NBA News: Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

We have reached the final week of the NBA season before the All-Star Break, and the schedule is pretty loaded with games over the next several days. Players are starting to make their debuts for new teams after being traded, and playoff races are going to continue to heat up. 

Buyout agreements and waiver claims are going to take place over the next few days as teams try to round out their roster before heading into the break. Here are three of the biggest news stories surrounding the NBA over the last few days.

Holiday Set to Join Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks made a big splash at the Trade Deadline in acquiring Kyrie Irving, and they appear to be getting another veteran in the coming days. According to league sources, Justin Holiday is planning to sign with the Mavericks after agreeing to a buyout with the Houston Rockets. 

Holiday was recently traded to the Rockets from the Atlanta Hawks, and he played very limited minutes this season. Last season he averaged more than 10 points a game as he split time between the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers. 

Dallas could also be getting LaMarcus Aldridge to join the roster, as they are bringing him in for a workout this week. Aldridge has not played at all this season, but he has been keeping himself in shape just in case a team was needing his services. 

Based on the timing of both of these moves, neither player is expected to join the Mavericks until after the All-Star Break, which will take place this weekend. 

Warriors Dealing With Injuries

The Golden State Warriors went ahead and completed the trade for Gary Payton II, even though he is expected to be sidelined for a month. Payton can still provide a big lift for Golden State in the postseason if healthy, but the Warriors are going to have to fight hard to get into the playoffs.

An even bigger injury concern for the Golden State Warriors is the status and health of Stephen Curry. Curry has been out of the lineup since February 4th with a lower leg injury, and there is currently no timetable for his return to the floor. 

Golden State is going to reevaluate Curry after the All-Star Break, but Curry has missed at least a few games to begin the second half of the season. There is ligament damage in his left leg, and bringing him back too quickly could cause further injury. 

Bucks Waiting on Crowder

Jae Crowder is hoping to help the Milwaukee Bucks win an NBA Championship this season, but he isn’t quite ready to take the floor. Crowder has not played at all this season, and he is technically on his third NBA team of the year. 

The Phoenix Suns announced that Crowder was not going to be joining the team this season, and they have been actively searching for a trade partner ever since. Crowder was then dealt to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Kevin Durant trade, but the Bucks were able to acquire him right after that.

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All Media on this page by Associated Press.