Trade chatter: Spurs eye Bitadze; Celtics unconcerned with luxury tax; Rockets monitor Drummond; Nuggets weigh cost-cutting move
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The Orlando Magic’s efforts to move below the luxury-tax line have put three players on the market, and league sources say center Goga Bitadze is drawing the most attention. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the San Antonio Spurs are among the teams intrigued by the 26-year-old, who has also been linked to the Raptors throughout the 2025/26 season and was mentioned as a possible Knicks target over the weekend.
Siegel adds that San Antonio has interest in another big man, Robert Williams of the Trail Blazers. Injured Portland wing Matisse Thybulle could become a buyout candidate if he is not dealt before the February 5 trade deadline.
Celtics under no mandate to shed salary
Sources tell Siegel that Boston Celtics ownership has not asked president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to trim the club’s luxury-tax bill. Combo guard Anfernee Simons has long been viewed as a potential trade chip for a frontcourt upgrade, yet the 26-year-old has exceeded expectations in his first season with Boston, leaving his status uncertain ahead of the deadline.
Sixers willing to move Drummond; Rockets interested
The Philadelphia 76ers are open to trading veteran center Andre Drummond, whose $5 million contract expires after this season. Trading the four-time league rebounding leader would drop Philadelphia below the tax threshold, aided by the variance credit received following Paul George’s 25-game suspension. The Houston Rockets, who recently lost backup big man Steven Adams for the season because of surgery on a Grade 3 left ankle sprain, are among the teams with interest in Drummond.
Nuggets explore Jazz deal to cut costs
Sitting roughly $400,000 over the tax, the Denver Nuggets have discussed sending rookie forward Hunter Tyson to the Utah Jazz, Siegel reports. Denver may attach protections to its only remaining second-round pick, which falls in 2032, to complete a salary-saving transaction.
Source: Hoops Rumors
