NBA Notebook: Will Celtics and others be active this trade deadline?

The NBA Trade Deadline (Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. EST) is now less than one month away during a season that's swayed between cases for more activity than usual, outstanding awkward Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving and other roster situations needing to be settled; and less, a flood of COVID cases and roster shortages halting trade discussions for some time.

As the former remain and latter situation settles, there's hope for some deadline activity. Sellers may not abound, since 20 teams make the postseason, yet disappointing starts in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Indiana, Sacramento and Portland, combined with Philadelphia and Brooklyn's odd circumstances, could carve out opportunities for these teams to work together alongside obvious sellers on some deals. 

It starts with Simmons. Doesn't it always? Philadelphia's price remains high, reportedly even higher, to move the star. Interest centers around the Kings, Pacers, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers with another suitor emerging in the defensively-lacking Hawks. Atlanta tipped-off trade season by sending Cam Reddish to the Knicks for Charlotte's protected first-round pick and Kevin Knox, a possible pivot toward more activity. 

BR indicated the Hawks are open for business, and that would open their door for deals along the edges if John Collins and other Atlanta players don't entice Philadelphia. Collins signed a $125-million deal last offseason, Bogdan Bogdanovic makes $18-million per year, while De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter and young prospects could allow Atlanta to consolidate a $136.1-million roster that isn't in the playoff picture. It wouldn't be surprising to see them sell the wing that could net them the highest return toward having more Simmons ammo. 

The Kings remain talented, underwhelming and unpredictable. Are they satisfied with their 10th-seed standing in the west, which depending on how you look at it would end their 15-year postseason drought? Them reportedly growing more willing to make De'Aaron Fox available raises hope for a Simmons deal, and Chris Haynes wrote they've re-engaged discussions. With Philadelphia possibly including Tobias Harris' massive contract in a Simmons deal too, there's a feasible trade that sends Fox to the Sixers as the centerpiece, along with Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes. 

It'd shake up Sacramento's stagnant roster, send a young star guard to the Sixers and two shooting wings to bolster the talent around Joel Embiid. The Sixers keep Tyrese Maxey, the Kings hold on to Tyrese Haliburton, who's shown immense promise in year two and the team can still make another deal later. Marc Stein reported Sacramento's possible willingness to take on Harris' contract, worth close to $40-million per season for two more years. 

Indiana's initial unsuccessful attempt to acquire Simmons, extending Malcolm Brogdon (now trade-ineligible until the offseason) and Philly's lack of a need for bigs like Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner don't position them well for this splash. The Wolves have been quiet on the Simmons front, probably needing a third team to pull it off. Portland? They're worth talking about. 

Damian Lillard could potentially miss the season after undergoing abdominal surgery this week, though he'll be reevaluated in 6-8 weeks. Portland capsized in the first half of the season under new head coach Chauncey Billups, while Lillard's health further hindered his success. C.J. McCollum is owed $33.3-million next season and $35.8-million in 2022-23, while Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic enter unrestricted free agency this offseason. 

The Blazers need to make some moves. Smaller trades to get something back for Covington and Nurkic shouldn't be difficult in a strong seller's market, though the return could be minimal for expiring contracts. Most of the roster outside a committed Lillard should be available, but Philadelphia's interest in Lillard-like star for Simmons is well known. Even if the Blazers get bold and make McCollum available, he may not move the needle for the Sixers much on a deal entering his 30s on a massive contract. 

The time is right for Portland, which should be noted is without a permanent GM after dismissing Neil Olshey, to rebuild as the current eighth-highest team in the lottery. It's looking increasingly difficult to execute such moves without Lillard given how long they've waited. They may need to come down on their price.

"Anfernee Simons' recent explosion also has league executives chattering about the future of CJ McCollum in Portland, and to a lesser extent that of Norman Powell," Jake Fischer wrote in Bleacher Report this week. "Simons is headed for a lucrative restricted free agency this summer, and Portland is already trying to evade paying the luxury tax."

So is Lillard moving this deadline? Almost definitely not. There's plenty of momentum toward activity from the Blazers toward a softer reset though. McCollum and Powell could help a variety of teams. They'll join Turner, Atlanta's wings; Detroit's Jerami Grant, Boston's Dennis Schröder and Sacramento's supporting cast as the most likely names that you'll see move approaching the trade deadline. 

All could become part of bigger deals if willingness and cooperation emerges. That activity often waits until the offseason. San Antonio's Thad Young? Orlando's Terrence Ross and Robin Lopez? Ricky Rubio's injured expiring contract? Those moves could all be foregone conclusions if not buyouts in some cases.

What are possible larger shakeups next month? 

• Let's start with Boston, now out of the east playoff picture at 21-22 after Friday's loss to Philadelphia. Don't expect a Jaylen Brown trade, as they repeatedly assert their intention to build around Brown and Jayson Tatum. Everything else: they seem flexible to discuss. Marcus Smart's uncertain value entering a four-year, $77-million extension and Robert Williams III's poison pill extension create an uncertain path to shaking this up around the Jays though. Do they shed future first-round picks given their lagging record? Brad Stevens sounds intent on holding onto ammunition toward a trade that moves the needle. How long can this shooting-starved group string along without youth development and with its supporting veterans not improving their record over last season in the meantime? They could trade Schröder, though his lack of Bird Rights limit any return. They have salaries to stack with picks, which makes them an intriguing partner for wing shooters like Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes and Jerami Grant. Does all that convince teams currently intent on making larger moves themselves to act? Probably not, especially without offering Smart and/or Williams III. Selectively selling wouldn't be a bad move here, or a possible Jeff Green reunion for stop-gap front court help. Second draft trades like Jalen Smith from Phoenix feel necessary given the stagnancy of Romeo Langford, Payton Pritchard and reportedly-available Aaron Nesmith, who just took a one-game trip to Maine. Those moves won't change this team's core, however. “I don’t think you make a change just to make a change,” Stevens said earlier this month. “You certainly don’t make a change just to do that, if it’s not a good both short term and long term thing for your team.”
• Detroit's Jerami Grant is my favorite deadline name. If he's available, his size, shooting ability, defensive tools and former stretch four role on successful Oklahoma City and Denver teams make him desirable for a variety of teams. Last season, his desire to sign with a Black organization in a Black city more closely married him to the Pistons. One year later, he only has one season ($21-million) left on his contract after this one, and his window at 27-years old doesn't align with a 10-31 team's younger core and they could receive substantial offers for him. He's currently out following right thumb surgery in late December, then set to be evaluated in six weeks. BR mentioned Grant as a potential Portland target, with the Knicks, Lakers and Wizards also monitoring him, according to Shams Charania. Grant is extension-eligible this offseason for up to four-years, $112-million. Frank Jackson and Kelly Olynyk are Pistons names to watch too.  
• Seeing Domantas Sabonis move from Indiana would be surprising unless the Pacers get blown away. Myles Turner has drawn Mavericks, Knicks, Lakers and Hornets interest, and doesn't seem overly thrilled to be on the Pacers. Caris LeVert and Turner could definitely move this deadline, as the Pacers seem to eye a soft reset that's been only vaguely communicated. Breaking up their big man duo and better accentuating Sabonis would be an answer. Players like PJ Washington or Dorian Finney-Smith, plus a future pick could help. Indiana's tight straddling against the luxury tax looms large over their activity. 
• If the Kings strike out on Simmons, look for Buddy Hield and/or Harrison Barnes to become popular deadline names as the Kings try to remain competitive, which means it would take a significant offer to acquire either player. Remember that Sacramento approached a deal with Los Angeles for Hield last offseason that would've brought the Kings starters like Kyle Kuzma. Hield is 28 with two seasons left on his deal declining annually to $20.5 then $18.6-million. Barnes, 29, makes $18.3-million next season. 
• Some players, ahead of summer, 2022 free agency, could be available without certainty to find strong markets. Schröder fits that profile, unlikely to draw more than a second-round pick or two. That also includes impending free agents like Indiana's Jeremy Lamb, Atlanta's Danilo Gallinari ($5-million guaranteed in 2022-2023), Toronto's Chris Boucher, Dallas' Jalen Brunson and Finney-Smith, along with Orlando's Gary Harris and Mo Bamba (RFA). Forthcoming Reddish-style contract extension summers for P.J. Washington in Charlotte and Marvin Bagley III in Sacramento make them intriguing trade possibilities too. 
• How about the buyers? The Bucks need a center and Robin Lopez, injured center Brook Lopez' brother, would be a great fit at a modest cost. He played for Milwaukee in 2019-20. 
• Chicago could weigh trading injured rookie Patrick Williams to go all-in for a player like Grant. That appears unlikely for now. 
• The Cavaliers have been connected to Houston sharpshooter Eric Gordon, owed $19.6-million next season before a non-guaranteed $20.9-million in 2023-24. 
• Miami and Brooklyn probably have what they need, barring any sort of stunning resolution to the Irving "road-only" situation. There's been no rumbling on a trade there, as the Nets quickly appeared dominant with their big three in the lineup. 
• Phoenix' moves will likely come along the edges, like finding Jalen Smith a new home after declining his team option (limiting him to a roughly $4-million contract with the team that acquires him). They could use front court help with Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric recovering from injuries. 
• The Warriors could potentially get involved in anything with Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman to go all-in on 2022, but they seem intent on playing for now and the future after a 31-11 start. They could use a playmaker, if they do act, given how they've looked when Draymond Green doesn't play. 
• The Grizzlies are playing with house money. 
• The Jazz have a sneaky need for perimeter defense, with Joe Ingles set to hit free agency. Watch out for them under Danny Ainge's influence. 
• The Nuggets are hard to predict amid Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. injuries. 
• The Lakers? They'll try, but have next to nothing to trade. 

Here's what happened in the NBA this week...

Atlanta (17-24): Traded Cam Reddish to the Knicks for a Charlotte-protected first-rounder that should convey barring a Hornets fall-off (top-18 protected) or kick into future seasons. Kevin Knox comes back to Atlanta, in return. It's not a terrible deal considering Reddish reportedly didn't want to be in Atlanta and the Lakers were offering second-round picks. Reddish, more of a name than a talent right now, is still only 22 and has both a top high school recruit and shooting pedigree with size at 6'8" (7'1" wingspan). He is extension-eligible this offseason and his career averages rest at 11.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.1 APG and 1.0 SPG on 38.5% FG and 32.9% 3PT into his third season, with the Hawks striking early to make a choice between he and other costly wings on the team. 

With time on their side one month before the deadline though, it's curious why they didn't take their time and weigh every option and trade proposal. They could've traded someone like Bogdan Bogdanovic instead. Atlanta is reportedly open for business given their difficult start. 

Boston (21-22): Squandered a three-game win streak with a bad loss in Philadelphia Friday. They lost Marcus Smart late this week to a thigh contusion and COVID protocol. Jaylen Brown was on a tear, playmaking on his way to his first triple-double on Saturday against the Knicks before six assists and 0 turnovers on Monday, leading the team late on the ball to a crunch time win over the Pacers, then combining with Jayson Tatum for 67 points in one of their best combined performances ever on Wednesday. Then, both flopped in Philadelphia, while Dennis Schröder scored on point in the loss. They had ranked No. 5 in defense and No. 7 in net rating over their last 15 games, but their fourth-quarter woes have them stringing along at 8-7. On Friday, it was a 28-2 first half run that killed Boston. 

Brooklyn (26-15): Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant rode a 43-8 run to blowout to the Bulls and advanced to 13-3 when all three play, almost one year to the day the Nets acquired Harden in a January, 2020 blockbuster. Of course, Irving sat when the team returned to Brooklyn due to his vaccination status and Durant rested, leaving Harden to lose 130-109 to the Thunder on Thursday. They're 3-5 over their last eight, dominant when fully-loaded, but reliant on young players like David Duke Jr., Kessler Edwards, Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe when they need to utilize their depth. Woj affirmed the Nets can't simply pay a New York City fine to have Irving join them full time and Joe Harris has faced a challenging recovery from Nov. 29 ankle surgery. 

Charlotte (23-20): Gordon Hayward, averaging 17.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.8 APG on 47.1% FG in year two with the Hornets, is about to match his games played total from last year and ranks eighth in the NBA in minutes. He discussed the transition to Charlotte this week. 

Chicago (27-13): The east's top record at the halfway point fumbled potential prove-it games against the Nets and Warriors with resounding blowout losses. They visit Boston Saturday. Alex Caruso returns Wednesday to offer them some depth, while Zach LaVine (knee) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) joined Javonte Green among the injured Chicago wings. The Bulls face a challenging rapid emergence of expectations in a difficult conference, with president Michael Reinsdorf admitting he didn't expect to see this much success this quickly.

Cleveland (25-18): Ripped off three more wins over the Kings, Jazz and Spurs on the road after dropping Klay Thompson's return game last weekend in San Francisco. The Cavaliers quietly own the best net rating in the east, and won't go away following the Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio injuries. They could potentially move Rubio's expiring contract to upgrade the roster this month with picks, while the injured guard signaled an end to his NBA career coming in the next few years to return to Spain with his son. Darius Garland averaged 16.0 PPG and 9.3 APG this week as he continues his all-star push. 

Dallas (23-19): Scored a blowout win over the streaking Grizzlies behind a 27-12-10 masterpiece from Luka Dončić. Kristaps Porzingis remains out in COVID protocols, with the Mavs hitting their stride defensively while trying to keep their two stars healthy. Dallas is 5-1 in games Dončić played around an ankle injury since he returned from COVID, averaging 21.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 10.3 APG and an impressive 95 defensive rating. The team's posting a 97.0 defensive rating overall to top the NBA in the new year over a 6-1 start. They're back. 

Denver (21-19): Bol Bol is back in town after a failed physical botched the team's trade for Rodney McGruder and a second-round pick. One of the most injury-devastated teams in basketball faced another scare when Will Barton fell and hit his head off an opponent's knee driving to the basket during Thursday's Nuggets win over Portland. He spoke with the media after the game and Michael Malone said got cleared by team doctors.

"My neck kind of whipped back," Barton said. "Just hurt it for a little while. That’s all.”

Detroit (10-31): They've won 3-of-4 against a more manageable schedule and are 5-3 since 2022 began. Thank Cade Cunningham's all-around play, averaging 16.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.9 APG and 1.0 SPG while Saddiq Bey and Hamidou Diallo continue to provide the sparse makes for this group. Cunningham's rookie of the year case grows weekly, and it's a bummer Bol couldn't join him on a team with ample opportunity to play on. 

Golden State (31-11): They've slid in spots, none worse than a blowout loss to the Bucks Thursday where they trailed by 39 points at halftime. They bounced back and blew out the Bulls, 138-96, on Friday and Klay Thompson's return probably explains some of the awkwardness. He scored 17 points in 20 minutes in his long-awaited return two seasons after tearing his ACL in the NBA Finals. He added 14 and 11 in the two games that followed, before sitting in Chicago. Their other hopeful return, James Wiseman, could take longer after undergoing surgery in December. They've got some things to figure out, as the offense dipped near the bottom of the league over their last 15 games, amid some career-worst stretches from Steph Curry. 

Houston (12-32): One year later, it's worth looking back on how the Harden trade got them here. Forgoing likely all-star Jarrett Allen, flipping solid starter Caris LeVert for Victor Oladipo, who they traded for Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley, now playing for other teams. They received considerable pick compensation from Brooklyn, but if those don't pan out it could go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

Indiana (15-28): Got Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert back only to get blown out against the Celtics and Suns. They sat Turner late in the first quarter of a short-handed overtime loss in Boston on the front half of the mini-series, before he dropped a cryptic tweet. Meanwhile, they're bringing back Lance Stephenson on a third 10-day deal. Turner addressed his tweet after the Boston series, not asking for a trade, though a seemingly inevitable breakup with Domantas Sabonis and this team's standing would make it surprising if he's in Indy in one month.

Clippers (21-22): Beat the Hawks and Nuggets before a bad loss to the Pelicans on Thursday. They're hanging in there as the west's eight seed, though Paul George's elbow injury could potentially cost him this entire season, the Clippers reportedly fear. That would inevitably lessen the urgency to bring Kawhi Leonard back this year, closing the door on any possible postseason competitiveness from this group.

Lakers (21-21): Downright ghastly play from Russell Westbrook, 31.8% FG, 0% 3PT, over his last six games hampered losses to the Grizzlies and Kings. Sacramento pulled a cold as ice stunt that drew a fun Westbrook clap-back and apparent condemnation from the league. Westbrook shared no regrets over going to LA, calling the move bigger than basketball due to its proximity to his family in his native LA. 

“Trying to figure it out,” he told The Athletic. “I mean, we still don’t have the answer. We done changed the way we play a couple times (laughs). Just for me, it’s trying to figure out the best way to be able to implement how I play the game with this team.”

Memphis (30-15): An 11-game win streak that deserves its own article lifted them among the elite in the west and NBA period, before it ended in a loss to the Mavericks on Friday. Ja Morant should be a real MVP candidate, helping Memphis knock off the Suns, Lakers (twice), Warriors, Cavaliers and Nets on their streak, averaging 26.7 PPG on 50.5% FG and 38.5% 3PT. Desmond Bane shot 44.6% from deep through the wins, while Jaren Jackson Jr. blocked nearly three shots per game. The Grizzlies ranked fourth in offense, fifth in defense and second (+11.7) in net rating over that stretch to Philadelphia. It set a franchise record for wins in a row. 

From Morant's catch-block two feet over the basket to Bane's up-fakes, they're a ridiculously fun watch and aren't going anywhere. 

Miami (27-15): Winners of four straight with Bam Adebayo scheduled to return this week, they're now one game behind the Bulls before the lead in the eastern conference. Jimmy Butler (ankle) returned with 23 points and 10 assists on Friday, missing the first three wins in which Max Strus, then Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson (60 points vs. PHX), then Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Omer Yurtseven took over with double figures. They're the deepest team in basketball and it feels like Butler and Adebayo don't even need to play the rest of the regular season to keep this team in elite standing. They could give Herro, Robinson and Kyle Lowry a break through. 

Milwaukee (27-17): Swept mid-week by the Hornets during a mini series in Charlotte where Terry Rozier outdid Giannis Antetokounmpo's scoring efforts, before the arguably MVP favorite pounded Steph Curry's Warriors on Thursday with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Bobby Portis is an underrated story this season, back with Milwaukee on a team-friendly deal and the only reason Giannis can get away with playing so much center. Portis is averaging a career-high 15.5 PPG and 9.1 RPG on 48.2% FG. 

Minnesota (20-22): Won four straight to get back to .500, then dropped a bad loss to play-in competitor New Orleans, then fell to Memphis. They have some Celtics in them with the offensive inconsistency, ranking 21st. Malik Beasley isn't providing the shooting they need, while astounding numbers from Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards this week point toward a depth issue.

New Orleans (16-26): They're competitive, beating the Wolves and Clippers after losing by two possessions to the Raptors and knocking off the Warriors late last week. Over that stretch, Brandon Ingram averaged 27.8 PPG, maybe having the most subtle dominant season of any of the league's young stars. Herb Jones should be a distant rookie of the year candidate, while Jonas Valanciunas keeps putting up massive numbers. They're still a stretch to reach the play-in tournament with a certain player missing though.

New York (21-21): Celebrated back-to-back wins and big RJ Barrett performances by trading for his college teammate Cam Reddish. It's a buy-low move they used Charlotte's pick and Kevin Knox to facilitate. They'll now need to decide this offseason how willing they are to sign him to an extension. He'll fit into New York's three-point heavy attack and Tom Thibodeau could mold the 6'8" wing's defense. It's hard to find anything wrong with the move aside from Reddish's obviously disappointing career to date. 

A change of scenery could help, and with Zion Williamson pronouncing his love for New York in the past, his former college teammates joining forces in the Big Apple will keep the talk of an eventual full reunion going. As for Knox, he keeps New York's long streak of unsigned first-round picks going back to the mid-1990s. That should end with Barrett. Reddish faces his old Hawks team on Saturday night in Atlanta. 

Oklahoma City (14-27): One of those special nights that pop up for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort on Thursday, combining for 60 points in their win over the Nets. Josh Giddey rounds the trio out nicely, but little happens consistently for this team. Dort continued his mastery guarding James Harden from their seven-game showdown in the playoffs two seasons ago, when SGA and Dort looked so good on a winning team. How long will it take this group to get back there? 

Orlando (8-35): Rare Mo Wagner appearance on Friday, the big man dropping 26 points and outdoing brother Franz Wagner, who's received the spotlight in Orlando all season. Top pick Jalen Suggs returned with 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists in his first game since Nov. 29, a win at Charlotte. GM John Hammond thinks Markelle Fultz is close to making his season debut, setting up a three-way back court battle between Cole Anthony, Fultz and Suggs into the future. 

Philadelphia (24-17): Joel Embiid put himself in the same sentence as Wilt Chamberlain with 10 straight 30-point games, a streak that ended with 25 in a blowout against Boston. They've won 8-of-9, during which Embiid averaged 31.8 PPG through on 55.6% shooting. Seth Curry shot 44% from deep over that stretch, Tyrese Maxey 56%. It's not enough though. They need to maximize the Ben Simmons trade this season, with the east possibly open and Embiid rolling, looping in a struggling Tobias Harris if possible. The deadline could swing this season from second-round exit to championship if Philadelphia plays it right. 

Phoenix (32-9): Beat the Raptors, Clippers and Pacers, but Chris Paul and Jae Crowder fell flat in a key loss to the Heat. They're keeping Bismack Biyombo around for the rest of the season, and while they regularly use Jalen Smith in a depth big role it makes declining his team option an all the more puzzling move. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton combined for 62 points in the win over Indiana, Booker overcoming a mascot feud in Toronto. More on that shortly. 

Portland (16-25): Losing Lillard for at least weeks is a massive blow to this season. It could be for the best though to help facilitate a soft reset if the star is intent on seeing this process through. Trading other players, getting a high pick in this year's NBA Draft and continuing to develop Anfernee Simons (27.8 PPG in January) could have Portland back in the playoffs quickly. Though what's the opportunity cost to not dealing Lillard at possibly the last chance to get a massive return for him? It's a tough call the franchise isn't even sure who will make yet. 

Maybe they'll let Lillard decide, no matter who's in charge. 

Sacramento (18-27): Wins over the Rockets and Lakers have them in the play-in at the moment as the 10 seed. Rejoice. Chimezie Metu is a player giving the Kings good minutes few outside of Sacramento have probably heard of. On the verge of breaking their playoff drought, Shaq is out as an owner.

San Antonio (15-27): Losers of five straight since knocking off the Celtics in Boston. The C's lost to some bad teams over those two weeks. Don't expect much selling here even as the Spurs will oddly have lottery hope this May. 

Toronto (20-19): Rising up the east standings thanks to a continually-dominant Fred VanVleet. Getting in Booker's head thanks to the Raptors. This was seriously one of the funniest moments all season in an otherwise ominous empty Toronto arena. 

Utah (28-14): Rudy Gobert proponents get a boost from the team's 0-4 slide without the big man in the lineup. Gobert returned from COVID protocols Friday, which struck the Jazz roster late. Rudy Gay also cleared protocols, getting the team's core rotation into the clear for now. Utah ranked last in the league in defense during Gobert's absence (123 defensive rating). MVP? 

“When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead in terms of winning habits. They take every game personally. Devin Booker is playing his ass off defensively," Gobert said upon his return. "Guys like that, they buy in, and you can tell they take pride in playing defense and stopping their man, doing whatever they can defensively to stop the other team and be part of a winning culture. I think we’re not there yet, but I think we’re gonna get there.”

Washington (22-20): Winners of three straight. Kyle Kuzma has been excellent even as the team slides from its hot start. The former Laker is averaging 15.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 3.0 APG on 45.6% FG. 

“Fit and opportunity is everything in this league,” Kuzma said this week. “There’s a reason why there’s only 450 of us playing basketball at a given time. It’s hard as hell to play at this level. I am a firm believer that if you are a confident person and player and you’re in an opportunity to succeed and coach puts you in the right position, there’s no reason why you can’t go out there and be who you want to be in this league.”