NBA trade deadline: What Shams is hearing about mid-league trade talks with Raptors

The NBA trade market is officially heating up with the league deadline next week, Feb. 9, and conversations among team executives are expected to get more serious as the next few days unfold.

Across the NBA, it’s no secret that the Toronto Raptors are considered the swing team in the trade market this year. Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. have what is considered a talented core of fascinating work.

Due to the Raptors’ disappointing season so far (currently 23-28, 12th in the East), rival teams have been informed that a decision on whether the franchise is a buyer, a seller, or a standing putt is coming to a close. . As with all other sources for this article, league sources said they were allowed anonymity so they could speak freely. 2 wins and 1 loss on the road trip.

The Raptors certainly come with a high price tag on core pieces like VanVleet and Anunoby. Will Toronto stay strong with its amassed talent?

Additionally, Nick Nurse’s future as Raptors head coach is expected to be focused this summer, according to sources who are entering the final year of his contract ahead of next season. Nurse, who later led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA Championship, was named Coach of the Year in 2020 and is considered one of the league’s best coaches, has a deal worth $8 million a year through 2023-24. signed the extension. The length of the contract was not previously disclosed by the team. According to sources, there was dissatisfaction with the roster and staff at large over the team’s play in points this season, which was sometimes directed at Nurse as well.

Meanwhile, two players who have been in trade talks since the beginning of the season are Phoenix Suns guard Jae Crowder and Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins. Both teams are expected to continue strong dialogue on both sides as February 9 approaches.

In new development, Suns have given Bucks permission to meet with Crowder, league sources say athleticThe Bucks are believed to be the only team permitted to visit Crowder one-on-one. Interested in Crowder, which is viewed as an acquisition.

Sources say the Suns and Bucks have both been in serious trade talks for months, with the current offer being Jordan Nuwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka, and Crowder’s No. 2 to Phoenix. It’s all about the round’s draft compensation. The Bucks and Suns are looking for his third team to provide forwards for Phoenix.

The Hawks have won six of their last nine games since Jan. 13 and have taken a patient approach in trade negotiations under new head of basketball operations Landry Fields. Fields has made it clear to rival executives that the team sees Collins as a valuable asset and the franchise isn’t one to simply throw away in any way, sources said. The approach could increase traction in the Collins market over the next two weeks.

The Jazz remain among the teams that have a strong interest in Collins, athletic‘s Kelly Iko reported last week that the Rockets are also eyeing Collins. Sources say that when the Jazz and Hawks discussed signing Collins early in the season, Atlanta sought Malik Beasley and Jared Vanderbilt. , negotiations stalled when the Hawks declined.

It remains to be seen where the conversation will play out between Fields and the Jazz front office, led by CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik.

The NBA is less than two weeks away from one of the biggest days on the league’s calendar. Buyers and sellers are showing up and things are starting to move. Team executives believe championship opportunities are wide open this season, and while market conditions have lengthened, they have become more urgent. will happen.

Other NBA news and notes…

The Hornets are in talks to trade center Mason Plumlee and forward Kelly Oubre Jr., sources said.

Forward Jalen McDaniels is a name that continues to be on the radar of several teams, including the Suns, Raptors, Jazz, Pacers and Spurs, but the Hornets appreciate the 6.9-foot forward who has grown over the past four seasons. I’m here. Teams with interest and cap space this offseason, including the Jazz, Pacers and Spurs, will go unrestricted rather than trading assets to acquire him now while they have to compensate him in July. It may choose to wait until free agency courts McDaniels.

The Jazz have shown strong interest in Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, and the team is under the impression that Dallas is open to making the 29-year-old a good deal as a star player. The Mavericks have a very high price threshold for teams to get their hands on Finney Smith, rival executives say.

In his seven seasons with the Mavericks, Finney-Smith has established himself as an important two-way wing, important to the team’s culture, including being a favorite of MVP candidate Luka Doncic. But if the organization is to sign a blockbuster contract of an All-Star player before the deadline or in the offseason, it’s clear that Phinney Smith has also become one of Dallas’ major productions.

Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $55 million contract extension last season that runs through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26.

Sources say the Nuggets are in active trade talks around guard Bones Hyland, with teams such as Minnesota showing interest.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves guard Jalen Nowell is leaning toward leaving the team in the offseason through free agency, sources say. Guard Nowell will become an unrestricted free agent in July. Nowell has had some dynamic scoring moments this season, but he shoots 43.9 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from his range on 3-pointers.

Earning $1.9 million in the final season of his rookie deal, Nowell is now eligible for a $58 million extension for up to four years.

San Antonio Spurs

Several teams have stepped up their pursuit of Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, and a move to the Eastern Conference could be possible before deadline.The Raptors and Celtics have expressed interest in Poeltl. He’s in a team that’s doing it, sources say. The 27-year-old is almost certain to be his big man in July’s top unrestricted free agency.

toronto raptors

The Knicks and Suns are among suitors interested in Raptors forward OG Anunoby, sources say. According to those sources, New York has indicated its willingness to provide Anunoby with multiple first-round picks, while the Suns are willing to give her first-round picks through 2030 (her eight in all). name) are all in control. SNY first reported the Knicks’ interest last week.

(Top photo by OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet: Cole Burston/Getty Images)