Nets Notes: Thomas, Porter, Fernandez, Traore
The Nets are pleased with Cam Thomas‘ performance off the bench since he returned from a hamstring injury roughly three weeks ago, but his role isn’t likely to expand, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Thomas was mainly a facilitator in Sunday’s loss to Chicago, contributing three points and 10 assists in 24 minutes.
“Yeah, right now we’re happy where he is, with the minutes he’s playing with the production, being that willing play-maker; because we know how good he is scoring the basketball, and taking those steps defensively,” coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters before the game. “Right now we’re happy where he is. We need him to stay in those minutes a little longer because I, we, just believe what’s most important right now is his body, and (how) his body reacts. And we’re gonna be cautious with that.”
Thomas was hoping for a strong season heading into free agency this summer, but he has continued to be hampered by the same hamstring issues that limited him to 25 games last season. He’s averaging 12 PPG since returning while shooting 40.8% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc, and Lewis notes that Brooklyn is just 4-16 in the games he’s played.
“He’s been sticking with it. He’s had a little bit of a stretch. But like you said just him staying engaged, staying sticking through it with us,” Nic Claxton said. “And if it’s his process as well, you know he’ll start knocking down those shots.”
There’s more on the Nets:
- The team remains winless without Michael Porter Jr., who was held out of Sunday’s game for rest, Lewis states in a separate story. The Nets are 0-8 without their leading scorer and have been outscored in those games by an average of 16.1 points. “Everything has to be done with purpose,” Fernandez said. “You cannot just run around crazy and that’s it. So, that’s very important. No matter who we have out there … I believe we can go out, compete and win. And (Sunday) we didn’t compete to the best of our ability. So, I’m the first one to blame. Watch film (Monday), try to compete better.”
- After watching his team give up 70 points in the first half, Fernandez tried to send a message by pulling four starters for the beginning of the third quarter, replacing Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, Egor Demin and Noah Clowney with Thomas, Nolan Traore, Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin, Lewis adds. The changes didn’t spark a rally as Chicago maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way. “Yeah, it can be rough, but it’s a part of the game. You’ve got to be able to adjust. That’s what we’re dealing with this year. You’ve got to be ready for whatever lineups and our energy needs to be consistent,” Claxton said.
- Traore finished with a career-high 16 points on Sunday after posting a career-best seven assists in Friday’s meeting between the two teams. The rookie point guard has been earning the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates throughout the season, notes C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). “His superpower is obviously his speed, his foot speed,” Porter said. “And he’s been utilizing that, getting downhill, getting in the lane, finding guys, and he’s a great passer. So, he’s going to be really good … and I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops, him and Egor at that point guard position.”
Injury Notes: Mavericks, Avdija, Edwards, Gobert, MPJ
The Mavericks will be without eight players for Saturday’s matchup with Utah, the team announced (via Twitter). In addition to Dante Exum, Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg (left ankle sprain), Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain), D’Angelo Russell (illness) and P.J. Washington (personal reasons) will also be sidelined today.
It’s the second straight missed game for Flagg, the top pick in last year’s draft. The only relatively unexpected absences were Washington, who was initially listed as probable with what the team called right ankle injury management, and Russell, who was a late scratch.
Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija will miss his third straight game Saturday against the Lakers due to a lower back strain, the team confirmed (Twitter link). Avdija, who suffered the injury on January 11, was initially listed as doubtful. On a brighter note, Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday are both probable to suit up after initially being considered questionable.
- Star guard Anthony Edwards will return to action on Saturday after a two-game absence due to right foot injury management, per the Timberwolves (Twitter link). Four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who is dealing with a left hip contusion, is questionable to play at San Antonio. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link), Gobert seemed to be moving OK following Friday’s loss in Houston, but it is a quick turnaround.
- The Nets won’t have Michael Porter Jr. (rest) or Drake Powell (left knee injury management) available for Sunday’s game at Chicago, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Sunday is the front end of a back-to-back for Brooklyn — the team hosts Phoenix on Monday. Porter was also rested under similar circumstances last weekend.
Trade Rumors: MPJ, Kuminga, Raptors, Rockets, Clippers
Recent reporting from ESPN and The Athletic indicated that the Warriors haven’t engaged in any substantive talks with the Nets about Michael Porter Jr. Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area also hears Golden State has been “hesitant” to pursue Porter and suggests the team’s interest in the veteran forward has been overstated.
According to Johnson, if the Warriors do make a run at Porter, it would likely require a third team, as the Nets aren’t interested in Jonathan Kuminga.
However, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com has heard differently, citing sources who say the Warriors are not only interested in Porter but have “something brewing” in regard to the 27-year-old ahead of the February 5 trade deadline. As Afseth writes, Porter is having a career year in Brooklyn and scouts think he could help just about any team.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- Both Johnson and Afseth confirm the Lakers are a team to watch for Kuminga, who demanded a trade on Thursday, the first day he was eligible to be moved. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka likes Kuminga’s game, sources tell Johnson, and the Lakers think the 23-year-old would provide athleticism on the wing alongside Luka Doncic. Still, it’s unclear if the two Pacific Division rivals would make an in-season trade, Johnson notes.
- Although the Raptors have been described as a buyer heading into the deadline, Afseth’s sources refer to Toronto’s approach as being “opportunistic” in search of potential buy-low opportunities. That may be why the team has been linked to stars like Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis and Ja Morant, all of whom have dealt with significant health issues this season.
- Houston’s front office isn’t overreacting to the Rockets‘ recent struggles, writes Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. Team sources tell Iko the Rockets have discussed trade concepts with approximately half the teams in the league, but no deals are imminent and they aren’t aggressively searching for upgrades. Opposing teams have checked in on the availability of Tari Eason, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, Iko adds.
- There was speculation that the Clippers might be a seller after a miserable start to the season, but now they’re considered a possible buyer after reeling off 11 wins in their past 13 games, per Afseth, with John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic viewed as potential trade candidates. Collins is on an expiring $26.6MM contract, while Bogdanovic earns $16MM this season with an identical team option for 2026/27.
Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Demands Trade
Newly eligible to be dealt as of today, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has demanded a trade out of Golden State, according to Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of ESPN.
Kuminga’s trade demand is something of a formality, since his desire for a change of scenery has been a poorly-kept secret for months.
The former No. 7 overall pick discussed potential deals with teams like Sacramento and Phoenix as a restricted free agent during the offseason, but those suitors didn’t have the ability to sign him outright to an offer sheet out of the Warriors’ price range and didn’t make a sign-and-trade offer compelling enough for Golden State to move him.
As a result, Kuminga ended up returning to the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8MM contract that features a team option for 2026/27. After opening the season in the starting lineup, he was moved to the second unit in November and eventually fell out of the rotation altogether. The fifth-year forward hasn’t seen any action since December 18.
The relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors has deteriorated to the point that virtually every party involved in the situation agrees a trade would be the best outcome, per Slater and Charania. Even team owner Joe Lacob, who has long been one of Kuminga’s top boosters in the organization, is “down” on the 23-year-old at this point, team sources tell Marcus Thompson II, Sam Amick, and Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
Still, Kuminga’s value has declined considerably in recent years and has fallen further during the first half of this season due to his DNP-CDs, so it will be difficult for the Warriors to get the kind of return they want. For instance, the Kings, who were offering Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick (top-12 protected) during the summer, remain interested in the forward but are no longer willing to include a first-rounder in their offer, according to The Athletic.
With Kuminga’s value at a low point, Warriors sources have insisted that the team would be comfortable keeping him on the roster beyond the trade deadline and revisiting the situation over the summer, according to both ESPN and The Athletic. While Golden State says it won’t make a deal unless it gets real value in return, per The Athletic, Slater and Charania say rival executives are skeptical of the Warriors’ posturing and believe Kuminga will be on the move before the February 5 trade deadline.
Phoenix is reportedly no longer interested in Kuminga, but there are other possible suitors in play. The Mavericks have also shown interest, Slater and Charania confirm, though one recent report suggested Dallas was only eyeing Kuminga as part of a potential deal involving Anthony Davis. It’s unclear if the Mavs would pursue Kuminga separately or if they just viewed him as an appealing piece within a larger return.
League and team sources confirm to The Athletic that the Lakers have some level in interest in Kuminga, though it doesn’t sound as if the two teams have engaged in any real talks about him to this point.
The Warriors have been cited as a potential suitor for Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., but a team source tells The Athletic that there haven’t been substantial discussions between those two teams. Slater and Charania, meanwhile, cite league sources who say the Warriors haven’t talked to Brooklyn in over a month and have “never shown real interest” in making a move for Porter.
Golden State has been frequently linked to Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, but there has never been any indication New Orleans wants Kuminga, and Joe Dumars‘ front office has been rebuffing inquiries on Murphy, ESPN confirms.
Here are a few more Kuminga-related items of interest:
- League sources tell Slater and Charania that the Warriors are prioritizing expiring salaries in a Kuminga deal and aren’t looking to take on multiyear contracts unless they view those contracts as “no-brainer positive value.” That’s why Golden State was never all that interested in a deal involving Monk, though sources tell ESPN that Kings guard Keon Ellis is a player who would intrigue the Warriors as a “potential sweetener.”
- For the right star, the Warriors would be open to moving multiple first-round picks, per Slater and Charania. Team sources tell ESPN that Golden State is more willing to part with its 2026 first-rounder than with picks in 2028 and beyond.
- It looked like Kuminga would get a chance to return to the Warriors’ rotation on January 2 with several regulars sidelined for health reasons, but he was a late scratch due to lower back soreness. According to Thompson, Amick, and Friedell, that turn of events created some frustration within the organization, with multiple team sources telling The Athletic they suspect Kuminga wasn’t actually injured. “I wouldn’t have played either,” one Warriors player said. “It’s clear the coach doesn’t believe in him.”
- Speaking of that coach, Steve Kerr was among the members within the organization who was in favor of drafting Franz Wagner with the seventh pick in the 2021 draft, team sources confirm to The Athletic. Wagner ended up being picked eighth overall by Orlando after the Warriors took Kuminga due to their desire to add “athleticism and potential star power” to the roster.
Trade Notes: Cavs, Nets, MPJ, Grizzlies, More
The Cavaliers acquired forward De’Andre Hunter in their only in-season trade in 2024/25, but Hunter’s disappointing performance so far in ’25/26 may necessitate another in-season move a year later, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).
Sources tell Fedor that the Cavaliers haven’t engaged in any meaningful trade talks with teams inquiring on their players so far, including one club that made an offer for Hunter. Cleveland still believes in its current group despite an underwhelming 22-19 first half and wants to see what it looks like at full strength, if possible, Fedor adds.
However, with Max Strus expected to remain sidelined for at least a few more weeks, Dean Wade dealing with a nagging knee issue – he recently underwent a precautionary MRI that came back clean, per Fedor – and Hunter struggling to make an impact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cavs explore their options on the trade market before the deadline.
After Hunter scored a season-low two points and committed three turnovers in 18 minutes of action in Monday’s home loss to Utah, head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the forward’s struggles while expressing a belief that he can still turn things around.
“It’s not clicking. I think it’s a prolonged batting slump. It happens in every sport,” Atkinson said. “Trying to support him. Trying to get him some touches. Part of my job is to help him. He’ll snap out of it. He’s too good of a player to be playing like this. He’ll turn it around. We need him.”
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- Noting that Nets general manager Sean Marks typically exercises patience on the trade market and doesn’t settle for deals that fall shy of his asking price, Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required) writes that there’s a real chance Michael Porter Jr. remains with the team through the trade deadline. One assistant GM told Lewis that he wouldn’t be surprised if Brooklyn hangs onto Porter and then sits him frequently after the trade deadline in an effort to tank for a high draft pick.
- Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports and Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports both check in on the Ja Morant situation, with Iko explaining why the Grizzlies appear prepared to move forward without the star point guard and O’Connor presenting some hypothetical trade scenarios involving the 26-year-old. Echoing recent reporting from ESPN, Iko says executives around the NBA are wondering if Memphis will also become open to dealing Jaren Jackson Jr., though the Grizzlies have insisted for now that’s not an option they’re considering.
- Dan Woike of The Athletic suggests six trade ideas for the Lakers, including potential deals that send Andrew Wiggins, Herbert Jones, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or Justin Champagnie to Los Angeles. However, he also plays devil’s advocate by outlining reasons why his suggestions might not work, such as the Pelicans’ lack of interest in moving Jones and the Lakers’ reluctance to take on multiyear salary for a player like KCP.
- Sam Vecenie of The Athletic lays out a few trades he’d like to see happen, including one sending Bulls guard Coby White into the Pistons‘ trade exception for draft assets, a three-team deal sending Michael Porter Jr. to the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga to the Kings, and a Daniel Gafford/Bennedict Mathurin swap between the Pacers and Mavericks.
Latest On Michael Porter Jr.
Citing a “trusted league source,” John Hollinger of The Athletic reported over the weekend that Michael Porter Jr. is a “lock” to be traded by the Nets ahead of the deadline. Other NBA insiders haven’t been so bold, however.
In his latest Substack story, Marc Stein acknowledges some people around the league think the Nets will take a “sell high” approach to Porter’s breakout season and move him by February 5. But Stein continues to hear “push-back” about Brooklyn’s desire to trade Porter prior to the offseason, and says he’s not sure what the Nets will do.
Speaking to Justin Shackil on Yes Network (Twitter video link), Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also expressed some doubt about the possibility of Porter being involved in an in-season trade.
“Right now, a lot of teams across the league — more contending teams — have called, just to get a sense of where he’s at,” Scotto said. “But one thing I will tell you and the viewers as well, Justin, is that the Nets, looking ahead towards next season, they’re going to want to take a step forward. Michael Porter Jr. could very well be a part of that with the way he’s playing. And he’s still young, in his prime.
“So I would temper expectations on a trade, at least at this point. But certainly, he’s gained more interest around the league and I don’t think anybody has helped his value more than him given the All-Star production and efficiency he has shown this season so far.”
The Warriors and Bucks are among the teams that have inquired about Porter since the start of January, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, but the Nets haven’t made it known they actually want to move the sharpshooting forward. Brooklyn’s starting point in talks for Porter is a “valuable first-round pick,” according Siegel, who says even if that asking price is met it doesn’t necessarily mean the team will trade him.
Scotto also discussed Nic Claxton, whose descending contract holds some appeal to rival teams. Scotto reported that the Pacers and Warriors are among the teams who have expressed interest in the seventh-year center, but also said the Nets consider the 26-year-old part of their future.
Siegel has heard similarly, writing that the Nets value Claxton and would want a minimum of first-round pick and “players of value” in return who could help expedite the team’s rebuild.
Warriors Reportedly Targeting MPJ, Murphy, H. Jones
There have been mixed reports about whether the Nets are open to trading Michael Porter Jr. ahead of the February 5 deadline, and one report said the Pelicans are shutting down trade inquiries on Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, among others. However, those three players currently sit atop the Warriors‘ trade wish list, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
While he doesn’t state it outright, Siegel implies Jonathan Kuminga would be the primary outgoing salary in a deal for Murphy, with Golden State believed to be open to including two first-round picks. Siegel doesn’t include any details on what a potential offer for Jones might look like.
According to Siegel, early indications are the Warriors are reluctant to trade more than one first-rounder for Porter because a deal would include both Kuminga and Moses Moody. Siegel says Golden State is “very open” to moving Moody ahead of the deadline, explaining that front office has been a little disappointed that the 23-year-old hasn’t made more progress in his development.
It’s unclear if Brooklyn would accept such a package — or if the Nets will trade him at all — but Siegel writes that Porter may be the Warriors’ top trade target if they can acquire him for Kuminga, Moody, Buddy Hield and an unspecified first-round pick.
If Golden State is unable to land Porter, Murphy or Jones, Siegel hears the team would likely pivot to other wings and big men on the trade market, listing Naji Marshall, Ayo Dosunmu, Daniel Gafford and Bobby Portis as a few of the players who could be available and wouldn’t cost as much to acquire.
Atlantic Notes: Poeltl, Raptors, Agbaji, Brown, MPJ, Thomas
Starting Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has made one brief appearance since mid-December due to a lower back strain and will miss his 10th straight game on Sunday. While the Austrian big man has been cleared for contact work and has been ramping up his activity, he’s still experiencing discomfort during workouts, sources tell Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
In another story for Sportsnet, Grange reports that Poeltl’s recovery progress has “stalled.” The 30-year-old told Grange his workout in Boston on Thursday was “so-so” and Grange hears Friday’s session wasn’t much better.
Poeltl’s ongoing back issue is partly why the Raptors are actively looking for help in the middle, Grange writes. Goga Bitadze is one player Toronto is monitoring, according to Grange, who points out that Moritz Wagner‘s return and Orlando’s future cap situation could make the Magic center expendable.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Raptors guard/forward Ochai Agbaji received a DNP-CD on Friday at Boston even though the team was playing without Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Agbaji has been involved in trade rumors due to his $6.4MM expiring contract and declining play, and he acknowledges several young wings on the roster have struggled to find consistency this season. “It’s obviously been tough. Some guys are trying to fall into that role and find their rhythm too,” Agbaji told Grange. “… We kind of see that and everyone in the room sees that too, and how valuable we are to the team and what we can bring to the team, so it’s just a matter of knowing your role and trying to be the best at it. (But) I feel like our bench – our total team – yes, we play our good basketball, but I feel like there’s so much more to us, individually and as a team collectively, that we just haven’t shown in one game or over a span of, like, a week, or anything like that.”
- Celtics star Jaylen Brown ripped the officials, including calling out crew chief Curtis Blair by name, following Saturday’s loss to San Antonio, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The Spurs attempted 20 free throws, compared to four for the Celtics. “If we can’t get to the free throw line and teams are allowed to be physical and bump us off our spots, etc., then it’s hard to win games like that,” Brown said. “We shot four free throws tonight and lost the game by four. Not to say that’s the whole game, the whole story. We got to be better in spots. I got to be better in spots. But goddamn. I’m driving to the basket. I’m physical. I don’t flop. I don’t shy away from contact. I go up strong. I’m athletic. And nothing. Zero free throws tonight. The inconsistency is f—ing crazy. Give me the fine.”
- Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., who is being held out of Sunday’s game at Memphis for rest purposes, is having a career year for Brooklyn and his head coach believes he deserves to be recognized for his strong play, according to C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News. “I mean, he’s an All-Star,” Jordi Fernandez said. “He’s played like an All-Star, you just got to watch him play, and how much better he’s gotten.”
- Cam Thomas has been coming off the bench for the Nets since he returned from a hamstring strain and Fernandez has been pleased with the fifth-year guard’s recent performances, as Andrew Crane of The New York Post relays. “I’m very happy with the second group,” Fernandez said after the Nets lost 121-105 to the Clippers on Friday. “They’re trying to play the right way. I’m happy and trying to focus more on [Thomas] because that’s the superpower that he has, and defenses have to focus on him. And then he’ll figure it out when he scores and takes the shot, when he passes the ball.”
Warriors Notes: Butler, Green, MPJ, Melton, Horford
Jimmy Butler‘s work with the second unit has sparked the Warriors to an 8-3 record over their last 11 games, Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in a subscriber-only story. Coach Steve Kerr reworked his rotation to give Butler more time with the reserves, and that group has been consistently winning its minutes while Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are off the court. The latest example came Friday night as Butler teamed with four bench players for a 13-0 run in the third quarter that broke open a tied game with Sacramento.
“The way he controls the game is elite,” De’Anthony Melton said of Butler. “I’m reading when to cut, spacing, when to move, certain spots he likes (the ball). Sometimes he has a certain matchup where he doesn’t want (an action). … He can either get a bucket or a foul usually more times than not. Sometimes, it’s not being in his way and giving him an outlet, too, when two people collapse and you’ve got to be ready to shoot.”
Kerr said Butler is more aggressive in those situations, adding that he often “defers” to Curry when they’re playing together. Butler called it getting “the ball where it’s supposed to go,” but regardless, his offensive skills are more on display when he’s the alpha on the court.
“It’s like a drastic change in style but it’s still a beautiful game when he’s getting everybody organized,” Curry said. “You saw him getting downhill, kicking out to shooters, knocking down big shots. He puts so much pressure on the defense even if he’s not the one shooting.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Kerr recently talked to Green about his high turnover rate, which has been an issue during the first half of the season, Gordon adds in a separate story. Kerr still trusts the veteran big man to run the offense, but wants him to do it more judiciously. “The league has changed,” Green said. “Teams feast off those turnovers. So you try to take less chances than I was taking. I heard it. Took it to heart.”
- Green made an unusual comment about high-scoring Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. on his podcast, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link). After praising Porter’s performance this season, Green said it will be interesting to see what Brooklyn does with him over the “next nine days.”
- Stability in the rotation has also contributed to Golden State’s recent success, observes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. In particular, the Warriors are benefiting from the health of Melton and Al Horford, who are both playing regularly after missing time earlier in the season. “We’re in a good groove with our rotation, and helps to have the same lineups out there,” Kerr said. “To have Melt and Al both healthy and playing well, it feels like the version of the team that we expected when we signed those guys over the summer. The depth (is great) and we’re just getting into a good groove.”
Latest On Ja Morant
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Grizzlies are listening to trade offers for Ja Morant, but also said the team is open to keeping him on the roster past the February 5 deadline. John Hollinger of The Athletic, a former high-ranking Grizzlies executive, confirms the team is fielding offers for Morant but is dubious Memphis will retain the 26-year-old beyond Feb. 5.
As Hollinger observes, it’s rare for a team to publicly advertise it’s open to moving one of its top players unless the club already intends to move him. Just a few days after the Hawks were said to be working on a trade with Trae Young, they ended up sending him to Washington. It’s quite possible Memphis already has a deal lined up for Morant and is waiting to see if anyone will top it, according to Hollinger.
Hollinger confirms the Kings and Timberwolves are unlikely to pursue Morant, describing their interest as “lukewarm at best.” While he admits it’s informed speculation, Hollinger points to the Raptors (Immanuel Quickley and other assets) as a team that might be a fit, and calls the Nets a potential “deep dark horse” suitor.
A league source tells The Athletic that Michael Porter Jr. is a “lock” to be traded by Brooklyn ahead of the deadline, with Hollinger suggesting three-team frameworks that send Porter to either the Raptors, Heat or Bucks, Morant to the Nets, and various assets to the Grizzlies.
Here are several more rumors related to Morant:
- There’s a sense around the league that the Grizzlies might be able to get more value for Morant than the Hawks did for Young, according to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. That could require Memphis to take on long-term money in return, but the team seems more willing to go that route than Atlanta was.
- Still, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) hears the Grizzlies don’t have unrealistic expectations about a potential return package. Fischer confirms they’re looking for young players and draft assets, but says Memphis isn’t expecting anything close to what it received for Desmond Bane over the offseason.
- According to Fischer, while Morant may have never formally requested a trade, it seems both sides were in agreement about seeking a change of scenery. Fischer also hears the Grizzlies want to build around Jaren Jackson Jr., but says that won’t stop opposing teams from calling about his availability and trying to determine through back channels whether the former Defensive Player of the Year is open to a possible exit. Hollinger has heard similar rumblings about Jackson, with Fischer wondering if the Raptors or Hawks might pivot to a pursuit of the 26-year-old big man in the wake of Anthony Davis‘ hand injury.
- Although there were some suggestions early in the season about a potential Morant-LaMelo Ball trade between the Grizzlies and Hornets, that scenario appears unlikely now, Fischer writes.
- The Raptors offered Quickley and unspecified draft compensation to the Hawks for Young prior to last year’s deadline, sources tell Fischer, and maintained a level of interest in the four-time All-Star in 2025/26. The Hawks weren’t interested in taking on Quickley’s contract, as they were instead focused on financial flexibility, but perhaps Memphis would feel differently.
- The Heat have had internal discussions about pursuing Morant, Fischer reports. Morant didn’t like playing under the Noah LaRoche‘s offensive system last season with Memphis, Fischer notes, but Miami has a history of expressing interest in star players regardless of their injury or off-court histories.
- Both Hollinger and Vecenie are skeptical about the Bucks pursuing Morant, but the possibility can’t be ruled out entirely. “They’ve thought about everyone,” one rival executive told Fischer.