NBA Central

The Cleveland Cavaliers could target the Chicago Bulls' Lonzo Ball or Brooklyn Nets' Bill Simmons if either player is bought out this season, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst said Tuesday on ESPN Cleveland he believes the Cavaliers will be looking for "a perimeter guard who has size and can defend."

"Two guys who could be bought out, that fit that bill, are Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons," Windhorst said.

Both Ball and Simmons are playing on expiring contracts, with Ball having exercised a $21.4 million player option and Simmons earning just over $40 million in the final year of his deal.

ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported in December that the Nets had "zero interest" in buying out Simmons, who has taken on a larger role with the team following the trade of Dennis Schröder.

If the Nets do decide to part ways with Simmons this season, however, a buyout is likely their only option. The size of Simmons' contract and his 6.3 point-per-game output do not make him a viable trade candidate.

Ball is meanwhile averaging 7.0 points per game in his first campaign back after missing two and a half seasons with knee injuries.

After acquiring Josh Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason, the Bulls could consider moving on from Ball, especially given his expiring contract.

If possible, the Bulls would likely prefer to get assets back for Ball's expiring contract.

There is also the chance Ball plays out his contract in Chicago. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie recently reported that the Bulls "are thought to be very happy with Ball and love having him around the team for his presence in the locker room."

The trade deadline is Feb. 6, and the buyout deadline is March 1. Both Simmons and Ball could still be with their current teams by then. If either is bought out, however, the Cavs could consider trying to add either player on a potentially discounted salary.

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly hesitant about giving their veteran center a big extension this offseason.

Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Myles Turner's future with the Pacers could be in question due to his impending free agency and a potential disconnect in contract talks.

"It's specifically just a basic contract situation of he is about to be an unrestricted free agent and he's going to want $30-plus million and I've heard Indiana is not sure if they want to give him $30-plus million," Buha said on his YouTube channel on Saturday (40:00 mark). "If they don't, then from an asset management perspective, it makes sense to trade him and get something back for him."

Buha also noted earlier this week that he's heard "a little bit of chatter" about the Pacers' willingness to trade Turner.

Turner, a 10-year veteran who has played his entire career with Indiana, is in the final season of a two-year, $58 million extension he signed in 2023. While some of his numbers have trailed off, he's still been great for the Pacers, putting up 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, the fifth-best mark in the league.

A handful of teams would likely put in an offer for Turner if he were to become available, and the Los Angeles Lakers would presumably be among the interested squads. Los Angeles is on the cusp of being a contender but is likely at least one move away. Earlier this week, Lakers star Anthony Davis said that move should be adding to the frontcourt.

"I think we need another big," Davis told ESPN's Shams Charania. "I feel like I've always been at my best when I've been the 4, having a big out there."

It might be tough to land Turner given that the Lakers don't have much trade capital, but putting the big man next to Davis and LeBron James would make Los Angeles a team to watch in the Western Conference.

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly keeping the possibility of a midseason shakeup in mind.

Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that the Bulls are "seeking change" and are listening to offers on forward Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vučević.

"Several executives who have spoken to the Bulls this month have described their motivation as 'seeking change,'" Bontemps and Windhorst wrote. "But what does that actually mean? The Bulls have also made it known they will take offers on both Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, sources said, with LaVine being linked to various permutations of extremely complicated multiteam Butler trades and Vucevic being linked to the Warriors and others, according to our ESPN colleague Shams Charania."

The Bulls are currently 19-26 and sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference. This is good enough for the final play-in tournament spot but also could hold the team back from a higher draft pick that could help reset the roster.

LaVine is averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 40 games for Chicago. He has been involved in trade rumors for years but reportedly prefers to remain with the Bulls instead of being dealt at the deadline, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. He is under contract through 2025-26 with a player option for 2026-27

Vučević is averaging 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 40 games in 2024-25 and is under contract through 2025-26.

In the latest round of the neverending Zach LaVine trade rumors, the two-time All-Star reportedly wants to stay with the Chicago Bulls for the remainder of this season.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, LaVine's preference is to remain in his current spot rather than being dealt prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Fischer noted LaVine's name has recently popped up in multi-team scenarios that would help facilitate Jimmy Butler's trade away from the Miami Heat, but he's not pushing to be dealt even though that won't stop Chicago from moving him if the right offer comes along.

One other option floated by Fischer involved a LaVine-for-Bradley Beal trade.

"Sources say Phoenix, to name one example, could emerge with interest in exploring a swap of Bradley Beal for LaVine, sources said, depending on how the rest of the trade landscape develops in the coming weeks," Fischer wrote.

The latter scenario would seem like a non-starter because Beal has a full no-trade clause that allows him to control where he goes. There's been nothing connecting him to Chicago at this point.

In fact, Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said on the record that rumors of his client being willing to waive his no-trade clause if he could go to the Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers were "created out of thin air."

LaVine has done a good job this season of shifting the narrative around him. He has long been regarded as an "empty stats" player whose individual box score looks good but has no real positive impact on winning games.

While the Bulls (19-26) still aren't a very good team, LaVine is hardly to blame for their struggles. He's averaging 24.0 points on 51.3 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

ESPN's Shams Charania noted on Wednesday that rival executives have "applauded" LaVine's performance, adding he has also impressed Bulls officials with his "professionalism and leadership" this season.

The same issues that have prevented LaVine from being traded in the past are still prevalent. He's making $43 million this season and $46 million next season, plus a $49 million player option for 2026-27.

As well as LaVine has played so far this season, that's a significant financial investment for any team to make for a player who has run hot and cold throughout his career. It's especially difficult to add those salaries with the new collective bargaining agreement restrictions that come if you pass the first or second aprons.

The best time for the Bulls to explore a LaVine trade would be the offseason when more teams have more cap flexibility to take advantage of while they try to maximize a return for the 29-year-old.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has come up in trade rumors as the Feb. 6 deadline draws nearer, but it sounds like the team has no plans of dealing him away.

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie dismissed the possibility of the Bulls trading Ball this season, noting that Chicago views him as a valuable member of the team.

"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," Vecenie stated.

During an appearance on Hoops Tonight, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers were eyeing Ball for a potential reunion with their 2017 No. 2 pick.

"I think Lonzo is someone that's going to be on their radar, and I think depending on the price if you could get him for a second or two seconds, I think that's an interesting swing," Buha stated.

However, Ball's impending free agency and injury history make it unlikely that a team would be willing to give up significant assets to acquire him.

"It's unclear whether Ball can play a full schedule," Vecenie added. "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."

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly eyeing potential trades for a veteran wing ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.

According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, the Bucks "are thought to have interest in at least exploring what deals could look like for" Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine and Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal.

Milwaukee ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 24-17 record. The team had some inconsistencies after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Cup championship, but it seems to have gotten back on track with four straight wins entering Thursday night's game against the Heat.

While Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have performed at All-Star levels this season, they've lacked a consistent third option. Veteran forward Khris Middleton was forced to miss the start of the season after recovering from surgery on both his ankles and is still rounding into form.

Vecenie pointed out that Milwaukee's pursuit of Butler, LaVine or Beal would likely require them to give up Middleton, and he expressed skepticism that the team would be willing to do that.

"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," Vecenie wrote. "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."

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly not interested in acquiring Bradley Beal despite rumors to the contrary.

"Contrary to popular belief, I was just informed that the Milwaukee Bucks have not inquired about Phoenix Suns' star Bradley Beal," NBA reporter Chris Haynes said Wednesday. "In fact, it was explained to me that a connection between the two is nonexistent. So if Phoenix is able to acquire Jimmy Butler, it would not come via the Bucks taking on the star guard."

That comes after Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic on Wednesday that any reports suggesting Beal would waive his no-trade clause in deals involving the Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat or Los Angeles Lakers were "created out of thin air."

"The part of the business that every player dreads is having no control over his future when it comes to trades, and so the fact that we have control of that aspect of Brad's career is something that is extremely precious and is an asset that we certainly would never want to relinquish," he added. "Having said that, I never operate in terms of absolutes, meaning that we would never say there would never be a trade that you would not consider. You always keep an open mind like everyone does in all aspects of their life, and so if something was to come around that you were truly excited about, you always have to consider those things."

Now, however, it sounds as though the Bucks aren't among the teams interested in Beal. And frankly, such a pairing never made much sense.

On the court, a Beal and Damian Lillard backcourt would have been skewered defensively, putting a ton of pressure on rim-protectors like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. Hiding one player on defense in the playoffs is difficult enough—trying to hide your entire starting backcourt is basically parting the seas for the opposing team.

But the Bucks would also had needed to match $50.2 million salary in a trade for Beal, meaning they would've either needed to move Khris Middleton and other pieces or dealt the trio of Lopez, Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, nuking their depth in the process.

It just never quite added up for the Bucks. And even if they decide they do need to shake things up around Antetokounmpo and Lillard, it sounds as though they'll be exploring other avenues to do so.

The Chicago Bulls have received trade calls from other teams regarding Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Golden State Warriors are one of the teams "expressing interest" in Vučević, according to Charania.

LaVine and Vučević are the only players averaging at least 20 points per game in Chicago. At 19-25 and 10th in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls currently sit in range of a play-in spot, but a recent five-game losing streak could compel them to enter the Feb. 6 deadline as sellers.

LaVine is averaging 24.0 points per game on some of the most efficient shooting of his career, including a career-high 51.4 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from deep.

Vučević is meanwhile contributing 20.3 points per game, his highest total since his first full season with the Bulls in 2021-22, on similarly effective shooting (55.4 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from behind the arc.)

The Bulls have reportedly been seeking a trade for LaVine and his $215 million max contract almost since he signed the deal with the team in 2022.

His value could be at a high given his production and health this season, although any deal would still be complicated by his contract situation. As one Western Conference general manager told ESPN's Bobby Marks in December, his average salary of $43 million "boxes you into a corner on how we can add to the roster."

Vučević has a more movable contract, given that he is signed for just one more season at an average annual salary of $20 million, and Charania's report is not the first time he has been connected to the Warriors.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto recently wrote that the Warriors are concentrated on improving their frontcourt before the trade deadline.

The Athletic's Anthony Slater meanwhile reported that Warriors have "talked plenty internally about the need for a center who makes 3s consistently" in order to space out the floor for Stephen Curry and create better matchups for Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga.

Both Scotto and Slater mentioned Vučević's name as a fit for these needs.

The Bulls are currently set to send their 2025 first-round draft pick to San Antonio as part of the 2021 DeMar DeRozan trade, but will get to keep the selection if they end up in the top 10. Bulls coach Billy Donovan recently said the team's goal is not to be "just stuck in the middle."

If the Bulls decide postseason contention is an unrealistic goal, moving out LaVine and Vučević while their trade value is high and accruing future assets in return could set them on course for a busy draft in April.

The Los Angeles home of Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Ty Jerome was burglarized last week, per TMZ Sports.

The robbery occurred on Friday, Jan. 17, while the Cavs were on a three-game road trip. They were in Oklahoma City facing the Thunder on Thursday and traveled to Minnesota on Saturday to take on the Timberwolves.

According to TMZ, the suspects broke in through a glass window and left the house shortly after getting in. Jerome is expected to work with the local police to determine what was stolen from his home. Police are still investigating the burglary.

A number of athletes have dealt with break-ins over the past few months. Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and more have been victims of robberies.

In December, the FBI issued a warning to pro sports leagues about athletes' homes being targeted during games or road trips. The FBI said in its report that organized theft groups from South America use social media and other public information to figure out when athletes will be away from their residences. The groups also use technology such as Wi-Fi jammers to bypass alarm systems and block wireless internet connections.

"These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash," the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report.

It's unclear whether Jerome's home being robbed is connected to the groups that the FBI warned leagues about.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the league as a result of both outstanding play and great chemistry.

As the trade deadline nears, the Cavs are reportedly listening to offers but are hesitant to make any moves that could disrupt the team's chemistry, per NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

"Beyond its four mainstays, Cleveland is said to be listening to pitches but generally reluctant to do any sort of trade-deadline tinkering given how good the chemistry has been during the Atkinson Era," Stein and Fischer wrote.

At this point in the season, the Cavaliers don't have much of a reason to be active around the trade deadline. They are off to a historically good 34-5 start and sit firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference.

As Stein and Fischer noted, any trades likely wouldn't feature Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen. It wouldn't be surprising if Cleveland wanted to keep all of the players in its regular rotation to ensure it doesn't disrupt the chemistry they've developed.

If the Cavs decide to make some moves before the deadline, there could be a handful of players around the league hoping to be included in a package. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported last week that Cleveland has become a desirable location this season.

"Something interesting has happened this year with the Cavs, I've had multiple agents tell me that their players want to play in Cleveland," Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland. "Part of it is because they know that Dan Gilbert will spend money and that if they trade for their client, their client can get paid. Part of it is they like the way the Cavs are playing, stuff like that. That is an indication to me that they're being well-received. The way they're playing is being well-received."

Whether the Cavs opt to have an active trade deadline will be determined within the next month, but the roster they have at the moment seems more than capable of competing for a championship.