Updated Jan. 31, 2026, 10:44 a.m. ET
As we approach trade deadline week, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on trade talks for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, updates on Cam Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks trade targets, Jeremy Sochan, and interviews with Suns guard Collin Gillespie and center Mark Williams on HoopsHype.
Trade talks: Cavaliers, Kings, Lakers
Cleveland and Sacramento have discussed a framework that would send Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter to the Kings for Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroeder, and Dario Saric, league sources told HoopsHype. A third team could be looped in to take on Saric, and second-round draft pick compensation also could be added to the framework, sources said.
Ellis, a coveted 3-and-D guard by many teams around the league, will become extension eligible on February 9. If he’s not extended before the end of the regular season, he’ll enter unrestricted free agency this summer. Schroeder is owed $14.81 million for next season and has a partial guarantee of $4.35 million for the 2027-28 season, as previously reported by HoopsHype. Saric is on an expiring $5.43 million contract. Meanwhile, Hunter is on the books for $24.91 million next season.
Another trade variation discussed included Malik Monk and Ellis going to Cleveland for Hunter, but the Cavaliers were concerned about Monk’s $41.77 million over the next two seasons, HoopsHype has learned.
Separately, the Cavaliers have also had trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers around a framework of De’Andre Hunter for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht that would’ve included a third team, league sources told HoopsHype.
In addition, after HoopsHype reported three days ago that Hunter and Lonzo Ball were potential trade candidates, the Washington Wizards are among the teams that have checked in on Ball, HoopsHype has learned. The Wizards have been open to being incentivized with draft pick compensation to use their nearly $30 million in luxury tax room space and traded player exceptions for teams needing to dump salary, league sources told HoopsHype.
Bucks backup trade targets
While trade talks surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo have garnered all the league’s attention, the Milwaukee Bucks have explored other smaller moves.
As previously reported three days ago, the Bucks have discussed improving around the margins with several of their own veteran minimum players in differing trade talks to acquire higher-paid players who fit under their room below the luxury tax, league sources told HoopsHype. The goal of those upgrades would be to either take a chance on a player with potential upside or acquire draft capital for helping a team shed salary.
With that in mind, Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell are both on Milwaukee’s radar contingent on other deals the Bucks are working on, league sources told HoopsHype.
Thomas, a proven bucket getter that averaged 22.9 points in 91 combined games in his prior two seasons, would potentially be useful for the Bucks, who rank fourth-worst in points per game (111.8). It’s worth noting that Thomas has a no-trade clause and would need to approve of any trade.
Russell, who’s averaging 10.2 points and 4.0 assists in 19.0 minutes per game, has a $5.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Should Milwaukee acquire Russell, the Bucks would likely look to acquire second-round draft capital while offering Dallas salary relief towards the luxury tax this season and clearing Dallas of Russell’s player option for next season.
Jeremy Sochan drawing trade interest
The Phoenix Suns, who are seeking power forward depth, are among several teams that have checked in on San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, league sources told HoopsHype. Suns center Nick Richards was brought up during exploratory talks, sources said. However, such a move would push the Suns further above the luxury tax, which is not ideally something Phoenix wants to do.
Sochan, a 22-year-old forward who’s averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds over the previous three seasons combined, is eligible for up to a $9.62 million qualifying offer this summer that would make him a restricted free agent.
As recently reported three days ago on HoopsHype, there was also trade chatter of a New York Knicks package of French forwards Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet pitched for Sochan, but San Antonio was not willing to take on Yabusele’s $5.78 million player option for next season, league sources told HoopsHype.
Mark Williams on him and the Suns: “I think continuing to prove everybody wrong has been a theme for a lot of guys”
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams has already tied his career-high with 44 games played this season, and we’re not even at the trade deadline, which will always be a “crazy” experience he’ll remember after being traded from the Hornets to the Lakers for a few days before it was rescinded and ultimately led him to the Suns.
After three injury-plagued seasons and both Williams and the Suns agreeing a contract extension wasn’t the ideal scenario before the season and before playing for Phoenix, Williams has been able to stay healthy – knock on wood – ahead of restricted free agency this summer.
The 7-foot-1 center spoke with HoopsHype about his emotions dealing with the rescinded Lakers trade, playing half a season with the Hornets while knowing he’d get traded again, his fresh start with the Suns, including his newfound consistent availability, playing for Coach Jordan Ott, and his future in free agency.
How would you describe your fresh start with the Suns?
Mark Williams: It’s been great. I’ve been here all summer. I’ve really focused on my body and working on my game. This organization has shown a lot of love and support and helped me be the best version of myself.
What’s been the biggest reason for your improved availability on a consistent basis?
MW: I’ve had a good plan in place with the staff. I had a bunch of different injuries in the past. For us, it was making a focus of getting overall strength around my body and not trying to overdo anything and overcompensate. I’ve done on-court work, weight room work, and all the recovery stuff has been really good.
How’s it been playing for Coach Jordan Ott regarding what he’s done for your game, and how is he off the court?
MW: He’s a great guy. Basketball-wise, he’s a real genius of the game with our principles that we have in place that are solid, and we’re sticking to them. We’re playing fast, physical, and hard. We’re winning the possession game and playing with pace. I think establishing that as our basis, and then our sets and principles from there, is how we’ll grow. Defensively, we’re communicating and moving as one and being decisive.
Did you have any extra motivation coming into the season after not signing a contract extension with the Suns when you were eligible?
MW: In a way. I think for both sides it made sense. At the same time, I knew what I was capable of doing. Obviously, the biggest question around me was my availability and my body. I think the staff and I have done a great job of being available and being there for my team. I think if I continue to do that, it’ll all take care of itself.
What was it like being traded to the Lakers, going back to the Hornets, and then ending up here?
MW: It was crazy. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced anything like that. It was different. Going there for three days and then coming back. I had to try to maintain business as usual and try to show the league that it was not right. I was playing, and I’ve been playing. It wasn’t like I was doing anything out of the ordinary. It wasn’t like I was sitting out for things I didn’t want to. Everything I hurt, I recovered from. I haven’t had any new irritations or anything. It was crazy. Obviously, going back to Charlotte, I was trying to play the year out, and then I kind of already had an idea that I’d probably be gone after that. Then, to come here, have a fresh start, be where you’re wanted, and I wanted to try to show them and everybody in the league that I’m good and I’m trying to be the best version of myself every single day.
How do you feel about heading into restricted free agency?
MW: Since I’ve been here, it’s been a great experience. I’m excited to be here. We’re already doing better than a lot of people anticipated. I think continuing to prove everybody wrong has been a theme for a lot of guys. The staff and players are new, so I think a lot of people have similar goals, and we’re aligned as a team.
Collin Gillespie: “Obviously, I love where I’m at. I love this team and the organization”
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie is in the midst of a breakout season at the most opportune time as he prepares for unrestricted free agency this summer.
The 26-year-old undrafted Villanova standout has made the most of his opportunities with injuries to fellow backcourt teammates Jalen Green and Grayson Allen during the season, averaging career-highs in points (13.5), assists (4.7), rebounds (4.1), steals (1.4), minutes (28.2), while shooting an efficient 43.1 percent beyond the arc.
A few NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Gillespie is in line for a range of $10-15 million annually this summer in a weak free agency class. With that said, the Suns hope to retain Gillespie in free agency, league sources told HoopsHype.
With that in mind, Gillespie spoke with HoopsHype about his free agency future, what’s led to the sizable leap in his game this season, what it’s like behind the scenes playing for Coach Jordan Ott, expectations for the Suns entering the season, and where they can go now, and more.
What’s allowed you to make a sizable leap in your game this season?
Collin Gillespie: I think confidence, comfort, playing a little bit more, being put into different situations, and the confidence from the group. Being able to play with this group is really easy. Coach Ott has been huge in my development. He’s instilled confidence in everyone on the team and allowed us to play freely and compete and play hard defensively.
What have been your thoughts on playing for Coach Ott on and off the court?
CG: He’s a player’s coach for sure. He knows how to talk to players, but also knows when to be serious when we need to lock in. He’s awesome in terms of instilling confidence in the group. He’s not too much of a rah-rah guy where he’s loud. He’s always kind of serious. He’s awesome in terms of watching film and knowing what he’s talking about. He has the highest level of basketball knowledge. He has a super high IQ. He’s been great, and we love playing for him, and that’s why we go out every night and play hard.
How have all the guards been able to play well together?
CG: I think it’s our style of play. We try to get stops on the defensive end and get out and run. We have a lot of guards who can get out and run. We’ve got good rim protection and big men that’ll run the floor, set screens, and catch lobs. We’ve got playmakers offensively. Devin Booker has a lot of gravity. Dillon Brooks has been awesome in terms of being able to be aggressive and score. When Jalen Green comes back, we’ll have him being able to put pressure on the rim. He has a ton of gravity on the floor and can create open looks for other guys. We saw that when he was out there with us. I think it allows everyone to play freely. Coach Ott runs a system that instills that in everybody. That’s why we love playing for him, and we go out there and compete and play hard every night.
What can Jalen Green bring to the Suns when he’s back?
CG: His energy is contagious in terms of what he’s doing now. Being out on the floor with him, the energy was crazy when we were at home, the game he played. I’m looking forward to it and being able to share the floor with him again. He’s an elite-level bucket getter and playmaker. He’s going to make it easier on a lot of other guys and be able to put a ton of pressure on the rim for us.
What were your expectations coming into the season, and where do you feel you’re at as a team now?
CG: I think we all expected this. We saw all that stuff and looked at it like we’re going to shock some people with how we play and how hard we compete every night. I don’t think it’s a surprise to us, but it might be to other people. We kind of expected this out of ourselves. We know that we’re going to continue to learn, get better, and grow each day, every time we step out onto the floor and play with each other. I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface yet, while missing our guard (Green). Once we get him back, we’ll be full and healthy again, so I’m looking forward to that.
What do you think is ahead for this team?
CG: I think we don’t really have a ceiling right now. We need to see where we are when Jalen comes back. We know that it’s going to be a process. He’s been out for a few months, so we’ll ease him back into it. We know the level of basketball he plays. Last year, he was the guy on a number two seed in the West. Adding that back, we should get really a lot better, and we think we are. I don’t know what our ceiling is yet. Once we get him back and get him in the rotation for a couple of months, we’ll see.
Has the contract season been motivating for you? What’s it been like playing in a contract year?
CG: I don’t really think about it that much. I try not to think about it. Obviously, I love where I’m at. I love this team and the organization. We’ll see what happens at the end of the year, but I just try to go out there and play my best basketball and play winning basketball to do whatever helps the team win.
What else are you trying to achieve in your career?
CG: I think everybody has goals for themselves and wants to be the best person and player they can be.
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Blue Sky (@MikeAScotto).
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