RealGM Basketball Wiretap

31 January 2025

• Spurs Have Previously Made Trade Inquires On LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland

  The San Antonio Spurs have registered interest in both Darius Garland and LaMelo Ball during previous transaction cycles, sources tell Jake Fischer. San Antonio is now linked to De'Aaron Fox, who has identified them as his preferred destination.

  The Spurs called the Cleveland Cavaliers last June on Garland when they still owned the No. 4 and No. 8 pick in the draft. The Cavaliers did not reciprocate much interest in discussing a Garland trade at that time.

  The Charlotte Hornets similarly never invited trade inquiries on Ball, who is having a bounce back 24-25 season.

  The Spurs have also had some level of interest in Josh Giddey as they look for a playmaker to pair with Victor Wembanyama.

• Terry Rozier Investigated By Feds In Illegal Gambling Inquiry

  Terry Rozier is being investigated by federal prosecutors to determine whether he manipulated his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme. The same investigation has already led to a criminal charge and a lifetime ban from the NBA for former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter.

  Rozier hasn't been charged with a crime or accused of wrongdoing. It couldn't be learned if investigators have determined whether he was deliberately helping bettors.

  The game in question took place on March 23, 2023, when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. The betting on Rozier was strange enough that day to raise alarms at U.S. Integrity, a firm that works with sports entities, gambling operators and government agencies to monitor betting markets for suspicious activity.

  Rozier played just over nine minutes before being substituted out during a timeout. He left with a foot injury and didn't return. Rozier would miss the remaining eight games for the Hornets

  "In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier's performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. "The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation."

• LaMelo Ball Out At Least One Week With Ankle Sprain

  LaMelo Ball will miss at least another week as he continues to recover from a left ankle sprain sustained during Monday's game. Ball will be reevaluated in one week to determine if he can return to game action.

  Ball has had an All-Star caliber season as he's averaging a career best 28.2 points to go with 5.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season.

  Ball played in just 36 games in 22-23 and in 22 in 23-24 as he previously dealt with ankle injuries.

• LaMelo Ball Leaves Hornets' Loss With Ankle Injury

  LaMelo Ball left the Charlotte Hornets' 112-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter due to a left ankle injury.

  Ball, who did not return to the game, stepped on Jarred Vanderbilt's foot as he backpedaled down the court.

  Charles Lee had no updates on Ball's status after the game.

  Ball has been wearing braces on his ankles this season to protect against injury.

• Brandon Miller Out For Season With Surgery On Right Wrist

  Brandon Miller underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Miller will miss the remainder of the season and updates on his status will be provided as appropriate.

  
  Miller recorded 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 outings this season, and he connected on 3.9 3-pointers per game, the fifth-most in the NBA. He has appeared in 101 games (95 starts) across two NBA seasons and holds career averages of 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

  Miller was named to the All-Rookie First Team last season, in addition to earning three Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors and a spot in the Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend.

• Brandon Miller Out Indefinitely With Torn Ligament In Wrist

  Brandon Miller is out indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his right wrist, the Charlotte Hornets announced on Friday.

  Miller was hurt on Wednesday against the Jazz.

  "I was in the same kind of situation, my rookie year, or sophomore, whatever. I know how he feel, we just always have his back, watch out for him," said LaMelo Ball of the injury.

  Miller is averaging 21.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27 games this season.

• Hornets Willing To Listen To Nick Smith Jr. Trade Offers

  The Charlotte Hornets have been willing to discuss potential trade involving Nick Smith Jr., rival teams tell The Stein Line. Smith was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 draft by the Hornets. Since that pick was made, the Hornets have hired Jeff Peterson to replace Mitch Kupchak.

  Smith has appeared in 19 games with the Hornets this season, averaging 4.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.9 minutes. Smith is shooting 36.7 percent on three-pointers after shooting 43.2 percent as a rookie.

• Hornets Open To More Trades; Focused On Long-Term Success

  The Charlotte Hornets recently traded Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns for Josh Okogie and future second-round draft picks. Hornets front office leader Jeff Peterson indicated that he's open to making more deals too.

  "We've received calls on multiple of our players," Peterson said. "Nick Richards, we received multiple calls on him. We have good players. I think some of the injuries from a synergy standpoint have made it really tough to jell and see what this group can do.

  "But, yeah, I think at this point, look, we are going to listen to everything. We are not going to do anything to compromise the future, but we are going to do what's best for the organization that we see going forward in order to be sustainable going forward."

  Peterson said he won't sacrifice long-term success to chase a playoff spot in the short-term.

  "I have zero interest in making the playoffs for one year, and then being out for the next four or five, and then in for two and out again after that," Peterson said. "So, we want to again build something that has sustainability to it. So, at the same time, we've got to continue to take advantage of deals like this that's adding picks to our treasure chest, if you will, or whatever it may be for us to have that optionality."

• NBA Reschedules 9 Games Postponed By Wildfires, Ice; Clippers To Play 6 Games In 9 Nights

  The NBA rescheduled nine games featuring nine teams postponed by wildfires and ice from last week.

  The new schedule features the Clippers, who had four games affected by the new schedule, playing six games in nine days.

  "We've just got to take it game by game. We can't fall victim to the schedule. It was out of the NBA's hands, what happened to our city, and so we understand that. So we just got to lock in, take it game by game and then just go from there," said Ty Lue.

  The Spurs matchup against the Lakers, originally scheduled for 1/11, is still TBD.

  The new dates for rescheduled games are below:

  Hornet at Lakers: 2/19

  Rockets at Hawks: 1/28

  Hornets at Clippers: 3/16

  Bulls at Clippers: 1/20

  Wizards at Jazz: 3/19

  Jazz at Lakers: 2/10

  Wizards at Clippers: 1/23

  Wizards at Blazers: 3/17

  Clippers at Jazz: 2/13

• Suns Acquire Nick Richards, One 2nd Rounder From Hornets For Josh Okogie, Three 2nds

  The Phoenix Suns have acquired Nick Richards and one second round pick from the Charlotte Hornets for Josh Okogie and three second round picks. The Hornets will receive second round picks originating from the Denver Nuggets in 2026 and 2031, as well as a 2031 second via the Suns. The Suns will receive Denver's 2025 second round pick.

  The Suns have been looking for an upgrade at center with Jusuf Nurkic falling out of favor with Mike Budenholzer. The Hornets and Suns previously discussed the inclusion of Nurkic in a trade for Richards.

  Richards, who is represented by Javon Phillips, Jared Mucha and Jeff Schwartz, is signed through the 25-26 season on a $5 million deal. Richards is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21.0 minutes over 21 games this season for the Hornets.

  Okogie is averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.0 minutes over 25 games this season. Okogie is shooting a career best 38.1 percent on three-pointers.