Siegel’s Latest: Sabonis, Raptors, Bucks, Warriors, Nets, White, Lakers
After buying low on Brandon Ingram at last season’s trade deadline, could the Raptors seek out a similar move this February? According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Kings center Domantas Sabonis is one name that has been continually linked to Toronto. The Raptors’ interest in Sabonis was first reported in December by Jake Fischer and has since been corroborated by several other outlets.
Malik Monk is another player who has intrigued Toronto in the past, Siegel writes, noting that Kings general manager Scott Perry drafted current Raptors veterans RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley when he was in New York’s front office. While there’s no indication that the two teams have seriously discussed such a deal involving those four players, Siegel suggests that sort of framework could be worth keeping an eye on.
If Toronto does end up moving Barrett in that sort of bigger move, he’d likely draw interest from several teams besides Sacramento, Siegel writes, given the lack of high-level wing talent on the trade market. The Bucks, for example, expressed interest in Barrett last season, per Siegel.
Here’s more from Siegel’s latest NBA rumor round-up:
- The Warriors have internally discussed many possible center trade targets, including Myles Turner and Bobby Portis of the Bucks, per Siegel. A number of teams around the NBA are curious about Milwaukee’s plans for Portis, Siegel continues, with the Hornets and Suns also considered possible suitors, perhaps in multi-team scenarios.
- Suns guard Jalen Green is among the players the Bucks have inquired on, but Phoenix isn’t interested in moving him at this point, says Siegel. Given that Green has only played two games this season due to hamstring issues, the Suns view him as a sort of trade-deadline addition themselves, Siegel explains.
- Although the Nets are fielding inquiries on players like Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, they aren’t actively looking to move them. In order for Brooklyn to consider a deal involving either player, the starting point for a package would have to be a “true” unprotected first-round pick, Siegel writes.
- The Mavericks and the Clippers are among the teams with interest in Bulls guard Coby White, sources tell Siegel, who reiterates that the Timberwolves also remain interested and notes that some league insiders have speculated that the Hawks could be a destination for White in the event of a Trae Young trade.
- With higher-level options like Herbert Jones potentially out of reach, players like Bulls forward Isaac Okoro, Kings guard Keon Ellis, and Nets wing Haywood Highsmith are considered more realistic possibilities for a Lakers team seeking defensive help, according to Siegel. Mavericks forward Naji Marshall is another possible trade candidate to add to that group if Dallas commits to becoming a seller.
Nets Notes: Porter, Thomas, Claxton, Highsmith
The Nets had a three-game winning streak snapped by the Warriors on Monday but they’re garnering attention with their improved play and young talent, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News writes.
Before giving up 120 points to Golden State, Brooklyn had the No. 1 ranked defense in the league during December. The Nets notched wins over Toronto, Philadelphia and Minnesota during the mini-streak.
“Looks like it’s working,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I watched the Minnesota game, that was impressive. And I don’t know, I just think that every time we’ve played them over the last couple years, they’ve been energetic, well-organized, well-coached. So, you know, they came to our place last year and beat us. We came here last year, and it was like 24-to-6 right out of the gate. We had to fight to win at the end, so I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi (Fernandez) is doing a great job, his staff, player development, in the face of obviously a rebuild, but seven out of 10 wins, best defense in the league in December.”
We have more on the Nets:
- Michael Porter Jr. had the 10th-most votes among Eastern Conference players in the first round of fan voting. It reinforces the notion that Porter is a long shot to be selected for the 12-man squad despite posting career-high numbers, but that won’t stop the Nets from campaigning for him, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Mike is a leader by example. He shows up, always been very professional since I got to know him at 19 years old. He’s worked on his body, came in and did his work. Obviously, that shot is pure, but he puts a lot of time into it,” Fernandez said. “He makes open shots, contested shots and impossible shots. That’s the work that not a lot of people see and his teammates see it.”
- The front office must keep in mind the long-term picture during this competitive stretch in which they’ve moved up a few spots in the standings, Lewis opines. General manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai must make a tough decision on whether Porter is a trade asset or a building block for the future, as well as seeking a market for Cam Thomas. They could also ponder other moves, such as trading Nic Claxton or absorbing another salary dump into their league-high $15MM in cap space to acquire more draft assets.
- While Haywood Highsmith continues to work his way back from right knee surgery, he’s trying to assist the club any way he can, such as mentoring rookie Drake Powell. “Just a true vet,” Fernandez said of Highsmith, per Holmes. “You see him right now, he’s passing the ball to Drake and we’re not asking him to do it. So that shows you the type of veteran he is, his leadership. He holds him accountable and he wants him to get better. So that’s very important for us. That leadership is priceless and we’re very happy with him… He’s doing his job every single day.”
Nets Notes: Clowney, Highsmith, First-Round Picks, Wolf
A change in attitude is leading Nets power forward Noah Clowney to a breakout season, writes Bridget Reilly of The New York Post. Clowney admits being disappointed in the way he started his third NBA campaign, believing he was “too conservative” in his approach. That changed over the last 16 games, as he’s averaging 16.6 PPG while shooting 45% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range.
“I didn’t want to mess up, so it got to a point where I just stopped caring. I was like, I’m either going to look crazy or look good doing what I’m supposed to do,” Clowney said. “I think my problem was at a time where I would be too worried about how I looked from the outside. I don’t really care no more because I had to realize the only people whose opinion I really care about and how I’m playing is my teammates and coaching staff that have seen me the whole summer. So, they know what I’m capable of so they weren’t having an issue with what I was doing. Just a matter of doing it and not halfway doing it.”
Clowney has become a fixture in the starting lineup and is playing a career-high 28.1 minutes per night on a Brooklyn team has become surprisingly competitive after an 0-7 start. He’s seeing more time alongside Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, which is creating better scoring opportunities. That trio has a +4.0 net rating in the 304 minutes they’ve been on the court together.
“It’s always easier to play with Mike because of the gravity he brings,” Clowney said. “You gotta respect him. If Mike is playing, the best defender is probably guarding Mike. I think he’s a focal point, obviously. So, he’s the focal point and I’m not a focal point. It’s a lot easier to get in the flow of the game and I think I’ve been able to thrive.”
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- Haywood Highsmith was able to shoot free throws Tuesday at the team’s practice facility, but there’s no official update on when he might be able to return from offseason surgery to address a meniscus tear in his right knee, Reilly adds. Highsmith, who was acquired from Miami over the summer, suffered a setback in October and has yet to make his Nets debut. “We like how he’s progressing, we just don’t have any updates,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “But he’s doing very well.”
- The Nets have an organizational plan for what they expect from their five first-round picks this season, Reilly states in a separate story. Fernandez wants them all to play between 50 and 70 games — whether it’s in the NBA or with the G League affiliate in Long Island — and to concentrate on building certain skills. Only No. 8 pick Egor Demin hasn’t spent time in the G League so far. “There are no emotional decisions here,” Fernandez said. “We have a schedule for these guys based on if they’re accomplishing certain things and what the team needs here to compete.”
- Fernandez describes the relationship with Long Island as “two clubs, but one organization,” per C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). The biggest beneficiary so far has been rookie big man Danny Wolf, who barely got off the bench early in the season, but returned as a different player after a dominant stretch at Long Island. He’s averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists over his last six games while shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc, and his versatility enables Fernandez to utilize taller lineups.
Atlantic Notes: Z. Williams, Thomas, Demin, Edgecombe, Gonzalez
Injuries continue to pile up for the Nets, who dropped their third straight game Sunday in San Antonio and saw Ziaire Williams leave with a lower back contusion, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Williams landed hard on the court after a collision, and his status for tonight’s game in Houston is uncertain.
“Yeah, it definitely hurt. I would never leave the game if I could play,” Williams said. “It just got real tight. I couldn’t really move out there. So I’ve just got to go over it with the medical staff. They’re already going over a game plan for me. I’ve already iced and started my recovery now. So hopefully, with this early game and some recovery and I get back to hotel, hopefully, I’ll bounce back.”
Brooklyn was already without Haywood Highsmith, who is recovering from right knee surgery, along with rookies Drake Powell and Danny Wolf, who are day-to-day with sprained ankles. Cam Thomas is dealing with a nasal fracture, but he’s opting to play without a mask.
“Just gotta keep playing, keep pushing. If I’m good enough to play, I’ll be out there playing, so no worries. Just basketball,” Thomas said. “Yeah, I considered it, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t that bad. … If I wanted to wear a mask, I could. But at the end of the day, I’ll just take my chances.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Nets guard Egor Demin is showing promise early in his NBA career, but he understands that he has to drive into the lane more often to be fully effective, Lewis adds in a separate story. Demin is answering doubters about his outside shot, but he needs to break down defenses to create opportunities for teammates. “We have a lot of shooters, and for me getting to the paint is an opportunity to make their lives easier and create something good for them,” he said. “So that’s something I’m really having in focus. And I’m really planning to work on it even more and trying to adjust myself so I can be able to do that more.”
- Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe has already won over Joel Embiid, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required). After scoring 34 points on opening night, Edgecombe has found multiple ways to help the team, posting 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals in Saturday’s win over Charlotte. “You’ve got to keep being aggressive, but also letting the game come to you,” Embiid said. “And that’s what he did tonight. Every night, I said it after the first game, every night — it might be Tyrese (Maxey). It might be me. It might be him. It might be someone else, but you’ve still got to play the right way. Some nights, you’re not going to score. How else are you going to contribute? He’s doing it defensively and sharing the ball.”
- Guarding Cade Cunningham was part of the assignment on Sunday as Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez made his first NBA start, notes Brian Robb of MassLive. Gonzalez got plenty of recognition from teammates after holding the Pistons star to three points on 1-of-5 shooting as his primary defender. “I like Hugo’s mentality. I like how he comes out; he’s ready to go,” Jaylen Brown said. “He knows his role. And he can play. So, we’re gonna need more of that. He’s gonna continue to learn as he gets better, as he grows, but that’s what we need.”
Haywood Highsmith To Be Reevaluated In Eight Weeks
Nets forward Haywood Highsmith recently experienced a setback in his attempted return from a torn meniscus, the team announced (via Twitter). He will be reevaluated in eight weeks.
According to the Nets, Highsmith was evaluated after experiencing swelling in his right knee while recovering from an meniscectomy and it was determined that his rehab program would need to be modified and extended.
An eight-week recovery period would put Highsmith at risk of missing at least the first quarter of the Nets’ season, and likely more than that, as he will presumably not be immediately cleared to return to game action at the eight-week mark.
Highsmith averaged a career-high 6.5 points and 0.9 steals per game last season while shooting 38.2% from deep. After going undrafted in 2018, he established himself as a valuable role player for the Heat, capable of defending multiple positions and making outside shots. He was traded to the Nets in August along with a second-round pick in a salary-cutting move for Miami.
Highsmith was able to hang onto his roster spot as the Nets made their cuts ahead of the regular season, including waiving Kobe Bufkin.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that Highsmith made himself valuable to the organization with his leadership and locker room presence on such a young team (Twitter link). If he makes a full recovery before February’s deadline, Highsmith could have some value on the trade market on his expiring $5.6MM contract.
Nets Notes: Thomas, Highsmith, Demin, Powell, Claxton
Cam Thomas signed his qualifying offer worth just under $6MM earlier this month after the restricted free agent couldn’t come to terms on a contract with the Nets. That suggests that Thomas won’t be on the roster beyond this season but general manager Sean Marks tried to downplay that aspect of the failed negotiations.
“It’s maybe the ugly part of the business when you can’t find a common ground,” Marks said, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). “… I also don’t want to jump to conclusions because a common ground couldn’t be met this summer doesn’t mean he’s not a Net in the future or throughout the season.”
Thomas struck a similar tone with the media.
“I’d rather control my situation,” he said. “As a player, that’s the type of control you want in your situation…Just going to finish the year and we’ll see what happens. But I’m happy to be here to play in front of fans again.”
Thomas will now roll the dice on himself, as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That outcome excites the high-scoring guard, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter links).
“It was more pros to me taking the QO than taking any other deal,” Thomas said. “You want to keep the power that you have as a player as much as you can, as long as you can. So that was really the main deciding factor in taking the qualifying offer.”
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Forward Haywood Highsmith, acquired from the Heat in mid-August, tore the meniscus in his right knee during an offseason workout and underwent surgery to address the injury. He believes he’s on track to suit up by opening night, Lewis reports (Twitter link). “Right now, I’m six-and-a-half weeks out of surgery, so I’m doing jogging, spot-shooting, movements and workouts,” Highsmith said. “Not 100 percent. Light contact. And the plan for me is to be ready for the start of the regular season.”
- Rookies Egor Demin and Drake Powell will be limited at the start of training camp because of injuries, according to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. Demin, the No. 8 pick of the draft, has been recovering from a plantar fascia tear suffered after Summer League. Powell, selected with the No. 22 pick, missed Summer League with left knee tendinopathy and has yet to be cleared for full 5-on-5 work. “I’m not a doctor, so it’s hard for me to even tell what’s going on with it,” Demin said. “So, for me, it’s just important to stay present and I’m trying to focus on whatever plan I have from the physicians, right, and whatever timing I have from them.”
- Nic Claxton signed a four-year, $100MM contract to remain with the team last summer but the big man averaged fewer points, rebounds and blocks than in the previous season, in part due a nagging back injury. Claxton said his back is fine now and that he’s mentally and physically ready to go for camp, Lewis tweets.
Heat Notes: Arison, Training Camp, Jakucionis, Highsmith
In advance of tonight’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Micky Arison participated in Friday’s media session and spoke about his memories from three decades as majority owner of the Heat, per Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Under Arison, who was elected in his first year as a finalist, Miami has made seven trips to the NBA Finals and captured three titles.
“I would just say I’m appreciative. It is an honor… It was never a goal,” he said of the Hall of Fame selection. “Our goal was to win championships. Was fortunate enough to win three. Our goal was to create a fantastic atmosphere in Miami. Most great NBA players, coaches it’s a goal for them. It’s never been a goal for me. Despite that, I’m extremely appreciative.”
Hall of Fame weekend marks a rare moment in the spotlight for Arison, as Jackson and Chiang note that he hasn’t spoken with beat reporters since 2013 and declined interview requests regarding his election. As his presenters, he chose Heat president Pat Riley and franchise legends Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade.
“They were three key elements to our history for 30 years,” Arison said. “Pat was with me almost from the very beginning. Zo (was acquired) the first year. From there the culture was created. Dwyane Wade helped take it to the top. Obviously the greatest player in Heat history; (he has) a statue on the top steps (of Kaseya Center). I’m glad those three will be with me.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel (subscription required) previews several battles to watch when training camp opens later this month, including Kel’el Ware vs. Nikola Jovic for a potential starting spot and Tyler Herro vs. Davion Mitchell to be the crunch-time point guard. Winderman expects Andrew Wiggins and newly acquired Norman Powell to both be in the starting lineup, but coach Erik Spoelstra‘s decision on how to use them could factor into their long-term future with the team. Powell has an expiring contract, and Wiggins holds a player option for next season.
- The fate of Kasparas Jakucionis is also worth keeping an eye on, Winderman adds. The first-round pick struggled during Summer League games and seemed like he might need some time in the G League, but Winderman suggests he may be able to avoid that fate with a strong showing in camp and the preseason.
- Haywood Highsmith, who was traded to the Nets last month, recently offered a heartfelt farewell to the Heat organization and fans on his Instagram account. “You gave an undrafted kid from Baltimore a chance and I’m forever grateful for the journey, challenges, and growth I’ve experienced here,” he wrote. “Miami will always have a special place in my heart.”
Heat Notes: Riley, EuroBasket, Fontecchio, Jovic, Ware
With Heat owner Micky Arison set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend and team president Pat Riley among the prior honorees slated to present him, Riley reflected on his 30 years with the organization, per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
“Micky and I had that kind of relationship back and forth, but always positive about what we’re trying to do,” Riley said. “If he didn’t like something, he would tell me, ‘I don’t think we should go that way,’ and I wouldn’t go that way. If he said, ‘Go for it. Damn right, let’s go for it,’ we had the same mentality.
“But if you don’t take a risk — a big-three type risk [signing free agent All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010], Lamar Odom type risk or Shaquille O’Neal type risk or Jimmy Butler type risk or whatever it is — then you’re too afraid and there’s a fear of failure there,” Riley continued. “So when you make a calculated risk, he has made a lot of them with me — some of them haven’t worked, some of them have worked big time.”
With Riley running its front office, Miami has made a total of seven NBA Finals, winning three championships.
There’s more out of Miami:
- While playing for their respective national teams at EuroBasket this year, Heat role players Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson and Simone Fontecchio are all showing out in larger roles than they’ve had in Miami so far. Still, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel cautions that their production shouldn’t necessarily indicate that they’re capable of taking a leap with the Heat in 2025/26.
- There had been “strong rumbles” last month that the Heat were looking into trading Fontecchio, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link). Stein notes that this buzz happened before Miami traded Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn. Now that the Heat find themselves below the league’s luxury tax following the Highsmith deal, there is likely little urgency to offload Fontecchio.
- With Jovic playing an outsized role for his native Serbia in EuroBasket, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald considers whether Miami would be served better by starting the young forward in the frontcourt next to Bam Adebayo over center Kel’el Ware. Jackson notes that shifting Adebayo to the four spot while starting Ware at the five last year proved statistically more effective than keeping Adebayo at center and starting Jovic.
Fischer’s Latest: Beasley, Warriors, Brogdon, Highsmith, More
The status of free agent wing Malik Beasley is somewhat murky at the moment, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
While Beasley’s lawyers told ESPN their client is no longer the “target” of a federal gambling probe, a subsequent report said he was still a “subject” and could still face legal challenges. Beasley is also expected to be investigated by the NBA, Fischer reports.
According to Fischer, the Cavaliers, Knicks, Timberwolves and Pistons are the main teams to touch base with Beasley’s camp in the hope that he’ll eventually be able to play in 2025/26. However, Fischer hears none of those teams have actually discussed signing Beasley with his future seemingly still up in the air.
If Beasley is ultimately cleared of any legal wrongdoing and by the NBA, the 28-year-old will be seeking more than the veteran’s minimum on his next contract, sources tell Fischer. It’s worth noting that of the four suitors, Detroit — his incumbent team — can offer Beasley the highest starting salary ($7.2MM). Cleveland and New York would be limited to minimum-salary deals, while Minnesota could offer a little above the minimum.
Here are a few more rumors from Fischer’s latest story:
- Jonathan Kuminga‘s uncertain contract status has had a ripple effect on several free agents still on the market, Fischer notes, including Malcolm Brogdon. Fischer says the Warriors are expected to sign Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II and No. 56 overall pick Will Richard once Kuminga’s situation is resolved and have expressed a level of interest in Brogdon as well. The Knicks and Timberwolves have also been keeping an eye on Brogdon, Fischer adds.
- While Fischer’s breakdown of prospective Warriors signees includes Richard, he doesn’t mention No. 52 overall pick Alex Toohey at all. That could point to the Australian wing ending up on a two-way contract or as a draft-and-stash prospect rather than being a candidate for the 15-man roster.
- Fischer hears that the Timberwolves are “actively trying to work through the financial details” in a new contract for Bones Hyland. That suggests Hyland, who is no longer eligible for a two-way deal, may receive a non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contract.
- The Heat are still trying to trade Terry Rozier but there’s “scant” interest in the veteran guard, who is also being investigated as part of a federal gambling probe. Miami is also believed to be interested in a buyout, Fischer reports, though nothing is imminent on that front.
- Fischer expects new Nets forward Haywood Highsmith to be back on the trade block at some point. Brooklyn has “no plans” to be competitive in 2025/26 and will continue to look to stockpile assets in trades, Fischer adds. The Nets recently acquired Highsmith, who is recovering from knee surgery, from Miami along with a second-round pick. Assuming he’s back to full health, Highsmith should have a chance to rebuild his trade value, and his expiring $5.6MM contract would fit into a team’s mid-level exception.
Heat Notes: Roster, Highsmith, Smith, Ware
Following the trade of Haywood Highsmith to the Nets and the signing of Dru Smith to a standard contract over the weekend, the Heat have 14 players on the standard roster and can’t sign a 15th player to a veteran minimum contract without crossing the luxury tax threshold, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald notes.
Miami currently stands approximately $1.7MM under the luxury tax threshold and $7.2MM below the first apron. Miami would need to wait until early December to sign a 15th player to a prorated standard minimum deal and stay below the tax. However, they could achieve that earlier by making another trade or using the waive-and-stretch provision on a contract, most likely Terry Rozier‘s deal if they choose that route.
Miami also has another two-way spot available on its roster.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- By swapping out Highsmith for Smith, Miami’s roster is even more imbalanced, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. The Heat are thin at center, power forward and the point but heavy on wings. Kel’el Ware is the only true center on the roster, while Tyler Herro — who has spent a good portion of his career at shooting guard — projects as the team’s floor leader.
- Regarding the Highsmith trade, Winderman notes that Smith’s contract will count less than half for cap/tax purposes than Highsmith’s deal would have. That was the primary motivation for the trade. It also give the front office the opportunity to add another big man down the line. Ultimately, it could come down to how Smith performs in his return. Smith is expected to be ready early in the upcoming season after suffering an Achilles tear in December.
- Did you miss the Smith signing? Get all the details here.