NBA rumors

Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets in talks for P.J. Washington

The Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets have opened talks on P.J. Washington. Source ESPN.

Dallas is mainly targeting players capable of playing big wing, since the trade for Grant Williams did not pay off.

Washington is in the first year of the three-year, $46.5 million contract he extended with Charlotte last summer.

New Orleans Pelicans interested in acquiring Dejounte Murray

The New Orleans Pelicans are interested in acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. The player has so far been linked mainly to the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

This was revealed by Adrian Wojnarowski, adding that the Pelicans would also be interested in including Onyeka Okongwu in the package.

The Pelicans have a good asset of future picks coming from the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Golden State Warriors target Kelly Olynyk

Adrian Wojnarowski, the face of ESPN, also spoke about the Golden State Warriors’ trade to SportCenter: the rumor concerns Utah Jazz long man Kelly Olynyk.

Olynyk would fit in Golden State because of his size and ability to stretch the court, but the team’s best chance of reaching the postseason remains getting the most out of players who have so far fallen short, such as Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson.

Trade Celtics-Grizzlies for Xavier Tillman: all details

The Boston Celtics have acquired Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for two future second-round picks. This will provide Boston with more depth at centre ahead of the final phase of the season.

The Grizzlies will receive the Atlanta Hawks’ 2027 second-round pick and the Dallas Mavericks’ 2030 second-round pick as part of the deal, according to sources at Adrian Wojnarowski, along with wing Lamar Stevens.

Tillman, 25, is averaging six points and 4.6 rebounds in 34 games with Memphis this season. Although he has struggled with shooting, registering a 40.8 per cent from the field – including a 22.6 per cent percentage from three – he is a strong defensive presence inside, averaging 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 stoppage in 20 minutes.

Tillman will serve as a complementary option for coach Joe Mazzulla alongside Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet at the centre of Boston’s defence.

The Celtics made a similar move last season when they acquired Mike Muscala from the Oklahoma City Thunder before the deadline.

For a Memphis team looking ahead to next season, it marks another step to reclaim future assets after trading another centre, Steven Adams, to the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks last week.

Trade Timberwolves-Pistons for Monte Morris: all details

The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired point guard Monte Morris from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guards Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr. and a second-round pick in the 2030 draft, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Morris, 28, recorded a career average of 10.3 points and 5.3 assists for the Washington Wizards last season, starting in 61 of 62 games played.

He missed the first 43 games of the 2023-24 season due to a right quadriceps injury, but returned to the court on 24 January as a reserve for the Pistons.

In the final season of a three-year, $27.7 million contract, Morris brings his playoff experience to the Wolves, this being one of the best seasons in franchise history with a 35-16 record, ranking first in the Western.

With 48 playoff games under his belt (10 as a starter) with the Denver Nuggets, Morris will look to bolster the Timberwolves’ offense, which has recently been struggling in the late games.

Celtics to acquire Xavier Tillman from Grizzlies

The Boston Celtics strengthen the frontcourt with the arrival of Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for two future second-round picks (2027 Hawks, 2030 Dallas).

Tillman, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was producing 6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and one block in 20 minutes per game.

 

Utah Jazz trade Simone Fontecchio to Detroit Pistons

Adrian Wojnarowski reports on a trade between the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons.
Simone Fontecchio ends up with the Pistons, while in return the Jazz get a 2024 second-round pick, Kevin Knox, and the NBA rights to another Italian player, Gabriele Procida.

The reporter reveals that Detroit, decidedly short on shooters, considers the Italian forward part of the team’s future core.

Fontecchio will become a restricted free agent next offseason, but Detroit will have a chance to match any offer.

The forward was producing 8.9 points (39 percent from three), 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23 minutes per game in his second season with the Jazz.

In Detroit Fontecchio could have more offensive responsibilities, on a team that struggles on both ends of the court. Moreover, barring news in the next 24 hours, he will also find Danilo Gallinari among his new teammates.

Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics reportedly interested in Simone Fontecchio

Simone Fontecchio could change teams before the deadline. Zach Lowe of ESPN and Tony Jones of The Athletic agree.

Simone Fontecchio’s contract

Let’s start with the contract. Simone Fontecchio earns just over $3 million this season, the last of his two-year rookie contract.

In the summer he will be Restricted Free Agent with a $3.8 million qualifying offer.

The Future

In his podcast, Lowe states that there are franchises “definitely interested in Fontecchio”, while admitting that he does not know what the Jazz’s plans are for him.

The player has established himself as a quintet man, with defensive presence on the wing, a good outside shot, and the ability to play handler.

According to Lowe, Fontecchio will eventually remain in Utah, given the high ratio between performance and cost, even next season unless there are sensational offers in the summer.

According to Tony Jones, instead, there would be more chances for an immediate farewell to the Utah Jazz. Interested in Fontecchio are Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, in search of reinforcements for the ‘second unit’. Boston, above all, would have first choices to put into play.

Philadelphia 76ers are looking for ways to strengthen the team

According to reports from Yahoo Sports, the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for ways to strengthen the team, partly due to Joel Embiid’s knee surgery.

Their goal is to acquire more immediate first-round picks, as the first tradeable pick will not be available until 2026.

Among the players in the Sixers’ sights are Buddy Hield of the Pacers and Bojan Bogdanović of the Pistons. Hield, with a salary of $18.5 million, would fit into the Sixers’ expiring contracts without burdening their future budget, while Bogdanović, with a $20 million salary for this season and only $2 million guaranteed for 2024-25, is another attractive option.

However, Detroit has shown no interest in giving up Bogdanović, despite the Pistons’ interest in reacquiring Tobias Harris, whom Philadelphia does not seem to want to trade.

Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks target Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins looms as the Golden State Warriors’ most valuable bargaining chip ahead of the deadline, but realising a deal is proving complicated.

The market offers few alternatives comparable to Siakam, and other options such as the Hawks’ Dejounte Murray do not fit the Warriors’ needs.

Wiggins has attracted the interest of teams such as the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks, but a possible trade with the Bucks would require the inclusion of Bobby Portis, which Milwaukee is carefully considering.

The Warriors could therefore move towards minor roster adjustments, rather than a big trade.

Source Yahoo

Minnesota Timberwolves target Monté Morris

Renewed interest around Detroit Pistons point guard Monté Morris, according to The Athletic.

The Minnesota Timberwolves emerge as one of the franchises most interested in the player, confirming what was already known at the time of the Wizards.

Despite the interest expressed by several teams, the Pistons appreciate the qualities Morris brings to the court as a veteran guard, adept at handling the ball and able to contribute significantly on the shot clock.

His presence is seen as an added value for Detroit, which seems intent on retaining the player, valuing his experiential contribution and technical capabilities within the roster.

Detroit Pistons target again Tobias Harris

Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris is once again at the centre of market rumours that he is of interest to the Detroit Pistons, a team he played for between 2016 and 2018.

According to the Athletic, the Pistons’ interest in the talented shooter is nothing new, having already been mentioned in reports dating back to December.

The final decision will very much depend on the 76ers’ demand for Harris; consequently, Detroit could opt for a wait-and-see strategy, considering signing him this summer without sacrificing assets.

Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz make an offer for Dejounte Murray

The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz are the only teams to have made concrete offers to the Atlanta Hawks for one-time All-Star Dejounte Murray, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer.

During an episode of the podcast with NBA insider Marc Stein, Fischer shared the latest updates on Murray’s situation.

Fischer stated that real offers are only coming from the Lakers and Jazz, but the Lakers don’t have a clear and defined package that meets the Hawks’ demands in terms of draft picks and a desired player without a contract that is considered onerous long-term.

Golden State Warriors reportedly inquired about Alex Caruso

Several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, would have inquired about Alex Caruso. This was reported by KC Johnson, Chicago Bulls insider for NBC.

The Chicago Bulls had rejected any move, but that was before Zach LaVine’s final stop. Will anything change in the next few hours?

Caruso, who is earning nearly $10 million this season, has one year left on a similar contract, but to be guaranteed by 30 June.

Khem Birch to join Basquet Girona

Khem Birch has reached an agreement with Basquet Girona, Chema De Lucas reports.

The Canadian big man returns to Europe after 6 seasons in the NBA (5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 52% FG, 70% FT) between Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors.

Early in his career Birch played in Turkey with Usak Sportlif and in Greece with Olympiacos.

Grizzlies send Steven Adams to Rockets for Victor Oladipo, 3 second-round picks

The Houston Rockets acquired Memphis Grizzlies centre Steven Adams in a trade involving guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks.

As part of the trade, the Grizzlies will receive a 2024 second-round pick via Oklahoma City, a conditional ’24 second-round pick, which will be the most favourable pick between the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State, and a more favourable 2025 second-round pick from Houston, according to sources.

Adams, 30, has been out since January 2023 after undergoing surgery on his right knee, but is expected to be fully recovered by the 2024-25 season.

The Rockets are looking forward to his physicality, rebounding presence and leadership as a backup to emerging star centre Alperen Sengun. Before his knee injury last season, Adams averaged 11.5 total rebounds in 42 games.

The trade reduces the Grizzlies’ guaranteed salary for the 2024-25 season by $12.4 million, dropping it about $17 million below the $190 million salary cap level, known as the second apron. Oladipo, who has an expiring contract, has no set timeline for his return to the court.

 

Houston Rockets reportedly interested in Mikal Bridges

The Houston Rockets would be interested in trading some of the draft picks they got for James Harden: the target would be Mikal Bridges according to Mike Scotto.

“Recently the Houston Rockets were among the teams that expressed interest in Bridges. Houston was willing to send some of its unused picks back to Brooklyn as part of the James Harden deal, but negotiations never got to that point because the Nets refused to deal for Bridges when Houston inquired.”

Brett Siegel: The Lakers have already submitted an offer for Dejounte Murray

The Lakers are willing to offer D’Angelo Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino for Dejounte Murray according to Brett Siegel.

“The Lakers have already submitted an offer, a deal that includes the likes of D’Angelo Russell, rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft compensation, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints.”

Meanwhile, the two faced off on the night, with the Hawks’ victory over the Lakers 138-122. Murray, in 33 minutes, produced 24 points and 9 assists with 11/19 from the field. For Russell, 9 points in 27′ with 3/11 from the field and 5 assists.

Minnesota Timberwolves targets Bogdan Bogdanovic

Bogdan Bogdanovic has entered the Minnesota Timberwolves’ crosshairs in recent weeks, according to Brett Siegel.

However, the Serbian’s newly signed contract, which includes almost $52 million guaranteed for this and two more seasons, would be the main obstacle.

New York Knicks reportedly plan to get Tari Eason

The New York Knicks reportedly plan to get Tari Eason from the Houston Rockets before the deadline.

“New York wants Tari Eason, but a trade for [Quentin] Grimes may be necessary, leaving the Knicks short at guard,” writes SNY’s David Vertsberger.

Eason has been out for most of the month with a leg injury. His last appearance was on New Year’s Day, in the win against the Detroit Pistons. On that occasion he put up 17 points, four rebounds, one assist and three steals.

He currently averages 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 46.6 per cent shooting from the field and 36.0 per cent from beyond the arc.

Philadelphia 76ers reportedly targets Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry will be at the centre of the market in the event of a buyout with the Charlotte Hornets, and the feeling is that the former Toronto and Miami player could end up in a title contender.

A new preferred destination has recently emerged. Given Lowry’s ties to his hometown of Philadelphia and his previous relationship with coach Nick Nurse, league insiders, as reported by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, predict Lowry could sign with Philadelphia.

The question: are the 76ers a contender today?

Matthew Hurt signs 10-day deal with Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Matthew Hurt to a 10-day contract.

The former Duke man already stepped on the court last night against the Kings, scoring his first points in the NBA.

Hurt was averaging over 22 points per game in G League with the Memphis Hustle.

 

Ramona Shelburne on Warriors: They’re not going to move that core and dismantle that team

A complex season for the Golden State Warriors, but no sudden revolutions would be on the horizon. Not according to Ramona Shelburne.

Currently the franchise that has marked this NBA generation is out of the play-in game in the Western, with a 19-24 record.

At the end of the season Klay Thompson will be expiring, while Curry and Green still have a few years left on their contracts.

But, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, there would be no trades in sight, at least not involving the franchise’s history-making axis: ‘They’re not going to move that core and dismantle that team unless he’s on board with that idea.

That “he” is Steph Curry.