Wizards trade Jonas Valanciunas to Kings

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has acquired Jonas Valančiūnas in a trade with the Washington Wizards for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.

During the 2024-25 season, Valančiūnas is averaging 11.5 points (54.7 FG%, 89.6 FT%), 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 20.1 minutes per game in 49 games (12 starts). He ranks 24th in rebounds per game, 19th in total rebounds (404) and in field goal percentage, tied for 16th in total offensive rebounds (120), 20th in total defensive rebounds (284) and seventh in free throw percentage this season.

In 13 seasons, Valančiūnas has posted career averages of 13.3 points (56.0 FG%, 79.3 FT%), 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 25.4 minutes per game in 905 career games (839 starts) with Toronto (2012-19), Memphis (2018-21), New Orleans (2021-24) and Washington (2024-25). Among active players, he ranks 13th in rebounds per game, ninth in total boards (8,500), sixth in total offensive rebounds (2,485) and 12th in total defensive rebounds (6,016) and in field goal percentage. Valančiūnas was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team for his performance during the 2012-13 season and has been a member of the men’s senior Lithuanian national team since 2011.

Pelicans trade Daniel Theis to Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired center Daniel Theis and a 2031 second-round draft pick in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Theis [tice] (6-8, 254) has appeared in 411 career games (160 starts) and averaged 7.1 points on 53.7% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.8 minutes per game over the course of eight NBA seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans.

The 2031 second-round draft pick acquired by the Thunder is the least favorable of New Orleans and Orlando.

Injury update on Timberwolves forward Julius Randle

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on forward Julius Randle, who suffered a right groin strain on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the 10:12 minute mark of the second quarter during the Timberwolves at Utah Jazz game:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken at Mayo Clinic by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on Randle revealed a right adductor strain and was confirmed via second opinion by Dr. Benjamin Domb of American Hip Institute. Randle will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

76ers trade Caleb Martin to Mavericks

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick (more favorable of Denver and Philadelphia) in a trade. In exchange, the 76ers traded Caleb Martin to Dallas.

Martin (6-5, 205) holds career averages of 8.5 points (.449 FG%, .359 3FG%, .739 FT%), 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 24.5 minutes per game in 297 games (112 starts) with the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and 76ers. In 31 games (24 starts) for Philadelphia this season, Martin has averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a career-high 30.4 minutes while shooting 37.9% (33-87 3FG) from beyond the arc.

The sixth-year veteran went undrafted in 2019 after finishing his collegiate career at Nevada, where he was a two-time First Team All-Mountain West honoree (2018, 2019) and named the Mountain West Player of the Year in 2018. Martin helped Miami win the Eastern Conference title in 2023, before signing with Philadelphia as a free agent on July 6, 2024.

Grimes has appeared in 47 games (12 starts) for Dallas this season, averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. His career-best 39.8-percent mark from three-point range on 4.3 attempts per contest ranked second on the Mavericks in 2024-25. On Dec. 1 at Portland, Grimes scored a season-high 28 points (9-13 FG, 5-7 3FG), which marked one of his seven 20-plus points performances this season. He’s scored in double figures in 23 of his 47 appearances overall.

Originally selected by the LA Clippers with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Grimes has played in 215 career games (102 starts) over three-plus seasons for Dallas, Detroit, and New York. He holds lifetime averages of 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. Prior to the NBA, Grimes starred collegiately at Houston from 2019-21 after playing his freshman season at Kansas. As a junior, he earned AAC Co-Player of the Year honors as he helped lead the Cougars to a 28-4 record and an appearance in the 2021 Final Four, while averaging a team-best 17.8 points per contest.

Grimes will wear No. 25 for the 76ers.

Three-team trade sends Zach LaVine to Kings, De’Aaron Fox to Spurs

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has acquired Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round draft picks, (one protected and two unprotected) and three second-round round draft picks. As part of a three-team deal with San Antonio and Chicago, the Spurs received De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin from the Kings and Chicago acquired Kevin Huerter from Sacramento.

“De’Aaron has played a pivotal role with our franchise, and we are deeply grateful for everything he did to support the organization on and off the court,” said General Manager Monte McNair. “We appreciate Kevin’s many contributions to the team, especially as a key member of the 2023 playoff team. We also thank Jordan for his hard work and commitment during his time with the Kings.”

“As we look to the future, I am excited to welcome Zach to Sacramento. He is a gifted scorer, and his athleticism will make an impact on both ends of the floor. We also look forward to Sidy joining the Kings.”

A two-time All-Star (2020-21, 2021-22), LaVine is averaging 24.0 points (51.1 FG%, 44.6 3pt%, 63.7 TS%), 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 34.1 minutes per game over 42 games (42 starts) in his 11th season in the NBA. He is one of four players this season averaging 24.0 points or more while shooting 50.0% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range with a true shooting percentage of 60.0% or higher. During the 2024-25 season, LaVine ranks fifth in 3-point shooting percentage and holds the highest field goal percentage from behind the arc among players with at least 100 3-pointers made this season. He is also 19th in points per game, 20th in total scoring (1,007), and tied for 11th in 3-point field goals made (136).

LaVine has posted career averages of 20.7 points (46.8 FG%, 38.7 3pt%, 83.1 FT%), 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 622 career games (533 starts) with Minnesota (2014-17) and Chicago (2017-25). During his eight seasons with Chicago, LaVine averaged 24.2 points (47.4 FG%, 39.0 3pt%, 83.4 FT%), 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 416 career contests (413 starts), ranking third in Bulls franchise history in scoring average. Among the Bulls all-time leaders lists, he ranks sixth in points (10,056), first in 3-pointers made (1,130), 12th in assists (1,808), 15th in steals (388), and seventh in field goals made (3,545).

Fox, 6-3/190, has appeared and started in 45 games for the Kings this season, averaging 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.47 steals in 37.0 minutes per game. The Houston native holds career averages of 21.5 points, 6.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.42 steals in 514 career games (500 starts) across eight seasons with the Kings. Fox enjoyed a breakout year in 2022-23, being named to the All-NBA Third Team, the NBA All-Star team and winning the NBA’s inaugural winner of the Clutch Player of the Year Award. In the same season, he led the Kings to their first playoff berth since 2006, averaging 27.4 points, 7.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in seven postseason games.

Since being drafted fifth overall in 2017 out of the University of Kentucky, only five other players have had 10,000 points, 3,000 assists and 700 three-pointers: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, James Harden, Trae Young and Damian Lillard. Fox is also one of three players in the NBA to have posted 11,000 points, 3,000 assists and 700 steals since 2017, along with Nikola Jokic and Harden.

McLaughlin, 6-0/185, spent five seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2019-24 before joining the Kings in 2024 and has averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes in 270 career games. Originally from Etiwanda, California, McLaughlin played four seasons at the University of Southern California.

Fox will wear No. 2 for the Spurs and McLaughlin will wear No. 11.

A 6-8 forward, Cissoko has made 29 career appearances with San Antonio since joining the NBA during the 2023-24 season.

Huerter holds career averages of 11.5 points (44.1 FG%, 37.5 3pt%, 76.2 FT%), 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 28.0 minutes per game in 456 career games (356 starts) with Atlanta (2018-23) and Sacramento (2023-25). He averaged 11.7 points (45.9 FG%, 36.9 3pt%), 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest in 182 games (149 starts) with Sacramento.

Three-team trade sends Luka Doncic to Lakers, Anthony Davis to Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they acquired 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Luka Dončić, forward/center Maxi Kleber and forward/center Markieff Morris. As part of the three-team deal, the Utah Jazz acquires guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from Los Angeles and a 2025 second-round pick from Dallas.

“We are overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and cemented himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” said Lakers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka. “We are proud of Max Christie’s development as a Laker as he has grown into an impact 3-and-D player and we are appreciative of the work Jalen Hood-Schifino has put in to show professionalism at every level. Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness.”

“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” continued Pelinka. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”

Dončić is one of three players in league history to garner five All-NBA First Team selections before age 26, joining Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan. The 25-year-old has tallied 12,089 points, 3,655 rebounds and 3,489 assists and is one of two players in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists through their first 400 career games (Oscar Robertson). Dončić became the first Maverick to claim an NBA scoring title after averaging 33.9 points during the 2023-24 campaign. That season on Jan. 26, Dončić scored a franchise-record 73 points versus the Atlanta Hawks, which tied for the fourth-most in NBA history. He currently stands second all-time in triple-doubles by players aged 25 or younger with 80, trailing only Oscar Robertson (117).

This season, Dončić has appeared in 22 games (all starts), averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.7 minutes. In 422 career NBA regular season games (all starts) across seven campaigns with Dallas (2018-25), Dončić has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.9 minutes. Dončić’s career points per game average in the regular season is the third highest in NBA history. In 50 career playoff games (all starts), he’s averaged 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 38.9 minutes with an NBA Finals appearance in 2024. The five-time NBA All-Star ranks second all-time in playoff scoring average and tied-sixth in postseason triple-doubles (10). The Slovenian was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft prior to being traded to Dallas to begin his NBA career. Dončić went on to win the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes.

“We are thankful for Luka and grateful for his efforts during his time with us,” stated General Manager Nico Harrison. “He helped build this team and was an integral part of the success we’ve seen throughout the years, including our recent NBA Finals run, along with Maxi and Markieff who are veteran voices equally valued across this team. This is a new chapter, and we are excited to welcome Anthony and Max to the fold. AD is an experienced veteran, who can play both ends of the floor while helping elevate us defensively. He knows first-hand what it takes to win, and I know he’s motivated to be a part of what we’re building in Dallas.”

Davis (6-10, 268) holds career averages of 24.2 points (.523 FG%, .795 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.3 blocks and 34.5 minutes per game in 778 career games (771 starts) with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers. In 42 games (all starts) for Los Angeles this season, he has averaged 25.7 points (.528 FG%, .788 FT%), 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 34.3 minutes.

The 13-year veteran is a 10-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020), a 2024 All-NBA Second Team honoree, a three-time NBA All-Defensive Team First Team selection (2018, 2020, 2024) and a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree (2015, 2017). Davis was a member of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship team that featured Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd as an assistant coach. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team has also won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team (2012, 2024).

Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis

Per the LA Times:

The Lakers pulled off a stunning trade Saturday night, sending center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal for star guard Luka Doncic to set up the organization for its post-LeBron James era with one of the NBA’s best young players.

The deal happened after the Lakers beat the New York Knicks 128-112 in Madison Square Garden, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly. The Lakers sent Davis, young guard Max Christie and their 2029 first-round draft pick to Dallas for Doncic and forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Lakers also sent second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Utah Jazz, who got second-round picks from the Lakers (their 2025 pick from the Clippers) and Mavericks to facilitate the trade.

Per the Dallas Morning News:

Doncic is in his seventh NBA season and averages 28.6 points for his career, third-highest in NBA history to this point.

This season, however, Doncic has only played in 22 games and has missed the last 18 with a left calf strain, drawing even closer scrutiny with his career-long struggles with maintaining optimal conditioning.

Until this trade, Doncic was eligible to receive a five-year, $345 million supermax extension from the Mavericks this offseason, and in recent weeks there had been rumblings about whether Dallas and its face of the franchise were headed to a crossroad of uncertainty

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray out with season-ending injury

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard Dejounte Murray has been diagnosed with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. An MRI taken last night confirmed the injury, which occurred during the first quarter of last night’s game against the Boston Celtics.

Murray will miss the remainder of the season.

Per the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “Murray, in his eighth NBA season, is in his first season with the Pelicans. He was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason. He came into the game averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 6.5 rebounds. Trey Murphy said he played the rest of the game for his teammate. “It hurts a lot, I can’t lie to you,” said Murphy, who scored 40 points in the loss. “He’s been through a lot already.”

Injury update on Hornets forward Josh Okogie

The Charlotte Hornets announced today that additional evaluation on forward Josh Okogie’s left hamstring revealed a left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury in the third quarter of Charlotte’s game against the LA Clippers last night. Okogie is listed as out tonight against the Denver Nuggets and will be reevaluated in three weeks. Additional updates on his status will be provided as appropriate.

The Hornets acquired Okogie and three second-round draft picks in a trade with the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 15 in exchange for center Nick Richards and one second-round draft pick. Okogie has appeared in seven games with Charlotte, recording 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.7 steals in 21.3 minutes per contest. The Lagos, Nigeria, native holds career averages of 6.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 408 outings (162 starts) across seven seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Suns and Hornets. He was originally selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Timberwolves.

Jazz trade Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills to Clippers for Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, draft pick

The LA Clippers have acquired Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills in a trade with the Utah Jazz for Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations, it was announced by Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations.

Eubanks is in his seventh NBA season and has played in 360 games (75 starts) with averages of 5.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist. He has shot 60.6% from the field in 15.9 minutes with San Antonio, Portland, Phoenix and the Jazz. Eubanks has totaled 13 career double-doubles and scored 20 or more points in six games, posting a career-high 27 against Oklahoma City on March 28, 2022.

Mills, in his 16th NBA season, has appeared in 909 games (112 starts) with Portland, San Antonio, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Miami and the Jazz. He owns career averages of 8.8 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 boards in 20.1 minutes. During the 2013-14 campaign, Mills appeared in 81 games, helping the Spurs to an NBA championship while averaging 10.2 points on 42.5% from 3-point range. He was awarded the 2021-22 NBA Sportsmanship Award and is a native of Canberra, Australia.

Bamba appeared in 28 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. The 7-foot center has appeared in 360 career games with Orlando, the Lakers, Philadelphia and the Clippers, averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. Bamba was originally selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Texas.

Tucker has appeared in 883 games (666 starts) during his 13-year NBA career and has averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Originally selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker has played for the Raptors, Phoenix, Houston, Milwaukee, Miami, Philadelphia and the Clippers. Tucker played collegiately at Texas from 2003-06, earning Big 12 Player of the Year in 2006.