The NBA trade deadline is just two days 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. 7, 3 p.m. ET), talks of other deals will continue.
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 on Monday.)
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Report: Jazz still interested in Conley
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley found out he was being made available in trades weeks ago. The Utah Jazz were linked in deals for the veteran guard, and that continues to be the case.
Per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, the Jazz (and Detroit Pistons) are the top suitors for Conley. In addition to having interest in Conley, the Jazz may also want to add a stretch four before Thursday’s deadline, too.
The most serious players in the race for Memphis point guard Mike Conley continue to be Utah and Detroit, a source tells The Salt Lake Tribune. Last week, the Jazz made an offer involving Ricky Rubio and the 2019 first-round pick for Conley. Detroit, on the other hand, apparently has made an offer involving Reggie Jackson and a first-round pick. As always, what the exact salary filler is to make up the difference between the contracts is an important point of negotiation.
Detroit’s first-round picks are likely to be better than Utah’s moving forward, so that would seem to be more appealing for Memphis. But Jackson’s contract still has another year left: He’s owed $18 million for the 2019-20 season, which Memphis would probably prefer to avoid. Which offer Memphis prefers in totality is unknown.
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They have been interested in Washington forward Otto Porter, but there has been a “gap” in discussions with the Wizards since they asked for a package in return that Utah saw as unreasonable. Those discussions could rekindle before the deadline, but it would take Washington engaging in discussions with Utah for a lesser asking price.
The team also sees New Orleans forward Nikola Mirotic as an option before the deadline. No word on the state of those discussions, and, of course, the Pelicans seem to be busy with more pressing matters at the moment.
Memphis’ JaMychal Green is a potential fit, too. The Jazz like Green, and he’s shooting 39.6 percent from deep this season. But Green’s inclusion in any Conley deal is made more difficult by his expiring $7.7 million salary, and the Jazz are already having some difficulty making the large amount of incoming salary work in the conceived trade without including Derrick Favors, which they’d prefer not to do. A separate trade to acquire Green might make more sense.
— 9:22 a.m.
Report: Celtics won’t deal Tatum for Davis (for now)
The Boston Celtics have one of the more enticing potential trade pieces for Anthony Davis in their young swingman Jayson Tatum. Boston has not appeared to be on the inside track for landing Davis, especially given it was not included in the list of teams Davis would consider re-signing with if dealt there. ‘
Chris Mannix of SI.com reports the Celtics have refused to dangle Tatum in Davis trade talks. But if Thursday’s deadline passes and Anthony Davis remains in New Orleans, that stance may change. Here’s more from Mannix:
As the Pelicans field offers for Anthony Davis, Boston’s message to New Orleans has been direct: Wait. Wait, and we will come to you with an offer that will make it worth it. Wait, and you can raid our stash of draft picks. The Celtics have refused to directly dangle Jayson Tatum, two sources familiar with the situation told SI.com, but the Pelicans have been left with the impression that if Davis remains on the roster past Thursday, nothing is off the table.
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Davis’s agent, Rich Paul, has shrewdly tried to maneuver Davis to Los Angeles, to pair Davis with Paul’s top client, LeBron James, in an effort to squeeze a few more championship runs out of James’s career. Paul went public with a trade request nearly two weeks before the deadline, knowing that Boston — which can’t have Kyrie Irving and Davis on the roster before July 1, due to a contractual clause in the CBA — could not get into the mix.
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There’s little that could be leaked out of Davis’s camp that will dissuade Ainge from making a substantial offer after the deadline.
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Two days before the deadline and Boston will be on pins and needles until it passes. They know the Pelicans are enamored with Tatum, whose potential to develop into a franchise forward dwarfs that of any player the Lakers have to offer. The Celtics have pushed New Orleans on the idea that all the offers they are getting now will be there come July, and Boston’s offer could trump all of them.
— 8:46 a.m.
Report: Lakers pessimistic about getting Davis trade done
The Los Angeles Lakers remain one of the top suitors for Anthony Davis, having reportedly made a new offer for him yesterday with a trade that would have included multiple young players, future first-round picks and more. However, the Lakers have failed to get the Pelicans to budge much in dealing Davis.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last night (via Twitter) that the Pelicans were seeking an offer that would overwhelm them with future Draft picks. The long and short of it all, it seems, is the clock is ticking and the Pelicans do not seem to be in a big hurry to deal Davis before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
Overall, the Lakers are getting increasingly pessimistic about the Pelicans’ willingness to trade with the Lakers, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. For the Pelicans, the “overwhelming” card in the deal would look like this: four first-round and second-round picks as part of the trade package as New Orleans wants to be compensated for trading Davis to the Lakers now (instead of in the summer).
Lakers president Magic Johnson and Pelicans GM Dell Demps had multiple conversations Monday about trade packages, none of which obviously netted Davis.
— 8:14 a.m.
GM Horst: Bucks ‘building step by step’
The Milwaukee Bucks found themselves in the midst of the Anthony Davis trade talk as a potential destination for the superstar big man. Bucks GM Jon Horst joined NBA TV’s 10 Before Tip last night, saying his team will continue to take a patient approach in building its roster.
Bucks GM Jon Horst talks about the roster, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more.
— 7:22 a.m.
Will Jordan or Matthews go first?
DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews became Knicks last Thursday via the Kristaps Porzingis trade. However, reports are circulating that either or both of the players could be traded/bought out before too long. Which one will it happen to first? The Starters give their picks below …
Will Jordan or Matthews be dealt by the Knicks first?
— 7:18 a.m.
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