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.
If you’ve followed for a while, you know I’m big on self-accountability. In the spirit of that: I could not have been more wrong about the Phoenix Suns. Such a good and fun team. And winning these games without Devin Booker is big. Good stuff from the Suns all season!
February 4, 2026 at 11:56 AM
If you’ve followed for a while, you know I’m big on self-accountability. In the spirit of that: I could not have been more wrong about the Phoenix Suns. Such a good and fun team. And winning these games without Devin Booker is big. Good stuff from the Suns all season!
Sorry everyone, but my internet is down (great timing, huh?), so no show tonight. Trevor and I will get back at it tomorrow with a live show recapping everything. See you then!
Later tonight, after the Lakers and Celtics games, we'll be back LIVE on @frontofficeshow.bsky.social ! Join @trevorlanenba.bsky.social and I as we break down the Simons-Vucevic and Harden-Garland trades. Plus, who knows what else!
Link to come when show is live.
Link to come when show is live.
February 4, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Sorry everyone, but my internet is down (great timing, huh?), so no show tonight. Trevor and I will get back at it tomorrow with a live show recapping everything. See you then!
Taking this even further, the only other player of the 60 players drafted in the 2018 NBA Draft who remains with his original team?
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
With Jaren Jackson Jr. being traded, the only player drafted in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft that is still playing for the NBA team he originally debuted for is Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
February 4, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Taking this even further, the only other player of the 60 players drafted in the 2018 NBA Draft who remains with his original team?
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
With Jaren Jackson Jr. being traded, the only player drafted in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft that is still playing for the NBA team he originally debuted for is Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 AM
With Jaren Jackson Jr. being traded, the only player drafted in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft that is still playing for the NBA team he originally debuted for is Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
And Bridges was drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Hornets.
Breakdowns for the Bulls-Pistons-Wolves trade, Celtics-Bulls trade and Cavs-Clippers trade will be posted tomorrow morning. Until then, tide yourselves over with a deep dive into the Jazz-Grizzlies trade!
The Utah Jazz exercised some "pre-agency", while the Memphis Grizzlies fully leaned towards a rebuild. I broke down their big trade for @spotrac.com:
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
Jazz Acquire Jaren Jackson Jr From Grizzlies In Eight-Player, Three-Pick Swap | Spotrac News
The Jazz acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. from the Grizzlies in exchange for Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three 1s...
www.spotrac.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Breakdowns for the Bulls-Pistons-Wolves trade, Celtics-Bulls trade and Cavs-Clippers trade will be posted tomorrow morning. Until then, tide yourselves over with a deep dive into the Jazz-Grizzlies trade!
The Utah Jazz exercised some "pre-agency", while the Memphis Grizzlies fully leaned towards a rebuild. I broke down their big trade for @spotrac.com:
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
Jazz Acquire Jaren Jackson Jr From Grizzlies In Eight-Player, Three-Pick Swap | Spotrac News
The Jazz acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. from the Grizzlies in exchange for Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three 1s...
www.spotrac.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:51 AM
The Utah Jazz exercised some "pre-agency", while the Memphis Grizzlies fully leaned towards a rebuild. I broke down their big trade for @spotrac.com:
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
🏀Utah trades 2026 cap space for JJJ
🏀Grizzlies are rebuilding around kids, draft picks and flexibility
Read more:
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/32...
It's pretty tough to work through your switch options against Dallas and to be left with going against Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Max Christie or Caleb Martin. That's a pretty good group of defenders.
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 AM
It's pretty tough to work through your switch options against Dallas and to be left with going against Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Max Christie or Caleb Martin. That's a pretty good group of defenders.
Starter or reserve, doesn't matter, Payton Pritchard is locked in. Having another big game, this time off the bench for the first time this season.
February 4, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Starter or reserve, doesn't matter, Payton Pritchard is locked in. Having another big game, this time off the bench for the first time this season.
Jaylen Brown was already awesome and he's gone to a whole other level this season.
February 4, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Jaylen Brown was already awesome and he's gone to a whole other level this season.
Later tonight, after the Lakers and Celtics games, we'll be back LIVE on @frontofficeshow.bsky.social ! Join @trevorlanenba.bsky.social and I as we break down the Simons-Vucevic and Harden-Garland trades. Plus, who knows what else!
Link to come when show is live.
Link to come when show is live.
February 4, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Later tonight, after the Lakers and Celtics games, we'll be back LIVE on @frontofficeshow.bsky.social ! Join @trevorlanenba.bsky.social and I as we break down the Simons-Vucevic and Harden-Garland trades. Plus, who knows what else!
Link to come when show is live.
Link to come when show is live.
With Derrick White and Payton Pritchard the only two true ballhandlers the Celtics have available tonight, Pritchard is moving back to the bench for the first time this season. The Celtics are starting:
Neemias Queta
Sam Hauser
Jaylen Brown
Baylor Scheierman
Derrick White
Neemias Queta
Sam Hauser
Jaylen Brown
Baylor Scheierman
Derrick White
February 4, 2026 at 1:11 AM
With Derrick White and Payton Pritchard the only two true ballhandlers the Celtics have available tonight, Pritchard is moving back to the bench for the first time this season. The Celtics are starting:
Neemias Queta
Sam Hauser
Jaylen Brown
Baylor Scheierman
Derrick White
Neemias Queta
Sam Hauser
Jaylen Brown
Baylor Scheierman
Derrick White
So much for a boring trade deadline, huh? And we still have all day tomorrow and until 3 PM ET on Thursday to go. Buckle up!
February 4, 2026 at 1:09 AM
So much for a boring trade deadline, huh? And we still have all day tomorrow and until 3 PM ET on Thursday to go. Buckle up!
The Cavaliers are sending their own 2026 second-round pick to the Clippers in the James Harden-Darius Garland trade, a league source told @spotrac.com.
February 4, 2026 at 1:08 AM
The Cavaliers are sending their own 2026 second-round pick to the Clippers in the James Harden-Darius Garland trade, a league source told @spotrac.com.
TPE updates from today's reported trades (if the trades are completed as reported!):
🏀BOS creates a $27.7M TPE for A. Simons
🏀BOS uses $22.5M K. Porzingis TPE - $1M remaining
🏀CHI creates a $7.9M TPE for K. Huerter
🏀DET uses $14.1M D. Schroder TPE for D. Saric - $8.7M remaining
1/2
🏀BOS creates a $27.7M TPE for A. Simons
🏀BOS uses $22.5M K. Porzingis TPE - $1M remaining
🏀CHI creates a $7.9M TPE for K. Huerter
🏀DET uses $14.1M D. Schroder TPE for D. Saric - $8.7M remaining
1/2
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 AM
TPE updates from today's reported trades (if the trades are completed as reported!):
🏀BOS creates a $27.7M TPE for A. Simons
🏀BOS uses $22.5M K. Porzingis TPE - $1M remaining
🏀CHI creates a $7.9M TPE for K. Huerter
🏀DET uses $14.1M D. Schroder TPE for D. Saric - $8.7M remaining
1/2
🏀BOS creates a $27.7M TPE for A. Simons
🏀BOS uses $22.5M K. Porzingis TPE - $1M remaining
🏀CHI creates a $7.9M TPE for K. Huerter
🏀DET uses $14.1M D. Schroder TPE for D. Saric - $8.7M remaining
1/2
Days like today, when I look at all the writing I have to do, I understand why so many writers have traded writing for podcasting.
Unfortunately, I have a face for radio and a voice for writing!🤣
With that, it's time to #StartWriting
Unfortunately, I have a face for radio and a voice for writing!🤣
With that, it's time to #StartWriting
February 3, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Days like today, when I look at all the writing I have to do, I understand why so many writers have traded writing for podcasting.
Unfortunately, I have a face for radio and a voice for writing!🤣
With that, it's time to #StartWriting
Unfortunately, I have a face for radio and a voice for writing!🤣
With that, it's time to #StartWriting
The Celtics will bring Nikola Vucevic in via the Kristaps Porzingis TPE, a league source told @spotrac.com.
This will create a $27,678,571 TPE for Anfernee Simons that will be good for one year from the day the trade is officially completed.
This will create a $27,678,571 TPE for Anfernee Simons that will be good for one year from the day the trade is officially completed.
February 3, 2026 at 9:53 PM
The Celtics will bring Nikola Vucevic in via the Kristaps Porzingis TPE, a league source told @spotrac.com.
This will create a $27,678,571 TPE for Anfernee Simons that will be good for one year from the day the trade is officially completed.
This will create a $27,678,571 TPE for Anfernee Simons that will be good for one year from the day the trade is officially completed.
Picks in the Celtics-Bulls trade, per a league source:
To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick
To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)
To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick
To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Picks in the Celtics-Bulls trade, per a league source:
To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick
To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)
To Boston: Denver Nuggets 2027 second-round pick
To Chicago: most favorable 2026 second-round pick of Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers (likely to be NOP)
Celtics won't do that. They aren't likely to push back over the first apron and definitely won't go back over the second apron.
You take on contracts for picks when you are under the tax, not over it.
You take on contracts for picks when you are under the tax, not over it.
So the C's(presumably) and Grizzlies both have pretty large TPEs. The Grizz are more likely to use that to absorb salary for picks, but the C's could also go that path now, too.
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Celtics won't do that. They aren't likely to push back over the first apron and definitely won't go back over the second apron.
You take on contracts for picks when you are under the tax, not over it.
You take on contracts for picks when you are under the tax, not over it.
I get it, but putting that on Tatum right away is asking a lot. And you're asking Pritchard to go back to the bench after starting all season.
I'm sure that's part of the thinking/hope, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Not sure about just straight pushing Pritchard to the bench for anyone else.
I'm sure that's part of the thinking/hope, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Not sure about just straight pushing Pritchard to the bench for anyone else.
Pritchard to the bench for scoring/spark and go bigger in the starting lineup (another defensive wing like Hugo or Walsh). If Tatum comes back, the Pritchard to the bench moves seems natural. Can still try and flip some end of bench contracts and a 2nd or two for a guard.
February 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM
I get it, but putting that on Tatum right away is asking a lot. And you're asking Pritchard to go back to the bench after starting all season.
I'm sure that's part of the thinking/hope, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Not sure about just straight pushing Pritchard to the bench for anyone else.
I'm sure that's part of the thinking/hope, but it's not as easy as it seems.
Not sure about just straight pushing Pritchard to the bench for anyone else.
Running math on the Celtics-Bulls trade and Boston can take two paths:
1. Bring Vucevic into the Porzingis TPE. That would create a new TPE for Simons of $27.7M. (I think this will be the path)
2. Keep the Porzingis TPE whole at $22.5M and create a new TPE for Simons of ~$6.2M
1. Bring Vucevic into the Porzingis TPE. That would create a new TPE for Simons of $27.7M. (I think this will be the path)
2. Keep the Porzingis TPE whole at $22.5M and create a new TPE for Simons of ~$6.2M
February 3, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Running math on the Celtics-Bulls trade and Boston can take two paths:
1. Bring Vucevic into the Porzingis TPE. That would create a new TPE for Simons of $27.7M. (I think this will be the path)
2. Keep the Porzingis TPE whole at $22.5M and create a new TPE for Simons of ~$6.2M
1. Bring Vucevic into the Porzingis TPE. That would create a new TPE for Simons of $27.7M. (I think this will be the path)
2. Keep the Porzingis TPE whole at $22.5M and create a new TPE for Simons of ~$6.2M
The Celtics have no backup guards or bench scoring at the moment. Given Neemias Queta has been very good and Luka Garza has been fine, I don't think this is a big upgrade at center. But it created a massive hole in the backcourt. We'll see what else is to come.
Huh, surprised not into the return for BOS. Feel like Simons and Vuc are really similar, in the sense both are helpful-ish regular season players that might not be in the final playoff rotation. Both expiring contracts. And BOS ends up with the cheaper one at a position that's a bigger need. Win?
February 3, 2026 at 9:20 PM
The Celtics have no backup guards or bench scoring at the moment. Given Neemias Queta has been very good and Luka Garza has been fine, I don't think this is a big upgrade at center. But it created a massive hole in the backcourt. We'll see what else is to come.
(Sirius plays) Starting for YOUR Chicago Bulls:
Guard Josh Giddey!
Guard Ayo Dosunmu!
Guard Jaden Ivey!
Guard Anfernee Simons!
Might as well call him a guard too: Matas Buzelis!
(I assume Coby White has been traded in this scenario)
Guard Josh Giddey!
Guard Ayo Dosunmu!
Guard Jaden Ivey!
Guard Anfernee Simons!
Might as well call him a guard too: Matas Buzelis!
(I assume Coby White has been traded in this scenario)
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
(Sirius plays) Starting for YOUR Chicago Bulls:
Guard Josh Giddey!
Guard Ayo Dosunmu!
Guard Jaden Ivey!
Guard Anfernee Simons!
Might as well call him a guard too: Matas Buzelis!
(I assume Coby White has been traded in this scenario)
Guard Josh Giddey!
Guard Ayo Dosunmu!
Guard Jaden Ivey!
Guard Anfernee Simons!
Might as well call him a guard too: Matas Buzelis!
(I assume Coby White has been traded in this scenario)
1. Not sure I love that as the return for the Celtics. Boston is now under the first apron and roughly $6M from being under the tax.
2. Boston needs a backup ballhandler and bench scorer.
3. How many guards does Chicago need???
2. Boston needs a backup ballhandler and bench scorer.
3. How many guards does Chicago need???
February 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
1. Not sure I love that as the return for the Celtics. Boston is now under the first apron and roughly $6M from being under the tax.
2. Boston needs a backup ballhandler and bench scorer.
3. How many guards does Chicago need???
2. Boston needs a backup ballhandler and bench scorer.
3. How many guards does Chicago need???
Wolves are now under the first apron...
Whatever comes next is what this deal is really about.
Whatever comes next is what this deal is really about.
February 3, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Wolves are now under the first apron...
Whatever comes next is what this deal is really about.
Whatever comes next is what this deal is really about.
LIVE @frontofficeshow.bsky.social starts NOW! Breaking down the HUGE Grizzlies-Jazz trade, talking Harden, and more! See you there!
www.youtube.com/live/edozroG...
www.youtube.com/live/edozroG...
BREAKING: Jaren Jackson Jr TRADED To Jazz!
YouTube video by NBA Front Office
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
LIVE @frontofficeshow.bsky.social starts NOW! Breaking down the HUGE Grizzlies-Jazz trade, talking Harden, and more! See you there!
www.youtube.com/live/edozroG...
www.youtube.com/live/edozroG...