Good morning. Happy Deadline Day. Programming note: we’ll have a special newsletter around 5 p.m. ET to round up the day’s activity. Until then, let’s basketball.
Good morning. Let’s celebrate the NBA trade deadline.
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Two big resources for you: a list of every completed NBA trade this season, and a comprehensive list of rumors that will be updated throughout the day.
REST IN PEACE, JEROME KERSEY: One of the greatest Blazers and by all accounts a great human being passed away at age 52.
WHAT A DRAGIC: Not content to simply use reporters as a conduit, on Wednesday Goran Dragic publicly blew up the Suns’ front office and made sure everyone knew he wants to be traded because of a broken trust. FUN. Woj reports the Suns are furious with Dragic for making this decision so late in the trade season, and are trying to package his brother Zoran in any deal. (Zoran is making $1.5 million and has played a baker’s dozen worth of minutes all season.)
WEIRD BUT AWESOME RUMOR OF THE FORTNIGHT: The Wolves want to bring Kevin Garnett back to Minnesota for a swan song. KG has a no-trade clause, and hates change enough that a mid-season trade in what is likely to be his final season might be too much to bear. But man, if he’s cool with it, that would be so awesome.
REGGIE WANTS OUT, TOO: Reggie Jackson has asked the Thunder to move him. He’s a free agent in July, and would kindly like to get paid. OKC is highly unlikely to pay him what we wants. Hence, a trade. Sam Amick reminds us that he’s already turned down a deal in the 4-year, $48 million neighborhood.
GOOD JOB, TY: Ty Lawson didn’t show up to Denver’s first practice after All-Star, after nine days off, and didn’t give the team a heads up. He’s either trying to get himself traded or he’s a rather irresponsible adult. Or both.
SANDERS OUT: It looks like Larry Sanders intends to sit out the remainder of the season once he reaches a buyout with Milwaukee.
JOE JOHNSON IS LIKE ... “yeah, I know I’m in trade rumor. Duh?“
AS EXPECTED: Carmelo Anthony, after playing 30 minutes in the All-Star Game, has shut it down for the season.
LEE JENKINS ALERT: The best NBA writer in the world on James Harden’s unlikely MVP bid.
DURANT’S CHIP: Royce Young is always worth reading on Kevin Durant matters. Plus, check out the transcript from his instructive media session on Wednesday.
MO’NE THA GAWD: Mo’ne Davis’ spin move on Kevin Hart has led to his retirement from the Celebrity Game.
CURTAIN OF DISTRACTION: Oh dear, Arizona State fans have developed a free throw distraction scheme that actually seems to work! It involves unicorns making out, sometimes.
We’ll have near-constant reaction, analysis and rumors at SBNation.com/NBA all day. The deadline is 3 p.m. ET. And hey, if it’s boring, we still have two games Thursday night: Happy Deadline Day. See you soon.
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