Giannis, one day post-deadline, has announced his role as a shareholder of gambling platform Kalshi: “The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder. We all on Kalshi now.”
[Windhorst] When I say [Ja Morant] has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate. I think he has what they call in the league, negative value. Meaning teams weren’t willing to take Ja Morant unless the Grizzlies also added draft compensation
Denzel Washington Walks Across Court To Greet LeBron
[Charania] Free agent guard Mike Conley Jr. plans to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. The sides are working on timing of him re-signing. Conley was traded twice this week – to Chicago, then to Charlotte –before being released and allowed to rejoin the Wolves.
Amongst the 32 qualified players averaging 20 PPG: Alperen Şengün currently has the worst TS% amongst them. (55.0%)
Is Zaccharie Risacher the most forgettable number 1 pick ever?
[Murray] Zu says bye to Clippers: “Just wanna say thank you. Especially to the fans. From the moment I put on this jersey, you guys showed me love & support, on good nights & bad nights, never turned your back on me. That meant everything & it was the reason I had such pride representing this jersey
[Ellis] Kevin Durant shows his respect for Hawks rookie Asa Newell after betting that Newell wouldn’t hit a three
Michael Porter Jr. talks about when he accidentally leaked Adam Silver’s number on Snapchat as a rookie: “I’m thinking I’m getting kicked out the league… They had me walk up there in front of all these guys and apologize. That was the most embarrassing time of my life.”
[Dave McMenamin] There is some initial optimism that Luka Doncic is not dealing with a major issue with his left hamstring, however the Lakers star is doubtful to play Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN
Raptors GM Bobby Webster on CP3: “I don’t know what he’s going to do. Chris Paul’s probably one of my favorite players ever… it’s a weird thing to trade for him… he’s at this point in his career… we’ll waive him here at the appropriate time.”
Mark my words: In under 5 years the NBA will be near unwatchable due to Kalshi and Polymarket insider trading by players
In a close game between the Jazz & Hawks Lauri Markkanen got subbed off with 17 minutes left on the game and never got back to the court
[Highlight] Chaotic ending between Warriors vs Suns game.
De’Anthony Melton leads the NBA in plus/minus since Christmas despite being 179th in minutes played. The Warriors are +211 with him on the floor and -149 with him on the bench during that stretch.
James Harden had interest in getting traded back to Houston, but they showed little interest, per @ramonashelburne
Jock Landale drove 5.5 hours to score 26 points in his Hawks debut
Cooper Flagg over the last 4 games: 37.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists on 64.1% True Shooting percentage
[Morey] “I’m quite confident we were selling high [on Jared Mccain]”
[OptaSTATS] Austin Reaves is only the 4th player in NBA history to average 25/5/5 on 50% FG & 2.5+ 3PM. Only 3 others in NBA history have done that in a season: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
Steve Kerr after exiting a loud road locker room celebration: “Felt like we won the championship.”
Joel Embiid over the last 15 games: 30/8/4 on 64.8% TS in 34mpg
[Krawczynski] Ayo Dosunmu has his phone on DND on gamedays. Took a minute to find out about the trade: “My girl called me, and she never calls me on gameday so I knew it was something. She called me and I could just tell then the news had broke around the bus. I just embraced the moment”
[Highlight] Reaves plays perfect defense to avoid Embiid’s rip-through attempts and forces a turnover
Tyrese gets emotional about the McCain trade: “He was a little brother to me dawg, like the first real rookie-vet to me. I hope he succeeds and he has a fan and brother in me for life. I woke up this morning and realized damn I’m not gonna see JMac downstairs anymore”
[Post Game Thread] The Charlotte Hornets (24-28) defeat the Houston Rockets (31-19), 109-99 to win their 8th straight game.
Cooper Flagg against the Spurs: 32/6/4 on 14-27 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT with two steals and three blocks–this makes him the first teenager with 30+ points in four consecutive games, passing Cooper Flagg’s record of three
76ers GM Daryl Morey on the improvements made by other Eastern Conference teams: “Folks have speculated on the improvements of our East competitors, I don’t see it personally. There weren’t any needle movers in my opinion.” Zubac is now on Indiana. Harden is in Cleveland. Vucevic is in Boston.
Jock Landale on opting to drive to Atlanta from Memphis rather than fly: “I kind of said, if I’m looking to play that next night, I want to get there as soon as possible. So I loaded up the truck and hit the road.”
KD says he doesn’t want wear Thunder or Warriors Jersey at Hall of Fame induction
[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (31-19) defeat the Philadelphia 76ers (31-22), 119-115 behind an Austin Reaves masterclass 35/6/2 on 87% ts in 25 minutes!
Chris Mannix: “I don’t believe they’re going to give him a contract extension” “I’ve been told he’s not loving this” “I’m telling you, I don’t see a contract extension coming” “I think they are open to that with Trae Young, I don’t think think they’re open to that with Anthony Davis”
[Smith] The fact that Boston went from miles over the second apron to completely under the luxury tax in two transactions windows (offseason and trade deadline) AND have maintained being a playoff team is remarkable. Incredible work on the part of everyone involved. Gap Year Schmap Year.
[Highlight] Lebron With A POWER Slam in transition!
[Toporek] Daryl Morey says the Sixers tried to use the picks they acquired for Jared McCain to add to the team for this year, but nothing materialized.
The Charlotte Hornets beat the 31-18 Rockets, bringing their win streak to 8, which is their largest win streak since 1999
KIA MVP Ladder (Feb. 6 Update) — 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2. Luka Dončić, 3. Nikola Jokić, 4. Cade Cunningham, 5. Victor Wembanyama, 6. Jaylen Brown, 7. Donovan Mitchell, 8. Anthony Edwards, 9. Jalen Brunson, 10. Tyrese Maxey
[Jon Krawczynski] Ayo Dosunmu will not play tonight for the Timberwolves. Expect him to debut on Sunday.
Cam Thomas - “Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team“
[Charania] Free agent guard Jevon Carter has agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic for the rest of the season, Mark Bartelstein and Reggie Brown of @PrioritySports tell ESPN.
What other NBA players are sponsored by gambling/betting companies?
[Highlight] LeBron shows off his bag
[Spence] Anthony Davis will wear No. 23 for the Washington Wizards, according to the Monumental Sports broadcast. 23 years ago, Michael Jordan was the last player to wear 23 for the Wizards. Look at how the stars aligned.
[Charania] BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN.
Victor Wembanyama shares new ad for his signature Nike shoe as part of Nike’s “Warning Label” campaign
[Charania]; The Charlotte Hornets are signing forward Tosan Evbuomwan to a two-way NBA deal, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group tells ESPN. Evbuomwan has averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 50 career NBA games.
[Haynes] Memphis Grizzlies have waived guard Eric Gordon after acquiring him from the Philadelphia 76ers.
[Caitlin Cooper] Pacers bet big on Ivica Zubac - Trade Analysis w/ Caitlin & Samson