NBA Player News

The Magic traded Jones to the Hornets on Wednesday for two second-round picks and cash considerations, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Per Keith Smith of Spotrac.com, the move puts the Magic under the luxury tax by approximately $1.4 million with two open roster spots. Jones signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Magic in July after spending the prior season with the Suns, but he saw his playing time in Orlando dwindle since starting in seven consecutive games in December. Jones will get a fresh start with the Hornets, where he and fellow newcomer Coby White are expected to provide backcourt depth behind LaMelo Ball and rookie Kon Knueppel.

Jenkins (two-way) is listed as out for Thursday's game against the Wizards, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports.

A two-way player, Jenkins has been active for 49 games at the NBA level this season, meaning he can suit up for the Pistons just once more before he would need to be converted to a standard deal in order to be eligible to play for Detroit. Expect Detroit to eventually convert Jenkins once Thursday's trade deadline passes, but the team looks as though it will hold the second-year guard out for the matchup with Washington. With Jenkins sitting out, the Pistons could look to Caris LeVert to cover the backup minutes at point guard behind Cade Cunningham (wrist).

Hunter is in the Kings' starting lineup against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Wednesday will be Hunter's first look in a Kings uniform after he was acquired from the Cavaliers on Saturday. The veteran forward's insertion into the starting lineup will result in Precious Achiuwa moving to the bench.

Achiuwa isn't part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Achiuwa will come off the bench for just the second time in 26 games, as the Kings will roll out a lineup of Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, De'Andre Hunter, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis. Achiuwa had played just 22 total minutes in his last two appearances, but he should be one of the first bigs off the bench Wednesday.

Jackson is in the Grizzlies' starting lineup against the Kings on Wednesday, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Jackson appears to be the early favorite to be a regular member of the Grizzlies' starting lineup after Jaren Jackson was traded to the Jazz on Tuesday. Jackson has scored in double digits in five of his last six outings, and over that span he has averaged 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 threes over 23.5 minutes per game.

Sabonis (back) will play in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Sabonis will return from a two-game absence due to lower back soreness. His return will likely push Maxime Raynaud back to the second unit. Since his minutes restriction was lifted Jan. 23, Sabonis is averaging 15.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 29.3 minutes across four games.

Watson went to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against the Knicks due to a right hamstring injury, Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports reports.

Watson came up favoring his hamstring and was taken out of the game at the 8:30 mark of the fourth quarter. He has been taken to the locker room, where he will be evaluated by medical staff to determine whether Watson can return to Wednesday's game. Julian Strawther should see a slight uptick in minutes if Watson is unable to return.

Barnes will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against OKC.

Barnes, after starting in each of his first 47 appearances, will come off the bench for the second time in three games. The Spurs will opt for a first unit of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama.

Williams is in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Spurs on Wednesday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Williams will make his eighth start of the season Wednesday -- and fourth in the Thunder's last six games -- due to the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein (eye). Williams averaged 4.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks over 25.0 minutes per game across his three prior starts.

Williams is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Williams will make his first start of the season as the Thunder are down to just eight healthy players, including all three two-way players. Williams has scored in double figures in four of his last seven appearances after doing so just five times in his first 24 outings.