KeithSmithNBA
@keithsmithnba.bsky.social
I write and talk about the NBA, especially the salary cap, CBA and roster construction stuff. I do these things for Spotrac, NBA Front Office Show and The Basketball Bulletin. Any nonsense you see here is from me, not my employers.
The Charlotte Hornets have waive Pat Connaughton.
This will open the roster spot for Tyus Jones.
This will open the roster spot for Tyus Jones.
February 5, 2026 at 4:17 AM
The Charlotte Hornets have waive Pat Connaughton.
This will open the roster spot for Tyus Jones.
This will open the roster spot for Tyus Jones.
NBA teams who have not been involved in a completed or reported trade thus far this trade season:
Nuggets
Warriors
Rockets
Pacers
Lakers
Heat
Bucks
Pelicans
Knicks
Suns
Spurs
NBA trade deadline is a little more than 16 hours away!
Nuggets
Warriors
Rockets
Pacers
Lakers
Heat
Bucks
Pelicans
Knicks
Suns
Spurs
NBA trade deadline is a little more than 16 hours away!
February 5, 2026 at 3:41 AM
NBA teams who have not been involved in a completed or reported trade thus far this trade season:
Nuggets
Warriors
Rockets
Pacers
Lakers
Heat
Bucks
Pelicans
Knicks
Suns
Spurs
NBA trade deadline is a little more than 16 hours away!
Nuggets
Warriors
Rockets
Pacers
Lakers
Heat
Bucks
Pelicans
Knicks
Suns
Spurs
NBA trade deadline is a little more than 16 hours away!
Max Shulga is making his NBA debut tonight. He's the 526th player to suit up for the Boston Celtics in franchise history.
February 5, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Max Shulga is making his NBA debut tonight. He's the 526th player to suit up for the Boston Celtics in franchise history.
Really good win for the Knicks. Sometimes after a tough call goes against you and extends a game, things get away from you. Knicks locked in and got a big win.
Celtics are blowing out the Rockets in Houston, so Boston and New York stay tied for second in the East.
Celtics are blowing out the Rockets in Houston, so Boston and New York stay tied for second in the East.
Oh man, that's a tough call against Mikal Bridges, especially in that spot. Not sure that's a foul.
February 5, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Really good win for the Knicks. Sometimes after a tough call goes against you and extends a game, things get away from you. Knicks locked in and got a big win.
Celtics are blowing out the Rockets in Houston, so Boston and New York stay tied for second in the East.
Celtics are blowing out the Rockets in Houston, so Boston and New York stay tied for second in the East.
Pervis Ellison taught a teenage me the lesson that "hurt players tend to stay hurt" by missing a ton of time when he was a Celtics. Earned his less-complimentary nickname of "Out of Service" Pervis too.
"Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison getting a shoutout on the Celtics broadcast! Happened because Neemias Queta is putting together a monster all-around game not seen since Ellison was a Celtic:
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Pervis Ellison taught a teenage me the lesson that "hurt players tend to stay hurt" by missing a ton of time when he was a Celtics. Earned his less-complimentary nickname of "Out of Service" Pervis too.
"Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison getting a shoutout on the Celtics broadcast! Happened because Neemias Queta is putting together a monster all-around game not seen since Ellison was a Celtic:
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
February 5, 2026 at 3:08 AM
"Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison getting a shoutout on the Celtics broadcast! Happened because Neemias Queta is putting together a monster all-around game not seen since Ellison was a Celtic:
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
10 points
16 rebounds
5 blocks
2 steals
Orlando had high hopes for Tyus Jones to fill the backup PG role. Never really worked out. Jones' shooting has fallen off the planet from his norm and he's been on the fringes of the rotation when the Magic backcourt is even semi-healthy.
1/2
1/2
February 5, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Orlando had high hopes for Tyus Jones to fill the backup PG role. Never really worked out. Jones' shooting has fallen off the planet from his norm and he's been on the fringes of the rotation when the Magic backcourt is even semi-healthy.
1/2
1/2
Charlotte will need to clear a roster spot for Tyus Jones. That will come via another deal, or they'll acquire and waive/buyout Mike Conley, then will acquire Jones.
Jones will go into most of the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE as a TPE.
Jones will go into most of the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE as a TPE.
February 5, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Charlotte will need to clear a roster spot for Tyus Jones. That will come via another deal, or they'll acquire and waive/buyout Mike Conley, then will acquire Jones.
Jones will go into most of the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE as a TPE.
Jones will go into most of the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE as a TPE.
The Orlando Magic are now under the luxury tax by trading Tyus Jones. Orlando will be about $1.4M under the tax with two open roster spots.
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 AM
The Orlando Magic are now under the luxury tax by trading Tyus Jones. Orlando will be about $1.4M under the tax with two open roster spots.
Oh man, that's a tough call against Mikal Bridges, especially in that spot. Not sure that's a foul.
February 5, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Oh man, that's a tough call against Mikal Bridges, especially in that spot. Not sure that's a foul.
The Celtics built a big lead, but Kevin Durant is in the middle of taking over. Boston is going to have to keep scoring themselves here to hold off Houston.
February 5, 2026 at 2:47 AM
The Celtics built a big lead, but Kevin Durant is in the middle of taking over. Boston is going to have to keep scoring themselves here to hold off Houston.
The RON HARPER JR breakout game!
February 5, 2026 at 2:36 AM
The RON HARPER JR breakout game!
On defense, Boston is playing miles off Amen Thompson. They're helping off Alperen Sengun when he's at the arc too. That's allowing them to load to the ball on the strongside.
In addition, Ron Harper Jr. is working his tail off to stay tight to Kevin Durant every trip.
In addition, Ron Harper Jr. is working his tail off to stay tight to Kevin Durant every trip.
February 5, 2026 at 2:33 AM
On defense, Boston is playing miles off Amen Thompson. They're helping off Alperen Sengun when he's at the arc too. That's allowing them to load to the ball on the strongside.
In addition, Ron Harper Jr. is working his tail off to stay tight to Kevin Durant every trip.
In addition, Ron Harper Jr. is working his tail off to stay tight to Kevin Durant every trip.
Joe Mazzulla tweaked the Celtics offense late in the first half and into the second half. They are running a ton more PnR. Rockets are dropping back and Boston is walking into threes. When Houston switches, Boston involves the bigs on the move.
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Joe Mazzulla tweaked the Celtics offense late in the first half and into the second half. They are running a ton more PnR. Rockets are dropping back and Boston is walking into threes. When Houston switches, Boston involves the bigs on the move.
The Hospital Celtics ride again!
February 5, 2026 at 2:27 AM
The Hospital Celtics ride again!
FWIW, I had a chance to see Koprivica when he was at two different local high schools near me. He's a legit 7-footer. Had a solid sophomore year at FSU, then has played overseas since. Probably never going to come to the NBA, but he's not a zero as a player either.
Minor trade from earlier today:
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
February 5, 2026 at 2:26 AM
FWIW, I had a chance to see Koprivica when he was at two different local high schools near me. He's a legit 7-footer. Had a solid sophomore year at FSU, then has played overseas since. Probably never going to come to the NBA, but he's not a zero as a player either.
Why would OKC do this?
OKC has traded out a decent chunk of their 2nd-rounders. All of their current draft rights players aren't eligible to be traded, because they are too old to reasonably come to the NBA.
Koprivica gives OKC something they can put into a future trade, without giving up a pick.
OKC has traded out a decent chunk of their 2nd-rounders. All of their current draft rights players aren't eligible to be traded, because they are too old to reasonably come to the NBA.
Koprivica gives OKC something they can put into a future trade, without giving up a pick.
Minor trade from earlier today:
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
February 5, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Why would OKC do this?
OKC has traded out a decent chunk of their 2nd-rounders. All of their current draft rights players aren't eligible to be traded, because they are too old to reasonably come to the NBA.
Koprivica gives OKC something they can put into a future trade, without giving up a pick.
OKC has traded out a decent chunk of their 2nd-rounders. All of their current draft rights players aren't eligible to be traded, because they are too old to reasonably come to the NBA.
Koprivica gives OKC something they can put into a future trade, without giving up a pick.
Luka Garza tried a DHO, a flare pass, a swing pass and none were open, so he just made a three instead.
February 5, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Luka Garza tried a DHO, a flare pass, a swing pass and none were open, so he just made a three instead.
Minor trade from earlier today:
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
February 5, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Minor trade from earlier today:
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
The trade of Jared McCain to the Thunder is now official.
February 5, 2026 at 1:44 AM
The trade of Jared McCain to the Thunder is now official.
Celtics-Rockets isn't going to the Hall of Fame for offensive basketball. Both teams are grinding it out right now.
February 5, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Celtics-Rockets isn't going to the Hall of Fame for offensive basketball. Both teams are grinding it out right now.
I love trades and all, but my favorite thing about basketball is, well, basketball. It would be nice to chill with trades for a couple of hours to just watch some games. Probably wishful thinking this close to the deadline!
February 5, 2026 at 1:08 AM
I love trades and all, but my favorite thing about basketball is, well, basketball. It would be nice to chill with trades for a couple of hours to just watch some games. Probably wishful thinking this close to the deadline!
Ron Harper Jr. is getting his first career start tonight for the shorthanded Celtics. Double-big for Boston too. Payton Pritchard again off the bench.
Neemias Queta
Luka Garza
Baylor Scheierman
Ron Harper Jr.
Derrick White
Let's get weird!
Neemias Queta
Luka Garza
Baylor Scheierman
Ron Harper Jr.
Derrick White
Let's get weird!
February 5, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Ron Harper Jr. is getting his first career start tonight for the shorthanded Celtics. Double-big for Boston too. Payton Pritchard again off the bench.
Neemias Queta
Luka Garza
Baylor Scheierman
Ron Harper Jr.
Derrick White
Let's get weird!
Neemias Queta
Luka Garza
Baylor Scheierman
Ron Harper Jr.
Derrick White
Let's get weird!
Mason Plumlee, then Jared McCain, will be the first new non-rookie players that the Oklahoma City Thunder have added to their roster this season.
OKC hadn't added a veteran player until this week at the trade deadline.
OKC hadn't added a veteran player until this week at the trade deadline.
February 5, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Mason Plumlee, then Jared McCain, will be the first new non-rookie players that the Oklahoma City Thunder have added to their roster this season.
OKC hadn't added a veteran player until this week at the trade deadline.
OKC hadn't added a veteran player until this week at the trade deadline.
Jokic stayed in after the Nuggets called a timeout and they took a look at him. Disaster averted!
Oh no.....Nikola Jokic just went down after his left knee buckled. Got up and limped off, but looked to be in obvious pain.
February 5, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Jokic stayed in after the Nuggets called a timeout and they took a look at him. Disaster averted!