NBA Player News

As a team, the Pistons weren’t really able to get much going in this game, outside of Hayes. Since his 0-of-6 stinker on November 1st, Hayes has played really solid basketball. He has three turnovers in their last five games, two of which came in this game. He has shot at least 50% from the field in three of his last five appearances. He also has two 20-point performances and a total of 31 assists during that stretch. He has really figured things out while playing alongside Cade Cunningham, and it seems like he’ll be a reliable optoin for the rest of the season.

Exum was ruled out for the rest of the season in November, and he’s on an expiring deal. Exum was included to make the deal work, but he may not ever suit up for Washington. He’ll enter free agency next summer.

SGA was able to play in OKC’s win over the Magic on Tuesday, but he’ll now miss at least five more games entering the break. OKC has the best record in the league, but they’ve faced a ton of injuries already this season. The added rest will be good for SGA in the long run. Ajay Mitchell (abdominal) should start when he returns, but there will be plenty of minutes and usage for everyone available, including the recently-acquired Jared McCain.

McCain got off to an incredibly hot start to his rookie season, but a season-ending injury, followed by an injury that delayed his start to this year, left McCain on the outskirts of a deep backcourt rotation in Philadelphia. He’s clearly talented, but he had to spend time in the G League this season and hasn’t been able to find the same magic that he had at the beginning of his rookie year. He’ll get a fresh start with the defending champs, which will be another tough rotation to crack. However, he’s talented enough to make this investment worth it for OKC.

Russell has been out of the rotation for most of the season in Dallas, and now he’ll join the rebuilding Wizards. It is unlikely that he is given any meaningful minutes, unless the Wizards feel he isn’t going to help them win too many games. Russell could certainly be a buyout candidate, which may be the only path for him to make an impact this season.

Hardy has been an electric scorer at time since he was drafted in the second round in 2022. He’ll now get a fresh start on a rebuilding team in Washington, and he could get a chance to play big minutes down the stretch of this season. However, he likely isn’t part of the Wizards’ plans for the future, so he may not find a long-term home in Washington.

The firsts include the Thunder pick in 2026 and a protected Warriors pick in 2030. Davis is set to be re-evaluated in late February, but managers shouldn’t expect to see him play much down the stretch as the Wizards look to improve their lottery odds. However, Davis joins Trae Young and a talented young core in Washington, and they should add another top pick this summer. Davis will form an elite defensive tandem down low with Alex Sarr that should allow Washington to return to the postseason as early as 2027, assuming they plan to keep him around.

This will be a second straight game with Boucher away from the team, but that won’t impact the Celtics’ rotation.

Hauser will miss the second leg of this back-to-back, though with a thumb injury, it likely isn’t to manage an injury. With Jaylen Brown (hamstring, knee) doubtful, Payton Pritchard and either Jordan Walsh or Hugo Gonzalez should step into the starting unit.

Brown finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s win over Dallas, but he is expected to sit out the second leg of this back-to-back. Sam Hauser (thumb) is out, which means there will be two open spots in the starting unit. Payton Pritchard should be back in the starting lineup, while either Jordan Walsh or Hugo Gonzalez should fill the other spot.

Anthony is expected to suit up despite the left ankle sprain. He has played a small role off the bench recently, but with Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) back, that may not continue. Anthony hasn’t been productive in those minutes either, so managers shouldn’t pay too much attention to his status.