Stein’s Latest: Morant, Ellis, Marshall, Antetokounmpo, Bulls
The Grizzlies are still very open to trade offers on Ja Morant, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with an elbow sprain, Marc Stein writes in his latest column for The Stein Line (Substack link).
However, those hoping to buy low on the often-injured star point guard may have to recalibrate, as Stein reports that there is internal pressure facing the team to bring back more than the favorable contracts that the Hawks got in return for Trae Young.
Stein also speculates that, should Morant stay on the team past the trade deadline, there could be some level of friction between Morant and the Grizzlies’ head of basketball operations, Zach Kleiman. As Stein explains, in addition to making it clear that Morant was available, Kleiman backed coach Tuomas Iisalo when the point guard and coach butted heads earlier in the season. The team also didn’t offer the two-time All-Star an extension last offseason when he became eligible.
Morant has played just 20 games this season and is averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per night, though he has matched his career high as a facilitator, dishing out 8.1 assists per game.
We have more from Stein’s latest newsletter:
- Keon Ellis has emerged as perhaps the most likely player to be traded at the deadline, Stein writes. Ellis has struggled to keep a consistent spot in the Kings‘ rotation, but reports have nevertheless indicated that there are a handful of teams targeting the defensive-minded guard, which has led Sacramento to set an asking price of a first-round pick for him. According to Stein, some sources believe that the Kings trading Ellis is almost certain to happen.
- Stein confirms previous reports that the Mavericks highly value Naji Marshall as a part of their post-Luka Doncic core, but that doesn’t mean Marshall is untouchable. Stein writes that the starting point on any trade offer for the versatile wing must be a first-round pick, as far as Dallas is concerned. He adds that Max Christie is another valued member of the core moving forward, and the team is focused on securing him a spot in the three-point contest, not finding a deal to move him.
- The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade landscape continues to be murky, especially following the announcement that he is likely to miss extended time due to a calf injury. According to Stein, multiple teams are still engaging with the Bucks in trade talks in the hopes of landing him at the trade deadline, injury notwithstanding.
- The Bulls are strongly expected to make a move involving one of their guards, Stein writes, with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu the two most likely players to be on the move. He confirms Jake Fischer’s previous report that Nikola Vucevic could very well play out the season with the Bulls and depart in free agency this summer.
Mavericks Rumors: Davis, Marshall, Gafford, Klay, Russell
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported a few days ago that Anthony Davis is still a trade candidate despite dealing with a hand injury that will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks. A subsequent report from his ESPN colleague Tim MacMahon stated that Davis’ agent Rich Paul hopes the 10-time All-Star is traded by the Mavericks prior to the February 5 deadline, but the team doesn’t feel any pressure to deal Davis just to move off his contract.
The Hawks and Raptors have been frequently linked to Davis, but neither team is close to trading for the 32-year-old big man, sources tell Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported earlier on Thursday that Atlanta isn’t operating with any urgency in the wake of Davis’ latest injury.
“The Mavericks’ leverage is materially worse after the hand injury,” one Western Conference executive told Afseth. “I don’t think [Davis] has much of a market.”
Here’s more from Afseth on the Mavericks:
- Forward Naji Marshall is having a career year with Dallas and has popped up in some trade rumors this winter. Confirming recent reporting from Marc Stein, Afseth says there’s a sense that Dallas prefers to hang on to Marshall rather than move him in the coming weeks. The 28-year-old wing is earning $9MM in 2025/26 and will make $9.4MM in ’26/27 before potentially becoming a free agent.
- Although Daniel Gafford has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the team’s top trade chips, his value seems to be diminishing because of health concerns, Afseth reports. The 27-year-old big man has missed 13 games this season due to a right ankle sprain he initially suffered on the first day of training camp and is doubtful for Saturday’s rematch with Utah, tweets Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “If Gafford is healthy, he can help a team. I don’t think he’s been healthy all season,” one Eastern Conference scout told Dallas Hoops Journal. “That ankle has been a problem for months. It looks like he’s frequently playing through something. He doesn’t pop when you watch the Mavericks like he did last season.” No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is also doubtful for tomorrow’s game with a left ankle sprain, Curtis adds.
- Veterans Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell are two other trade candidates for the Mavs, but neither player seems to have much of a market, sources tell Afseth. While one Eastern executive told Afseth he thinks Thompson can still contribute on a contending team, his contract — he’s earning $16.7MM this season and $17.5MM in 2026/27 — isn’t viewed positively. Russell, meanwhile, is shooting a career-low 29.5% from three-point range, has been out of the rotation for most of the past month, and holds a $6MM player option for ’26/27.
Mavericks Notes: Davis, Luxury Tax, Marshall, Christie
Confirming that the Mavericks have renewed trade talks for Anthony Davis, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link), echoes a report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, writing that the Mavs would rather keep Davis than move him in a deal they don’t view as favorable in the long run. That could mean waiting until the summer, as the Suns did with Kevin Durant last season, in the hopes that a better offer materializes.
As Stein writes, one of the Mavs’ priorities in the second half of the season figures to be securing the highest draft pick possible, as this is the last year Dallas owns its first-round pick until 2031. So while the Mavs have expressed optimism about Davis’ ability to return this season from an injury affecting his non-shooting hand, they might hesitate to reactivate him down the stretch should that get in the way of their draft ambitions.
“For all intents and purposes, meaningful basketball in Dallas for Davis this season is over,” Shams Charania of ESPN said during an appearance on NBA Countdown (Twitter video link).
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- One factor complicating the path to a Davis trade is the Mavs’ desire to reduce their luxury tax bill and avoid the second tax apron next season, Stein writes. Dallas has a projected luxury tax bill of around $31.9MM this season, thanks in large part to Davis’ $54.1MM cap hit. The Raptors are one of the teams rumored to be a leading candidate to trade for the big man, which Charania reiterated in his report today, but any offer they make for Davis would likely include the multiyear contracts of RJ Barrett as well as one of Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl, Stein writes, which would fail to bring cap relief to Dallas.
- Naji Marshall has been rumored as a potential trade target for teams looking at the wing trade market. Stein confirms that teams have been inquiring about his availability, but writes that the Mavericks would prefer not to move the versatile 27-year-old, who has largely outplayed his contract value. Marshall is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. Stein adds, though, that an offer generating some level of salary relief to the Mavs would likely get consideration.
- Max Christie is now viewed by the Mavericks as part of the team’s long-term plans, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. Christie, who has started 29 of 38 games, is averaging a career-high 12.3 points per game while shooting 44.1% from three and taking on tough defensive assignments on the perimeter. He’s also on a team-friendly deal, making $7.7MM this season and nearly $8.3MM next year, with a player option in the 2027/28 season. The next step in his development, from the team’s perspective, is increasing his three-point volume — he’s taking 5.4 attempts per game, but Dallas wants to see that number increase, says Clark.
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.
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.
Mavs Notes: Nembhard, Davis, Marshall, Thompson
Rookie guard Ryan Nembhard, who is on a two-way contract with the Mavericks, submitted a historic performance on Monday in an upset win over the Nuggets in Denver. Appearing in just his ninth NBA game, Nembhard racked up 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting and handed out 10 assists without turning the ball over once.
According to the Mavs (Twitter link), Nembhard is the first undrafted rookie in the modern era (dating back to 1967) to have at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game without committing a turnover. He’s also the first rookie of any kind to post that stat line since Stephon Marbury did it in 1996.
“He kind of took over the game,” head coach Jason Kidd said of Nembhard, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “He’s been great since we put him in the starting lineup. Being able to find guys. Also his shot. To have 28 and 10, he controlled the game. The ball touches the paint and he finds Max Christie in the corner for a big three. He took what the defense had. He was really good tonight.”
After making just five brief appearances in Dallas’ first 18 games, Nembhard has appeared in each of the last four, starting three times and averaging 24.0 minutes per night. As a starter, he’s averaging 17.7 points and 5.7 assists per contest and has made 9-of-15 three-pointers (60.0%).
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- As good as Nembhard was on Monday, it was Anthony Davis who led the team in scoring, with 32 points and 13 rebounds in his second game back from a calf strain. Davis, who on a minutes restriction in his return on Friday, exceeded 32 minutes on Monday despite battling the mile-high elevation in Denver. “I was tired for sure, but it’s mental,” he said after the win, according to Afseth. “Trying to push through the fatigue and physically and mentally lock in.”
- Although the Mavericks struggled during the second half of last season and the first several weeks of this season, forward Naji Marshall has no regrets about signing with the team as a free agent during the 2024 offseason. Speaking to Mark Medina of Essentially Sports, Marshall referred to Dallas as a “beautiful city” and said he loves both his teammates and the Mavs’ coaching staff. “(Kidd) has helped my game in a tremendous way,” Marshall said of his head coach. “He showed me things on and off the court with his experience as being a Hall-of-Fame point guard. The coaching staff that he surrounds himself with are also great dudes. They know the game. So learning from them has been a plus.”
- Veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson got off to a brutal start this fall, averaging 7.4 points per game and making 26.7% of his three-pointers in his first 10 outings. In his last 11, he has looked more like himself, scoring 14.5 PPG and hitting 40.6% of his outside shots. “It felt like a relief,” Thompson said after scoring a season-high 23 points and making six three-pointers on Saturday, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “I haven’t shot the ball well in these first 20 games or at least to my standard. When you have a night like that, after the tough start we’ve had. It just gives you relief to keep going and it really inspires me to be out there as much as I can.” Thompson was initially expected to miss Saturday’s game due to left knee stiffness, but managed to play through it.
Mavs Notes: Davis, Thompson, Camp, Marshall, Injuries
As Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com writes, the Mavericks hired Jay Triano as their top offensive assistant coach this offseason, and the changes he has implemented on that end of the floor have been evident in training camp. Triano used Domantas Sabonis as Sacramento’s primary play-maker during his time with the Kings, and star big man Anthony Davis will have a similar role this season with Dallas.
“Ball movement. Getting to our spots and creating lanes for our guys,” Davis said. “We have a lot of guys who love basketball and can play-make. So the emphasis has been getting to our spots on the floor, opening up lanes for everyone, and then attacking the basket. … With Jay Triano coming over and kind of how they used Sabonis as the hub, kind of the same thing. And guys just playing off of that.”
Head coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison want Davis to be a more vocal leader, particularly since Kyrie Irving will be out to open the season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, Afseth notes.
“I know they’re going to be looking on me to kind of lead them,” Davis said. “Just kind of what J-Kidd and Nico have been telling me to do all summer, so I’ve been texting these guys … and trying to get them ready for the season, especially with Kai out.
“I know they’re used to (Irving) kind of being the leader, but I’ve kind of just taken on that role with the help of actually Klay (Thompson) as well, as being two of the three oldest guys on the team. We’ve got a group of fairly young guys. I’m just trying to give them knowledge that I have and try to lead them to success.”
Here’s more on the Mavericks:
- According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, Thompson believes the Mavs can win the championship this season, provided they stay healthy and Irving returns at some point. “There’s no reason we can’t be the highest rated defensive team in the NBA,” Thompson said. “In my experience, what helps to win is having a roster full of two-way players. We have that.”
- Kidd was happy with the team’s performance during the first week of training camp, Afseth writes for Dallas Hoops Journal. “This group talks a little bit more, and that’s good. I don’t have to pull it out of them,” Kidd said. “The communication was good, guys are in, and the competition — everybody’s pushing each other. It’s good to see.” Kidd highlighted wing Naji Marshall as one of the standout performers, Afseth adds. “He was consistent all week on both sides of the ball,” Kidd said. “A lot of good things for Naji. I thought he was one of the guys that stood out this week.”
- Center Daniel Gafford is expected to miss a few weeks after spraining his ankle. He’s not the only player dealing with an injury, as Brandon Williams recently sustained a hamstring strain that will keep him out of action for a week, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Dante Exum also missed the first two practices of training camp, Curtis writes, though the reason was not disclosed.
Mavs Notes: Davis, Lineups, Arena Site, Casson, Preseason
Injuries prevented the Mavericks from taking a long look at double-big lineups last season. They plan to utilize their size next season in the hopes of making a deep playoff run, Christian Clark of The Athletic writes.
Clark notes that Anthony Davis logged only 95 minutes with either Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford in the middle. Davis is expected to play the bulk of his minutes at power forward next season.
“That’s something we have a huge advantage (with) going forward: our size,” Mavericks assistant coach Josh Broghame said. “The talent with that size, that’s something we put on a premium here, and it’s been really, really good for us so far.”
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- In the same story, Clark projects the opening night lineup, with Davis and Lively joined by top pick Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt and D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson starting in the backcourt. P.J. Washington, Gafford, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall and Dante Exum or Max Christie are projected to fill out the rotation.
- Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said that multiple sites for a new arena are being considered and the process is in the early stages. “We have been presented several sites by the city and we are doing a deeper dive on two of them currently to see how viable they are,” he told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “Neither may work and we may refocus on others.” Welts has set a goal of choosing a site by the end of the year or early next year. “The process is going to go on, I would guess, for months. But, no, we’re not like on the 10-yard line,” he added.
- Ethan Casson has been named president of business operations for the franchise, Townsend reports in a separate story. Casson announced last month he would step down after nine years as the Timberwolves’ CEO after the sale of the franchise was finalized. He will report to Welts once his new job officially begins on Aug. 11.
- The Mavs will play an Oct. 6 preseason game against the Thunder in Fort Worth, according to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal, as well as a neutral site preseason contest in Las Vegas against the Lakers on Oct. 15. The remainder of the preseason slate has yet to be revealed.
Southwest Notes: Spencer, Marshall, Nembhard, Wembanyama
In an exclusive interview with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer discussed the “shocking” trade that sent Desmond Bane to Orlando, how his competitive fire was stoked by growing up playing against older brother Pat Spencer, and what he has learned from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., among other topics.
After spending his rookie season on a two-way deal with Memphis, Cam Spencer signed a four-year standard contract with the Grizzlies on Monday. The 2024 second-round pick is thrilled to have an opportunity to stay with the team long term.
“I’m super excited,” Spencer told Medina. “There’s no other organization that I’d rather compete with. I’m super grateful. It makes you think about all of the people that helped you get to this point. But I’m more motivated than ever. I told (general manager) Zach (Kleiman) that I’m going to prove him right every single day. I’m going to get after it for him.”
Spencer is also looking forward to a full season under new head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who had his interim tag lifted in early May.
“Coach Tuomas coming in, I think we have a lot of momentum going into this year,” Spencer said as part of a larger quote. “He’s been great. He’s a super-smart coach and very personable as a player. He really communicates what he wants from us out there on the court. I think we’re all going to be on the same page in a big way this year.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Mavericks wing Naji Marshall is coming off a 2024/25 season in which he averaged career highs in points (13.2), rebounds (4.8), assists (3.0) and steals (1.0) and minutes (27.8) per game, while shooting a career-best 50.8% from the field. However, Dallas failed to make the playoffs amid a wave of devastating second-half injuries. While the 27-year-old said he was “pretty good” last season, he believes he has “more in the tank he can accomplish” in ’25/26, according to Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. “No question (that a deep playoff run is the next step). Just win,” Marshall said. “It’s beautiful. I feel good. I feel like we have all the right pieces to do what we all want to do. I’m looking forward to it.”
- After going undrafted out of Gonzaga last month, Ryan Nembhard quickly agreed to a two-way contract with the Mavericks. The 6’0″ point guard, who led all Division I players in assists last season, tells Christian Clark of The Athletic that signing with the Mavs wasn’t a coincidence. “They showed the most love (during the pre-draft process),” Nembhard said. “I think they really wanted me. They showed the most care for me. And I feel like I have a chance to come do something over here.” The 22-year-old averaged 11.3 PPG, 6.7 APG and 2.7 RPG in three Summer League games in Las Vegas.
- Spurs star Victor Wembanyama did kung fu training with monks at a Shaolin temple in China this offseason and believes the sessions helped him improve his “mental focus” and taught him “more about how to achieve optimal body positioning through a better range of movement,” sources tell Michael C. Wright of ESPN. The French center thinks the training will help him on the court as he prepares for his third season, Wright adds.
Mavs’ Marshall Discusses Losing Doncic, Landing Flagg
Like virtually everyone else in Dallas, Naji Marshall was in disbelief when he heard that the Mavericks had traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (subscription required). For Marshall, the move meant not only losing the cornerstone of the franchise, but also parting with a close friend and someone who impacted his game during their brief time together.
Marshall arrived in Dallas last summer, signing a three-year, $27MM contract in free agency after spending his first four NBA seasons in New Orleans. He wound up playing just 17 games alongside Doncic before the trade, but he said they quickly formed a connection on the court.
“I mean, I understood that, like, business is business as far as the NBA, but I was hurt, man,” Marshall said during a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. “Luka’s my dawg, for real. And I love (Anthony Davis). That’s my guy right there. Like, he’s been great with us. You know, he welcomed us with open arms. … But as far as just personally, like, I just was hurt to lose Luka, man.”
Marshall added that Doncic’s welcoming nature became apparent shortly after he joined the Mavericks. He called Doncic a great communicator who knew how to connect with his teammates.
“Luka is just the chillest guy ever, bro. You just feel like his best friend from day one,” Marshall continued. “He’s just a great dude. Never mad, just always happy. And just a Hall of Fame flamethrower when it comes to basketball.”
Marshall also shared his memories of Doncic’s emotional return to Dallas on April 9. After being moved to tears by a pregame tribute video, Doncic proceeded to shred his former team with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a 112-97 victory. Marshall, who led the Mavs with 23 points and eight assists in that game, said it was “beautiful” to watch Doncic back in action at American Airlines Center.
“First game home … Luka wanted to be in Dallas. He probably never thought he was gonna leave,” Marshall said. “To see him cry before the game — like, I don’t know what he was feeling, but I could just imagine what that moment felt like for him.”
Another topic during the podcast was the Mavericks’ remarkable lottery luck, which saw them rise from No. 11 to land the top pick and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg. Marshall said he was overcome with excitement while watching the broadcast as envelopes continued to be opened without Dallas’ logo coming up.
Marshall believes Flagg can be an impact player right away as the Mavs try to establish themselves as contenders again following a disastrous season.
“I love his game, honestly,” Marshall said. “Like, for real… He’s a winner. I love how he hoop. … The dog he has. I’m a dog, so that’s what I’m really looking for, and he’s a dog, too. I’m excited, bro. I’m excited to see him grow—become a star in the league.”