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Chris Mannix: Clippers and Cavs have been in advanced negotiations since last night, when @SInow reported the talks. Cleveland wanted a first rounder but that was never seen as a deal breaker. Cavs wanted to take a big swing. LA wanted a younger All-Star. Both sides get what they were after.
We could say that it’s definitively over. But, the “all but,” according to league sources, comes from Utah’s desire to retain the top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick it owes the Oklahoma City Thunder. So, there is still a bit of losing business that needs to happen as we continue into the second half of this season.
Keith Smith: Picks in the Celtics-Bulls trade, per a league source: To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)
Ricky O'Donnell: A big reason why a lot of these trades will happen is because no one thinks 2027 draft is worth tanking for. It's too early to tell for 2028, but at this point we already knew Flagg/Boozer were studs and there's no one on that level yet for '28 either. Can change quickly, though
Bobby Marks: Memphis now has 12 firsts in the next 7 years. They are trail only Brooklyn and OKC.
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Byron Scott on how he became a Laker after being drafted by the Clippers: What was their hesitation on not signing you? Byron Scott: If you hear some of the stories, Donald Sterling wanted a Laker. He wanted a Laker badly. And I think he had met with Dr. Jerry Buss at some dinner or something and they talked about some things and Norm Nixon's name was mentioned. So Sterling went back to the head guys, Pete Babcock and those guys, and said ‘I want to make this trade’. So basically the Clippers traded my draft rights to the Lakers and Swen Nater for Norm Nixon and Eddie Jordan.
Earvin Magic Johnson: I want to congratulate Mark Aguirre on his #24 jersey retirement with the Dallas Mavericks. I met Mark and Isiah Thomas 45 years ago after they were drafted to the NBA - we formed a friendship and started training in my hometown Lansing, MI and their hometown Chicago, IL that summer. Mark was a triple threat on the basketball court and virtually unstoppable. Look at how good God is, all three of us now have our jerseys retired by the teams we played for - myself with the Lakers, Isiah with the Pistons, and now Mark with the Mavericks!
The current timeline is adding to a roster with Doncic, James and Reaves while focusing on financial flexibility in future years. The Lakers have over $40 million of expiring contracts consisting of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber. They also have a 2031 or 2032 first-round pick to trade if needed. The future timeline is building a roster around Doncic and Reaves. With Doncic under contract for the next three seasons, the Lakers could have up to $50 million in cap space this offseason and nearly double that amount in 2027. They will also have three first-rounders (2026, 2031 and 2033) available to trade starting the night of the draft.
Shams Charania: “Over the weekend, the Bucks remained engaged with NBA teams that have interest and have made aggressive proposals.” “My understanding is they’ve submitted counteroffers to those aggressive proposals as well.” “The Heat, Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and the New York Knicks—those have been the most serious suitors out of the mix so far for Giannis.” “But it all comes down to the price point for him, right? A young player and/or a surplus of draft picks.” “So, who meets that mark between now and the next four days, up until Thursday’s NBA trade deadline?” “And the Bucks have to manage it: the risk and reward—whether you do a deal now, or you wait for the offseason, when Giannis only has one year left.” “That gives him even more control to figure out and dictate his future in the offseason.”
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The Knicks have long been trying to find a new home for Guerschon Yabusele, their top free-agent signing, before the deadline, per multiple league sources. I’ve reported on this since last year, and nothing has changed. Barring a big trade of sorts that has many moving pieces, rival teams expect New York to have to attach draft assets to get off Yabusele in any simpler transaction. Yabusele, who has struggled this season, has a $5.7 player option next year that, in addition to his play, makes him a negative asset.
Michael Scotto: Update: The Atlanta Hawks are trading Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, which includes Atlanta receiving its own 2027 second-round pick back and a New York Knicks 2030 second-round pick, league sources told
