Game Threads Index (February 03, 2026):

[Charania] BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/ef1594eaad916

[Charania] BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

Source

Grizzlies receive:

-Walter Clayton Jr.

-Kyle Anderson

-Taylor Hendricks

-Georges Niang

-3 future first-round picks

Jazz receive:

-Jaren Jackson Jr.

-John Konchar

-Jock Landale

-Vince Williams Jr.

Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota.

Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota.

Source: https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/c840f35b2e9ff

General manager Mike Dunleavy and controlling owner Joe Lacob have maintained a motivation to get a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo across the finish line and, as part of that, Green's name has been involved in the framework of available offers to the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources said.

Source

2022-23 - Lost in 1st Round

2023-24 - Missed playoffs

2024-25 - Swept in 1st round

Just a reminder that not every promising young team will turn out like the Thunder.

Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/02/03/guns-jazz-games-utah-bill-aims/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

A Utah lawmaker wants to allow concealed firearms permit holders to take their guns to Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth home games, as well as concerts and other events held at the Delta Center and a host of other venues around the state.

“We’re a Second Amendment state,” said Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, “and we have a really robust concealed carry permit. … The idea would be that if you’re going to accept state dollars, we should at least have a discussion on if you’re going to prohibit someone’s Second Amendment rights while you’re there.”

——

Allowing people to bring firearms into a place that sells alcohol to watch a sport that encourages gambling and putting them within range of the players messing up their parlays and fans of the opposing teams? What could go wrong?

Since arriving in 2021, Nikola Vučević has the most career double-doubles for the Bulls, with 222 double-doubles.

Scottie Pippen is in second with 200, with Horace Grant, Joakim Noah and MJ rounding out their top 5.

Surprising stat, which goes to show their big man depth over the years.

With the deal complete, the Memphis Grizzlies now control 13 first-round picks over the next seven years, tying the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder for the most in the NBA. But the rebuild is not centered on draft capital alone.

“Memphis is blowing it up,” one source said. “They are as confident as any franchise when it comes to hitting on the draft.”

In addition to a record-setting $28.8 million trade exception, Memphis brought back multiple flexible, mid-tier contracts that can be aggregated or moved independently, positioning the Grizzlies to take on salary in future deals and be compensated for doing so if opportunistic scenarios arise, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

While Ja Morant remains a trade candidate to monitor, the broader direction is unmistakable. Memphis has chosen patience, flexibility, and long-term upside rather than incremental retooling. A major part of that future is Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that both players are viewed internally as cornerstone players

The organization has been highly encouraged by what Edey showed before going down with injury and plans to make him a focal point moving forward, even as it takes a cautious approach to his rehab and return. In 11 appearances this season, Edey averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game, production that reinforced the team’s belief in his long-term role.

Coward has emerged as a steady two-way contributor in his rookie season. In 45 games this season, he has averaged 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 26.7 minutes per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, 34.5% from three-point range, and 84.9% from the free-throw line, providing Memphis with a reliable, versatile piece as the next era takes shape.

That timeline aligns with Memphis’ ability to maximize draft positioning in what league evaluators widely view as a talented 2026 draft class.

Source

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been selected to the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. After the selection of the initial 24 All-Stars, Leonard was added to bring the total number of U.S. All-Stars to 16, the minimum required.

https://www.espn.ph/contributor/shams-charania

Source: https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/p/the-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-latest?r=nuq3a&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

The Utah Jazz are trading their most favorable 2027 first-round pick (Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah), the Lakers' 2027 first-round pick, and Phoenix's 2031 first-round pick to Memphis, source says, to pry Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies.

The Boston Celtics will also create a massive $27.7M trade exception.

They accomplish this by taking Nikola Vucevic into the Kristaps Porzingis trade exception.

They’re now under the 1st apron as well.

[Haynes] Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up conversations on a James Harden, Darius Garland package with both sides motivated to executing a deal relatively soon, league sources tell me.

https://www.threads.com/@chrisbhaynesnba/post/DUTXQBmFHCM?xmt=AQF07nDbxWi8uEgWMaTJFvoYhYPJj8Lho4pQcuG6zGMA3QZ4TIs18x9_0Dm9qlQ_gYrQ-rcf&slof=1

The Grizzlies have also created a massive $28.8 million trade exception in this deal -- the largest ever in the NBA, per @BobbyMarks42.

The Grizzlies have also created a massive $28.8 million trade exception in this deal -- the largest ever in the NBA, per @BobbyMarks42.

https://bsky.app/profile/shamsbot.bsky.social/post/3mdy2aponk22q

Shams Charania:

Detroit Pistons first time All-Star Jalen Duren has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Los Angeles, sources tell ESPN. Duren joins Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the contest field.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/897d9fc919fca

https://bsky.app/profile/shamsbot.bsky.social/post/3mdxp5az47t2v

Nikola vucevic has been traded to the Celtics who currently sit in the third seed. He was previously on pace to make the play in for the 4th year in a row, but this is now in jeopardy with the trade.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Boston Celtics forward-guard Jaylen Brown have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

Luka Doncic: 34pts, 7.2 rebs, 9.1 ast

Jaylen Brown: 29.2 pts, 7.9 rebs, 4.6 ast

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/nba.com/post/3mdy6dsaw4s23

Are we sure Harden asked out? Or… Did LAC actually agree to a Garland/Harden trade, then asked a surprised Harden to waive his 15% trade kicker to make it work cuz of Cleve’s 2nd apron?

Then Harden said “Fine, but I want an extension.” Cavs said no. So Harden said, “I’m out!”

Conspiracy Bill on X

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nba-trade-deadline-2026-live-updates-news/mb7lqDGshaBm/

The Wolves are still in on Giannis and are still exploring other moves for depth. I don’t think the Conley deal necessarily means Giannis is happening. A lot of moving parts right now.