The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET, and we have you covered on all the buzz around the league as the 2025-26 season heats up.
Trae Young's move from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards on Jan. 7 kicked off trade season, but there should be more drama ahead. What could happen in the days and weeks before the deadline? Could the Dallas Mavericks move on from Anthony Davis, who's now facing hand surgery? Will the Memphis Grizzlies move on from Ja Morant after they've started to entertain offers? Could there be a surprise deal (or two)?
Check back here for all the trade buzz, news and reactions from our ESPN NBA insiders, with the latest info at the top:
Quick links:
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Jan. 13
What we know about a potential Anthony Davis trade
The Dallas Mavericks do not feel pressure to trade Anthony Davis before the Feb. 5 deadline, multiple team sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
There is an acknowledgment that Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who represents the 10-time All-Star, has pushed for the Mavs to trade Davis to a team with a willingness to sign him to a contract extension this summer.
However, Mavs sources are adamant that Paul's preference is not the team's priority as interim co-general managers Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley continue to aggressively explore the market for Davis, who is out indefinitely due to ligament damage in his left hand.
"Patrick [Dumont, the Mavs' governor] is not going to sign off on a deal just to do a deal," one source told ESPN. "Ownership doesn't feel any pressure to do an AD deal."
The Mavs are seeking a combination of financial relief, promising young talent and draft compensation from interested teams. Dallas' other options include restarting trade discussions in the summer, as the Phoenix Suns did after shopping Kevin Durant before last season's deadline, or opening next season with Davis still on the roster. Davis has a player option for 2027-28.
"Patrick has no problem going into next year with a healthy AD and a healthy Kyrie [Irving] with Cooper Flagg and seeing what it looks like," another source said. -- Tim MacMahon
Multiple teams interested in Ja Morant
Both the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings, as well as "multiple other teams," have a level of interest in pursuing Ja Morant ahead of the trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Sham Charania.
"Rival executives have told me the Grizzlies are seeking young players and draft picks for any potential deal that involves Ja Morant," Charania said on "NBA Today."
ESPN's Brian Windhorst added on "NBA Today" that executives have told him that Morant's value is currently not high in the league and that teams would be "buying low."
Davis to undergo surgery, miss several months
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis is likely to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand, which will all but end his season in Dallas, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Davis would potentially miss "several months" with the surgery but the Mavericks are still pursuing a potential trade to a playoff contender as he could return in the spring for a postseason run.
What is Davis' future in Dallas now?
ESPN talked to multiple teams, and there is still a belief that Davis, even with the injury, could be moved before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Similar to the Brandon Ingram trade to the Toronto Raptors last February, teams are using the window leading up to the deadline to build out their roster for the next season. We saw this approach again when the Washington Wizards acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks last week.
Davis is under contract for two more seasons, including a player option for 2027-28. Starting Aug. 6, he can sign up to a four-year, $275 million extension.
If no deal develops, Dallas could hold on to Davis and revisit trade talks in the offseason. With Davis under contract, Dallas is projected to be over the second apron next year. After the 2026 draft, the Mavericks don't control their own first-round pick until 2031. -- Bobby Marks
Jan. 12
Ja Morant's trade market
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to review the state of tanking in the NBA and what measures teams are taking as well as what the league can do to fix the issues. They then move on to the trade market of Memphis point guard Ja Morant and discuss Jaylen Brown's fine request before closing on other key headlines around the league.
Jan. 9
Mavs' Anthony Davis might need surgery on hand
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis has ligament damage in his left hand that could require surgery that would sideline him for several months, sources told ESPN.
An MRI on Friday revealed the damage sustained while Davis was defending Lauri Markkanen on a drive to the basket late in Thursday's road loss to the Utah Jazz. Sources said Davis will get second opinions to determine whether surgery is necessary.
If Davis and the Mavs choose a nonsurgical route, he is expected to miss at least six weeks, sources said.
Grizzlies entertaining Ja Morant trade offers
The Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining trade offers to move on from two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Morant has spent his first seven seasons with the Grizzlies, but he is averaging a career-low 19 points per game this season while shooting a career-low 47% on 2-pointers and 20.8% on 3s.
Morant, who earlier this year voiced his displeasure with the team's new coach, Tuomas Iisalo, and his substitution strategy, has struggled with injuries and off-the-floor issues over the past three seasons.
The Grizzlies are 16-21 and sit in 10th place in the Western Conference.
Jan. 9: Reaction to the Trae Young trade
Brian is joined by ESPN's Vincent Goodwill and Anthony Slater to discuss the recent Trae Young trade and the details for the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards. The guys then break down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and whether this could be Steve Kerr's last season as the franchise's dynasty comes to an end. Finally, the trio talks about the Sacramento Kings' plan going forward and potential ideas for the draft lottery.
NBA intel: The league reacts to the Trae Young deal
ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst examined the Atlanta Hawks' recent trade of Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in this week's NBA intel file, including why each team did it, how the rest of the league is reacting to the deal and what's next for both teams. A small excerpt:
The prevailing opinion from sources around the league was that Atlanta did well to move away from a player in Young who is both extremely expensive and plays a position, point guard, that might be the NBA's deepest.
"I know from a value proposition why you look at it," an East scout said. "But if I'm the Wizards, just keep being bad, and stuff will figure itself out. I'm not sure why they felt the need to do this."
They close the intel report with potential trade options for the Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis and the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jan. 8
Updates on Kyrie Irving's return, plus AD trade destinations
On ESPN's "Howdy Partners" podcast, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright discuss their latest reporting on the Dallas Mavericks and what they're hearing about the team's two veteran stars. Irving, who tore an ACL in March, might be out of the lineup for at least another month, MacMahon said.
"Based on what I'm hearing, Kyrie's not coming back before the trade deadline," he said, before adding that he's not sure whether Irving will play again this season.
"I know he wants to," MacMahon said. "We'll see if that's in his best interest, and we'll see if that's in the franchise's best interest. Those are things that need to be sorted out."
Before the team makes any major moves, though, owner Patrick Dumont would prefer to see the core of Irving, Davis and rookie Cooper Flagg together, MacMahon said.
Still, Dallas has aggressively looked to trade the big man.
"The two primary potential destinations that have come up to this point are the Atlanta Hawks and the Toronto Raptors," MacMahon said.
Will the Trae Young trade set the stage for Atlanta to pursue Anthony Davis?
Trading Young for CJ McCollum's expiring contract gives the Atlanta Hawks a financial runway to take on significant salary in future years. They have $125 million in committed salary for next season and are well below the luxury tax ($6.8 million from the threshold) and apron. They could have cap space in the summer if they elect not to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis.
If the Hawks pursue Davis in talks with the Dallas Mavericks, they have the $30.7 million expiring contract of Porzingis and would need to include an additional $22 million in money to match Davis' $54.1 million salary and still remain below the luxury tax. They are not allowed to aggregate the $14 million salary of Corey Kispert because he was recently acquired, but they do have Luke Kennard's expiring $11 million salary.
A major sticking point in a potential trade could be the financial burden of extending Davis to a long-term contract. Davis, who turns 33 in March, is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension on Aug. 6. The last season of an extension would pay him $76.1 million -- when he will be 37. For the fifth time in six seasons, Davis is projected to play fewer than 60 games. He has played only 28 since the Mavericks acquired him last February. -- Bobby Marks
We pitched six trade offers ahead of the deadline
Yes, the Atlanta Hawks dealing four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards has officially kick-started trade season. But will it spark more moves as the league inches closer to the Feb. 5 deadline?
As we await the second trade of the season, what else could get done? ESPN's Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton mapped out six moves that could bolster contenders and alter the race to the postseason, and NBA front office insider Bobby Marks examines how the deals would impact each franchise's future.
Jan. 7
Hawks trade Young to Wizards for McCollum, Kispert
The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania.
The trade ends Young's stint as the face of the Hawks franchise after seven-plus seasons and sends the 27-year-old to his preferred destination in the nation's capital to be the lead guard for the Wizards.
Why did the Hawks and the Wizards do this deal?
The Hawks found themselves in a difficult position with Young. They had three hurdles to clear to get a deal done:
Young's contract -- $45 million this season, with a $49 million player option next season -- is in the range that's extremely difficult to move before the deadline.
There are few teams that need a point guard, let alone could trade for a contract of Young's size.
Many teams have little wiggle room around the luxury tax aprons to do trades in the new collective bargaining agreement.
And yet, in the end, the Hawks were able to pull off the first trade of the season Wednesday night, agreeing to send Young to Washington.
While the lack of draft picks involved might come as a surprise -- either for Atlanta not getting one or two for trading for Young or for Washington not getting one or two to take on Young's $49 million contract next season -- it's a deal that makes sense for both sides.
For Atlanta, the situation with Young had clearly reached a point of no return, hence his absence with a quad contusion over the past couple of weeks. The team is 1-8 in games Young has finished this season and is more than 13 points per 100 possessions better on defense when Young doesn't play. Now, the Hawks can move forward with a young core built around likely first-time All-Star Jalen Johnson.
For Washington, Young presents a franchise still in the nascent stages of a rebuild with an All-Star-caliber player and one who was acquired in an affordable deal. The Wizards also are one of the few teams that could take on Young's contract -- they had only around $85 million in salary on their books for next season -- and had a need for a point guard. Now, they'll get a big-name player to bring some buzz to a team sorely lacking in that department.
The big questions now: Will this trade kick off more deals? Or will Young wind up as the biggest name moved between now and the Feb. 5 deadline?
We learned with the Luka Doncic deal last year to expect the unexpected moving forward in the NBA at this time of year, but as of now, it feels like Young very well might be the biggest headline of trade season. -- Tim Bontemps
Golden State exploring all options with Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors are "exploring all options" with forward Jonathan Kuminga ahead of the deadline, per ESPN's Anthony Slater.
"The Warriors are at least voicing to me that they don't have to trade him," Slater said on "NBA Today." "They're exploring all options. They're canvasing the league. My educated guess at this point would be he is traded by the deadline. But if he's not, it's because the value is dwindling. I think there would be many upset figures in this whole situation if he's still here."
Young lists Washington as his preferred destination
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has said his preferred trade destination is the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN's Sham Charania.
The franchise and Young's agents continue to have talks about moving the All-Star ahead of the deadline, sources told Charania.
Young has a $49 million player option in the offseason that would make him an expiring contract. He could also opt out in the offseason and leave as a free agent.
Could the Kings make deals ahead of the deadline?
Here's a tidbit from ESPN reporter Anthony Slater's story on the Sacramento Kings' past, present and future that published Monday:
"The Kings do not have interest in Hawks scoring guard Trae Young, league sources said, despite his availability."
Slater also has a note on the Kings' interest in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, who met with Sacramento general manager Scott Perry over the summer when he was a restricted free agent:
"The Warriors, league sources said, are exploring the deadline landscape, and have been posturing in recent days that they would be willing to keep Kuminga past the deadline if nothing appealing materializes. But Kuminga will be available, and Perry checked in with Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy last week, sources said.
"Perry has expressed reservations about offering the same 2030 protected first-round pick that was on the table for Kuminga this past summer. The Warriors don't want to take on a multiyear contract they view as negative value, which has made [Malik] Monk a nonstarter in these talks."
Read the rest of the story here.
'Hoop Collective': Best fit for Trae Young?
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks' options as they work together on a potential trade, including the best landing spots for the All-Star. They then move on to breakdown the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder's recent struggles as well as owner James Dolan's recent comments on the Knicks. The crew closes on Kevin Durant's recent comments after his clutch shot and the latest round of All-Star voting.
Jan. 6
Jokic eyeing late January return
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is "working around the clock" to return as soon as possible this season, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
"I am told he has started spot shooting on the court," Charania said on NBA Today. "The Nuggets won't be rushing Jokic back, he's still weeks away from a potential return. You're looking at the end of the month as a window for [his return]."
The Nuggets are 2-2 without Jokic since the injury.
Young, Hawks looking for trade deal
The Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young are in agreement that the point guard "just doesn't fit with the current team anymore," per ESPN's Shams Charania.
"Trae Young's Hawks' tenure is coming to an end," Charania said on NBA Today. "He appears to be in his final days or weeks after seven-plus seasons together as the face of that franchise. ... Both sides are now collaborating on trade talks out of Atlanta, turning the page, seeing where Trae Young can land to be the lead guard of a franchise elsewhere."
Young will look for a team that will offer him an extension, per Charania.
Why Wednesday is a crucial day on the NBA calendar
Tomorrow is an important day across the league, as 18 teams have until 5 p.m. ET Wednesday to decide the fate of 31 players on partially guaranteed contracts. If a player is not waived by then, his contract for this season becomes guaranteed.
Indiana was the first team to make a move, as it opened up a roster spot by waiving Tony Bradley on Monday. Teams have prioritized roster flexibility, and these decisions could play a role in the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The open roster spot could also be important for teams converting a player on a two-way contract. For example, Detroit does not have an open roster spot to convert Daniss Jenkins and would need to waive forward Isaac Jones or make a trade to clear a spot. Jenkins and 89 players on two-way deals have the same guaranteed date as a player on a standard contract.
Not all players are on the cut bubble, however. Here are the players who are likely safe: Vit Krejci (Atlanta), Keaton Wallace (Atlanta), Mouhamed Gueye (Atlanta), Jordan Walsh (Boston), Moussa Diabate (Charlotte), Craig Porter Jr. (Cleveland), Dean Wade (Cleveland), Brandon Williams (Dallas), Javonte Green (Detroit), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Golden State), Gui Santos (Golden State), Bones Hyland (Minnesota), Mohamed Diawara (New York), Ariel Hukporti (New York), Landry Shamet (New York), Jordan Goodwin (Phoenix), Russell Westbrook (Sacramento), Keon Ellis (Sacramento) and Justin Champagnie (Washington). The $2 million contract for N'Faly Dante (Atlanta) is guaranteed even if he is waived; he suffered a season-ending injury in December.
One name not on the list is Terry Rozier (Miami), who is on unpaid leave while facing charges he helped gamblers placing bets on his performance in NBA games. As ESPN reported last month, it is unclear if the Heat will be allowed to trade Rozier's $26.6 million contract at the deadline. If he were waived, the team would gain $1.7 million in salary relief. Miami would then be allowed to sign two players -- it already has an open roster spot -- and still remain under the luxury tax. -- Bobby Marks
Best trade fits for the top contenders
The trade deadline is a month away, and though a deal is yet to be made this season, teams are checking on players around the league with the hopes of making the right move to go on a title run.
Our insiders break down what each contender needs ahead of the deadline and plausible moves they could make.
Jan. 5
Hawks, Young working together on trade
Atlanta Hawks four-time All-Star Trae Young and his agent, Aaron Mintz, are working with the franchise on a trade, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Young's reps and Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh have started positive and collaborative talks over the past week on finding a resolution, sources said.
Davis' preference is to stay in Dallas
Ahead of the trade deadline, Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis would prefer to stay in Dallas, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon on NBA Today.
"[Davis'] preference would be to stay in Dallas and to get that extension this summer," MacMahon said. "The Mavericks are trying to generate a good trade market for Anthony Davis. That is difficult because of the durability issues, and I think more so the dollars. In a situation like this, [agent] Rich Paul is going to be involved. They are going to want AD traded somewhere that is willing to give him a long, lucrative extension."
Young open to moving on from Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is open to a potential move ahead of this season's Feb. 5 trade deadline, per Andscape's Marc J. Spears. Young has only played in 10 games this season and is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.
"I don't think he's asking for a trade, but I don't think he's telling them not to trade him," Spears said on NBA Today. "He's open-minded to being moved."
Teams can sign players to 10-day contracts beginning today
Monday marks the first day teams with an open roster spot can sign a player to a 10-day contract. The contract covers 10 days or three games, whichever is longest, and teams are not allowed to sign a player more than twice.
There are thirteen teams with available roster spots: Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami, Minnesota, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and Phoenix. The Hawks and Heat are the only teams not over the luxury tax. Thirty-seven players signed 10-day contracts last season. -- Bobby Marks
Hoop Collective: Are the Celtics and 76ers contenders?
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the Phoenix Suns exceeding expectations this season, including their latest win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. The crew then debates if the Thunder's chance to reach 70 wins is actually plausible this season after their recent losses before they talk about the Boston Celtics as a threat in the East and if the Philadelphia 76ers should be getting more recognition this season. Finally, MacMahon closes on his Clutch Player of the Month award.
Jan. 4
Dallas is feeling the pressure of the Luka trade in AD talks
On ESPN's "Howdy Partners" podcast, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright examine the latest in the Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade talks -- and how the team doesn't want to extend the negative return from last February's Luka Doncic trade.
"You've got this black cloud of what you gave up to get Anthony Davis," MacMahon said, "and I'm just telling you, they're not going to make a trade that's going to look good on paper, when you say, 'The Mavericks traded Luka, and a year later here's what they ended up with.
"It's a difficult thing when there's this pressure to not make the worst trade in NBA history look that bad, when AD just doesn't have that kind of value because of the durability issues and the money he makes and the money he's going to expect on an extension this summer.
"He just doesn't have the kind of value where you're going to be able to get a rising young player and a package of picks," MacMahon continued. "Honestly I'm skeptical at this point that they're going to get an Anthony Davis trade done before this deadline."
Jan. 2
Hoop Collective: Our 2025 Baller d'Or Award show
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to hand out their annual best player of the year award, the Baller d'Or. They then talk about some trade possibilities, including the potential for a slow deadline, why Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest trade domino and the difficulties of trading for a max contract player in the modern NBA. They close out the episode by announcing the podcast player of the year.
Dec. 31
Hoop Collective: Impact of Jokic's injury and LeBron's All-Star odds
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss Nikola Jokic's recent injury and how it will impact the MVP race this season. They then move on to potential rule changes when it comes to regular season awards and the recent first round of All-Star voting, including LeBron James' chances to make the All-Star team this season. The group ends on a preview of the upcoming New York Knicks-San Antonio Spurs game, a rematch of the NBA Cup final.
Dec. 30
Ripple effects of Joker's knee injury
The Denver Nuggets will be without Nikola Jokic for at least four weeks with a hyperextended left knee, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
It's nearly impossible to overstate Jokic's importance to Denver. Even by his lofty standards, the three-time NBA MVP was in the middle of an extraordinary season: 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game averages that place him in the league's top five in points and first in rebounds and assists. When Jokic has been on the court this season, the Nuggets are plus-12.3 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com/stats. When their center sits, the Nuggets are minus-6.3, with an offense that would rank 27th in the league.
Stephen A. Smith reacts to the Hawks trading Trae Young to the Wizards.
Denver can slide in summer acquisition Jonas Valanciunas, but he's not a starting-quality center at this point in his career. There isn't much depth behind him. The Nuggets, meanwhile, had already entered Monday's game missing three starters, with Christian Braun (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (knee) all sidelined. Nuggets coach David Adelman told reporters before Monday's loss that Braun and Gordon could return during Denver's current seven-game road trip, while Johnson is out for at least another three weeks.
Beyond the immediate impact on Denver's lineup, there are more ripple effects from Jokic's injury:
MVP and award races: Jokic has finished first or second in MVP voting each of the past five years. This injury virtually guarantees that streak will end. If Jokic is reevaluated in four weeks, he will have missed about 16 games, which means he could miss only one across the rest of the season to meet the 65-game threshold for end-of-season awards. Jokic joins a list of stars in danger of missing out on -- or already ineligible for -- MVP, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year consideration, including LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis.
Denver's trade deadline: Don't count on the Nuggets swinging deals to bolster their roster in Jokic's absence. Denver is without any first-round picks, or even much salary, to use in a trade. They will likely have to ride this out until their superstar returns.
West playoff race: For the rest of the West -- particularly the teams at the top -- Jokic's injury could have a massive impact. Monday's loss left Denver tied with the Houston Rockets for third in the West but just three losses ahead of the Phoenix Suns in seventh. Across the past four seasons, Denver is 13-23 without Jokic. It's hard to expect much better than that 36% clip, especially with the other injury issues facing the Nuggets. All of that could upend the West playoff picture, particularly if Denver tumbles into the play-in. (How does an Oklahoma City Thunder-Nuggets first-round matchup sound?) -- Tim Bontemps
Stock Report: Steve Kerr's latest comments, offensive issues and potential trades
ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Anthony Slater discuss the Golden State Warriors recent road trip, the future of Jonathan Kuminga and Steve Kerr's most recent comments. The duo finishes the podcast going over potential trades for the Warriors.
Dec. 29
What are Cleveland's options ahead of the deadline?
Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman is not naive about the financial hurdles facing his roster.
"The question will come for us," Altman told ESPN's Brian Windhorst before the season. "How do you navigate this collective bargaining agreement and the restrictions that we have? For us, we've set ourselves up to have a runway with the guys we have."
The Cavs could face their first road block in the 2027 offseason, when Donovan Mitchell can become a free agent if he forgoes signing an extension this summer and then declines his $53.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
But in the immediate future, what are Cleveland's options to improve a roster that is currently one game above .500 after leading the Eastern Conference last season with 64 wins?
Factoring in the $394 million price tag in salary and luxury tax penalties, Altman and his front office have two options leading up to the Feb. 5 deadline.
Cleveland can choose to remain patient and hope for improved health. After using just 23 different starting lineups last season, Cleveland is already at 17 through the season's first 33 games.
The second and more challenging path is exploring a trade. Cleveland is the only team over the second apron this season, leaving obstacles in its way. Cleveland is not allowed to take back more salary, aggregate contracts or send out cash in trades and cannot sign a waived player making $14.1 million or more.
Last season's trade for De'Andre Hunter left the Cavs with no control of their 2026 first-round pick (the Atlanta Hawks can swap, leaving Cleveland with the San Antonio Spurs' selection). Their next available first-rounder to trade is in either 2031 or 2032. Because the Cavs will likely finish over the second apron this season, their 2033 first-rounder will become frozen. Cleveland does have four second-round picks available to trade.
With the Boston Celtics' series of moves this summer as a reminder, there are severe consequences when second apron teams are not championship-caliber. For Cleveland, the clock is ticking. -- Bobby Marks
Hoop Collective: Does Atlanta need to make a move? And potential AD trades
Brian is joined by Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the Atlanta Hawks recent struggles and if they should move on from Trae Young. They also talk about the potential trade market for Young and the Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis.
"The Mavericks would like to work out a deal to send Anthony Davis to Atlanta but Trae Young is not going to be part of that," MacMahon said on the podcast.
The trio broke down why the trade market is so difficult this season before ending on Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee.
"I suspect the Bucks are going to improve their roster, and they're going to trade the remaining drafts stuff they have and salary," Bontemps said. "Go try to get better, because that's the only thing they've done year after year after year now for five, six, seven years."
Who could the Bucks target in a trade?
Here's an excerpt from ESPN reporter Jamal Collier's story on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks that published Monday:
Multiple team and league sources say the team has been active in pursuing the trade market, engaging in internal conversations about, among others, Sacramento's Zach LaVine, whom they have had interest in and chances to acquire in the past, and Malik Monk, as well as Portland's Jerami Grant.
However, Horst finds himself with fewer resources to execute another blockbuster than ever before.
The Bucks have only one first-round pick, in either 2031 or 2032, available to trade. The Bucks have not made that pick available in trade discussions for the past year, and team and league sources do not believe they would do so now unless it was for a significant star.
Read the rest of the story here.
Dec. 26
Howdy Partners: Latest on the Spurs' surge and AD's future in Dallas
On ESPN's "Howdy Partners" podcast, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright discuss the Spurs' ongoing eight-game winning streak, which included three wins over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and how it's being fueled in large point by the defense.
"I had somebody with the Spurs point out to me that everybody's talking about Stephon Castle as a defender, and for good reason. He's an All-Defense-caliber guy. A lot of people are talking about how Dylan Harper as a rookie really gets up on people," Wright said. "But De'Aaron Fox is playing the best defense of his career, and they're having him start out against primary guys like Jalen Williams."
The duo then pivots to the latest on Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, who has already missed 16 games this season and on Christmas Day suffered a minor groin strain and will miss a few more, sources told ESPN.
"It just reinforces, unfortunately, that AD is not a guy you can rely on," MacMahon said. "This does not help the trade market for him, obviously, because it's just a blatant reminder to the rest of the league as well.
"We've got, what, about five weeks or so until the trade deadline and, [for Dallas] it might come down to ... Do we take a deal that's less value than we'd like to or do we wait until the summer? The idea of extending AD this summer, Mavericks people will tell you, 'Oh, you know, we haven't ruled that out.' I'm like, 'OK , you probably should.' I understand why you're saying that, but I don't believe you."
Hoop Collective: Are the Spurs officially contenders?
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to react to another huge win for the San Antonio Spurs over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The guys discuss if San Antonio's 3-0 record against the defending champs shows that the Spurs need to be taken seriously as contenders, and if this highlights any issues for OKC. Plus, they break down how concerned we should be about the Los Angeles Lakers' defense and talk about two role players starring for the New York Knicks and a very strange week for the Golden State Warriors.
Dec. 25
Can the Nuggets make a move to help deal with their injury issues?
The Nuggets are now down three starters, with Cameron Johnson joining Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun on the injured list. Johnson suffered a right knee injury on Tuesday and will be reevaluated in four to six weeks, sources told Shams Charania. The injuries will test the resolve of the Nuggets' rookie front office, which is led by Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace.
For short-term relief, Denver has an open roster spot to sign a player or could wait until Jan. 5, the first date a team can sign a player to a 10-day contract. The Nuggets also have two trade exceptions ($6.9 million and $5.4 million) available to use in a trade. Because the exceptions were created after July 1, they are allowed to use either exception and still exceed the first apron.
Denver is $402,000 above the luxury tax, and signing a player or using the exception further will put it over. For a fourth straight season, the Nuggets are projected to pay a luxury tax penalty. The one thing they do not have available is draft capital. They sent their last available first-round pick to Brooklyn to acquire Johnson in June and have only two second-rounders. -- Bobby Marks
Dec. 24
Hoop Collective: How the NBA is approaching tanking and Boston's potential this season
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the NBA's ideas to combat tanking before they talk about if the Boston Celtics current position in the East could lead to Jayson Tatum's return before the playoffs. They then cover the New Orleans Pelicans recent rise, the Christmas NBA slate and the latest drama between Draymond Green and Steve Kerr.
Dec. 22
Bucks are looking to add ahead of the trade deadline
The Milwaukee Bucks have lost three in a row and are three games out for the final play-in spot in the East. Despite their struggles in the first quarter of the season and speculation around the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee is looking to add players ahead of the trade deadline. Multiple teams at the G-League showcase in Orlando confirmed to ESPN that the Bucks have been canvassing the league looking at trades that can improve their roster.
Milwaukee has one first-round pick available to trade, either in 2031 or 2032. It has a 2026 second-rounder from Utah, but that pick is unlikely to convey because it is protected Nos. 31-55.
The Bucks' roster is top heavy in salary with Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis earning 77% of their active salary. Turner and Portis signed four- and three-year contracts, respectively, over the offseason. Kuzma has two years ($22.1 million and $20.3 million) left on his contract. Even with the $20.1 million in stretched money from the Damian Lillard move last summer, Milwaukee is $19.5 million below the first apron and can take back salary in a trade. The Bucks are 2-10 when Antetokounmpo has not played this season. -- Bobby Marks
Hoop Collective: Can the Cavaliers turn around their season? And OKC stumbles
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the early season struggles for the Cleveland Cavaliers and what, if anything, they can do to turn their season around. They then talk about the current state of refereeing and the Minnesota Timberwolves recent win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dec. 19
Hoop Collective: The first MVP straw poll of the season
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss Bontemps' first MVP straw poll of the season, including Victor Wembanyama's potential in the MVP race, the newcomers on the list and the historic race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic at the top of the poll.
Dec. 18
Giannis says agent talk with Bucks out of his hands
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters that he's "locked in" on the Bucks and that any trade conversation is between his agent and the franchise.
"If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he's his own person. He can have any conversation he wants," Antetokounmpo told reporters prior to Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors.
"At the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I'm still locked in, locked in on my teammates, most importantly locked in on me getting back healthy."
The Bucks are 1-3 since Antetokounmpo's right calf strain on Dec. 3.
Mitchell and Mobley the only 'untouchables' on the Cavaliers' roster
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers have been getting "a ton of incoming calls from on their players" as the team's struggles have continued.
"When I talk to rival teams, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are really the two untouchable players on this roster," Charania said on NBA Today.
The next month will influence how aggressive Cleveland is ahead of the trade deadline, per Charania.
Howdy Partners: Similarities between the Spurs and Rockets and Flagg's historic performance
ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright cover the recent NBA news across the state of Texas, including the San Antonio Spurs' recent win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals and the comparability of the Spurs and Houston Rockets. The hosts also discuss the consistently historic performances of Cooper Flagg and his case for the best season from an 18-year-old in NBA history.
Dec. 17
Hoop Collective: The Knicks win a trophy
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the New York Knicks winning the NBA Cup over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. They also break down what the Spurs showed the rest of the league during their run to the Cup final before moving on to big updates from NBA commissioner Adam Silver on NBA expansion, the potential future of the NBA Cup and the Terry Rozier investigation. They close on the recent impressive play of Cooper Flagg.
Important deadline rule goes by without a deal
The Dec. 16 deadline for teams to trade for a player and then aggregate his contract prior to the Feb. 5 deadline came without any transactions.
Unlike last December, when Brooklyn traded Dennis Schroder to Golden State, there were no trades. Because the Warriors acquired Schroder prior to the deadline, they were allowed to trade him again without any restrictions. Schroder was sent to Detroit as part of the Jimmy Butler blockbuster. Going forward, players are not allowed to be combined with additional salary in a second trade. -- Bobby Marks
Dec. 16
What moves lie ahead for Cup finalists?
The two remaining teams in the NBA Cup, the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, are a contrast in roster building. The Knicks have added starters Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns in four separate trades. San Antonio has built through the draft, with starters Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and reserves Dylan Harper, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and Carter Bryant. And while the Spurs traded four first-round picks in February for guard De'Aaron Fox, they remain well-equipped with draft assets.
San Antonio has the right to swap first-round picks with the Atlanta Hawks in June's draft and has an unprotected first-rounder from the Hawks in 2027. The Spurs can also swap with the Boston Celtics' first-rounder in 2028 (if 2-30), swap with the more favorable first-rounder between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2030 (if 2-30) and swap with the Sacramento Kings' first-rounder in 2031.
The Knicks' only tradeable first-rounder is from the Washington Wizards in 2026, but only if the pick falls outside the top 8. (The pick will become second-rounders in 2026 and 2027 if not conveyed.) -- Bobby Marks
Inside the ugly Chris Paul-LA Clippers divorce
From Ramona Shelburne: The Clippers and Chris Paul went into their reunion with good intentions: an opinionated future Hall of Fame player at the end of his career hoping for one final ride with his former team; that team, which is near the end of its largely disappointing, hugely pressurized Kawhi Leonard experiment -- which has resulted in exactly one conference finals appearance in six seasons -- hoping their former front man could address a leadership vacuum it has struggled to fill.
But endings are rarely clean or painless in the NBA. And this one -- for both player and team -- was born out of the most flammable combination in sports: misconceptions and dysfunction.
The reunion was more than simply doomed from almost the beginning; it might also serve as foreshadowing of a future for the Clippers even more challenging than their present.
Dec. 15
Biggest trade deadline questions facing every team
Will the Dallas Mavericks look to trade Anthony Davis? What will it take to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Milwaukee Bucks open trade talks for the two-time MVP? Those are two of the many questions NBA front offices will need to discuss leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
And with Monday marking the unofficial start of trade season -- nearly 90% of the players are eligible to be moved -- those questions will begin to be answered.
Along with identifying the trade season focus for all 30 teams, Bobby Marks breaks down the important information -- the apron status, trade exceptions to watch, most valuable first-round picks and big expiring contracts -- that could help define which direction each franchise takes in the coming months.
Hoop Collective: Are the Spurs a legit contender?
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon to discuss the NBA Cup semifinals following the New York Knicks' win over the Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The trio talk about the Spurs' impressive performance against the Thunder and debate whether it is proof they'll end up in the top four in the Western Conference.
The three then discuss the Knicks as elite contenders in the East as well as the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers before Brian details his travels last week.
Dec. 12
Hoop Collective: Trade season expands on Dec. 15
The trade season expanding on Dec. 15 was a primary topic on Brian Windhorst's The Hoop Collective podcast on Friday. Will there be any action in December?
"I don't think there's going to be trades happening next week," Windhorst said. "But it coincides with the point in the season where teams start to make some decisions about the ineptitude or ... some of the weaknesses of their rosters. And that's when things start to get going."
ESPN's Bobby Marks shared Windhorst's sentiment.
"Eighty-two players starting on Monday are eligible. December is relatively somewhat of a quiet month, tradewise," Marks said. "Certainly we start hearing more rumors, but we had a trade last year on the first day players were eligible and Dennis Schroder was traded from Brooklyn to Golden State.
"And I think going into Monday we'll have eyes on Chris Paul as far as to figure out ... if it eventually gets resolved here. But I think the total number is 90% of the NBA is trade-eligible as of Monday."
Dec. 10
Mavs' Lively to have season-ending foot surgery
Dereck Lively II, Dallas' starting center, will undergo season-ending surgery to address lingering discomfort in his right foot, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday. The news comes after Lively had surgery in July to clean out bone spurs in the same foot.
He played in only seven games this season.
Potential landing spots for Anthony Davis
Several teams are expected to be interested in trading for Anthony Davis, including the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Dallas is open to exploring trades for Davis as well as veteran guards Klay Thompson and D'Angelo Russell, per sources.
The Mavericks are currently 10-16 and holding on to the last play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Kuminga's future in Golden State
The Warriors will be open to discussing trades for Jonathan Kuminga when he is eligible to be moved on Jan. 15, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Golden State hopes to improve the roster and Kuminga's $22.5 million salary could lead to a larger trade haul.
Pacers in the market for a center
Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the Pacers are in the market for a center after losing Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason.
Kings open to trade talks
The Kings and first-year general manager Scott Perry are open to trade talks throughout the roster, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Teams around the league are keeping their eyes on veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, as well as 25-year-old guard Keon Ellis.
Dec. 5
The challenging trade market for Giannis
On the Hoop Collective podcast, host Brian Windhorst described the difficult trade landscape for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
"What I'm telling you is that when I talk to executives and these executives are not in trade talks with the Bucks or another for a star player right now, the mood in the NBA right now is not to give up four first-round picks for anybody," Windhorst said. "This is how teams are thinking right now. They're a little freaked about the aprons. There ain't going to be no five first-round pick trades. I know that we saw those for a while. That's just not going to happen."
The trade market has dried up compared to former seasons, according to Windhorst.
"I can hear somebody out there listening to this podcast saying, 'What are you talking about? This is Giannis. Giannis will go for two star players and six firsts," Windhorst added. Maybe that will happen. I am just telling you, I talk to the guys who make these trades every day, all day long, and the appetite is just different.
"Everybody is feeling a certain way. I'm just telling you I could end up being wrong. I'm just reporting back."
Dec. 3
Bucks, Giannis reenter discussions about his future in Milwaukee
Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis are discussing whether Antetokounmpo's best fit is still with the Bucks or elsewhere.
"I know that he asked for a trade and then said I'm going to be a Buck this year," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland on Wednesday. "I know a lot of people in the league think he won't be a Buck next year."
A resolution is expected in the coming weeks in how Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee approach the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The Bucks are 10-13.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game on 64% shooting.
Chris Paul, Clippers part ways
Paul, a 12-time All-Star, announced Wednesday that he was sent home ahead of the Clippers' game in Atlanta against the Hawks. The 40-year-old veteran signed a one-year deal with the franchise during the offseason, but ESPN's Shams Charania reported that he and coach Ty Lue had not been on speaking terms for several weeks.
The point guard started all 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs but was averaging 14.3 minutes and 2.9 points per game this season in L.A. The Clippers can't officially trade Paul until Dec. 15.
What league sources said about these three All-Star guards
Trae Young, LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant have all had turbulent starts to the 2025-26 season and one league source told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that the trio "might all have negative value" ahead of this season's trade deadline.
Young's defensive limitations have hurt his ceiling as a franchise's centerpiece, with one East scout saying: "He's just small and doesn't play any defense."
As for Ball, it's his in-game decision-making that has left some scouts and front offices wanting more. "Can I trust LaMelo in the playoffs and games that matter late in the season?" an East executive said. "We just don't know."
The off-court issues for Morant remain the biggest concern about his future with Memphis or potentially beyond. "The combination of pain in the ass, injury-prone, not that good anymore, and big contract is a bad one," said an East executive.
Dec. 1
The Bulls front office has discussed the possibility of adding Anthony Davis
The Chicago Bulls have started the season 9-11 and currently sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference. The early season struggles have led to the front office to explore the idea of adding a difference-maker, including the Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis, per ESPN's Jamal Collier.
The franchise does remain committed to keeping its young core -- Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis -- and wouldn't trade any of those players to get a deal done, per Collier.