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  • NBA trade rumors: Possible taker for Bradley Beal, plus why one of league’s hottest teams could move key piece


    We’ve reached the point in NBA trade season in which the distance from the deadline is no longer measured in weeks, but days. We’re now 10 days out and buyers and sellers alike are starting to get their ducks in a row. For some teams, that means making the final decision on which camp they fall into. For others, it’s about figuring out how far they’re willing to go in either direction.

    There’s still enough time for things to change, but the deadline picture is starting to crystallize. It’s now less a matter of who is on the table and more a matter of who is willing and able to take the steps necessary to make a deal. On this Monday, there are two big names making waves in the rumor mill.

    Is there a possible home for Bradley Beal after all?

    You all know the deal by now. Phoenix can’t get Jimmy Butler without including Bradley Beal for cap purposes. One of the reasons this trade hasn’t happened yet is that nobody seems interested in taking on the Beal contract. Every time a new suitor enters the chat, like the Bucks briefly did, reports have struck down possible interest. Very few teams seem to have much interest in taking on a supermax deal for a 17-point scorer who doesn’t defend and has injury issues.

    A sensible fit, though, might be a team that’s already paying a supermax contract to a scoring guard that doesn’t defend and has injury issues. The Chicago Bulls have been shopping Zach LaVine for more than a year, and now that he’s playing like an All-Star again, there’s plenty of interest in him on the market. LaVine is better and younger than Beal, but the appeal for Chicago is obvious. They are not contending during the duration of those contracts, which cover identical terms, so why not get some draft picks to overpay for a player who isn’t in their long-term plans anyway?

    According to Brian Windhorst on his Hoop Collective podcast, the Bulls “are absolutely involved in conversations with the Suns involving possible Jimmy Butler situations” and could serve as the facilitator that absorbs Beal. This would open the door to what would likely be a five-team trade: Phoenix would get Butler, Milwaukee would get LaVine, Miami would get a package headlined by Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and picks, and a fifth team would presumably absorb the contract of Pat Connaughton.

    Now, there’s still one obvious hold up even if the Bulls agree to take on Beal: He doesn’t have to go there if he doesn’t want to. Beal has one of the NBA’s only two no-trade clauses, and according to his agent, he has not agreed to waive it for any specific destination yet. Even if there is a team he’d be open to leaving the Suns for, the Bulls aren’t especially desirable on paper. He’d be leaving a warm-weather city that is at least trying to contend for a cold-weather city and a team whose aspirations rarely extend beyond the Play-In Tournament.

    So there are still two major hurdles in any Butler-to-Phoenix scenario, and both revolve around Beal. Chicago’s possible willingness to take him does represent progress, though. With 10 days left until the deadline, there still remains at least a chance that this deal gets done.

    Welcome back to the rumor mill, Myles Turner

    I mean, come on, it wouldn’t be trade season without at least one Myles Turner rumor. For now, there is nothing too definitive. Both Jovan Buha and Jake Fischer have acknowledged recently that there has been a bit of noise surrounding Turner during this trade cycle, though neither indicated that the Pacers are actively shopping him. This is surprising in large part because of how well the Pacers are playing. Indiana is 9-2 in its past 11 games and has surged up to the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Why would one of the NBA’s hottest team consider trading its starting center?

    The answer, as it is for so many roster-building decisions in this new CBA environment, is money. Turner is about to become a free agent, and based on his production and the rarity of his skill set, he is expected to seek a contract worth $30 million or more per season. The Pacers already have more than $167 million on the books for next season before factoring in options or additions. The projected luxury tax for the 2025-26 season is $187.9 million. In other words, keeping Turner means either dumping someone else or paying the tax.

    The Pacers haven’t paid the tax since 2005, and that was before it became the punitive measure it is today back in 2011. Indiana is known as one of the NBA’s thriftier organizations, and with a long window ahead of this current roster, it seems unlikely that ownership would be willing to pay the tax for a team that is not perceived as a genuine championship threat. Remember, avoiding the tax not only means avoiding a payment, but it also gets non-taxpaying teams a payout from the pool of teams that actually are above the tax line. This season, for instance, the projected tax distribution to non-taxpaying teams is $17.8 million. That’s a whole lot of money to give up in a market as small as Indianapolis.

    Lakers’ trade deadline will be defined by one question, and there’s a candidate who might make everyone happy

    Sam Quinn

    Lakers' trade deadline will be defined by one question, and there's a candidate who might make everyone happy

    The flip side, though, is that the Pacers have basically nothing beyond Turner on their depth chart at center. Indiana is not going to start Thomas Bryant in the middle of a playoff push. They’d therefore need to find a cheaper center somewhere on the market, or perhaps get enough of an asset payout to justify taking on a more expensive center so they can cut costs elsewhere. Perhaps Portland, with the cheaper Robert Williams III or Deandre Ayton, whom Indiana signed to the offer sheet he is currently playing on, could be roped in to help them get another big man. But the notion that Indiana would trade Turner to, say, the Lakers for a first-round pick and some cap fodder is probably far-fetched. The Pacers may want to avoid paying Turner, but they’re not gutting their season to do so.

    Turner has been on the block for seemingly his entire career, but he’s never been traded. The assumption should be that he won’t be until there’s substantial reporting otherwise. But the Pacers have a long history of operating relatively cheaply. We might have an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object here, folks. Something’s gotta give, whether it’s now or over the summer.





    NBA Trade Rumors: Possible Taker for Bradley Beal, Plus Why One of League’s Hottest Teams Could Move Key Piece

    The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and one name that continues to pop up in trade rumors is Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal. Beal, who is having another outstanding season, has been linked to several teams looking to bolster their roster for a playoff push.

    One team that could be a potential landing spot for Beal is the Miami Heat. The Heat have been in need of a scoring punch and Beal would provide just that. With Jimmy Butler leading the way, adding Beal to the mix could make the Heat a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

    On the flip side, one of the league’s hottest teams, the Phoenix Suns, could be looking to make a move of their own. Despite their recent success, the Suns have been rumored to be open to trading away one of their key pieces in order to shake things up and potentially improve their chances at a deep playoff run.

    It will be interesting to see how these trade rumors play out as the deadline approaches. Stay tuned for more updates on potential deals in the NBA.

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    NBA trade rumors, Bradley Beal trade potential, NBA trade speculations, NBA trade updates, NBA trade talks, NBA trade news, Bradley Beal trade rumors, NBA trade scenarios, NBA trade discussions, Bradley Beal potential trade destinations, NBA trade buzz

    #NBA #trade #rumors #taker #Bradley #Beal #leagues #hottest #teams #move #key #piece

  • NBA Trade Board: Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine and more big names on market


    The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. 

    The NBA trade deadline is two weeks away, and the rumor mill is starting to heat up.

    A lot could happen between now and Feb. 6, and many of the names below may sound familiar if you’ve been following the news cycle for the past few weeks. But a few new names may surprise you.

    Let’s take a look at some of the players available on the market. (Statistics are as of Wednesday afternoon.)

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    Butler is the big fish on the market this spring. The Miami Heat suspended Butler seven games for conduct detrimental to the team, and there is a disconnect between the organization and its star wing. That disconnect centers at least in part on contract negotiations, as the Heat have not offered Butler a long-term contract extension at the money that Butler would find acceptable. He has a player option this summer for a season that would pay him $52 million in 2025-26. In a statement announcing the suspension, the Heat said they would listen to trade offers for Butler.

    He is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He’s as efficient as ever, shooting 55 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3. He still lives at the foul line, but things don’t seem to come quite as easily. He picks his spots more often than when he was in his early 30s and was a mainstay on All-NBA teams. Still, this is the best player who could move teams at the deadline. Butler remains outstanding on defense and is a real playmaker with elite competitiveness and feel for the game. He probably is best suited to being a No. 2 option on a contender, but he’d be among the better ones in the league. In an 11-game run before a stomach bug knocked him out of competition, he averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists while shooting 60 percent from the field. The Heat went 8-3 in those games. When he’s locked in, he’s still got it.

    Butler is prepared for the possibility of any destination in a potential deal, a league source told The Athletic before his suspension. However, subsequent reports have made it clear he is still working to control his destination. The Phoenix Suns are the obvious team working hard to chase Butler, having just made a trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire draft-pick flexibility.

    Trade value

    Multiple first-round picks

    Best fits

    Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies, Suns

    Expiration

    2026 (player option)

    I don’t think there is a more under-appreciated player in the NBA than LaVine. After a lost 2023-24 season shortened by injury, the 6-foot-5 guard is back to being a terrific, efficient scorer and playmaker. LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He’s shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3 and 81.6 percent from the line while carrying an under-talented Chicago Bulls team to the Play-In race. It’s gotten even more ridiculous over his last 13 games as he’s averaged 28.7 points while shooting 53.8 percent from the field, 48.2 percent from 3 and 81.3 percent from the line. There’s a real case he’s been one of the top scoring guards in the league this season.

    He can play both on and off the ball but is best as an off-ball scorer because his decision-making isn’t always the best. He’s successful off the ball because he’s an elite catch-and-shoot player. However, on the ball, LaVine is also a legitimate three-level scorer, and that matters in the playoffs, when defenses tighten up and things get tougher. Defensively, LaVine has been pretty good this year on the ball despite Chicago’s overall defense being atrocious. You do have to protect him and be aware of him off the ball, as he can get lost. But he hasn’t been a severely negative defender for a couple of years now.

    And yet, just because he’s been an unstoppable offensive force this season, it doesn’t make him the most valuable trade asset listed here. The issue for LaVine is financial. The two-time All-Star makes $43 million this year and has two additional years for a total of $95 million. Even with his play so far, he’s still probably overpaid, but it’s not by a significant margin. Additionally, in-season salary-matching can be quite difficult for players who make this much money, especially when the Bulls would likely want at least some version of expiring salary. If LaVine is moved, Bulls fans shouldn’t expect a king’s ransom despite him proving again this season that he still has an awful lot of game.

    Trade value

    Matching salary that includes interesting assets

    Best fits

    Magic, Rockets, Nuggets, Heat

    Expiration

    2027 (player option)

    Johnson is about as perfect a trade deadline candidate as you can find because he fits like a glove everywhere and shouldn’t be all that difficult to integrate midseason. He’s a 6-8 wing in the middle of a career year, averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He’s shooting an obscene 49.1 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from 3 and 89.8 percent from the line. One of the league’s elite shooters, he has made 39.6 percent of his 3s on nearly six attempts per game over a six-year career. He’s deadly from the corners and can also make shots off all sorts of movement actions because he’s one of the rare shooters who can make 3s from nearly any footwork. All you need to do to bring him into the mix midseason is plop him in the corner, allow him to relocate or run him off a few simple actions and he’ll provide space for your best scorers and ballhandlers. Defensively, Johnson isn’t a difference-maker, but he generally puts himself in the right spots, and he’s big enough not to be hunted in mismatches regularly.

    The only question here is whether the Nets decide to move him. Because he’s such a good shooter, he’s a perfect developmental player to have around as the team enters a rebuilding era. His contract is also entirely reasonable. Johnson makes $22.5 million this season and has two years remaining for a total of $43 million. Given the way salaries will continue to rise over the next two years, he’s priced excellently for a starting-quality player at that price point. The Nets can keep him and maintain all of their salary flexibility in future years. Because the market for him will be wide with his ability to fit anywhere (and because the team doesn’t have to move him), expect the price point to be quite high if the Nets do trade him. Expect at least a first-rounder and a good prospect or player, if not just two first-rounders outright. Otherwise, they can just keep him.

    Trade value

    A first-round pick and interesting prospects

    Best fits

    Thunder, Mavericks, Lakers, Kings, Grizzlies, Cavaliers

    The Pelicans are a team littered with trade deadline decisions, as their season has gone off of the rails because of continued injuries to their top six players. However, no decision is more pressing than that of Ingram. He has only played 18 games this season and hasn’t played since Dec. 7 because of an ankle injury. First on any team’s to-do list when determining a course of action on Ingram will be determining the health of his ankle and how he’ll be affected the rest of the season, as Ingram only has this season remaining on his contract before hitting unrestricted free agency.

    The best-case scenario for the Pelicans is to trade him to get value before he becomes a free agent. And it helps Ingram a lot to get moved to a location that would be willing to use their Bird rights to re-sign him in the summer if the Pelicans aren’t going to give him the extension he desires. The current free-agency marketplace does not look particularly kind to players such as Ingram because there aren’t exactly a lot of teams that have close to $30 million in space. Maybe the Nets or Wizards would be willing to spend short-term on a 27-year-old shot-creator, but they’re both firmly in the middle of rebuilding. Essentially, this trade deadline acts almost as a pre-agency period for Ingram.

    All of this comes down to how you feel about Ingram as a player. He’s a successful on-ball player who is excellent at creating his own shot with his shifty handle and the high release point on his jumper. He’s been markedly consistent, averaging between 20 and 23 points, between 4.9 and 6.1 rebounds and between 4.2 and 5.8 assists per game in all six of his seasons in New Orleans. His 46.5 field goal percentage, 36.4 3-point percentage and 83.1 free-throw percentage are all within a percentage point of his career marks in New Orleans, too. But while those shooting averages look solid on their face, the shot distribution has always been the problem. He lives in the midrange and hasn’t been above the league-average true shooting percentage in any of the last four years. He’s probably good enough to be your third offensive option on a top-four team in a conference but might not be good enough to be a No. 2 despite potentially wanting to be paid like one. What would someone like this even get on the trade market given his expiring status?

    The Ingram situation is probably more complicated than any other across the league other than Butler. If no one offers anything of real value, the Pelicans could just theoretically wait until the summer when they have his Bird rights to look into sign-and-trade options. Even though the team is looking to move him, it doesn’t seem like a sure thing unless the right offer comes along.

    Trade value

    First-round pick and matching salary

    Best fits

    Trail Blazers, Wizards, Nets, Spurs, Hornets, Clippers

    McCollum is up to his usual tricks this season, averaging 22.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3. However, he’s been on a hot streak. Over his last 13 games, McCollum has averaged 25.5 points while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3. At 33, he’s still an effective scorer and a terrific player offensively. Defensively, there are still limitations because of his size and lack of foot speed. He generally gives effort on that end, but there’s only so much that can be done. But McCollum is lethal in the midrange and uses his change-of-pace dribble incredibly well to be deceptive to other ballhandlers. He remains a superb pull-up shooter, and if he gets some space, he feels automatic when he’s in a rhythm.

    Why would the Pelicans consider moving him? Three reasons. First, because of catastrophic injuries this season, the team is near the bottom of the West. The second reason is just a matter of price. The Pelicans are currently over the luxury tax line and should assuredly look to get underneath that mark. Also, the team is about to get more expensive than it already is next season, as Trey Murphy III’s extension will kick in. The team has $157 million committed to just nine players, and that’s without Brandon Ingram’s cap hold included if they have to hold onto him beyond the deadline. With the salary cap projected at around $154 million, it makes a lot of sense for the Pelicans to look into opening up some flexibility. McCollum has one year left after this one at $30.6 million, a salary that is a bit more than the value he brings to the table but not egregious. The third reason is that he and Zion Williamson might push the Pelicans too far toward respectability in what is already a lost season. The Pelicans have won five of their last six games.

    The Pelicans could easily avoid the luxury tax by moving a couple of their back-end rotation guys and punt these problems to the summer. But given their situation, expect everything to be on the table to this front office.

    Trade value

    Matching Expiring Salary

    Best fits

    Pistons, Wizards, Lakers, Magic

    Middleton has been a stalwart of the Milwaukee Bucks organization for more than a decade, helping to lead the team to a championship in 2021 while making three All-Star Games. Just a season ago, he averaged 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists during the Bucks’ playoff series against Indiana. However, the Middleton of the past has not been the Middleton of this season. He’s largely come off the bench, averaging 12.6 points, four rebounds and five assists while playing just 24 minutes per night. Why so few minutes? He had offseason surgeries on both his ankles with a recovery that was quite difficult. He missed the team’s first 21 games. Since he’s been in the lineup, he’s tried to manage his ankles with limited minutes and a couple of absences.

    On a per-minute basis, Middleton’s production isn’t that far off past markers. But the problem is that the Bucks need him for 30-35 minutes per night, not 20-25. He has only played more than 25 minutes in a game twice this season. Without the elite version of Middleton that we’ve seen as recently as last year’s playoffs, the Bucks have no chance of winning the title and will waste another year of Damian Lillard being paired with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Essentially, the Bucks have to decide whether they think that version of Middleton can ever come back. If they think that version of Middleton is gone, the team has to get creative in trying to move him for someone who can help them more this season.

    The Bucks are thought to be on the periphery of the Butler trade discussions by other teams and are thought to have interest in at least exploring what deals could look like for Butler, Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal. If they were to decide to make a deal for any of those players, Middleton’s contract would have to be involved financially for them to get under the CBA’s second apron and have the flexibility to make such a deal. If the choice is between Middleton or Butler, I get it. But if it’s Middleton and other players for Beal, I’d probably just rather take the chance that Middleton is right for the playoffs.

    Trade value

    Matching Salary in a Bigger Trade

    Best fits

    Heat, Wizards, Pistons, Raptors

    Expiration

    2026 (player option)

    Beal is still a valuable basketball player, but he just happens to be paid an exceptional amount of money for a player who is no longer an All-Star. He makes $50.2 million this season and has two years, $111 million locked beyond this season. I asked five executives, “What would Beal get in free agency if he were available in free agency this summer?” The answers ranged from $25 million to $35 million per year. Count this one as another win for Mark Bartelstein and Priority Sports, an agency with a long track record of getting clients paid handsomely.

    Three other factors beyond that make trading Beal incredibly complicated. First, he has a no-trade clause, meaning he can reject any deal he’s presented with if it doesn’t suit him. Second, the Suns are over the second apron by a significant margin, which means the Suns can’t aggregate players in a deal along with Beal to make his contract more palatable. Finally, the team has limited draft capital to trade.

    But the Suns would like to shake up their roster in a big way, and Beal is the only mechanism outside of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker that would allow them to make a move for Jimmy Butler. However, to get Butler, the Suns would need to find a third team that would be willing to take Beal, as the Heat are believed to have no interest in taking Beal’s contract back for Butler. The Suns have shifted Beal to the bench, and he hasn’t played poorly in a vacuum this season, averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from 3. He’s also shown increased attention to detail and effort on defense. However, he’s a bit small for this roster, and it’s hard to create lineups that are successful with him, Durant, Booker and another guard. It would probably behoove the Suns to be able to move on from Beal, but it’s going to be hard to find a landing spot for him, even in a deal for Butler.

    Trade value

    Matching Salary with an asset coming from Phoenix to move him

    Best fits

    Bucks, Bulls, Raptors, Pistons, Wizards

    Expiration

    2027 (player option)

    Much like the rest of their roster, the Nets are willing to listen to offers for Claxton, the switchable 6-11 forward to whom they handed a four-year, $97 million contract over the summer. But like with Cam Johnson, the team does not have to move him because of that long-term contract. Coming off the bench to start the season, Claxton got off to a slow start and didn’t quite look like himself. He dealt with a lingering back injury that he sustained over the offseason and missed six of the team’s first 19 games. He’s played every night but one since then though and has started to round back into form. Back in the 2023 season, he looked like he was on his way to developing into a perennial All-Defense candidate, blocking 2.5 shots per game and showcasing serious switchability out on the perimeter. He has great quickness and also does a good job patrolling the weak side of the basket. He’s one of those bigs whom, theoretically, you can use in a variety of different ways.

    The issue here is that Claxton hasn’t been at his best this year. Even accounting for the slow start, his scoring is down to around 10 points per game, and his rebounding is also down on both ends. More importantly, the shot-blocking and defensive versatility haven’t quite been as impactful as we’ve seen in the past. Now, part of this is that Claxton is a very dependent player offensively on who else is around him. He’s an adept rim-runner and finisher, but the Nets’ guards are quite poor after the Cam Thomas injury and Dennis Schröder trade. Expect the Nets to keep a high price tag on Claxton, but it just might not be the right time to move him. He hasn’t played up to the contract he signed last offseason, which makes me think it’s unlikely another team meets the full price tag the Nets place upon him.

    Claxton’s contract is descending in scale, which means he’s only owed an average of about $23 million over the next three seasons, culminating in him being owed less than $21 million in 2027-28. If he can reach his 2023 level, that’s a bargain. If a team thinks it can get him back to that type of play, maybe it decides to pony up.

    Trade value

    First-round pick

    Best fits

    Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Bulls

    Bogdanović is a little older than you think, having turned 32 over the summer. He dealt with some injuries to start the year, and the stats are down because of that. He’s averaging just 10 points on 38.2 percent shooting from the field and 31.3 percent from 3. He doesn’t totally fit the Hawks’ new age timeline, and several teams would love to get a player like Bogdanović, who has a proven big-game track record on the international stage. He averaged about 16 points per game coming into this season in his four years with the Hawks.

    Bogdanović’s contract is also one that works well if you believe in his body holding up. He’ll make $17.2 million this season, then has $16 million on the books for next year and a team option for 2026-27 at $16 million. As long as he gets back to the level he was at before this season — he just averaged 18 points per game on excellent shooting splits for Serbia at the Olympics over the summer while helping them to a bronze medal, so there’s no reason to believe he’s fallen off when completely healthy — Bogdanović is a good player on a good contract.

    Still, Bogdanović’s injury history is real. This year, he’s dealt with a right hamstring injury as well as right knee inflammation that has held him out of competition. The knee is the one that teams will want more information on, as he’s had a couple of issues with that in the past, including an avulsion fracture in early 2021 and surgery before the 2022-23 season after having dealt similarly with inflammation issues.

    Trade value

    First-round pick

    Best fits

    Magic, 76ers, Raptors, Warriors, Nuggets

    Expiration

    2027 (team option)

    Brown is back in the lineup for the Raptors and doing his typical thing off the bench, providing tough defense, some ballhandling and sharp cutting. The 2018 second-round pick is a proven winner, having played a critical role on the NBA champion Denver Nuggets in 2023 as the team’s sixth man. He played the third-most minutes on the team in the regular season and was one of the team’s six main players during its playoff run, providing quick ball movement, quick processing and decision-making, plus very high-level defense across multiple positions. He’s an interesting player type in that he can play power forward on offense but also shift up on defense and defend at the point of attack or take on bigger wings with how physical he is. He continued to showcase that skill set last year after signing a contract with Indiana and being traded midseason in the Pascal Siakam trade to Toronto. The only real flaw with Brown’s game as a role player is that he’s an inconsistent shooter who doesn’t get guarded regularly on the perimeter in catch-and-shoot situations. Other than that, he’s effective across the board.

    The issue for Brown moving at the deadline, though, is that contract he signed with the Pacers. It was essentially a two-year, $45 million balloon payment deal to get him to sign. The Raptors picked up the team option this past offseason, and his salary is $23 million. That’s a big number for salary-matching purposes midseason. Still, I bet someone will make the move. The team that should strongly consider it is the Lakers, given that they desperately need help on the perimeter defensively and considered Brown last offseason before the Pacers came over the top and blew their offer out of the water. They have several mid-tier contracts they can use to get to Brown’s level and should be willing to give up a well-protected first-round pick to acquire him given his potential fit. Even with Dorian Finney-Smith, Brown’s defense is a strong fit.

    Trade value

    First-round pick

    Best fits

    Lakers, Jazz, Pacers, Kings

    Sexton is having another strong offensive season, averaging 18.3 points on 60 percent true shooting. That’s right in line with his numbers since he’s been in Utah. Sexton has never been a high-volume 3-point shooter, preferring to drive and attack the basket. However, he continues to make more than 40 percent of his 3s. He doesn’t have amazing vision as a passer, but he’s cut out a large number of the poor shots he used to take in Cleveland by just being willing to involve his teammates a bit more. He’s more of an undersized scoring guard as opposed to a point guard, but he can handle the ball and get you into your sets. The issues come on defense, where Sexton is a feisty defender against opposing small guards but has very little ability to slide up the lineup onto bigger opponents. He’s also not an active help defender in any way, shape or form. Even though he is aggressive on that end, he typically grades out in most metrics as a negative defensive player. One other note is that he’s known to be highly competitive. His effort and engagement are always going to be quite high.

    If you’re looking for offense from the backcourt, Sexton is probably the best bet below the $20 million salary point. He makes $18.4 million this season and has another year remaining at $19.2 million. I wouldn’t call his deal a bargain, but if you think you can get him into your scheme defensively and help minimize his weaknesses (something Utah cannot do starting him next to another small guard in Keyonte George), it’s probably about right for the value he could bring. Sexton seems to be more in line with the price point that Terry Rozier got last season than someone like Dennis Schröder, who returned a net of two second-round picks plus Reece Beekman on a two-way contract. It wouldn’t stun me to see the Jazz get the equivalent of a late first-round pick back for Sexton if they moved him. There aren’t a significant number of playmaking guards out on the market, and Sexton just turned 26.

    Trade value

    First-round pick

    Best fits

    Clippers, Magic, Pistons, Rockets

    One of the best stories in basketball, Ball is back to playing after having missed 1,082 days because of knee issues. When he’s been on the court, he’s been extremely valuable despite pedestrian numbers. He’s averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists, but the level to which the Bulls are better when he’s on the court is drastic. When Ball is off the court, the Bulls lose their minutes by 5.5 points per 100 possessions. When he’s on the court, they win their minutes by 9.5 points. Largely, that’s because Ball is excellent at moving the ball and keeping the offense in flow while also being a terrific defensive player. He plays hard defensively and consistently displays unbelievable anticipation on the court. His feel for the game hasn’t gone away despite the time off.

    Why would he be potentially available? Ball is on an expiring contract worth $21.4 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls are thought to be very happy with Ball and love having him around the team for his presence in the locker room. But he will be able to leave for nothing if he wants to this offseason. On top of that, it’s unclear whether Ball can play a full schedule. He has not played in back-to-backs this season and has yet to log more than 26 minutes in a single game (although it’s worth that his minute load has gone up as the season has progressed). That probably points him toward being more of a high-impact bench player long-term.

    Several teams contending for a title this year would love a player like Ball. However, his high salary might make it somewhat difficult to construct a trade that satisfies the Bulls’ goals. One spot I love for him is Detroit, where his style of play would fit incredibly well with Cade Cunningham. They have several second-round picks at their disposal and a Tim Hardaway Jr. contract that potentially matches Ball’s salary well. He’d be the perfect secondary ballhandler for the team with Jaden Ivey out indefinitely with his broken leg, and his expiring deal wouldn’t impact the team’s backcourt long-term.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    On a per-minute basis, there won’t be another big available at the deadline as impactful as Williams. He’s averaging 5.9 points and five rebounds with close to a steal and 1.6 blocks per game in just 16.7 minutes per contest. He’s an terrific defender across the board, having made an All-Defense team back in 2022 for the Celtics before injuries wiped out his next two seasons. He is elite in help defense, versatile in ball-screen coverages and communicates. He’s also a perfect low-usage offensive big man. He finishes better than 70 percent of his shots at the rim, but he also throws terrific short-roll passes and screens well at the top of actions for guards.

    Alas, the injuries are a significant worry. He’s never played more than 61 games in a single season. He’s only played in 15 of Portland’s first 43 games this year, too, as his knees have never consistently held up. Teams will ask whether they can trust him to get to playoff time in a healthy state given his history. However, the price point is right, as when he’s on the court, his $12.5 million contract is a steal with only one year remaining at $13.3 million. When I’ve asked around about what other teams would consider a reasonable price point, I’ve gotten anything from a late first-rounder to a couple of second-rounders. But with the team having used a draft pick this year on Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton seeming like a difficult sell on the trade market, it would make sense for the Blazers to explore Williams’ market.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Rockets, Hawks, Bulls, Pacers, Lakers, Suns, Cavaliers

    I don’t totally understand what’s happening in Atlanta with Nance. He started the season hurt but came back after the first week and played well in nine games. He’s never been a guy whose presence pops on the stat sheet, but he’s averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in about 19 minutes per night. He also got a strong run of six games around Christmas before breaking a bone in his hand that required surgery. He’s been out since then but is not expected to be out for long.

    Everywhere Nance goes, his team gets better when he’s on the court. Every season of his career outside of last year, from 2015-16 onward, Nance’s teams have both been better on offense and defense when he’s been on the court. Why does this happen? It’s because he’s the perfect low-usage player. Nance does everything well except create his own shot. He’s a semi-real shooter now, having hit 37 percent from 3 since 2019-20. He passes well and makes quick decisions. The ball never sticks in his hands. He finishes efficiently around the rim and picks his spots well. On defense, he’s constantly in the right position, rotates exceptionally well and is always available for his teammates.

    Nance makes about $11.2 million and is on an expiring contract. The Hawks have been telling teams that they want to keep Nance. Will that remain the case if the two sides can’t agree on a contract extension before the deadline, especially if they struggle to move Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu? If so, expect a significant number of organizations to potentially get involved here because they think Nance could help in a late-season push with frontcourt depth. The top two teams that come to mind are the Cavaliers and Bucks, both of whom need an influx of smart defensive play off the bench.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Cavaliers, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks

    After a couple of years in the wilderness, Collins is back to being a very productive NBA player. From 2018-21, Collins averaged 19.3 points and nine rebounds while shooting 56.5 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from 3 while taking three attempts per game. That’s what got him a five-year, $125 million deal. However, after the Hawks got Clint Capela during the 2020-21 season and began using him more in ball screens with Trae Young, Collins’ numbers began to drop. Then, he was traded to Utah, where he took a season to adjust. Over the 2021-24 seasons, Collins averaged just 14.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.

    So far this year, he’s back to 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds while playing 30 minutes per game and has been quite effective as a rim-runner and on the offensive glass. The issue for Collins, though, is what it always is. You need the perfect center next to him to get the best out of him. He’s not good enough as a rim protector to play the five, even though his best role offensively is as a five. He needs to be a five on offense and a four on defense, which means your center has to be able to shoot it to maintain adequate spacing in the playoffs. Otherwise, you’re best utilizing him as a third big. He showed positive defensive moments in Atlanta, but I wouldn’t say those have been particularly evident in Utah.

    Collins’ salary would be quite large if a team wanted him as a third big at $26.6 million. Because of that, his market likely will be limited. Next year might be an easier sell on the trade market when he’ll likely be on an expiring $26.6 million salary, assuming he picks up his player option. Another thing worth noting with all of the Jazz players here: If Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are kept around, the Jazz would have nearly $60 million in expiring deals for next season if they want to try to acquire a star.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders and salary matching

    Best fits

    Cavaliers, Pacers, Kings

    Expiration

    2026 (player option)

    Simons is one of the more difficult evaluations in the league. He has shown the ability to be an extremely explosive scorer, averaging 18.2 points per game. However, this season hasn’t been as clean, as he’s dealt with a couple of minor injuries, including an illness and a right-hand sprain.

    After starting the season in his first 25 games with a true shooting percentage that was 10 points below league average, he’s now up around league average again. He also has real defensive deficiencies that cloud his game. On a good team, Simons might be more of a great sixth man as opposed to a definite starter. It’s possible he could find the right team and role that allows him to be a starter, especially during his massive hot streaks. But that consistency has been a bit too up-and-down throughout his career so far.

    Simons is still just 25 and a good player. The problem for Portland, though, is that he only has a year and a half left on the rookie extension that he signed back in 2021. The organization has also made several investments into on-ball backcourt players, including Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. This might be the time to try to cash in on Simons, but he makes $25.9 million this season, followed by $27.7 million next season. Those are hefty numbers. Simons’ trade value will likely be determined by how he plays over the next couple of weeks. Should the Blazers try to cash in now? Should they try to extend this summer? They have a lot of questions on a messy roster moving forward.

    Best fits

    Clippers, Magic, Pistons, Rockets

    One of the best shooters in NBA history, Kennard is back to his normal self, drilling 46.6 percent of his shots from distance this season. Over his career, Kennard has made 44 percent from 3, and since 2020, he’s hit 46 percent from 3. He hits them off movement and off pull-ups. He can legitimately play on-ball and off-the-ball. He’s a valuable offensive player who has real defensive question marks because of his lack of size and length, but he’s super smart and at least knows where to be in terms of rotating and scrambling around. Kennard is also on an expiring contract and makes $9.3 million. The Grizzlies have already considered moving him once this year in a deal for Dorian Finney-Smith, although that fell apart when the Lakers topped the Memphis offer. It feels like Memphis won’t just move him to move him, but if the Grizzlies can find an upgrade on the defensive end that gives them another longer, bigger body on the wing to guard tough assignments in the playoffs, he could be moved.

    Trade value

    A good, long defensive player in a swap

    Best fits

    Clippers, Magic, Pistons, Rockets

    Portis has been a long-time bench stalwart for the Bucks, with his ability to space the floor producing value next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in each of the last two seasons and helped the Bucks to a championship back in 2021. He’s averaging 13.3 points and 7.9 rebounds this year in just 24 minutes per night, right in line with his track record. But Portis’ defense has long been a concern, and this year, it’s been a bit worse. He can be somewhat distracted off the ball and lose track of his assignment. His rim protection has never been particularly impactful even in his best seasons. On the perimeter, he’s not all that adept when caught on an island against guards.

    Still, Portis’ offense is a real value add, and it’s hard to find centers who can step away and shoot. Over his career in Milwaukee, he’s hit 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers on more than 1,100 career attempts. He also can be counted on to consistently bring physicality and play with effort. In the right situation, he can be valuable for a team that needs some shooting and rebounding from the center position. If the Bucks end up getting involved in a deal for an upgrade, his contract makes the most sense to be involved.

    Trade value

    Contract matching in a player trade

    Best fits

    Cavaliers, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks, Heat, Raptors, Pistons

    Sharpe missed the first 21 games of the year with a strained hamstring, but he’s back and playing well as a backup center. Last season, he was among the more productive backup bigs in the league, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in just 15 minutes per night. He’s a monster rebounder but also has a bit more skill and footwork than initially meets the eye. So far this year, he’s averaging 7.5 points, six rebounds and 1.5 assists in just 17 minutes per game. He’s also starting to take 3s occasionally, and his free-throw percentage is higher than it’s ever been.

    At 23, he has the look of a long-term backup big in the NBA with some starting upside in a pinch down the road if things break right with his development on the defensive end. Given that, why would a rebuilding Nets team be looking to trade him? He’s a restricted free agent this summer, and the team just signed Nic Claxton to a nine-figure deal last year. I don’t know that I would want to necessarily stick around if I were Sharpe. I also don’t know that I’d necessarily want to pay Sharpe if I were Brooklyn, even if the price shouldn’t be outrageous. A couple of second-round picks seem like a reasonable price point for everyone.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder, Nuggets, Wizards, Suns

    Expiration

    2025 (restricted)

    The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in December in a deal to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith. It’s a trade that made a ton of sense for both teams, as the Nets cashed in on the Finney-Smith asset and acquired draft capital. Now, they can try to turn around and move Russell if they wish. His contract cannot be aggregated again this year, but if a team is looking for a real guard, he could provide value.

    Russell, however, is a polarizing player. Offensively, he’s typically a sharpshooter from distance who can get them up from volume and who can run ball screens and make plays for his teammates. Defensively, you need to hide him because he struggles to stay in front of opposing players and can get lost off the ball. The issue for Russell this year is that the shot-making hasn’t really been there. He’s made only 32.8 percent of his 3s. Teams still guard him out there because of his long track record, but if the shot isn’t actually falling, he’s not a particularly valuable player.

    He is a free agent this summer with an $18.7 million expiring contract. Maybe another team is willing to pass on more expiring money while also handing over pick capital to get a deal done to get more shot-creation upside from the backcourt.

    Trade value

    Salary matching in a bigger trade

    Valančiūnas signed a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason with the final year non-guaranteed. It’s a good deal for a player who is probably one of the best backup centers in the NBA. So far for Washington, he’s been the perfect big man to provide an interior presence for skinny, developmental big man Alex Sarr. And the deal immediately became a useful trade chip because teams are always looking for size at the deadline, even in a backup role. On this contract, it’s completely reasonable for Valančiūnas to be a backup on an excellent team. This year, Valančiūnas is averaging 11.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in just 19.7 minutes per game. He’s physical on the interior and crushes the glass on both ends. He’s an offensive force with how physical he is and will occasionally step out and take one of those slingshot 3s, even though those have been fewer and further between this year.

    You probably will struggle to play him in the playoffs because of his lack of foot speed. But at a reasonable price for a backup big man, you probably don’t have to focus much on what he’s bringing in the playoffs. Any team that needs more depth on the interior could look to add Valančiūnas and receive help. I can’t imagine the price point being more than a couple of second-rounders. If I were the Sixers, I would be calling the Wizards every day. No team needs an elite backup more than the Sixers, and Valančiūnas would be perfect for the role. Other teams like Indiana, Denver and the Lakers could use another big too.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Lakers, Pacers, 76ers

    Expiration

    2027 (team option)

    Vucevic is in the middle of one of the most surprisingly awesome seasons in the NBA right now. Playing as a top-two option on a feisty Bulls team that bombs away from 3 and plays at a breakneck pace, Vucevic is averaging a robust 20.3 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from 3. Those shooting splits have come down in recent weeks, but he’s still been very good offensively.

    The 34-year-old, two-time All-Star hasn’t played at this level since his Orlando days back in 2020 before he got traded at the midseason deadline in March 2021. Given that production, why isn’t he much higher on the list? Well, Vucevic is, unfortunately, one of the least impactful defensive players in the league. The Bulls have the 22nd-ranked defensive rating in the NBA, and he might be the biggest reason why because of his lack of interior rim protection. He’s not an active help defender and doesn’t have enough mobility anymore to hold up in ball screens as a primary big defender. He has very little chance in switch scenarios when he gets left on an island. The Bulls give up 118.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court versus 111.6 when he’s off it.

    Those defensive attributes are why it’s hard to see him being truly prioritized at the deadline despite those incredible numbers. He is owed $20 million this season and has another year at $21.5 million. His best role on a really good team at this stage might be as a sixth man who comes in and feasts on opposing backups. However, there are places where he could start and it would make sense. Will another team want to pay the premium price tag for that? It’s hard to find the exact landing spot for him. Maybe the Warriors would be willing to take a shot providing extra cover as a scorer next to an elite defender like Draymond Green? Vucevic’s shooting would certainly work within their scheme.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Pistons, Warriors

    Expiration

    2026 (player option)

    Brogdon is on an expiring deal. He’s only played 18 games this year — and injury concerns are always an issue for Brogdon, given that he’s only topped 40 games once in the last four years and has only topped 60 twice in the last eight years — but when he’s been out there, he’s been a perfectly useful starter for the Wizards. As you read this, he’s dealing with a foot injury that has held him out of games recently. He’s averaging 13.8 points and finishing well on the interior, plus he rarely turns the ball over. He’s also a career 39 percent 3-point shooter, so you can rely on him there even if he’s made only 31.3 percent so far on limited volume. The issue with Brogdon comes on defense. He generally knows where he has to be and has extremely long arms and a strong physical frame, but he doesn’t have the quickness anymore to deal with particularly quick backcourt players.

    Brogdon is owed $22.5 million this year, which is a large number for a player of his skill at this point. On a good team, he probably profiles best as a seventh man. But a few teams out there could use a steadying bench presence as a guard and might be willing to swap another deal or two along with a couple of second-rounders to get him. My best guess is that this turns into a buyout situation, though, with Brogdon’s foot now being an issue.

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Clippers, Magic, Pistons, Rockets

    The Chicago Sun-Times reported Jan. 18 that the Bulls are buying into the idea that Williams “needs a change of scenery, opening the door for him to be on the trade block.” For his part, Williams has had the worst season of what has been a fairly inauspicious career even though they showered him with a five-year, $90 million deal this offseason. In his fifth season, Williams is shooting a career-low from 2-point range by more than 7 percent and a career-low 36.7 percent from 3-point range, and he is posting a career-low mark in rebounds. He has shown no growth offensively this season in Chicago, despite the team having moved on from DeMar DeRozan this offseason and theoretically opening up chances for him.

    The issue here for the Bulls is that Williams has four years remaining after this one (including a player option in the final year). Williams’ level of play so far this year is more commensurate with that of a minimum player. This is a contract that is viewed league-wide as being drastically underwater right now. It’s going to be tough to deal unless the Bulls are getting another distressed asset in return. However, it’s worth noting that Williams has time on his side in a way other potential trade candidates don’t. He is only 23, and Chicago’s track record of trading draft picks only to see them flourish elsewhere is unfortunately quite long at this point.

    The Wizards might end up regretting not trading Kuzma at last year’s deadline or in the offseason. His numbers are down across the board. Last year, he averaged 22.2 points per game. This year, he’s at just 14.3. His rebounding is down, and his assists have been cut in half. Defensively, there hasn’t been much worth getting excited about. And he’s shooting just 42.4 percent from the field and 25.7 percent from 3 on much lower 3-point volume. There may not be a player in the league who has seen such a substantial downgrade in his performance this season.

    Could another team potentially sell itself on Kuzma returning to form once he gets out of the Wizards’ situation? Maybe. Kuzma’s contract was seen as a bargain for his production this time last year. He makes $23.5 million this year on a descending deal that will only see him make $19.4 million in 2026-27 after the salary cap has jumped multiple times. He dealt with a rib injury throughout the early portion of the season, but even after returning to the court after another absence in December, he still hasn’t found his form. I think he’d have to start playing better for him to become a real trade target.

    Tate has started to get some sporadic playing time in Houston with the team dealing with a couple of injuries. But for the first part of the season, he was out of Houston’s rotation because the Rockets are incredibly deep. At 6-4, 230 pounds, Tate is a physical, tough player who can take on difficult defensive assignments and quickly process what’s happening around him. He passes well and can drive the ball in a straight line, and he moves well without the ball and creates chaos as a cutter and short-roll option. Defensively, he can defend perimeter players as well as a good number of forwards. He does not shoot it well, as a career 30.7 percent shooter from distance. But anyone who misses out on Bruce Brown might look at Tate as a reasonable second option who could provide similar value. It would be overstating to say he can be that level of player, but if he could find the right scheme, he could be a lower-end version at a fraction of the cost.

    Tate’s contract is quite cheap. He makes $7.6 million this year as an expiring contract. I also wonder if he might be the rare candidate for an extend-and-trade scenario. But several teams could realistically look at him as a potentially cheap option both now and into the future. Could a younger team like Brooklyn or Charlotte trade for him to keep him around as a good vet who can play to help develop players at a relatively cheap cost? Or could someone in need of perimeter defense and toughness in a playoff run decide he’d be a valuable depth piece?

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    Best fits

    Celtics, Nuggets, Timberwolves

    Konchar is a part-time rotation player for the Grizzlies and, generally outside of his inconsistent shooting, isn’t disastrous when he’s on the court. He is an active defender who processes the game quickly and passes well. He can’t create his own shot, and his jumper goes in and out (he’s made under 30 percent of his 3s so far this year), so the offense can be an issue at times that forces him to the bench. But he has good hands and reacts well to things around him. He’s sharp and has some real strength to deal with wing matchups.

    He’s slightly overpaid at $6.2 million for this season as well as each of the next two seasons, but he can still be an end-of-the-rotation player for a solid team. He’s just stuck behind several players on the deepest team in the NBA in Memphis, such as Desmond Bane, Jaylen Wells, Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart.

    Trade value

    Second-rounder

    Best fits

    Celtics, Nuggets, Timberwolves

    Huerter hasn’t found his rhythm this year in Sacramento, and that’s unfortunately been true for the past two years. Typically a real shooter — he made 38.2 percent of his 3s over his six-year career coming into this season — Huerter has only hit 30.3 percent from 3. He also hasn’t brought value on defense. When Huerter isn’t shooting at a high level, it can be hard to have him on the court even though teams continue to guard him as a guy they have to stay attached to.

    More than that, though, the Kings have a lot of depth at the guard and wing positions. In the backcourt, they have De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. On the wing, Keegan Murray, DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis have outplayed Huerter so far. Rookie Devin Carter also has entered the fold. Huerter makes $16.8 million before getting $18 million next year. Those are high numbers but not all that bad if he can get back to the level he was at in his final year in Atlanta and his first year in Sacramento. It feels like Sacramento would look to move him in a basketball trade as opposed to just looking to dump his contract. Can the Kings combine a draft pick with Huerter to get a player who can shoot and defend in the frontcourt?

    Trade value

    A good frontcourt player for Huerter and a pick

    Best fits

    Pistons, Bulls, Hornets, Nets, Raptors

    Capela has done a lot of the dirty work for a scrappy, fun Hawks team this year, averaging 9.4 points and nine rebounds. He’s a killer on the offensive glass and generally does a solid job in drop coverage defensively even if he’s not as mobile as he was in his mid-20s. But in his 11th year in the NBA, Capela continues to be a starting-quality center. Still, the Hawks are thought by other teams to be very open to discussing their highly paid veterans.

    Capela makes $22.3 million this season, and that’s a large amount of money for another team to pay to acquire him given his production. Teams out there could certainly use real center depth and would love a backup big man, but this is a difficult price point to meet because matching that salary would often mean moving at least one real rotation player from your team. It’s certainly not impossible that Capela could be moved, but it seems like a deal would be difficult if the Hawks want anything positive in return (and they should, given that Capela is useful to their defensive infrastructure).

    Trade value

    Second-rounders

    One of the more creative scoring guards off the bench in recent NBA history, Clarkson is averaging 16 points per game. However, the issue for the Jazz is that his shooting has dived. He’s only shooting 41.3 percent from the field. Before a recent plantar fascia injury, he had turned around his shooting from distance but is still only at 33.9 percent on the season. This also comes a year after he set a career low in terms of his efficiency while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3. He is known as an elite locker-room presence but has never been a particularly conscientious defender.

    Clarkson is only making $14.1 million this year and $14.3 million next year, so it’s possible that a team desperate for scoring could think he could help off the bench if it believes that his foot injury can heal in time. Undoubtedly, teams will be watching Clarkson to see if he can get back to the right level. If he doesn’t, it feels like it’ll be difficult to move him as the Jazz look to embrace some of their younger guards like Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier.

    Trade value

    Second-rounder

    Landale was excellent two years ago in Phoenix as a backup center who worked his way into significant playoff minutes ahead of Deandre Ayton in some games. That led him to sign a uniquely structured four-year, $32 million contract that is essentially non-guaranteed every offseason. That makes Landale essentially an expiring contract and allows the Rockets to use his deal to try to upgrade across the roster if they so choose. When asked to enter the lineup, he’s been playable but hasn’t necessarily stood out. Ultimately, he’d just be used as salary matching in a deal for the Rockets to get an upgrade elsewhere.

    Trade value

    Salary Matching in Trade

    Expiration

    2027 (non-guaranteed each offseason)

    Micic is thought to be available from the Hornets as an extra ballhandler for someone who needs shot creation. One of the best players in Europe for five years before his decision to sign with Oklahoma City in 2023, Micic’s game just hasn’t quite worked out in the way that was hoped. He was traded to the Hornets last winter in a deal to bring Gordon Hayward to the Thunder. In 58 games for Charlotte, he’s showcased the deft passing touch that was anticipated, and he’s generally sharp in ball screens. However, his defense has been nonexistent at this level, and he hasn’t found a consistent way to score. He’s shooting just 33 percent from 3 this season and has an overall field goal percentage below 35 percent. He is comfortable organizing an offense, but he looks like a player more well-suited to the FIBA game. If the Hornets can find a taker, it would make sense to move on. I’m just not sure that will happen given that he is owed $7.7 million this season and has a team option for $8.1 million next year.

    Springer is a little-used guard on the Celtics in the fourth year of his rookie-scale contract. He’s played in 19 games this year, giving an immense amount of on-ball defensive effort but he struggles to do anything on offense.

    Why is Springer here? Because he makes $4 million in that final year of his deal. The Celtics have a couple of options here. They could try to use that $4 million to swap Springer for another vet along with picks whom they think might help them. Or they could use Springer’s deal to save something in the ballpark of $20 million in luxury tax payments and salary by dropping him into another team’s cap space or a trade exception with draft picks. Given how little he’s been used this year, it feels like a no-brainer for Boston’s ownership.

    Trade value

    Salary dump to avoid tax

    Best fits

    Pistons, Bulls, Jazz, Hornets

    Hyland had a nice start to his career back when he was a Denver Nugget, making the All-Rookie team. However, it’s been a tough go since then. He can get buckets, averaging seven points in 11 minutes per game this season. The question is whether he can get them efficiently, as he’s made under 40 percent of his shots throughout his career. And the less said about his game on defense, the better.

    So why is he here? Hyland makes $4.2 million in the final year of his rookie deal. The Clippers are currently $2.5 million away from getting underneath the luxury tax threshold. Someone on the Clippers is going to get moved to get under that bill. Hyland is the easiest player to make that happen with.

    Trade value

    Salary dump to avoid tax

    Best fits

    Pistons, Bulls, Jazz, Hornets

    Martin’s deal with the Sixers was seemingly signed with the express goal of trading him midseason after the 23-year-old forward averaged fewer than four points per game last year. He makes about $8 million this year with a non-guaranteed season at $8 million next year, essentially making this an expiring deal. The Sixers will look to add his deal to others along with draft picks to upgrade the roster. One issue? He is finally eligible to be moved now that Jan. 15 has come and gone. But he’s given the Sixers some occasionally positive minutes, averaging six points and three rebounds while shooting 62 percent from the field and providing athleticism in 20 minutes per night.

    Trade value

    A good frontcourt player for Martin and a pick

    Expiration

    2026 (non-guaranteed)

    Simmons is here purely because he’s finally on an expiring contract now that his rookie-scale max contract has run its course. Simmons makes $40.3 million this season and obviously would only be moved if the Nets decided that they wanted to spring a deal for a star player. Simmons has played 30 games this year and is getting 25 minutes per night. He’s averaging 6.3 points but also getting 5.3 rebounds and dishing out seven assists. The Nets play him as a sort of makeshift point center who grabs and goes on the break and takes advantage of odd-man opportunities. This has been my sort of dream role for Simmons going back to his later days in Philadelphia, idealizing the theory of becoming a modern Draymond Green-style forward. Simmons is switchable, but I don’t think he necessarily seems to love dealing with bigs on the block the way Green does. He also doesn’t seem to have enough confidence as a scorer.

    If the Nets don’t move him at the deadline because his price tag is too high, I’d be somewhat intrigued by Simmons as a buyout candidate for a defense-needy team if he’d be willing to come in and play a role off the bench. He’s had real flashes on defense this year, flying around in space and sliding to cut off drives against wings. He still has some back issues that pop up, but I am curious to see him in a different location at a cheaper price tag where he can just run around, defend and pass.

    Trade value

    Salary matching in a bigger trade

    Finding a taker for Connaughton, who has fallen out of the Bucks’ consistent rotation, is the key route for Milwaukee to get out of the second apron. The team is only about $6 million into the second apron, and Connaughton is owed $9.4 million this year with a player option for the same salary in 2025-26. A reliable shooter and high-level athlete during his prime, Connaughton has been below 35 percent from distance in each of the last three years and is now 32. The issue for Connaughton is that he has not played like an NBA-caliber player this season but is certain to exercise that player option. Any team taking his deal will need to be incentivized to do so with draft capital. However, finding a taker might be the key to the Bucks opening up their flexibility enough to make needed moves around the rest of the roster.

    Trade value

    Salary Dump to get out of second apron

    There’s no sugar-coating things: Nurkic has not been good this season. He’s averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds with a true shooting percentage well below average for a center position. Defensively, the Suns have been drastically worse with Nurkic on the court and are allowing opponents to shoot a higher percentage at the rim with him on the court even though he’s the only big on the team with any track record of positive rim protection. Nurkic is an enormous reason the Suns’ season has gone off the rails, if not the biggest reason. He has been benched in recent weeks and has only seen 33 minutes since the start of the calendar year.

    The Suns are in a tricky spot here because they need to move on from Nurkic. However, as a second-apron team, they cannot aggregate salaries, which means he cannot be moved within a bigger deal. They have to find someone to dump his deal onto, as he still has one more year left after this one at $19.4 million.

    This has not been Ayton’s best season. In his second year in Portland, his scoring numbers have dropped to a career low. His shooting percentage has crept up over the last month, as has his rebounding rate. He’s also taking several midrange jumpers, and those aren’t falling to the same extent they did last year (he’s posting a career mark around the basket as a scorer). All told, the Blazers are about 4.5 points per 100 possessions worse with Ayton on the court as opposed to when he’s off the court. They lose minutes with Ayton on the court by 11 points per 100 possessions and lose minutes with Ayton off the court by 6.5 points per 100. Largely, that has to do with defense. In the games Robert Williams III has played, he’s looked better than Ayton. Rookie Donovan Clingan also has been drastically better than Ayton on that end.

    That’s a problem for the Blazers, as Ayton makes $34 million this season and $35.6 million next season. Based on what he’s done so far this year, he’s not worth anything near that kind of money. I don’t see another team particularly prioritizing acquiring Ayton on this deal at the deadline. But is it possible he could be used to salary match another player’s contract from a team looking to keep that salary spot on their books for next year?

    Trade value

    Matching salary

    Grant signed one of the more dumbfounding contracts in recent memory in the summer of 2023, as the Blazers decided to give him a five-year, $160 million deal months before trading Damian Lillard to the Bucks and starting a total rebuild. In the second year of the deal, Grant makes $29.7 million this year and still has nearly $103 million remaining for the following three years. The bigger issue for the Blazers, though, is that his production has fallen off in a big way, and he’s now over 30. He’s averaging just 15 points per game on a true shooting percentage that is 8 percent below league average. While the 3-point numbers have been fine, Grant has been an incredibly poor finisher at the rim this season in addition to struggling from the area just beyond it. He’s also not quite the defender he used to be. The good news? He still makes catch-and-shoot 3s.

    The Blazers have seemingly set a high price tag for him over the years, but I don’t think he’s worth a first-rounder right now. This is undeniably one of the worst contracts in the NBA. I find it hard to believe that anyone is going to want to take on his money for the long term unless he’s a part of a bigger deal.

    Trade value

    Salary matching and second-rounders

    Expiration

    2028 (player option)

    (Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; Paras Griffin, Sam Hodde / Getty Images; Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)



    The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and some big names are reportedly on the market. Here is a breakdown of some of the top players who could be on the move:

    1. Jimmy Butler – The Miami Heat star has been rumored to be available for trade as the team looks to shake up its roster. Butler is a proven scorer and defender and would be a valuable asset for any contending team.

    2. Bradley Beal – The Washington Wizards guard has been the subject of trade rumors for months now. Beal is one of the top scorers in the league and would be a huge addition for any team in need of scoring punch.

    3. Zach LaVine – The Chicago Bulls guard has been putting up big numbers this season and could be a valuable trade target for teams in need of scoring help. LaVine is a dynamic scorer and could be a difference-maker for a contending team.

    4. Andre Drummond – The Cleveland Cavaliers big man has been mentioned in trade talks as well. Drummond is one of the top rebounders in the league and could provide a boost to any team in need of frontcourt help.

    5. Victor Oladipo – The Houston Rockets guard has been linked to trade rumors as well. Oladipo is a two-way player who can provide scoring and defense and would be a valuable addition for any team in need of backcourt help.

    These are just a few of the big names that could be on the move before the trade deadline. Stay tuned for more updates as the deadline approaches.

    Tags:

    1. NBA Trade Board
    2. Jimmy Butler trade rumors
    3. Bradley Beal trade talks
    4. Zach LaVine trade news
    5. NBA trade market
    6. NBA trade rumors
    7. NBA trade updates
    8. NBA player trades
    9. Jimmy Butler trade speculations
    10. Bradley Beal trade possibilities

    #NBA #Trade #Board #Jimmy #Butler #Bradley #Beal #Zach #LaVine #big #names #market

  • Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey stuns NFL fans by announcing favorite team after 50 years in rivalry vs Bradley Cooper


    Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders need all the help they can get on Sunday.

    With the Philadelphia Eagles favored at home in the NFC Championship, Daniels is attempting to become the first starting rookie quarterback to reach the Super Bowl.

    Matthew McConaughey made a huge announcement on his NFL allegiances

    5

    Matthew McConaughey made a huge announcement on his NFL allegiancesCredit: Getty

    A single tweet weighed heavily in Daniels’ favor and will have even bigger sway for the Commanders if they reach the big game in New Orleans on February 9.

    “Hailing since 1974,” posted Matthew McConaughey, who’s one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.

    Fans were stunned to see Texan McConaughey proudly representing the Commanders — and he had a vintage Washington Redskins jacket to prove it.

    “Amazing you still have this,” one fan tweeted. “That’s a gem of a jacket. I have an old Starter windbreaker and some other gear I’m glad I held onto, but this is phenomenal.”

    “Alright alright alright,” a second fan wrote.

    “Yessir, I’m with you on this one,” a third fan posted. “Team Jayden all the way!”

    “HTTR baby!” a fourth fan said.

    The 55-year-old McConaughey announcing on the same day of the NFC Championship that he is a secret Washington supporter is news in itself.

    But the primary reason that McConaughey’s picture made such an impact is that he is widely associated with the University of Texas’ college football program.

    McConaughey regularly attends Longhorns games and was close to the team during a recent 13-3 season that saw Steve Sarkisian’s crew reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.

    He was hiding a Washington jacket since 1974

    5

    He was hiding a Washington jacket since 1974Credit: x@McConaughey
    Daniels is a rookie underdog trying to make the Super Bowl and NFL history

    5

    Daniels is a rookie underdog trying to make the Super Bowl and NFL historyCredit: Getty
    McConaughey has long been associated with the Texas Longhorns

    5

    McConaughey has long been associated with the Texas LonghornsCredit: Getty
    PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 29: Actor Bradley Cooper watches from the owners box during the Championship game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 29, 2023. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    5

    Bradley Cooper is a big time Eagles supporter

    The actor from Dazed and Confused, Interstellar, Wolf of Wall Street and True Detective was born in 1969.

    Which means that McConaughey became a Washington fan when he was five years old.

    The Redskins went 10-4 in 1974, reaching the Divisional Round.

    That Washington team was coached by George Allen and featured Billy Kilmer at quarterback.

    Washington has appeared in five Super Bowls, winning three.

    McConaughey was apparently a fan during the Redskins’ franchise-best run from 1986-92 under then-head coach Joe Gibbs.

    Jayden Daniels told the NFL he was the next great quarterback as 13-year-old kid

    The Dallas Buyers Club leading man is now apparently a huge Daniels fan, while rooting against Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the NFC East-rival Eagles.

    “Kept it a secret until they were good,” a fan tweeted. “Alright.”

    While Philadelphia and Washington play for the NFC’s spot in the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills battle for the AFC crown.

    Actor Bradley Cooper, a well-known Eagles fan, showed up pregame to represent his team.

    Rob McElhenney, co-owner of soccer club Wrexham AFC alongside actor Ryan Reynolds, is also one of the Eagles’ biggest supporters.

    Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook



    In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey has finally revealed his favorite NFL team after 50 years of intense rivalry with fellow actor Bradley Cooper.

    McConaughey, known for his iconic roles in films such as “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Interstellar,” shocked fans when he announced during a recent interview that he has always been a die-hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    For decades, McConaughey and Cooper have playfully bantered about their favorite teams, with McConaughey claiming allegiance to the Washington Football Team and Cooper staunchly supporting the Philadelphia Eagles. The rivalry between the two actors has been a source of entertainment for fans and media alike.

    But now, McConaughey’s declaration of his love for the Steelers has left many fans scratching their heads. The Texas-born actor explained that he has always admired the Steelers’ history, tradition, and blue-collar work ethic, which align with his own values.

    While Cooper has yet to publicly respond to McConaughey’s revelation, it’s safe to say that this unexpected twist in their friendly rivalry has added a new layer of excitement to their ongoing sports feud.

    Only time will tell if McConaughey’s newfound allegiance to the Steelers will bring him closer to victory over his longtime rival, or if Cooper will have the last laugh in this epic battle of NFL fandom. Either way, one thing is for sure – Hollywood’s favorite football feud just got a whole lot more interesting.

    Tags:

    Matthew McConaughey, NFL, favorite team, Hollywood star, Bradley Cooper, announcement, rivalry, stunning, 50 years, fan reactions

    #Hollywood #star #Matthew #McConaughey #stuns #NFL #fans #announcing #favorite #team #years #rivalry #Bradley #Cooper

  • This Oscar-Winning 90% Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper-Starring Romantic Drama Has Struck a Chord on Streaming


    Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and there’s a ton of films available on streaming to get you in a romantic mood. Whether it’s a comedy, a blood-soaked horror slasher, or an emotional drama, there’s something for every kind of person to enjoy leading into this heart-filled holiday. However, if you like your love stories a bit more on the tragic side, Max has you covered in its upcoming February lineup. Their diverse catalog of films will include the 2018 version of A Star is Born.

    Bradley Cooper‘s directorial debut will be singing its way to Max in February and take part in the streamer’s curated list of films simply titled “Valentine’s Day”. A Star is Born will be alongside other modern classics like Mama Mia, The Notebook and Crazy Rich Asians. Despite being the third remake of the 1937 film, when it was released in 2018, A Star is Born was a massive box office and critical hit. It made over $436 million worldwide on a $36 million budget, while it has a certified-fresh rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience score is also glowing at 80%. This led A Star is Born to be nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It only won one Oscar for Best Original Song, but “Shallows” is one of the best pieces of music to come along in that category in a very long time.

    What’s ‘A Star is Born’ About?

    This reimagining of A Star is Born follows mega superstar singer Jackson Maine (Cooper) after he crosses paths with a struggling artist named Ally (Lady Gaga). Quickly falling in love with her, Jackson gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, letting Ally pursue her dreams as a singer and being a star of her own. However, as Ally’s career skyrockets, Jackson takes a nosedive due to some unresolved personal demons. Their relationship has reached an impasse that they may never recover from.

    There was a lot stacked against this film. It was the fourth time this story was told in the last century. This was all the while Cooper was an unproven director and Gaga’s acting credits were mainly smaller roles on television up to that point. However, in every phase, A Star is Born proved all those doubts wrong. This is a visually raw and emotional remake that puts Cooper and Gaga’s masterful chemistry on full display. From their irresistible voices to the amazing music to the dark undertones of the story, this remains a relevant romantic tragedy almost a decade later.

    The film also joins Gaga’s other hard-R musical blockbuster, Joker: Folie á Deux, on Max. The latter of which she plays the villainous Harley Quinn. Tune in to watch A Star is Born when it debuts on Max.

    a-star-is-born-movie-poster.jpg

    A Star is Born

    Release Date

    October 5, 2018

    Runtime

    2h 15m




    Watch on Max



    The 2018 romantic drama “A Star is Born,” starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, has been making waves on streaming platforms with its powerful performances and emotional storyline. The film, which won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Shallow,” has captured the hearts of audiences around the world with its raw portrayal of love, addiction, and the price of fame.

    Gaga’s stunning vocals and Cooper’s impressive directorial debut have been praised by critics and fans alike, solidifying their status as two of Hollywood’s most talented performers. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, drawing viewers in and keeping them on the edge of their seats until the very end.

    With a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and countless awards and nominations under its belt, “A Star is Born” is a must-watch for anyone looking for a captivating and emotional film experience. Whether you’re a fan of Gaga, Cooper, or just great storytelling, this film is sure to strike a chord and leave a lasting impression.

    Tags:

    Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, romantic drama, Oscar-winning, streaming, A Star is Born, musical, love story, Hollywood, music, emotional, chemistry, box office hit, award-winning, soundtrack, iconic performance, on-screen romance, emotional rollercoaster, musical masterpiece, pop culture phenomenon, Hollywood romance, unforgettable performances.

    #OscarWinning #Lady #Gaga #Bradley #CooperStarring #Romantic #Drama #Struck #Chord #Streaming

  • Actors Turning 50 in 2025: Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal & More


    9. Hugh Dancy (June 19)

    Hugh Dancy attends day 3 of Tokyo Comic Con 2024 at Makuhari Messe on December 08, 2024 in Chiba, Japan.
    Hugh Dancy attends day 3 of Tokyo Comic Con 2024 at Makuhari Messe on December 08, 2024 in Chiba, Japan.Mila Gruber/Getty Images

    He offered a riveting performance as criminal profiler Will Graham in the television series Hannibal (2013 to 2015), where his character had a complex relationship with Mads Mikkelsen’s Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Other projects include Ella Enchanted (2004), Evening (2007) and Adam (2009), as well as period dramas like Elizabeth I (2005) and the miniseries Daniel Deronda (2002). Dancy has been married to actress Claire Danes since 2009.

    10. Linda Cardellini (June 25)

    US actress Linda Cardellini arrives for the premiere of Netflix's "No Good Deed" at the Tudum Theater in Los Angeles on December 4, 2024.
    US actress Linda Cardellini arrives for the premiere of Netflix’s “No Good Deed” at the Tudum Theater in Los Angeles on December 4, 2024.Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images

    Her breakthrough role was as Lindsay Weir in the cult classic TV show Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), where she portrayed a bright high school student navigating the challenges of adolescence. From there she was Velma in the Scooby-Doo live-action films (2002, 2004) and Nurse Samantha Taggart in ER (2003–2009).

    Her career has included roles in Mad Men, where she played Sylvia Rosen, and the Netflix drama Dead to Me (2019–2022), earning award nominations for her portrayal of a grieving widow with a knack for dark comedy. Cardellini has also appeared in blockbuster films like Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) as Laura Barton, Hawkeye’s wife. Most recently she was part of the cast of the Netflix streaming series No Good Deed.

    11. Tobey Maguire (June 27)

    Tobey Maguire (2002 to 2007, 2021)
    moviestillsdb.com

    He achieved blockbuster leading man status with his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), which revolutionized the superhero genre and made him a household name. Prior to that superhero success, Maguire gained attention with roles in films like The Cider House Rules (1999) and Pleasantville (1998). He delivered a standout performance as the enigmatic Nick Carraway in Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby (2013) and has taken on producing roles through his production company, Material Pictures. In recent years, Maguire reprised his iconic Spider-Man role in the multiverse-spanning Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), a huge global hit.

    12. Judy Greer (July 20)

    Judy Greer, 2023
    Judy Greer, 2023David Livingston/Getty Images

    Judy Greer has built her career as a scene-stealing supporting actress in numerous hit films and television series. She’s especially recognized for her roles in romantic comedies like 13 Going on 30 (2004) and 27 Dresses (2008), as well as her memorable turn as Kitty Sanchez, the eccentric assistant in the cult-favorite TV series Arrested Development. In addition to her on-screen work, Greer has lent her voice to animated characters, most notably Cheryl Tunt in the long-running series Archer. She has also ventured into more dramatic territory with roles in films like The Descendants (2011) and Halloween (2018). Beyond acting, Greer authored a memoir titled I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star (2014), reflecting on her unique career in the industry.

    13. Charlize Theron (August 7)

    Charlize Theron
    Charlize Theron, 2024Getty Images

    Born in Benoni, South Africa, Charlize Theron is a critically acclaimed actress and producer renowned for her transformative performances and commanding screen presence. She first gained widespread attention with roles in films like The Devil’s Advocate (1997) and The Cider House Rules (1999). Her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003) earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, and she’s  proven herself equally adept in dramatic and action-packed roles, including standout performances in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Atomic Blonde (2017) and Bombshell (2019), for which she received another Oscar nomination. In addition to her acting career, Theron is an influential producer through her company, Denver and Delilah Productions, and a committed philanthropist. She founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) to support African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS. A U.N. Messenger of Peace, she’s a vocal advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality and social justice.

    On turning 50: “Charlize has always followed her own beat—from her career to her thoughts on marriage and aging in Hollywood. She is happy with the life she has created for herself, and as she is approaching her milestone 50th birthday, she is telling friends her life feels complete.” (reported buy geo.tv)

    14. Casey Affleck (August 12)

    Casey Affleck, 1999
    Casey Affleck, 1999Barry King/Liaison/Getty Images

    After early roles in films like Good Will Hunting (1997) and Ocean’s Eleven (2001), he gained recognition for his performance as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his deeply moving role in Manchester by the Sea (2016). From acting, he’s ventured into filmmaking, directing the mockumentary I’m Still Here (2010) and other projects.

    15. Kaitlin Olson (August 18)

    Kaitlin Olson attends Variety's 2024 Power Of Women: Los Angeles Event Presented By Lifetime at Mother Wolf on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
    Kaitlin Olson attends Variety’s 2024 Power Of Women: Los Angeles Event Presented By Lifetime at Mother Wolf on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.JC Olivera/Getty Images

    Best known for her role as Dee Reynolds on the long-running and critically acclaimed sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — a show she produces with her husband and co-star, Rob McElhenney. Other credits include the series The Mick (2017 to 2018) and, currently, High Potential, which premiered in 2024.

    16. Alicia Witt (August 21)

    Alicia Witt visits SiriusXM Studios on December 03, 2024 in New York City.
    Alicia Witt visits SiriusXM Studios on December 03, 2024 in New York City.Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

    Alicia Witt first gained recognition as a child prodigy when her exceptional piano skills led to appearances on That’s Incredible! and her acting debut in David Lynch’s Dune (1984). She further collaborated with Lynch in the cult television series Twin Peaks (1990), and appeared in the films  Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), Two Weeks Notice (2002) and The Upside of Anger (2005). Recurring TV roles include The Walking Dead, Nashville and Cybill. Beyond acting, she is an accomplished musician, having released several albums that highlight her poetic lyrics and piano-driven compositions.

    17. Scott Speedman (September 1)

    Scott Speedman as Ben Covington (Felicity TV Show Cast)
    2000/2002Getty Images

    Born in London and raised in Toronto, Scott Speedman was a competitive swimmer before an injury led him to pursue acting. He gained recognition for his role as Ben Covington in the series Felicity. Beyond Felicity, he’s been in Underworld and Grey’s Anatomy.

    18. Jason Sudeikis (September 20)

    KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 09: Jason Sudeikis speaks onstage during the 2024 Thundergong at the Uptown Theater on November 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
    Jason Sudeikis speaks onstage during the 2024 Thundergong at the Uptown Theater on November 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.Fernando Leon/Getty Images

    Born in Fairfax, Virginia, and raised in Kansas, Jason Sudeikis began his career in improv comedy at The Second City and ComedySportz. He became a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live in the mid-2000s. More recently, of course, there’s been Ted Lasso. for which he won multiple Emmys, as well as roles in Horrible Bosses, We’re the Millers and Booksmart.

    19. Kate Winslet (October 5)

    Kate Winslet, 2006
    Kate Winslet, 2006Vera Anderson/Getty Images

    Born in Reading, England, Kate Winslet trained at the Redroofs Theatre School and began her career in British television before making her film debut in Heavenly Creatures (1994). Her breakout role came as Rose in Titanic (1997). From there, credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), an Oscar-winning role in The Reader (2008), and more recently reuniting with James Cameron for 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water, a role she’s reprising in this year’s Avatar: Fire and Ash.

    On turning 50: “I don’t like big parties, and I can’t stand surprises. I want to spend the year doing 50 remarkable things, whether that’s a particular hike I’ve never done or a place I’ve never been, acts of kindness—I’m gathering a little list.” (Harpers Bazaar)

    20. Kellie Martin (October 16)

    Kellin Martin as Becca Thatcher in 1990 and 2022 (Life Goes On Cast)
    Getty Images

    Kellie Martin began acting as a child, appearing in commercials and small television roles before landing a starring role on Life Goes On (1989 to 1993). She later attended Yale University and would go on to appearances on different shows and TV movies, most recently 2022’s An Amish Sin.

    21. Tara Reid (November 8)

    Tara Reid attends GLSEN's Rise Up LA Benefit Gala at NeueHouse Hollywood on October 28, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
    Tara Reid attends GLSEN’s Rise Up LA Benefit Gala at NeueHouse Hollywood on October 28, 2023 in Hollywood, California.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

    Born in Wyckoff, New Jersey, Tara Reid began acting at an early age, appearing in commercials and children’s television. Her breakout role came in the teen comedy American Pie (1999), followed by Van Wilder (2002) and the Sharnado franchise (2013 to 2018).

    On turning 50: “I like getting older, I think it’s a good thing. I think being older gives me time and also makes people start to realize, ‘Hey, why are we picking on this girl?’ … People are going to see that they can’t judge me. You can’t judge me from when I was 25. It doesn’t make sense. I grew up.” (dailymail.co.uk)

    22. Mayim Bialik (December 12)

    Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo (Blossom Cast)
    1990/2023Getty Images

    Mayim Bialik grew up in San Diego, California, and started acting as a teenager. She’s best known for Blossom (1990 to 1995), The Big Bang Theory (as Amy Farrah Fowler between 2010 and 2019), and her most recent role as host of Jeopardy!.



    As 2025 approaches, we can’t help but reflect on the passage of time and how our favorite actors are aging gracefully in Hollywood. In the year 2025, some of our beloved actors will be hitting the big 5-0 milestone, proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent and beauty.

    One such actor is the charming and talented Bradley Cooper, known for his versatile roles in films such as “A Star is Born,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “American Sniper.” Cooper has captivated audiences with his performances and continues to impress with his dedication to his craft.

    Another actor turning 50 in 2025 is the charismatic Pedro Pascal, who has gained widespread recognition for his roles in “Game of Thrones,” “Narcos,” and “The Mandalorian.” Pascal’s magnetic presence on screen has earned him a loyal fan base and critical acclaim.

    As these actors reach this milestone age, we can only anticipate what new projects and roles they will take on in the coming years. With their talent and experience, there is no doubt that they will continue to leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

    Here’s to celebrating these actors as they enter their 50s in 2025 and to witnessing the incredible performances they will undoubtedly deliver in the years to come.

    Tags:

    1. Actors turning 50 in 2025
    2. Bradley Cooper
    3. Pedro Pascal
    4. Hollywood actors
    5. Milestone birthdays
    6. A-list celebrities
    7. Hollywood stars
    8. Celebrity news
    9. 2025 birthdays
    10. Age milestones

    #Actors #Turning #Bradley #Cooper #Pedro #Pascal

  • Bradley vs ISU basketball score updates, recap, highlights




    Bradley vs ISU Basketball Score Updates, Recap, Highlights

    The Bradley Braves faced off against the Illinois State Redbirds in an exciting basketball matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams came into the game with high expectations and were ready to battle it out on the court.

    Throughout the game, the score remained close as both teams traded baskets and played tough defense. The first half saw Bradley take a slight lead, but Illinois State fought back to tie the game going into halftime.

    In the second half, Bradley managed to pull ahead and maintain their lead, thanks to strong performances from their key players. Illinois State made a late push to close the gap, but Bradley’s defense held strong and secured the victory.

    Final Score: Bradley 78, Illinois State 72

    Key Highlights:
    – Bradley’s star player, scoring a game-high 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds
    – Illinois State’s standout performance, finishing with 20 points and 8 assists
    – The intense back-and-forth action that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game

    Overall, it was a thrilling game that showcased the talent and determination of both teams. Congratulations to Bradley on their hard-fought victory, and commiserations to Illinois State for a well-played game. Stay tuned for more updates on both teams’ upcoming matchups.

    Tags:

    1. Bradley vs ISU basketball
    2. Bradley vs ISU score updates
    3. Bradley vs ISU recap
    4. Bradley vs ISU highlights
    5. Bradley vs Illinois State basketball
    6. Missouri Valley Conference basketball
    7. MVC basketball score updates
    8. MVC basketball highlights
    9. Bradley Braves basketball
    10. Illinois State Redbirds basketball

    #Bradley #ISU #basketball #score #updates #recap #highlights

  • Bradley Braves vs. Illinois State Redbirds: How to watch, schedule, live stream info, start time, TV channel


    Who’s Playing

    Illinois State Redbirds @ Bradley Braves

    Current Records: Illinois State 12-8, Bradley 17-3

    How To Watch

    • When: Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET
    • Where: Carver Arena — Peoria, Illinois
    • TV: CBS Sports Network
    • Follow: CBS Sports App
    • Watch on Connected TV: CBS Sports App on Roku and Fire TV
    • Live Stream: CBSSports.com or fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
    • Ticket Cost: $16.00

    What to Know

    We’ve got another exciting Missouri Valley matchup on schedule as the Illinois State Redbirds and the Bradley Braves are set to tip at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday at Carver Arena. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard.

    If Bradley heads into halftime all tied up, they better play a good second half: that’s when Illinois State took over last week. Illinois State snuck past Indiana State with an 85-81 victory on Tuesday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Redbirds.

    Illinois State got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Dalton Banks out in front who went 6 for 7 en route to 21 points. The dominant performance also gave Banks a new career-high in field goal percentage (85.7%). Another player making a difference was Johnny Kinziger, who posted 20 points along with six assists.

    Meanwhile, Bradley had already won three in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 22.3 points) and they went ahead and made it four on Tuesday. They walked away with an 89-77 victory over the Bruins.

    Bradley’s win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was JaQuan Johnson, who had 17 points plus three steals. Johnson had some trouble finding his footing against Murray State on Saturday, so this was a nice turnaround. The team also got some help courtesy of Christian Davis, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and ten rebounds.

    Illinois State’s victory bumped their record up to 12-8. As for Bradley, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they’ve won nine of their last ten matches, which provided a nice bump to their 17-3 record this season.

    Keep an eye on the arc in Saturday’s game: Illinois State has made nailing deep shots look easy this year this season, having averaged 10.4 threes per game. However, it’s not like Bradley struggles in that department as they’ve been averaging 10.4. Given these competing strengths, it’ll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.

    Illinois State is hoping to beat the odds on Saturday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. They might be worth a quick bet since they’re sitting on a five game streak of covering the spread when playing as the underdog.

    Odds

    Bradley is a big 8.5-point favorite against Illinois State, according to the latest college basketball odds.

    The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 8.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

    The over/under is 140 points.

    See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.

    Series History

    Bradley has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Illinois State.

    • Feb 24, 2024 – Bradley 48 vs. Illinois State 45
    • Feb 03, 2024 – Bradley 73 vs. Illinois State 60
    • Feb 08, 2023 – Bradley 79 vs. Illinois State 61
    • Jan 25, 2023 – Bradley 79 vs. Illinois State 75
    • Feb 19, 2022 – Bradley 72 vs. Illinois State 64
    • Jan 16, 2022 – Illinois State 74 vs. Bradley 65
    • Feb 18, 2021 – Illinois State 88 vs. Bradley 71
    • Jan 20, 2021 – Illinois State 71 vs. Bradley 56
    • Feb 26, 2020 – Bradley 74 vs. Illinois State 71
    • Jan 22, 2020 – Bradley 75 vs. Illinois State 63




    The Bradley Braves will be facing off against the Illinois State Redbirds in an exciting college basketball matchup. Here’s everything you need to know to catch all the action:

    • Date: Thursday, February 10
    • Time: 7:00 PM EST
    • Location: Carver Arena, Peoria, Illinois

      How to Watch:
      The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

      Live Stream Info:
      You can also stream the game live on the ESPN app or on WatchESPN.com with a cable or streaming service login.

      Don’t miss out on this thrilling game between the Bradley Braves and the Illinois State Redbirds. Tune in to see which team comes out on top!

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  • ALLEN BRADLEY 194R-NN030P3 SER. B Switch- Free Shipping



    ALLEN BRADLEY 194R-NN030P3 SER. B Switch- Free Shipping

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  • NBA trade rumors: Bradley Beal could waive no-trade clause for right team, Kyle Kuzma open to being moved?


    The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 6, so between now and then there will be no shortage of rumors to keep us entertained. We’ve already seen a few trades go through, as the Brooklyn Nets jettisoned both Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith in exchange for draft capital from the Warriors and Lakers, respectively. But those won’t be the only moves made before the deadline as contenders try to find missing pieces, and rebuilding teams look to become sellers in hopes of adding draft picks and/or younger players.

    The biggest trade narrative that we’ll be watching is Jimmy Butler’s situation in Miami. Trading Butler is going to be difficult because of his contract, but also due to his age and injury history. There hasn’t been much traction yet on that front, but that doesn’t mean teams aren’t working the phones to try and get something done. Butler aside, here’s the latest intel from around the league as trade season is in full swing.

    Bradley Beal could waive no-trade clause for right team

    Beal’s time in Phoenix may be coming to an end, if he wants it to. There have been rumors bubbling about the Suns trying to trade Beal, ideally in hopes of landing Butler, but the wrench keeping that trade from happening is that Beal has a full no-trade clause. The Suns have to get Beal’s approval before making any trade involving him, but according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Beal might consider doing so for the right situation. The Suns have not approached Beal about a trade, as he’s said on multiple occasions, but Katz is reporting that Beal would consider waiving his no-trade clause if the right situation came along, which would ideally be in another winning situation.

    The Heat have said that if they were to trade Butler they would want players who can contribute to winning right now, and Beal fits that criteria. But Katz is reporting that Beal isn’t of interest to the Heat because of his no-trade clause, making it difficult to trade him down the line if they want to. A third team would all but certainly need to be involved for the Suns to land Butler, which is easier said than done. The Milwaukee Bucks have been mentioned as a potential third team to help facilitate Butler moving to Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean it will happen.

    Lakers’ LeBron James has seemingly begun his annual campaign to convince the team to make a trade

    Sam Quinn

    Lakers' LeBron James has seemingly begun his annual campaign to convince the team to make a trade

    Beal’s status with the Suns overshadowed the fact that Nurkic also got demoted from the starting lineup at the same time in favor of Mason Plumlee. Phoenix traded for Nick Richards last week and further pushed Nurkic down the totem pole, and now it looks like the team’s looking to trade the big man, per Katz. Similarly to Beal, though, finding a team willing to take on Nurkic is going to be difficult, especially as he’s now a fourth-string big man making $37.4 million between this year and next. Between declined production and an expensive contract, it might be unlikely that Phoenix finds a home for Nurkic before the deadline. If he does remain on the roster past Feb. 6, he’ll likely be a trade candidate in the offseason when he’s on an expiring contract for next season.

    Is Kyle Kuzma ready to be traded now?

    One of the bigger stories immediately after the trade deadline last season was Kyle Kuzma announcing that he rejected a trade that would’ve sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. Kuzma revealed that information to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, in which he said Wizards president Michael Winger presented him with the trade offer. Kuzma said he turned it down in part because he didn’t view the Mavericks as a championship contender. Cut to a few months after that, and the Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals. 

    Now, though, as another trade deadline approaches, Kuzma’s name is being mentioned yet again, and he might be changing his tune on wanting to stay in D.C.

    “We’ll see how it goes,” Kuzma said via The Athletic. “I don’t know. I didn’t think last year was the right time after signing the deal. That was kind of more of a last-year thing. I haven’t had conversations [with Wizards management]. I haven’t even talked about the deadline, haven’t talked about being traded. So, this is really the first time I’m really talking about it.”

    While Kuzma isn’t saying he’s completely open to a trade, he’s also not closing the door on it. And given the fact that he seems to have some input on if he’s traded or not based on his description of last season’s potential trade, he appears to be more open of the idea if the Wizards are looking to shop him. Kuzma’s stock certainly isn’t as high as it was a season ago, but he’s a quality two-way player who has already shown he can be a valuable piece on a championship team.





    With the NBA trade deadline quickly approaching, there are some intriguing rumors circulating around the league. One of the biggest names being mentioned is Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal, who could potentially waive his no-trade clause for the right team.

    Beal has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time now, as the Wizards continue to struggle in the Eastern Conference. Despite his loyalty to the organization, Beal may be open to a change of scenery if it means joining a contender.

    On the other hand, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma has also been mentioned in trade talks. Kuzma, who has had a rollercoaster career with the Lakers, is reportedly open to being moved to a new team.

    With the trade deadline approaching on February 10th, it will be interesting to see if any of these rumors come to fruition. Stay tuned for more updates on potential NBA trades as the deadline draws near.

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  • ALLEN BRADLEY 800TC-N330 / 800TCN330 (USED)



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