The NBA trade deadline is less than 24 hours away with all eyes on a number of high-profile teams to see whether they make a move.
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MURRAY’S ABSENCE FUELS TRADE SPECULATION
Is this a sign that a Dejounte Murray deal is imminent?
Less than 24 hours out from the trade deadline, Murray was a late addition to the Atlanta Hawks’ injury report against the Boston Celtics and eventually ruled out due to lower back tightness.
Murray is arguably the biggest name on the market, with a host of teams interested in securing the star guard including the Lakers, Knicks, Spurs, Nets, Bucks, Jazz and Pistons.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, you can add the Pelicans to that list of suitors – he revealed New Orleans and the hawks have held talks over Murray, but that they’re not “particularly close to the finish line.”
It follows NBA Insider Chris Haynes naming New Orleans a “sleeper team” for Murray.
Watch this space.
JAZZ EMERGE AS SUITOR FOR BROWN
The Utah Jazz have reportedly entered the Bruce Brown sweepstakes.
That’s according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, who reports Utah is “another team to consider as a strong possibility” for the Denver Nuggets 2023 championship player.
Fischer reports the two teams have discussed a deal that would send Utah’s Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to Toronto in exchange for Brown. He added the draft capital attached is currently unknown, but that the Raptors want a first-round back for Brown.
Brown signed a two-year, $45 million deal (AUD $68 million) with Indiana in free agency before being moved to Toronto in the Pascal Siakam trade last month with the intention of being dealt again by the deadline.
The LA Lakers and New York Knicks are also believed to be circling the 27-year old.
THIRD DEAL STRUCK AS WOLVES ADD MORRIS
It’s not even deadline day yet, but we had a third move on Thursday (all times AEDT), with the Minnesota Timberwolves landing Pistons guard Monte Morris.
NBA insider Shams Charania first reported the deal, which saw Morris join the Wolves in exchange for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr and a 2020 second-round pick.
Minnesota, who sits third in the Western Conference at 35-16, had been actively searching for a more reliable backup point guard to play behind Mike Conley.
And Morris, who Wolves general manager Tim Connelly drafted to Denver in 2017 and played a key role on those Nuggets teams under Mike Malone, brings invaluable playoff experience to Chris Finch’s side.
Two years ago, Morris moved from Denver to Washington along with Will Barton in the deal that saw the Nuggets land Kentavious-Caldwell Pope before the Pistons acquired Morris a year later.
The 28-year old has battled injury in recent times including being limited to just six games this season. Morris is in the final year of a three-season, $27 million deal, set to become a free agent at the end of this campaign.
KERR OPENS UP ON WARRIORS TRADE POSITION
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has conceded it’s unlikely they will make a trade before the deadline.
Golden State are currently sitting in 11th spot in the West (22-25) and outside the Play In prompting speculation they could have been prompted to make a move.
But Kerr insisted that was unlikely.
NBA CONTENDERS PULLS TRIGGER
Eastern Conference heavyweights the Boston Celtics have moved to add front court depth, trading for Memphis Grizzlies big man Xavier Tillman.
Yahoo Sports Jake Fisher reports the Celtics sent the Grizzlies a 2027 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick as well as Lamar Stevens.
Tillman has produced solid numbers for Memphis averaging 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this season.
He will bring much needed depth to the Celtics who have the best record in the league.
LEBRON RAISES EYEBROWS AS CLOCK TICKS
The Lakers have been quiet ahead of the trade deadline, and now reports have indicated why that might be the case.
LA superstar LeBron James made it clear last week the team needs upgrades this season with a not-so-subtle hourglass emoji post last week.
But now, according to Bill Reiter from CBC Sports, the Lakers believe they are a chance at landing superstar All-Star Donovan Mitchell in the off season.
That would prevent the Lakers trading for a significant player to aid any playoff or title tilt this season. Such a direction would also be at odds with LeBron’s timeline of having to win now as he nears his 40th birthday.
Mitchell has been linked with a move away from Cleveland but the Cavaliers have gone 14-1 through their past 15 games to sit second in the East. A deep playoff run would strengthen the Cavaliers chances of signing him to an extension.
The Knicks have been consistently linked to a play for Mitchell and are armed with an array of picks to offer the Cavaliers, a further roadblock to any move by the Lakers.
DONE DEALS (all times US)
Feb 7: Monte Morris to Timberwolves; Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr and 2030 second-round pick,
Feb. 7: Xavier Tillman to Celtics; two second-round picks and Lamar Stevens to Grizzlies
Feb. 7: Simone Fontecchio to Pistons; Kevin Knox and more to Jazz.
Feb. 1: Steven Adams to Rockets; Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks to Grizzlies.
Jan. 23: Terry Rozier to Heat; Kyle Lowry and 2027 first-round pick to Hornets.
Jan. 17: Pascal Siakam to Pacers; Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks to Raptors.
Jan. 17: Kira Lewis Jr., second-round pick to Pacers; cash considerations to Pelicans.
Jan. 14: Marvin Bagley, Isaiah Livers, two second-round picks to Wizards; Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala to Pistons.
Dec. 30: OG Anunoby to Knicks; Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, second-round pick to Raptors.
Nov. 1: Filip Petrusev, cash considerations to Kings; Draft rights to Luka Mitrović to Clippers
Oct. 31: James Harden and PJ Tucker to Clippers; Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, Marcus Morris, two first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, two second-round picks to 76ers
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?
7am Friday, February 9
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