Warriors Notes: Curry, Kerr, Vucevic, Wiggins
The Warriors’ long downturn continued with Monday’s surprising loss at Toronto, but Stephen Curry doesn’t want management to overreact with a trade that’s not in the team’s best long-term interest, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. After starting the season 12-3, Golden State is now 12th in the West at 19-20 and appears headed for a frantic battle for one of the four play-in spots.
However, Youngmisuk notes that Curry is sticking with a philosophy that the organization has been emphasizing since training camp, which is there will be no panic involved in trade decisions, especially if it means giving up young players and future draft assets.
“Desperate trades or desperate moves that deplete the future, there is a responsibility on allowing or keeping the franchise in a good space and good spot when it comes to where we leave this thing when we’re done,” Curry said. “Doesn’t mean that you’re not trying to get better. It doesn’t mean that you’re not active in any type of search to, if you have an opportunity where a trade makes sense or even in the summer free agency [move] makes sense. You want to continue to get better. Nobody wants to be stale or be in a situation where you’re passing up opportunities. But it doesn’t mean that you’re desperate just flinging assets all around the place just because you want to do something.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Coach Steve Kerr made a similar statement at Monday’s shootaround, saying it would be unwise to mortgage the future to give himself, Curry and Draymond Green a shot at another NBA title, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Kerr recognizes the need to have young talent such as Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski on hand once he and his veteran stars are gone. “That’s the hard part in addressing all this stuff,” Kerr said. “We’re not giving in. But you have to be realistic organizationally about where you are. And you have to mind what’s coming ahead in the future. I probably won’t be around, but I would tell you, if this organization gave away the next six or seven drafts for a wild swing, that would be the most irresponsible thing that they could do.”
- The front office has engaged in internal discussions about finding a center who can consistently make three-pointers to create more space for Curry and provide better lineup combinations for Green and Kuminga, Slater adds in the same piece. He mentions Nikola Vucevic as a possibility, depending on the price the Bulls would want in return.
- Remarkably, Monday marked the first game that Andrew Wiggins has played in his hometown of Toronto in seven years, according to Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Wiggins rejoined the team on Saturday after missing two games for personal reasons.
Hoops Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript: 1/14/2025
Hoops Rumors’ Arthur Hill held a live chat today exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers. Topics included whether the Bulls need a complete rebuild, the Knicks' options to find wing help, the potential cost for the Kings to land Cameron Johnson, Bradley Beal's future and more!
Heat Notes: Butler, Adebayo, Love, Ware, Richardson
It seems increasingly likely that Jimmy Butler will be rejoining the Heat when they return from their six-game road trip, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Butler, who is nearing the end of his suspension, has been working out at the team facility and is expected to return to the court on Friday if he’s still on the roster.
Team officials have been hoping to resolve the situation with a trade, but they reportedly haven’t made much progress. A source tells Chiang that Miami has engaged in trade talks with several teams over the past week, but isn’t close to making a deal.
In his latest Substack column (subscriber-only), Jake Fischer dives into some of the “conduct detrimental to the team” that the Heat cited when they imposed Butler’s suspension. League sources tell Fischer that Butler has skipped several morning shootarounds and has insisted on taking private flights to some games rather than traveling on the charter with his teammates.
In addition to not getting the contract extension that he wanted, Butler’s dissatisfaction may stem from the loss of several players whom he considered to be close friends, Fischer theorizes. Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin, who were starters on the team that reached the NBA Finals in 2023, all left in free agency over the past two offseasons.
“Those were [Butler’s] guys,” a source told Fischer.
Miami isn’t willing to move Butler just to get rid of a problem, adds Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. The front office is focused on finding players who can help the team win this season while taking back as little future salary as possible. The organization wants to rebuild around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro without being burdened by another large contract.
There’s more on the Heat:
- Adebayo was a late scratch for Monday’s game due to a lower back contusion, Chiang states in a separate story. He had been expected to play earlier in the day, but he was downgraded to questionable during the afternoon before being ruled out a few hours before game time. Adebayo was hurt Saturday in Portland when he fell to the court while trying to catch a pass. “He’s been dealing with it for a few days,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s getting a lot of treatment and it kind of seized up on him this morning. But we’ll treat him day to day and we’ll reevaluate him.”
- With Adebayo unavailable, Spoelstra gave the start to Kevin Love, who had appeared in just one of the previous 12 games, Chiang adds. Love made three three-pointers in the first seven minutes Monday night, but didn’t score again, finishing with nine points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action. Most of the center minutes went to rookie Kel’el Ware, who had 13 points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter and now seems like an established part of the rotation. “Kel’el has been playing really well,” Spoelstra said. “And he had a very good game tonight. … He’s making progress. It seems to be every day that he’s learning something new.”
- Josh Richardson has returned to Miami to have an MRI on his heel and will miss the final game of the road trip Wednesday against the Lakers, the Heat announced (via Twitter). Richardson hasn’t appeared in a game since November 18.
Pete Nance Returns To Sixers On Two-Way Contract
After waiving Pete Nance last week, the Sixers announced (via Twitter) that they have re-signed him to a two-way contract.
The 24-year-old power forward originally joined the team on a two-way deal on December 3. Philadelphia saved a little bit of money by parting with Nance for a week, but his new contract – which doesn’t count against the cap – will be guaranteed for the rest of the season.
Nance appeared in one game with the Sixers, playing three minutes December 30 at Portland. He also saw action in 14 G League contests with the Cleveland Charge and Delaware Blue Coats, averaging 16.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocked shots while shooting 50% from the field.
Knicks Notes: Towns, Sims, Robinson, First-Half Review
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns suffered an injury to the thumb on his shooting hand during Monday’s loss to Detroit, but he didn’t provide much information about it after the game, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Towns kept his hand in his pocket during a post-game session with reporters and responded, “It is what it is,” four times during the interview.
Towns hit his hand on the backboard during the first half and it appeared to bother him for the rest of the game, Bondy observes. A couple of his subsequent shots misfired badly, but he still played 43 minutes and finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds
His hand was struck again late in the third quarter and he grabbed it in pain as he ran into the crowd, according to Bondy. Towns refused to reveal whether X-rays had been taken, and coach Tom Thibodeau only said, “I haven’t talked to medical yet,” when asked about the injury.
“They hit shots when they had to,” Towns said in explaining the loss. “We could sit here and talk about all the things we could’ve done. We just didn’t do it. Cost us in the end.”
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks are exploring Jericho Sims‘ value on the trade market, sources tell Bondy in a separate story. The backup big man was recently replaced in the rotation by Ariel Hukporti, and he missed Monday’s game due to back spasms. One of Bondy’s sources said there’s some interest around the league in Sims, and the Knicks are seeking a second-round pick in return. That would be a markdown from the offseason, when the team was reportedly asking for two second-rounders. Sims will be a free agent this summer.
- Sims’ availability coincides with the impending return of Mitchell Robinson, who is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Bondy adds. Thibodeau said Robinson is expected to begin practicing at some point this month, but he still hasn’t been cleared for sprinting. “That’s the next step,” Thibodeau told reporters. “He’s doing some light shooting right now.”
- Towns has opened up the offense since arriving in an October trade with Minnesota, James L. Edwards of The Athletic states in a review of the first half of the season. The Knicks are 26-15 through their first 41 games, good for third place in the East, as Edwards notes that the shooting efficiency has been much better and they’ve been able to avoid serious injuries. On the downside, there have been too many defensive breakdowns, the bench isn’t producing enough to earn Thibodeau’s trust, and the team only ranks 24th in three-point attempts per game.
Pacific Notes: Payton II, Green, Monk, Wildfire Donations
Warriors guard Gary Payton II is on track to return to action on Wednesday. Payton, who hasn’t played since Christmas Day due to a calf strain, scrimmaged on Sunday and worked out on Monday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets. He has appeared in 28 games this season, including four starts.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Draymond Green sat out the Warriors‘ three-point loss to Toronto on Monday. He participated in the team’s practice on Sunday but was not at Monday morning’s shootaround due to an illness, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. He has been listed on the injury report due to a back injury. Coach Steve Kerr doesn’t think Green’s back issue is a major concern. “I remember a couple of years ago, I think ’22 season, he missed 15-20 games when the back flared up, so we just have to stay on top of it,” Kerr said. “Training staff is doing a great job with him, and Draymond has done a great job of just doing his rehab and making sure he’s keeping himself in good shape. I think he should be fine going forward.”
- The streaking Kings may not have Malik Monk on Tuesday. He’s listed as questionable against Milwaukee due to right groin soreness, Kings radio reporter Sean Cunningham tweets. Monk has been a huge part of Sacramento’s seven-game winning streak. He’s averaging 23.3 points and 7.8 assists per game so far this month.
- Los Angeles’ 12 pro sports teams — including the Lakers and Clippers — have pledged to donate more than $8MM to those affected by the state’s wildfires as well as those fighting the fires, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin tweets. The contributions will be donated to a variety of organizations.
Northwest Notes: Edwards, Caruso, Timberwolves, Cancar
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined again by the league, this time for making obscene gestures toward an official. It’s the fifth time Edwards has been docked by the league this season. He’s also tied for the league lead with nine technicals. Head coach Chris Finch says he has spoken with Edwards about both issues.
“It’s been addressed for sure,” said Finch, per Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link). “It’s been addressed organizationally, individually. I think he’s aware. We’re all aware.”
Finch believes Edwards will do a better job of controlling his emotions, Hine adds in another tweet.
“He’s extremely self-aware. I think he has emotional control for sure,” Finch said. “I think he’s frustrated on many levels. I think some of that frustration is certainly in & around the whistle no doubt, but he’s just got to figure it out, play through it and he’ll be fine.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Alex Caruso is no longer listed on the Thunder injury report, signaling that he’ll suit up for Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia, Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman tweets. Caruso, who signed a four-year extension last month, has missed the past 10 games with a left hip strain.
- The parties involved in the Timberwolves’ ownership battle met for a final time on Jan. 10, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets. Arbitration hearings were held in early November and it was expected to take a few months for a ruling. The decision will likely be handed down within the next 30 days. The dispute over control of the franchise between minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez and principal owner Glen Taylor moved to arbitration in July.
- Vlatko Cancar traveled with the Nuggets to Dallas over the weekend and went through a full pregame workout, Grant Afseth of the Dallas Sports Journal tweets. Cancar underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Dec. 4. At that time, the team indicated that Cancar would be reexamined in eight weeks. The forward/center is currently inked to a one-year, $2.1MM veteran’s minimum deal.
Central Notes: Craig, Dosunmu, Cavs, Giannis, Haliburton
Torrey Craig likely won’t play for the Bulls for the remainder of the month. He has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and will be reevaluated in two weeks, the team tweets.
Craig has already missed the past six games due to what was listed as a leg contusion. The 34-year-old wing has only appeared in nine games this season after seeing action in 53 contests last season, his first with the Bulls. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
On a positive note, guard Ayo Dosunmu could return to action on Wednesday, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network tweets. Dosunmu, who went through scrimmages with some of the team’s reserves on Monday, has been sidelined by a calf injury since Dec. 23.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers had their 12-game winning streak snapped by the Pacers on Sunday. Indiana outscored Cleveland 68-40 in the second half. “What disappointed me was our first half was phenomenal, defensively, and then the second half, we fell off,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said, per ESPN News Services. “So, we couldn’t sustain our defense. Just disappointed.”
- The Bucks were hammered by the Knicks 140-106 on Sunday and that didn’t sit well with franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s tired of seeing his team taken apart by the Eastern Conference’s elite. Milwaukee is 0-8 against the top three teams in the East, ESPN’s Chris Herring said. “We’ve gotta get our stuff together. It’s as simple as that. We did not beat Boston. We did not beat the Cavs. We didn’t beat the Knicks,” Antetokounmpo said. “Those are the top three teams, and we’ve played horribly against them.”
- Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is listed as doubtful for the team’s rematch with the Cavs on Tuesday, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files tweets. He experienced left hamstring tightness in Sunday’s game and did not return for the second half.
Atlantic Notes: Payne, Knicks’ Trades, Raptors Rebuild, George
Backup guard Cameron Payne had his second-highest scoring output of the season for the Knicks on Sunday, pouring in 18 points in 14 minutes during the team’s romp past Milwaukee.
“He’s someone who’s very capable of scoring the ball at a high level,” forward Josh Hart told Andrew Crane of the New York Post. “Obviously, playing behind (Jalen Brunson), sometimes he doesn’t get those opportunities. But we know what he’s capable of, and that’s just gonna continue to fuel his confidence and our confidence in him.”
Payne is playing on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks are operating near a second-apron hard cap, so there are limitations to what they could do on the trade market. The Athletic’s James Edwards suggests a number of lower-level acquisitions they could consider, including Simone Fontecchio, Nick Richards and Alec Burks.
- The Raptors have lost three times to the much-improved Pistons and they can take valuable lessons away from Detroit’s rebuilding efforts, Michael Grange of Sportsnet writes. It has taken the Pistons several years to show real progress and Toronto could go through the same process unless it lands a superstar talent via the lottery. “They’ve built it up and, guys have a little more experience, and they bring in a couple more vets who play with those younger guys,” Kelly Olynyk said of the Pistons. “And, you know, you start to build that culture back up, and that those habits up. I mean, it takes what is that, three years, four years before you’re able to really kind of put plan together and put something together on the floor, so … it’s not going to happen overnight. We got to be a little bit patient, but it’ll come together and start to break.”
- The Sixers have dropped five of their last seven games. Paul George says they can’t wait any longer to turn things around, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia relays. “It’s not panic mode, but there’s sort of a desperation that we need to start to play with,” George said. “And look at every game like it matters. From this point forward, every game matters. I think we do have to approach it in that manner, because it’s not going to get any easier.”
Northwest Notes: Shannon, Dillingham, Murray, Gordon, J. Williams
Rookie guard Terrence Shannon has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right mid-foot sprain, the Timberwolves announced in a press release.
Shannon, who sustained the injury on Saturday while on a G League assignment with the Iowa Wolves, will be out at least two weeks, which is when he’ll be reevaluated. His return timeline is expected to be two-to-four weeks, per the Timberwolves.
The 27th overall pick of the 2024 draft, Shannon hasn’t played much for Minnesota during his debut campaign in the NBA, averaging just 4.5 minutes per contest in 10 appearances. The former Texas Tech and Illinois star has been dominant in the NBAGL though, averaging 36.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal on .540/.364/.963 shooting in four total games with Iowa (36.3 MPG).
Here’s more from the Northwest:
- The Timberwolves‘ other first-round pick, Rob Dillingham, is on the mend from a right ankle sprain. On Sunday, Minnesota announced (via Twitter) that the former Kentucky guard was cleared for full contact 5-on-5 work. He was subsequently sent to Iowa for a rehab assignment.
- Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been playing through left knee soreness, which caused him to be pulled at halftime from Friday’s victory over Brooklyn, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. Head coach Michael Malone admitted that he almost repeated that on Sunday in Dallas, when Murray struggled mightily in the first half vs. Dallas, only to help lead the team to a turnaround victory in the second half. “I’m just gonna defend him for a second. Because he’s not 100% healthy,” Malone said after the win. “I thought about shutting him down at halftime. Because I’m watching him out there, and I know that’s not the Jamal Murray that (I watch) when he’s playing healthy. That wasn’t him, if that makes sense.”
- Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon had an “outstanding” showing in his return to action on Sunday, Durando writes in another story for The Denver Post. “I think we’ll probably stay right around 20 (minutes) for a while, and then probably go to about 25,” said Gordon, who had 13 points (on 6-of-7 shooting), six rebounds, two assists and a block, with Denver outscoring Dallas by 23 points in his 18 minutes. “And then I don’t know. We’ll probably stay around there for a little while. … I don’t care whether I start or come off the bench. It does not matter to me. As long as I can contribute to winning the game for us and help us win, I don’t care.” Gordon has missed a total of 19 games this season due to right calf issues.
- Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman makes the case for Jalen Williams to be selected to his first All-Star game, noting that the third-year forward is putting up career-best counting stats for the Thunder, who hold the best record in the Western Conference (32-6). Mussatto points out that Williams’ efficiency has dipped as his usage rate has increased, but ultimately thinks the 23-year-old will be one of the final wild card selections, as he’s been the second-best player on the second-best team in the league.