Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Reporting on Knicks trade targets, Immanuel Quickley’s future, Dejounte Murray’s trade market, Lauri Markannen, possible front office changes for the Hornets, two-way conversion candidates, and more from HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto
The G League Showcase, the NBA’s unofficial winter meetings summit ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, was filled with chatter about potential trade candidates, front office changes, and more.
Below is a look at the latest intel gathered by HoopsHype, including updates on New York Knicks trade targets and the future of Immanuel Quickley, Dejounte Murray, Lauri Markanen, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, the Hornets, and more.
HoopsHype explains why the Warriors could trade Chris Paul, why the Pistons are struggling, who’s leading the Sixth Man of the Year race, and what’s behind the rise of the Rockets.
This week’s HoopsHype NBA notebook explains why the Golden State Warriors could trade Chris Paul if they continue to struggle from our capologist Yossi Gozlan, a look behind the scenes at how the Houston Rockets have turned things around this season in a chat with point guard Aaron Holiday from our Michael Scotto, why the Detroit Pistons are struggling mightily from our Frank Urbina and the leading Sixth Man of the Year candidates from our Alberto De Roa.
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.
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.
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.
Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant and James Harden behind the scenes. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges updates
Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford discusses stories behind the scenes coaching Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Clifford also discussed what’s next for LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, and expectations for the Charlotte Hornets with host Michael Scotto 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.
HoopsHype lists the Top 50 NBA players who made the most money and never made an All-Star team.
Did you know 45 players in NBA history have made over $100 million without an All-Star appearance?
HoopsHype compiled the 50 highest-paid players without making an All-Star team, combining to earn over $6.3 billion, according to our database.
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.
Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, the Bucks trading for Dame Lillard, where Jrue Holiday can go, Jerami Grant’s future, and more.
The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a blockbuster trade acquiring seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team blockbuster trade highlighted by Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, an unprotected 2029 Bucks first-round pick, and multiple pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 going to Portland, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson also joined the Phoenix Suns.
Following the trade, HoopsHype spoke with league sources, NBA executives and scouts for the latest intel on what’s next to keep an eye on.
Here is a ranking of teams mentioned on The Lowe Post based on their chances of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks organization been cranked up considerably after an early playoff exit. They are now two years removed from winning a championship and have only won one playoff series since. As we explained when the Bucks nearly lost Brook Lopez in free agency, the Bucks’ window could be closing faster than we think. The top starters around Giannis Antetokounmpo are all in their early-to-mid 30s and the team is limited in assets to significantly improve the roster around him.
Antetokounmpo seems well aware of all these factors after making a series of comments this offseason regarding his future, starting with not planning on extending with the Bucks this offseason. He is extension-eligible from September 22 through the day before the start of the regular season, but can only add up to three years by extending now. Even if he plans on getting a new deal with Milwaukee, it makes more sense to do it next season when he can add up to four years.
Antetokounmpo further fueled speculation earlier this week on his future when he said that he would be open to better opportunities to win a championship outside of Milwaukee. Whether Antetokounmpo truly has a wandering eye or not, he is finally starting to apply pressure on the Bucks’ organization. His contract situation with only one year left before he can opt out and become a free agent in 2025 should give Milwaukee a strong sense of urgency.
Although the Bucks still have time to make things work, the rest of the league is keeping an eye on the situation. ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently discussed Antetokoumpo’s comments with Ramona Shelburne and believes the Bucks actually might trade Antetokounmpo instead of playing things out through his free agency. Lowe also added that interested teams are probably holding onto their assets in anticipation of a trade request.
They went on to list teams they could see eventually getting in the mix for Antetokounmpo in a trade. Below is a ranking of those teams based on how realistic their chances are of successfully acquiring him.
