NBA Intel: A near trade deadline deal and buyout market updates

Reporting on 76ers and Bulls trade talks for Andre Drummond fell through, more potential buyout candidates, a Nerlens Noel update, and more from HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

Following the NBA trade deadline, HoopsHype has gathered new intel on trade talks that fell through between the 76ers and Bulls, reporting on how the buyout market took shape behind the scenes for Danilo Gallinari and Thaddeus Young, whether more buyout candidates could hit the market and a Nerlens Noel update.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumors: The latest intel on all 30 teams

HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto reports on the latest intel on all 30 NBA teams ahead of the trade deadline.

With hours until the NBA trade deadline, here’s the latest intel on all 30 teams gathered by HoopsHype. This story will be updated with any new intel as the deadline nears.

NBA Trade Deadline Intel: Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Cavs, Mavs, Nets, Pistons, Wizards, Grizzlies, Wolves

NBA trade deadline intel reporting on the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nets, Pistons, Wizards, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves from HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

With the start of NBA trade deadline week upon us, here’s the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype on the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumors: Knicks, Clippers, Jazz, Rockets, Hawks, Nets, Wizards

NBA trade deadline rumors on the Knicks, Clippers, Jazz, Rockets, Hawks, Nets, and Wizards from HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

With the calendar turning to February and the NBA trade deadline a week away, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel surrounding the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards below.

Can the Clippers keep up their stellar play?

The Clippers have been rolling as of late having won seven straight games and 12 of their last 15 contests. Upon James Harden’s arrival, expectations were unfairly high right off the bat. After starting 0-5 with Harden, many were quick to dump on …

The Clippers have been rolling as of late having won seven straight games and 12 of their last 15 contests.

Upon James Harden’s arrival, expectations were unfairly high right off the bat. After starting 0-5 with Harden, many were quick to dump on the Clippers as a failed experiment. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was never worried, though.

“We lost six games in a row but I still felt really good about this team,” Lue said after a recent game against the Warriors.

In terms of starting to figure out roles for everyone on the team, Lue talked about how this was exactly how he pictured it would be like when they acquired Harden.

“This is exactly what I envisioned. Just how we should play, how we can play. The biggest thing is PG [Paul George], Kawhi [Leonard], and James making each other better on a night-to-night basis. We understand they’re three future Hall-of-Famers, along with Russ. It’s gonna be a different guy every night, depending on how teams are playing us, what teams are willing to take away.”

Before getting overly excited about the Clippers’ future, there are several key questions that need positive answers, though.

Top NBA trade candidates for the 2023-24 season

Reporting on the top NBA trade candidates for the 2023-24 season on each team from HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

Following the James Harden deal to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season and the recent trade chatter surrounding Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, HoopsHype spoke with 15 NBA executives and league sources to project the top trade candidates for each team this season.

Media poll: Ranking NBA arenas from best to worst

HoopsHype polled media members to rank NBA arenas from best to worst.

What are the top NBA arenas to attend games across the league?

HoopsHype polled 35 media members who’ve traveled to arenas across the country to find out which are the best in the league. Their criteria ranged from the crowd’s atmosphere and energy to the quality of the arena, culinary offerings, and lighting.

Below are the results of the poll, including a fiercely contested three-way battle for the top spot between New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.

NBA Notebook: Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, OG Anunoby, Kelly Oubre, Patrick Williams

NBA intel on the Timberwolves, a possible OG Anunoby trade, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Mason Plumlee notes and free agent stock watch

This week marks two returns: James Harden and the HoopsHype weekly notebook.

This edition of the NBA notebook includes intel on the Minnesota Timberwolves and a chat with Clippers center Mason Plumlee from our Michael Scotto. Plus, why OG Anunoby could land a max contract in 2024 free agency from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a free agency stock watch update on Philadelphia’s Kelly Oubre Jr. and Chicago’s Patrick Williams from our Frank Urbina, and a look at the early Rookie of the Year race headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren by our Alberto De Roa.

PHOTOS: James Harden and Russell Westbrook over the years

James Harden‘s trade from the Sixers to the Clippers marks his third team-up with Russell Westbrook. The duo first shared the court in Oklahoma City at the start of their careers, later reconnecting in Houston for the 2019 season.

Take a look at both superstars through the years from playing together on the same teams to matching up against each other.

76ers Rumors: James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby

Reporting on what’s next for the 76ers after the James Harden trade to the Clippers, including Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s free agency, and chasing potential targets such as Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Donovan Mitchell, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey report on what’s next for the 76ers after the James Harden trade to the Clippers, including Joel Embiid’s future, Tyrese Maxey’s free agency, chasing potential targets such as Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Donovan Mitchell, and more on the latest HoopsHype podcast episode.

For more interviews with players, coaches, and media members, be sure to like and subscribe to the HoopsHype podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Listen to the podcast above or check out some snippets of the conversation in a transcribed version below.