NBA Trade Deadline Blog: Antetokoumnpo, Morant, Sabonis stay put

Check out all the news and deals from NBA Trade Deadline day.

Tillman dealt to Hornets in cap move for Celtics

We have a late deal trickling in as Shams Charania reports the Boston Celtics have traded Xavier Tillman to the Charlotte Hornets.

The deal is cap-related, as it gets the Celtics out of the luxury tax. The Hornets also get $3.5 million in the deal.

Tillman, 27, is in his sixth season out of Michigan State. He’s been sparsely used this season, averaging only 7.9 minutes a night in 14 games.

Sabonis not dealt

Jake Fischer reports that Sacramento Kings centre Domantas Sabonis has not been dealt ahead of the 3p.m. ET deadline.

He had been conected to the Torontoo Raptors and Washington Wizards earlier in the week.

Nets waive Thomas

The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard Cam Thomas, allowing him to enter free agency, Charania reports.

Clippers send Zubac to Indiana

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading centre Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Clippers will receive Canadian guard Bennedict Mathurin, centre Isaiah Jackson, a 2026 first round pick, protected 1-4 and 10-30, a 2029 unprotected first-round first-round pick, and a second round pick.

If the protections prevent the 2026 first rounder from conveying, it converts to a 2031 unprotected first

Zubac, 28, is averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 asissts this season n 61 per cent shooting from the field.

Mavs acquire Jones

The Dallas Mavericks acquired point guard Tyus Jones from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Malaki Branham.

Tough market for Morant

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports the Memphis Grizzlies are having a difficult time finding a buyer for point guard JHa Morant at a price they are willing to accept.

“They’ve got to find him a new home or he’s going to stick around. They were able to get a bundle of picks for Desmond Bane. The same thing with Jaren jackson Jr., that is not there with Ja Morant. In fact, he might have negative trade value because of the risk, because he has two max years left on his contract.”

MacMahon adds that other teams would need to be incentivized to take on Morant ahead of the deadline.

Sixers send Gordon to Memphis

The Philadelphia 76ers have sent veteran guard to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Gordon along with a 2032 second-round pick, will be on the move.

Nuggets open roster spot

The Denver Nuggets got under the luxury tax and opened a roster spot for the buyout market before the trade deadline, sending Hunter Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the least favourable of the Nets or Hawks second rounder in 2026.

Celtics move Minnot

The Boston Celtics are trading forward Josh Minnot to the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

The 23-year-old has played in 33 games this season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and one assist in just under 16 minutes per contest.

Alvarado going home

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Jose Alvarado is going home.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading the 27-year-old Brooklyn-born guard to the New York Knicks.

Alvarado is in his fifth NBA season out of Georgia Tech. Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash are head back to the Pelicans.

Bucks to keep Giannis

The Milwaukee Bucks have told teams they will be keepoing Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will start making other trades, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Bucks quickly moved on to smaller trades, sending Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal. Nick Richards will head to the Chicago Bulls, while Ousmane Dieng will head to Milwaukee.

Jake Fischer adds that one team executive says the Bucks were ‘never serious’ when discussing trade options for Antetokounmpo.

Timberwolves acquire Dosunmu

The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to acquire pieces ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring point guard Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Philips from the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Minnesota will send Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four-second round picks.

Giannis Move Unlikely?

With hours to go before the trade deadline, rumours continue to swirl around Milwauke Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

This morning on ESPN’s Get Up, NBA reporter Brian Windhorst said the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat are still involved in trade talks with the Bucks, although a deal is appearing less likely as time goes on.

“I’ve been at 51-49 against a trade. I’m now at 60-40 against a trade. Minnesota is still out there but I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t think Minnesota’s offer was as good as Golden State’s, and if that ofer wasn’t good enough, and Minnesota can’t make a trade to improve their offer, I don’t think Minnesota is realistic.

“That leaves Miami. Miami is making sort of a player and semi draft pick offer. It’s a decent offer. I don’t think it’s the kind of offer you would stop everything for.

“There are a couple of other teams out there that have shown interest. Cleveland has shown interest in Giannis but they are in a position with James Harden where they have picked a lane. Portland has sniffed around Giannis. They have the Bucks’ draft assets from the Damian Lillard trade but these are not compelling things.

“I’m not feeling Giannis moving right now and he has not forced the issue.”

Windhorst added on ESPN’s First Up, that if the Bucks do not move Antetokounmpo, he expects the team to shut down their star for the reaminder of the season or “very close to the rest of the season.”

The Warriors appeared to pivot off their pursuit of Antetokounmpo after last night’s trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

NBA reporter Jake Fischer added that while the Timberwolves and Heat remain engaged, few teams believe Milwaukee is seriously considering trading Antetokoumpo.

He also added that Bucks are engaged with the Memphis Grizzlies on Ja Morant.

Lakers get Kennard

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Gabe Vincent and a second round pick, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

NBA reporter Jake Fischer reports that the Hawks will keep both Gabe Vincent and Buddy Hield following their acquisitions.

Clippers receiving calls on Zubac

The Los Angeles Clippers are receiving calls onc entre Ivica Zubac, according to Fischer.

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly are among his biggest suitors.

Zubac, 28, is averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 asissts this season n 61 per cent shooting from the field.

National NBA reporter Brett Siegel adds that a Zubac trade is “extremely unlikely” witht he Clippers looking for a pair of unprotected first-round picks and young talent in return.