Kevin Durant: Harden’s Decision Came As A Surprise
Speaking to reporters tonight for the first time since James Harden was traded to the Sixers, Nets star Kevin Durant said he didn’t realize that Harden was unhappy in Brooklyn until he saw media reports over the past week, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN.
Durant is rehabbing a sprained left knee that has sidelined him since January 15 and has limited the time he spends with teammates. He was on the bench Thursday night for the first time since being injured.
“I wasn’t around the team to really, really see the vibe,” Durant said. “But I know the losses hurt us, and I know my injury might have hurt the team a bit not being around. And then Kyrie [Irving] in and out the lineup. But I didn’t really get a feel for the team because I wasn’t around.”
Friedell states that Harden seemed fully committed to the Nets until recently, noting that just a week and a half ago he said the team had enough talent to compete for a title with a full roster. However, Harden ultimately made a direct request this week to general manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai to send him to Philadelphia.
Durant doesn’t know what changed, but said he won’t be reaching out to Harden to get an explanation of why he felt he had to leave.
“James doesn’t have to explain anything to anybody,” Durant said. “He’s his own man. He makes his decisions on his career by himself. He doesn’t owe anybody an explanation, and I wasn’t looking for one. I’m just glad that we got this thing done and now we’re able to move forward and get some of this noise away, and I’m sure he would feel the same way. But from around our team and around our group, there’s noise about what may happen. So I’m glad we can push through that.”
There have been reports that Durant talked to Harden recently in an effort to convince him to stay at least through the end of the season. Durant refused to confirm that and added that nothing he could have said would have changed Harden’s mind.
“I think once a person gets to that decision of ‘I’m unhappy,’ I think he’s gone through a lot of steps to get there,” Durant said. “So no matter what I say or try to convince someone — I’m not saying I did this, but this is just my theory on this — no matter what I say or do to try to convince someone to change their mood from being unhappy to happy, I think that’s when I’m pretty late to the party. He’s made his decision. I’m sure people make their decision before they get to that mode of being unhappy. I didn’t have any conversations with James up until then. I thought everything was solid. I don’t do any convincing. I’m sure you make those choices and decisions on your own as an individual. Me as a friend, I just have to accept it.”
With the Harden distraction gone, the Nets now have to focus on turning around their season. Brooklyn has fallen into eighth place in the East after 10 straight losses, and there’s no definite date on when Durant might be able to resume playing or when Ben Simmons will join the team.
Durant said he’s focused on getting the team back on the right path and didn’t express any regrets over the breakup of the Big Three, who played only 16 games together but were 13-3 as a group.
“I feel like the basketball we played was a good brand of basketball while we were out on the floor, so I can live with what we did,” Durant said. “The outside noise and all that other stuff that happened, and how people feel about their time here … but once we actually laced them up and played basketball together, I think it was a good brand. So you could live with that.”
Knicks Remain Interested In Trading For Damian Lillard
The Knicks are continuing to monitor Damian Lillard‘s situation in Portland, but he’s less interested in coming to New York than he was a year ago, a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post.
The Trail Blazers plan to rebuild their roster around Lillard and turned away several teams that wanted to discuss trading for him before this week’s deadline. However, the Knicks want to be ready if something changes in Portland and Lillard does become available this summer.
New York continues to have a need at point guard, as the offseason addition of Kemba Walker hasn’t worked out. Berman states that the team tried to make deals this week involving Cam Reddish, Alec Burks and Evan Fournier, but weren’t able to move any of them.
Berman adds that the Knicks also tried to get CJ McCollum, Lillard’s longtime backcourt partner in Portland, but were outbid by the Pelicans. Although New York has all its future first-round picks and a few extra second-rounders, many of its other assets have been devalued because of a down season, Berman notes, adding that many people around the league are wondering if the franchise has enough available to make a serious offer for Lillard.
“If they’re going to be in the hunt for Lillard, they’d have to have a good lottery pick this year,’’ an unidentified NBA executive said. “Because they’d have to give up RJ Barrett. I don’t see how they get him otherwise.’’
Lillard, who would likely have influence with the Portland front office to send him to a desired location if he does request a trade, has lost some interest in joining the Knicks, according to Berman’s source. After being the fourth seed in the East last season, New York has fallen to 12th place at 25-32.
Another source tells Berman that the Knicks’ chances of trading for Lillard would have been helped by signing DeMar DeRozan, Lillard’s close friend, rather than Fournier in last year’s free agent market. General manager Scott Perry wanted to consider DeRozan, according to the source, but the idea was vetoed by William Wesley, who has become the top decision maker in the front office.
Lillard hasn’t played since undergoing abdominal surgery in mid-January and isn’t expected to return this season. He has three seasons remaining on his four-year, $196MM contract.
Goran Dragic Likely To Reach Buyout Deal With Spurs
The Spurs are expected to begin negotiations on a buyout agreement with newly-acquired guard Goran Dragic this week, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Lakers and Warriors will be among the teams pursuing Dragic in free agency, sources tell Wojnarowski, along with the Clippers, Bucks, Bulls and Nets. Dallas was previously viewed as a frontrunner to sign the point guard, but the acquisition of Spencer Dinwiddie seemingly took the Mavericks out of the mix.
Dragic appears to be the top name on this year’s buyout market, and teams are confident that he remained in top shape during his long absence, Woj adds. After being dealt to the Raptors last offseason, Dragic played just five games before he and the team reached a mutual agreement that allowed him to work out on his own until he could be traded again.
San Antonio acquired Dragic, along with a 2022 second-round draft pick, shortly before Thursday’s trade deadline, sending Thaddeus Young and Drew Eubanks to Toronto in return.
Dragic, 35, is attractive to contenders because of his long history of success in the playoffs. He helped the Heat reach the NBA Finals in 2020 before being sidelined by plantar fasciitis.
Dragic currently has $6.1MM left to be paid on his $19.4MM contract, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN, although because the number is prorated it will decline each day. Whatever money Dragic gives up in San Antonio, he will presumably be able to replace when he signs with his new team.
Mavs Sign Dorian Finney-Smith To Four-Year Extension
FEBRUARY 12: The Mavericks have officially completed Finney-Smith’s extension, the team announced today (via Twitter).
FEBRUARY 11: Finney-Smith and the Mavericks have formally agreed to a four-year extension, agents Michael Tellem and Jeff Schwartz tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Wojnarowski suggests it’s worth $55.5MM, though we’ll have to wait for the official details to confirm if that entire amount is guaranteed. The deal will include a fourth-year player option and a trade kicker, Woj adds.
FEBRUARY 10: The Mavericks are close to finalizing a contract extension with forward Dorian Finney-Smith, reports Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link).
The new deal will tack four years onto Finney-Smith’s expiring contract and will be worth $52MM, according to Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link) also reports that $52MM figure, though MacMahon says (via Twitter) it’ll be in the $55MM range, so perhaps there will be incentives that could affect the precise value of the deal.
Finney-Smith, 28, has had the best season of his NBA career in 2021/22. In 54 games (32.5 MPG), he has averaged 10.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.2 SPG on .435/.363/.688 shooting. He is also one of Dallas’ most reliable defensive players.
Earning just $4MM this season, Finney-Smith has been a bargain for the Mavs, but he was on track for unrestricted free agency this summer. According to MacMahon (Twitter link), the team didn’t want to risk losing one of its most valuable role players and best locker-room guys in the offseason.
The first-year salary in a veteran contract extension can be worth up to 120% of the salary in the final year of the player’s previous contract or 120% of the NBA’s estimated average salary, whichever is greater. In Finney-Smith’s case, that meant he was eligible to make up to $55.56MM over four years on an extension.
Estimates on Finney-Smith’s next deal had varied in recent weeks, with one report stating he was unlikely to receive more than the mid-level exception (about $10MM per year), while another suggested he may seek more than $15MM annually. Ultimately, he and the Mavs split the difference, agreeing to a figure slightly below his in-season maximum in order to lock a new deal in early.
With Finney-Smith’s free agency no longer a concern, Dallas will be able to focus on working out a new deal with point guard Jalen Brunson. Like Finney-Smith, Brunson is currently extension-eligible, but he seems unlikely to settle for a four-year, $55.56MM deal, since he’s expected to draw interest from multiple teams, including the Pistons and Knicks, as a free agent this summer.
Hawks’ John Collins Out Through All-Star Break With Strained Foot
Hawks forward John Collins has a strained right foot that will cause him to miss the team’s three remaining games before the All-Star break, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Collins had an MRI today that revealed the extent of the injury, according to Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). He will rest and undergo treatment and daily monitoring, she adds, and doctors will update his status after the break.
Collins received a five-year, $125MM extension during the offseason after playing an important role in helping the Hawks reach last year’s Eastern Conference finals. He has remained productive this season, averaging 16.8 points and 7.9 rebounds through 50 games while shooting 53.7% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range.
However, Atlanta got off to a slow start this year and Collins has been the subject of trade rumors that lasted all the way until this week’s deadline. The Hawks ultimately decided to keep the core of their team together.
Thunder Sign Aaron Wiggins To Four-Year Deal
7:28pm: Wiggins’ new contract is official, the Thunder announced (via Twitter).
5:34pm: The Thunder will give two-way player Aaron Wiggins a four-year, $6.4MM contract, tweets Shams Charania of the Athletic. The fourth year will be a team option, and the deal was confirmed by Wiggins’ agent, Austin Walton.
Wiggins will receive $1MM for the rest of this season in addition to what he has already earned, Walton tells Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman (Twitter link). That means the remaining three years will be worth the minimum.
Next season will be fully guaranteed, but 2023/24 is non-guaranteed. Wiggins is now the fourth highest-paid player from the second round of the 2021 draft, Mussatto adds.
After being selected with the 55th pick, the 23-year-old shooting guard signed a two-way contract shortly after the draft. He has appeared in 31 games, starting 18, and is averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per night.
When the move becomes official, Oklahoma City will have a full 15-man roster with an open two-way slot.
Joel Embiid: “I’m Glad That Everybody Has Moved On”
Sixers MVP candidate Joel Embiid spoke to reporters, including Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com, following the team’s 100-87 victory over the Thunder Friday night, and said he’s happy to not have to talk about Ben Simmons anymore, and is glad that everybody has moved on. In case you missed the blockbuster trade, Simmons was dealt to Brooklyn as part of a package that brought James Harden to Philadelphia.
“I’m happy that I’m not going to be answering any more questions about that subject,” Embiid said. “It’s good that, not just for me, but my teammates, the whole organization. The whole year it was pretty annoying with the whole situation, but I’m glad that everybody has moved on. I wish everybody the best in whatever they want to accomplish, but I’m focused on winning games here and trying to win a championship.
“You look at the history being on the court, what we did in the regular season, we were dominant. So it’s unfortunate that winning was not the biggest factor. It’s unfortunate that for him, having his own team and I guess being a star was more of his priorities. But I always thought that everything was great, the fit was great. But unfortunately Ben thought that it wasn’t. But we all move on.”
As Neubeck points out, Simmons won’t be the main star in Brooklyn, but it’s still a fresh start for a player whose time was clearly over in Philadelphia, and Embiid’s comments only solidify that their pairing had run its course. Embiid said he’s excited to form a dynamic partnership with Harden, and opposing teams will be left scrambling to decide which player to focus on.
“I think the way to look at it, every single time I touch a ball, there’s a double or triple team which is gonna make my teammates and [Harden] even better,” Embiid said. “So now you really got a choice. Are you going to double me or are you going to double him? You got to make that decision and based on every game it might change.
“Other teams might want to take me out of the game or other teams might want to take him out of the game. So we just adjust and then we just go from there…it’s exciting. I never played with someone like that. So I’m just excited for the new challenge and try to go and get it done.”
Coach Doc Rivers said the move makes the Sixers championship contenders and he’s prepared for the pressure that comes along with that, even though he’ll be rushed to get Harden acclimated to compete against the likes of the Suns, Bucks and Heat, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
“No one else can put no more pressure on myself than I do,” Rivers said. “It will never happen. I’m in this to win. I’ve always been in this to win. When you get into that, when you make that decision, you understand there’s going to be pressure with it. And there should be. Because if there wasn’t, everybody would be champions. I think the reason we did this deal is so we can jump into the fray.
“I think [we are good enough],” Rivers continued. “I don’t know. That’s something we’ll find out. We did it with the belief we do, obviously. “We don’t have a lot of time. The Phoenix’s of the world and teams, Milwaukee and Miami, they’ve been together, Milwaukee three years, four years, as a group. So we have to get it done quickly.”
Larry Nance Jr. Undergoes Knee Surgery, Out Six Weeks
FEBRUARY 11: Nance underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee this morning, the team confirmed in a press release. The Pelicans said a timeline for Nance’s recovery would be provided at a later date. An estimated six-week timeline has been reported, as noted below.
FEBRUARY 9: The Pelicans just acquired Larry Nance Jr. Tuesday as part of a seven-player trade, but he’s currently sidelined with right knee soreness and is expected to undergo surgery on Friday, a source tells Christian Clark of NOLA.com.
ESPN’s Andrew Lopez confirms (via Twitter) Clark’s report that Nance is scheduled to have surgery Friday. Sources tell Lopez that Nance is expected to miss up to six weeks.
Six weeks from Friday is March 25; if he’s active again by that date, Nance would have nine games left in the regular season to get acclimated with his new team.
As Clark relays, Nance was injured on January 5 while attempting a layup against Miami. An MRI the next day revealed “no significant damage,” but he’s been sidelined ever since. Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said Nance suffered “a little setback” last Friday.
Nance had missed 18 straight games prior to the trade that sent him from Portland to New Orleans. Fellow newly-acquired teammates CJ McCollum and Tony Snell are expected to be active for the Pelicans on Thursday, says Clark.
In 37 games (23.2 MPG) with Portland this season, Nance averaged 6.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG on .515/.306/.653 shooting. The 29-year-old was traded to Portland from Cleveland in the offseason, as part of a three-team sign-and-trade that sent Derrick Jones Jr. and Portland’s protected 2022 first-round pick to the Bulls, and Lauri Markkanen to the Cavs.
Nance, 29, is a versatile two-way contributor in the frontcourt when healthy. He’s a strong defender across multiple positions and possesses a high basketball IQ offensively, although he can be a little too unselfish at times given his explosive leaping ability. Nance is earning $10.7MM this season and will make $9.7MM in 2022/23.
Harden Directly Asked Nets’ Marks, Tsai For Trade To Sixers
For much of the 2021/22 season, Nets guard James Harden insisted during conversations with general manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai that he wanted to remain in Brooklyn beyond this season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne (Insider link). And initially, signing a long-term deal with Brooklyn was Harden’s preferred option, since he could always force a trade down the road if he needed to.
However, as the season progressed, Harden began talking to various player agents to get advice about how best to make his way to Philadelphia, according to ESPN’s duo. As Wojnarowski and Shelburne detail, the Nets would often quickly learn what Harden – who has a reputation for being passive-aggressive rather than confrontational and was worried about the optics of making another trade request – was saying to agents and other third parties.
Finally, with the trade deadline fast approaching, Harden directly told Marks and Tsai that he would prefer to play for the Sixers, asking the GM and team owner on a FaceTime call to send him to Philadelphia, sources tell ESPN.
The Nets told him they would only make a deal if it was a good one for the organization, which Harden understood. While the two sides agreed at that point that Harden wouldn’t play until after Thursday’s deadline, the former MVP appeared to have already checked out on the team, according to Wojnarowski and Shelburne, who say Harden informed management he was headed to Houston on Wednesday to wait out the deadline.
Here’s more from Wojnarowski and Shelburne on the Harden/Ben Simmons blockbuster:
- Marks and Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey engaged in plenty of posturing in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline before eventually getting more serious late on Wednesday night, sources tell ESPN. Up until that point, Marks had listened to a couple of Morey’s trade pitches, but rebuffed them.
- According to Wojnarowski and Shelburne, when the two sides reengaged and eventually neared the finish line on Thursday, Marks told Morey he needed to hang up the phone to run the proposed deal by Tsai, prompting Morey to yell, “Stay on the f—ing phone!” Marks jokingly replied, “We’re dropping F-Bombs now, Daryl?” He ultimately got Tsai’s approval to move forward on the trade.
- Simmons’ agent Rich Paul met with Nets star Kevin Durant and Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman nearly a month ago and pitched the idea of a Harden/Simmons swap, per Wojnarowski and Shelburne. Durant initially wasn’t interested in the idea, but the equation changed after he injured his knee and Harden became increasingly disengaged during his absence.
- Harden doesn’t have a direct history with Sixers star Joel Embiid, but has always been a fan of the center and pushed Morey to trade for him when they were both in Houston, according to ESPN’s duo. “James respects players who do a good job defending him,” one source said. “And Joel has always done that.”
- Although Simmons never got over what he viewed as a lack of public support from head coach Doc Rivers following last spring’s playoff loss to the Hawks, the two men had been speaking again in recent weeks, with conversations “increasing in substance,” per Woj and Shelburne. However, their final conversation on Thursday was mostly just an exchanging of pleasantries, sources tell ESPN.
2022 NBA Trade Deadline Recap
The 2022 NBA trade deadline wasn’t as eventful as some previous deadlines – including last year’s – in terms of total deals made. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find many past deadlines that featured as many blockbuster trades as this year’s did.
While the Nets and Sixers stole the show by agreeing to a deal that sent James Harden and Ben Simmons to new teams, there were a slew of other noteworthy trades during the days leading up to the February 10 deadline, and on deadline day itself.
In total, 10 trades involving 33 NBA players (plus two more draft-and-stash players) were made on Thursday. Another six trades involving 24 different players (including two who were moved twice) were completed during the week before deadline day.
Here’s a recap all of 2022’s deadline deals:
Trades made on deadline day:
The Nets and Sixers complete the trade of the year (story)
- Sixers acquire James Harden and Paul Millsap.
- Nets acquire Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, the Sixers’ 2022 first-round pick (unprotected), and the Sixers’ 2027 first-round pick (top-eight protected).
- Note: The Nets reportedly have the option to defer the 2022 first-round pick to 2023.
The Mavericks cash out on Kristaps Porzingis (story)
- Wizards acquire Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavericks’ 2022 second-round pick (top-45 protected).
- Mavericks acquire Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.
The Celtics secure a potential long-term answer at point guard (story)
- Celtics acquire Derrick White.
- Spurs acquire Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, the Celtics’ 2022 first-round pick (top-four protected), and the right to swap 2028 first-round picks with the Celtics (top-one protected).
The Celtics reacquire their former starting center (story)
- Celtics acquire Daniel Theis.
- Rockets acquire Dennis Schröder, Bruno Fernando, and Enes Freedom.
The Kings, Pistons, Clippers, and Bucks complete the season’s only four-team trade (story)
- Kings acquire Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, and the draft rights to David Michineau.
- Pistons acquire Marvin Bagley III.
- Clippers acquire Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, and the draft rights to Vanja Marinkovic.
- Bucks acquire Serge Ibaka, either the Warriors’ or Cavaliers’ 2023 second-round pick (whichever is less favorable; from Pistons), the Kings’ 2024 second-round pick (from Pistons), and cash (from Clippers).
The Hornets make an upgrade at center (story)
- Hornets acquire Montrezl Harrell.
- Wizards acquire Ish Smith, Vernon Carey, and the Celtics’ 2023 second-round pick (top-45 protected).
The Raptors find a taker for Goran Dragic‘s expiring contract (story)
- Raptors acquire Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks, and either the Pistons’ or Bulls’ 2022 second-round pick (whichever is more favorable).
- Spurs acquire Goran Dragic and the Raptors’ 2022 first-round pick (top-14 protected).
The Suns reacquire a wing defender (story)
- Suns acquire Torrey Craig.
- Pacers acquire Jalen Smith and the Suns’ 2022 second-round pick.
The Suns add more backcourt depth (story)
- Suns acquire Aaron Holiday.
- Wizards acquire cash.
The Celtics sneak below the luxury tax line (story)
- Magic acquire Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, the Celtics’ 2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected), and cash.
- Celtics acquire the Magic’s 2023 second-round pick (top-55 protected).
Notable trade candidates who stayed put:
Jerami Grant, Pistons (story)- Myles Turner, Pacers
- John Collins, Hawks
- Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes, Kings
- Talen Horton-Tucker and Russell Westbrook, Lakers
- Eric Gordon and John Wall, Rockets
- Kemba Walker and Alec Burks, Knicks
- Terrence Ross and Gary Harris, Magic
Players waived on deadline day:
- D.J. Augustin, Rockets (story)
- DeAndre’ Bembry, Nets (story)
- Armoni Brooks, Rockets (story)
- Moses Brown, Mavericks (story)
- Michael Carter-Williams, Magic (story) *
- PJ Dozier, Magic (story) *
- Drew Eubanks, Raptors (story)
- E’Twaun Moore, Magic (story) *
- Abdel Nader, Suns (story) *
- Jahmi’us Ramsey, Kings (story)
- Robert Woodard, Kings (story)
Note: Players marked with an asterisk (*) have been sidelined with long-term injuries.
Note: Enes Freedom is also reportedly being waived by the Rockets, but it hasn’t officially happened yet.
Trades made in the week leading up to the deadline:
The Pacers swap a two-time All-Star for a possible future All-Star (story)
- Kings acquire Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and the Pacers’ 2023 second-round pick (56-60 protected).
- Pacers acquire Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson.
The Trail Blazers kick off their retooling process (story)
- Clippers acquire Norman Powell and Robert Covington.
- Trail Blazers acquire Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and the Pistons’ 2025 second-round pick.
The Trail Blazers bid farewell to a longtime backcourt fixture (story)
- Pelicans acquire CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell.
- Trail Blazers acquire Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, the Pelicans’ 2022 first-round pick (top-four protected and 15-30 protected), either the Pelicans’ or Trail Blazers’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is more favorable), and the Pelicans’ 2027 second-round pick.
- Note: The Pelicans had previously acquired the Trail Blazers’ 2026 second-round pick.
The Trail Blazers’ retooling continues; the Jazz take a low-risk gamble (story)
- Jazz acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Juan Hernangomez.
- Spurs acquire Tomas Satoransky and either the Thunder’s, Rockets’, Pacers’, or Heat’s 2027 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable; from Jazz).
- Trail Blazers acquire Joe Ingles, Elijah Hughes, and the Grizzlies’ 2022 second-round pick (from Jazz).
The Cavaliers shore up their wing depth (story)
- Cavaliers acquire Caris LeVert and the Heat’s 2022 second-round pick.
- Pacers acquire Ricky Rubio, the Cavaliers’ 2022 first-round pick (top-14 protected), the Rockets’ 2022 second-round pick, and the Jazz’s 2027 second-round pick.
The Heat and Thunder complete a minor move (story)
- Thunder acquire KZ Okpala and amended terms of a first-round pick owed to them by the Heat.
- Heat acquire either the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, or Sixers’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable).
- Note: The Heat previously owed the Thunder their 2023 first-round pick (top-14 protected). They now owe their 2025 first-round pick (top-14 protected).