RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 January 2025

• Kings, Pacers Leading Suitors For Cam Johnson

  Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets remains one of the hottest names on the NBA trade market. The Nets continue to insist they aren't in a must-trade situation with Johnson. However, most around the NBA believe they will move the forward ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.

  Two teams showing interest in Johnson include the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. The Kings potential package of Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles and a future first-round pick could be the offer to beat roughly two-and-a-half weeks from the deadline. As for the Pacers, they remain a team to watch in the Johnson sweepstakes.

  The Cleveland Cavaliers have also shown interest in Johnson. That interest has been preliminary, with the Cavs and Nets yet to have serious discussions.

• Bennedict Mathurin Suspended One Game For Bumping Referee

  Bennedict Mathurin has been suspended one game without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official.

  The incident occurred with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pacers' 127-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

  Mathurin will serve his suspension on Jan. 16 when the Pacers visit the Detroit Pistons.

• Tyrese Haliburton Leaves Win Over Cavs With Hamstring Tightness

  Tyrese Haliburton missed the second half of the Indiana Pacers' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers due to left hamstring tightness.

  Rick Carlisle had no updates on Haliburton's status after the game.

  Haliburton suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain last January.

• Pacers Not Willing To Trade Andrew Nembhard

  Despite great interest from around the NBA, the Indiana Pacers are not open to trading Andrew Nembhard. Indiana sees Nembhard as the ideal backcourt partner for Tyrese Haliburton.

  Nembhard, who can play both on- and off-ball, filled in capably for Haliburton last season. This season, Nembhard is averaging career-highs nearly across the board with 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

  The third-year guard is making just over $2 million this season, which makes Nembhard an attractive trade candidate. Next season, Nembhard will begin a three-year, $58.6 million extension.

• Pacers 'Team To Watch' For Cam Johnson; Kings, Thunder, Grizzlies Also Linked To Trade

  The Indiana Pacers are a "team to watch" to potentially trade for Cam Johnson, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  The Kings have also held trade discussions with the Nets for Johnson but are not willing to deal Devin Carter.

  The Thunder have previously been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Johnson.

  The Grizzlies may also still be interested in Johnson, though the two sides reportedly have "hard feelings" over how Dorian Finney-Smith trade negotiations went down.

• Pacers Sign RayJ Dennis To Two-Way Contract

  The Indiana Pacers have signed RayJ Dennis to a Two-Way contract after waiving Tristen Newton. Dennis, who is represented by Daniel Curtin, went undrafted out of Baylor in 2024. Dennis was with the Los Angeles Clippers and then Washington Wizards during the preseason.

  Dennis, a 6-2, 180-pound guard, played two years at Boise State, two years at Toledo and one year at Baylor in college.

  In 18 G League games this season, Dennis is averaging 16.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 31.2 minutes for the San Diego Clippers.

• Pacers Waive Tristen Newton From Two-Way

  The Indiana Pacers have waived Tristen Newton from his Two-Way deal. Newton, who is represented by Aaron Turner, was the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft out of UConn.

  Newton appeared in five games with the Pacers.

  In 13 G League games, Newton is averaging 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 35.9 minutes.

• Obi Toppin Leaves Pacers' Loss Due To Sprained Left Ankle

  Obi Toppin left the Indiana Pacers' 120-114 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sprained left ankle.

  Toppin suffered the injury in the first quarter before being ruled out for good in the second quarter.

  The 26-year-old have five points and three rebounds at the time of the injury.

• NBA Francises Collectively Worth $138 Billion, Average Of $4.6 Billion

  The Golden State Warriors have become the second most valuable franchise in sports at $9.14 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion. The Warriors are joined in the top-3 by the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion.

  Collectively, the NBA's 30 teams are worth $138 billion, including real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, such as WNBA franchises. The average NBA franchise valuation is now $4.6 billion and has a value-to-revenue multiple of 11.9, which is above all other leagues.

  The NBA has a significant drop off from the Lakers at No. 3 as they are worth 42 percent more than the Brooklyn Nets at No. 4 with a valuation of $5.7 billion.

  The 30 NBA teams generated an estimated $11.6 billion last year, or $387 million per club. The concert business has been a major revenue driver for NBA teams who own and control their own arena. The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the only teams in the top-10 who do not control their arena.

  2024 NBA Valuation Rankings
  1. Warriors: $9.14 billion
  2. Knicks: $8.3 billion
  3. Lakers: $8.07 billion
  4. Nets: $5.7 billion
  5. Clippers: $5.66 billion
  6. Celtics: $5.66 billion
  7. Bulls: $5.56 billion
  8. Heat: $5 billion
  9. Rockets: $4.77 billion
  10. Raptors: $4.66 billion
  11. Sixers: $4.57 billion
  12. Mavericks: $4.46 billion
  13. Suns: $4.32 billion
  14. Kings: $4.11 billion
  15. Hawks: $4.07 billion
  16. Nuggets: $4.06 billion
  17. Wizards: $3.98 billion
  18. Cavaliers: $3.95 billion
  19. Bucks: $3.91 billion
  20. Spurs: $3.79 billion
  21. Pacers: $3.74 billion
  22. Jazz: $3.67 billion
  23. Blazers: $3.6 billion
  24. Thunder: $3.55 billion
  25. Magic: $3.46 billion
  26. Pistons: $3.45 billion
  27. Hornets: $3.39 billion
  28. Timberwolves: $3.29 billion
  29. Pelicans: $3.09 billion
  30. Grizzlies: $3.06 billion

• Pacers Acquire Thomas Bryant From Heat For 2nd Round Pick Swap

  The Indiana Pacers have agreed to acquire Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat for a future second round pick swap. Bryant becomes trade-eligible on Sunday after signing a one-year deal with the Heat this past offseason.

  Bryant will give the Pacers depth at center following injuries to James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson.

  Bryant is averaging 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11 minutes this season.