More On Pacers’ Trade For Ivica Zubac
The Clippers were resistant for most of the season to the idea of trading Ivica Zubac, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), who says that even after last week’s James Harden deal with Cleveland, there was a sense that L.A. wouldn’t change its stance on its starting center.
However, the Pacers were “more determined than anyone realized” to find a long-term answer at the five, Fischer writes, noting that the team also called the Cavaliers about Jarrett Allen and thought highly of Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu, whose team-friendly deal (two years and $33MM after this season) was appealing to a team targeting centers with mid-sized contracts.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Pacers also looked at options like Mavericks center Daniel Gafford and Pelicans big man Yves Missi, but Zubac was always thought to be on top of their list.
For the Clippers to relent on Zubac, it was going require a team to meet their asking price of two first-round picks “and then some,” per Fischer, who suggests that some members of the Clippers wouldn’t have been upset if Indiana had decided the cost was too high, since it would’ve meant L.A. “had” to hang onto the 28-year-old, who was highly valued within the organization.
However, the Pacers put together a package of two valuable first-round picks, a future second-rounder, and two young players – Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson – for Zubac, which convinced the Clippers to pull the trigger on a deal.
As Fischer writes, one of those first-rounders features unusual protection. It will convey to L.A. in 2026 only if it lands between No. 5 and No. 9 in this year’s draft. Besides the unique protections, that traded pick also includes unusual roll-over details — if Indiana keeps it this year, the Clippers would instead receive a 2031 first-rounder.
In a typical deal, the Pacers would owe the Clippers their 2027 first-rounder if the ’26 pick were to land in its protected range. However, according to Fischer, it was important to the Clips to secure a farther-off draft pick in that scenario. L.A.’s thinking was that Indiana – armed with Zubac and a potential top-four pick in 2026 – would have a bright short-term outlook, reducing the value of the team’s ’27 first-rounder, whereas there would be more variability by ’31.
Here are a few more notes related to the trade:
- While the Clippers had been prioritizing 2027 cap room in the hopes of going star-hunting that offseason, the team recognized that mere cap space might not be enough to land that sort of player, given how few stars reach free agency these days, Fischer writes. With that in mind, L.A. wanted to replenish its cache of draft picks to some extent. The Clippers that those picks they’ve acquired from the Pacers will help put them in a better position to pursue an impact player down the road, per Fischer.
- The Pacers had zero interest in surrendering their 2026 first-round pick in a deal for Gafford, while the Mavericks didn’t have a ton of interest in Mathurin, so trade talks between those teams didn’t generate any real traction, Siegel writes.
- The Mavericks had been hoping to add a 2026 first-rounder if they were going to move Gafford at the deadline, but the Hawks, another team with interest in the big man, also didn’t have interest in parting with its least favorable ’26 first-round pick (likely to be Cleveland’s), so the discussions between the two teams failed to gain momentum, according to Siegel.
Trade Rumors: Zubac, Gafford, Bucks, Lakers, Gordon
Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford are the Pacers‘ top targets in their search for a starting center, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). However, the Clippers are asking for a high price in draft assets to part with Zubac.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints hears that a Zubac deal before the deadline is “extremely unlikely,” adding that it would take at least two unprotected first-round picks and a young player to land him (Twitter link).
Indiana is searching for a reliable center in anticipation of becoming a title contender again when Tyrese Haliburton returns next season. Zubac is under contract for $19.6MM and $21MM over the next two years, which would be an affordable solution for the Pacers. Gafford is signed for the next three seasons at $17.3MM, $18.1MM and $19MM, but it’s not clear how motivated the Mavericks are to move him.
Here are some more trade rumors as the deadline draws closer:
- In the wake of their decision to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo past the deadline, the Bucks notified several teams on Thursday that they’re willing to take on unwanted minimal contracts in return for draft assets, Fischer adds (Twitter link). He also states that Milwaukee is still on the lookout for buying opportunities to upgrade its roster.
- The Lakers are continuing to explore their options “around the margins,” per Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). However, L.A. is reluctant to make any move that will reduce its projected $60MM in cap space for the offseason.
- The Sixers are looking for a taker for veteran guard Eric Gordon and his $3.6MM expiring deal, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link). Several teams are involved in the discussion, Jones adds.
Trade Rumors: Morant, Thomas, Gafford, Hawks, Raptors
While Sacramento has been one of the teams linked to Ja Morant, the Grizzlies guard and his camp don’t have interest in a trade to the Kings, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that Morant’s other rumored suitors – the Heat and Timberwolves – would rank much higher on his wish list.
The Kings essentially reciprocate Morant’s tepid interest, says Sam Amick of The Athletic. As Amick explains, Sacramento hasn’t ruled out the possibility of acquiring Morant, but would want Memphis to add draft capital as an incentive to take on his maximum-salary contract, which runs through 2027/28. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are looking to acquire a draft pick or two in a Morant deal, even if it means taking on some unwanted salary.
The Kings also have potential fit and chemistry concerns about Morant, Amick adds, noting that a deal between the two teams appears unlikely.
While that could just leave Miami and Minnesota in the running for Morant, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link) says he’s been advised not to rule out the Bucks. All three of those teams may need resolution on the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation before they can realistically make a play for the Grizzlies guard.
We have more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Nets guard Cam Thomas wasn’t with the team for its flight to Orlando today and is listed as out for Thursday’s game due to personal reasons, tweets Fischer. Thomas holds a de facto no-trade clause after signing his qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in 2025, but has long been considered a trade candidate and is drawing interest from the Cavaliers and Bucks, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
- The Hawks have maintained interest in Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter links), who reports that Dallas has been seeking a first-round pick for Gafford and Atlanta has only been willing to give up second-round capital. Stein’s report came in just before word broke that the Hawks had agreed to acquire Jock Landale from Utah — adding a minimum-salary big man on an expiring deal wouldn’t preclude a trade for Gafford, who is under contract for three more seasons after this one, but it may reduce Atlanta’s need for immediate help in its frontcourt.
- The Raptors were engaged in trade talks with the Mavericks about Anthony Davis before Dallas agreed to send him to Washington, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who says Toronto also spoke to the Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr. prior to the trade that sent the big man to Utah. The Raptors, who are on the lookout for a frontcourt upgrade, have also discussed Domantas Sabonis but reportedly reached an impasse in their negotiations with Sacramento.
Trade Rumors: AD, Mavs, Bridges, Sabonis, Pistons, More
In their initial trade discussions with teams earlier this season about big man Anthony Davis, the Mavericks were seeking multiple first-round picks or an impact player, sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. However, there were no takers at that price, even prior to Davis’ most recent injury, a hand issue that will keep him sidelined through the deadline.
While a pre-deadline Davis deal is no longer considered likely, it’s not impossible, Windhorst writes — but it would almost certainly require Dallas to drop its asking price and settle for perhaps one solid asset, plus matching salary. With no urgency to make a move right now, it probably makes more sense for the Mavs to wait until the offseason to make a decision on the 32-year-old.
Rival teams anticipate that Dallas will pursue trades involving other players in an effort to reduce their team salary for 2026/27, Tim Bontemps of ESPN says within the same story. Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and D’Angelo Russell are among the Mavs’ trade candidates who have guaranteed salaries or (in Russell’s case) a player option for next season. Turning any of them into a player – or players – with expiring salary could help the Mavs manage their cap situation for next season, reducing the need to move off Davis’ maximum-salary contract, Bontemps observes.
Here are a few more of the latest trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Hornets forward Miles Bridges likely won’t be moved at the trade deadline, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic. Amick reported in January that Bridges was drawing legitimate trade interest from a handful of teams, but Charlotte has been in a roll since then, registering seven consecutive wins and moving within one game of a play-in spot. A league source tells The Athletic that the forward – for whom the Hornets were reportedly seeking at least one first-round pick – is “highly likely” to remain in Charlotte.
- In their discussions about Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have explored three-for-one or four-for-one frameworks with the Raptors, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat, who suggests such a package would start with forward RJ Barrett and may include players like Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick. Sacramento would also want rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, but he’s someone Toronto would “fight to hold onto,” Ham adds. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter video link) has also heard that Barrett and Agbaji have come up in the Sabonis talks between the Raptors and Kings.
- Checking in on the Pistons‘ approach to the trade deadline, Hunter Patterson of the Athletic suggests the team seems unlikely to make any major moves and hasn’t engaged in discussions involving veteran forward Tobias Harris, whom head coach J.B. Bickerstaff refers to as his “security blanket.” Detroit will be opportunistic if a favorable deal arises and still has a $14MM trade exception available, but that exception doesn’t expire until July 7, so the team could end up hanging onto it until the offseason, Patterson writes.
- Following up on a HoopsHype report that suggested the Sixers were among the team to express exploratory interest in Celtics forward/center Chris Boucher, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required) says a source downplayed Philadelphia’s interest, despite Boucher’s connection to 76ers head coach Nick Nurse.
Kings Rumors: Sabonis, Hunter, Kuminga, Morant, LaVine
The Kings haven’t ruled out the possibility of trading Domantas Sabonis this week, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), and the Raptors‘ interest in the veteran center is very real, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Most sources with knowledge of the situation view Toronto as the most viable Sabonis suitor at this time, Fischer writes.
While Fischer gets the sense that Keon Ellis no longer be in play shouldn’t have any material impact on talks between the Raptors and Kings, he acknowledges that Toronto is also looking elsewhere for frontcourt upgrades. Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks and Day’Ron Sharpe of the Nets continue to be possibilities, and some members of Anthony Davis‘ camp still think the Raptors will pursue the 10-time All-Star, Fischer writes.
However, Jakob Poeltl and his long-term contract (he’s owed nearly $104MM over four seasons after this one) will complicate any Raptors deal for Sabonis. Team and league sources who spoke to Amick think Toronto would need to find a new home for Poeltl in order to acquire Sabonis, and Sacramento is known to have no interest in taking him back.
Given the potential roadblocks, Amick suggests he wouldn’t be surprised if nothing happens with Sabonis this week and the two teams renew their discussions in the offseason.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Although Hunter fills a roster need, the trade the Kings made with Cleveland and Chicago shows a lack of foresight and vision from the front office, contends John Hollinger of The Athletic. Trading for Dario Saric in a cost-cutting move and then using the extra breathing room under the tax to sign Dennis Schröder to a three-year deal were two of the first moves general manager Scott Perry made on the job last summer, and he essentially sold both players at a loss just seven months later. Hunter’s 2026/27 salary also pushes the Kings over the projected luxury tax line for next season, Hollinger notes.
- While the trade sending Ellis to Cleveland and Hunter to Sacramento shouldn’t have an impact on the Raptors’ talks for Sabonis, that deal probably reduces the odds of Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga being dealt to the Kings, Fischer writes. Ellis was a potential target for Golden State, and Sacramento’s desire to add a forward has presumably lessened after its acquisition of Hunter.
- Perry has expressed a desire to build the Kings’ roster around players who can impact the game on both ends of the court — Hunter fits that bill, but Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant doesn’t, according to Fischer, who says he’s skeptical Sacramento will pursue Morant in the coming days. Fischer has heard that Morant would be reluctant to sign a contract extension with the Kings and that Sacramento is aware of that fact.
- A league source tells Sam Amick of The Athletic that Zach LaVine is expected to pick up the $49MM player option on his contract for 2026/27. That comes as no surprise, given that LaVine would almost certainly have to accept a significant pay cut if he were to opt out in favor of free agency. That $49MM cap hit for next season is the primary reason why the Kings appear unlikely to find a taker for the high-scoring guard this week.
Mavs Rumors: AD, Russell, Marshall, Christie, Dirk, GM
Within a story about the one-year anniversary of the shocking Luka Doncic trade, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) shares several rumors related to the Mavericks.
According to Stein’s sources, the Mavs “continue to welcome” trade inquiries on Anthony Davis in advance of the February 5 deadline. That said, Stein hears Dallas doesn’t feel pressure to deal Davis and is ready to keep him on the roster into the offseason, and Davis seems to prefer that outcome as well.
The 32-year-old big man is currently recovering from ligament damage in his left hand. He has been limited to just 29 games with Dallas since the team acquired him last February, Stein notes.
Here’s more from Stein on the Mavs:
- While the team remains open to trading Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, Dallas’ front office “does not want” to move Naji Marshall or Max Christie, Stein reports.
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Saturday that the Bucks showed some interest in Russell. Stein has heard that as well, but the details are a little different. Scotto wrote that the Bucks were likely seeking second-round draft compensation to take on Russell’s contract — he makes $5.7MM this season, with a $6MM player option for 2026/27. Stein clarifies that the Bucks initiated those talks, which occurred before they began listening to offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Citing league sources, Stein writes that Milwaukee’s interest in Russell was contingent on the veteran guard declining that player option for next season in favor of re-signing with the Bucks on a minimum-salary deal in the summer. Russell wasn’t interested in that scenario, per Stein.
- Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has had an “open dialogue” with governor Patrick Dumont since the spring and the team “badly wants” its all-time leading scorer to return to the franchise in “any role he chooses,” according to Stein. However, Nowitzki’s current focus is on his work as a studio analyst for Prime Video and his job as a FIBA board member and global ambassador, Stein writes.
- While Dumont wants to find someone with experience to become the Mavs’ new head of basketball operations, not much else is known about the types of candidates he’s looking for. Echoing previous reporting from The Athletic, Stein hears the search process likely won’t pick up steam until the spring, but the team intends to fill the position prior to June’s draft. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are currently operating as the team’s co-interim general managers.
Trade Rumors: Kuminga, Lakers, Morant, Ivey, Raptors
Although the Lakers are intrigued by Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors have “made it clear” that Los Angeles doesn’t have any players they covet, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who reports (via Twitter) that no offers have been made and the two teams aren’t having active discussions about the former lottery pick.
Siegel hears the Warriors continue to look for an upgrade on the wing using Kuminga’s outgoing salary for matching purposes (Twitter link). He claims that even if the Lakers offered their lone tradable first-round pick for the 23-year-old, the Warriors still wouldn’t make a deal with their division rivals, since Golden State isn’t interested in any of L.A.’s players.
Kuminga recently suffered a bone bruise in his left knee. There’s currently no timeline for his return, though it isn’t believed to be a long-term injury.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- A report earlier this month indicated that the Pelicans held some interest in Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, who is out at least three weeks due to a left elbow sprain. However, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link) cites a source who says the two clubs aren’t engaged in talks regarding the two-time All-Star “despite consistent speculation to the contrary.”
- The Pistons have shown a willingness to listen to offers for Jaden Ivey, according to Siegel. While it would take a “substantial upgrade” for Detroit to part with the fourth-year guard, Siegel hears the Pistons are looking for help on the wing, noting that they’ve recently been linked to Pelicans forward Herbert Jones. The fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft, Ivey is averaging a career-low 17.0 minutes per game (through 29 appearances) ahead of restricted free agency.
- Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca takes a look at what moves the Raptors might make ahead of the February 5 deadline, writing that the most likely outcome appears to be dipping below the luxury tax line while simultaneously looking for depth at center. Lewenberg lists Daniel Gafford, Goga Bitadze and Day’Ron Sharpe as a few names Toronto has been keeping an eye on.
Anthony Davis Trade Appears Unlikely Before Deadline
With 10 days left until the trade deadline, it’s appearing more likely that Anthony Davis will finish the season with the Mavericks, multiple league sources tell Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Davis had been considered one of the top names on this year’s trade market, with Dallas having interest in moving on from his expensive contract and starting a full rebuild around Cooper Flagg. But he has been sidelined since January 8 with ligament damage in his left hand, renewing concerns about whether he’ll ever be able to remain healthy enough for a rival team to invest in a major deal.
Davis recently began doing some on-court work while wearing a protective glove on the hand, but there’s no indication when he might return. He opted against surgery to improve his chances of playing again this season and is set to be reevaluated in late February.
Beyond the injuries, which have forced Davis to miss 26 of the Mavs’ 46 games, there are concerns that his contract might make him too much of a gamble at this point in his career. He’ll earn $58.5MM next season with a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28, and he’ll be seeking an extension when he becomes eligible on August 6, either from Dallas or his next team.
While trade talks regarding Davis have cooled, the Mavericks are getting plenty of interest in Naji Marshall, with a Western Conference scout telling Clark, “I think half the league is interested in him.” Clark states that Dallas prefers to keep Marshall, adding that it would take “something extraordinary” to pry him away.
The 28-year-old small forward is enjoying a career year in his second season with Dallas, averaging 14.7 points per game while posting a 63.5 true-shooting percentage. He has been a major bargain on his $9MM contract and will make $9.4MM next season before becoming a free agent in the summer of 2027.
Clark also examines the market for Daniel Gafford, who has received interest from teams looking to add another center, including Toronto, Atlanta and Boston.
Gafford has been limited to 30 games due to injuries, and he just returned over the weekend after missing four games with a sprained right ankle. His scoring has fallen to 7.6 PPG, his lowest number since early in his career, but he remains an accomplished lob threat and shot blocker and he’s among the league leaders in shooting percentage every season.
Last summer, Gafford signed a three-year, $54MM extension, which will begin in 2026/27. He’ll make $17.3MM, $18.1MM and $19MM over the course of that deal.
Injury Notes: Gordon, Davis, Gafford, Claxton, Towns
Bad news for Nuggets fans: Aaron Gordon reinjured his right hamstring strain on Friday in Milwaukee and was eventually ruled out for the second half, the team announced (Twitter link).
Gordon was playing on both ends of a back-to-back for the second time since he initially strained his hamstring in November, an injury which caused him to miss six weeks.
“I feel good. Better than I’ve felt in a long time,” Gordon said after Thursday’s win at Washington, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link).
The veteran power forward appeared to tweak his hamstring in the final minute of the second quarter (Twitter video link via DNVR Sports). He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 16 minutes.
While Gordon was available, multiple other key players were held out Friday, including Jamal Murray (right hamstring inflammation, left hip inflammation), Peyton Watson (right and left ankle sprains), and Jonas Valanciunas, who returned to action on Thursday after missing just over three weeks with a right calf strain.
Here are some more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, who is on the mend from ligament damage in his left hand, has begun light on-court work while wearing a protective glove, reports Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Davis is expected to miss several weeks, though no firm timetable has been given for his return.
- As Afseth writes in another story for Dallas Hoops Journal, Mavericks center Daniel Gafford will return to action on Saturday against the Lakers after missing four games with a right ankle sprain that has given the 27-year-old big man issues throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Dwight Powell will continue to start in the middle even with Gafford back, however, as Dallas looks for its fifth straight win.
- Nets center Nic Claxton injured his pinkie finger in Friday’s double-overtime loss to Boston and will undergo imaging on Saturday, he told reporters, including Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link). Claxton was asked about being involved in trade rumors prior to Friday’s game and if he’s had any conversations with general manager Sean Marks, tweets Lewis. “I’ve almost been traded before,” Claxton said. “Sean, he has an open-door policy. You can always go talk to him whenever you want; but that’s for my agents to take care of. I’m just here as long as I’m here.”
- Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with thoracic back spasms and is questionable for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). The five-time All-Star has appeared in 41 of New York’s 44 games to this point in the season.
Mavericks Notes: Christie, Washington, Gafford, Weather, Riccardi
Anthony Davis was the centerpiece of last year’s Luka Doncic trade, but the Mavericks have been getting more production out of Max Christie, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. While Davis has been repeatedly injured, Christie has developed into one of the league’s most reliable outside shooters. He’s connecting at 45.9% from beyond the arc after sinking eight three-pointers in Monday’s win at New York.
“Being in the zone, you are kind of unconscious,” Christie said. “You don’t really feel what’s going on around you. You kind of just are in flow state. Your body is obviously taking over. It’s a great feeling. Being able to make that many threes is something I’ll be chasing for sure.”
Davis is among the biggest names on this year’s trade market, while Christie looks like he’ll be a long-term foundational piece in Dallas. His production makes him a bargain at his $7.7MM salary, and he’s under contract for $8.3MM next season with an $8.9MM player option for 2027/28.
With the Mavs short on three-point threats, Clark states that they’ve been encouraging Christie to shoot them more often. His high success rate may give him a chance to participate in the three-point contest next month at All-Star Weekend.
“That would be sick,” Christie told Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “That would be a dream come true if I got invited to be a part of that, so I definitely wouldn’t turn it down. Either way, I’m just happy to be shooting it as well as I am right now. It’d be a great bonus to be in the three-point contest, but if not, I’m still grateful for the year I’m having so far.”
There’s more from Dallas:
- P.J. Washington will return for Thursday’s game against Golden State, and Daniel Gafford could be back as well, according to Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. Washington has missed seven of the past eight games due to a sprained ankle and personal reasons, but he’s not on the team’s injury report. Gafford, who has sat out the past three games with an ankle sprain, is listed as questionable. Sefko states that both players were able to participate in a light practice session on Wednesday. Moussa Cisse missed practice because of illness and is considered questionable.
- A winter storm in the forecast for this weekend could affect Saturday’s home game against the Lakers, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). “Oh yeah, that’s out of my pay grade,” coach Jason Kidd said. “We show up rain or shine. It snows on the East Coast. I don’t see them postponing.”
- In a separate story, Curtis profiles Matt Riccardi, who’s approaching his first trade deadline as co-interim general manager of the Mavericks.