With a little over a week until the NBA trade deadline, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Jalen Green, Walker Kessler, Yves Missi, and trade talks involving the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Jazz, Spurs, Magic, Pelicans, and Wizards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future and where the Bucks go from here
Despite signaling to teams across the league that Milwaukee wants to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo and continue building around him, executives across the league have constantly checked, hoping the Bucks will soften their stance due to Antetokounmpo’s recent calf strain and as the team's draft position rises in the lottery.
Earlier today, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason.” Additionally, as noted a week ago on my SNY TV guest appearance on behalf of HoopsHype, waiting until the summer is a possible option for the Bucks. At that time, Milwaukee will know how the NBA Draft Lottery will turn out, including where the Bucks’ pick will land, and the Knicks, Heat, and other teams have more picks available to trade.
While the Bucks expressed interest in Grizzlies star Ja Morant, Milwaukee’s chances of landing the two-time All-Star were deemed unlikely within the past few days following Antetokounmpo’s injury, HoopsHype has learned. As previously reported on HoopsHype, the Grizzlies desired Milwaukee’s 2031 or 2032 first-round pick and Most Improved Player of the Year candidate Ryan Rollins in Morant discussions.
In addition to Morant, Milwaukee was linked with trade interest in several notable names on the trade market, including Morant, Michael Porter Jr., Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, Jerami Grant, Miles Bridges, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and other players. However, with Antetokounmpo out for a significant amount of time, there’s less urgency for the Bucks to act immediately.
Before Antetokounmpo’s injury, the Bucks also had discussions about improving around the margins with several veteran minimum players in differing trade talks to acquire higher-priced upgrades who fit under their room below the luxury tax, league sources told HoopsHype. Meanwhile, the Bucks have gauged the trade value of forwards Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis on the market across the league, sources said.
Kings trade talks: Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Keon Ellis
With Sacramento near the bottom of the league and several high-priced veterans on the roster, the Kings have actively explored the trade market as the franchise enters a rebuilding situation.
Kings three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has recently been linked to the Wizards, Suns, and Bulls, per The Athletic. HoopsHype has also reported that the Raptors expressed interest in trading for Sabonis since last summer.
In trade talks involving Sabonis, the Kings told at least one interested team that they’d like a first-round pick in return, HoopsHype has learned. Over the next two seasons, Sabonis is owed a combined $94.08 million.
The Suns, as also noted elsewhere in this HoopsHype story, are unlikely to make a big splash such as acquiring Sabonis. In addition, the Wizards view Alex Sarr as their center of the future, league sources told HoopsHype, and despite brief exploratory conversations surrounding Sabonis before acquiring Trae Young, Washington is not inclined to trade for Sabonis at this time. If Washington had been incentivized to take on Sabonis’ contract, the Wizards would’ve considered such an acquisition, HoopsHype has learned.
Regarding Toronto’s interest in Sabonis, Raptors swingmen RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji have been discussed in those trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype. Kings general manager Scott Perry drafted Barrett when the two were with the Knicks. Agbaji, meanwhile, has been a trade candidate, as previously reported by HoopsHype in December, with the Raptors having explored using him to duck below the luxury tax in previous trade talks for Suns center Nick Richards.
Sacramento has been resistant to Jakob Poeltl due to ongoing back issues and Immanuel Quickley due to his long-term contract in trade talks for Sabonis, HoopsHype has learned.
Fellow Kings veteran and six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan – who has $10 million partially guaranteed on his contract for next season – addressed playing through trade rumors with HoopsHype after Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. “It is what it is,” DeRozan said, “For me, I’ve been in the league, and you hear everything. At the end of the day, you’ve got to be a professional and still go out there and compete and play the game. You can’t get caught up in all that other stuff. Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, we’ve still got a job and an obligation to do.”
Sacramento has discussed packages of DeRozan and 3-and-D guard Keon Ellis with some teams around the league, sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting that although Ellis is slated for unrestricted free agency, he’s also eligible for a contract extension after the trade deadline.
Ellis has been linked with interest from basically half the league. Obtaining a first-round pick is another scenario where Sacramento would part with Ellis, but several executives across the league who spoke with HoopsHype believe he’s worth multiple second-round picks instead due to his impending unrestricted free agency status.
“It’s always great to be wanted because that’s not always the case,” Ellis said when asked by HoopsHype how he feels seeing his name linked with so many teams having trade interest in him. “It’s definitely good that other teams see value in you.”
Celtics trending towards trade deadline buyers?
The Boston Celtics didn’t get the memo that this was supposed to be a gap season without Jayson Tatum for a prolonged period of time. Instead, the Celtics have defied expectations with the East’s second-best record and have given themselves more options heading into the trade deadline.
While Boston is $12.1 million above the luxury tax, many executives around the league expected the Celtics to try to duck the tax by dangling the expiring $27.68 million contract of Anfernee Simons. However, Simons has been an efficient sixth man off the bench, and league sources told HoopsHype that Boston has also been unwilling to part with a future first-round pick to simply shed Simons’ salary and avoid the luxury tax.
For example, earlier this season, well before Boston surged into second place in the East, the Chicago Bulls inquired on the possibility of trading center Nikola Vucevic for Simons and a Celtics first-round pick, which would have lowered Boston’s tax bill, but the Celtics weren’t interested, league sources told HoopsHype.
Conversely, if there was a notable center upgrade that could be attained while using Simons' expiring contract, it could appeal to the Celtics. When the Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework around Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which didn’t gain any traction, league sources told HoopsHype.
Meanwhile, with the strong play of starting center Neemias Queta and Luka Garza emerging as a capable backup center, while shooting 45.5 percent beyond the arc, Boston could explore the trade market for Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman.
Boucher has drawn exploratory interest from the Hawks, 76ers, Suns, and other teams, league sources told HoopsHype.
Lakers dangling expiring contracts while seeking wing help
The Los Angeles Lakers have gauged the trade market looking for 3-and-D wing help, with targets ranging from Herb Jones to Andrew Wiggins to Jonathan Kuminga to Saddiq Bey, etcetera.
With that in mind, the Lakers have dangled the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.26 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) on the trade market, league sources told HoopsHype.
Should the Lakers want to make a win-now trade, they can also include a 2031 or 2032 first-round draft pick in trades.
Suns view Jalen Green as deadline acquisition while looking to duck the luxury tax
Previously, Phoenix made a blockbuster trade deadline splash to acquire Kevin Durant. Don’t expect such fireworks over the next week. Instead, the Suns view the return of injured guard Jalen Green as their metaphorical trade deadline addition. Green, who turns 24 on February 9, can bring an element of downhill speed and scoring when healthy that the Suns are eager to incorporate into their team.
Phoenix is narrowly above the luxury tax with one roster spot open. To avoid the luxury tax, which is something the Suns are looking to do, league sources told HoopsHype that backup center Nick Richards has been made available on the trade market due to his expiring $5 million salary.
As previously reported by HoopsHype, the Raptors coveted Richards and discussed a framework of Richards for Ochai Agbaji and second-round pick(s). However, this would put Phoenix further above the luxury tax.
It’s worth noting that the Suns have three trade exceptions available to use in a potential trade. First, a $2.28 million traded player exception that expires February 6 from the Jusuf Nurkic trade. Lastly, Phoenix also has a $3.63 million traded player exception from the Vasilije Micic trade, which expires June 30.
Should no trade materialize, perhaps a buyout for seldom-used forward Nigel Hayes, who returned to the NBA after eight seasons overseas, could make sense for both sides.
Hawks weighing multiple trade paths
While trade talk surrounding Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis and the Atlanta Hawks has subsided following his hand injury, there’s other trade news surrounding Atlanta to discuss.
Despite interest from the Indiana Pacers and other teams who’ve checked in on Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks have been resistant to moving their 25-year-old center, league sources told HoopsHype. Meanwhile, Atlanta has been open to adding frontcourt depth if the right fit presents itself.
Okongwu has shown improved confidence in his 3-point shot and is one of only four centers who’ve made over two 3-pointers per game, along with Nikola Jokic (2.1), Myles Turner (2.2), and Naz Reid (2.4). As a starter, Okongwu has shown a growing all-around game, averaging 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis ($30.73 million) and Luke Kennard ($11 million) are considered potential trade candidates due to their expiring contracts leading up to the trade deadline, as discussed previously on HoopsHype.
The Hawks also have nearly $7 million in room under the luxury tax and have signalled a willingness to help other teams duck the tax for second-round pick draft compensation, HoopsHype has learned.
It’s worth noting that Atlanta still has a $13.1 million traded player exception from the Bogdan Bogdanovic trade, which can be utilized. In addition, Atlanta center N'Faly Dante suffered a season-ending torn ACL and has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, which makes him a potential cut candidate if Atlanta needs another roster spot at the trade deadline to complete a trade.
Bulls active on trade market
With numerous expiring contracts at their disposal, the Chicago Bulls have actively explored the trade market, including deals involving them as a third team, league sources told HoopsHype. Whether it’s at the deadline or this summer, when the Bulls will have significant salary cap flexibility, changes appear on the horizon for a franchise that’s been in the Play-In Tournament for three straight seasons and is once again in that position now.
In the midst of his best season, Ayo Dosunmu has drawn significant interest on the trade market, while on a $7.52 million expiring contract and shooting a career-high 45.3 percent from beyond the arc. Some NBA executives who’ve spoken with HoopsHype believe Dosunmu could garner interest around the full mid-level exception or slightly better if he maintains his efficiency.
Another intriguing potential trade candidate who’s in line for a substantial pay raise this summer is Bulls guard Coby White, who’s on an expiring $12.89 million deal. Including the previous two seasons, White has been a consistent starter, averaging 19.6 points on 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.2 percent from downtown with 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Chicago was only allowed to offer White a four-year, $87 million extension, per CBA rules, which White declined. After teammate Josh Giddey signed a four-year, $100 million extension, will Chicago be willing to offer White something similar or slightly more? If not, can White secure more if he’s traded to another team? These are the questions the Bulls and teams interested in White are asking and trying to answer before the deadline.
Both White and Dosunmu have drawn trade interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are in the market for a point guard upgrade, league sources told HoopsHype.
In addition, Nikola Vucevic ($21.48 million), Zach Collins ($18.08 million), Kevin Huerter ($17.99 million), Jevon Carter ($6.81 million), and Dalen Terry ($5.40 million) are all trade candidates to monitor in the final year of their contracts with Chicago.
Essentially, outside of Giddey and Matas Buzelis, Chicago is willing to listen to everyone else regarding the rest of the roster.
Timberwolves considering point guard upgrade
The Minnesota Timberwolves have canvassed the trade market in search of a point guard upgrade, including expressing interest in Bulls guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, Hornets guard Collin Sexton, and others, league sources told HoopsHype.
Could Minnesota native Tyus Jones be of interest to the Timberwolves despite a down season while on an expiring $7 million contract as the Orlando Magic look to avoid the luxury tax?
While teams across the league have called on Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo, league sources say, the Timberwolves have highly valued those players and are resistant to parting with them. McDaniels has been deemed virtually untouchable unless it was for a star such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, league sources told HoopsHype. Reid and DiVincenzo would likely have to be involved in an All-Star blockbuster trade scenario for it to make sense for Minnesota to part with them.
Minnesota has Mike Conley’s $10.77 million expiring contract, former No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham, and swingman Terrence Shannon as potential trade candidates.
Minnesota also has a $7.58 million traded player exception from the Nickeil Alexander-Walker trade, but is also only $3.56 million below the second apron, which the Timberwolves don’t want to exceed.
Yves Missi’s growing trade market
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi has drawn significant trade interest, including the Pacers, Hawks, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls, Lakers, and Raptors as suitors, league sources told HoopsHype. Amid trade talks, the Pelicans have signaled that they’d want a first-round pick to consider parting with Missi, league sources said.
Following the hiring of Joe Dumars as lead executive and the coaching change from Willie Green to interim coach James Borrego, Missi has seen a reduced role in his second season. Yet, rival NBA teams have remained intrigued by the 6-foot-11 center’s athleticism and shot-blocking ability.
Knicks trade talks: Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet
After various NBA executives praised New York’s signing of forward Guerschon Yabusele in free agency, the partnership between both sides hasn’t gone according to plan after the Knicks hired Mike Brown. New York’s head coach has since played the French forward sparingly this season.
With that in mind, the Knicks have discussed trade concepts regarding Yabusele with the Pelicans and Spurs, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Knicks inquired about Missi and guard Jose Alvarado, as I previously reported for HoopsHype during an SNY TV guest appearance. Those talks involved Yabusele, sources said, and there were rumblings that former first-round pick Pacome Dadiet was also discussed. However, New Orleans has sought a first-round pick for Missi, as reported by HoopsHype in the section above.
There was also trade chatter of a Yabusele and Dadiet package for Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, but San Antonio was not willing to take on Yabusele’s $5.78 million player option for next season, league sources told HoopsHype.
Perhaps the Knicks can convince the Suns to part with Nick Richards, who New York has coveted in the past, for Yabusele with a future second-round pick attached?
New York owns Washington’s first-round pick if it lands in the 9-30 range, but that’s highly unlikely. However, should that selection not convey as expected, that pick will convert to two second-round picks total from Washington, one in the 2026 and one in the 2027 draft. These projected Wizards second-round picks are coveted across the league, sources say, and the Knicks are open to using them in trade talks to improve the team now, HoopsHype has learned.
Will the Cavaliers move off De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball?
With the Cleveland Cavaliers $22 million over the second apron, NBA executives across the league have identified De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball as potential trade candidates.
Hunter, who’s on the books for $23.3 million this season and $24.91 million for next season, has underwhelmed, shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from downtown after shooting 48.5 percent and 42.6 percent from the same distances last season after being acquired by the Cavaliers.
Similarly, Ball has struggled shooting from the field (30.7 percent) and beyond the arc (27.5 percent) while on the books for $10 million this season with a team option for $10 million next year.
Heading into the deadline, Cleveland can trade a future first-round pick in 2031 or 2032, but the Cavaliers have limited flexibility while above the second apron.
Elsewhere, teams around the league have kept tabs on whether Cleveland would consider trading Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, but a change to the team’s core isn’t expected until the summer at the earliest, depending on how the playoffs go.
Despite Cleveland not playing up to last season’s standard, which is partly due to health struggles this season, the Cavaliers have won four straight games and are 11-4 in their last 15 games.
Magic looking to duck the luxury tax in trade talks?
After making the blockbuster Desmond Bane trade, the Orlando Magic believed the franchise was ready to take the next step and compete amongst the top teams in the East. However, injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs have hampered their chemistry at times.
With the Magic hovering around the .500 mark and in Play-In Tournament range currently, Orlando could decide to try to get below the luxury tax before spending more next season. At $5.58 million above the tax, getting below that threshold is within reach.
On paper, the easiest way for Orlando to get below the luxury tax is to trade point guard Tyus Jones, who’s on an expiring $7 million deal and has underwhelmed this season amid a reduced role.
The 29-year-old guard has seen his production nosedive, averaging 3.1 points on 33.6 percent shooting from the field and 28.3 percent from downtown with 2.4 assists. Yet it’s worth noting that Jones has averaged a minuscule 0.3 turnovers per game and has always been one of the league’s top assist-to-turnover ratio players during his career (5.50).
Could a team in search of veteran point guard depth, such as Minnesota, take a swing on Jones with the hope that his production will return closer to his normal levels throughout his career as a rental for the next few months?
Forward Jonathan Isaac is owed $15 million this season and has $8 million guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, which could then become fully guaranteed if he plays 52 or more games this season. Isaac’s contract is then non-guaranteed for the following two seasons, but becomes fully guaranteed if he plays 52 or more games in the season prior. Moving Isaac’s salary could also help Orlando avoid the tax.
Furthermore, Jett Howard – Orlando’s former No. 11 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft – is owed $5.53 million in the final year of his contract after his fourth-year team option was declined by Orlando, which will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Orlando has gauged the trade market on Howard since the draft, league sources said. However, trading Howard as a salary dump would still leave Orlando above the luxury tax.
Lastly, Orlando has several second-round picks to use as a sweetener in trade talks.
Wizards interested in Jazz center Walker Kessler?
The Washington Wizards are the latest team, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, interested in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. Previously, the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked to the 24-year-old center.
As previously noted during my YES Network TV guest appearance on behalf of HoopsHype, the Jazz ideally want to build around forward Lauri Markkanen, re-sign Kessler this offseason after using their available cap space – whether to improve the roster via free agent signings or trades and absorbing players – while pairing them with Keyonte George, who’s emerged as a rising star this season.
Utah previously passed on a significant Lakers trade offer before Los Angeles pivoted to Mark Williams, which was ultimately rescinded. Now, assuming Kessler remains with Utah through the trade deadline, he’ll enter restricted free agency, and the Jazz will have the right to match an offer sheet made.
Regarding the recently reported Wizards interest in Kessler, while he’s a player liked by members of Washington’s front office, the Wizards are building around Alex Sarr as their center of the future, league sources told HoopsHype.
As also noted elsewhere in this story, Washington is also not inclined to trade for Sabonis at this time.
Furthermore, in the nation’s capital, Washington has received exploratory interest from teams in Khris Middleton and his $33.30 million expiring contract. With nearly $30 million below the luxury tax and traded player exceptions also available, Washington has the flexibility to be opportunistic ahead of the trade deadline.
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Blue Sky (@MikeAScotto).
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Jazz, Spurs, Magic
