Meanwhile, voluntarily moving Harden isn’t expected to be in play. But whether Houston can remain a part of the contending group going forward remains up for debate.
Meanwhile, voluntarily moving Harden isn't expected to …
February 5, 2023 | 5:35 pm EST Update
Philadelphia: Joel Embiid (left foot soreness) has been upgraded to available for Sunday’s game against New York.
Chicago: Alex Caruso (left midfoot soreness) has been upgraded to questionable for Monday’s game against San Antonio. Patrick Williams (right ankle sprain) is probable.
Dane Moore: Chris Finch said Jordan McLaughlin is available to play tonight
Detroit: Isaiah Stewart (left hip soreness) has been downgraded to questionable for Monday’s game against Boston. Cory Joseph (low back soreness) is available.
February 5, 2023 | 5:25 pm EST Update
Tim Hardaway Jr. on the trading block?
Multiple people familiar with the Mavericks’ pre-Irving approach highlighted Tim Hardaway Jr. as a player the team would like to move. Though a strong offensive contributor when in a shooting rhythm, Hardaway’s contract is viewed as a long-term investment that doesn’t justify his streaky production while limits the Mavericks’ future financial flexibility.
The front office is not finished exploring trade options to further reshape and upgrade the roster around 23-year-old franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic, a person familiar with the Mavericks’ thinking said less than an hour after the Irving trade.
Kevin Durant less than enthralled with Ben Simmons
Teams have been far more interested in trading for Durant than they have had interest in Irving. The phone lines are hot in Brooklyn, where every team will make its best offer to poach the NBA’s 14th leading scorer in all-time history. Yet whether or not Durant wants to remain in Brooklyn with Irving — the only other star on the roster — out of town is unclear. Ben Simmons has missed the last four games with left knee soreness, but sources familiar with Durant’s thinking tell the Daily News the star forward has been less than enthralled with Simmons, who is averaging just 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and six assists per game on a max contract in Brooklyn.
