NBA Rumors: Latest Intel on Pascal Siakam, Dejounte Murray, Zach LaVine and More
With the February 8 trade deadline looming, NBA teams are getting a better sense of the market. Franchises can be divided into buyers and sellers, but that's too broad. Some are opportunistically neutral, awaiting the right deal to sway them in a specific direction.
Injuries like that to Ja Morant (shoulder) of the Memphis Grizzlies may send a team spiraling. They face an expensive future that competing franchises say is probably unsustainable.
Will the team be willing to take on Pascal Siakam, knowing it must pay a hefty price to re-sign him? Which teams are selling to get out of money? Who is buying?
While the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement has made trades easier—at least for teams under the aprons (starting at $172.3 million)—front offices have to mind the future impact more than ever. Even for the most willing spenders, the dreaded second apron (projected to be $190.8 million for 2024-25) will be a de facto hard cap for most of the league.
Then again, the more draconian rules for teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns don't take effect until the offseason. They may double down and take advantage of the brief window before the additional restrictions completely bottleneck their flexibility.
The following is a list of the top storylines before the trade deadline.
Pascal Siakam on the Move?
1 of 7
Buzz in the NBA circulates through front offices, scouts, agents, staff, media and many other sources. A pattern can start to form, and that's the case with Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors.
The time is near, per multiple accounts, when the Raptors won't reinvest in the 29-year-old forward. And since he's in the last year of his deal, they don't want to lose him without a return like with Fred VanVleet, who went to the Houston Rockets as an unrestricted free agent.
According to sources, the Raptors are looking for a return similar to what they got from the New York Knicks for OG Anunoby (RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley)—young players who can fit around Scottie Barnes.
Thus far, the challenge is that Siakam is believed to be expecting a maximum contract this offseason (which projects to start at $42.6 million). That has apparently scared off suitors like the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers.
The Kings do not appear willing to part with Keegan Murray to pay Siakam at that price. Similarly, the Pacers have enough cap room to wait until July to sign Siakam without giving up Bennedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker. Even if he doesn't choose them in free agency, they can chase someone younger (assuming they don't pivot and trade for a suitable forward before then).
Siakam may land elsewhere in the end, with some pointing to the Golden State Warriors as a real option. The buzz all year has the Warriors minding their budget, but the team is struggling and still wants to keep the Steph Curry era competitive.
With Chris Paul's expiring contract (technically $30 million non-guaranteed for 2024-25) and pieces like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, the Warriors could make a credible run at Siakam. Golden State is high on rookie Brandin Podziemski, so leave him out of "fake trades," per one source.
Dejounte Murray Out before Extension Kicks In?
2 of 7
The buzz on the Atlanta Hawks surrounds veteran guard Dejounte Murray, acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in 2022 for multiple first-round picks. The team gave him an extension in July, but his time in Atlanta is expected to end.
Trae Young remains the franchise player, but the Hawks want to build around him with younger, less expensive players such as Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. So, while getting a strong return for Murray may be a priority, Atlanta will undoubtedly get less than what it gave to the Spurs but may use Murray as an incentive to get out of veterans on larger deals like Clint Capela, De'Andre Hunter and/or Bogdan Bogdanović.
But that's an expensive decision, as the Hawks would be responsible for paying Murray a 15 percent trade bonus for about $13 million. And, of course, since he's with Klutch Sports, the Lakers are the apparent destination with flagship client LeBron James in Los Angeles.
Beyond the agent ties, though, the Lakers are said to be very interested in Murray.
Los Angeles has a first-round pick it can send to Atlanta in 2029 or 2030, along with a potential willingness to take on one or two of Capela, Hunter or Bogdanović. Can the Lakers come up with enough to get a deal done without including Austin Reaves? That may be the fulcrum to a deal, even if L.A. tries to sweeten it with young players such as Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie or Maxwell Lewis.
L.A. is also close to its first-apron spending limit (about $4.9 million under), so several others might need to be on the move (especially if L.A. is taking in additional veterans from Atlanta) like Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent (out after knee surgery). The Lakers want to keep Reaves and Hachimura, so it remains unclear whether a compromise can be met.
Other teams linked by sources to Murray include the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and one surprise dark horse—the Spurs.
Is There a Home for Zach LaVine?
3 of 7
Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal may have a lot in common. They're both gifted scoring guards who have struggled to stay healthy and lead their teams to significant success. Both lost point guards to extended injuries (Lonzo Ball and John Wall) and while LaVine's Chicago Bulls may be slightly better than some of Beal's Washington Wizards squads, the concerns are real.
The Phoenix Suns gambled on Beal, who has started to come good for the team after missing much of the season. Will another team make a similar leap for LaVine, who is in the second season of a $215.2 million, five-year deal?
Thus far, the buzz has been nearly silent. Outside of speculation that the Lakers will eventually make a play (perhaps if they miss out on Murray), most believe LaVine will stick around Chicago through the year or even longer.
The Bulls have a reputation for keeping their intentions relatively quiet. There's no real noise that players such as DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso might become available. The team has shopped LaVine, but the Bulls remain an enigma to many.
The best guess is they try to make a playoff/play-in push instead of selling and may even re-sign DeRozan as a free agent this summer (assuming that's what he wants to do, which may not be a given).
Pacers Looking for a Bigger Wing
4 of 7
The Pacers have the lowest payroll in the league (about $8.3 million under the $136 million salary cap) and are said to be looking for a bigger wing to help the team's playoff run.
While Siakam is on that list, maybe even at the top, the asking price from Toronto is probably too high.
The bait offered is believed to be Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown Jr. and one of Indiana's two first-round picks in the 2024 draft (it has its own and another that is likely via the Oklahoma City Thunder or LA Clippers). With enough targets to choose from (Jerami Grant, Andrew Wiggins, Siakam etc.), the answer may be Kyle Kuzma with the Wizards.
Kuzma is on a cost-controlled contract ($90 million, descending over four years) and would give the team another frontcourt scoring option. While he hasn't done much defensively in Washington, the team has been pretty terrible around him. He was a part of an excellent Lakers championship squad in 2020.
But honestly, the Pacers win by outscoring teams, and Kuzma may fit the bill. Grant is much more expensive ($160 million over five years) with the Portland Trail Blazers. So is Wiggins at $109 million (over four), and his game has dropped off significantly since his All-Star season in 2022.
Kuzma has the best price, is younger than Siakam and probably doesn't cost the Pacers as much in trade. The Wizards were said to be looking for a first, but that price has recently risen to two. That may be because, in part, they have one already available to them via Indiana.
Will the Thunder Go for It?
5 of 7
Does the Thunder have the best guard in the game? Some believe they do in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who could, arguably, be in the running for the Most Valuable Player award.
Oklahoma City is sitting on the largest collective of draft picks ever assembled, and fans can't wait to see who it uses them on—impatiently, mind you, as the team boasts one of the best records in the NBA.
The franchise has movable contracts in Dāvis Bertāns ($5.25 million guaranteed next year, assuming he doesn't opt out) and Aleksej Pokuševski ($5 million expiring), along with enough draft capital to overwhelm a trade partner (without needing to send out any core rotation players).
However, the buzz has top basketball executive Sam Presti remaining patient despite any pressure to rush the process until he sees what does and doesn't work in the postseason. Josh Giddey will be eligible for an extension this offseason, followed by Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams next year.
A significant investment now (like Siakam) would undoubtedly mean not paying someone else later, and the Thunder (mainly) like what they have.
Still, a less-expensive name to watch is Isaiah Stewart with the Detroit Pistons. While they just traded Marvin Bagley III to Washington, if Detroit is open to moving the 6'8" forward/center, they can probably get a strong return from Oklahoma City (draft compensation and perhaps Tre Mann and/or Ousmane Dieng).
Opportunistic Sellers
6 of 7
Several teams near the bottom of the standings have players they're willing to part with but will wait patiently for the best offer. Some may hold on until the draft in June or into July and beyond.
Contract status may determine what gets done, like with guards Tyus Jones and Delon Wright of the Wizards. Both are on expiring deals ($14 million and $8.2 million, respectively) as different ball-handling guard options for contending teams. Jones is more of a true point guard and shooter, while Wright is a capable defender (with an iffy jumper).
But Washington may not rush to move center Daniel Gafford, who has two more seasons at almost $14 million per year, asking for a "greedy price." That's not meant to be a shot at the Wizards, but the team is rebuilding and looking to take on as much draft capital as possible.
Similarly, the Spurs are said to have expiring veterans like Cedi Osman and Doug McDermott available. Guard Devonte' Graham has just $2.9 million guaranteed of his $12.7 million next season. If the opportunity to get a high-level point guard (like reuniting with Murray from Atlanta) became available, the Spurs might be open to a more significant move.
Competing executives believe the Blazers have too much payroll committed next year for a rebuilding team, which could lead to a Malcolm Brogdon or Grant trade. If offers aren't suitable, that may wait until closer to the draft.
Detroit could move veterans such as Bojan Bogdanović, Joe Harris and Alec Burks. The Charlotte Hornets are expected to make just about anyone available bar LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams.
Everyone Else Buying?
7 of 7
The NBA's play-in tournament has impacted the trade market by increasing the playoff hopefuls to 20 (plus those just missing out). That has seemingly led to more buyers than sellers.
Everyone who isn't bottoming out wants to add something to bolster their chances. Buzz has the Suns looking for a veteran point guard. Would Nassir Little, minimum players and a few second-rounders be enough to get Jones from the Wizards? Or do the Timberwolves, also looking for guard help, find a way to offer enough to bring Jones back to Minnesota?
The Philadelphia 76ers are also thought to be looking for a playmaking guard, though a higher-priced player like Brogdon may hurt the team's offseason cap-space goals.
The Houston Rockets, looking for a backup big, could target Nick Richards of the Hornets or Gafford with the Wizards. Many expect the New Orleans Pelicans to duck the luxury tax by paying for a team to take on Kira Lewis Jr.'s salary. Still, they are looking for size and may also be a suitor for Richards or Gafford (though that probably costs Larry Nance Jr. and draft compensation).
The L.A. Clippers could use a power forward (with PJ Tucker and others like Bones Hyland as bait). The Boston Celtics could use an inexpensive and experienced wing and/or big. Similarly, the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets could use cheap veteran wings.
One big man teams are curious about is Brooklyn's Nicolas Claxton, who isn't eligible for an extension and may be looking for a more significant investment than the team is willing to make.
Finally, the Dallas Mavericks and Kings are also believed to be buyers, likely for bigger wings, with hopes to bolster their playoff chances.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
.jpg?w=600 "Browns Declined Cowboys Trade")
.jpg?w=600 "Packers Signing Tyrod Taylor")
.jpg?w=600 "NFL Strength of Schedules 👀")
