NBA Player News

The Hornets traded Jones to the Mavericks in exchange for Malaki Branham on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The Mavericks have reportedly been eying Jones this season, and they were able to strike a deal on deadline day to bring him into the fold in Dallas. He's an intriguing addition, as Jones will add some playmaking at the guard position that they didn't previously have, and it'll be interesting to see how large a role he's able to carve out, competing for minutes with Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams. Jones could be worth a speculative add in deep leagues for those seeking some dimes and steals. He can be considered questionable to make his Mavericks debut Sunday in San Antonio.

Richards was traded to the Bulls on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Richards, who'd fallen out of favor in Phoenix, was traded, along with Nigel Hayes-Davis, to the Bucks on Thursday in exchange for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey. However, the Bulls swept in right before the deadline to swap Ousmane Dieng for Richards. Jalen Smith was set for a long runway after Chicago traded Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics, but Richards' presence as a quality backup may hinder Smith's fantasy ceiling moving forward. Richard can be considered questionable for Saturday's game against Denver while the deal finalizes.

The Mavericks are trading Branham to the Hornets in exchange for Tyus Jones on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

It's a simple one-for-one swap that offers both sides their preferred backcourt depth option. Branham, who was just moved to Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis (finger) trade Wednesday, should slot into a similar position he held with the Wizards earlier this year. Branham averaged 9.9 minutes per game over 28 regular-season appearances for Washington.

The Bulls have traded Dieng to Milwaukee, with Nick Richards going to Chicago, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Dieng was traded to Chicago on Wednesday, and now he's been flipped again. Milwaukee is not a bad landing spot for Dieng, as the team could pivot toward a youth movement down the stretch due to Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) being on the sidelines. Dieng should be considered questionable to debut Friday against the Pacers.

Brown and Ivica Zubac (personal) are being traded to the Pacers on Thursday in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin (rest), Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Brown will help back up Pascal Siakam (rest) in Indiana, but it's unlikely the former will suddenly emerge with fantasy value on his new team. Over 118 career games through three years of NBA experience, Brown has recorded averages of 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest. He should be considered questionable for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

Sochan won't play in Thursday's game against the Mavericks due to a left quadriceps strain, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.

Sochan is out for a fifth straight contest with the injury. The 22-year-old forward's absence doesn't appear to alter the Spurs' frontcourt rotation. His next chance to play comes during Saturday's meeting with Dallas.

Waters (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Waters is typically an emergency depth option for San Antonio, so his absence is unlikely to make any waves in fantasy hoops.

The Pacers traded Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin (rest), two first-round picks and one second-round pick to the Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac (personal) and Kobe Brown, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

After playing an inconsistent role for the Pacers in 2025-26, Jackson will head to Los Angeles and could compete with Brook Lopez for the starting role. Jackson signed a three-year, $21 million deal with Indiana this past summer and spent the first five-plus years of his career in Indiana. Over 38 regular-season appearances (14 starts) for Indiana this season, the big man averaged 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per contest. For now, he should be considered questionable for Friday's game against the Kings.

Olynyk (foot) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.

Olynyk hasn't been in San Antonio's rotation recently, but he'll be a candidate to soak up some minutes if he's cleared to play Thursday with the team very shorthanded at the moment. The veteran big man has averaged 9.5 minutes across 28 regular-season appearances.

Kornet has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks due to left ankle soreness and left adductor tightness, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.

After grabbing 15 boards in 15 minutes during Wednesday's win over the Thunder, Kornet will take a seat for the second half of San Antonio's back-to-back set. Carter Bryant should stick in the rotation Thursday, while Kornet is expected to be back in action Saturday during a rematch against Dallas.