The NBA trade deadline is just hours away. Already this season, a handful of deals have taken place (which you can keep track of here). As we close in on the official trade deadline (Feb. 8, 3 p.m. ET), talks of other deals will be bandied about.
Keep up with the latest rumblings around the NBA — and the latest deals that have been agreed to — as deadline day approaches.
And, if you missed it, here’s what happened in trade talks on Tuesday.
* * *
Report: Spurs pursuing Clippers’ Bradley
Avery Bradley’s time with the LA Clippers may already be coming to an end, as the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as a suitor for the Bradley, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The Clippers acquired Bradley last week in the blockbuster trade that sent Black Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
Stein reports that the Clippers’ asking price is a first-round pick, which the Spurs could be willing to part with considering they are perpetually in win-now mode.
Bradley is in the final year of his contract, and could seek a big payday this summer — something the Clippers will be hesitant to give him, given the presence of guards Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic, Lou Williams and Austin Rivers on the roster.
— 11:47 p.m. ET
Jazz’s Hood has ‘gut feeling’ he will be dealt
Utah Jazz swingman Rodney Hood is in the midst of his best season in the NBA. Despite the statistical success he is enjoying, he doesn’t think he’ll be in Salt Lake City by the end of Thursday’s trade deadline.
In an interview with Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Hood talks about his name being in trade talks and how he is ready for whatever the future may bring. That said, he has a feeling he may be dealt soon:
As Thursday’s trade deadline nears, teams are scouring the market. Hood has become a player teams are inquiring about, with the 25-year-old very open to a change of scenery, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Hood has averaged a career-high 16.8 points and 39.7 percent 3-point shooting in 38 games this season — including a 30-point performance on 12-of-14 shooting in 27 minutes in a blowout win over New Orleans on Monday — and could become attractive as a two-way player to garner an offer sheet in the summer.
…
“It’s been tough for me, it has been, but at the same time, my obligation is to have a job,” Hood told Yahoo Sports. “For my family, for my loved ones, my priority is to have a job and perform. I’ve had great times in Utah, but regardless of where I’m playing, whether it’s there or somewhere else, I’m going to stay professional. I’m going to stick with it.
“My gut feeling is that I won’t be here by the deadline. I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’ve felt isolated the past month and I would not be surprised if I was moved.
“People have told me to put things into perspective. It’s been tough for me to be in this situation, but it’s part of it. It’s part of the growing process. I just have to continue to get better and continue to learn. Whatever unfolds, I want people to know I stayed a pro and performed. I’m just looking to the future, playing in the playoffs and on a high level. Whatever happens, happens.”
Injuries have limited Hood to 37 games this season and he has reportedly been frustrated by at times by his role as a reserve as well.
— 3:04 p.m. ET
Knicks’ Hernangomez officially dealt to Charlotte
Big man Willy Hernangomez made it clear to the New York Knicks he wanted them to trade him and he has gotten his wish.
The Knicks traded the big man to the Charlotte Hornets for Johnny O’Bryant and two future second-round picks. Here’s more from the official release from the Hornets:
Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has acquired center Willy Hernangomez from the New York Knicks in exchange for forward Johnny O’Bryant and Charlotte’s 2020 and 2021 second-round draft picks.
“We’re excited to add a player of Willy’s caliber to our team,” said Cho. “He showed last season that he can contribute when given the opportunity and we believe that the added depth he provides will benefit our frontcourt rotation.”
An NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2016-17, Hernangomez was originally selected by Philadelphia with the 35th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft before having his rights traded to New York. He played in 98 career games (22 starts) for the Knicks, with averages of 7.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per contest, while shooting .549 from the field.
Per Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania, Hernangomez told the Knicks he wanted to be dealt to a team that would allow him to continue his growth. In Charlotte, he will join a frontcourt that contains Dwight Howard, Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller.
Hernangomez’s representatives recently had informed Knicks officials that he wanted to be traded, seeking a team in which Hernangomez could continue his development as a young NBA center. Hernangomez, 23, had fallen out of the Knicks’ rotation this season, playing in just 26 of the team’s 55 games and averaging 4.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and nine minutes.
Several teams had engaged in talks for Hernangomez over the past month, but Charlotte worked to finalize a deal Wednesday. The 6-foot-11 Hernangomez entered the NBA a season ago with the Knicks and blossomed as the season progressed. He averaged 8.2 points, seven rebounds, 1.3 assists and 18.4 minutes in 72 games last season and was a member of the All-Rookie first team.
— 2:31 p.m. ET
Seven teams reportedly pursuing Grizzlies’ Evans
Tyreke Evans of the Memphis Grizzlies hasn’t played since Jan. 29 as the team has kept him out of the lineup in anticipation of a likely trade. According to Sam Amick of USA Today, as many as seven teams may have interest in acquiring the combo guard:
The Grizzlies are widely expected to find a home for Evans, as evidenced by the fact that they sidelined him on Wednesday as a way of protecting their asset. While Philadelphia, Boston, and Denver are known to be interested, there are – according to a person with knowledge of the situation – seven teams in the running in all. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because trade talks aren’t shared publicly.
— 12:55 p.m. ET
Report: Knicks taking calls on three veterans
After parting with big man Willy Hernangomez in a deal earlier today, the New York Knicks may be open to dealing other players on their roster.
According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, rival executives say the Knicks are taking calls on veterans Kyle O’Quinn, Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah. Here’s what Begley reported via Twitter:
Opposing executives say the Knicks continue to take calls on center Kyle O’Quinn and guard Courtney Lee. New York is also still trying to trade Joakim Noah as well.
— 12:17 p.m. ET
Report: Thunder interested in Smart, too
Over the last few days, it has been reported that the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to be active at the trade deadline. They have been linked to potential deals involving the Chicago Bulls’ Tony Allen and the Utah Jazz’s Rodney Hood, to name two.
They’re potentially interested in Atlanta Hawks guard Marco Belinelli (see below). Per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, could be looking to get into the Marcus Smart derby and may have eyes for other players, too:
A lack of draft assets could also keep them out of the mix for Marcus Smart. The Thunder have expressed interest in Smart, but the Celtics are seeking a 2018 first-rounder. Tyreke Evans remains an option for OKC, as reported last week on The Ringer, but the Grizzlies can do better.
…
The Thunder have also called the Magic about wing Jonathon Simmons, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Mannix. But multiple sources indicated that Simmons likely isn’t available, at least for anything the Thunder put on the table. Rodney Hood’s name has been tossed out as an option, but the Thunder likely don’t have the assets to get it done.
…
Presti’s options are limited, which makes it more probable that they’ll settle for something like Marco Belinelli and Dewayne Dedmon (or Ersan Ilyasova) from Atlanta.
…
Otherwise, they’ll need to resort to the buyout market. Allen and point guard Jameer Nelson, both of whom were dealt to Chicago in last week’s Nikola Mirotic trade, could be released. It’s been reported that Jazz guard Joe Johnson will be bought out if he’s not traded before the deadline, and two front-office sources have cited the Thunder as a leader for Johnson.
— 10:59 a.m. ET
Celtics reportedly won’t trade Smart for short-term fix
The Boston Celtics didn’t think they’d have a chance at the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference when Gordon Hayward went down on opening night with his gruesome injury. Yet, even after last night’s 20-point loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Celtics have the top seed in the East as of this morning.
Boston has been mentioned in trade talks for the likes of Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans and LA Clippers guard Lou Williams. Those players, though, are on the final years of the deals and acquiring them may make them more or less “rental” players for Boston. To land a player like that, the Celtics have reportedly floated trading guard Marcus Smart, who will also be a free agent this summer.
According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, the Celtics don’t seem willing to trade Smart for anything less than a player who can contribute this season and beyond:
In fact, while no team seems all that interested in giving up a first-round draft pick for the Celtics guard as he heads toward restricted free agency this offseason, there is also the not-so-small matter of the current season and the Bostonians’ chances to accomplish something few thought possible when Gordon Hayward went down with a fractured ankle on opening night.
From what we can gather, the Celts are indeed discomforted by the uncertainty with signing Smart beyond this season, but they see him as a key piece to this playoff run. Sources indicate Danny Ainge likely will only move Smart if he can get back someone who will help the club more in the present — or if trading Smart brings back an asset Ainge can then move for such a player.
But the Celtics aren’t just going for broke on this spring. They don’t seem willing to just give Smart up for a rental. Any replacement would have to be valuable beyond this season as well.
…
So while sources confirmed again that the Celts still have interest in Memphis’ Tyreke Evans and the Clippers’ Lou Williams, both of whom are in the last year of their contracts, it’s doubtful Ainge would do anything amounting to either being the only real return in a deal for Smart. There would have to be more.
— 8:16 a.m. ET
Report: Sixers, Thunder pursuing Belinelli
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers both have designs on making noise in the 2018 playoffs. Both teams are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to 3-pointers made per game (Philly makes 10.3; OKC makes 10.2) and low in the rankings in 3-point percentage (Philly ranks 18th at 36 percent; OKC ranks 26th at 35 percent).
According to Orazio Cauchi of the international site Sportando, the Sixers and Thunder have interest in Atlanta Hawks guard Marco Belinelli. The veteran guard is making 37.2 percent of his 3-pointers this season and is among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made off the bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams interested in Marco Belinelli, according to a source
According to Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Belinelli was held out of last night’s 108-82 home win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Belinelli was held out of the game so as to prevent the chance of him getting injured before a potential trade:
The Hawks are holding Marco Belinelli out of their game against Memphis Tuesday night as they seek to trade the veteran guard, the team confirmed.
The Hawks still had a “few options” for trades that include Belinelli, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. The team is holding out Belinelli to avoid the risk of injury before he is traded.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday. Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said earlier Tuesday that the team would prioritize acquiring draft picks and young players in any trades.
— 7:22 a.m. ET
Report: Clippers’ Williams off trade market
Lou Williams doesn’t look to be going anywhere at the trade deadline as the 31-year-old veteran is closing in on an extension with the L.A. Clippers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The two sides have gained momentum in contract talks and a new deal is reportedly within reach. Here’s more from Wojnarowski.
Rival teams were increasingly resigned late Tuesday night that Williams, 31, was exiting the trade market and returning to the Clippers on a multiyear contract, league sources said.
Williams’ career year of 23.3 points per game, the Clippers’ surprising team success and the stability of staying with an organization with which he has grown comfortable has pushed him toward the extension over chasing free agency this summer, league sources said.
Because of Williams’ stature as one of the most pursued players on the trade market, his looming commitment to remain with the Clippers could serve as an impetus to get a sluggish trade deadline into gear Wednesday.
– 2.30 a.m. ET
