The NBA trade deadline is roughly three weeks away, and honestly, the league is a mess right now. If you've been refreshing your feed every five minutes, you've seen the names: Giannis, Ja, AD, and Kuminga. It’s a lot. Some of it is just noise from agents trying to get their guys a better deal, but some of it is very real.
Trae Young is already gone. That move to the Washington Wizards last week for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert was the first real domino to fall. It basically signaled that the "too big to be traded" era is over. Now, everyone is looking at Milwaukee and Memphis to see who flinches next.
NBA Truth and Rumors: Separating Fact from Fiction
Let's talk about the biggest rumor that just won’t die: Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee.
The truth is that Giannis himself told The Athletic just last week that he would never come out and say "I want a trade." He was pretty emphatic about it. But—and this is a big "but"—he also added the caveat, "If they don't want me..." The Bucks are sitting at 11th in the East right now with a 17-22 record. That's not where a two-time MVP wants to be.
Rumors are swirling that the Bucks are looking at Sacramento's Zach LaVine to try and save the season. The proposed package involves Cole Anthony, Bobby Portis, and Kyle Kuzma. It feels like a desperation move, but when you're 11th in the conference, desperation is the name of the game.
The Jonathan Kuminga Drama in the Bay
Things in San Francisco have gotten weird. Kuminga hasn't played since December 18th. The official word was a knee injury.
However, a report from The Athletic (shoutout to Sam Amick and Marcus Thompson) suggests that some within the Warriors organization suspect Kuminga was actually faking the injury. Why? Because he was unhappy with his benching.
He became officially trade-eligible on January 15, which is today. League insiders like Nick Friedell are basically saying he’ll never wear a Warriors jersey again. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly the most aggressive suitor here, looking to add his athleticism to their frontline.
Ja Morant’s Market Reality Check
Then there’s Ja Morant. Memphis is reportedly "entertaining offers," which is a wild sentence to type given where he was two years ago.
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Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies want a king’s ransom—multiple picks and blue-chip young players. But the truth is much harsher. One Eastern Conference executive told Tim MacMahon that Morant is currently viewed as a "bad jump shooter who's shooting more than ever" combined with being "injury-prone and a pain in the a**."
That’s a tough sell for a $39 million salary. Still, the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are reportedly sniffing around. If Pat Riley thinks he can fix Ja’s jumper and the off-court stuff, don’t be surprised if a Tyler Herro-led package starts gaining steam.
The "Untouchables" and the Sellers
Not everyone is looking to blow it up. Joe Dumars and the New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly told teams to stop calling about Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. They are standing pat.
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- They value the defensive identity those guys provide.
- The current offers are apparently "insulting."
Over in Los Angeles, the Lakers are in their usual spot: desperate for help but unwilling to pay the price. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that the Lakers are treating their 2032 first-round pick as untouchable. Since they already traded their 2027 pick, league rules make it almost impossible for them to move anything else.
Basically, the Lakers are stuck. Unless Dalton Knecht suddenly finds his rookie-year form—he’s currently averaging just 5.2 points and has lost JJ Redick’s trust—they don't have the assets to make a move for a star like Michael Porter Jr., who is currently the hottest name on the market.
Why Michael Porter Jr. is the Name to Watch
MPJ is having a career year in Brooklyn. 25.8 points per game. 41% from deep.
Since he has a "green light" on a rebuilding Nets team, his value has skyrocketed. The Warriors have had internal discussions about him, and even the Pistons are "kicking the tires." If you’re looking for the one guy most likely to be wearing a different hat by February 6, it’s probably him.
What This Means for the Next Two Weeks
Expect the market to be slow for the superstars but fast for the role players. The new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) rules and the "second apron" have made teams terrified of taking on long-term money.
If you're a fan, keep an eye on the "tax relief" trades. Teams like the Bulls are looking to dump expiring contracts like Nikola Vučević and Coby White. These aren't the moves that win championships, but they are the moves that keep GMs employed.
The Actionable Bottom Line:
- Watch the Bucks' next three games. If they keep sliding, the Zach LaVine trade might happen before the weekend is over.
- Don't believe every "source" on Twitter regarding Giannis. Unless he personally asks out, Milwaukee is going to ride this out until the summer.
- Monitor the Kuminga situation daily. Now that he’s eligible to be moved, a deal could drop at any second.
- Pay attention to the Nets. They are the clear "market setters" right now because they have the best asset in Michael Porter Jr.