the NBA The commercial market has officially heated up with a February 9 deadline coming up next week, and conversations between the teams’ executives are expected to get more serious as the next few days begin.
Across the NBA, it’s no secret Toronto Raptors It is seen as the swing team in the commercial market of the year. Raptors Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster have what is seen as a talented core of attractive chops in Pascal SiakamAnd Fred VanVleetand OG Anunoby Gary Trent Jr
Because of the Raptors’ disappointing season so far (they’re currently 23-28 and 12th in the East), the opposing teams have been told that the franchise will make a decision on being a buyer or seller — or standing as the deadline approaches. Today, according to league sources who, like all the others in this story, have been given anonymity so they can speak freely. The Raptors are currently 2-1 in their six-game road trip that ends February 5th.
Raptors sure have high price tags on their staple parts, as do VanVleet and Anunoby. Will Toronto hold on to the talent it has amassed – or will it enter the lottery and increasingly build around it Scotty Barnes?
What’s more, Nick Nurse’s future as Raptors head coach is expected to come into focus this summer, when sources say he will enter the final year of his contract next season. After the 2019-20 season, Nurse — who guided the Raptors to the 2019 NBA Championship, won Coach of the Year in 2020, and is considered among the best coaches in the league — signed a contract extension through 2023-24 worth $8 million annually. The length of the deal has not been disclosed by the team. There has been frustration across the roster and staff over the team’s points play this season, and that has been channeled into Nurse at times as well, according to sources.
Meanwhile, the two players whose names have been part of trade talks since the early part of the season Phoenix Suns straight ahead Jay Crowder And Atlanta Hawks Big man John Collins. Both teams are expected to continue the strong dialogue regarding both teams heading into February 9th.
In a new development, Suns has given permission for dollars to meet up with Crowder and they met over the weekend, league sources say the athlete. The Bucks are believed to be the only team to have permission to go one-on-one with Crowder, those sources also indicated. Multiple teams, incl Miami Heat And the Hawks, they’re still interested in Crowder, who the championship contenders see as a fortified acquisition at the deadline.
The Suns and Bucks have been engaged in serious business talks for several months, with current proposals surrounding Jordan NouraAnd George HillAnd Serge Ibaka and Phoenix’s second-round draft pickup for Crowder, according to sources. The Bucks and Suns have both searched for a third team to supply Phoenix with a forward – what result will come out between now and next Thursday?
For their part, the Hawks, led by new president of basketball operations Landry Fields, have won six of their last nine games since Jan. 13 and taken a patient approach to trade talks. Fields made it clear to rival executives that the team views Collins as a valuable asset, not one that will be disposed of in any way, according to the sources. The new approach could lead to more traction in Collins Market over the next two weeks.
the Jazz remain among the teams with a strong interest in Collins, the the athleteKelly Echo reported last week that missiles They also go after Collins. When the Jazz and Hawks discussed Collins’ deal early in the season, Atlanta asked Owner Paisley And Jared VanderbiltAccording to the sources. The Jazz responded by demanding a first-round pick in return, and when the Falcons refused, talks stalled.
It remains to be seen where the conversations between Fields and the Jazz front office led by CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik will unfold.
The NBA is less than two weeks away from one of the biggest days in the league calendar. Buyers and sellers will reveal themselves, and movements will begin to unfold. Team managers believe the championship opportunity is wide open this season, adding to the urgency of some while providing a protracted market situation. We’ll have more to come as conversations develop across the league.
More NBA news and notes…
Hornets discuss position Mason Plumley forward Kelly Ober Jr In business talks, sources say.
straight ahead Jalen McDaniels It is still the name of several bands such as the Suns, Raptors, Jazz, and Pacers And spurs Watch closely, but the Hornets appreciate the 6-foot-9 forward he’s developed over the past four seasons. Teams with interest and maximum space this offseason, such as the Jazz, Pacers and Spurs, may choose to wait until free agency to try McDaniels, who would be unrestricted, rather than trade an asset to acquire him now while having to make up for it in July.
The Jazz expresses strong interest in the Mavericks forward Dorian Finney Smith, as teams got the impression Dallas would be open to moving the 29-year-old to the right deal for a player of his star caliber, sources say. Rival executives say the Mavericks have an incredibly high price threshold for teams who reach out about Vinnie Smith.
In seven seasons with the Mavericks, Vinnie Smith has established himself as an important two-way winger, likable teammate, and important to team culture, including being a favorite for MVP. Luka Doncic. But Finney-Smith has apparently also become one of Dallas’ key pieces if the organization were to finalize a massive All-Star player deal before deadline or in the off-season.
Vinnie-Smith signed a four-year, $55 million extension last season, which put him under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26.
The Nuggets are in active business talks about the guard Hyland Boneswith teams like Minnesota Show interest, according to sources.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves guard Jaylen Noel Sources say he’s tempted to leave the team in the off-season via free agency. Noel — the 23-year-old guard who averages 10.9 points in 19.7 minutes per game — will be sought after as an unrestricted free agent in July. While Noel has had moments of dynamic scoring this season, he shoots 43.9 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from 3-point range.
Noel, who earns $1.9 million in the final season of his rookie deal, is currently eligible for a maximum extension of four years and $58 million.
San Antonio Spurs
Many teams are increasing their pursuit of the Tottenham Hotspur centre Jacob Boeltel, and it appeared that a move to the Eastern Conference might be possible before the deadline. raptors f Celtics Among the teams that have expressed interest in Poeltl, sources say. 27 years old He’ll be the biggest unchained free agent unchained guy in july.
Toronto Raptors
the Nix Sources say the Suns are among suitors interested in Raptors forward OG Anunoby. New York has shown willingness to offer Anunobi multiple first-round picks, according to those sources. The Suns, meanwhile, have dominated all of their first-round picks — eight in all — through 2030. SNY first reported interest from the Knicks last week.
(Top photo by OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet: Cole Burston/Getty Images)