After the trade deadline has come and gone, we took a look at what the projected order of the 2020 NBA Draft will look like this summer.
After the trade deadline has come and gone, we took a look at what the projected order of the 2020 NBA Draft will look like this summer.
Of course, the draft lottery results will shake up where each team will actually select within the first fourteen picks. Plus, the standings are just based on what has happened so far this season. There are teams that can improve as the year progresses with others potentially falling off.
But as of right now, with all of the traded picks, these are the picks that all NBA teams currently have to work with this summer.
Draft order determined by Tankathon and trades pulled from recap by USA TODAY‘s Jeff Zilgitt. Takeaways for teams that made moves are also included below.
FIRST ROUND
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (Protected: 1-20) 2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (Protected: 1-10) 3. ATLANTA HAWKS
4. NEW YORK KNICKS
5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
6. CHARLOTTE HORNETS
7. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
8. DETROIT PISTONS
9. CHICAGO BULLS
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS
11. PHOENIX SUNS
12. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
13. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
15. ORLANDO MAGIC
16. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (via Brooklyn)
17. BOSTON CELTICS (via Memphis)
18. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (via Indiana)
19. BROOKLYN NETS (via Philadelphia)
20. DALLAS MAVERICKS
21. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (via Oklahoma City)
22. UTAH JAZZ (Protected: 1-7, 15-30)
23. DENVER NUGGETS (via Houston)
24. MIAMI HEAT
25. OKLAHOMA CITY (via Denver)
26. BOSTON CELTICS
27. NEW YORK KNICKS (via L.A. Clippers)
28. TORONTO RAPTORS
29. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
30. BOSTON CELTICS (via Milwaukee)
SECOND ROUND
31. DALLAS MAVERICKS (via Golden State)
32. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (via Cleveland)
33. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (via Atlanta)
34. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (via New York)
35. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
36. NEW YORK KNICKS (via Charlotte)
37. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (via Washington)
38. SACRAMENTO KINGS (via Detroit)
39. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (via Chicago)
40. SACRAMENTO KINGS
41. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
42. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (via Phoenix)
43. ORLANDO MAGIC
44. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
45. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (Protected: 31-55)
46. BOSTON CELTICS (via Brooklyn)
47. CHICAGO BULLS (via Memphis)
48. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
49. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (via Dallas)
50. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
51. INDIANA PACERS (Protected: 45-60)
52. ATLANTA HAWKS (via Houston)
53. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (via Utah)
54. SACRAMENTO KINGS (via Miami)
55. BROOKLYN NETS (via Denver)
56. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (via Boston)
57. L.A. CLIPPERS
58. TORONTO RAPTORS
59. ORLANDO MAGIC (via Los Angeles Lakers)
60. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (via Milwaukee)
Now that the 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.
Now that the 2020 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, it is worth looking at the most interesting buyout candidates in the league.
Some of the bigger names that could have been available (e.g. Tristan Thompson, Ian Mahinmi, E’Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway and even Vince Carter) are expected to stay with their teams for the remainder of the season. Similarly, there are various other players (e.g. Isaiah Thomas, Trey Burke and Tim Frazier) who are expected to be waived by their teams rather than bought out.
But with all of that in mind, there are several players around the league who do make sense as options on the buyout market.
Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Johnson is playing a career-low 16.6 minutes per game. The 27-year-old has played in just three of their last even games as he recovers from a calf injury. He was mostly brought into the organization so that the team could move off the hefty money owed to the veteran forward Ryan Anderson. Even though Johnson provides little value to the Suns, he could be a 3-and-D option in the backcourt for a contender. During his best season with the Miami Heat in 2016-17, he averaged 1.3 three-pointers and 1.2 steals per game.
EVAN TURNER, MINNESOTA
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $18,606,556
Unlike with Allen Crabbe, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not yet given any playing time to Evan Turner. Even when he was on the Atlanta Hawks, the 31-year-old forward was playing a career-low 13.2 minutes per game. He was, however, playing a career-high 63 percent of his time at the point guard position. Turner may not have much value around the league at this point but the Boston Celtics have already been linked to him for a potential reunion.
BISMACK BIYOMBO, CHARLOTTE
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $17,000,000
Charlotte Hornets veteran big man Bismack Biyombo is certainly one of the candidates for a buyout, though such an agreement may be unlikely. There is at least some incentive for the Hornets to keep Biyombo on their roster as he is currently playing 19.1 minutes per game. That is the most playing time that he has had since 2016-17. Meanwhile, he has also been in the starting lineup for 25 of the 43 games he has played so far this season. It may make the most sense for Biyombo to continue getting his reps up in Charlotte, like Mahinmi with Washington, so that he can prove hs is worth more than a minimum deal in the offseason. However, if a contender expresses interest in a center who is capable of playing in their rotation, perhaps he is willing to leave the Hornets for a winning team.
BRANDON KNIGHT, DETROIT
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $15,643,750
28-year-old combo guard Brandon Knight was included in a package that sent him from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Detroit Pistons. Knight has only played 241 minutes so far this season, coming off the bench in each of the 16 games he played. That is a stark contrast to last year when he started in 26 of 27 games played for Cleveland. If the Pistons decided to hold on to Knight, it would be a reunion with the organization. He was drafted by Detroit with the No. 8 overall pick back in 2011 and made NBA All-Rookie First Team.
MARVIN WILLIAMS, CHARLOTTE
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $15,006,250
For a team looking to find a floor-spacing big man, there are few if any better at the price he could be available at then Charlotte Howard forward Marvin Williams. With the emergence of rookie PJ Washington (who was selected to the Rising Stars team at All-Star Weekend), Williams has lost the formerly steady role that he once had on his team. He had previously started in every game that he played for the Hornets since 2015-16. Now, he has made only one appearance in their starting lineup this season. His playing time is down to a career-low 19.7 minutes per game. But at 6-foot-8, the forward has made 1.2 three-pointers per 36 minutes in his career and has shot 36.2 percent from downtown. There should be a decent amount of interest in Williams if he and his team agree to a buyout.
SOLOMON HILL, MIAMI
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALARY: $13,290,395
When the Memphis Grizzlies traded Andre Iguodala to the Miami Heat, the front office also included Solomon Hill for salary-matching purposes. While he has largely fallen out of favor on the teams he has played for over the past few years, the 6-foot-6 wing was shooting a career-best 38.1 percent from the three-point line this season. He had also made a career-best 2.2 three-pointers per 36 minutes during his time in Memphis. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the 28-year-old was told by the front office that he should plan to remain with the team “barring something unforeseen” happening. But in the NBA, those types of unforeseen situations happen all of the time.
MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, CHARLOTTE
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $13,000,000
It was less than eight years ago when Anthony Davis was selected at No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA draft. The player selected next was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The contrast between these picks remains absolutely deafening as hindsight rears its ugly head. The 26-year-old is down to a career-low 13.3 minutes per game and has only made twelve appearances for his team. With only 160 minutes offered to him this year, Charlotte has likely moved on. He may still have suitors around the NBA due to his defensive ability. According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the Houston Rockets organization “has liked him for some time” and would be willing to take a flyer on him. The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell recently reported that the Dallas Mavericks are also “kicking tires” on Kidd-Gilchrist.
COURTNEY LEE, DALLAS
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $12,759,670
The reality of the situation is that Courtney Lee was only included in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks for salary-cap filler so that they could land Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks. During his two seasons with the team so far, he has played just 10.9 minutes per game in 33 total appearances. The 6-foot-5 wing has virtually no role on the Mavericks and despite their record being that of a contender thus far, perhaps another team would take a look at what Lee could offer them. The 34-year-old has shot 38.8 percent from three during his career, hitting 1.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes.
JOHN HENSON, DETROIT
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $9,732,396
The Detroit Pistons had to cut one of the players on their roster after trading away Andre Drummond in a two-for-one deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They reportedly opted to go with Tim Frazier rather than Knight or John Henson. This makes sense as Henson may play some of the minutes that Drummond was giving Detroit. He recorded a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) in his most recent game for the Cavaliers on February 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That was his first game in the starting lineup since January 5 and just his second time in the first unit all season. More likely than not, though, he will join Thon Maker as backcourt depth in Detroit behind 24-year-old Christian Wood and rookie forward Sekou Doumbouya.
MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA, CLEVELAND
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $9,607,500
There is hardly a role for Matthew Dellavedova on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their team already has three promising young guards selected in the past two NBA drafts in Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr. and all require playing time for their development. Meanwhile, they recently traded Jordan Clarkson to land the 24-year-old Dante Exum. Dellavedova has not been in an NBA starting lineup since December 23, 2017. Unfortunately, his most valuable skill set (three-point shooting) has taken a major plummet this year. His career mark from downtown (36.7 percent) is suddenly down to an abysmal rate (16.4 percent) so far this season. It dampers any of the market that would have otherwise been interested in signing him.
YOGI FERRELL, SACRAMENTO
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
SALARY: $3,150,000
Sacramento Kings guard Yogi Ferrell does not make very much money and has a lower salary than anyone else on this list. However, he is playing at a career-low 11.4 minutes per game and was scratched from the lineup in the most recent game for the team. Ferrell is buried in their backcourt rotation behind emerging star De’Aaron Fox and backup point guard Cory Joseph. While there may not be much of a market for the six-foot playmaker, he has averaged 4.0 assists with 2.0 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes in his NBA career. Still only 26 years old, there may be at least one contender that would be willing to give him minutes in their rotation.
Each week, HoopsHype’s staff gives our Top 10 candidates for this year’s Most Valuable Player award. Which stars have stood out thus far?
Each week, HoopsHype’s staff gives the Top 10 candidates for this year’s Most Valuable Player award. This list highlights stars who are in the mix for the 2019-20 MVP award due to their impressive play.
Which stars have stood out? Here are our latest MVP rankings:
This season has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia 76ers, who have gone on several hot and cold streaks. The point forward has made 271 field goals in the restricted area this season, which ranks fourth-best in the league. His unique size has helped him pull down rebounds on 5.5 percent of his squad’s missed field goals, per Cleaning The Glass, which is the best rate among point guards. Simmons also has defensive rebounds on 31.7 percent of opponent’s missed free throws, also the best among point guards. On the defensive end, Simmons is averaging an NBA-best 2.1 steals per game. He also leads all players in both loose balls recovered (87) and deflections (190) this season.
Jimmy Butler has found a perfect home on the Miami Heat. The five-time All-Star is averaging 1.46 points per possession in transition, which ranks No. 1 in the league (minimum: 100 possessions) in 2019-20. He just put up a season-high 39 points per game against the Philadelphia 76ers. His career-best assist rate (28.6 percent) puts him in the 96th percentile among all NBA wings. Butler has been a fantastic hustler, too. He currently ranks sixth-best in steals (1.8 SPG), sixth-best in deflections per game (3.6) and sixth-best in loose balls recovered per game (1.6) thus far.
Once again, Kawhi Leonard is having a sensational season on both ends of the court. The biggest issue is that he has only played 38 games, though the Clippers have won 30 of those. He is averaging 2.1 steals per game since January, tied with Simmons for the best in the NBA. The Clippers have scored 120.4 points per 100 possessions with Leonard on the court since December 1. That gives Leonard the second-best offensive rating among all players in the league (minimum: 25 minutes per game) during that span.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic has been one of the most multidimensional players in the league over the past few seasons. He is shooting 43.7 percent on jump shots, which ranks Top 10 among all players who have taken at least 400 jumpers thus far. The center ranks second-best in the NBA on field goals made (77) within five to nine feet of the basket. His field goal percentage (61.6 percent) is the best among those with more than thirty attempts. He has recorded 10 triple-doubles in 2019-20, which ranks third-best in the NBA. His assist percentage (34.5 percent) and assist-to-usage rate (1.19) are both in the 100th percentile among all big men, per Cleaning the Glass.
The second-year superstar has been sensational for the Mavericks, leading Dallas to an impressive 62.0 winning percentage this season. His team has played very well even when they are not playing at home, as we recently noted. The guard has averaged 29.1 points per game on the road, second-best in the NBA. Doncic has scored 13.9 PPG as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll possessions, per Synergy Sports, which ranks third-best in the league. As a primary playmaker, his assist percentage (53.8 percent) ranks second-best behind only LeBron James among those with at least 100 minutes played. He leads the league with a dozen triple-doubles so far this season.
Davis is shooting 210-of-280 (75.0 percent) in the restricted area, which is the best among all players who have had at least 200 attempts this season. The big man is averaging 1.12 points per possession, according to Synergy Sports, which ranks second-best among those who have finished at least 800 possessions this season. Davis has more loose balls recovered per game (1.9) than anyone who has played at least ten games. The Lakers are currently 33-9 (.786 percent) in games when their superstar acquisition has played.
Since our last MVP Race update, Portland’s Damian Lillard is averaging 39.0 points with 5.8 three-pointers per game. The Trail Blazers have three wins and just one loss during this stretch, helping bounce back from a rough start to the season. Lillard is also leading the league in scoring with 34.3 PPG since January 1. He has hit 66 three-pointers from at least 28 feet, which is over five feet from beyond the NBA’s three-point line. That is over a dozen more than anyone else in the league has made in 2019-20. He is averaging 1.13 points per possession, per Synergy Sports, which ranks No. 1 overall among those who have finished at least 800 possessions this season. Lillard also leads all players with 757 points scored as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll possessions.
Knowing that narrative plays a big role in MVP voting, the momentum is there for the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. He currently leads the league with 10.7 assists per game. The 35-year-old superstar is also putting up a career-high 2.1 three-pointers connected per game, including five three’s in less than three minutes against the San Antonio Spurs last night. He keeps putting up monumental performances, putting up outstanding numbers while also helping elevate the play of another star teammate in Davis. The more he keeps winning for the Lakers, the better the odds he will have of winning his fifth Most Valuable Player Award.
Harden has connected on 208 non-corner three-pointers, over twenty more than anyone else has hit thus far. The guard leads the league in jump shots (313) in 2019-20. He has once again been fantastic creating his own shot, too. Only 14.6 percent of his three-pointers have been assisted, which is the best among all players in the NBA. Harden has scored 16.2 points per game on isolation possessions, per Synergy, which is nearly ten points more than any other player in the league. In fact, his 762 points scored on this play type is more than any other team besides his own Houston Rockets. To put that in perspective, the Milwaukee Bucks lead the Eastern Conference with just 386 points scored in isolation.
He is averaging 8.7 points per game when operating in a transition offense, per Synergy. That ranks No. 1 overall in the NBA, over a point and a half more than anyone else thus far. He has the second-most dunks (141) and the most double-doubles (41) among all players in the league in 2019-20. His rebound percentage (18.8 percent) ranks Top 10 among all players who have averaged at least 20 minutes per game. Most important, though: Milwaukee is currently outscoring opponents by 14.4 points per 100 possessions when he has been on the court so far this season. That ranks as the best among those who have averaged at least 25 minutes per game.
James Harden scored 40 as the Rockets (32-18) pulled away from Charlotte in Tuesday’s second half and won for the sixth time in eight games.
All-Star guard James Harden had 40 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists as the Houston Rockets pulled away late from the Charlotte Hornets in a 125-110 home victory (box score) on Tuesday night.
It’s the first time since early January that the NBA’s leading scorer has scored 40+ in consecutive games, signaling that the 2018 MVP has clearly turned things around after his recent slump.
Harden is also averaging 10.5 assists per game during his last two outings, representing the first time since those Jan. 3 and Jan. 8 games that he’s averaged double-digit assists over a two-game span.
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It marks the sixth win in eight games for the surging Rockets (32-18), who overcame a halftime deficit to outscore the Hornets (16-35) by a 16-point margin in the second half. Charlotte was led by 20 points and 15 rebounds from Miles Bridges, a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Danuel House Jr. boosted the undersized Rockets with 22 points and nine rebounds, including 6-of-11 (54.5%) on 3-pointers. P.J. Tucker started at center for the fourth time in five games and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds along with 13 points, three steals, and three blocks.
Danuel House on the Rockets allowing 22 second chance points: "We're smaller. It comes with the territory. The only thing you can do is adjust because the points are already on the board… You got to give up something. Can't have everything in your favor." pic.twitter.com/6TwW03hJPU
Guards Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore combined for 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting (50%), including six made 3-pointers. Eric Gordon scored 16 points but was very inefficient in doing so, shooting 6-of-22 (27.3%) overall and a season-worst 0-of-12 from 3-point range.
Houston’s defense improved as Tuesday’s game moved along, with the Hornets’ scoring going down from quarter to quarter (34, 29, 25, 22).
Head coach Mike D’Antoni indicated pregame that Westbrook was likely to return for the team’s next game Thursday in Los Angeles. He also noted that Capela could be available for part of the upcoming back-to-back — either Thursday against the Lakers or Friday in Phoenix.
Russell Westbrook is out, per MDA. Ben McLemore will start in his place.
Coach asked if that means he could play both nights of the back-to-back in LA/PHX, and he was told no. Coach was asked which he would play, to which he responded, “I think you can figure that one out.”
However, with Capela’s name mentioned frequently in trade rumors at the moment, it remains to be seen if he’s still on the roster. Houston’s next game in Los Angeles tips off at 9:30 p.m. Houston time on Thursday, which is more than seven hours after the NBA’s 2019-20 trade deadline.
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Mike D'Antoni's says the Rockets will continue to use small-ball lineups when Clint Capela comes back.
"Yeah, but obviously Clint will be a really big piece to what we do… If that's not working, we have to get people at the rim. We'll have this to go to." pic.twitter.com/fKMuM5Wtmc
Per Kelly Iko, Houston is monitoring Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as buyout targets.
A potential deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline for the likes of Minnesota forward Robert Covington isn’t the only item on the agenda of Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey this week.
According to The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko, the Rockets are also monitoring the upcoming buyout market, with Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist among their targets.
Assuming the Rockets trade Capela and aren’t able to land a serviceable replacement center over the next 72 hours, Tristan Thompson is someone they’d like to acquire in a buyout. Thompson’s skillset is very similar to what Capela brings to the table, and Thompson has championship experience. …
Another name to monitor in the assumption he gets a buyout is Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — Houston has liked him for some time. His three-point shot is still horrendous (.294), although his last four games has seen an uptick (.429 at home).
Answering all of your Capela questions, plus notes on MKG, Tristan Thompson, and more. https://t.co/QBRqEXfzeA
Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts.
The Rockets are reportedly seeking a wing player and replacement center if they trade Clint Capela, but it remains to be seen if they could get both in the same transaction. If they are not able to, the buyout market could be a plausible solution to the other need.
Most buyouts do not occur until after the NBA’s annual trade deadline, since teams would prefer to trade those players and receive value in return for them, if at all possible.
However, once the deadline passes, many rebuilding teams — which Cleveland (13-38) and Charlotte (16-34) definitely are — will engage in buyout talks with veterans on expiring contracts. It’s usually a means of doing a favor to the player and/or his agent by letting the player enter free agency and join a team better positioned to win that season.
Because the trade deadline has passed and the player is on an expiring contract, it’s possible (if not likely) that the player could leave the team for no compensation in summer free agency — which means there’s not much downside to his team to let him go now.
If anything, some rebuilding teams might even see a further incentive for a buyout, since sending away a veteran could open up more playing time for younger players, earn goodwill with influential agents, and perhaps also give the team better odds at a higher pick in the upcoming NBA Draft (by losing more games, thanks to the veteran not playing).
Now 28 years old, the 6-foot-9 Thompson is averaging 11.9 points (50.8% shooting) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game with the Cavs this season. He could potentially replace some of the rebounding void if Houston deals Capela, who ranks fourth in the NBA with 13.8 rebounds per game. Thompson was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.
#Rockets trade deadline mega mailbag: Will Clint Capela be a Rocket past Thursday?
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist is best known for his wing defense. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft is averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game with the Hornets.
The NBA’s 2019-20 trade deadline arrives at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday, and buyout negotiations around the league with veterans who are not dealt should begin shortly thereafter.
Previewing Tuesday’s Charlotte Hornets at Houston Rockets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Charlotte Hornets (16-34) travel to Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets (31-18) Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hornets-Rockets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Hornets at Rockets: Key injuries
Hornets
SF P.J. Washington (ankle) questionable
Rockets
PG Russell Westbrook (thumb) doubtful
C Clint Capela (heel) out
SF Gerald Green (foot) out
C Nene Hilario (groin) out
Hornets at Rockets: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:15 p.m. E.T.
The Rockets (-1000) are monster moneyline favorites in this contest over the Hornets (+650) as they have won eight of their last 11 games at home. Meanwhile, Charlotte has lost 14 straight road games at Houston. Despite Houston being the better team, PASS on this moneyline due to the lack of value on the Rockets.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rockets to win straight up returns a profit of just $1.
The ROCKETS (-13.5, -110) are double-digit favorites, despite likely being without two key starters in Westbrook and Capela. With G James Harden on the court, the Rockets are still an incredibly tough team to beat. It also doesn’t help that the Hornets have lost 11 of their last 12 games and are just 8-18 on the road this season. While 13.5 points are a ton in any NBA game, take the Rockets to cover this spread at home and win by at least 14 points.
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Previewing Monday’s Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Orlando Magic (21-28) stop by the Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets (16-33) at 7:00 p.m. ET . We analyze Magic-Hornets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Magic at Hornets: Key injuries
MAGIC
SG Evan Fournier (back) questionable
SF Jonathan Issac (knee) out
PG D.J. Augustin (knee) out
SG Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
HORNETS
PF P.J. Washington (ankle) doubtful
Magic at Hornets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
This matchup pits the Hornets’ (+150) lowest-scoring offense in the NBA versus the Magic’s (-182) lowest-scoring defense, so the edge certainly goes to Orlando, who’s the eighth seed in the East. But, neither team has played well lately—the Magic have lost five straight, including four by double-digits, and the Hornets are 1-9 in their last 10 games—and neither team instills enough confidence to bet on. Charlotte won’t lose forever and is hosting a below .500 team in Orlando, but I don’t see the value on either side.
The Magic have won and covered in the last three games against the Hornets and the previous two wins were in Charlotte. In their last meeting, Nikola Vučević had 24 points and 11 rebounds in the Magic’s 106-83 victory over the Hornets. He should have an easier time controlling the paint with the Hornets rookie big man, Washington, listed as doubtful. Also, in that game, the Magic’s backcourt way outperformed the Hornets’, scoring 36 points on 15 of 26 shots compared to Charlotte’s 19 points on 5-23 shooting performance. Orlando excels against subpar competition, going 8-5 against the spread on the road versus below .500. Plus as an away favorite, the Magic are 4-2 ATS with a 6.5 margin of victory and Charlotte is 8-9 as a home ‘dog with a -5.8 margin of victory.
The pace should be ultra-slow in this one since the Hornets are ranked last and Magic 28th in pace of play. But the total is only 202.5, and in games projected to have a total of 200-209.5, this officiating crew has a combined 5-1 over/under record. And the Over cashed in three of the last four meetings between these two teams. The total is too low, BET 202.5 (-110).
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HoopsHype ranks the five players who have popped up the most in trade rumors over the past week, including Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell.
So far this season, we’ve seen five trades go down, with the most impactful being the Utah Jazz acquiring Jordan Clarkson from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers landing Trevor Ariza, who has acclimated wonderfully to his new team. Some of the other moves that have gone down include the Dallas Mavericks trading for Willie Cauley-Stein and the Atlanta Hawks bringing Jeff Teague back to play a reserve role behind Trae Young, though neither player has done much for their new club quite yet.
Now, as we enter the home stretch before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, there’s a chance we see the action pick up at least a bit.
Below, HoopsHype ranks the five players who have popped up the most in rumors on the site’s Trade page over the past week.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
5. D’ANGELO RUSSELL
Scuttle has picked up recently on D’Angelo Russell’s trade prospects, but that doesn’t mean a move is imminent. Rather, we know where it’s possible he could end up over the summer, once the Golden State Warriors have Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back at full health and many believe they’ll look to move their third All-Star guard.
According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be the likeliest landing spot for Russell, due to the fact that they have a massive need at ball-handler and know that Russell is close with their best player, Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Part of the motivation for Minnesota’s Russell chase, quite clearly, is his relationship with Towns. They are close friends. Towns was part of the contingent that pitched Russell hard this summer. The Wolves know that acquiring Russell not only gets Towns his preferred pick-and-roll partner but also buys them time and faith. The Warriors are aware of this dynamic. It automatically bumps up Russell’s market value in conversations with the Wolves. Minnesota has dangled Andrew Wiggins, who is on a similar contract as Russell and fills a greater positional need.”
Andrew Wiggins for Russell might not be the perfect like-for-like swap talent-wise, but it could a good starting point for the two teams. We’ll see where this goes over the offseason.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
4. MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST
The Charlotte Hornets sit at 16-33 as we approach the trade deadline, five games out of the East’s final playoff spot with little chance of actually making that push to get over the hump. So it’s only natural they’re considered prime candidates to ship out some veterans over the next week.
One such player is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who is an able perimeter defender and on the final year of his contract, two factors that could make him appealing to contenders.
And apparently, one team has taken notice, as it was reported this week that Dallas has kicked the tires on a potential deal for Kidd-Gilchrist:
Reporting with @rick_bonnell, Mavericks are mulling whether to add a 3/4 defender. I'm told they have "kicked tires" on Charlotte's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Toronto's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but purely exploratory at this point. Trade deadline is one week from today.
The 26-year-old defensive specialist might be a savvy pickup for Dallas, as his point-stopping prowess would mesh nicely with fellow wing Dorian Finney-Smith, and his low-usage style of play wouldn’t take away scoring looks from the team’s stars, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
3. DEWAYNE DEDMON
Sacramento Kings big man Dewayne Dedmon has already seen himself removed from his team’s rotation, requested a trade, fined, gotten added back into the rotation and reconciled with Sacramento, all within the past month.
Pretty busy stretch for a player averaging just north of six points per game for his career, but such is the way things work in the modern NBA.
Dedmon’s rim-protecting, floor-spacing chops would fit nicely with what Atlanta needs at the 5-spot, and his veteran leadership could help promising power forward John Collins.
In particular, there has been a lot of steam that the Los Angeles Clippers are hoping the Knicks change their mind on keeping Morris through the trade deadline so they can swoop in and add to their frontcourt.
Morris is having a fantastic campaign for New York, arguably his best since reaching the NBA, averaging over 19 points per game and knocking down a career-best 43.8 percent of his outside chances. That, plus his defensive versatility and overall toughness, would make him a fantastic addition to any contender.
But it looks like both Morris and the Knicks are set on sticking it out and agreeing to a long-term contract this summer. We’ll see if that changes.
And as long as the Detroit Pistons don’t lower their expectations on a potential return – they want expiring money and an asset, either in the form of a first-round draft pick or a high-upside, young player – that’s not likely to change, because Drummond, for as productive as he is, doesn’t make much sense as a trade target right now. The All-Star center is on the final year of his deal and wants to get paid on his next contract, so whoever trades for him is committing to not just half a season of Drummond, but at least four or five years of him, at max or near-max money.
Why lose assets on a trade for the double-double machine when you’re also going to lose a ton of flexibility after acquiring him? Especially when they can just sign him this offseason when he hits unrestricted free agency? It just wouldn’t be smart roster-building to trade for Drummond right now – at least not at that price.
Just in case Detroit does lower their asking price, the team that has been connected with him most in recent reports are the New York Knicks, who are desperate for All-Star-level production wherever they can get it.
You can follow Frank Urbina on Twitter: @FrankUrbina_.
Previewing Thursday’s Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Charlotte Hornets (16-31) and Washington Wizards (15-31) square off at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Hornets-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Hornets at Wizards: Key injuries
Wizards
PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
SG Jordan McRae (ankle) out
SG Garrison Mathews (ankle) out
C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Hornets at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
The WIZARDS (-182) and Hornets (+150) have struggled mightily this season, as things haven’t exactly gone according to plan. They’re separated by a half-game in the standings and are actually still just 4.5 or 5 games out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. These are the kind of games each side needs to win to stay in the picture, and it looks good for the home side. The Wizards are 9-11 straight up at home, while the Hornets are 8-16 SU on the road.
The WIZARDS (-4.5, -106) have connected in four of their past five games at home, but more importantly, they’re 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings against the Hornets (+4.5, -115) in D.C.
The OVER 225.5 (-129) is the best bet, as the Hornets are allowing 110.2 points per game (PPG) this season, and their defensive field-goal percentage (47.9) ranks 28th in the NBA. The Wizards rank fifth in the NBA in scoring offense (115.6 PPG) while ranking 11th in field-goal percentage (46.3) and eighth in 3-point percentage (36.6). They’re also a dismal 30th in the NBA in points allowed (121.3 PPG) and field-goal percentage (49.2).
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Previewing Tuesday’s New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.
The New York Knicks (13-34) visit the Queen City Tuesday to play the Charlotte Hornets (15-31) at Spectrum Center at 7 p.m ET. We analyze Knicks-Hornets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Knicks at Hornets: Key injuries
Knicks
SG RJ Barrett (ankle) out
Knicks at Hornets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Charlotte beat New York 103-102 with a game-winning 3-pointer during the final seconds in their first meeting of the season (Nov. 16). Neither team has played well lately—the Hornets have lost eight in a row, including 116-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in Paris. The Knicks are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they have at least been competitive recently. They’ve won five in a row against the BetMGM point spreads so anticipate another nail biter in this Knicks-Hornets game.
The Hornets are fully healthy compared to a Knicks team without their top draft pick in Barrett. Also, the Knicks have played musical chairs with their starting backcourt, and the Hornets have had consistency with Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. The factoid getting my money is that the Hornets have won nine of their last 10 home games against the Knicks. New York’s 6-17 road record is fourth-worst in the NBA. In a toss-up game, this appears to be the major differentiator between the two sides.
Since the line is only +/-1.5 points, we are going to PASS on a wager against the spread in favor of our moneyline play.
New York is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 head-to-head meetings and 4-1 ATS in the last five games in Charlotte. If you’re expecting the same margin of victory as their first game, these trends help support that bet. But in the spirit of gambling, we are sticking with the Hornets to win outright while blowing off these trends and will disappointingly fork over our money to the gambling gods if the Knicks cover as 1.5-point dogs.
UNDER 210.5 (-125) is the only total bet to make. First, and most obvious, is the juiced up Under which is BetMGM‘s way of trying to price us out of the better line. Second, both offenses are atrocious; the Knicks are 28th in points per game and the Hornets are 30th. Finally, both teams play at a snail’s pace; New York has the 21st fastest Pace and Charlotte is last.
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