With the NBA commerce deadline two weeks away, HoopsHype has gathered the most recent intel on Cam Johnson commerce talks, Clint Capela’s new position and future, what’s probably subsequent for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and interviews with Hawks ahead De’Andre Hunter and Timberwolves guard Mike Conley.
Cam Johnson commerce discuss updates
Brooklyn Nets ahead Cam Johnson is among the many prime gamers NBA executives across the league are monitoring forward of the commerce deadline whereas averaging a career-high 19.4 factors and flirting with a vaunted 50-40-90 taking pictures break up.
Regardless of being within the midst of a rebuild, the Nets extremely worth Johnson, who turns 29 in March. Brooklyn has a 0-10 document with Johnson out of the lineup. As beforehand reported on HoopsHype, It could take multiple first-round decide to pry Johnson from Brooklyn, league sources informed HoopsHype.
The Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and Memphis Grizzlies have been among the many groups principally linked to Johnson within the rumor mill.
Whereas the Kings have lengthy been linked as one of many prime commerce suitors for Johnson, it’s value noting Sacramento has been proof against parting with rookie guard Devin Carter in commerce talks with groups, league sources informed HoopsHype. As a substitute, a mix of Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles with future first-round decide draft capital has been recognized as Sacramento’s most constant package deal after they’ve regarded to improve the roster in commerce talks with groups, in response to NBA executives across the league who’ve spoken with HoopsHype.
But, it’s value noting the Kings have been on a roll these days with a blistering 10-2 document underneath coach Doug Christie, who took over for Mike Brown. Christie at present has the NBA’s highest all-time profitable share (.833), forward of Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla (.731) and Phil Jackson (.704).
The Pacers have additionally been on a roll these days and have an 8-1 document to begin 2025.
Indiana has gifted younger gamers comparable to Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and so on., that groups across the league have inquired about.
Mathurin is eligible for an extension this offseason and is probably in line for a giant payday, given his scoring prowess. Indiana values Mathurin, and his upcoming potential contract extension might not align with Brooklyn’s present targets for future cap area flexibility.
Nesmith is owed $22 million over the subsequent two seasons. His contract is inexpensive, particularly for a starting-caliber participant.
Walker and Sheppard stay on inexpensive rookie-scale contracts with group choices for the 2026-27 season.
Pacers reserve ahead Obi Toppin, thought of an eventual commerce candidate with Indiana’s glut at energy ahead, is unlikely to be a match for the Nets because of his remaining $45 million over the subsequent three seasons.
The Grizzlies, in the meantime, have continued to judge their roster whereas conducting due diligence on the commerce market, together with Johnson. Memphis additionally beforehand tried to accumulate former Nets ahead Dorian-Finney Smith.
Throughout commerce talks, the Nets have valued future draft picks and need to keep cap area wanting forward. Amid Brooklyn’s rebuild, the Nets are additionally evaluating which younger gamers will stay a part of the core.
Clint Capela’s new position and future
The Atlanta Hawks made a notable lineup change by inserting Onyeka Okongwu into the beginning lineup at middle and transferring Clint Capela to the bench.
In three video games earlier than changing into a starter, Okongwu averaged 18.3 factors on 60.6 p.c taking pictures from the sector, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks.
The promotion to the beginning lineup was a reward for a way properly Okongwu performed just lately and a chance to see what he may do as a starter, league sources informed HoopsHype.
Okongwu is beginning a four-year, $62 million extension. The 24-year-old middle is a part of Atlanta’s youth motion with 23-year-old rising star ahead Jalen Johnson, 21-year-old All-Defensive Workforce candidate Dyson Daniels, and 19-year-old rookie Zaccharie Risacher. Three-time All-Star Trae Younger, who leads the NBA in assists this season, can be getting into his prime at 26.
Capela has began 313 of 318 video games since arriving in Atlanta by way of commerce in February 2020. Capela’s final look off the bench was on January 18, 2023.
With Capela’s latest transfer to the bench within the closing 12 months of his contract at $22.27 million, executives across the league are monitoring the veteran middle on the commerce market.
Will the Cleveland Cavaliers make a commerce to keep away from the posh tax?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are tied for the league’s finest document with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at 36-7.
But, with Cleveland roughly $1.9 million above the posh tax threshold, NBA executives are monitoring whether or not Cleveland will attempt to duck the tax with a commerce.
Whereas the Cavaliers have conveyed they might pay the posh tax with the group performing so properly to maintain continuity, NBA executives elsewhere are skeptical.
Regulate facilitating groups across the league trying to tackle wage for future second-round draft capital to be in contact with Cleveland main as much as the deadline.
De’Andre Hunter interview
Earlier than dealing with the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard on January 20, Hawks ahead De’Andre Hunter sat down with HoopsHype to debate his profession season coming off the bench, his Sixth Man of the 12 months candidacy, how coach Quin Snyder has unlocked his potential, Atlanta’s younger core going ahead, Trae Younger’s progress, and extra.
How did you discover your manner right into a 3-and-D position and are available into the draft with that label?
Hunter: It’s a label. It’s not who you might be as a participant. You get labeled by the media or one other particular person to be this, however I do know who I’m as a participant. I do know I play protection and may rating.
What’s led to your profession season whereas coming off the bench in a brand new position?
Hunter: I feel we’re enjoying quite a bit in a different way this 12 months. We’re positively transferring the ball much more. We’re getting out in transition much more. So far as my position, coming off the bench has been a distinct position. I feel I’m checked out because the playmaker or scorer in that second unit. That’s the expectation. I feel I can rating fairly properly, so it’s not too laborious for me.
How has the group’s dynamic modified after buying and selling Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels along with the younger core items already right here?
Hunter: I feel you see loads of progress, particularly with guys like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, who got here from New Orleans, the place he didn’t play an excessive amount of. You’ll be able to see what sort of defensive participant he’s. JJ (Johnson) has grown into being a star himself. If we proceed to progress and get higher, the sky would be the restrict for us. I feel we will compete with anybody proper now this 12 months. Hopefully, we will hold the fellows collectively and proceed to get higher.
How would you describe enjoying for coach Quin Snyder?
Hunter: Quin has loads of vitality, however I name it good vitality as a result of he’s motivating, serving to, and guiding us to do the appropriate issues. He’s most likely one among my favourite coaches I’ve performed for. I’ve received nothing however love for Q.
Is there something Quin Snyder has completed that’s impacted your recreation?
Hunter: Quin actually believes in me. As a participant, when you’ll be able to sense {that a} coach believes in you, it does quite a bit in your confidence. He at all times talks to me. He tells me to shoot extra even once I suppose I’ve shot quite a bit. Listening to issues like that basically makes it quite a bit simpler to go on the market and play my recreation.
What are your ideas in your candidacy for Sixth Man of the 12 months?
Hunter: Actually, I don’t actually care about it. If I win the award, I win it. If I don’t, nothing goes to vary in my life. It could be an honor if I get the award to get acknowledged by the NBA, but when we win as a group and I don’t win the award, that may be higher for me.
What evolution in Trae Younger’s recreation have you ever seen as his teammate?
Hunter: Trae is older. Whenever you develop into older, you mature extra mentally and bodily. I feel you’re seeing that in his recreation. I feel it’s slowed down for him somewhat bit. He’s at all times been an awesome passer, however understanding the place guys will probably be and having years collectively the place you have got chemistry lets you be higher your self and make higher choices. I feel that’s what we’re seeing. He’s at all times been, for my part, a improbable passer and scorer. I feel he’s simply taking it to a different stage this 12 months, particularly together with his passing.
Do you suppose Trae Younger’s passing will get missed as a result of he can rating 30 factors?
Hunter: I feel all individuals actually care about is scoring anyway. Followers, analysts, these individuals, that’s what they deal with. He averages virtually 12 assists. I feel that’s loopy and needs to be talked about extra, particularly coming from a man who can rating 30 or 40 any evening. I feel we have to develop extra of an appreciation for the general recreation as a substitute of simply specializing in only one facet of it.
Mike Conley interview
Following Minnesota’s 116-99 win over New York at Madison Sq. Backyard on January 17, veteran Timberwolves level guard Mike Conley briefly chatted with HoopsHype to debate how lengthy it’ll take Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Rudy Gobert to seek out their chemistry and the parallels to when Karl-Anthony Cities went by way of an adjustment. Conley additionally defined how he’s adjusting to a brand new position off the bench and the opportunity of his jersey being retired by the Memphis Grizzlies as a part of the Grit and Grind period.
As the purpose guard, how have you ever tried to assist Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid construct higher chemistry?
Conley: We’ve received distinctive ability units on our group. All three guys are completely different of their video games and what they do. It’s virtually making an attempt to get them to study who they’re on the ground with and the way they have to alter for that exact lineup. When Rudy is on the market with Julius, Julius has to area somewhat bit in a different way than he does with Naz. When Naz is on the market, Naz might be the popping huge, and Julius needs to be the man within the publish and be within the paint. I attempt to acknowledge that for them if I’m on the market with that unit and placing them in these positions to allow them to be extra profitable and never need to overthink issues or jumble up the spacing an excessive amount of and make the sport simpler.
Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert took time to develop chemistry earlier than issues blossomed final season. Midway by way of this 12 months, what have you ever considered the brand new changes with Julius Randle, and the way lengthy can it take to seek out related chemistry to final season?
Conley: Earlier than I received traded right here, I feel it took them most likely a greater a part of half a season to determine KAT and Rudy earlier than I received right here. They went by way of rising pains, and we’re in that very same situation now with including new individuals into our lineups. It takes a minute. It doesn’t occur in a single day. We added Julius and Donte (DiVincenzo) actually in coaching camp. It led to loads of ripples by way of who we’re, offensively and defensively. I feel we’re making loads of progress. We’re making an attempt to determine the right way to persistently get all our guys on the identical web page.
How have you ever adjusted to coming off the bench in a brand new position?
Conley: It’s been distinctive with the completely different lineups. With KAT right here, I had the ball somewhat bit extra as a result of he doesn’t deliver it up as a lot. With Julius right here, he has the ball quite a bit. I discover myself being within the corners and making an attempt to area in locations. All through the sport, I understand I haven’t even damaged the paint or made a play for anyone the whole time I’ve been on the market. Now, from this level on, I’m making an attempt to be extra aggressive and assertive. It doesn’t imply I shoot it a bunch of occasions. It implies that I attempt to make conditions occur by entering into the paint and pushing the tempo by being extra aggressive.
Within the latter stage of your profession, have you ever ever considered getting your jersey retired with the opposite members of the Memphis Grizzlies Grit and Grind period, like Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen?
Conley: If I’m in a position to get my jersey retired like these guys, that may be superior. I hadn’t been in a position to consider it an excessive amount of as a result of I’m making an attempt to have a good time the fellows that do get it, and I’m nonetheless in the midst of my profession. It could most likely be one among my highest achievements aside from profitable a championship to have one thing like that occur in Memphis.
You’ll be able to observe Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
This text initially appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Cam Johnson commerce talks, Clint Capela’s future, Mike Conley and De’Andre Hunter chats
