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As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly open to the idea of moving forward Cam Johnson, with some league insiders also speculating that center Nic Claxton could be on the block, per Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
However, ESPN sources indicate that Brooklyn is in no rush to make a deal, and their asking prices for both players remain high.
With the Nets focused on maximizing their chances for a strong 2025 draft lottery position, the front office isn’t necessarily in a hurry to make moves, but if Johnson and Claxton continue to contribute, the team may consider trading them or reducing their roles.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors making waves around the league:
- Other Trade Candidates: According to Bontemps and Windhorst, Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams, and Celtics guard Jaden Springer are also expected to be among the most likely trade candidates. Valanciunas and Williams are veterans not seen as part of their teams’ long-term plans, while trading Springer could be a move for Boston to avoid a luxury tax hit.
- Butler Trade Talks: Regarding Jimmy Butler’s future in Miami, an NBA executive stated that Pat Riley and the Heat are in no rush to make a trade this season, as they can afford to take their time and explore all options. With the NBA trade deadline set for February 6, the Heat are not expected to make any significant moves in January.
- Suns, Butler, and the 2031 Pick: There have been reports that the Phoenix Suns are discussing the possibility of trading their 2031 first-round pick as part of a deal for Butler. But Suns insider John Gambadoro refuted this, stating Phoenix has not engaged in trade talks with Miami involving the pick. It remains unclear whether the Suns would be willing to part with such a valuable asset, particularly if it’s attached to Bradley Beal’s hefty contract.
- Raptors as a Trade Facilitator: The Toronto Raptors are being discussed as a potential facilitator in a Butler trade scenario. With expiring contracts like those of Bruce Brown ($23MM) and Chris Boucher ($10.8MM), Toronto could absorb multiyear contracts and act as a third team to help facilitate a trade between Miami and another franchise.
- Sixers’ Trade Focus: The Philadelphia 76ers are currently focused on their present season and maximizing their potential for a playoff push. However, with Joel Embiid sidelined for at least a week and a 15-24 record, ESPN sources suggest the Sixers’ stance could change in the next few weeks. If their struggles continue and they miss the playoffs, they would be forced to send their 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City, provided it falls outside the top six.
More must-reads:
- Why Rockets are managing Kevin Durant's future perfectly
- Draymond Green fires back at Alperen Sengun's comments
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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Draymond Green fires back at Alperen Sengun's comments
Draymond Green is once again beefing with a European big man. The Golden State Warriors star Green threw some shade online this week at Houston Rockets counterpart Alperen Sengun. During an interview last week, Sengun spoke on the first-round playoff series this past season between the Rockets and the Warriors (which Golden State won in seven games). In the interview, Sengun said that he felt the Warriors, despite fouling a lot themselves during the series, kept whining about the fouls that weren’t called in their favor. You can read Sengun’s full remarks here. That led to a shady response on Wednesday from Green. In a post to his Threads page, Green clowned on Sengun for making those comments despite losing the series. “That’s a tough thing to say after you lose,” wrote Green. “You have to win to [say] stuff like that.” Green actually made some very complementary comments about Sengun’s game in the immediate aftermath of their playoff series. But even those comments were a bit back-handed from Green, and now the dislike between the two is in full bloom. Over the last decade, the Warriors and the Rockets have had a strong rivalry due to their five different head-to-head playoff matchups (all of which Golden State has won). With ex-Warriors star Kevin Durant now playing for the Rockets and Green openly feuding with Sengun, that rivalry is quickly approaching peak levels once again.
Celtics Notes: Anfernee Simons Trade Update, Boston Urged to Sign All-Star, Jayson Tatum Gets Honest
Craig Kimbrel lands with World Series contender after latest release
Craig Kimbrel is hoping to make an impact with an MLB team down the stretch, and a World Series contender is giving the former All-Star reliever a shot. Kimbrel agreed to a big-league contract with the Houston Astros on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kimbrel began the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves after signing a minor-league contract with them in March. The right-hander started out with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and did not give up a hit in three appearances. Kimbrel was then promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he went 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings. The Braves added Kimbrel to their active roster on June 6. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Atlanta's 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants that day. Kimbrel allowed a walk and a hit in the inning. The following day, Atlanta made the puzzling decision to designate Kimbrel for assignment. Kimbrel opted for free agency rather than accepting his minor league assignment. He then signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers but never made it to their MLB roster. Kimbrel was granted his release on Thursday and signed with Houston. Kimbrel, 37, is a nine-time All-Star who has pitched for eight different teams during his MLB career. He led the National League in saves four times and was one of the best relief pitchers in the league during his prime. Kimbrel also helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series in 2018. The Astros were 69-58 entering Thursday and had a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. If Kimbrel is healthy, he could provide Houston with some valuable bullpen depth over the final stretch of the season.
Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to deal with David Mulugheta insofar as to get Micah Parsons' agent to fill out the paperwork on the contract extension that was already negotiated. During an appearance with Michael Irvin on Thursday, Jones said Mulugheta told him to shove the paperwork up their heinie. "When we wanted to send the details to the agent, The agents told us to stick it up our a--," Jones said. "Just so we're clear. (Parsons) and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent, and we had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. "We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, 'Don't bother, because we've got all that to negotiate.' Well, I'd already negotiated. I'd already moved off my mark on several areas." Following an incoherent analogy to a child going between a mom and dad to negotiate, Jones accused Mulugheta of trying to "stick his nose" in negotiations to try to get the Cowboys to cave for a better deal for his client. Jones has no plans to back down from the agreement he had already worked out with Parsons. "In my mind, for the Dallas Cowboys, we've got it done," Jones said. "And if the agent wants to finish up the details, which he should, and do all the paperwork, he can do that, and we're ready to go. But as far as the amount of money, the years, the guarantees, all of that we negotiated." Dallas is set to conclude its preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night with no end in sight to the biggest distraction on the team this summer. Jones should have avoided the situation with Parsons by dealing with Mulugheta directly, but that might have caused the theatre to be much less dramatic before the regular season.
Green Bay Packers: Mike Macdonald’s First Message to Matt LaFleur After Mayhem-Marred Practice
Joint practices in the NFL can be really heated. Just take for example the one involving the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, with fights erupting on the field between players from both sides. Even though it’s just a practice session with nothing significant on the line, the competitive juices of players can get in the way and spark fiery moments on the field. If anything, at least no one appears to have been seriously hurt from the multiple altercations reported. However, Packers right tackle Zach Tom was reportedly tossed out of the field after throwing punches at a couple of Seahawks players. Despite all the chaos that transpired between the Packers and the Seahawks, Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald had great things to say about Green Bay. Seahawks head coach sends message to Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers Brady Henderson of ESPN noted that Macdonald started his session with the media after the practice, “by thanking Packers coach Matt LaFleur and the organization for hosting them.” In any case, Macdonald felt good overall about his players. “It’s hard to tell what happened, who said what,” Macdonald shared. “Look, you want your guys to defend their [teammates]. There’s a line. Whether we go past the line, I don’t think we did, which is good. Our guys stayed composed. But some of these things do tend to happen, and however it gets started … hopefully it’s not our guys, but people are going to react to a certain extent. I think our guys handled it pretty well.” The Packers and the Seahawks will still see each other on the field this offseason, as they are scheduled to play in their 2025 NFL preseason finale on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
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