason signees became trade-eligible on December 15, but players who met the following criteria were ineligible to be moved for an extra month:
- The player re-signed with his previous team.
- He got a raise of at least 20%.
- His salary is above the minimum.
- His team was over the cap and used Bird or Early Bird rights to sign him.
These are the 11 players who met that criteria and are eligible to be traded as of Thursday:
Santi Aldama (Grizzlies)- Josh Giddey (Bulls)
- Quentin Grimes (Sixers)
- Isaiah Jackson (Pacers)
- Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)
- Tre Mann (Hornets)
- Sam Merrill (Cavaliers)
- Davion Mitchell (Heat)
- Paul Reed (Pistons)
- Naz Reid (Timberwolves)
- Ryan Rollins (Bucks)
Most of the players on standard 15-man rosters around the NBA are now eligible to be moved, though a small handful still can’t be dealt.
That group includes Kings guard Russell Westbrook, who becomes trade-eligible on Friday, Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (trade-eligible on January 18), Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan (Jan. 23), Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (Feb. 1), Lakers guard Luka Doncic (Feb. 2), Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (Feb. 4), and Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (Feb. 4).
Additionally, there are several players who won’t become trade-eligible at all prior to this season’s February 6 deadline, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Players on 10-day contracts are also ineligible to be traded.
Southwest Notes: Davis, Morant, W. Green, Edey, Bassey
Anthony Davis‘ early-season injury is bringing back memories of the events that led to last season’s Luka Doncic trade, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. Like Doncic, Davis reported to training camp weighing more than usual with a plan to work himself back into shape once the season began. The big man weighed in at 268 pounds for the start of camp, about 15 pounds heavier than last season.
Davis was productive in his first four games, although Clark states that some rival scouts and coaches said he didn’t look as mobile as he used to be. He was forced out of an October 29 game with a left calf strain, which is the same injury that hampered Doncic last season and eventually led to his departure. Davis hasn’t played since then and is listed as doubtful for tonight’s NBA Cup contest against Memphis.
The Mavericks were reluctant to make an investment in Doncic because of concerns about his physical condition, and Clark notes that they’ll soon be facing a similar decision with Davis. He’s owed $58.5MM for 2026/27 and has a $62.8MM player option for the following season. He’ll become eligible for a contract extension next summer and can earn up to $218.5MM by picking up his option and extending for three more years. He’s already 32 with a lengthy injury history, so general manager Nico Harrison will have to determine if he’s more deserving of a long-term deal than Doncic was.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Last week’s blowout between Ja Morant and the Grizzlies‘ coaching staff hasn’t affected his relationship with teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. They remain united in their determination to turn the season around, and general manager Zach Kleiman hasn’t lost confidence in his two stars. Siegel states that there’s no indication that Kleiman has thought about trading Morant, and Morant hasn’t expressed a desire to be dealt. Siegel also hears that Morant received support from several teammates after clashing with coach Tuomas Iisalo over his unorthodox substitution patterns.
- An 0-6 start increased speculation about Willie Green’s job security, and the Pelicans‘ front office had “serious internal conversations” about making a change, Siegel adds in the same piece. Controversial decisions may lead to Green’s demise, Siegel states, citing the choice of giving playing time to rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears ahead of Jordan Poole. Sources tell Siegel that the move caused “visible frustration” for Poole and “did not sit right” with some of his teammates. There was also consternation about starting DeAndre Jordan ahead of Yves Missi, who made the All-Rookie team last year, and lead executive Joe Dumars was unhappy early in the season that Derik Queen wasn’t getting enough minutes.
- The Grizzlies announced (via Twitter) that they’ve assigned Zach Edey and GG Jackson II to practice with their G League affiliate. Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com notes that Edey has entered the front end of his projected “return-to-play” window following ankle surgery (Twitter link). Wallace adds that Charles Bassey is no longer with the team after his 10-day hardship contract expired on Wednesday.
Westbrook: Nuggets ‘Told Me Not To’ Pick Up Player Option
Returning to Denver on Monday for the first time since departing the team as a free agent over the summer, Kings point guard Russell Westbrook had a big night, racking up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in a 130-124 loss. Asked after the game about his time with the Nuggets, Westbrook said he thought it was “great” but that “other people” didn’t necessarily feel the same way (Twitter video link via DNVR Sports).
“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,” Westbrook said. “It ain’t up to me. God always has a plan. Be patient. Not up to me. They don’t want me, that’s OK. Somebody else do.”
Westbrook, who signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract with Denver during the 2024 offseason, played a significant role for the club, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 27.9 minutes per game across 75 appearances (36 starts) during the regular season. He also contributed 11.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, and 3.7 RPG in 13 playoff contests (24.1 MPG).
The former MVP was lauded by coaches and teammates in Denver for his energy, competitiveness, and leadership, but he didn’t score efficiently (.449/.323/.661 shooting) and his high-energy style results in some out-of-control plays and a high turnover rate, making him a somewhat polarizing player.
Although Westbrook held a $3.47MM player option for the 2025/26 season on his Nuggets deal, he opted to turn it down in favor of unrestricted free agency. He was on the market for nearly the entire offseason before signing a new veteran’s minimum deal with Sacramento last month. Asked about that option decision, the 36-year-old suggested Denver didn’t want him to exercise it.
“They told me not to,” he said. “I don’t go anywhere I’m not wanted. I don’t need to.”
As Bennett Durando of The Denver Post observes, the Nuggets underwent some significant organizational changes in the spring, hiring a new head coach and installing a new head of basketball operations. While those changes may have contributed to Westbrook’s exit – veteran center DeAndre Jordan also indicated last week that the team didn’t want to bring him back, Durando notes – new head coach David Adelman had nothing but kind words for the veteran guard prior to Monday’s game.
“He’s the most consistent energy guy I’ve ever been around,” Adelman said, per Durando. “… Huge part of why we won the first round last year against the Clippers. Huge part of some of the defensive things we could do against OKC (in the second round). So it’s really cool to see Russ get picked up by (Sacramento), and just to see the longevity and what he’s done in this unbelievable, magical career he’s had. So he should be in the NBA. It’s good to see him out there competing. Watching him on film reminded me of a lot of things — just the relentlessness of what he is.”
Nuggets Notes: Valanciunas, Jordan, Jokic, Murray
The Nuggets have been pleased with the play of backup big man Jonas Valanciunas early on this season, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. During the second quarter of Wednesday’s win over New Orleans, head coach David Adelman was able to rest Nikola Jokic for nearly eight-and-a-half minutes, with Denver extending its lead during that stretch.
“To have different guys and have different energy, I like that,” said Jokic. “(Valanciunas) is definitely a threat down (low). The guy can score, and he’s big and dominant down there. He’s getting people to collapse on him, and he’s a really good passer. So, it’s definitely an advantage for us.”
Valanciunas had a productive night, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists in 14 minutes. Jokic wasn’t the only key Nugget to compliment the Lithuanian big man.
“‘Big Val’ is nice, you know?” Aaron Gordon said, per Saunders. “He’s certified. He’s just really, really, really, really good. So there’s not a huge drop-off. He’s just smart. Knows his game. Knows his spots. He’s bigger than every other matchup he has on him. And he settles down that second unit. When things get stymied or we can’t find a bucket, you can play through Big Val, just like how we play through ‘Joker.’”
We have more on the Nuggets:
- Just five days after signing a guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Pelicans, veteran center DeAndre Jordan faced off against his former team on Wednesday, as Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes. Jordan, 37, spent the past three seasons with the Nuggets, including winning a championship as a role player in 2023. “Definitely some emotions for sure,” Jordan said before Wednesday’s game. “Spent three years here. It was great. My teammates, coaches, everything. The fans were amazing. So it’s definitely some (emotions) running through (me) right now, coming here and seeing the locker room and the banner again. … I owe a lot to Denver.” Adelman praised Jordan’s locker-room presence, Durando adds. “Such a big part of what we were in that locker room, his personality, not just for the players but for the staff,” Adelman said after joking that Jordan’s three years in Denver felt like 30. “All-time vet. … I’m glad he’s back in the league.”
- Jokic tied an NBA record on Wednesday by notching his fourth consecutive triple-double to open the season, notes Durando of The Denver Post. The three-time MVP center recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the victory against the Pelicans.
- Star guard Jamal Murray is off to a great start in 2025/26 but he may miss his first game of the season on Friday. He’s listed as questionable for the matchup vs. Portland due to left calf tightness, the Nuggets announced (via Twitter). Forward Cameron Johnson (right shoulder inflammation) is probable to suit up.
Pelicans Notes: Williamson, Green, Fears, Jordan
Zion Williamson sat out the Pelicans’ game Monday against Boston due to a left foot bone contusion. Without their star forward, the Celtics blew them out 122-90. Williamson, who practiced on a limited basis on Tuesday and is questionable to play Wednesday at Denver, told Rod Walker of NOLA.com that the injury is minor.
“Right now we’re in a day-to-day thing,” he said. “But nothing major. Nothing that is going to keep me out for a long time. Just day to day.”
Williamson was injured during Friday’s game against the Spurs on a put-back dunk. He stepped on the foot of Victor Wembanyama.
“Landed on someone’s foot and the side of my foot just banged the ground,” Williamson said. “The pain level didn’t really pick up until a day or two days later. I spoke with the team, made the best decision on it. Got it looked at.”
We have more on the Pelicans:
- Is head coach Willie Green already on the hot seat after the team’s 0-3 start? Green spoke of the team’s “lack of toughness” after Monday’s debacle, William Guillory of The Athletic writes. “I’m disappointed in how we approached the game. I’m disappointed in the lack of toughness on the floor more than anything. That’s the part that’s difficult,” Green said. “It’s one thing to not win a game. It’s a whole other thing to get kind of punked on your home floor. And I’m a part of that.”
- Lottery pick Jeremiah Fears made his first career start in Williamson’s absence, Les East of NOLA.com notes. It didn’t go well. The No. 7 overall pick missed 10 of the 11 shots he attempted and finished with two points, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes.
- Veteran big man DeAndre Jordan made his Pelicans debut after signing a one-year deal on Friday. He made an immediate impact, according to Walker, scoring and getting fouled on a dunk just 14 seconds after entering the game. Jordan, 37, finished with seven points and five rebounds in 11 minutes.
Pelicans Notes: Zion, Matkovic, Missi, Jordan, Springer
Pelicans star Zion Williamson is dealing with a bone contusion in his left foot and will miss Monday’s contest vs. Boston, head coach Willie Green told reporters, including Will Guillory of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Williamson has been hampered by a variety of injuries over the course of his NBA career, having played just 214 regular season games through six years in the league. This is the start of his seventh season.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Williamson has averaged 27.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals through two games (35.0 MPG). New Orleans lost both contests by a combined 10 points, but were plus-six in Williamson’s minutes.
Considering he was questionable earlier on Monday, it seems likely that Williamson’s foot issue will be a short-term injury. Still, it’s at least mildly concerning that he’s already missing a game.
Here’s more from New Orleans:
- On a more positive note, second-year big man Karlo Matkovic will be active for tonight’s game after missing the first two contests of the season due to lower back spasms (Twitter link). 2024 first-round pick Yves Missi (right ankle spain) will also return to action following a one-game absence.
- DeAndre Jordan‘s contract is fully guaranteed, a league source tells Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). The veteran center, who spent the past two seasons with Denver, signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with New Orleans on Friday. Jordan, 37, will earn a prorated minimum salary of $3,592,381, with the Pelicans taking on a cap hit of $2,269,880.
- According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link), the Birmingham Squadron — the Pelicans’ G League affiliate — have added Jaden Springer to their roster. The 23-year-old guard made New Orleans’ regular season roster, but was waived to make room for Jordan.
Pelicans Sign DeAndre Jordan To One-Year Deal
The Pelicans and free agent center DeAndre Jordan have reached an agreement on a one-year, minimum-salary contract, agent Jeff Schwartz tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The deal is official, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
New Orleans had an open spot on its standard 15-man roster after waiving guard Jaden Springer on Thursday.
Jordan, a three-time All-NBA center who has led the league in rebounding twice and won a title with Denver in 2023, has been in the NBA since 2008 and has appeared in over 1,100 regular season games for a total of seven teams.
The 37-year-old no longer plays the same kind of significant role he did earlier in his career, but he still saw semi-regular minutes for the Nuggets in recent years as one of Nikola Jokic‘s backups. In 2024/25, Jordan made 56 regular season appearances, averaging 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per contest.
The Pelicans, who have 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts and had Springer on a non-guaranteed deal, determined that it made more sense to use that 15th roster spot to carry another big man, since their frontcourt has been hit hard by injuries early in the season.
Presumed starting center Kevon Looney is currently sidelined due to a left knee sprain, while big men Yves Missi (right ankle sprain) and Karlo Matkovic (low back spasms) are considered questionable to play vs. San Antonio on Friday. Rookie forward/center Derik Queen is available, but he missed the entire preseason while recovering from wrist surgery and is unlikely to see a ton of playing time right away — he logged 15 minutes in Wednesday’s opener.
According to NBA.com’s transaction log, Jordan officially signed on Thursday, which means he would earn a prorated minimum salary of $3,592,381, with the Pelicans taking on a cap hit of $2,269,880.
I would expect Jordan’s deal is non-guaranteed, giving the club the flexibility to consider another move with that 15th roster spot if and when its frontcourt gets healthier. However, that’s just my speculation and hasn’t been confirmed.
Nuggets Notes: Draft, Free Agency, Alexander
The Nuggets didn’t make a single selection across two nights of the 2025 NBA draft. However, just because there were no picks called for Denver didn’t mean there was no activity on the part of newly promoted general manager Ben Tenzer, writes Bennett Durando for the Denver Post.
“We had our targets. We looked hard at those targets,” Tenzer said. “Had to evaluate where they would get to, could we get there? It’s tricky. But I would say we were moderately close (to trading for a pick) in a couple of different scenarios.”
The 2025 draft saw steep price tags when it came to trading up or into the draft. The Pelicans traded a valuable 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots in the first round, while the Grizzlies traded a future first-rounder and multiple seconds to move from 16 to 11.
Even picks in the early second round ended up costing a handful of future assets, which the Nuggets ultimately decided wasn’t worth the cost of doing business.
The Nuggets did strike a deal this week to add at least one member of the 2025 rookie class, however, having agreed to sign undrafted free agent Tamar Bates out of Missouri to a two-way contract. Denver is also believed to be signing Iowa State’s Curtis Jones to an Exhibit 10 deal.
We have more Nuggets notes:
- Denver will lean on their newly hired executive vice president of player personnel, Jon Wallace, to help find ways to fill out the roster in a way that gives them the best chance at building another championship team, writes Durando in a separate piece. Durando calls the former Timberwolves executive a relative outsider who will bring much-needed perspective on the roster’s needs. “We’ve gotta make sure that we find some more shooting,” Wallace said. “Obviously, address some of the defensive concerns. But I think we have both young individuals here that can step up and do that as we continue to develop them, as well as we’ll look outside and see what makes sense.”
- Durando points out that free agents Russell Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan, and Vlatko Cancar don’t quite fit that description, though Wallace added that bringing in a backup center who can offer a different look could be effective. “It may be more (of a) run-and-jump, rim-protecting big as opposed to a guy that we play through off the elbows and through the center of our offense,” he said.
- Second-year guard Trey Alexander will not be back with the Nuggets next season, reports Vinny Benedetto for the Denver Gazette (Twitter links), who says the team wants to go in a different direction with that two-way slot. The 6’4″ shooting guard played just 117 minutes at the NBA level in 2024/25, though he excelled with the Nuggets’ G League team. In 30 total NBAGL outings, Alexander averaged 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 37.0 minutes per game, posting a shooting line of .462/.395/.817 and earning G League Rookie of the Year honors.