NBA News: Sunday, February 12th, 2023

We have reached the point in the NBA season in which the Trade Deadline has passed, and there is just one week until the All-Star Break. This is usually when teams start to prepare for the stretch run after the break, especially those teams that are in the playoff hunt. 

It was a wild and crazy Trade Deadline, and some of those moves are still going to linger on for the next few days. Sunday might be all about the Super Bowl for most NBA fans, but there are still some significant news stories coming from the NBA.

Injury Concerns Might Cancel Trade

The Golden State Warriors were not overly aggressive at the Trade Deadline, but they did make a couple of minor moves. Golden State sent James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons to give him a fresh start, and they also got a familiar face in return. 

The Warriors seemed to acquire Gary Payton II at the deadline from the Portland Trail Blazers, and he played a key role a season ago. That trade might not end up working out, though, as a medical report is putting the completion of that trade in jeopardy.

Payton has been playing through an injury to his core, and he made it known that the Blazers gave him some injections in order to keep him on the floor. The Warriors are not interested in acquiring Payton if he is unable to play, and that will have to be determined soon as the deadline to complete the trade is set for Sunday.

Veterans Making Decisions After Buy-Out

The Trade Deadline is not the only time that teams can improve their rosters for the playoffs, though, as the buy-out market always seems to heat up this time of year. Some teams acquire players with the sole purpose of buying out their contract, and that essentially makes them a free agent. 

Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he is expected to negotiate a buy-out with the team. There are a number of teams interested in his services if that were to occur, but insiders believe that he will be heading to the Chicago Bulls.

Terrence Ross was not traded at the deadline by the Orlando Magic, but he is another player that will be changing teams. The Magic are looking to get younger, and Ross has reportedly made the decision to join the Phoenix Suns if he is bought out. 

NBA Names Starter Replacements

Three of the 10 NBA All-Star starters are dealing with an injury, and that will force them to miss the big game. Fans select the original All-Star starters, but it is the league that chooses replacement starters. 

Pascal Siakam, Anthony Edwards, and De'Aaron Fox have been selected as the starters, but they don't have the teams chosen yet. The three players that are going to miss this game include Stephen Curry, Zion Williamson, and Kevin Durant. 

The official rosters will be chosen right before the game in a new twist on All-Star weekend.

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All Media on this page by Associated Press.