NBA trade deadline: What Shams is hearing about the Raptors and trade talks around the league

The NBA The trade market has officially heated up with next week’s Feb. 9 deadline, and the talks between team executives are expected to get more serious as the next few days unfold.

The NBA is no secret Toronto Raptors are viewed as a swing team in this year’s trade market. Raptors vice chairman and president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster have what is considered a talented core of attractive pieces in Pascal, I’m sorry, Fred VanVleetO. G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr

With the Raptors’ disappointing season so far (they’re currently 23-28 and 12th in the East), contending teams have been told that the franchise will be deciding whether to be a buyer, seller – or permanent – not far from the deadline day, according to league sources who, like all other sources in this story, were granted anonymity to speak freely. The Raptors are currently 2-1 on their six-game road trip, which ends on February 5th.

The Raptors certainly have high price tags for key pieces like VanVleet and Anunoby. Can Toronto hang on with the talent it has – or go for the lottery and build more around Scotty Barnes?

What’s more, Nick Nurse’s future as the Raptors’ head coach is expected to come under fire this summer as sources say he will enter the final year of his contract starting next season. After the 2019-20 season, Nurse, who led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, won the 2020 coach of the year and is considered one of the best coaches in the league, signed a contract through 2023-24 worth $8 million per year. The team did not previously disclose the length of the deal. There has been frustration on the roster and staff with the team’s play at certain points this season, and according to sources, that has also been directed at Nurse at times.

Meanwhile, two players whose names have been part of trade talks since the start of the season Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder and Atlanta Hawks a great man John Collins. Both teams are expected to continue a strong dialogue regarding both as February 9 approaches.

In the new development, the Suns have given permission to Bucks to meet with Crowder, and the two met over the weekend, according to league sources Athletic. The Bucks are believed to be the only team cleared to meet with Crowder one-on-one, those sources also revealed. Several teams, including Miami Heat and the Hawks remain interested in Crowder, who is viewed by championship-contending teams as a solid acquisition at the deadline.

Both the Suns and Bucks have been in serious trade talks for months involving current offers Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and second-round draft compensation to Phoenix for Crowder, according to sources. The Bucks and Suns are both looking for a third team to give Phoenix a power forward — so what’s the outcome between now and next Thursday?

For their part, the Hawks, under new director of basketball operations Landry Fields, have won six of their last nine games since Jan. 13 and have been patient in their approach to trade talks. According to sources, Fields made it clear to Rivals executives that the team views Collins as a valuable asset, not one that the franchise will simply discard in any form. The new approach could lead to more traction in the Collins market over the next two weeks.

The Jazz remain among the teams with strong interest in Collins, and AthleticKelly Icko reported last week what Rockets also pursuing Collins. When the Jazz and Hawks discussed a Collins deal earlier in the season, Atlanta asked Malik Beasley and Jared Vanderbilt, according to sources. The Jazz responded by asking for a first-round pick, and when the Hawks declined, negotiations stalled.

It remains to be seen where the conversations will go between Fields and the Jazz front office led by general manager Danny Ainge and general manager Justin Zanick.

The NBA is less than two weeks away from one of the biggest days on the league calendar. Buyers and sellers will appear, moves will begin to arrive. Team executives believe the championship opportunity is wide open this season, adding to the urgency for some while providing a long-term market situation. We will have much more when the league talks unfold.

More NBA news and notes…

Hornets is a discussion center Mason Plumlee and forward Kelly Oubre Jr in trade talks, sources say.

Forward Jalen McDaniels continues to be the name of several teams such as the Suns, Raptors, Jazz, Pacers and Spurs is being watched closely, but the Hornets value the 6-foot-9 forward they’ve developed over the past four seasons. Teams with interest and cap space this offseason, such as the Jazz, Pacers and Spurs, could wait until free agency to court the unrestricted McDaniels instead of trading an asset to acquire him now, and should compensate him in July.

The Jazz are showing strong interest in the Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-SmithSources say the teams are under the impression that Dallas would be willing to move the 29-year-old in a deal suitable for a star-level player. The Mavericks have an incredibly high price tag for teams to approach Phinney-Smith, opposing executives say.

In seven seasons with the Mavericks, Phinney-Smith has established himself as an important two-way wing, a well-liked teammate and important to the team’s culture, including being an MVP candidate Luka Doncic. But it’s clear that Phinney-Smith has also become a major piece for Dallas if the organization wants to land a blockbuster deal for an All-Star before the deadline or in the offseason.

Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $55 million contract last season that kept him under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26.

The Nuggets are in active trade talks around the point guard Kosty Highlandwith commands like Minnesota expressing interest, according to sources.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves guard Jaylen Nowell sources say he is leaning toward leaving the team in the offseason via free agency. Nowell — a 23-year-old guard who is averaging 10.9 points in 19.7 minutes per game — will be a sought-after unrestricted free agent in July. While Nowell has had moments of dynamic scoring this season, he is shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from three.

Nowell, who is making $1.9 million in the final season of his rookie deal, is currently eligible for a four-year, $58 million max extension.

San Antonio Spurs

Several teams are increasing their pursuit of the Spurs center Jacob Poeltl, and it appears that a move to the Eastern Conference could be possible early. Raptors and Celtics are among the teams expressing interest in Poeltl, sources say. 27 years old could potentially become a major unrestricted free agent in July.

Toronto Raptors

The Nix Sources say the Suns are also among interested suitors for Raptors forward OG Anunoby. New York has shown a willingness to offer Anunoby several times in the first round, according to those sources. The Suns, meanwhile, control all of their first-round picks — eight in all — through 2030. SNY first reported the Knicks’ interest last week.

(Top photo by OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet: Cole Burston/Getty Images)