Latest On Cameron Johnson
Confirming recent reporting from ESPN, Jake Fischer writes at The Stein Line (Substack link) that Brooklyn’s asking price for forward Cameron Johnson is indeed high and that the team doesn’t feel compelled to move him by February 6.
According to Fischer, in their conversations with certain teams about Johnson, the Nets have sought as many as two first-round picks to go along with a young player. It remains to be seen whether any team will meet that price. If not, the question will be whether Brooklyn ultimately decides to make an in-season deal for a slightly more modest return or opts to hang onto Johnson into the offseason.
Here are a few more updates from Fischer on one of the NBA’s top trade candidates:
- Following up on a report from The Athletic identifying the Cavaliers as a team with interest in trading for Johnson, Fischer says that interest appears “preliminary at best.” While Fischer confirms that Cleveland inquired on Johnson, he’s not sure the Cavs have the assets to appeal to Brooklyn, since they can only trade one first-round pick and it wouldn’t convey until 2031. People around the league believe the Cavs are more likely to make a minor move that reduces their luxury tax bill, Fischer notes.
- Fischer is prepared to cross the Thunder off of the list of suitors for Johnson after having reported himself last month that Oklahoma City was keeping an eye on the Nets sharpshooter. While there’s still some chatter around the league about the potential fit between Johnson and OKC, there has been no “credible evidence” that the Thunder have talked to Brooklyn about a deal, Fischer explains. Like the Cavaliers, the Thunder seem reluctant to make a significant move that shakes up their roster and risks disrupting their chemistry, given their success so far this season, Fischer adds.
- The Pacers and Kings are among the teams to continue to watch as possible suitors for Johnson. One Western Conference executive who spoke to Fischer believes a Sacramento package of Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles, and a first-round pick is viewed by some people around the league as the early benchmark to beat. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Nets would accept that offer if it’s the best one they have at the deadline, but it sounds like it might be the best one they have so far.
All-NBA Check-In: 65-Game Rule, Super-Max/Rose Rule Candidates
We're only about halfway through the 2024/25 season, but the top contenders for this year's All-NBA teams have already begun to emerge, with a handful of perennial candidates having already been removed from consideration due to injuries that will cause them to fall short of the 65-game minimum.
The race for one of the final spots on an All-NBA Third Team isn't one many fans will be watching closely, but it's extremely meaningful for certain players who have the ability to increase the value of their next contract by tens of millions of dollars by earning All-NBA honors this season.
With that in mind, we're taking a closer look today at which star players have already been eliminated from qualifying for 2025 end-of-season awards and which All-NBA candidates have big-time money on the line depending on whether or not they make the cut.
Let's dive in...
The players affected by the 65-game rule
This is the second season in which a player must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for end-of-season award consideration. The rule had an impact in its first season on players like Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 26.6 points and 6.1 assists per game for the 48-win Cavaliers, but only appeared in 55 contests. In past seasons, Mitchell would've received All-NBA votes and possibly earned a spot. In 2024, he wasn't on the ballot.
Several star players will find themselves in a similar boat this season. If we look at the 49 players who have made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the past three years, we can already rule out eight of them for this year's All-NBA squads due to the 65-game rule. The following players from that group have missed too many games to qualify for end-of-season awards:
Eastern Notes: Butler, Harper, Achiuwa, Raptors
Jimmy Butler returned to the Heat from his team-issued suspension amid his trade request, but nothing has really changed for the star, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. The Heat haven’t gained any momentum in their trade discussions so far, but will continue to try to fulfill Butler’s request before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Butler scored 18 points in a 20-point loss on Friday in his return to action.
“I guess it’s basketball at this point,” Butler said. “I know what I’m expected to do while I’m here. I tried to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are.”
According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, Butler was asked what would happen if he’s still on Miami’s roster after the Feb. 6 deadline passes. “We’ll hoop,” the 35-year-old replied.
“There was a lot said by everybody except for me, to tell you the truth,” Butler said after the game, per Reynolds. “So we’ll let people keep talking like they know everything, like they have all the answers. And then sooner or later, the whole truth will come out. But until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. And if I’m here, I will get out there and play.”
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Pistons signed Ron Harper Jr. to a two-way contract on Jan. 6, giving him a roster spot on the team he grew up idolizing, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. Harper’s father was an assistant coach in Detroit from 2005-07. “Those are like my first core basketball memories,” said the younger Harper, who has yet to appear in an NBA game with the Pistons but is averaging 12.7 points per game in 18 G League outings this season.
- With Karl-Anthony Towns dealing with an injury, Precious Achiuwa is playing key minutes for the Knicks. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Achiuwa is confident he’s an elite defender in the league. “It’s been an up-and-down season for me just in terms of getting hurt, coming back, playing a little, playing a lot. A lot of things in between,” Achiuwa said. “[But] if you know how to play, you know how to play. Center, power forward — whatever the case is.“
- The anniversary of the Pascal Siakam trade to the Pacers means the traded player exception the Raptors received — that had $5.1MM remaining — officially expired, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca writes. They used part of the exception to absorb Davion Mitchell‘s salary in the move that sent Jalen McDaniels to the Kings and brought Mitchell, Jamal Shead, and a 2025 second round pick to Toronto. Murphy also takes a closer look at the Raptors’ cap situation, noting that they continue to operate more than $10MM below the tax line, creating some flexibility at the trade deadline.
Oshae Brissett Joins G League’s Long Island Nets
JANUARY 18: Brissett has officially been claimed off waivers by the Long Island Nets, according to a team release. In a corresponding move, the developmental team waived KJ Jones II.
JANUARY 17: After spending the first half of the 2024/25 season as a free agent, veteran NBA wing Oshae Brissett has signed a G League contract, according to Bobby Manning of CLNS Media.
A player who signs a G League contract and whose rights aren’t already held by a team is subject to the NBAGL waiver process. Manning says that Brissett will be joining the Long Island Nets, which suggests Brooklyn’s affiliate has the top priority of any team submitting a claim for him.
Brissett, 26, has appeared in 227 total NBA regular season games for the Raptors, Pacers, and Celtics since making his debut in 2019. The Canadian forward was on Boston’s championship roster last season, but enjoyed his most productive years in Indiana, where he averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game with a .414/.349/.717 shooting line in 153 appearances across three seasons from 2020-23.
Brissett’s contract with the Celtics included a $2.46MM player option for 2024/25, but he made the surprising decision to turn it down in June in the hopes of finding a situation where he could play more. He logged 11.5 minutes per night in 55 outings for the Celtics last season, then saw primarily garbage-time minutes in 10 playoff games.
That opportunity for an increased role didn’t materialize over the summer for Brissett, who reportedly received some overseas interest but has remained focused on finding a spot on an NBA roster, according to Manning. The former Syracuse standout took the first half of the season off to spend time with his family, Manning adds, but will head to the G League in hopes of impressing NBA evaluators and earning another shot in the league.
“It has not been easy,” Brissett said in a recent vlog (clip via Twitter video link). “I watch NBA games all day. One, because I’m a fan of basketball, but two, I want to see where I could fit in and how I can help. And I see it. I’m like, ‘Bro, I’m better than that guy. I’m better than that guy.’ I have confidence in myself knowing that if I get the chance, I can go out there and do it.”
Pacific Notes: Richards, Russell, Christie, Ballmer
The Suns addressed a position of need by trading for Nick Richards on Wednesday, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports writes. According to Bourguet, the Suns value the Kentucky product for his athleticism, defense, rebounding and size, along with the fact that he’s under contract for next season at a team-friendly price (a non-guaranteed $5MM).
In recent games, Phoenix has been at a disadvantage on the offensive glass, which Richards will help address. The former Hornet is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 56.1% from the field in 21 games (nine starts) this season.
Suns players and coaches expressed excitement about being able to add Richards into their organization, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Richards was expected to meet the team Friday in Detroit and that he foresees the center making his Suns debut Saturday against the Pistons.
“We’re excited about adding Nick and what he can bring to our team and how he can impact the game defensively around the rim,” Budenholzer said. “On the boards on both ends of the court. Screen setter. Just that kind of seven-foot size, athleticism can always be impactful.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- On Friday, ahead of his first matchup with the Lakers after being traded back to Brooklyn, D’Angelo Russell expressed that he was appreciative of his time with Los Angeles, but that he was ready to move on, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter link). He called his second stint with the Lakers a “blur.” Russell scored 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the matchup on Friday night but missed a potential game winner.
- Kings head coach Doug Christie is a massive part of the franchise’s history, having been a key starter and contributor for the 2001/02 Sacramento team that fell in the Western Conference Finals to the Lakers. Now, under the interim Christie, the Kings have climbed from 13-19 to 21-20 and are firmly back in the postseason picture following the departure of coach Mike Brown. The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson explores Christie’s journey from his tenure as a player to his time as an assistant for the team beginning in 2021.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie Ballmer, co-founders of the Ballmer Group, pledged an initial $15MM to help combat the Los Angeles wildfires, they announced on their website. “We love L.A. and are committed to supporting the communities affected by the devastating wildfires,” the statement reads. “In coordination with our local partners, Ballmer Group will contribute to addressing immediate food and shelter needs in the community and supporting our first responders. … We’ve dedicated an initial $15 million in emergency funding for the many people impacted by these fires, particularly in the historic, racially diverse community of Altadena.” The full list of organizations and efforts they’re providing support for can be found on their site.
Northwest Notes: Wolves, Dillingham, Murray, Westbrook, Simons
For the second time in three seasons, the Timberwolves have struggled to develop chemistry following a massive offseason trade, Tim MacMahon of ESPN writes.
“It’s an adjustment, but we want to be winning games while we’re figuring it out,” Julius Randle said. “We show phases of being able to do that.”
MacMahon explores the various reasons for Minnesota’s troubles, including defensive slippage from last season, a lack of ball movement, and statistical regressions from top players.
After a career year for the Knicks last season, guard Donte DiVincenzo in particular hasn’t adapted as quickly to Minnesota. However, it seems as though DiVincenzo has turned a corner since mid-December, averaging 15.5 points per game on 43.7% shooting from deep in his last 15 games.
“It’s a mental game of just being aggressive and just going out there and being myself,” DiVincenzo said, who is now out with a toe injury. “There’s no secret behind that for me. When I’m passive, I’m not my best self.”
Despite DiVincenzo and others turning around their individual games, the Wolves continue to have an up-and-down season. They’re fresh off a 17-point win against the Knicks, but are 2-2 in their last four, 5-5 in their last 10, and 8-8 in their last 16.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Wolves rookie guard Rob Dillingham returned from an ankle injury on Friday. After not appearing in a game since Dec. 23, Dillingham played over 13 minutes in the win over New York, making four of his six field goal attempts and notching nine points and three assists. “He fire. Everybody know it. The world know it. It just takes time,” teammate Anthony Edwards said, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune (Twitter link). “It’s going to happen. … We been missing him the last couple weeks. He just got back out there and showed why he should be playing.”
- The Nuggets‘ season hinges on Jamal Murray continuing to find high-level success, Troy Renck of The Denver Post opines. It seems as though Murray is hitting a stride, racking up 45 points in a 19-point win over Dallas on Tuesday and scoring 30 in a 20-point victory against Miami on Friday.
- Denver is 9-4 in its last 13 games, with Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup as Aaron Gordon recovered from a calf injury and dealt with a minutes restriction upon returning to action. Bennett Durando of The Denver Post explores whether Westbrook will remain a starter once Gordon’s restriction is lifted and, if so, whose spot he’ll take. Westbrook has had his most productive stretch of the season during this stretch, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field and 38.3% from three.
- Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons went scoreless for the first time since 2021 in a loss to the Clippers on Thursday, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian writes. Simons is averaging 18.2 points per game on 42.0% shooting this season after putting up 21.7 PPG on 43.9% shooting across the previous two seasons.
Trade Rumors: Johnson, Claxton, Butler, Suns, Raptors, Sixers
Nets forward Cameron Johnson is considered one of the most players most likely to be moved at this year’s trade deadline, and people around the NBA believe Brooklyn will be open to listening on center Nic Claxton as well, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
However, at least one league executive who spoke to ESPN pointed out that Johnson’s and Claxton’s multiyear contracts mean the Nets won’t necessarily be operating with any sense of urgency on the trade market, even with the franchise focused on maximizing its odds in the 2025 draft lottery.
“The Nets asking price is high, and they (have made) it known they don’t feel like they have to trade them now,” that exec said. “But if they’re helping them win games, they’ll trade them or put them on the bench.”
Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams, and Celtics guard Jaden Springer were some of the other players mentioned as likely trade candidates by sources who spoke to Bontemps and Windhorst. Valanciunas and Williams are veterans who aren’t believed to be part of their rebuilding teams’ long-term plans, while moving Springer could reduce Boston’s end-of-season luxury tax bill.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from across the league:
- Discussing Jimmy Butler‘s trade market, an executive who spoke to ESPN made it clear that Pat Riley and the Heat are fully prepared to take their time as they consider all their options. “The Heat don’t have to make a deal with Jimmy until the summer and don’t have to make a decision about the rest of this season until Feb. 6,” the exec said. “They don’t need to do anything in January and that’s how they’re conducting business.”
- League sources tell Windhorst that the Suns have discussed using their remaining tradable first-round pick (for 2031) in “various talks around trying to acquire Butler.” Responding to that report, Suns insider John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 stated (via Twitter) that Phoenix hasn’t talked to the Heat about that 2031 pick and wouldn’t want to part with it in a straight-up trade for Butler. While that first-rounder would certainly be extremely valuable if it’s unprotected, it’s hard to see how the Suns could acquire Butler without giving it up — and even if the Suns are willing to move the pick, it’s unclear if that would be enough, given that it would come attached to Bradley Beal‘s unwieldy contract.
- The Raptors appear to have some interest in getting involved in a potential Butler trade as a facilitator, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. When I considered Butler trade scenarios in a Front Office article earlier this month, I noted that Toronto makes sense as a possible third team due to the relatively favorable expiring contracts on the team’s books, including Bruce Brown ($23MM) and Chris Boucher ($10.8MM). If they’re incentivized to do so, the Raptors could potentially take on multiyear contracts and flip those expiring deals to Miami.
- For now, the Sixers continue to focus on maximizing their potential for the current season, according to Bontemps. However, he acknowledges that stance could change depending on how the next two or three weeks play out. Philadelphia has a 15-24 record, will be without Joel Embiid for at least the next week, and will send its 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City if it lands outside the top six.
Warriors Notes: Draymond, Injuries, Olynyk, Curry, More
After missing the Warriors‘ past three games while dealing with a back issue and an illness, Draymond Green is listed as probable to suit up on Saturday vs. Washington, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. However, Kyle Anderson (left gluteral bursitis) and Brandin Podziemski (right abdominal injury management) will each miss another game, joining Jonathan Kuminga (right ankle sprain) on the inactive list.
While Green remains an integral on-court contributor for the Warriors, the former Defensive Player of the Year has also begun considering what the next stage of his career will look like. According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Green has had exploratory talks with “one or more” of the NBA’s long-term media partners (ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon).
“He looks at media as a big part of his future—and is excited about the opportunities that exist out there for him,” Josh Pyatt, Green’s agent for off-court representation at WME Sports, told Front Office Sports, confirming interest in his client from NBA media rights holders.
As McCarthy points out, Green has already done some broadcast work with TNT Sports in recent years — with TNT in its final season as an NBA rights-holder, it’s possible he could reach a new agreement with one of the league’s other partners before his playing career is over.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (video link) confirms that the Warriors are eyeing “mid-tier” big men on the trade market, identifying Raptors center Kelly Olynyk as one potential target of interest for Golden State. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype previously linked the Warriors to a handful of other veteran centers, including Nikola Vucevic, Jonas Valanciunas, and Robert Williams.
- In a column for Yahoo Sports, Kevin O’Connor explores what the future might look like for the Warriors and Stephen Curry, considering whether it’s in both sides’ best interests for Curry to finish his career in Golden State.
- Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard makes the case that it wouldn’t be so bad for the Warriors to miss the playoffs this season and might actually be “their most practical path back into relevance. As Kawakami outlines, missing the postseason would assure the Warriors get a 2025 lottery pick and would put them in position to reload and revamp their roster in the offseason before taking another run at contending in ’25/26.
- The Warriors put out a press release on Friday announcing the Dejan Milojevic Brate Award, honoring their assistant coach who passed away a year ago. The annual award will honor the basketball operations staff member who embodies Milojevic’s “spirit, dedication, and legacy,” according to the team.
Brandon Miller Has Torn Wrist Ligament, Out Indefinitely
Hornets forward Brandon Miller, who missed Friday’s game vs. Chicago due to what was originally referred to as a right wrist sprain, has been diagnosed with a torn scapholunate ligament after undergoing an MRI, the team announced in a press release.
The Hornets didn’t provide a recovery timeline for Miller, simply ruling him out indefinitely.
While each case is different, this injury typically requires surgery and results in a layoff that’s measured in months rather than days or weeks. Kenrich Williams, Khris Middleton, T.J. McConnell, Bradley Beal, and Jaylen Brown are among the players who have gone under the knife to have a torn scapholunate ligament repaired in recent years.
It’s a disappointing turn of events for the No. 2 overall pick from the 2023 draft, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season and was having a solid sophomore campaign in 2024/25. Through 27 games (all starts), Miller has averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 34.2 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .403/.355/.861.
The timing is especially unfortunate for the Hornets, who had just recently gotten their top four scorers – Miller, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams – healthy together for the first time all season. Entering Friday, the quartet had starting four consecutive games together alongside Josh Green. The Hornets went 2-2 in those contests, with its starting five posting a +14.5 net rating.
Nick Smith Jr. started in Miller’s place on Friday and had a good night, with 15 points in 26 minutes in a win over Chicago, so he’ll likely get another opportunity in that role.
Seth Curry, who has earned a few starts this season when Miller was unavailable, returned to the rotation for the first time in two weeks on Friday and also figures to play an increased role going forward, with newcomer Josh Okogie potentially also getting into the mix on the wing.
Southwest Notes: Morant, Murray, Eason, Rockets
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, who was ruled out for the team’s game in San Antonio on Friday night due to right foot soreness, is no longer eligible for major award consideration this season, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Morant has averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per contest this season for the Grizzlies, who rank third in the Western Conference standings, but Friday’s game will be the 18th he has missed this season. That means he’ll fall short of the 65-game threshold required to qualify for end-of-season awards, including All-NBA.
Morant made the All-NBA Second Team in 2022, but a suspension related to his off-court behavior derailed his chances of repeating the feat in 2023, and he appeared in just nine games last season due to a second suspension and a season-ending shoulder injury.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Dejounte Murray‘s 30-point performance on Wednesday in a victory over Dallas was a reminder of why the Pelicans targeted him and gave up a pair of first-round picks – along with former lottery selection Dyson Daniels and rotation big man Larry Nance Jr. – to acquire him last offseason, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com. It has been a challenging year so far for Murray, one of many key Pelicans players who has missed time due to an injury — he broke his hand on opening night and the team was 4-14 by the time he returned. “I’m trying to get my fun back,” Murray said. “It’s nothing with the team. Just dealing with a lot. It’s been tough for me. I’m a strong person, but at the same time I’m human. I think sometimes I can forget that.”
- Although they didn’t get the win, the Rockets got a boost on Thursday as forward Tari Eason played for the first time in over a month after missing 13 games due to a lower left leg injury, notes Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). Eason was on a minutes restriction of 20-to-25 minutes, per head coach Ime Udoka. He ended up playing 24 minutes and didn’t miss a beat in his return, scoring 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
- Kelly Iko and John Hollinger of The Athletic explore some possible trade options for the Rockets, discussing why Jimmy Butler probably doesn’t make sense for Houston and considering whether De’Aaron Fox would be a fit if Sacramento made him available. While a significant in-season move seems unlikely, Hollinger points to Malcolm Brogdon or Chris Boucher as players on expiring deals who might make some sense as deadline targets for the Rockets.