Keith Pompey: James Harden said he’s on pace to play …
February 5, 2023 | 5:21 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.
Serena Winters: “He’s a really, really nice person, but he’s a killer and he has the ability to internalize that and use it for gasoline.” – JB Bickerstaff on Darius Garland being left off the All-Star team this year. #Cavs #Pacers right NOW on @BallySportsCLE! #LetEmKnow
Jim Eichenhofer: Jonas Valanciunas is out for tonight. Had MRI that “came back clean” according to Willie Green. Ingram has some soreness in toe, which is why he will not play tonight vs. Kings
February 5, 2023 | 5:16 pm EST Update
Kyrie Irving expected to make his Mavericks debut on Wednesday against Clippers
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kyrie Irving is expected to arrive for a physical on Monday in Dallas and travel to make his Mavericks debut vs. the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday (10 PM ET, ESPN), source tells ESPN.
Alex Schiffer: T.J. Warren is probable for the Nets game against the Clippers tomorrow. Ben Simmons is questionable. Seth Curry is out.
