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The 2021-22 NBA All-Star player pool is set after the NBA announced the Eastern and Western Conference reserves on Thursday night. The West reserves were led by two sets of teammates — Phoenix’s Chris Paul and Devin Booker and Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell — with Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves) rounding out the list. Two first-time All-Star guards headline the East reserves in Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet to go along with veterans Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), James Harden (Brooklyn Nets), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

Team captains LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) will now select their respective teams on Feb. 10.

Which player having a historic season got snubbed? Who might end up being selected last by James or Durant? Our NBA Insiders break down the All-Star storylines, snubs, surprise picks and look ahead to next week’s draft.

MORE: NBA All-Star Game 2022: Latest news, starters and updates

1. Who is the biggest All-Star snub?

Tim Bontemps: Jrue Holiday should’ve been the second Buck selected to the All-Star Game, not Middleton. Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league, and is bordering on shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. Middleton is a very good player but hasn’t been at the same level this season. Jarrett Allen arguably has been the best Cav this season, too, and also should’ve made it.

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Kevin Pelton: Nobody. At some point “snub” changed from meaning an intentional, dismissive oversight to being used to describe any player who doesn’t get picked. There’s nobody who obviously should have been picked for the game and wasn’t. Of that group, I think Allen and Holiday were the most deserving candidates — ahead of their teammates Garland and Middleton, who were chosen.

Jamal Collier: Allen has been the anchor for the best defense in the conference and one of the main reasons the Cavaliers have been one of the surprise teams in the East. It was a surprise to see the second-best center in the conference behind Joel Embiid left off the team, especially in favor of other offensive-minded wings who are having somewhat underwhelming seasons by their standards.

Bobby Marks: My initial reaction was the Suns’ Mikal Bridges, but it is hard to make an argument against the Western Conference reserves who were selected. Plus, Bridges has a strong chance to be named as a replacement with Green not playing. That leaves the Hornets’ Miles Bridges as the biggest surprise. The Hornets are over .500 and should have seen at least Bridges or his teammate LaMelo Ball selected as a reserve. Bridges is a strong favorite for Most Improved Player and is averaging 19.9 points and 7.2 rebounds on 48.6% from the field.

Andrew Lopez: San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray has been having an outstanding season so far. Murray is averaging 19.6 points, 9.1 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 2 steals a game this season, numbers that no player has averaged throughout a full NBA season. He’s looking to be just the third player in NBA history to average 8 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals, joining Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

2. What about the biggest surprise pick?

Pelton: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins was a legitimate candidate, but I’m still a little surprised he got enough support from the media panel and player voting to be chosen a starter ahead of Green and Gobert — both of whom finished better than Wiggins in those two categories.

Collier: Middleton is having a fine season, but I thought Holiday, his teammate and fellow Olympic gold-medal winner, was a more deserving pick for Milwaukee’s second All-Star. Holiday has really rebounded after getting off to a slow start because of injuries, averaging 20 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds on 55% from the field and 45% from 3 since the start of December, while continuing to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Holiday has been the Bucks’ next most impactful player.

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Bontemps: Middleton over both Holiday and Allen.

Marks: No offense to Middleton, but did the Eastern Conference head coaches make their selection based on last year’s playoffs? Granted, Middleton did not have an offseason because of the Bucks’ deep playoff run and the Olympics, but the guard’s production has dropped off from the prior two seasons. I guess that championship equity carries over to the next season.

Lopez: Looking at the Eastern Conference reserves, the biggest surprise is that there aren’t any big men among the selections. Cleveland was rewarded by having Garland selected, but teammate Allen probably should have been selected too.

3. Who are your first and last picks in the draft?

Marks: If you polled NBA front offices right now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic would be the two players that they would want to build around. It’s a coin flip, but it is hard not to take the Finals MVP in Antetokounmpo. Not to pile on, but Antetokounmpo’s teammate Middleton should be the last player selected in the draft.

Collier: Giannis would be my first pick; he’s still the most dominant force in the league, putting together another season worthy of MVP consideration. Following his Finals performance last year, he deserves this honor, as well. Starters get drafted first, so I can’t technically pick Wiggins last, so I’d have to take Gobert with the final pick. It’s an All-Star Game; I’m not here for rim protection.

Friday, Feb. 4
76ers at Mavericks, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 6
Hawks at Mavericks, 6 p.m.

All times Eastern

Bontemps: The first pick is Antetokounmpo. In a game full of fast breaks and dunks, why not take the guy who can do both by himself, and better than anyone else? The last one is Gobert, simply because his game is not suited for a game where defense, even with some of the recent rule changes, is optional at best.

Pelton: My first pick is going to be Antetokounmpo, last year’s All-Star MVP and the best non-center on the board. My last pick would be Gobert, an incredibly valuable player during real games (see my answer to the fifth question) whose defensive value doesn’t translate as well in an All-Star setting.

Lopez: I can’t pick the kid from Akron since he’ll be making the picks, so let’s go with two-time MVP Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 28.8 points in the All-Star Game, first all-time among players with five or more games. His 144 points is already 23rd all-time for total points in the midseason contest. Picking VanVleet last seems like it would add another chip on his shoulder, which would make for a fun All-Star experience.

4. Which first-time All-Star is poised to repeat next season?

Memphis’ Ja Morant was named as a starter last week, his first All-Star appearance. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Lopez: Not only should Ja Morant be poised to repeat next season as an All-Star, he might just be poised to be an All-Star starter for years to come. Part of being a starter is having the fan vote behind you, and that’s certainly something that’ll be in Morant’s corner.

Collier: Morant. Barring injury, it feels like you can pencil in his name for the next few years.

Marks: Get used to seeing Morant in the All-Star Game for the foreseeable future. The guard is not only having an All-Star season, but should receive votes for MVP and also see his name on one of the All-NBA teams. The Grizzlies’ roster is also sustainable to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference, only helping Morant’s All-Star case.

Pelton: Morant. Barring injury, Morant should be a fixture at All-Star going forward.

Bontemps: In order to not pick Morant again, I’ll pick from the reserves and say Garland by a hair over VanVleet, only because he’s going to likely put up bigger stats between the two of them. VanVleet is a terrific story, though, as only the fourth undrafted All-Star, and is more than deserving of making it.

5. Which reserve should have been a starter?

Marks: First, can we just do away with positions and select the best five overall players when it comes to the starters? The easy pick for me is Booker. Though he was selected as a reserve, Booker is not only playing for the best team in the NBA but is having one of his more efficient seasons, averaging 25.4 points on 38% from 3.

Collier: Booker. This isn’t a situation where frontcourt or backcourt should matter. Add a third guard into the West lineup and get Booker in to replace Wiggins, which also gives the Suns, the team with the NBA’s best record, a starter.

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Bontemps: Gobert. Wiggins shouldn’t have been an All-Star, let alone a starter. He has had a very nice season, but Gobert or Green, who won’t play due to injury, should’ve been the third West starter in the frontcourt alongside Jokic and James.

Pelton: Gobert. He was one of my frontcourt picks, and while I also had a pair of different starters in the backcourt (Paul and VanVleet), the difference between them and the players’ chosen starters is marginal at best. Gobert was a clear choice to me.

Lopez: It’s hard to argue against Morant or Stephen Curry in the backcourt for the Western Conference, but this seems more like a case where positions could be dropped because it sure feels like Doncic should be among the starters more than Wiggins.

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The 2021-22 NBA All-Star player pool is set after the NBA announced the Eastern and Western Conference reserves on Thursday night. The West reserves were led by two sets of teammates — Phoenix’s Chris Paul and Devin Booker and Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell — with Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves) rounding out the list. Two first-time All-Star guards headline the East reserves in Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet to go along with veterans Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), James Harden (Brooklyn Nets), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

Team captain LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) will now select their respective teams on Feb. 10.

Which player having a historic season got snubbed? Who might end up being selected last by James or Durant? Our NBA Insiders break down the All-Star storylines, snubs, surprise picks and look ahead to next week’s draft.

MORE: NBA All-Star Game 2022: Latest news, starters and updates

1. Who is the biggest All-Star snub?

Tim Bontemps: Jrue Holiday should’ve been the second Buck selected to the All-Star Game, not Middleton. Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league, and is bordering on shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. Middleton is a very good player, but hasn’t been at the same level this year. Jarrett Allen arguably has been the best Cav this year, too, and also should’ve made it.

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Kevin Pelton: Nobody. At some point “snub” changed from meaning an intentional, dismissive oversight to being used to describe any player who doesn’t get picked. There’s nobody who obviously should have been picked for the game and wasn’t. Of that group, I think Allen and Holiday were the most deserving candidates — ahead of their teammates Garland and Middleton, who were chosen.

Jamal Collier: Allen has been the anchor for the best defense in the conference and one of the main reasons the Cavaliers have been one of the surprise teams in the East. It was a surprise to see the second-best center in the conference behind Joel Embiid left off the team, especially in favor of other offensive-minded wings who are having somewhat underwhelming seasons by their standards.

Bobby Marks: My initial reaction was the Suns’ Mikal Bridges, but it is hard to make an argument against the Western Conference reserves that were selected. Plus, Bridges has a strong chance to be named as a replacement with Green not playing. That leaves the Hornets’ Miles Bridges as the biggest surprise. The Hornets are over .500 and should have seen at least Bridges or his teammate LaMelo Ball selected as a reserve. Miles Bridges is a strong favorite for Most Improved Player and is averaging 19.9 points and 7.2 rebounds on 48.6% from the field.

Andrew Lopez: San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray has been having an outstanding season so far. Murray is averaging 19.6 points, 9.1 assists, 8.5 rebounds and two steals a game this season, numbers that no player has averaged throughout a full NBA season. He’s looking to be just the third player in NBA history to average eight assists, eight rebounds and two steals, joining Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

2. What about the biggest surprise pick?

Pelton: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins was a legitimate candidate, but I’m still a little surprised he got enough support from the media panel and player voting to be chosen a starter ahead of Green and Gobert — both of whom finished better than Wiggins in those two categories.

Collier: Middleton is having a fine season, but I thought Holiday, his teammate and fellow Olympic gold medal winner, was a more deserving pick for Milwaukee’s second All-Star. Holiday has really rebounded after getting off to a slow start because of injuries, averaging 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds on 55% from the field and 45% from 3 since the start of December, while continuing to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Behind Antetokounmpo, Holiday has been the Bucks’ next most impactful player.

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Bontemps: Middleton over both Holiday and Allen.

Marks: No offense to Middleton, but did the Eastern Conference head coaches make their selection based on last year’s playoffs? Granted, Middleton did not have an offseason because of the Bucks’ deep playoff run and the Olympics, but the guard’s production has dropped off from the prior two seasons. I guess that championship equity carries over to the next season.

Lopez: Looking at the Eastern Conference reserves, the biggest surprise is that there aren’t any big men among the selections. Cleveland was rewarded by having Garland selected, but teammate Allen probably should have been selected too.

3. Who is your first and your last pick in the draft?

Marks: If you polled NBA front offices right now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic would be the two players that they would want to build around. It’s a coin flip, but it is hard not to take the Finals MVP in Antetokounmpo. Not to pile on, but Antetokounmpo’s teammate Middleton should be the last player selected in the draft.

Collier: Giannis would be my first pick; he’s still the most dominant force in the league, putting together another season worthy of MVP consideration. Following his Finals performance last year, he deserves this honor, as well. Starters get drafted first, so I can’t technically pick Wiggins last, so I’d have to take Gobert with the final pick. It’s an All-Star game, I’m not here for rim protection.

Friday, Feb. 4
76ers at Mavericks, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 6
Hawks at Mavericks, 6 p.m.

All times Eastern

Bontemps: The first pick is Antetokounmpo. In a game full of fast breaks and dunks, why not take the guy who can do both by himself, and better than anyone else? The last one is Gobert, simply because his game is not suited for a game where defense, even with some of the recent rule changes, is optional at best.

Pelton: My first pick is going to be Antetokounmpo, last year’s All-Star MVP and the best non-center on the board. My last pick would be Gobert, an incredibly valuable player during real games (see my answer to question five) whose defensive value doesn’t translate as well in an All-Star setting.

Lopez: I can’t pick the kid from Akron since he’ll be making the picks, so let’s go with two-time MVP Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 28.8 points in the All-Star Game, first all-time among players with five or more games. His 144 points is already 23rd all-time for total points in the midseason contest. Picking VanVleet last seems like it would add another chip on his shoulder, which would make for a fun All-Star experience.

4. Which first-time All-Star is poised to repeat next season?

Memphis’ Ja Morant was named as a starter last week, his first All-Star appearance. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Lopez: Not only should Ja Morant be poised to repeat next season as an All-Star, he might just be poised to be an All-Star starter for years to come. Part of being a starter is having the fan vote behind you, and that’s certainly something that’ll be in Morant’s corner.

Collier: Morant. Barring injury, it feels like you can pencil in his name for the next few years.

Marks: Get used to seeing Morant in the All-Star Game for the foreseeable future. The guard is not only having an All-Star season, but should receive votes for MVP and also see his name on one of the All-NBA teams. The Grizzlies roster is also sustainable to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference, only helping Morant’s All-Star case.

Pelton: Morant. Barring injury, Morant should be a fixture at All-Star going forward.

Bontemps: In order to not pick Morant again, I’ll pick from the reserves and say Garland by a hair over VanVleet, only because he’s going to likely put up bigger stats between the two of them. VanVleet is a terrific story, though, as the only fourth undrafted All-Star, and is more than deserving of making it.

5. Which reserve should have been a starter?

Marks: First, can we just do away with positions and select the best five overall players when it comes to the starters? The easy pick for me is Booker. Though he was selected as a reserve, Booker is not only playing for the best team in the NBA but is having one of his more efficient seasons, averaging 25.4 points on 38% from 3.

Collier: Booker. This isn’t a situation where front court or back court should matter. Add a third guard into the West lineup and get Booker in to replace Wiggins, which also gives the Suns, the team with the NBA’s best record, a starter.

Who is No. 1 in the latest NBA Basketball Power Index? Go to Ratings

Bontemps: Gobert. Wiggins shouldn’t have been an All-Star, let alone a starter. He’s had a very nice year, but Gobert or Green, who won’t play due to injury, should’ve been the third West starter in the front court alongside Jokic and James.

Pelton: Gobert. He was one of my frontcourt picks, and while I also had a pair of different starters in the backcourt (Paul and VanVleet), the difference between them and the players’ chosen starters is marginal at best. Gobert was a clear choice to me.

Lopez: It’s hard to argue against Morant or Stephen Curry in the backcourt for the Western Conference, but this seems more like a case where positions could be dropped because it sure feels like Doncic should be among the starters more than Wiggins.

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Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the starting backcourt for the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns, headlined the NBA’s announcement of the 14 reserves for the NBA’s All-Star Game in Cleveland later this month.

Paul, who is averaging 14.9 points and 10.4 assists, is making his 12th All-Star appearance, while Booker, who is averaging 25.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, made his third All-Star team. They were two of the seven selections from the Western Conference.

Luka Doncic is making his third straight All-Star appearance after averaging 26 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.9 assists for the Dallas Mavericks. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 16 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and teammate Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds and 5.2 assists, are both making their third straight All-Star appearance.

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Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 24.4 points and 9.5 rebounds is yet another player making his third All-Star appearance while Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, is making his fourth appearance.

In the Eastern Conference, the selections were headlined by a pair of first-time selections: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, who is averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 assists and is Cleveland’s first All-Star since LeBron James left in 2018, and Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who is averaging 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists — while also leading the NBA in minutes per game.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden is making his 10th straight All-Star appearance while averaging 22.5 points, 8 rebounds and 10.2 assists. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is now a six-time All-Star after averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists while Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who is averaging 24.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists, is making his second straight All-Star team.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is making his third All-Star appearance and is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the defending champions. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, averaging 25.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists, is making his third straight All-Star team.

Last week, the NBA announced the 10 All-Star starters: Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forward Andrew Wiggins; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic; Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young; Nets forward Kevin Durant; Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

Those 24 names will be increased by at least one over the next two weeks, as Green, who was part of TNT’s announcement Thursday night, said he would not be able to play in the All-Star Game. He has been out the past several weeks with back and calf injuries. Durant, who has missed the Nets’ last nine game with a knee injury, may also need to be replaced.

James and Durant, the captains of the two teams that will play in Cleveland on Feb. 20 after receiving the most votes in their respective conferences, will pick their teams next Thursday on TNT.

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Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the starting backcourt for the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns, headlined the NBA’s announcement of the 14 reserves for the NBA’s All-Star Game in Cleveland later this month.

Paul, who is averaging 14.9 points and 10.4 assists, is making his 12th All-Star appearance, while Booker, who is averaging 25.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, made his third All-Star team.

They were two of the seven selections from the Western Conference, as they were joined by: Luka Doncic, who is making his third straight All-Star appearance after averaging 26 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists for the Dallas Mavericks; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 16 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and teammate Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds and 5.2 assists, both of whom are also making their third straight All-Star appearance; Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 24.4 points and 9.5 rebounds and is yet another guy making his third All-Star appearance; and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game and is one of the league’s premier defensive players.

In the Eastern Conference, the selections were headlined by a pair of first-time selections: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, who is averaging 19.8 points and 8.2 assists and is Cleveland’s first All-Star since LeBron James left in 2018; and Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who is averaging 21.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists — while also leading the NBA in minutes per game.

They were joined by Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, who is making his 10th straight All-Star appearance and is averaging 22.5 points, 8 rebounds and 10.2 assists; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, who is now a six-time All-Star after averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who is averaging 24.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists and is making his second straight All-Star team; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton, who is making his third All-Star appearance and is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the defending champions; and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 25.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists and is making his third straight All-Star team.

Last week, the NBA announced the 10 All-Star starters: Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forward Andrew Wiggins; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic; Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young; Nets forward Kevin Durant; Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo; and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

Those 24 names will be increased by at least one over the next two weeks, as Green, who was part of TNT’s announcement Thursday night, said he would not be able to play in the All-Star Game. He has been out the past several weeks with back and calf injuries, meaning he will now be replaced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Durant, who has missed the Nets’ last nine game with a knee injury, may also need to be replaced.

James and Durant, the captains of the two teams that will play in Cleveland on Feb. 20 after receiving the most votes in their respective conferences, will pick their teams next Thursday on TNT.

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The NBA trade deadline is one week away. Which stars could be on the move?

Last season’s deadline saw two major deals among the flurry of last-minute trades, both involving the Orlando Magic‘s massive rebuild: The Denver Nuggets acquired forward Aaron Gordon, while the Chicago Bulls dealt for center Nikola Vucevic.

Will Ben Simmons be one of this season’s impact players traded? While Simmons’ days in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey are likely over, the franchise has remained steadfast in its high asking price for the three-time All-Star.

Could the Indiana Pacers, likely headed for the draft lottery this season, break up their star big man duo of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner? Could the Los Angeles Lakers, currently battling for seeding among the Western Conference play-in contenders, surprise and pull off a blockbuster? Which team most needs to make a move right now?

Our NBA Insiders break down the biggest storylines, including one bold prediction for trade deadline week.

The specter of this saga haunts Simmons and the 76ers

1. Fact or fiction: Ben Simmons will be a 76er at 3:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 10.

Tim Bontemps: Fiction. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but with Joel Embiid playing better than he ever has and the 76ers a staggering 27-11 when he’s available this season, Philadelphia has to make a move to get better right now. And while obviously making a terrible trade now would have long-lasting ramifications on the franchise, Philadelphia hired Daryl Morey precisely to make these kinds of trades. Also, it’s virtually impossible to see a scenario in which Simmons plays for Philadelphia again. So, if he isn’t traded now, is there any real certainty there will be a better deal available in six months?

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Jamal Collier: Fact. Unfortunately, this situation doesn’t seem much closer to a resolution than a few months ago. The Sixers don’t seem ready to budge on moving Simmons, unless they get what they have deemed is the right return, and I’d guess they’ll have a better chance at getting that in the offseason.

Tim MacMahon: Fact, at least technically. Simmons will never put on a Sixers uniform again, but I do think he will remain on the roster after the trade deadline. I believe the smoke about James Harden bolting the Brooklyn Nets to reunite with Morey this summer. For that to happen, Simmons almost certainly needs to be included in the sign-and-trade or opt-in-and-trade.

Bobby Marks: Fact. Even with Embiid playing like an MVP, all the intel that I have gathered suggests that Morey is not bluffing when it comes to holding on to Simmons if the right package is not presented by Feb. 10. The something is better than nothing argument certainly makes sense with the East wide open, but Simmons is the last trade chip that Philadelphia has to upgrade its roster for the foreseeable future. Keep in mind that the Embiid’s $196 million extension does not kick in until 2023-24 and runs through 2026-27.

Kevin Pelton: More likely fact. At no point in this process have the Sixers seemed eager to trade Simmons for anything less than a king’s ransom, which led Sacramento to pull out of the running, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. I’m not expecting that to change in the next week, particularly with the hope of landing Harden this summer part of Philadelphia’s thinking.

Could the lottery-bound Pacers move Domantas Sabonis at the deadline? AP Photo/Michael Conroy

2. Fact or fiction: The Pacers will break up their big man duo of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.

Bontemps: Fiction. Once Turner left the lineup because of a foot injury, it significantly reduced the chances of this happening. Indiana always seemed more inclined to move Turner than Sabonis, and now moving him has gotten much harder. Instead, it seems like Indiana will be headed for its first top-10 pick since drafting Rik Smits — behind Bobby Marks in my best Marist alum rankings — and will revisit the possibility of breaking these two up at the NBA draft in June.

Marks: Fiction. Indiana should wait until the offseason when Turner is fully recovered. The danger in that thinking is if Turner comes back after the trade deadline and reinjures that same foot or perhaps the Pacers shut him down and teams are left wondering if he has fully recovered. As for Sabonis, unless a team like the Wizards allows the Pacers to pick any player on the roster outside of Bradley Beal, they should pass until the offseason.

MacMahon: Fiction. Myles Turner’s foot injury dents his value too much for it to make sense to move him now. Maybe something materializes with Sabonis that’s too tempting to not pull the trigger, but based on what I’ve heard, they’d rather keep him and move Turner, possibly this offseason.

Pelton: Fiction. I would’ve said “fact” before Turner’s stress reaction, but the injury complicates the efforts to trade Turner to a contender and Indiana has always seemed more likely to keep Sabonis of the two players. As a result, I think it’s more likely a move happens over the summer.

Collier: Fact. Turner’s comments earlier this season about wanting a bigger role and opportunity seemed telling of a player who wasn’t long for his current situation. This Pacers team has felt stagnant for a while, both in the standings and trajectory. It’s not working again this year, so now feels like the right time to go in a different direction.

3. Fill in the blank: The Lakers’ trade deadline will be _____.

MacMahon: Blah. Russell Westbrook isn’t getting traded unless the Lakers decide to ship their unprotected 2027 first-round pick to the Rockets in another Westbrook-John Wall swap, which would be a ridiculous overreaction to predictable fit problems. The Lakers don’t have the kind of quality, young talent and available picks necessary to upgrade via trade. Maybe they can add a rotation player or two via the buyout market.

Friday, Feb. 4
76ers at Mavericks, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 6
Hawks at Mavericks, 6 p.m.

All times Eastern

Marks: Quiet. Other than the Lakers shedding the DeAndre Jordan or Kent Bazemore contracts, I don’t see a roster shake-up. The trades to acquire Anthony Davis in 2019 and Westbrook last offseason depleted the Lakers’ first-round picks and tradable contracts.

Bontemps: Boring. Yes, the Lakers will probably make a move or two on the margins — maybe with Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a pick, almost certainly moving someone like Jordan to save money — but the idea that some season-changing trade is going to arrive just seems extremely unlikely given the limited trade assets the Lakers have at their disposal.

Pelton: Anticlimactic. I’m not sure there will be much interest in the players the Lakers can use as matching salary (Horton-Tucker and Nunn, the latter of whom has yet to play this season due to injury), and a bigger deal involving Westbrook doesn’t seem particularly likely. As a result, I’m expecting only minor moves to clear roster spots.

Collier: Underwhelming, which at least will fit in nicely with the rest of their season. The Lakers almost certainly need a major roster overhaul if they’re going to become legit title contenders this season, but it’s hard to see how that materializes. The salaries on their roster are difficult to trade, and they don’t have many draft picks left. And is there anyone they’d be willing to deal who has actually improved their trade value this season?

Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP. Will the 76ers give him some help for the stretch run? Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. What team most needs to make a big move at the deadline?

Collier: The 76ers. Have you seen the way Joel Embiid is playing lately? It doesn’t seem likely we’re getting any closer to a resolution on the Simmons saga, but swapping him out for an upgrade next to Embiid could vault Philadelphia into the next tier of contenders. The Sixers are getting an incredible year from Embiid; it would be nice to see them get the most out of it.

Bontemps: The 76ers. Embiid is playing better than he ever has, and both the league, and the East, are wide open. If there was ever a time to make a move, it’s now.

MacMahon: The Portland Trail Blazers. Portland has the perfect circumstances for a reset season. Damian Lillard should be shut down for the rest of the season after undergoing abdominal surgery, and trades for the rest of the Blazers’ veterans should be aggressively explored. This core has hit its ceiling. It’s foolish to chase a play-in spot, so it’s time for the Blazers to restock on assets — particularly draft picks — and test their luck with decent lottery odds.

Marks: The Washington Wizards. Washington has picked the wrong time to play uninspired basketball. After starting the season 10-3, Washington is 13-23 and fighting for a play-in spot. It also has the future of Bradley Beal hanging over the organization, as the guard will explore free agency this offseason. If there is a positive, it’s that Washington has 10 contracts ranging from $3.4 to $17.1 million. A negative is the Wizards owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a first-round pick that has protection starting in 2023 and ending in 2027. Because the pick is protected over five years, Washington is not allowed to trade a first-rounder unless the protection owed to the Thunder is amended.

Pelton: The Sacramento Kings. I generally subscribe to Billy Beane’s second rule of trading — “The day you say you have to do something, you’re in trouble” — but it does feel like change is necessary in Sacramento. And Harrison Barnes‘ value is likely to decline between now and the summer, when a contender dealing for him would get only one postseason’s worth of value. So I would aggressively seek a Barnes trade now.

5. What’s your one bold prediction for the trade deadline?

Marks: Jerami Grant remains on the Detroit Pistons. The forward is on the wish list of many contending teams, but Grant is under contract through the 2022-23 season and Detroit is not pressed to make a deadline deal now. If a home run offer is not presented, Detroit would be smart to wait until the offseason, even with Grant entering the last year of his contract.

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Bontemps: Grant won’t be traded. There’s been plenty of talk about Grant leaving Detroit, but I’ll predict that the offers aren’t there to give the Pistons what they want for him, and that this is another situation that moves to the NBA draft before a possible resolution.

Collier: Myles Turner gets traded to the Warriors. This seems like the right fit for both sides. Golden State has a few young players who could help Indiana start a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Warriors could get a more proven player than James Wiseman as they aim to compete for a championship this season. Plus Turner, who turns 26 this month, can still be a part of the Warriors’ future.

Pelton: Three teams currently in the luxury tax (the Boston Celtics, 76ers and Trail Blazers) will make moves that bring their salary below the tax line to share in the distribution of historic tax payments from Brooklyn and Golden State.

MacMahon: Nobody moved at the deadline will be an All-Star in the near future, if ever again. The best player to move might be somebody like De’Aaron Fox or CJ McCollum. Don’t hold your breath for the sort of blockbuster deal that impacts the balance of power in either conference.

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Who is trending up? Which rotations are changing? What’s the latest with the notable injuries around the NBA?

Here’s a look around the league at the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:

Atlanta Hawks

Onyeka Okongwu is sharing time with starter Clint Capela, but his efficiency makes him a candidate for fantasy lineups, especially in deeper formats. This season, Okongwu has averaged 23.2 MPG. However, he averages 16.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 2.0 assists per 40 minutes. Okongwu is available in 95% of ESPN leagues.

Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart has averaged 12 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.7 SPG in his last nine games as a role player. Since returning from a six-game absence, he has been excellent. He’s dished out six-plus assists in five of the Celtics’ last six games. Smart’s play is on the rise at just the right moment for fantasy managers.

Brooklyn Nets

With Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge out, James Johnson has been a solid streamer. He’s averaged 10 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.5 BPG, over the last six games. Johnson is available in 99% of ESPN leagues. You can also stream Nic Claxton. Claxton had a double-double Wednesday against the Kings and is available in 93.3% of leagues.

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Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball has averaged 25.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.5 APG and 1.2 SPG over the last six games. That’s good news for fantasy managers. if you are looking for points and triples, consider Kelly Oubre Jr. He has averaged 16.6 PPG and 3.0 3PM this season and is still available in 38% of ESPN leagues.

Chicago Bulls

Fantasy managers preparing for the playoffs should consider adding Ayo Dosunmu, who is available in 82.4% of ESPN leagues.

He’s averaged 12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.3 SPG and 37.4 MPG over the past 10 games. Alex Caruso (wrist) and Lonzo Ball (knee) are both injured, so Dosunmu’s usage rate should be high for a Bulls team looking to make a postseason run.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week, I wrote about Kevin Love, and I will repeat myself here, but I am still baffled that he’s still available in 66.7% of ESPN leagues. Love has averaged 18 PPG, 3 3PM, 10.2 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.0 SPG in his last five games. Love has been one of the best values in fantasy hoops this season considering he went undrafted in many leagues.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks aren’t being forthcoming about the health of Kristaps Porzingis and that should be concerning for fantasy managers considering his medical history. Maxi Kleber, who is available in 97.4% of ESPN leagues, will be the key beneficiary and has the ability to provide fantasy managers with well-rounded statistical lines along with significant minutes. Kleber averages 12 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per 40 minutes.

Denver Nuggets

There has been controversy surrounding Aaron Gordon within the fantasy basketball community. However, during the last 14 games, he has averaged 15.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 0.7 SPG while playing significant minutes and outperforming his average draft position. Does this represent legitimate statistical production? You can answer that question, but now is a good time to sell high on Gordon if you have any trepidation.

Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham sustained a right hip pointer against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. However, it does not appear to be a long-term injury. Cunningham was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Wednesday, making him only the sixth Pistons rookie to receive the honor since Jonas Jerebko in Feb. 2010. Cunningham is one of the top rookies this season, averaging 16 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG.

Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry ended a nearly month-long statistical slump with 40 points and seven triples against the Rockets on Monday night. Despite this, Kevin Porter Jr. won’t be able to inspire Curry every night with his trash talk. Consider placing him on the trade block and see what offers you receive.

Houston Rockets

Garrison Mathews has scored 15 PPG over his last seven games. While he’s a good source of points and triples, he doesn’t do well in other statistical categories. Mathews is available in 97.4% of ESPN leagues and is a good candidate to target in deeper formats.

Indiana Pacers:

Lance Stephenson has signed a contract with the Pacers for the remainder of the season. Over 17 games, he averages 9.4 PPG and 4.2 APG. Rumors indicate the Pacers will be active before the league’s trade deadline. This may give Stephenson a bigger role for the rest of the season.

LA Clippers

Amir Coffey is a must-roster player for a Clippers team without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He is still available in 91% of ESPN leagues. Over the last 15 games, Coffey has averaged 14.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.0 SPG. It would surprise me if George returns, but Coffey has all the makings of a fantasy hoops playoff hero.

Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis has returned to form after a knee injury sidelined him for 17 games. Wednesday night against the Trail Blazers marked his 47th career game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, which leads the league since his rookie season in 2012-2013. Davis has averaged 29 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.7 BPG, and 1.3 SPG over his past three games.

Memphis Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson Jr. is the league’s top blocker this season with 121 blocks. In addition, he averages 16.6 PPG and 6.0 RPG. Jackson Jr. is making a name for himself in Memphis this year, even though Ja Morant gets the most attention.

Miami Heat

Kyle Lowry has missed the past nine games due to a personal issue. He is expected to return in the near future and is listed as questionable to play against the Spurs on Thursday. Lowry has averaged 13.4 PPG, 8.3 APG, 4.5 RPG and 34.2 MPG this season.

Milwaukee Bucks

Grayson Allen continues to be under the radar for a Bucks team with numerous playmakers. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 12 PPG, 2.3 3PM, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG and 1.0 SPG. Available in 91% of ESPN leagues, Allen is a reliable source of points and triples.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns has exceeded expectations this season averaging 24.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 BPG and 1.1 SPG. The fact that Towns has averaged less than 10 rebounds per game for the first time in his career may surprise some. Despite this, he’s still one of the top-10 players in category formats and should finish the season strong.

New Orleans Pelicans

In deeper formats, Jose Alvarado has caught the attention of fantasy managers with an average of 8.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG over the last seven games. Although he only averaged 19.6 MPG over that period, Alvarado has solidified his place in the Pelicans’ second unit. He’s available in nearly all ESPN leagues.

New York Knicks

For a struggling Knicks team, Evan Fournier has been on and off all season long. Although he has been very good over the last 12 games, scoring 16 PPG and 3.5 3PM while shooting 48% from the field. For those in need of points, Fournier is available in 47% of ESPN leagues.

Oklahoma City Thunder

According to reports, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out until the All-Star break due to an ankle injury. His 29.7% usage rate must be replaced, which leaves Luguentz Dort and Tre Mann as viable streamers in the short run. Both are good sources of points, triples, and other statistics.

Orlando Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. has averaged 16.5 PPG and 13 RPG since returning from a hamstring injury. He’s outperforming Mo Bamba, who was benched in the second half of Wednesday’s game against the Pacers. The center situation in Orlando should be monitored going forward.

Philadelphia 76ers

We should take a moment to appreciate how dominant Joel Embiid has been this season. This season, he has 18 consecutive 25-point games, tying him with LeBron James for the longest streak in the league. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other 7-footers to record 18 or more consecutive 25-point games. If you have Embiid on your fantasy team, be sure to have Andre Drummond on hand as a backup in the event he misses time. Drummond is available in 62% of ESPN leagues.

Phoenix Suns

Chris Paul is averaging 20.3 PPG and 15.7 APG in his past three games. At 36 years old, he’s the oldest player in league history to have such averages over three games. The oldest prior to Paul was Steve Nash, who accomplished this feat back in 2007 at the age of 32. Those who drafted Paul at his average draft position must be very pleased with his stats so far.

Portland Trail Blazers

Anfernee Simons and Norman Powell have benefited from the absence of Damian Lillard. Over the last five games, Powell is averaging 21 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 3.2 3PM. Powell is only available in 25% of ESPN leagues, while Simons is available in 47%. Both players should be rostered across all formats.

Sacramento Kings

Harrison Barnes has been mentioned in trade rumors regarding the Kings. Considering the uncertainty of where he may land and Sacramento’s record, it might be a good time to sell high on the forward. Barnes has averaged 20.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, and 2.3 SPG in his last four games.

San Antonio Spurs

Dejounte Murray injured his wrist against the Warriors on Tuesday and is questionable to play against the Heat on Thursday night. Devin Vassell would benefit immediately if Murray misses time. Vassell has averaged 12.4 PPG, 2.1 3PM, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG and 26 MPG over the last 12 games and is available in 92% of ESPN leagues. He should be added immediately in deeper formats.

Toronto Raptors

Gary Trent Jr. has had five consecutive games with 30 or more points. This ties the Raptors franchise record set by DeMar DeRozan back in 2016. In addition, he is the first player in Toronto history to hit five triples in five consecutive games. Trent is still available in 27% of ESPN leagues.

Utah Jazz

With Joe Ingles out for the season due to a torn ACL, the Jazz are shorthanded. It’s hard to tell who will benefit from Ingles’ absence but Trent Forrest should be on your watch list. He scored a career-high 18 points and dished out a career-high eight assists against the Nuggets on Wednesday.

Washington Wizards

There is constant talk about Spencer Dinwiddie in the trade rumor mill. Despite this, he has thrived while Bradley Beal recovers from a wrist injury. Dinwiddie recorded his first career triple double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in 30 minutes against the 76ers. Dinwiddie will remain on the streaming radar as long as Beal’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.

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Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch, who coached some of the NBA’s biggest names and helped guide Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 1981, died at the age of 89 on Wednesday.

Fitch, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, was named to the Top 10 Coaches of All-Time list when the NBA celebrated its 50 greatest players during the league’s 50th anniversary. Fitch was 10th all-time in wins among NBA coaches until Doc Rivers passed him in December of 2020.

The NBA announced the passing of Fitch on Thursday.

“The NBA mourns the passing of Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch, an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and a two-time Coach of the Year,” the league posted on Twitter. “Bill served 25 seasons as an NBA head coach and mentored countless players and coaches. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

During his 25 years as an NBA head coach, Fitch helped turn around several franchises. He coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and LA Clippers.

He began his NBA career as the first head coach of the expansion of the Cavaliers in 1970, guiding them to the playoffs three times after winning just 15 games in their inaugural season. He earned his first NBA Coach of the Year honor in 1975-76, guiding the “Miracle of Richfield” team to 49 wins and the Eastern Conference Finals.

Fitch was named Celtics head coach in 1979-80, just after Boston had drafted its latest franchise star in Bird. In their first season together, Fitch, Bird and the Celtics went 61-21 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, resulting in his second NBA Coach of the Year honor.

“Fitch’s deep knowledge of the game, toughness, and dry wit made him a perfect fit for Boston and the Celtics,” the Celtics said in a statement Thursday. “Fitch had already built a reputation as a turnaround artist, and his ability to get the best out of his players paid immediate dividends as Fitch orchestrated what was at the time the best turnaround in NBA history, vaulting to a 61-21 record. … The Celtics family mourns his loss as we celebrate his legacy.”

After an offseason that yielded Robert Parish and rookie Kevin McHale, Fitch guided the Celtics to 62 wins, beating the Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals for Bird’s first championship and Fitch’s only title.

“Bill was a complicated, Vince Lombardi-type guy who didn’t give a damn about the opposition and always made us believe,” former Celtics forward Cedric Maxwell told the Boston Globe on Thursday. “He was Kevin Garnett before Kevin Garnett. Kevin always said it was us against them, and with Bill Fitch it was us against them.”

After winning 61, 62, 63 and 56 games in his four seasons with the Celtics, Fitch joined the Rockets in 1983-84. Houston had won just 14 games the season before but drafted Ralph Sampson first overall in the 1983 draft. Fitch guided Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon to the NBA Finals in 1985-86, losing to the Celtics.

Fitch wasn’t done helping turn around franchises. He joined the Nets and won just 17 games in his first season in 1989-90, but he led a group that included Kenny Anderson, Derrick Coleman and Drazen Petrovic to 40 wins and the 1992 playoffs.

Fitch’s final NBA stop was with the Clippers. He won 17 games in his first season with the franchise in 1994-95 but helped the team reach the playoffs after winning 36 games in 1996-97.

Born in 1932, the Iowa native led his teams to the NBA playoffs 13 times and finished with a 944-1,106 record during his NBA coaching career. Known to some as “Captain Video” for his love of studying game tape, Fitch coached in college at Minnesota, Bowling Green, North Dakota — where he coached Phil Jackson — and his alma mater Coe College.

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