Trade Rumors: Giannis, Kawhi, Murphy, Jones, Herro
The Bucks‘ decision on which trade offer to accept for Giannis Antetokounmpo came down to the Heat‘s and Celtics‘ proposals in large part because those were two teams with whom the star forward was willing to sign a contract extension. Multiples sources with knowledge of the situation tell Ramona Shelburne and Jamal Collier of ESPN that the Bucks received “at least four” strong bids for Antetokounmpo that “died on the vine” because he wouldn’t have committed to a long-term deal with the team.
After getting Miami’s and Boston’s final offers for Antetokounmpo on Sunday, the Bucks’ front office debated them on Monday, with one team source telling ESPN that there were “spirited debates” over which path the team should take and that not everyone in the room shared the same opinion.
However, general manager Jon Horst had always liked the concept of the Heat’s proposal, which was one of two he brought to Bucks ownership at the deadline, according to Shelburne and Collier. It got a little stronger this offseason since Miami had the ability to include the No. 13 overall pick, which wasn’t possible in February. Boston, meanwhile, wasn’t willing to include young players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman in its offer, which helped tip the scales toward Miami.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the league:
- Following up on a report that suggested Kawhi Leonard might be open to contract extensions with his former teams – San Antonio and Toronto – if he were to be traded to either club, Michael Grange of Sportsnet says the Rockets could be another club on that list. However, there’s no consensus around the league about whether or not he’ll be available this summer, according to Grange, who hears from one source that the Clippers absolutely won’t trade the star forward but says others believe the two sides are ready to part ways.
- Sources who have spoken to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) say that the Pelicans still aren’t shopping either Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones and that it would be inaccurate to characterize them as doing more than listening to offers. Although New Orleans did have interest in acquiring a pick in the back half of Tuesday’s lottery, the team wouldn’t have traded Murphy or Jones straight up for one of those selections, Stein and Fischer say, without having received additional assets.
- According to Stein and Fischer, some rival teams believe that the Bucks‘ decision to draft Brayden Burries 10th overall on Tuesday will make Milwaukee more willing to listen to inquiries on Tyler Herro, who is joining the Bucks in the Antetokounmpo blockbuster.
Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Morant, Pelicans, Mavericks, Randle, Jovic
The Pelicans aren’t interested in trading for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required).
New Orleans was mentioned over the weekend as a potential destination for Morant, but a source tells Stein and Fischer that Jeremiah Fears, whom New Orleans selected with the seventh pick in last year’s draft, is viewed as the team’s point guard of the future. With Dejounte Murray also on the roster, there’s little reason to take a chance on Morant, who has a large contract, questionable health and a troubled past.
The Pelicans are still getting “significant” trade interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, with league sources telling The Stein Line that the team is asking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for either player.
Stein and Fischer more inside information from around the league:
- After hiring Dusty May as their head coach, the Mavericks are considered more likely to hold onto their current pick at No. 9 rather than trading it for two lower choices in the first round, sources tell The Stein Line. May is expected to attend the draft to support his former Michigan players, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg, but Stein and Fischer state that it’s not clear if any of them are firmly on Dallas’ radar, especially if Nate Ament is still on the board.
- Julius Randle became the odd man out as the Timberwolves sacrificed an important component of their frontcourt to gain financial flexibility. Randle’s salary was sent to Brooklyn as part of a three-team deal that gave Minnesota a $33.3MM traded player exception. According to Stein and Fischer, the Wolves “absolutely” didn’t want to give up Naz Reid and were “skittish” about parting with Rudy Gobert, who serves as the interior anchor of the team’s defense. The Stein Line duo expects president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to continue to be active after re-signing Ayo Dosunmu on a five-year, $112MM deal.
- The Heat may explore moving Nikola Jovic to acquire another shooter to team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Stein and Fischer add. Jovic will make $16.2MM next season and is under contract through 2029/30.
Pelicans Trying To Acquire Lottery Pick?
The Pelicans are making an effort to acquire a lottery pick in this month’s draft, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who reports that the team is believed to have its eye on a specific player in the neighborhood of the top 10.
New Orleans finished the 2025/26 season with a 26-56 record, but the club’s own lottery pick – which landed at No. 8 overall – is controlled by Atlanta as a result of a deal the Pelicans made to move into last year’s lottery. After using the seventh overall pick in 2025 to select Jeremiah Fears, the front office sent last year’s No. 23 pick and this year’s lottery selection to the Hawks in order to move up to No. 13 to nab Derik Queen.
Without any 2026 picks to use as bargaining chips this time around, the Pelicans will face the challenge of trading into the first round rather than simply trading up. In other words, the price figures to be steep, especially given how highly regarded the ’26 draft class is.
According to Scotto, it’s unclear what sort of trade assets the Pelicans are making available as they seek a lottery pick, but outside of Fears and Queen, who almost certainly aren’t going anywhere, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones likely have the most trade value among the players on their roster. Zion Williamson and Yves Missi are potential trade chips with positive value too, but head of basketball operations Joe Dumars has dismissed the idea of moving Williamson and Missi’s stock likely dipped a little as he fell out of the starting lineup this past season.
The Pelicans also own the most favorable of their own or Milwaukee’s 2027 first-rounder and still control all of their own first-rounders beginning in 2028, so they have no shortage of future draft assets to put on the table. Dumars showed a year ago that he has no problem going that route, even while the team is in a retooling phase.
For what it’s worth, the Warriors – who control the No. 11 overall pick – have been frequently cited in the past year or two as a team with interest in Murphy. The Bucks (No. 10) would also probably have interest in win-now role players like Murphy and Jones if they decide to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo and try to build a contender around him; if they move Giannis, the Bucks would probably rather keep their pick.
The Hawks at No. 8 and the Mavericks at No. 9 are among the other potential trade partners the Pelicans could reach out to.
No Trades Involving Morant, Kawhi, Sabonis, Zion, More
The Bucks informed rival teams a few hours ahead of Thursday’s deadline that they wouldn’t be trading superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and several other noteworthy players will remain with their respective teams after the deadline passed at 2:00 pm CT.
Point guard Ja Morant was available on the trade market for at least four weeks, but even after lowering their asking price, the Grizzlies were unable to find a taker for the two-time All-Star, confirms Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (via Twitter). According to Siegel, Memphis will revisit trade talks for Morant in the offseason.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), while a few teams were “intrigued” by the 26-year-old’s talent, none were willing to make a “serious offer.” The Kings, Bucks, Heat and Timberwolves were all linked to Morant in recent days, though there’s no indication that talks ever reached an advanced stage.
As Siegel writes, the Grizzlies were looking for a first-round pick for the two-time All-Star, but no teams were willing to meet that asking price. Miami, for instance, was only willing to give up expiring contracts and second-round picks for Morant, sources tell Siegel.
Morant’s injury history and maximum-salary contract limited his appeal on the trade market, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. The former No. 2 overall pick is on a guaranteed deal that runs through 2027/28.
“You’re committing to several years, and if it doesn’t work, you’re probably carrying that contract until it’s an expiring at least,” one league source told Afseth. “Most teams would want to be compensated just to take that deal on, whether they believe in Morant or not.”
The Clippers made a pair of major trades, swapping James Harden for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to Indiana for two first-round picks, one second-rounder, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson. All-Star Kawhi Leonard won’t be going anywhere though, tweets NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Two-time All-NBA big man Domantas Sabonis, who was repeatedly linked to Toronto until Sacramento’s talks with the Raptors “flat-lined,” will stay put with the Kings, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). The Kings were also unable to find suitable deals for Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, per Haynes (Twitter link).
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), and Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones of the Pelicans are among the other noteworthy players whose names came up in trade speculation this season who will remain with their respective clubs.
Of course, we saw a flurry of trades that did transpire in the lead-up to the deadline. The full list can be found here.
Trade Rumors: Bulls, Dosunmu, Allen, Missi, Rockets, Pelicans, More
There have been some “tangible” discussions this week between the Bulls and Pacers about a possible trade involving Ayo Dosunmu and Bennedict Mathurin, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). However, after Chicago agreed to trades for guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons on Tuesday, it’s unclear whether the team still has interest in Mathurin, who is also on the Pelicans‘ radar.
According to Fischer, the Bulls also explored multiple trade scenarios involving Nikola Vucevic before agreeing to a Simons trade with Boston, including offering Vucevic and a future first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Jarrett Allen. That’s a deal Cleveland wouldn’t have been able to make without ducking the second tax apron, since Vucevic’s $21.5MM cap hit comes in a little above Allen’s $20MM figure.
Whether due to the apron restrictions or simply a lack of interest, Cleveland turned down the offer, per Fischer, who adds that the Pacers are another team that has registered interest in Allen.
While the Bulls may not have a viable path to acquiring Allen, they remain very much in the mix for Pelicans center Yves Missi, reports Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. According to Siegel, New Orleans has continued to seek a first-round pick in exchange for Missi, but no team has been willing to meet that asking price so far.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Speaking of the Bulls, it’s worth keeping an eye on whether they end up flipping Mike Conley in a separate trade after acquiring him from Minnesota on Tuesday, Fischer writes. There have been rumblings that if Conley is traded again and then waived, the Timberwolves would have interest in bringing him back on a minimum-salary deal. That wouldn’t be possible if Chicago waives Conley directly due to NBA rules about a traded player rejoining his previous team.
- The Rockets have been connected to Bulls guard Coby White, among other targets, with forward Dorian Finney-Smith viewed as a possible trade candidate, but Siegel hears that Houston likes its roster and would be content to stand pat at the trade deadline — or to make a smaller move or two involving minimum-salary or near-minimum players. Forward Tari Eason, who will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, has drawn significant interest, but the Rockets aren’t interested in moving him, Siegel adds.
- Sources tell ClutchPoints that the Pelicans have received offers that include multiple first-round picks for both Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, but they still haven’t seriously entertained the idea of trading either player. It remains very possible that New Orleans maintains its high asking prices for Murphy and Jones and keeps both players through the deadline, despite significant league-wide interest in them, Siegel writes.
- The Clippers continue to seek potential takers for Chris Paul and Kobe Brown, Siegel reports, since moving those players would help create breathing room under the hard cap – and room on the roster – to promote Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders from their two-way deals to standard contracts.
- Recognizing that whether or not he’s traded this week is “something that’s out of my control,” Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. says he’s at peace with whatever happens, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. For what it’s worth though, Lewis writes in a separate subscriber-only story that more and more league sources believe Porter will ultimately end up remaining in Brooklyn through this Thursday’s deadline.
Lakers Rumors: Wing Targets, DiVincenzo, Knecht, Sharpe
Although the Lakers remain active on the trade market, their limited assets and their desire to retain as much 2026 cap room as possible are complicating factors as they look to upgrade their roster, writes Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Some rival executives believe the Lakers are willing to trade their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick for the right wing, Woike writes, but the sort of player they’d be targeting with that pick either isn’t available at that price or isn’t available at all — that group includes Pelicans forwards Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III.
A league source tells Woike that the Lakers have been linked to practically every defensive-minded wing on the market, including Isaac Okoro of the Bulls and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Clippers. But it seems unlikely Los Angeles would give up its lone tradable first-round pick for a player of that caliber, especially since guys like Okoro and Jones are owed guaranteed money for 2026/27 and would eat into the club’s projected cap space.
As previously reported, the Lakers could emerge as a viable Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor this summer if the Bucks don’t move him at the deadline, but for now, any potential L.A. involvement in a Giannis deal would likely be as a facilitator.
Woike identifies Timberwolves wing Donte DiVincenzo and Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen as a couple players from potential Antetokounmpo suitors who might appeal to the Lakers, and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints hears that L.A. has expressed interest in DiVincenzo.
Those talks haven’t gained traction though, Siegel writes, and Minnesota would likely only move DiVincenzo if it was necessary to land Giannis. Even in that scenario, it’s unclear whether the Lakers would be the Wolves’ most obvious trade partner or if there’s another team more likely to give up valuable draft capital for DiVincenzo.
Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, hasn’t requested a trade, but wouldn’t object to a change of scenery, Woike writes, so he’s a player to keep an eye on if the team does make a deal.
The Lakers are also considering potential non-wing trade targets — sources tell The Athletic that Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe has fans within the organization.
Still, Woike believes that any meaningful changes to the Lakers’ roster are probably more likely to happen this summer than this week.
Stein’s Latest: Sochan, Knecht, Pelicans, Kessler, Towns, Ellis, Dinwiddie
The Spurs have given Jeremy Sochan and his representatives permission to explore a potential trade, league sources tell Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required).
Sochan was selected with the ninth pick in the 2022 draft and was a consistent starter during his first two seasons in San Antonio. He has been pushed out of the rotation as the team has improved and has only appeared in 27 games this season, averaging 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.1 minutes per night. Shooting continues to be an issue for the 22-year-old power forward, who is only connecting at 46.9% from the field and 28.7% from three-point range for his career.
The Knicks have been speculated as a potential Sochan suitor in their search for low-cost frontcourt help. He has a $7.1MM expiring contract and will be a restricted free agent this summer if he receives a qualifying offer.
Stein shares more inside information from around the league:
- Second-year Lakers small forward Dalton Knecht could also be on the move, according to Stein. He was a first-round pick in 2024, but is only seeing 12.5 minutes per night in 36 games this season and hasn’t played at all outside of garbage time over the past two weeks. Knecht was sent to Charlotte at last year’s deadline as part of a Mark Williams deal that was later rescinded.
- The Pelicans are seeking a “Desmond Bane-type offer” to part with Trey Murphy III or Herbert Jones, Stein states. Memphis received four future first-round picks and a first-round pick swap when Bane was sent to Orlando last summer. While New Orleans continues to flounder at the bottom of the West, both players are under long-term contracts, so there’s no urgency to move them.
- League sources tell Stein that the Jazz are confident about re-signing center Walker Kessler, who’s out for the season following left shoulder surgery. The Wizards are expected to pursue Kessler to team with Alex Sarr, according to Stein, but Utah will be able to match any offer for the restricted free agent.
- Teams around the league are watching the Knicks to see if they’re willing to consider moving Karl-Anthony Towns before the deadline or if they’re holding onto him as an asset for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Stein adds.
- Stein hears that an estimated 14 teams have expressed interest in Kings guard Keon Ellis. In an earlier column, Stein cited Ellis as possibly the most likely player to be traded before the deadline.
- Former NBA guard Spencer Dinwiddie said on a recent podcast that he’s interested in signing with the Rockets, Stein relays. Dinwiddie is a free agent after parting ways with Bayern Munich earlier this month, but Stein states that Houston is unlikely to consider any signings until the deadline passes.
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.
Trade Rumors: Morant, Antetokounmpo, Yabusele, Pelicans, Clippers
Injuries to two star players may be taking some of the excitement out of the trade deadline, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo were expected to be two of the top names on the market, but Morant suffered an elbow sprain that will force him to miss at least three weeks and Antetokounmpo left Friday’s game with a right calf injury that he expects will keep him out of action for four-to-six weeks.
Bontemps notes that the market for Morant was already shaky, in part because of his availability issues. He has played just 20 games this season and 79 total over the past three years. Morant’s contract, which pays him $42.2MM next season and $44.9MM in 2027/28, also limits his trade value, along with his diminished shooting — he’s currently connecting at 41% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range.
If Antetokounmpo does miss several weeks, the Bucks’ season could be a “lost cause” by the time he returns, Bontemps adds. Already sporting an 18-26 record, it would be easy for Milwaukee to fall down the standings and focus on the draft rather than trying to make a run at the play-in tournament. That could result in a high selection in a year with a loaded draft class, while seeing if Antetokounmpo is willing to commit to signing an offseason extension.
There’s more trade news to pass along:
- The Knicks‘ strategy for the deadline will likely include trading away Guerschon Yabusele, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link). Begley is the latest media member to suggest the Spurs as a possible destination for Yabusele because of his experience playing alongside Victor Wembanyama on the French national team. Begley mentions Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado as a possible addition for New York, and he doesn’t believe Karl-Anthony Towns will be moved.
- Trading Alvarado could be one of several moves for the Pelicans, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link), who says New Orleans continues to get calls about Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones and Saddiq Bey. No deals are close, but Siegel said there’s a belief around the league that the Pelicans will be active before the deadline.
- Head coach Tyronn Lue doesn’t expect the Clippers to be involved in any major deals, per Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).“If a team’s trying to trade for you, then somebody wants you,” Lue said. “You could be in other guys’ shoes where nobody wants you, nobody wants to trade for you, and then you’re out of the league. … In our situation, I don’t see much movement. So I think we’ll be good.”
Injury Notes: Giddey, Reid, H. Jones, Whitmore
Bulls guard Josh Giddey was upgraded to questionable ahead of Tuesday’s contest against the Clippers before being ruled out (Twitter links via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network). Giddey, who is working his way back from a strained left hamstring, could return to action on Thursday in Minnesota, head coach Billy Donovan said.
Forward Patrick Williams is dealing with a right ankle sprain and will also be out Tuesday. He’s considered day-to-day, per Johnson.
Here are some more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Timberwolves big man Naz Reid was forced to exit Saturday’s loss at San Antonio after just five minutes due to soreness in his left shoulder. However, the injury doesn’t appear to be serious — he was initially questionable for Tuesday’s game in Utah but has been upgraded to available, per the league’s injury report.
- Defensive stalwart Herbert Jones has been upgraded to questionable ahead of Wednesday’s game vs. Detroit, the Pelicans announced in a press release. Jones, who has popped up in several rumors this season but has reportedly been made unavailable in trade talks, has missed 14 of New Orleans’ last 15 games with a right ankle sprain.
- While Wizards forward Cam Whitmore will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder, he joined the team on the bench during Monday’s loss to the Clippers, which is a good sign for his long-term health, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The former first-round pick will be eligible for an extension in the offseason and will make $5.46MM in ’26/27, which is the final season of his rookie scale contract.