NBA Southeast

The Charlotte Hornets are attempting to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers' failed physical assessment of Mark Williams that resulted in a rescinded trade on Saturday.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Hornets have "been in contact with the NBA" and will "weigh avenues to challenge" Los Angeles failing Williams' physical and reversing the trade.

The Lakers initially sent rookie guard Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Hornets in return for Williams ahead of last Thursday's trade deadline.

On Saturday, Charania reported that the deal had been nixed after Williams' physical "showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam." Charania noted that the failed physical was not because of Williams' back, which has been an issue for him the last two seasons.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne noted that the Lakers "needed to feel confident he'd be healthy enough to be their starting center for the next 5-10 years" and did not trust he could do that after the physical.

Williams, 23, has been productive when healthy this year. He's averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game and could have been of use to Los Angeles, which is thin in its front court.

The issue for Williams, however, has been staying on the court. He has played just 129 of the Hornets' 214 games since he was drafted in 2022 due to a plethora of injuries. This year, he's missed 27 games due to back and foot injuries.

If the Hornets are successful in their dispute of Williams' physical, it seems he could be suiting up for the Lakers. Whether in Los Angeles or Charlotte, Williams will look to have a healthy second half of the season.

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball was ruled out of the team's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday due to right ankle soreness.

INJURY UPDATE: @hornets at BKN 1/10

LaMelo Ball (Right Ankle Soreness) has been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game. https://t.co/L5HgbezhVi

— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) February 11, 2025

Ball played 10 minutes in the first quarter of the contest but went into Charlotte's locker room after checking out of the game.

The 23-year-old has been plagued by ankle issues this season, appearing in just one of the Hornets' past seven games due to a sprained ankle that he suffered against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 27.

Ball finished with five points and three assists against Brooklyn, shooting 2-5 from the field.

Entering Monday's action, the former All-Star suited up in just 32 of the Hornets' first 50 games of the season. He missed time earlier in the year due to a calf injury.

Ball has proven himself as one of the NBA's top offensive guards when healthy, showcasing his flashy passing to go along with an improved pull-up three-point jumper.

To open his 2024-25 campaign, he's averaged 28.0 points and 7.4 assists to go along with 1.3 steals per game. While he's shooting just 41.6 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from behind the arc, he's attempting 12.2 long-range shots on a nightly basis.

Charlotte has struggled mightily when Ball isn't available, owning a mere 1-17 record in the 18 games that he hasn't played in this season.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft appeared in 75 games during the 2021-22 season, but he went on to play in just 58 games over the next two years combined.

Ball's 2022-23 season came to an end due to a right ankle fracture and he dealt with ankle issues throughout the ensuing year before he was eventually shut down for the season.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported on Oct. 25 that the guard started wearing ankle braces in an attempt to prevent health problems moving forward.

After leaving against Brooklyn, Ball's next opportunity to play will come against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

The Miami Heat landed Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Kyle Anderson as part of the Jimmy Butler trade last week, and team president Pat Riley was happy to have the trio onboard.

"They are now officially part of what we do believe in, which is our culture here with the Heat," he told reporters. "And we believe they are perfect players to be part of that. I think they'll show it."

Wiggins said he was excited for the change in scenery, though it would be an adjustment.

"It's time for a new chapter," he told reporters. "It's hard. But that's the NBA, transitioning midseason. That's the NBA. It's a business. I'm here. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited. I think we can do something special here. They've got a nice squad, great coaching staff, amazing fans. I'm looking forward to it."

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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The Miami Heat may have lost their former star, who wore No. 22, but they'll have a new star rocking No. 22 now.

Andrew Wiggins, who the Heat acquired in a deal for Jimmy Butler, will wear Butler's former No. 22, per the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds. The Heat also confirmed Wiggins' number on social media.

OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have acquired Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a 2025 protected first round draft pick from Golden State and Davion Mitchell from Toronto in exchange for Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, two second round draft picks & cash considerations in a 5-team deal. pic.twitter.com/y6rsrxAXVd

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 7, 2025

Wiggins had a down year last season but has returned to his normal self this year. The veteran forward is putting up 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during the 2024-25 campaign and could see his numbers get better as he becomes a primary scoring option in Miami.

Reynolds reported Thursday that Wiggins is hoping to make his Heat debut on Monday against the Boston Celtics.

Along with Wiggins, the Heat landed Kyle Anderson and a 2025 protected first-round draft pick from the Warriors and brought in Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors. Anderson, who joined Golden State ahead of the season, is averaging 5.3 points per game, while Mitchell, who is in his fourth season, is putting up 6.3 points per game.

Butler was the face of the Heat's franchise for six years, leading the team to a pair of NBA Finals, but it's a new era for Miami now. The Heat may not be championship contenders just yet, but they have a team more than capable of making a playoff run. Miami is currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 25-24.

Andrew Wiggins could play his first game in a Miami Heat uniform soon.

After being traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Heat as part of the Jimmy Butler deal, the veteran forward is hoping to be on the court by Monday when Miami faces the Boston Celtics, per the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

The Heat take on the Brooklyn Nets on the road on Friday, but that's likely too quick of a turnaround for Wiggins to get settled into Miami's locker room. If Wiggins is unable to suit up for Monday's game against Boston, the Heat will have a pair of tough games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks later next week that they could use him in.

Wiggins, who was with the Warriors from 2019 until Wednesday night, is having an outstanding year after struggling a bit last season. He's putting up 17.6 points, 4.6 boards and 2.4 assists per game as he joins the Heat.

In Miami, he should get a bigger role as one of the main scoring options, which could see him put up even better numbers.

Along with Wiggins, the Heat received Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker and a protected first-round pick in the trade. In the hours since the initial trade, Miami sent Tucker to the Toronto Raptors in return for Davion Mitchell in a move that helped it get below the first apron.

While Butler was the cornerstone of the Heat's franchise for six seasons, he clearly had no interest in remaining with the team and Miami will now enter a new era. The Heat might not be championship contenders yet, but making a playoff run with the addition of Wiggins and others is well within reason.

The Heat are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 25-24.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart will have a new home for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday reported that the Washington Wizards are acquiring Marcus Smart and draft picks from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marvin Bagley III and more. Bagley is making $12.5 million this season in the final year of his contract.

The Wizards are sending Marvin Bagley III to the Grizzlies as part of the deal, sources tell ESPN. Johnny Davis also sent to Memphis. https://t.co/QeEN5HCUGH

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

With several moving pieces, here's a look at each team's updated rosters and salary cap following the deal.

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Memphis Grizzlies Depth Chart

PG: Ja Morant, Scotty Pippen Jr.

SG: Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, Johnny Davis

SF: Jaylen Wells, Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson

PF: Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama

C: Zach Edey, Marvin Bagley III

Prior to the trade, Memphis had salary cap allocations totaling more than $170 million, per Spotrac.

Expiring contracts for both player sent to Memphis:

Marvin Bagley III: $12.5M

Johnny Davis: $5.3M

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

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Washington Wizards Depth Chart

PG: Jordan Poole, Malcolm Brogdon

SG: Bilal Coulibaly, Marcus Smart

SF: Khris Middleton, Corey Kispert

PF: Kyshawn George, Justin Champagnie

C: Alex Sarr, Richaun Holmes

Prior to the trade, Washington had salary cap allocations totaling more than $209 million, per Spotrac.

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In 19 games this season, Bagley is averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds. He was forced to miss time after suffering a knee sprain on Dec. 23 in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This is the second time Bagley has been traded in just over a year. The Wizards acquired him in January as part of a trade with the Detroit Pistons. The 25-year-old started 15 out of his 24 appearances in Washington during the 2023-24 campaign and averaged 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per game. He shot 58.2 percent from the field and 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from three-point range.

While his time with the Wizards was limited, Bagley showed improvement from his run with the Pistons. In 26 games with 10 starts in Detroit prior to being traded, he saw an average of 18.4 minutes of action and posted 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.

The No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, Bagley hasn't made the impact many expected he would following his dominant freshman season at Duke. His average of 14.9 points in his rookie season remains his career-high. He has been a serviceable big man with career averages of 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds, though he's not much of a rim protector with just 0.6 blocks.

Still, Memphis saw enough to make a deal to acquire Bagley. He will be joining a Grizzlies team headlined by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Grizzlies are hoping the addition of Bagley will help boost its chances of competing for a playoff spot this season.

As for the Wizards, they're getting a solid guard in Smart, though he has only played 19 games this season. The 30-year-old averaged just 8.7 points with the Grizzlies before being moved.

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly had eyes for Trae Young before deciding to trade for De'Aaron Fox instead.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Thursday on NBA TV that the Spurs were "considering" a move for Young, but "the way that the Spurs are set up right now, they are not set up to try to win games and contend now."

Haynes continued: "So there was never a hurry to bring in an established point guard to move on to the next phase. De'Aaron Fox kinda fell in their lap, and he picked them as the sole team he wanted to play with, so they chose him. It was a much easier route to get De'Aaron. But Trae Young was on the San Antonio Spurs' radar."

It does feel, however, like the Hawks will have to make a decision—and soon—on Young's future with the team.

When Atlanta won the draft lottery to secure the No. 1 pick and select Zaccharie Risacher in the 2024 NBA draft, it opened up a world of possibilities for the franchise coming off a 36-46 record last season.

And questions about Young's place in Atlanta have circulated for several years. Following the Hawks' playoff loss to the Boston Celtics at the end of the 2022-23 season, speculation about Young's future with the organization began.

Kevin O'Connor, then working for The Ringer, reported in April 2023 that the Hawks' front office had "the green light from ownership to do whatever it wants to with the roster, which includes considering trade opportunities involving [Young]."

Atlanta made a big bet in the summer of 2022 by acquiring Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. The deal cost the team a protected 2023 first-round pick (via the Charlotte Hornets), unprotected first-round draft picks in 2025 and 2027, plus a first-round pick swap in 2026.

Murray initially made a long-term commitment to the Hawks last July by signing a four-year, $114 million extension that began with the 2024-25 season. But the duo never quite jelled as imagined, and the team ultimately bailed on the pairing by trading Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Hawks have continued to make moves ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline that suggest they are slowly pivoting to a rebuild around a younger core group (or, at the very least, clearing out some future cap space to become players in free agency). On Thursday alone, they traded De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović in separate deals.

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/5fpE4LJzpK

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to the Atlanta Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jffPjDYiVm

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

Young still has another year remaining on his current contract plus a $48.97 million player option for 2026-27. He's proved capable of leading a team to the playoffs, but the jury is still out on whether he can be the No. 1 option on a title contender.

The Hawks did have one great playoff run with Young when they got to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. He helped put the franchise back on the map over the past five seasons.

Young has averaged at least 25 points and nine assists per game over each of the past four seasons. His scoring is down slightly this season (23.2 points per game), but he's leading the NBA with a career-high 11.5 assists per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly acquired center Mark Williams for a package including their top rookie and their last tradable first-round pick.

The Lakers sent Dalton Knecht, veteran forward Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap and an unprotected 2031 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets in order to acquire Williams, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Just In: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/QGUwETssGd

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

Williams reacted to the news in a post on X:

https://twitter.com/MarkWi1liams/status/1887370639905816704

Williams, who was limited to 62 games through his first two NBA seasons due to injury, has made just 23 appearances so far this season.

Although Williams has missed three of the Hornets' last seven games due to left foot injury management, ESPN's Dave McMenamin the Lakers are "confident in his medicals."

https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1887375469378437572

Williams, who turned 23 in December, has been effective when healthy. After sitting out the first 20 games of the season, he returned to contribute a career-high 15.6 points on 58.6 percent shooting from the field while adding 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 25 minutes per night.

Williams has a $6.2 million club option remaining on his contract and is scheduled to hit restricted free agency in 2026.

The Lakers are likely hoping Williams' rebounding will help the team replace Anthony Davis, who was traded earlier this week in the blockbuster deal for former Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić.

Adding the seven-foot center could give the Lakers a stronger frontcourt heading into the playoffs, providing Williams is able to stay healthy down the stretch.

In order to acquire a center to deploy alongside Dončić, the Lakers parted ways with a 2024 first-round selection in Knecht, who was averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing more than 20 minutes per night through 48 games of his rookie season.

Knecht has three more seasons remaining on his rookie deal, including two club options that could take his contract through 2028.

The Lakers also bid farewell to Reddish, who was in his second season with the team. The 25-year-old was averaging 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 18 minutes per game as a depth option.

Reddish is playing on an expiring contract and is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The deal left the Lakers $3.8 million below the second apron of the luxury tax, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The trade opens up a roster spot for the Lakers.

They are $3.8M below the second apron.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Lakers also gave up their 2031 first-round pick as part of the trade. The selection was the franchise's final tradable first-round pick, as noted by Marks.

The Hornets meanwhile own their next first seven first-round picks in addition to four additional first-round selections acquired through trades, according to Marks.

Here are the outstanding firsts for the Lakers:

Outgoing first round picks:

*⃣Unprotected first to Atlanta (2025)
*⃣Top-4 protected first to Utah (2027)
*⃣Unprotected first to Dallas (2029)
*⃣Charlotte has the right to swap (2030)
*⃣Unprotected first to Charlotte (2031)

They…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Hornets have nicely built their first-round picks in future years

*⃣Own first in the next 7 years
*⃣Top-14 protected first from Miami (2027, unprotected in 2028)
*⃣Top-2 protected first from Dallas (2027)
*⃣Right to swap firsts with LA Lakers (2030)
*⃣Unprotected first from…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Lakers have one tradable second-round pick and one roster spot remaining, Charania noted, after sending out Davis and Max Christie earlier this week and parting ways with Knecht and Reddish just before the deadline.

Williams could potentially join the Lakers for a Thursday night game against the Golden State Warriors, while Knecht and Reddish could join the Hornets before Friday's contest with the San Antonio Spurs.

Jonas Valančiūnas is joining the Sacramento Kings for their push to the playoffs.

The Washington Wizards are trading Valančiūnas to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

ESPN's Bobby Marks provided more details:

Sacramento is using most of their $12.8M non-tax mid-level exception to acquire the $9.9M salary of Jonas Valanciunas.

Sources tell ESPN that the Kings are sending a 2028 Denver second (if 34-60) and their own second in 2029 to Washington.

The Denver second was acquired from…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 5, 2025

Valančiūnas has averaged 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists through 49 games, mostly coming off the bench as a backup and mentor for rookie center Alex Sarr.

His rebounding is down from the double-digit averages he posted for four straight seasons between 2019 and 2023, but Valančiūnas remains an efficient contributor. He is shooting 54.7 percent from the field, including 56.7 percent from the two-point range, during his 13th campaign in the NBA.

The Wizards are losing an important veteran in the trade but will add draft capital to help continue their ongoing rebuild around young players like Sarr and Kyshawn George.

Valančiūnas is playing in the first campaign of the three-year, $30 million deal he inked in a sign-and-trade from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Wizards ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The contract is only guaranteed through next season, with a non-guaranteed $10 million slated for 2026-27.

General manager Monte McNair reportedly told the Kings ahead of the season that he wanted to see the team focus on offensive rebounding in 2024-25. The team then ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in the category in the early stretch of the season.

By adding Valančiūnas, the Kings can now expect more rebounding and additional scoring depth as the franchise works to build a contender following the trade of De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.

There's another update in the Jimmy Butler saga, but it doesn't appear the status quo has changed much for him and the Miami Heat.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Tuesday that Butler's representatives have "repeatedly told Heat he's in shape, healthy and ready to continue his career and move past this immediately."

"Their messaging to Heat has been to negotiate best deal possible and once in red zone, if that team is granted permission by MIA to speak with Butler's rep to discuss his longterm future, that dialogue would be welcomed," Haynes said. "To date, no team has asked for permission."

Sources: Jimmy Butler’s camp has repeatedly told Heat he’s in shape, healthy and ready to continue his career and move past this immediately. Their messaging to Heat has been to negotiate best deal possible and once in red zone, if that team is granted permission by MIA to speak…

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 4, 2025

That last part is the most crucial aspect. We're a little more than 48 hours away from Thursday's trade deadline, yet there isn't a single suitor who has advanced to the point where it reached out to Butler's reps directly.

The idea his camp is signaling the Heat to get the "best deal possible" is also at odds with what he and his agent are broadly communicating to other teams.

"The Suns and Warriors remain very key to watch here [for Jimmy Butler]." 😯 @ShamsCharania with the latest on Jimmy Butler's future with the Miami Heat. pic.twitter.com/jDiN6DTMbX

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 4, 2025

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Sunday the Golden State Warriors paused their pursuit after they were informally told Butler wouldn't sign a long-term extension. He followed up Tuesday on Get Up to report the Heat were prepared to accept an offer that included Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins but that Butler "didn't want it."

The six-time All-Star remains determined to go to the Phoenix Suns, which Windhorst described as "bizarrely admirable."

"He has torched his relationship with the Heat and hurt the team's season," the NBA insider wrote. "He has also blocked trade options that would be good fits, where he could have potentially gotten paid and been on a contender. But he's the rare difference-maker who can tilt the outcome of a playoff series and that comes with a lot of power. Butler is trying to use it."

From the jump, Butler and his agent have operated as if they possess more leverage than they actually have. Teams clearly aren't banging down the Heat's door to make a trade, and the Suns' desire to get him doesn't matter if Bradley Beal declines to waive his no-trade clause.

A month has passed since Butler formally requested a trade, and almost nothing has fundamentally changed.