Trade Rumors: Mathurin, Murray, Olynyk, Blazers, Nuggets
Chatter around the NBA suggests the Pacers are engaged in trade talks with multiple teams about fourth-year wing Bennedict Mathurin and appear likely to move him before next Thursday’s deadline, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Reporting earlier in the month indicated that the Pacers had spoken to the Pelicans about a possible Mathurin deal, but it sounds like New Orleans isn’t the only team with the former lottery pick on its radar. While a right thumb sprain and turf toe have limited Mathurin to 25 appearances this season, he returned to action on Monday and is averaging 17.7 points in 31.8 minutes per game in the final year of his rookie contract.
If Mathurin remains with the Pacers through the deadline, he’ll be a sign-and-trade candidate this offseason, since Indiana – which already has over $177MM in guaranteed money on its books for next season – isn’t looking to give the 23-year-old a lucrative long-term contract in restricted free agency, Siegel writes.
Here are a few more trade rumors from across the league:
- There’s a sense that Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray and his representatives at Klutch Sports wouldn’t mind a change of scenery, says Siegel. New Orleans’ new front office brought in guards Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears last offseason, creating a more crowded backcourt. However, given that Murray continues to recover from an Achilles tear and has yet to make his season debut, it likely won’t be easy to move his three-year, $94MM contract at this point.
- In addition to Jeremy Sochan, big man Kelly Olynyk is also considered a Spurs trade candidate, per Siegel. Packaging those two players together would give San Antonio roughly $20.5MM in expiring salary for matching purposes, which could be useful on the trade market.
- Although Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday are thought to be available, the Trail Blazers don’t consider themselves sellers and would likely only be open to moving Holiday if they can do so in a deal that “immediately improves their outlook,” Siegel writes.
- The Nuggets are widely expected to make a small trade to duck below the tax line, which they’re currently above by about $400K, says Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). Denver is confident that can be done without giving up a rotation player, though teams around the NBA are curious about the Nuggets’ plans for Peyton Watson, who may be difficult to retain in restricted free agency this summer. Teams projected to have cap room, including the Lakers, are preparing for the possibility of making a run at Watson in July, sources tell Fischer.
- Front offices around the NBA are expecting several trades completed in the next eight days to require three or four teams, Fischer writes. The Nets, Hornets, and Jazz have made it clear to rival clubs that they’re willing to get involved in multi-team scenarios to take on salary and help grease the wheels on potential deals, sources tell The Stein Line.
Injury Notes: Mathurin, Green, Jerome, Cunningham
The Pacers will be adding a bit more firepower to their offense soon, as Bennedict Mathurin is nearing his return. He is officially being listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Hawks, according to the team (via Twitter).
It has been common this season for players bumped to a “questionable” designation after missing multiple games to suit up as soon as they’ve been upgraded, notes Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.
Mathurin has missed the last 11 games for Indiana after exiting a January 2 matchup against the Spurs early with a right thumb sprain. He initially tried to play through the injury, but it was decided that some time away to heal would do him good. He also missed 11 of the team’s first 13 games with a big toe sprain.
Mathurin is second in scoring for the Pacers on the season, averaging a career-high 17.8 points per game, which puts him behind only Pascal Siakam (23.8 PPG) and narrowly ahead of Andrew Nembhard (17.7 PPG).
We have more injury notes from around the league:
- Suns guard Jalen Green underwent an MRI following his early departure from Friday’s game, but there was no new injury revealed by the test, according to head coach Jordan Ott (Twitter video link per AZ Central’s Duane Rankin). “That’s great news for us,” Ott said, adding that Green will be considered day-to-day moving forward. “Get a workout today, and we’ll see where he goes this week.” Green has struggled to stay on the floor for multiple games as he looks to fully put his hamstring issues behind him. Twice now, he has played one healthy game before exiting the next one after only a few minutes. “It was just so unlucky, you know, he was feeling so good in the end of that third quarter,” Ott said. “So that’s why you take an image, that’s why you see what it feels like the next day, and we know he’s an incredible healer and a guy that’s gonna do everything it takes to play the next one, so that’s encouraging news.”
- Ty Jerome is nearing his season debut for the Grizzlies, writes Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). “He’s already progressed to five-on-five live,” said coach Tuomas Iisalo (video link). “So we’re very close. I think the evaluation is somewhere within one or two weeks… he still needs to build a little bit of load before the actual games, but he’s doing great, he’s progressing really well.” Jerome signed a three-year deal with Memphis this summer after a breakout year with the Cavaliers that saw him land third in Sixth Man of the Year voting as he averaged 12.5 points and 3.4 assists in just 19.9 minutes per game.
- Cade Cunningham is nursing a wrist injury but is attempting to find the balance between rest and treatment and playing through it for the Pistons, writes Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Cunningham downplayed the impact, saying that he felt good coming into Sunday’s game against the Kings. “Felt great this morning, felt great last night, so it’s cool to be able to come out and just… get some reps up with it,” Cunningham said, per Sankofa (Twitter video link). The All-Star guard said that it’s been difficult, but he’s hoping that he’s through the worst of it now. “It’s been a battle as far as, like, mentally, as far as figuring out how I can help us, was not liking how I felt shooting and just constantly kind of, like, flinching when I was shooting ’cause I didn’t know how I would feel,” he said. Cunningham added he thought the injury happened against Cleveland on January 4, when he fell on it, and that it was exacerbated when he got hit in the same spot in the next day’s game against the Knicks. “For the most part we felt like it wasn’t going to get worse from me playing or anything, unless someone smacked it,” he noted. “For me it was just based on if I was willing to play with it hurting like that.”
Pacers, Pelicans Have Discussed Mathurin, Missi
The Pacers and Pelicans have explored various trade scenarios that would send fourth-year guard Bennedict Mathurin to New Orleans and second-year center Yves Missi to Indiana, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Fischer classifies the Mathurin/Missi possibility as an “incomplete deal framework,” but confirms that New Orleans has some interest in Mathurin, whom the Pacers have made available as they seek a starting-caliber center. According to Fischer, Indiana is still exploring the market to see if it can extract a stronger return for the 23-year-old Canadian, who is headed for restricted free agency this summer.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints and Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal previously wrote about the Pelicans’ interest in Mathurin and discussed the possibility of a deal involving Missi. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported earlier in the month that the Pacers had checked in on the Pelicans big man.
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points in 32.2 minutes per game on .423/.366/.876 shooting during the final year of his rookie contract. He has been affected by a right thumb sprain and turf toe, which have limited him to 24 appearances so far and have limited his effectiveness when he has been available. Mathurin is in line for a new contract this offseason and the Pacers – who already have $177MM in guaranteed money on their books – may not be in position to give him the sort of deal he’ll be seeking.
As for Missi, he had a promising rookie year in which he averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game across 73 outings (67 starts). However, his playing time has dropped off this season after New Orleans drafted Derik Queen in June. The 21-year-old has averaged 5.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 18.8 MPG and has shifted to a reserve role.
Missi is earning $3.4MM in the second year of his rookie contract, while Mathurin has a cap hit of $9.2MM, so the Pelicans – who are just $2MM away from the luxury tax line and $3.6MM below the first apron – would need to add more salary to make a deal work.
The Pacers are hardly the only team eyeing Missi. The Bulls are also a suitor, Fischer confirms, noting that the big man appears to be generating the most interest of any of the Pelicans who are actually available. The Knicks are another team that has inquired about Missi, according to Scotto (Twitter video link).
Pacers Notes: Missi, Mathurin, I. Jackson, Guy
The Pacers and Bulls are among the teams with interest in Pelicans center Yves Missi, sources tell Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Multiple reports have indicated that Indiana has inquired about the second-year big man.
According to Afseth, the Pacers are believed to have some traction in trade talks for Missi, with Bennedict Mathurin potentially heading to New Orleans. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported something similar on Thursday.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Speaking of Mathurin, head coach Rick Carlisle provided an update on the injured wing on Friday, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (subscriber link). Carlisle said he went through a workout with Mathurin on Thursday and would do so again prior to Friday’s game against New Orleans. While the fourth-year guard/forward was out again Friday as he recovers from a right thumb sprain, Carlisle said Mathurin is “making a lot of progress” and there’s a chance he could return during the team’s five-game road trip, which begins Saturday in Detroit.
- Carlisle also gave an update on big man Isaiah Jackson, who has been sidelined since December 23 due to a concussion, Dopirak adds. Jackson has recovered from the head injury and is ramping up his conditioning after missing three-plus weeks. “He’s closer,” Carlisle said. “He’ll be on the trip. He’s doing well.”
- As Scott Agness reports in a pair of stories for Fieldhouse Files (Substack links), former NBA guard Kyle Guy has agreed to a buyout with the Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, after reaching a contract agreement to play in China. “We try to put our players in the best position possible,” Boom GM Chris Taylor told Agness. “Hopefully it’s an NBA call-up to compete at the highest level, but this is a heck of an opportunity — and 100% checks that box of helping him get to a better situation.” A former second-round pick, Guy briefly retired as a player in order to pursue coaching opportunities. The 28-year-old was leading Noblesville in points and assists per game, averaging 21.1 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG on .450/.372/.714 shooting in 20 appearances (40.0 MPG).
Trade Rumors: Morant, Lakers, Pelicans, Mathurin, Kuminga
Although Ja Morant‘s time with the Grizzlies has been on a downward trajectory for a few years, tensions reached a boiling point at the end of October, when Morant received a team-issued one-game suspension, writes Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo reportedly challenged Morant’s “leadership and effort” following a loss to the Lakers in which the point guard was noticeably disengaged throughout the second half. Morant responded to Iisalo in a “tone deemed inappropriate.”
According to Siegel’s sources, the event led to a schism in Memphis’ locker room, with some players agreeing with Morant and some siding with the coaching staff. He never formally requested a trade, but the 26-year-old made it clear he couldn’t see a path forward with the Grizzlies in the wake of the suspension, Siegel adds.
The Heat hold a level of interest in Morant, Siegel confirms. The Kings are also hanging on the periphery of the situation, though they’d only be interested in acquiring Morant if the asking price was low enough — Sacramento is unwilling to part with draft assets in any talks for the two-time All-Star, sources tell Siegel.
Here are a few more rumors and notes from around the NBA:
- The Lakers are exploring the possibility of trading their 2032 first-round pick for two or three lesser-value first-rounders, according to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports (Twitter video link), who points out that Phoenix made a similar move last year in a deal with Utah. Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent have both been made available as Los Angeles continues to search for a wing upgrade, O’Connor adds.
- The Pelicans are among the teams with interest in Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin, league sources tell Siegel (Twitter video link). Indiana has checked in with New Orleans about second-year center Yves Missi, and Siegel wonders if the two clubs could potentially make a deal centered around those two players.
- Head coach Steve Kerr said Jonathan Kuminga‘s trade demand won’t cause any problems for the Warriors prior to Thursday’s game vs. New York, as Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. “It won’t be a distraction,” Kerr said. “Jonathan’s a great young guy. His teammates like him. He’s handling himself well. There won’t be a distraction.” Kerr said he spoke to Kuminga earlier in the day. “There’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff,” Kerr said. “It is what it is. Difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of this job. We just keep moving forward. But it’s a tough situation and I don’t really have much to add.”
Central Notes: Buzelis, White, Mathurin, Feigin
The Bulls may still be wallowing in mediocrity but second-year forward Matas Buzelis continues to show improvement. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 block per game in his first three January outings. He scored 26 points in a loss to the Celtics on Monday, making 9-of-12 field goal attempts.
‘‘I think the biggest thing with him that I’ve been the most pleased with and that’s been really consistent from him is he’s not holding the ball and dancing with it,’’ coach Billy Donovan said, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. ‘‘He was decisive when he had it in space. Whether it was shooting the ball or driving the ball, he was decisive, and I feel like that’s how he has to play.’’
Buzelis says it’s all part of his learning process.
‘‘I just go out and hoop, try and be the best player I can be,’’ he said. ‘‘I play hard, and I believe in our team. It was just a matter of time and patience, just keep grinding. Just the comfort level, honestly. It’s only Year 2 for me. That’s not an excuse, but [I’m] still getting comfortable out there going against grown men. It feels like it’s just a matter of time, learning and learning.’’
Buzelis is listed as questionable to play against Detroit on Wednesday due to an illness, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network tweets.
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Coby White is also questionable on Wednesday due to right calf injury management. White, an unrestricted free agent after the season, returned to action on Monday after missing the three previous games but struggled. He was held to five points and three assists while committing four turnovers on a minutes limit. “It’s pretty tough being in and out of the lineup, knowing you can only play a certain amount of minutes throughout the entire night,” White told Cowley. “It gets tough when you’re out there and you look up, ‘Damn, I only got like two minutes left and I know I’m coming out.’”
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle indicated that Bennedict Mathurin has been dealing with right thumb pain for awhile, Tony East of Circle City Spin tweets. “It’s been bothering him. I don’t remember exactly when he did it. But it’s been a while, it’s been weeks,” Carlisle said. “When you keep getting hit, it’s on your shooting hand, it becomes more than a nuisance.” Carlisle reiterated that he’s unsure when Mathurin might return to action. Carlisle said a few days earlier that the fourth-year guard would be “out a while.”
- Peter Feigin is stepping down as the Bucks‘ president after a 12-season run overseeing the team’s business operations, according to The Associated Press. Josh Glessing, who has been working as the Haslam Sports Group’s chief of strategy and development, will replace him. The two will be working together over the next few months during the transition period.
Central Notes: Mathurin, Cunningham, Bickerstaff, Potter
Bennedict Mathurin is expected to miss some time for the Pacers as he works to come back from a right thumb sprain and turf toe, writes Scott Agness of the Fieldhouse Files (Twitter link).
“When we’re down numbers, it becomes more challenging, but we’ve gotten some guys back,” said coach Rick Carlisle before Sunday’s game. “But now Mathurin’s out for a while.”
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (via Twitter) that Mathurin has been trying to play through the thumb sprain for multiple weeks, but that he needs some time to heal. The fourth-year guard also admitted last month that the toe injury which cost him 11 games earlier in the season was still bothering him.
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points per game for the depleted Pacers, but his numbers have dipped since mid-December, likely due in large part to his health issues. Over his last 11 games, he’s averaging 13.5 PPG on .369/.271/.973 shooting splits.
There was no immediate timeline given for his return.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Cade Cunningham, who is playing the best basketball of his career for the East-leading Pistons, credits former NBA guard and current assistant coach Jarrett Jack for helping him take a leap as a player and leader, writes Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. Sankofa writes that Jack was “attached” to Cunningham upon joining the staff of former head coach Monty Williams. The two do one-on-one work, pregame warmups, and talk on the bench during games together. “He’s always making jokes, always being funny, talking about he could’ve did this or I ain’t that, whatever,” Cunningham said. “It’s cool, man. He just knows how to read the room. That’s the type of stuff that allows the culture to be what it is, people like that. He’s one of the main ones that’s helped build this culture that we got.”
- There were added stakes for the Pistons as they got their first road win against the Cavaliers since coach J.B. Bickerstaff came to Detroit from Cleveland, writes Hunter Patterson of The Athletic (Twitter link). “I feel like we’ve got to have his back coming into here, because I know they get up to play against J.B. every single time,” said Isaiah Stewart, who started in the place of the injured Jalen Duren and contributed three blocks and two steals in the four-point victory. “So it was important for us to get this win tonight.” Coming into today’s game, the Cavaliers were 4-1 against their old coach.
- Micah Potter went from the G League to starting Pacers center in about a week. It’s been a whirlwind, but his previous experience with Team USA has helped him find ways to fit in and be productive, writes Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star. “The confidence it gave me was like, I belong, right?” Potter said. “I’m not saying I’m going to be a Kevin Durant, a LeBron James, a Tyrese Haliburton, a Steph Curry. I’m not going to be those guys, but I can help those guys. I can find a role to create for those guys whether I’m scoring or not. And that was the thing that gave me the most confidence, and I also hit a couple of shots which was really cool too.” Potter’s first start came on Friday in a loss to the Spurs. He scored 16 points on 4-of-8 from three with six rebounds. In Sunday’s matchup against the Magic, he had 11 points and 10 rebounds in just over 29 minutes. “Just try to do my job as best I can,” he said. “Create for my teammates, whether that’s passing, shooting open shots, setting good screens, anything like that. Just trying to create space for my teammates and play off that.”
Central Notes: Porter, Ball, Duren, Mathurin, Potter, Bradley
For the second time in three games, Craig Porter Jr. played an important role for the Cavaliers in a comeback victory, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only story. The third-year guard played 23 minutes in Friday’s win over Denver, posting 10 points, five assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block. He finished +6 for the game and now ranks fourth on the team in plus-minus rating.
“He comes in and brings energy,” De’Andre Hunter said. “He’s picking up guys full, he’s getting steals, he’s coming in crashing the glass. He’s doing all the things we need. And he can score too. Definitely a big boost coming off the bench.”
According to Fedor, Porter’s improved play began with a rough 2024/25 season that included numerous DNPs. He spent the summer in the weight room and came to training camp determined to win a spot in the rotation.
“That’s one of my favorite guys. I love playing with Craig,” Jarrett Allen said. “He’s looking for people on the roll. His defensive effort is incredible. I don’t know the exact stat line but felt like he did everything tonight. People sleep on Craig. He gets it done.”
Fedor also points out that Porter’s ascension has come at the expense of Lonzo Ball, who was acquired from Chicago in an offseason trade. The veteran guard remained on the bench Monday and Wednesday, with coach Kenny Atkinson explaining that he wanted to explore different combinations and give Ball a chance to recharge mentally and physically. Ball played 15 minutes on Friday, but only because Dean Wade and Sam Merrill weren’t available.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Pistons center Jalen Duren, who will miss at least a week with a sprained right ankle, tried to play through the pain in Thursday’s loss to Miami, per Hunter Patterson of the Athletic. He checked back into the game late in the third quarter, but wasn’t able to keep going. “(Duren) wanted to give it a go and see how he felt,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But (he) just didn’t feel that he could do the things that he needed to do.”
- Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin will be held out of Sunday’s game at Orlando with a sprained right thumb, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. He scored just two points in Friday’s loss to San Antonio, shooting just 1-of-6 from the field. Dopirak adds that center Isaiah Jackson remains sidelined with a concussion he suffered on December 22.
- Micah Potter made his first start since joining the Pacers, which is a strong sign that his contract will be guaranteed next week, Dopirak adds in a separate story. Potter finished with 16 points and six rebounds and shot 3-of-8 from three-point range. Dopirak notes that Indiana probably doesn’t have the luxury of keeping four centers. Potter and Tony Bradley both have non-guaranteed deals, but Potter is healthy and playing regularly while Bradley is dealing with the effects of a fractured right thumb.
Pacers Notes: Potter, Mathurin, K. Jones, Nesmith
Fifth-year big man Micah Potter only signed with the Pacers on December 26, but he’s making a case to have his contract guaranteed next week, writes Tony East of Circle City Spin.
While Potter’s counting stats (eight points, three rebounds and three assists) were fairly modest in Wednesday’s two-point loss to Orlando, the Pacers played much better better when he was on the court — he was a game-high plus-23 in 26 minutes.
“Micah just knows the game. Plays hard, physical. Kinda just fits in,” Andrew Nembhard said. “He’s a good hooper. He’s had a lot of experience and can kind of just fill in.”
The 27-year-old got the starting nod over Jay Huff and Tony Bradley (DNP-CD) on Friday and responded with 16 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. Indiana wound up losing to San Antonio by 10 points, but the Pacers were plus-four with Potter in the game.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- Guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin had a disappointing outing Friday, recording five fouls in just under 20 minutes of action. He finished with two points (on 1-of-6 shooting), five rebounds and three assists. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Benn Mathurin,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game (Twitter link via East). “He’s starting… he’s second on the team in minutes played. There’s great opportunity here. We have to work at helping him adjust to this level of responsibility. This is a lot… It’s work.” Mathurin will be a restricted free agent in the summer if he’s tendered a qualifying offer.
- Carlisle liked what he saw from rookie guard Kam Jones on Friday, tweets Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. The second-round pick’s NBA debut was delayed by a back injury, but he was plus-16 in 10 minutes off the bench in the loss to the Spurs. “When he goes in games, good things happen,” Carlisle said. “That’s something that I gotta consider. He had a rough start of the season missing two months. … I see good things. I like his spirit. I like his energy.”
- Small forward Aaron Nesmith, who recently returned from a left knee sprain, appeared to suffer an injury to his left hand during Friday’s contest, per East (Twitter link). Nesmith got two of his fingers taped during the game and was in noticeable pain at times, East adds.
Siegel’s Latest: Turner, Bucks, Pacers, Nets, Cavs, Alvarado
Multiple reporters have indicated that the Bucks are looking to add win-now help in the coming weeks despite an 11-17 start to the season. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints has heard similarly, writing that people around the NBA are wondering if Myles Turner could be a trade candidate after signing a four-year, $108.8MM contract with Milwaukee over the summer.
As Siegel explains, the Bucks have a limited number of assets to work with, and Turner would likely draw “significant interest” if he’s made available due to his ability to stretch the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense. The same was true of last season, when Turner was on an expiring contract as a member of the Pacers, per Siegel.
It’s worth pointing out that Turner ($25.3MM) is one of only two Bucks making between $14MM and 54MM in 2025/26, with the other being Kyle Kuzma ($22.4MM). According to Siegel, a trade involving combo forward Kuzma, who is having a modest bounce-back season after a disappointing ’24/25, remains more likely than a potential move including Turner.
While it’s unclear how much interest Kuzma would generate on his own, league sources tell Siegel the Bucks are hopeful they’d be able to deal the 30-year-old because there is currently a dearth of wings available on the market and Kuzma has one additional year left on his contract, which will pay him $20.4MM in ’26/27.
Here are a few more highlights from Siegel’s latest trade rumor round-up:
- The Pacers have shown a willingness to discuss Bennedict Mathurin in trades ahead of his 2026 restricted free agency, according to Siegel, who reports that Indiana appears reluctant to make a lucrative long-term investment in the fourth-year wing. While Siegel calls Mathurin the Pacers’ top asset ahead of the February 5 deadline, he also hears that forwards Jarace Walker and Obi Toppin have popped up in early trade talks as Indiana looks for frontcourt upgrades.
- Forward Michael Porter Jr. and guard Cam Thomas are a couple of names worth monitoring for the Nets, Seigel writes. Porter, who is thriving as Brooklyn’s top offensive option, is expected to draw interest from contenders. Thomas, meanwhile has the ability to veto trades and there doesn’t seem to be much interest in the 24-year-old, who continues to be sidelined with a left hamstring strain that cost him most of last season. Still, Siegel speculates that Brooklyn might be able to receive a second-round pick or two for the high-scoring guard, even if he’s only a rental — Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- Although the 15-13 Cavaliers have been one of the most disappointing teams to open the season, Cleveland has been plagued by injuries in ’25/26 and has thus far shown no willingness to engage in discussions involving Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, both of whom have drawn interest from multiple teams, sources tell Siegel. The Cavs have been frustrated by their play and there’s a rising sense of urgency around the team after falling into the play-in picture, but they’re optimistic they’ll be able to turn their season through a combination internal improvements and getting players back from injuries, Siegel adds.
- The Hawks are among the teams who have registered interest in fifth-year guard Jose Alvarado, who appears to be the Pelicans player most likely to be moved ahead of the deadline, says Siegel. Indiana and New York have also checked in with New Orleans about Alvarado, Siegel notes.