June 2024 NBA Wiretap

Marcus Morris, Spurs Agree To Buyout

Feb 29, 2024 9:32 PM

The San Antonio Spurs have waived Marcus Morris Sr. after agreeing to a buyout.

San Antonio acquired Morris Sr. on Feb. 8 as part of a three-team trade with the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Pat Beverley previously reported that Morris is expected to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves upon his inevitable buyout.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Marcus Morris, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Waiver

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Joel Embiid's 'Plan' Is To Return Before End Of Regular Season

Feb 29, 2024 3:27 PM

Joel Embiid spoke to the media for the first time since suffered a knee injury last month and confirmed he hopes to return to game action before the end of the regular season.

"That's the plan," Embiid said after Philadelphia practiced Thursday. "Obviously everything has to go right, as far as getting healthy and being as close as I'm supposed to be. But yeah, that's the plan."

Embiid was the frontrunner for MVP before the injury.

The team announced on Feb. 6 that Embiid had undergone a procedure "to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee" and that he would be reevaluated in four weeks, which is next Tuesday. 

Embiid said there is no timetable for his return, but he continues to feel good about his rehab.

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Tags: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Klay Thompson Open To Short-Term Deal With Warriors

Feb 29, 2024 1:48 PM

Klay Thompson is eligible for a four-year contract worth up to $223 million, but he is open to re-signing with the Golden State Warriors on a shorter deal. A source told ESPN's Kendra Andrews that money and lineup status are not driving forces for Thompson.

Thompson could possibly sign a two-year deal this summer to align with the remaining time on the contracts of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr.

Thompson is making $43 million his season on an expiring contract. When Thompson and the Warriors discussed an extension last summer, talks never progressed to specific dollar amounts and instead a range was presented by the Warriors.

Thompson has been candid about his on-court struggles and a source close to him says his frustrations are more about his own level of play and less about the team itself.

"He feels like he's letting everyone down," the source told ESPN. "He doesn't want to be a drain. He wants to help. He wants to feel valuable."

Thompson recently moved to the bench and responded with one of his best ames of the season. Thompson has shot 45 percent on three-pointers during his first five games as a reserve.

"The thought of him coming off the bench as our flame thrower, it's a pretty powerful weapon," Steve Kerr said.

Thompson, however, was very upset when he was informed of the decision from the Warriors to move him out of the starting lineup. Kerr told ESPN that Thompson initially yelled at him and some of the assistants. Thompson later came back to apologize to the coaches.

"It was not an easy conversation," Kerr said. "This is maybe the hardest part about getting further away from our prime. It's just, after 12 years [of Thompson starting], it wasn't easy.

"And still moving forward, it's not going to be easy. But I told him, 'If you really embrace it, you can help your team win.'"

Kendra Andrews/ESPN

Tags: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Hornets Hiring Jeff Peterson As Head Of Basketball Operations

Feb 29, 2024 9:40 AM

The Charlotte Hornets are hiring Jeff Peterson as their new head of basketball operations. Peterson replaces Mitch Kupchak, who recently resigned as the Hornets president of basketball operations.

At 35 years old, Peterson will be the NBA's youngest front office leader. He's been working in the Brooklyn Nets front office as an assistant to Sean Marks for the past five years.

Peterson played college basketball at Iowa and Arkansas, before finishing his collegiate career at Florida State. He then held various roles with the Atlanta Hawks front office before joining the Nets in 2019.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Charlotte Hornets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Hawks To Waive Patty Mills; Convert Trent Forrest

Feb 29, 2024 9:16 AM

The Atlanta Hawks are waiving guard Patty Mills. The Hawks acquired Mills from the Oklahoma City Thunder, after the Thunder had acquired Mills from the Brooklyn Nets in a salary-clearing trade.

In a limited role with Atlanta, Mills has averaged 2.7 points in 10.6 minutes per game across 19 appearances.

With the open roster sport, the Hawks will convert Trent Forrest from his two-way deal to a standard contract. Forrest maximized his allowed 50 NBA games while on his two-way contract recently. He's been ineligible to play since.

Forrest has appeared in 43 games with Atlanta while on two-way contracts each of the last two seasons.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Patty Mills, Trent Forrest, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, D-League, NBA Waiver, D-League Transaction

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Most Olympics Roster Spots Already Targeted For Team USA

Feb 29, 2024 8:16 AM

Team USA has ramped up the selection process for this summer's Olympics in Paris. There are 11 players that the United States are counting on playing or are in strong consideration for a roster spot. The initial 11 are:

  • Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat
  • Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
  • Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
  • Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns
  • Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
  • Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana Pacers
  • Jrue Holiday - Boston Celtics
  • LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

None of these players are considered absolute locks as of yet. But all 11 are under strong consideration and have mentioned interest in representing Team USA this summer, provided they are healthy enough to play.

Of that group, Booker, Curry, Durant, Embiid, Holiday, James and Tatum are considered to be the United States core group. Edwards and Haliburton are being considered after strong play at last summer's FIBA World Cup. Adebayo and Davis are garnering interest for additional frontcourt depth around Embiid.

Shams Charania and Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Tags: Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers, Phoenix Suns, United States, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Team USA Counting On Joel Embiid For Olympics

Feb 29, 2024 8:02 AM

Despite Joel Embiid still recovering from surgery to address a torn meniscus, Team USA is counting on the big man for this summer's Olympics in Paris. Embiid is still committed to playing in the games as well.

Embiid chose to represent the United States on the national team level this past fall. Embiid picked the United States over France and his native Cameroon, both of whom he was also eligible to play for.

The Philadelphia 76ers star had surgery in in early February to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Sixers are hopeful that Embiid will return in late March. If he can return and stay healthy through the playoffs, that should open the door for Embiid to join Team USA this summer.

Shams Charani and Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Tags: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers, United States, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Andrew Wiggins Leaves Warriors Due To Personal Reasons, Out On Thursday

Feb 29, 2024 12:55 AM

Andrew Wiggins left the Golden State Warriors before the start of their most recent road trip due to a family matter.

The Warriors have no timeline for Wiggins' return, but he will be out for Thursday's game against the Knicks.

“We don’t know. We’ll respect Andrew’s wishes for this to remain private. Personal reasons," said Steve Kerr.

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Injury

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NBA Denies Knicks' Protest From Loss To Rockets On February 12

Feb 29, 2024 12:47 AM

The NBA denied the New York Knicks' protest following a 105-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on February 12.

The game ended with Jalen Brunson being called for a foul on Aaron Holiday with 0.3 seconds left in the fourth, with Holiday hitting two-out-of-three free throws to win the game.

After the game, crew chief Ed Malloy admitted that Brunson should not have been called for a foul.

“Under the standard for NBA game protests, New York was required to demonstrate that there was a misapplication of the official playing rules. As opposed to an error in judgement by game officials. Because the foul call at issue reflected an error in judgement, New York did not demonstrate a misapplication of the playing rules, and the extraordinary remedy of upholding a game protest was not warranted," said the NBA in a statement.

Lauren Merola/The Athletic

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA

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Hollinger & Duncan: Coach Rankings 2023-24 Part 1

Feb 28, 2024 10:28 PM

It’s time to look at the best coaches in the NBA. What are the ways to evaluate a coach? How do the young wunderkinder stack up against the established playoff coaches? John and Nate look at the best coaches in the league.

Plus, we each eliminate another team from the playoffs and take stock of their organizations.

Four more episodes with Nate & Danny per week are available exclusively on Dunc’d On Prime, plus it’s the only place to hear John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM

Plus, subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, the key moments from the pod each week.

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Tags: NBA

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Jrue Holiday To Be On Team USA's Roster For 2024 Olympics

Shams Charania, Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Jaylin Galloway Receiving NBA Interest Following End Of NBL Season

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Jeff Peterson, Trajan Langdon, Matt Lloyd Emerge As Candidates For Hornets' Job

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Lonzo Ball Still Unable To Sprint During Knee Rehab

Joe Cowley/Chicago Sun Times

Sixers Hope Joel Embiid Can Return In Late March

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Pistons, Mike Muscala Finalizing Contract Buyout

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Paul George Out Wednesday Against Lakers With Knee Soreness

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Deandre Ayton Sprains Hand, X-Rays Negative

ESPN

Aleksej Pokusevski Agrees To Sign With Hornets

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Phoenix To Host 2027 NBA All-Star Game

Duane Rankin/Arizona Republic

NBA Investigating Whether Offense Needs To Be Throttled

Tim Bontemps, Kevin Pelton/ESPN

Isaiah Livers Out For Remainder Of The Season

RealGM Staff Report

Zach Edey To Leave Purdue After This Season

Jon Rothstein/CBS Sports

MRI On Jonathan Isaac Shows No Significant Injuries To Leg, Knee

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Evan Fournier Likely To Remain With Pistons This Season

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Chris Paul To Return To Warriors Lineup On Tuesday

Kendra Andrews/ESPN

TNT Will Remain 'Disciplined' In Negotations With NBA On Extending TV Contract

Steve McCaskill/SportsProMedia

Bronny James Moves To 39th Pick In ESPN's 2025 NBA Mock Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Sharife Cooper, Cavaliers Agree To 10-Day Contract

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey Top Initial 2025 NBA Mock Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN