2026 NBA Rumors Live Blog with Latest News, Trade Buzz and Grades

Depending on what they'd have to give up to get him, Kawhi Leonard landing on the Mavericks could make them a bona fide title contender.

Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg would instantly be among the most talented trios in the league. They'd need multiple other role players to hit, but that's a foundation that could at least raise some eyebrows in San Antonio and Oklahoma City.

Of course, with Kawhi and Kyrie both in their mid-30s (Leonard turns 35 on Monday, and Irving will join him there in March) and injury prone, giving up much for Kawhi is a risk.

The safer approach is a slower build around Flagg, but we've seen a team trade for the last year of a Leonard contract before. And the last time it happened, the cost made it a no-brainer for the Toronto Raptors, who went on to win a championship in the ensuing season.

If the Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard without having to give up either of Scottie Barnes or Collin Murray-Boyles (so, with a package built around Brandon Ingram and draft capital), they'd absolutely be a title contender.

A defense with Leonard, Barnes and Murray-Boyles could be ferocious. And Leonard's offense would give them the A1 scorer they've lacked since he left for Los Angeles seven (?!) years ago.

A trade still feels less likely than Leonard staying put for the last year on his contract, but this rumor already has more steam than it did a couple days ago. There's a chance.

After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat are in dire need of shooting. And ideally, those shooters would come for relatively cheap.

So it should come as no surprise to learn that that's exactly what they'll be chasing this offseason: affordable but effective three-point threats.

Sunday, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson shared some potential targets, including Tim Hardaway Jr., Mike Conley, Landry Shamet, Anfernee Simons and Quentin Grimes.

Last season, the Charlotte Hornets were plus-6.4 points per 100 possessions when both LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges were on the floor.

They were key cogs in the Hornets' late-season surge that nearly led to a playoff berth.

And just a few months later, the team's starting point guard and power forward have both been sent to the Western Conference in seemingly win-later moves.

In Bridges' case, he, a protected future first-round pick and a protected future second-round pick were sent to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.

The move may make Phoenix better in the short term, though maybe only marginally so. And it both opens up opportunities in Charlotte for Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, while giving it a high-value asset.

Suns Grade: C-

Hornets Grade: A

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