Newsstand Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Danilo Gallinari Joining Puerto Rican Team

January 22nd, 2025 at 10:33am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran NBA forward Danilo Gallinari has a new team, announcing (via Twitter) that he has reached an agreement to join Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico.

In a follow-up tweet, Gallinari suggests the deal includes the ability to opt out in the event of an NBA opportunity.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 draft, Gallinari appeared in 777 total NBA regular season games for eight teams from 2008-24. He began his career with the Knicks before being sent to the Nuggets in the Carmelo Anthony blockbuster at the 2011 trade deadline.

While many of his best seasons came in Denver, where he averaged 16.2 points per game in over 300 regular season appearances, Gallinari later had productive years for the Clippers, Thunder, and Hawks as well. In 2023/24, after recovering from an ACL tear, the 6’10” forward spent time with the Wizards, Pistons, and Bucks, getting into 49 total games.

Gallinari, who is 36 years old and saw his mobility hampered following the ACL injury, went unsigned this past summer and may have played in his last NBA game.

A former Italian League MVP who has represented his home country in previous international competitions, Gallinari added in a third tweet that he’s “ready to wear the Italian jersey for one last great European adventure” and hopes for a “great ending.”

As BasketNews.com observes, while Gallinari didn’t say it outright, those remarks suggest he may be considering retiring after suiting up for the Italian national team one more time in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament.

Likelihood Of Suns Acquiring Jimmy Butler Increasing?

January 22nd, 2025 at 8:26am CST by Luke Adams

After the Suns made a trade on Tuesday to turn their unprotected 2031 first-round pick into three separate first-rounders in 2025, 2027, and 2029, a source close to Jimmy Butler told The Athletic that there’s “rising optimism” the Heat star is closer to being traded to his preferred destination in Phoenix.

As we outlined earlier today, even though the Suns’ 2031 first-round pick was easily the most valuable of any of the four draft assets involved in their trade with Utah, breaking up that pick into three future first-rounders puts Phoenix in a better position to offer sweeteners to multiple trade partners, which will likely be necessary.

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Twitter link) believes that as many as five teams would be involved if the Suns are able to eventually work out a deal for Butler.

The Bucks continue to be identified by rival executives as a team worth watching as a facilitator in the Butler talks, according to The Athletic’s reporters, including Sam Amick, Tony Jones, and Jon Krawczynski. There’s a belief that Milwaukee is exploring the idea of reducing its payroll to duck below the second apron while aggregating salaries to bring in another maximum-salary star.

Marc Stein suggested earlier this week that the Bucks could be a team to keep an eye on for Suns guard Bradley Beal, who would almost certainly need to be sent to a third team in any Phoenix trade for Butler, waiving his no-trade clause in the process.

The Athletic’s reporters also mention Zach LaVine as the type of player who might appeal to Milwaukee, though if the Bulls star were involved in any Butler/Beal scenario, it would have to expand into an even larger, more complex deal.

For the time being, Butler continues to take the floor for the Heat, though the six-time All-Star had another underwhelming outing on Tuesday vs. Portland, with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting in 27 minutes — he didn’t play in the fourth quarter and Miami was outscored by 19 points during his time on the floor.

Shams Charania of ESPN, who reported last week that Butler reiterated his trade request during a meeting with president of basketball operations Pat Riley, tweeted on Tuesday night that the veteran forward has since “tripled down” on that request to Riley and team owner Micky Arison.

Suns Acquire Three First-Rounders From Jazz For Unprotected 2031 Pick

January 21st, 2025 at 6:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

7:15pm: The trade is official, according to the Suns and Jazz (Twitter links).

6:26pm: The Suns have been seeking more draft capital and they are making a trade to that end. They are sending their 2031 unprotected first rounder — the last tradable first-rounder in their possession — to the Jazz in exchange for three first-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

The Suns are acquiring the following three picks:

The Cavaliers’ or Timberwolves’ 2025 first-round pick (whichever is least favorable).
The Jazz’s, Cavaliers’, or Timberwolves’ 2027 first-round pick (whichever is least favorable).
The Jazz’s, Cavaliers’, or Timberwolves’ 2029 first-round pick (whichever is least favorable).

Phoenix now control first-rounders in each of the next six drafts and will have more flexibility to make trades with the additional picks. The Suns are operating over the second tax apron and have limited options on the trade market this season. They’re not able to aggregate contracts or take back more salary than they send out.

Phoenix’s only other tradable draft asset is the 2025 second-round pick it acquired from Charlotte (while sending out three second-rounders) during the recent trade for center Nick Richards. That will almost certainly be Denver’s second-rounder.

This move could help facilitate a potential Jimmy Butler trade for the Suns. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link), the Heat are seeking multiple picks plus two players for Butler, and any deal would likely include at least four teams. Bradley Beal would almost certainly have to be part of Phoenix’s outgoing trade package, and he’d also need to approve any deal since he has a no-trade clause.

Butler is back in action after serving a team-imposed seven-game suspension but is still looking to be dealt, with the Suns reportedly his preferred destination.

The incentive for the Jazz to make this deal is the lack of protections on the 2031 first-rounder. The 2025 pick they’re giving up will most likely be one of the last two picks in the first round, given the Cavaliers’ record, while the 2027 and 2029 first-rounder will be the least favorable of three selections. The Suns’ ’31 pick has significantly more upside, especially considering that Phoenix’s current roster isn’t necessarily built for sustainable long-term success.

Zaccharie Risacher Out At Least One More Week

January 21st, 2025 at 5:08pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick in last June’s draft, is progressing in his rehabilitation from a left adductor strain and will be reevaluated in approximately one week, according to a team press release (Twitter link).

It’s relatively good news for the Hawks, as it doesn’t appear Risacher’s injury is a long-term issue. The rookie forward has already missed the last three games due to the injury, which he suffered against Phoenix last Tuesday.

Risacher is averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his rookie campaign. He hasn’t shot well, connecting on 40.3 percent of his field goal attempts and 28.1 percent beyond the arc. He has started in all but two of his 39 appearances.

Risacher had a 33-point outing against the Knicks on Nov. 6 but hasn’t reached the 20-point mark in any other contest.

Vit Krejci has been inserted into the lineup in his place.

Draymond Green Out At Least One Week With Calf Strain

January 20th, 2025 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Warriors forward/center Draymond Green has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and is expected to be reevaluated in one week, reports Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). The team has officially confirmed Slater’s reporting (Twitter link).

As Slater notes, that means Green will miss at least Golden State’s next four games, including Monday’s matchup with the defending champion Celtics. He’ll also be unavailable for games vs. Sacramento (on Wednesday), Chicago (Thursday), and the Lakers (Saturday) before being reexamined.

Green, who previously missed three consecutive games due to a back injury and an illness, made his return on Saturday vs. Washington, but was on the court for just three minutes before sustaining a first-quarter calf injury that sidelined him for the rest of the night.

Green has averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game through 34 contests this season for the Warriors. As usual, his impact goes beyond the box score — Golden State has a +3.9 net rating during his time on the court and a -3.0 mark when he’s not on the floor.

Buddy Hield and Gui Santos earned starts during Green’s absence, but it will be Gary Payton II elevated to the starting five on Monday vs. Boston, tweets Slater. Moses Moody has also played an increased role as of late and should continue to see regular minutes with Green on the shelf.

In more positive Warriors injury news, Stephen Curry will be active on Monday after spraining his left ankle in Saturday’s game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Green Named Players Of The Week

January 20th, 2025 at 2:41pm CST by Luke Adams

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference, while Rockets guard Jalen Green has won the weekly award for the Western Conference, according to the NBA (Twitter link).

It’s the 25th time that Antetokounmpo has earned Player of the Week honors over the course of his decorated 12-year NBA career, including the second time this season.

In four games during the week of Jan. 13-19, the two-time MVP averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 34.5 minutes per game, making 66.7% of his shots from the floor as the Bucks went 4-0. Milwaukee beat Sacramento, Orlando, Toronto, and Philadelphia by an average margin of 19 points per game in a dominant week.

Antetokounmpo beat out fellow nominees LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Darius Garland, Damian Lillard, and Onyeka Okongwu for the Eastern Conference award, per the NBA (Twitter link).

Green, meanwhile, was named Player of the Week for the first time this season and the second time in his four-year career. The former No. 2 overall pick has scored at least 26 points in eight consecutive games, including all four of Houston’s contests this past week.

Green led the Rockets to a 3-1 week by scoring 32.5 points per game on a scorching-hot shooting line of .606/.633/.962. He also chipped in 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per night.

A trio of Clippers – James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac – headlined the Western Conference’s other Player of the Week nominees and were joined by Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Scoot Henderson, Trey Murphy, and Jamal Murray.

Wolves’ DiVincenzo Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 3 Toe Sprain

January 20th, 2025 at 12:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Timberwolves wing Donte DiVincenzo, who has missed the past two games with a toe injury, underwent an MRI and has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 left great toe sprain, the team announced today in a press release.

According to the Timberwolves, DiVincenzo has been ruled out indefinitely, with he and the club currently seeking a second opinion to determine the best treatment option going forward.

While the Wolves don’t explicitly refer to DiVincenzo’s injury as turf toe, it sounds like that may be what he’s dealing with, and a Grade 3 designation represents the most severe form of that injury.

The Thunder recently ruled out Ajay Mitchell for at least 10-to-12 weeks after he underwent a procedure to address a turf toe sprain. If DiVincenzo and the Wolves ultimately determine that he needs to address his ailment via surgery, he could face a similar recovery timeline. Figuring out whether or not surgery is necessary is likely the impetus for the two parties seeking a second opinion.

DiVincenzo, who was traded from New York to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster just ahead of training camp, got off to a slow start with his new team, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game across his first 29 outings, with an underwhelming shooting line of .370/.335/.783.

However, the 27-year-old had been heating up in recent weeks, boosting his averages to 16.4 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 4.9 RPG on .446/.436/.852 in his last 11 contests before the injury.

With DiVincenzo sidelined, rookie guard Rob Dillingham – whose return from an ankle injury coincided with DiVincenzo going down – figures to take on an increased role going forward. He has averaged 10.5 points in 15.7 minutes per night in his first two games back in action.

Warriors May Wait Until Summer To Pursue Major Trade

January 20th, 2025 at 11:02am CST by Arthur Hill

The Warriors may be active on the trade market before the deadline, but they’re not expected to pursue a major deal until the offseason, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Two Western Conference executives who talked to Youngmisuk believe Golden State will save its most valuable trade pieces for the summer in hopes of a making significant move.

For now, a more likely target is Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, who would provide a second reliable scorer to team with Stephen Curry. Vucevic is making $20MM, and the Warriors hope they might be able to land him in exchange for expiring deals. Both rival executives expect the team to continue exploring its options until closer to February 6, rather than making a deal right away.

Youngmusik points out that Golden State’s top trade pieces are Andrew Wiggins‘ $26MM contract, along with young players Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. More likely to be moved now are the expiring contracts of Gary Payton II ($9.13MM) and Kevon Looney ($8MM), along with draft assets (the Warriors have three tradable first-round picks and two second-rounders.

Youngmisuk reveals that CEO Joe Lacob met with general manager Mike Dunleavy to discuss the team’s options after a January 7 loss to Miami. One rival executive described the team as “frustrated” as it has fallen down the standings after a 12-3 start.

The executives also told Youngmisuk that if the Warriors aren’t in a better position by the trade deadline, they might consider some cost-cutting deals to reduce the size of their tax bill. Youngmisuk adds that Golden State typically isn’t active around the deadline, with only two significant trades during the Curry era.

Curry, who has been playing through thumb and knee pain this season, said he can accept a quiet deadline as long as he knows the front office is making an effort to improve the roster.

“[We’re] trying to be a realistic threat in a playoffs series,” he said. “If Mike calls and says, ‘Hey, this is an opportunity to do X, Y, Z,’ I give my opinion. My hope is that [if there’s no action at the deadline], it’s not because of a lack of effort. If we don’t have a chance to get better, my whole thing is I want to win, and whatever that means, all efforts are pointed towards that, then I can kind of live with whatever happens.”

The Warriors tried to get involved in major deals last summer, making offers for Lauri Markkanen before he re-signed with Utah and Paul George before he opted out of his contract with the Clippers. In both cases, it would have meant parting with Kuminga and maybe Podziemski, which Golden State wasn’t ready to do.

They were one of the first teams to make a significant in-season deal, picking up Dennis Schröder from Brooklyn in mid-December, but the veteran guard has struggled badly with his shot and hasn’t been able to stop the team’s long decline. It’s possible that Schröder could be moved again before the deadline.

Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr have all made recent public statements cautioning against the dangers of a panic move. They seem content to wait until summer for a roster overhaul if necessary, and in the meantime they’re confident about their postseason chances no matter who they have to face.

“Hundred percent feel like we can beat anybody in a playoff series because we’ve done it,” Curry said. “We have the know-how, and we just want to be able to answer that question with how we’re playing and not imagine. … We’ve been there. We know how to do it. Just feel like we can do it again.”

Kyle Kuzma Says Wizards Haven’t Approached Him About A Trade

January 20th, 2025 at 10:00am CST by Arthur Hill

A year ago, the Wizards gave Kyle Kuzma the option to approve a trade, and he elected not to join a Mavericks team that wound up in the NBA Finals. Kuzma hasn’t decided what he’ll do if he’s in the same situation this year, but he told Varun Shankar of The Washington Post that the front office hasn’t brought up the subject yet.

“We’ll see how it goes. I don’t know,” Kuzma said. “I think last year was the right time [to stay] after signing the deal. That was kind of more of a last year thing. We haven’t had conversations, haven’t even talked about the deadline, haven’t talked about getting traded. This is really the first time I’m really talking about it.”

Sunday’s loss at Sacramento was the 10th in the row for Washington, which sits at 6-35 and has the league’s worst record by a comfortable margin. Kuzma still has two years left on his contract, and he could bring a valuable return for a franchise that’s clearly prioritizing future assets over any current success.

Shankar notes that Kuzma has been experiencing an up-and-down season and has been limited to 24 games due to groin and rib injuries. He’s averaging just 14.4 points per game, which is down from 22.2 PPG last season and is by far his lowest mark since coming to Washington four years ago. Kuzma’s shooting has been abysmal, as he’s connecting at career lows from the field (42.5%) and three-point range (25.7%).

Even so, Shankar points out that Kuzma has trade value as a 6’10” defender who can play either forward position. He’s only 29, has played on a championship team and has a contract that declines in value, going from $23.5MM this season to $21.5MM next year and $19.4MM in 2026/27.

Kuzma has been a major part of the offense since joining the Wizards, but Shankar suggests that he might be best suited for a complementary role like he had with the Lakers early in his career. He averaged the fourth-most minutes and third-most shot attempts per game during L.A.’s title run in 2020.

In a session with the media before Sunday’s game, coach Brian Keefe was supportive of Kuzma and said the injuries have played a significant role in his decreased production.

“He had gotten some good momentum early and then he got hurt in the [Nov. 30] Atlanta game. And then he was building some momentum and he got hurt again. And then he missed almost a whole month,” Keefe said. “… It’s just been choppy. But when he’s played, he’s been efficient, doing the things that we ask. I just think he’s just had some inconvenient things that happened to him injury-wise that has … ruined his rhythm.”

That choppiness was on display this weekend, Shankar adds. Kuzma had one of his best games of the season Saturday at Golden State, scoring 22 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the field. However, he couldn’t carry that over to Sunday, as the Kings limited him to 13 points while shooting 3-of-15 overall and 1-of-7 from three-point range.

“It’s the first time in my career I’ve been hurt like this,” Kuzma said. “I think it was frustrating at a certain point in time early on … but I’ve gotten over that. Kinda just here, playing game by game, trying to stay in the moment.”

LeBron James: “We Don’t Have Room For Error”

January 20th, 2025 at 8:00am CST by Arthur Hill

With the trade deadline 17 days away, LeBron James may be sending a message to the front office that something needs to be done. The Lakers star talked about the limits of the team’s current roster after a 116-102 loss to the cross-town Clippers on Sunday night, according to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.

James said the team has a razor-thin margin for error because of the way the roster has been put together. Asked if there is a way to improve that internally, James responded, “Nah. That’s how our team is constructed. We don’t have room for error — for much error.”

Presented with a follow-up question about whether the Lakers have to be nearly perfect to have a chance to win, James said, “We don’t have a choice. I mean… that’s the way our team is constructed. And we have to, we have to play close-to-perfect basketball.”

Woike points out that even though the Lakers are sixth in the West at 22-18, their underlying numbers haven’t been good. Despite the winning record, their net rating is minus-2.9, which ranks 12th in the conference.

They’re also failing to capitalize on a favorable part of the schedule, as Sunday was their 10th time playing in Los Angeles over a 12-game stretch. The Lakers are just 5-5 so far and are in danger of slipping out of a guaranteed playoff spot and maybe even the play-in tournament.

Adding to James’ point about roster construction, he probably didn’t expect to be playing such a major role at age 40. He’s logging 34.9 minutes per night, which is roughly in line with his playing time since he came to L.A. seven years ago, and is averaging 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.8 assists. He has only missed four games this season, and the Lakers usually need a huge effort from him to be competitive.

It’s also worth noting that part of the roster construction issue stems from taking James’ son, Bronny James, with a second-round pick and giving him a standard contract rather than a two-way deal. The 20-year-old guard has spent much of his rookie season in the G League and has averaged just 2.4 minutes in nine NBA games.

The Lakers have already made one significant deal, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from Brooklyn last month in a four-player trade. That hasn’t been enough to spark the team in a tight Western Conference playoff race.

Making pointed remarks close to the trade deadline has been a pattern throughout James’ career, but he’s not the only one who believes the Lakers are in a difficult position. A longtime scout tells Woike that the Lakers appear “stuck,” and coach J.J. Redick expressed similar concerns Sunday night.

“We don’t have a huge margin for error. Nor can we create that margin organically,” Redick said. “It has to be emphasized daily to touch the paint, to play paint-to-great mentality, make the extra pass. We don’t have a guy on our team that’s going to necessarily always draw two to the ball. We don’t have a guy on our team that’s going to be able to get past his guy one-on-one and get to the paint and spread it out to the perimeter. Like, that’s just not our team. So we have to do it through connectivity, through execution. And when we do that, we’re really good.”