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.
Pistons Notes: Stewart, Secondary Scorer, Ivey, Sasser, Bickerstaff, Duren
Last month, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff declared that Isaiah Stewart is “the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close,” adding, “I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.” Stewart is averaging a career-high two blocks per game in 23.6 minutes per game and he explained in detail his shot-blocking prowess and defensive mindset to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson.
“It’s kind of like a fight,” Stewart said. “You can’t be scared to get punched, you know what I mean? So for me, it’s just like, OK, you got your dunk. You got your little punch in, but I’m still here and I’m not fading away. I’m going to be here and I’m going to challenge you every time. A lot of it is heart. As much that goes into skill and having the patience, you’ve got to have this (patting his heart). There’s a hundred possessions, at least, in a game. You can’t pick and choose when you want to guard the rim.”
Stewart has his sights set on the Defensive Player of the Year award. However, the 20-minute requirement within the 65-game rule could come into play in his case. To qualify for end-of-season awards, a player must play at least 20 minutes in 63 or more games (and between 15-20 in at least two others).
“It is the goal,” Stewart said. “I truly believe I am the best defender in the league. … I may not always get the block. But I’m altering shots, I’m taping holes in our defense. So that’s my goal, that’s something I’m working toward.”
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Detroit’s loss to the Rockets on Friday displayed the need for a second scorer to complement Cade Cunningham, Patterson opines. Houston packed the paint when he had the ball in his hands and blitzed him in pick-and-roll actions as Cunningham was held to 12 points by a quality opponent. That reinforced the notion that the Pistons need another player they can count on for a steady 20 points per game.
- With next week’s trade deadline looming, the Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II listed the team’s trade assets, breaking down the players into a various categories. He views Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser as “young players worth surveying the market for,” noting that Ivey is headed to restricted free agency and that Sasser’s role has been minimized by the emergence of two-way player Daniss Jenkins.
- Bickerstaff has already been named as one of the head coaches for the three-team All-Star Game. Center Jalen Duren believes he should receive the league’s postseason award as well. “Coach of the Year. I think it’s obvious at this point that he should be,” Duren said after the team blew out Sacramento on Sunday. “They might as well give it to him now, because he deserves it. I mean, he’s put us in position to be where we are now. He’s a part of the culture, the main part of the culture that we’ve built these last two years. And he’s very deserving for everything that comes his way. I mean he’s an amazing coach. He’s an amazing mentor, an amazing leader. I think as we continue to do what we do, the world is just going to continue to see it.”
Eastern Rumors: Ty. Jones, Ivey, Pacers, Okongwu, Raptors, Sixers
The Magic have made calls to multiple teams to explore the possibility of trading veteran point guard Tyus Jones in exchange for some second-round draft capital, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Jones, 29, signed a one-year, $7MM contract with Orlando over the summer but has played a limited role with the team and is performing well below his usual standard. He has averaged 3.2 points and 2.4 assists in 16.5 minutes per game across 40 outings (eight starts), while making just 35.3% of his shots from the floor, including 29.5% from beyond the three-point line.
The Magic are currently operating about $5.6MM above the luxury tax line and may be motivated to duck out of tax territory at this season’s deadline. Their roster will only get more expensive beginning in 2026/27 when Paolo Banchero‘s maximum-salary rookie scale extension takes effect, so avoiding the tax this season would postpone the repeater clock for another year.
Here are several more items of interest shared by Fischer from around the Eastern Conference:
- While the Pistons still aren’t looking to make a major in-season deal, they’ve gauged Jaden Ivey‘s value on the trade market, per Fischer. The former fifth overall pick has played a reduced role (16.9 MPG) this season in his return from a major leg injury and will be eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end.
- As the Pacers continue to scour the trade market for a long-term answer at the center spot, Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu is among the players they’ve inquired about, Fischer writes. There’s no indication that Atlanta engaged in discussions involving Okongwu, who is averaging a career-high 16.0 points and 31.9 minutes per game.
- Rivals view the Raptors as one of the teams most interested in making a significant in-season move, according to Fischer, who notes that Toronto was the only team besides Washington with real interest in Trae Young. The Raptors have also been connected repeatedly to Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis, and Fischer suggests they’re a potential suitor worth watching for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
- The Sixers and Grizzlies had some trade conversations in mid-December, Fischer says, clarifying that those discussions didn’t involve Morant. Based on “recent synergy” between them, Philadelphia and Memphis could end up being involved in the same transaction if either club needs help from a third team to facilitate a deal, Fischer notes.
Siegel’s Latest: Pistons, Suns, Raptors, Pelicans, Thunder
Although there has been some speculation that the Pistons could try to make a major win-now move to fortify their roster ahead of the playoffs, multiple sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints that Detroit is unlikely to deal away any of its core players, a group that includes Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart.
It’s a little strange to see Harris, who is currently out with a hip strain, described as part of the Pistons’ “core,” considering he’s the oldest player (33) on the roster and on an expiring $26.6MM contract. But evidently the team values his contributions and veteran leadership.
According to Siegel, if Detroit’s front office — led by president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon — changes that stance, Trey Murphy III would be a player to watch. Langdon used to be New Orleans’ GM and was part of the group that drafted Murphy.
Here are a few more items of interest from Siegel’s latest rumor round-up:
- The Suns have been scouring the market for a “cheap forward upgrade,” according to Siegel, who says Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Nick Richards have all been made available in trade talks.
- Reiterating a point recently made by Marc Stein, Siegel cites sources who say the Raptors are viewed as a buyer heading into the deadline, with Domantas Sabonis, Ja Morant and Murphy among the players they’ve considered pursuing. Toronto appears willing to part with its 2026 first-round pick in search of win-now upgrades, according to Siegel, who writes that Ochai Agbaji is likely to be on the move before the deadline, and if a bigger trade is made, Immanuel Quickley may be involved.
- A recent report said the Pelicans have been rebuffing trade inquiries on forwards Murphy and Herbert Jones, among others. Rival teams think that’s due to a combination of a high asking price and being underwhelmed by opposing offers. According to Siegel, New Orleans is looking for two first-round picks for Jones and three for Murphy, plus young players. Siegel hears the Pelicans are also trying to get back into the 2026 draft after sending out their own selection last year for Derik Queen; they’ve been talking to projected playoff teams (in the 20-30 range) about that possibility.
- While the Thunder are considered unlikely to make any type of significant change to their roster prior to the deadline, it’s possible they could look to either consolidate some of their 2026 first-round picks for a more valuable selection or trade them for future draft assets, per Siegel. That may happen closer to the draft, Siegel notes. Dan Woike of The Athletic, citing sources, also hears rival teams think the Thunder will try to turn some of this year’s first-rounders — they could have as many as four — into future assets.
Central Notes: Carlisle, Cunningham, Ivey, Garland, J. Smith
It took a month for it to occur, but Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle became the 11th coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games when Indiana defeated Charlotte on Thursday, writes Michael Marot of The Associated Press. The Pacers snapped a franchise-record 13-game losing streak with the victory.
“I’m so happy for our players,” said Carlisle, who hugged his assistants and players after the win. “The last month has been so challenging in so many ways. We have an amazing group of guys who continue to fight through thick and thin.”
After coming one win away from winning their first NBA championship last June, the Pacers have dealt with numerous injuries in 2025/26 and are currently 7-31, the worst record in the league. Carlisle, 66, is in his 24th season as a head coach and won a title with Dallas in 2011.
“This has never been about me getting a milestone win,” Carlisle said. “It’s about our organization and our franchise. As it has gotten tougher and tougher I have leaned into thinking more about gratitude for the things that we have. We have great people and we have terrific players.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Pistons star Cade Cunningham is questionable to suit up for Saturday’s matchup vs. the Clippers due to a right wrist contusion, tweets Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. The former No. 1 overall pick is an MVP candidate this season with Detroit holding the best record in the Eastern Conference at 28-9. Cunningham, a 6’6″ guard, missed Wednesday’s win over Chicago with the injury.
- Speaking to reporters on Friday, including Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter video link), Pistons guard Jaden Ivey said he’s in a “great space” from a health standpoint and is no longer on a minutes restriction. The impending restricted free agent missed most of last season with a fractured left fibula and was sidelined to start ’25/26 after undergoing right knee surgery this fall. Ivey is averaging a career-low 16.7 minutes per game through 22 appearances.
- Within a story questioning whether the Cavaliers can be a contender as currently constructed, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports describes Darius Garland‘s trade value around the league as “muted.” The two-time All-Star point guard has been inconsistent this season as he continues to deal with the effects of a toe injury which required offseason surgery.
- After missing the past two games while in the league’s concussion protocol, Bulls big man Jalen Smith has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s contest vs. Dallas, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Veteran wing Kevin Huerter (back tightness) is also questionable, Johnson adds.
Pistons Share Injury Updates On Harris, Duren, LeVert
The Pistons have issued updates on a trio of injured players, making the following announcements on Saturday (Twitter link):
Forward Tobias Harris has been diagnosed with a left hip sprain and will be reevaluated in two weeks.- Center Jalen Duren has a sprained right ankle and will be reevaluated in one week.
- Guard/forward Caris LeVert remains day-to-day due to right knee inflammation, but won’t travel to Cleveland for Sunday’s game vs. the Cavaliers as he continues to receive treatment.
The timeline for Harris, who already missed Thursday’s contest against Miami, suggests he’ll remain sidelined for a minimum of five more games, starting with intra-conference showdowns against the Cavs on Sunday and the Knicks on Monday. His absence may extend beyond that five-game stretch, since there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to return when he’s evaluated on January 17.
Harris, 33, has been a full-time starter since arriving in Detroit as a free agent during the 2024 offseason. In 23 games this season, he’s averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 27.4 minutes per night, with a .455/.333/.848 shooting line. Due to his expiring $26.6MM contract, the 15th-year forward is considered a potential in-season trade candidate.
While Harris’ recovery period may last longer, Duren’s absence figures to have a greater impact on the Pistons’ lineup in the short term. The 22-year-old is enjoying a breakout season ahead of his restricted free agency in 2026, with averages of 17.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG through his first 31 games (28.4 MPG).
Reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Isaiah Stewart will likely take on a larger role with Duren out, and Paul Reed is a capable backup too. But Detroit has been much better with Duren on the court (+8.9 net rating) than off it (+2.4) so far this season.
Javonte Green, Jaden Ivey, and Marcus Sasser are a few of the other players who figure to see minute bumps while the Pistons’ injured players get healthy.
Pistons Notes: Ivey, Harris, Thompson, Sasser
Jaden Ivey has played 18 straight games for the Pistons after missing the start of the season due to knee surgery, but has only surpassed 20 minutes twice in that stretch. Detroit is likely to keep Ivey coming off the bench for the near future while he continues to adjust to a full workload, writes Hunter Patterson in a mailbag for The Athletic.
“[There’s] a plan in place for him to ramp up where he’s comfortable, where he’s confident, so that he can get back to playing the bulk minutes,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff recently said of Ivey.
Advanced stats show Ivey to be a promising backcourt complement to Cade Cunningham, Patterson writes, citing their plus-13.3 net rating over 137 minutes on the court together. However, Patterson notes that the gravity Duncan Robinson commands as a shooter could keep him in the lineup over Ivey for the time being.
Ivey is averaging 8.4 points per game on .470/.407/.808 shooting splits, carrying over the much-improved shooting he displayed last season, which was cut short by a leg injury.
We have more from the Pistons:
- Tobias Harris left Tuesday’s win over the Lakers after playing just six minutes due to a hip strain, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), who says it was unclear when the injury was sustained. Harris is considered doubtful to play in Thursday’s game against the Heat due to left hip soreness, per Patterson (via Twitter).
- Ausar Thompson is committed to improving his body and his game during his time away from the court, he tells Mark Medina of Essentially Sports. Whether it’s working out in the weight room post-game or watching film after shootaround, the defensive-minded wing keeps grinding. “He’s one of those guys that does so much homework for each individual matchup,” Bickerstaff said. “You can tell it pays off for him.” One of Thompson’s main focuses this season has been finding ways to stay aggressive without taking himself out of his own game. “It’s definitely a process. You still have to have an aggressive mindset. You got to know how to play basketball the right way and not force shots,” he said. “Being aggressive doesn’t always mean shooting the ball. Sometimes it means just touching the paint or getting shots for one of your teammates. When I think of aggressive, that’s more of what I mean. It’s about getting paint touches and making my man guard me. I’m not necessarily thinking about the amount of shots I take.”
- Marcus Sasser missed the start of the season with a right hip impingement, but in Tuesday’s win over the Lakers, he reminded the team that he can be a valuable contributor, Sankofa writes. Sasser had 19 points, five assists, and two steals. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what Marcus Sasser did tonight, after not playing but somehow always seeming to find himself ready for the moment,” Bickerstaff said. “Both ends of the floor, I thought he was great defensively. Obviously hit some big shots for us offensively. What he did isn’t easy. It’s not easy to not play a ton and then come out and be as effective as he was.” Sankofa notes that Sasser’s three-point shooting ability could prove very useful to the Pistons’ second unit, as the team ranks 21st in three-point percentage and is in the bottom five in attempts.
Central Notes: Giannis, Bucks, Cavs, Pistons, Duren
While trade speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo has picked up again this month, a number of rival executives around the NBA believe there may not be resolution on the Bucks star until the offseason, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic.
The outlook on Antetokounmpo could change if he makes an explicit trade request ahead of the February 5 deadline, Amick acknowledges, but he notes that teams would be better positioned to make a blockbuster deal during the summer, when they have more cap and roster flexibility and there’s less mystery surrounding draft picks.
Asked this week about the rumors swirling around his teammate, Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. referred to them as “false information,” per Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link).
“At the end of the day, everyone needs to wait until Giannis says something,” Porter said. “Because all this is just he say, she say, and I guarantee when we start winning as we go 8-0, 9-0, you won’t see nothing about the Bucks. You won’t see, ‘Oh, the Bucks are 8-0, 9-0, they’re flourishing and Giannis is…’ We’re not going to see any of that positive news. So at least for me, this is the last time I’m going to answer anything false.”
We have more from around the Central:
- The Bucks, who vowed during their four-day layoff to remain competitive and get back in the playoff picture with Antetokounmpo inactive, backed up those comments on Thursday with a 116-101 win over Boston. After scoring 31 points in that game, Kyle Kuzma said the 11-15 team still has plenty of work to do, according to Nehm. “We gotta do it again,” Kuzma said. “This all does not mean anything if we come out soft (the next game). If we come out not playing hard, then we’re two steps back. … Be aggressive, both ends.”
- The Cavaliers have had five days off since losing to Golden State last Saturday, but that hiatus was hardly a vacation. As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required) details, the team – which is off to an underwhelming 14-11 start – held an “uncomfortable” film session on Tuesday in which head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t hold back his criticism. “He just called us out,” forward De’Andre Hunter said. “He broke down exactly what we needed to do, exactly what we haven’t been good at. We watched it. As a whole team, it’s not the easiest thing to see when you’re not doing well, but we saw a lot of that. It was definitely a tough, tough, hard film session. But I think we needed it. I think it’s gonna help us in the long run.”
- In a mailbag for Pistons.com, Keith Langlois explores whether there’s room in the Pistons‘ rotation for Marcus Sasser, considers what Jaden Ivey‘s role will look like going forward, and explains why he’s dubious about the idea that Detroit would make a real play for Anthony Davis this season.
- Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic (video link) breaks down film to explain how center Jalen Duren has emerged as the Pistons‘ second star ahead of his restricted free agency in 2026.
Eastern Notes: Ivey, Pistons, George, Carter, Cavs
Playing in his first regular season game since January 1, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey made his season debut on Saturday in Milwaukee and helped his team pick up its 12th straight win by registering 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 15 minutes, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Ivey said during his post-game media session that he “cherished the moment” to be back on the court after being sidelined due to a fractured left fibula last season and right knee surgery this fall. Ivey said he had “so much gratitude to be out there again,” and his head coach suggested the team reciprocated that feeling.
“We’re just happy to have him back,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters, including Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. “That’s the most important thing. For him to have that joy and competition and competing with his teammates, that was the most important thing for him out there. Obviously you see the way that he can impact the game at a high level. Fifteen minutes is hard to catch a rhythm sometimes but I thought he did all the things we needed him to do. This was just more celebration of his journey to get back out on the court and we were happy to be a part of it.”
All 13 Pistons who were active for the game saw the court in the 129-116 win over the Bucks, with 11 logging at least 13 minutes. Bickerstaff said after the victory that he’s going to try using a 12-man rotation going forward as he assesses Detroit’s best lineups and fits.
“We’re going to give guys opportunity, especially in the first half and see how the game progresses in the second half,” Bickerstaff said (Twitter link via Sankofa). “It may not always be easy but guys are going to have an opportunity because they’ve earned it.”
We have more from across the Eastern Conference:
- With the 14-2 Pistons sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings and well positioned from a salary cap perspective for in-season roster moves, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) evaluates whether it makes sense for them to try to make a major trade before February’s deadline. Gozlan ultimately concludes that Detroit is more likely to wait until the 2026 offseason to take a big swing.
- Sixers forward Paul George played well in his second game back from knee surgery on Thursday, contributing 21 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes of action. George’s conditioning still isn’t 100%, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, but he provides the team with some stability at the forward spot and said all the right things after the game about his role. “Listen, whatever it is, to make the game easy for No. 0,” George said, referring to Tyrese Maxey. “I’ve been saying he’s been doing a lot for us. He might not want to say it, but I know he’s tired. He’s got to be tired. So, you know, I’m just trying to make the game easy for him within the offense, play my game.”
- Starting center Wendell Carter Jr. has been an under-the-radar impact role player for the Magic so far this season, according to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel, who takes a look at the ways in which Carter is making the team better both offensively and defensively. “Both sides of the floor, (he has) a huge gravitation. Whether that’s rebounding, defensive position, I feel like that’s stuff that maybe goes unnoticed,” teammate Tristan Da Silva said of Carter, who is averaging 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on .530/.458/.797 shooting.
- Darius Garland (toe) and Jaylon Tyson (concussion) returned to the Cavaliers‘ lineup on Friday after missing five games apiece due to injuries and were on minutes restrictions of roughly 30 minutes, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. While the Cavs got some reinforcements in that game, they remain banged up as they prepare to host the Clippers on Sunday. Jarrett Allen (finger) will miss a second consecutive contest, while Craig Porter Jr. has been ruled out for the first time this season due to a left hamstring strain, per Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Pistons’ Jaden Ivey Could Make Season Debut Saturday
Pistons guard Jaden Ivey has been listed as questionable for Saturday’s game in Milwaukee, tweets Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.
Ivey’s injury designation is “return to competition reconditioning,” which suggests he’s fully recovered from the right knee discomfort he experienced during the preseason. The former No. 5 overall pick underwent arthroscopic surgery on October 16 to address that knee pain.
As Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press notes (via Twitter), this is the first time Ivey has not been ruled out before a game this season.
Ivey, who will be a restricted free agent next summer, resumed on-court work last week and was assigned to the team’s G League affiliate (the Motor City Cruise) a few days ago with the goal of ramping up his conditioning.
The former Purdue star hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since New Year’s Day, when he suffered a fractured left fibula. He recovered from that injury over the offseason, then experienced the right knee issue — which the team said was unrelated to his broken left leg — this fall.
In 30 appearances last season, Ivey averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest, posting a shooting slash line of .460/.409/.733. The 40.9% mark from long distance was a career-best percentage by a significant margin.
Despite multiple key rotation players missing time early on this season, the Pistons have had a terrific start to the 2025/26 campaign. They’ve won 11 straight games and hold the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 13-2 record.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris, who has missed the past nine games with a high right ankle sprain, is also questionable for tomorrow’s matchup at the Bucks.