NBA Notebook: Marcus Smart and Trey Davis using fashion to fight cancer

Marcus Smart noticed Evan Turner showed up to a road walkthrough during the 2015-16 season in a robe, shorts and slippers. Smart typically packed another pair of clothes for those morning sessions, even for one or two-game road trips, and other times sported the outfit he'd enter the game wearing. Turner inspired one of his earliest fashion decisions, becoming a robe enthusiast. Now, before games, Smart wears numerous robes, customized with his No. 36 on the back, another says 'DPOY' and he's received numerous from companies like Encore as his appearance in Versace robes at practices, media day and entering games made them a Smart staple. 

"I just kind of started wearing them because I'd get cold and I didn't feel like putting on a coat," Smart told Boston Sports Journal. "The robe was so big and warm, so I'm like you know what, I can do this from here on out. I'm not putting on a coat, Imma put on a robe, and then it just started to become a thing, I started buying Versace robes and then people started seeing the robes, and they're like oh, 'you like robes?'" 

Trey Davis, a Maine Celtics guard and lifelong Smart friend from Dallas, also hoped to express himself through fashion beyond his basketball career, studying it during his time playing at University of Massachusetts Amherst from 2012-2016. After Smart founded his YounGameChanger Foundation in 2016 before Davis graduated, Davis and him discussed adding a clothing element to connect with fans and raise more money for Smart's charitable efforts, like Jaylen Brown's 7UICE, which Brown recently said was inspired by his jersey not being sold at TD Garden early in his career. Davis and Smart hosted their first pair of pop-up stores in September in Brighton and on Christmas Eve at Concepts in Boston, drawing teammates, fans and even head coach Joe Mazzulla. 

Robes haven't joined the line yet, but the shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more designed by Aidan Marshall combined Smart's favorite colors and hustling play style, Davis' international basketball career between Albania, Poland, Germany and Italy. Blake Griffin, Grant Williams, Derrick White, Mfiondu Kabengele and Malcolm Brogdon also showed up to purchase some at the Christmas shop, along with Boston rapper Cousin Stizz and numerous fans. They call the brand YounGameChanger Global. 

"I wanted to bring forward was a streetwear feel that still felt connected to basketball. I know community and bringing people together is a big point for Marcus, so being able to reference small business imagery or local typography was something I really wanted to do," Marshall said. "I've always been a huge Boston sports fan, so just trying to capture Marcus’ brand and story while still pertaining to local Boston things and basketball was all I needed to put it together." 

Smart's robe and YGC also paid tribute to his mother Camellia, who died from cancer in 2018 like his brother Todd and other friends and family. He told BSJ at the September pop-up that YGC had created Smart Carts, which roll into hospital rooms and contain iPads and other entertainment devices for children battling cancer. Smart since donated them to Boston, Connecticut and Franciscan's Children's Hospital, giving kids access to games and communication with family through FaceTime. He stunned rival Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks before the season by gifting carts to his foundation. 

"My goal really is just to get these Smart Carts in every hospital that we can," Smart told BSJ. "It doesn't matter where, to really get these kids and these siblings an escape from life that they're going through. I think that's more important than anything, just to be able to put a smile on these kid's faces can change a lot and really help them in certain ways. It might not save their life, in a certain standpoint, for some of these kids, but for that moment, it takes the pain away ... we've also been doing raffles and stuff for people to win, little contests for us, we've got some shoes that we've made that we're putting out there, just to really encourage people and educate people more about what's going on in certain people's lives, people you probably never hear about and voices that never get heard." 

Holiday donated to YGC last year, so Smart returned the favor with his gift, making it a surprise. Holiday also works with Milwaukee Children's Hospital, and Smart praised him for his philanthropic efforts. They've battled intensely on the floor, both teams nearly reaching a boiling point late in their recent game on Christmas, but Holiday and Smart met through their agent Jason Glushon became friends off the floor since their battles began in 2014. 

"Jrue's a great guy, his philanthropy work is unmatched, so to be able to put a smile on his face by doing that, it helped me a lot," Smart said. "We both have the same mindset of helping our community, helping people in need and less fortunate than us and standing for something and fighting for something. We're both feisty and have that tenacity on the court, but when we're off the court, we're sweet guys. We love everybody, we don't hate anybody, our love for everybody in this world is tremendous and I think we show that off the court every day. That's what it's about, we're humans, we go through a lot of problems that everybody else goes through, it's just we get paid to do it and shut up about it and go on about our lives, and other people, they have to sit and struggle through it. For us, we just want to be able to connect back with society and regular people, every day people." 

Those carts hold particular value for people battling cancers like leukemia that impact their immune system as COVID remains a distinct threat to them and limits their contact with the outside world. Smart tried to impact their outlook by partnering with Be The Match, the National Marrow Donor Program, which connects donors with patients needing blood, bone marrow and other cell transplants. Finding a match can significantly improve someone's outlook and both the registry and Smart emphasized that only 29% of Black patients find a match, compared to 79% of white ones. That can mean life or death.

Smart learned awareness remains the biggest enhancer of that gap, so he's trying to spread awareness toward illnesses like leukemia and sickle cell anemia that impact the blood and immune system. He's also hosted Justice Brooks, a 19-year-old battling sickle cell, and hosted him at several games this season to try to spread awareness to his search for a donor. Be The Match sends those interested in donating a kit to find out if they're a match in a process that only takes several minutes. The NBA awarded Smart the Community Assist Award in October for his efforts helping children battle cancer.

Davis hopes to impact education next, speaking with several people at the pop-up store who work with students in Boston schools and hope to provide inspiration and opportunities to them through YGC. Smart and him speak daily while Smart's in-season, and while Davis balances his efforts atop YGC alongside his own goal to bounce back from knee surgery this season with Maine and earn another contract in Europe, he handles much of the foundation's effort and oversees their team. They're already planning more sweepstakes and raffles into 2023, giving away two pairs of signed Smart Puma shoes at the Christmas pop-up. Davis also introduced Smart to chess, which he could also see eventually fitting into their events. 

They started playing daily last year, and Smart became so captivated with the game he now plays himself by making one move on a board before he leaves the house each day. Davis would initially distract Smart by focusing and looking at one side of the board, bluffing and making his moves on the other. Smart recently defeated Davis for the first time, and now his cousin, as he calls him, has to start taking him seriously when they face off. 

"It helps with a lot of things, it helps with your patience, your way of thinking, your creativity and being able to maneuver out of tough situations without being rattled or shook," Smart said. "I was ecstatic (when I first beat Trey). I was taking out the pieces, he was talking trash, you know how it is. Everybody, no matter what you are, when you're a competitor, no matter what sport, what game you play, you're gonna compete, so he's talking his trash and me being me, I don't like it. So I had to continuously work until I finally beat, but when I beat him, it was crazy. Now, I don't think I can lose to him." 

Here's what every NBA team should be thinking about entering the new year...

Atlanta (17-19): Will they build around Trae Young into the future? Young is signed to a five-year, $215.2 million deal through 2027. He is averaging 27.3 PPG and 9.9 APG, but on career-worst 41.4% shooting. The Hawks offense is abysmal, 20th in offensive rating and behind the Lakers, after defense doomed past versions of this team. The Athletic reported head coach Nate McMillan is considering resigning after a turbulent month, and the ever-lasting pursuit of a John Collins trade continues into 2023. This core can't last, it seems, and the breakdown began with Travis Schlenk's reassignment. Shams Charania reported that Atlanta discussed sending Collins, also signed long-term on a sizable deal through 2026, to the Jazz in a Jae Crowder deal. 

Boston (26-10): Will Jaylen Brown make All-NBA and sign a super-max extension with the Celtics? Doing so would secure Brown's future in Boston next to Jayson Tatum through nearly the end of the decade as both players rocketed past Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in total games where both scored 30 points (18). They're the best duo in the NBA and torched the Bucks, Rockets and Clippers to extend a four-game win streak atop the league. As we wrote here earlier this month, a five-year, $298 million offer is the safest bet to prevent Brown from reaching free agency in 2024, and his 27.0 PPG explosion on 49.2% shooting to start this season place him in secure position to make the team in a down year for the position. If he doesn't, it's more likely he'll forgo an extension to test the market. The other major question is whether Brad Stevens will consolidate the bottom of the roster, including Danilo Gallinari's two-year mid level contract, Payton Pritchard and others who have played sparingly since the roster returned to full health. 

Brooklyn (23-12): Within striking distance of Boston and the east's top seed after winning 10 straight and 17-of-20, the best quarter season stretch in Nets history. It's a startling turnaround from the question of whether Kevin Durant would resurface his trade demand, to whether the team can now secure a long-term agreement with Kyrie Irving to keep the team intact. His suspension for sharing an anti-semitic film last month seemed to mark eventual end of his time in Brooklyn, but he's returned to average 25.8 PPG on 50.6% shooting over a drama-free 17 game stretch. Irving becomes a free agent this summer in a market flushed with cash, including a Lakers team that'll be relieved of Russell Westbrook's contract. Could the Nets stomach a bid or does Irving desire a long-term home in New York on team friendly terms? How this season ends could dictate his and Durant's future as Nets. 

Charlotte (10-26): Reload or rebuild? That question could be dictated by whether or not they win the lottery and draft Victor Wembenyama to play alongside LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward. They may need to sell in the meantime to put themselves in the best position to win, since they've won 3-of-6 returning much of that core to the floor. They're only 1.5 games behind Detroit for the worst record, but the Rockets and Spurs will compete heavily for those top-three odd slots. Miles Bridges' uncertain future enters that decision-making process too. The team already began selling the difficult decision to bring him back after chilling domestic violence accusations he plead no-contest to. Signing him would be controversial. 

Chicago (16-19): In the playoff mix, making their rebuild decision more difficult. The Magic own their first-round pick from the Nikola Vucevic trade, protected 1-4. They would tank knowing there's a coin-flip chance they'd lose their pick this season. Other considerations like Lonzo Ball's health, with no signal he'll play this year, DeMar DeRozan's age and 2024 free agency looming all place them in position to sell at the trade deadline. They're already the 10th-worst team in the league while trying, and reports of friction between Zach LaVine and DeRozan cast an even more uncertain cloud over the future of this core. Vucevic will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, while Alex Caruso, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr. and Andre Drummond would all be intriguing trade additions for contenders that could recover picks to jump start a reload around LaVine and a rookie.

Cleveland (22-14): They've been outstanding and are on the doorstep of becoming a championship contender after trading for Donovan Mitchell, probably the best trade of 2022. There's a chance this group breaks through now with some fortune as the league's top defense and the No. 11 offense. Their wing play leaves much to be desired though, with Caris LeVert shooting 39.6% from the field after a hot start, Lamar Stevens limited offensively and Isaac Okoro struggling as badly as any prospect to hit threes (25%). Dean Wade hasn't played since Dec. 2 with a sprained AC joint. LeVert ($18.8M) and Kevin Love ($28.9M) give them significant salary matching ability that'll expire after the year when both players hit free agency. They're important parts of the team for now and they only own two future first-rounders to offer in trades (2024 swap, 2029). Now might be the time to deal. 

Dallas (20-16): Luka Doncic scoring 60 points with 21 rebounds and 10 assists to overcome a nine-point deficit with 33 seconds remaining, NBA firsts, beating the Knicks in overtime. You can't rule out the otherworldly young talent who boasts three All-NBA First Teams in his first four seasons, at 23-years-old, from potentially becoming the greatest basketball player ever. You can question whether the Mavericks will join the elite of the league, even if his growth does point in that direction. This roster isn't good enough, as they've shown this year, leaning halfheartedly into Christian Wood as the only comparable talent to Doncic. Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and Josh Green are fine players. They'll need to take some risks to help this roster make a leap without relying on a 38% usage from Doncic. He's signed through 2027, but they'll need to improve quickly to make him a Mav for life.

Denver (23-12): Is this the best team in the west when healthy? We'll ask that for a number of western conference contenders, but Nikola Jokic's ascending greatness adds a layer above rivals who haven't made the west finals like them. They're better now, Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope fit in perfectly. Jamal Murray looks more like himself with each passing week. Michael Porter Jr. shot 42% from three in his first 20 games back, but missed 13 games with a drop foot ailment that lingered, relating to his back surgery. They've battled with Boston for the top offensive rating all season, Jokic averaging 25.7 PPG, 10.8 RPG and 9.4 APG. They don't need to make any moves, but they could keep us asking what if forever.

They host the Celtics to ring in the new year on Sunday at 8 p.m. 

Detroit (9-29): Are they close? It looked like it when Cade Cunningham took the league by storm as a rookie. Now, after they took a step back, he underwent season-ending shin surgery and Jaden Ivey gets his smallest NBA steps under him, they look miles away from competitiveness. That places their veterans like Bojan Bogdanovic into obvious trade candidacy at the deadline and may propel their cap space into an Oklahoma City style dumping ground in order to acquire additional picks. Then, the question becomes how long Dwane Casey remains the man for the job. It's too bad, but like anyone at the bottom of the league this year, everything will change if the Pistons land the No. 1 overall pick this spring. Killian Hayes, meanwhile, was suspended three games for punching Moe Wagner in an altercation between Detroit and Orlando. The NBA also handed out 10 other suspensions.

Golden State (19-18): The same question they faced on this date last year emerged again entering 2023: can they build an underbelly of youth while contending for a championship. They answer the latter part resoundingly by winning the 2022 title. The returns on their youth investment proved less encouraging after they lost Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. in free agency. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody haven't established consistent roles while Steve Kerr leans into Ty Jerome and Anthony Lamb minutes. James Wiseman only recently returned from the G-League and doesn't look like he fits into their defense and read-and-react offense. Could they even get anything valuable for these players and at what point do they dive into their future first-round picks to further cement their ability to win Steph Curry additional championships? The Jordan Poole and Draymond Green saga showed they're working within financial constraints which could render the youth movement an order from above. GM Bob Myers also isn't extended, and presumably made a point to send that message ahead of the Finals rematch with the Celtics earlier this month. It's a crucial time in the Bay. 

Houston (10-25): Does their plan to make Kevin Porter Jr. a point guard, Jalen Green an off-ball scorer, Jabari Smith Jr. as their two-way wing and Alperen Sengun a secondary post creator grow any legs? They need spacing and additional layers of playmaking, so I'm not panicking over the inefficiency their young core have flashed over their first two years together. They fought the Celtics admirably on Tuesday, but they aren't close and it's possible even Victor Wembenyama wouldn't propel this team into competitiveness right away. They're so young and so raw, and you hope Stephen Silas, a gem of a personality as head coach, survives for several more seasons. The 2023-24 season is scheduled to be his final season on his four-year deal. 

Indiana (19-17): They remain on the east play-in line entering the new year, making their decision whether or not to sell as difficult as anyone else's. They would never call last year a rebuild, and hitting on the Tyrese Haliburton trade and Bennedict Mathurin picks gave the team a roster that may not need to. Haliburton's already on the verge of making an All-NBA team as the league's assist leader, Myles Turner persevered through years of trade rumors to reach what could become a new long-term deal with the team, while Buddy Hield fits their five-out scheme even if he's playing on a hefty contract. The problem is they haven't accumulated the draft capital from other teams that rival rebuilders like the Jazz have. It's hard to draw free agents to their market and the Cavaliers selection they receive this year will likely fall late in the first round. 

Do they have enough in their arsenal to rise in a tough east? It's admirable how they're managing their rebuild differently in a year many expected them to tank. Daniel Theis spoke about that last week, as Aaron Nesmith keeps taking steps toward becoming a reliable NBA rotation player. 

Clippers (21-16): It's monotonous, but only one thing matters in 2023. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and their wide array of veterans need to stay healthy, gel and play at the level they all previously have in their careers. If they can do that, they'll be in the NBA Finals mix. If not, there's no flexibility or way out of this collective they've locked into since the turn of the decade. Thursday's loss to the Celtics showed a need for a backup big man though. 

Lakers (15-21): It didn't seem like it'd go in this direction after Anthony Davis started the year flawlessly, but now their biggest question entering 2023 is whether the All-NBA big man can play again this season. The Lakers hope he'll avoid surgery on his stress injury in his right foot, and they've lost 5-of-7 since he exited the lineup. LeBron James gave a press conference about needing to play winning basketball, another ominous sign about their future together as he'll effectively get another chance to decide whether he wants to stay with the Lakers or not this summer. Russell Westbrook's contract expires at the end of what's looking like another doomed season, but for all their reported bluster about a mystery star, it's hard to find one who fixes even half of what's wrong with this broken roster.

Memphis (21-13): Intriguing to see they're 9-10 against the west, which shouldn't play well after Ja Morant boasted he isn't worried about anyone in the conference. They lost badly to an undermanned Warriors team on Christmas and struggling Suns group on Tuesday. They rank fifth in defense and 12th in offense, which places them close to the contender category. Perhaps natural development from Jaren Jackson Jr., particularly less fouling, and Desmond Bane returning to his borderline All-NBA production from before his toe injury settles them into that class. For now, something's missing. 

Miami (18-18): This time last year they were 23-13 and on their way to the east's top conference. They look nowhere close at 26th in offense entering 2023. They may be stuck, and Jimmy Butler's age compared to Bam Adebayo's makes their path forward complicated. Their pick arsenal and Brooklyn's reported demand of Adebayo complicated their Kevin Durant pursuit and they didn't have the pieces to land Donovan Mitchell. So why would they be able to acquire someone like Bradley Beal if that becomes possible? How much does that even solve? They've relied on unsung talent for too much of their rotation, and as the east improves around them an older Kyle Lowry, with Orlando Robinson, Haywood Highsmith and Caleb Martin wasn't going to cut it. Still, it's hard to imagine Pat Riley blowing up his roster and entering a rebuild. They'll be an intriguing team to watch. 

Milwaukee (23-12): Worried about them after a bad loss to the Celtics on Christmas, even accounting for Khris Middleton's absence. Middleton has a $40.4-million player option for next season as he struggles to return from offseason wrist surgery and suffered another knee ailment that's cost him his past seven games. They're relying on Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen for heavy wing minutes next to Jrue Holiday, giving the Bucks no chance to stop Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. No MarJon Beauchamp. The Bulls' wings beat them on Wednesday and they're rough on offense. They should be competitive if they can get healthy for the postseason, but it's time for GM Jon Horst to consider some roster tinkering with their limited resources.

Minnesota (16-20): They should remain patient into the new year despite a startling tip-off to the Rudy Gobert era and some obvious awkwardness that emerged as he and Karl-Anthony Towns teamed up. D'Angelo Russell will be a free agent this summer and Anthony Edwards' development hasn't progressed as rapidly as expected, in part due to roster construction. The Gobert trade could potentially set this franchise back one decade if things don't turn around, which inevitably would lead them to reassess Towns' future. They're only a -0.5 net rating after all that's happened though. Wait and see. 

New Orleans (23-12): In better shape than the Grizzlies, especially considering their Lakers' draft capital -- a pick swap this year that could become Victor Wembenyama, an unprotected pick in 2024 or 2025 and Bucks picks and swaps from 2024-2027. That's as powerful of a trade chest that exists in the league right now, and they could use some help as Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and this core begin to flash Finals potential. The Pelicans need rim protection badly, whether through center depth or a big wing. Larry Nance could do that job there are few non-Durant circumstances where they should trade Herb Jones. They have other contracts and prospects, but they seem to love this group as it stands. Any healthy Zion year is important.

New York (18-18): Is Tom Thibodeau the right coach for this core and do they have a decided direction? The Donovan Mitchell debacle sent them into an uncertain start to the season where players had been floated in deals, bad habits from last year lingered and a vital rotation tightening saved their season with an eight-game win streak. They've slipped since, losing five straight, one in epic fashion to the Mavericks. That stretch alone dropped their defense from the top of the league to 11th. They aren't making developmental strides aside from Quentin Grimes' slow progression with the starters. It could be time to pivot toward a slower build here and stop the stargazing. That'll require belief in RJ Barrett and perhaps shopping Julius Randle. 

Oklahoma City (15-20): When do they pivot from rebuilding toward trying to win? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready and much of their young roster isn't, evidence by and encouraging start fading into a drop to 12th in the conference. They already started punting on picks when they traded the first from the Kemba Walker trade that became Alperen Sengun, while a heavily-protected Pistons pick returned to the Thunder. Chet Holmgren's debut and lottery night become their next most-anticipated dates into 2023, but once they pass, Sam Presti needs to cement the roster with veterans who can lead them. 

Orlando (13-24): They have their centerpiece in Paolo Banchero after shuffling through prospects going back to the Dwight Howard trade. Who joins him into the future? The back court is split between Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and injured Jalen Suggs all trying to stake their claim as the one to build around. Wendell Carter Jr. is hurt often, they re-signed Mo Bamba and Bol Bol's ascension created some conversations in the front court, while they await Jonathan Isaac's return after going down in 2020. Franz Wagner joins Banchero as the core of the team going forward, and watching the Bulls stagnate while they stay in the mix atop the lottery gives them a unique double dip at the lottery odds if the standings remain. There's hope here. 

Philadelphia (20-14): James Harden and Joel Embiid figured out how to dominate together, then Adrian Wojnarowski shockingly reported Harden has interest in returning to the Rockets ahead of his likely unrestricted free agency this summer. That combination hitting its stride and staying healthy into the playoffs is everything. They've achieved a No. 2 defense, complicating Tyrese Maxey's eventual return. They have enough talent on the roster, and another playoff disappointment could call Doc Rivers' status into question. The bigger worry at that point becomes Embiid's comfort here at that point.

Phoenix (20-17): How much longer can Chris Paul continue to play at an elite level? He's signed for one more season at $30.8 million before the team has an out in 2024, making the contract less of a worry than their reliance on his play. Devin Booker is hurt again (groin) and will reportedly miss at least four weeks, while Paul shoots a career-low 41.3%. His three-point shooting could make up for that within the full context of the team, but this group leaned into its two guard's mid-range game with some perimeter shooters who haven't been present since Jae Crowder held out and Cam Johnson tore his meniscus. There's no question the Suns need reinforcements like Eric Gordon, and they have their future draft picks to get busy into 2023. It's also worth wondering if James Jones will be the one to lead the franchise into the future after Mat Ishiba reached a deal to buy the team from Robert Sarver.

Portland (18-17): They haven't played well since a hot start. Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons is playing well next to a rejuvenated Damian Lillard. Like the Wizards and Bradley Beal, they're currently beholden to whatever contention aspirations their star has and their interest in remaining with their franchises. Lillard's hasn't wavered at all, so until that happens, they'll probably remain fixated on winning with him even after a series of offseason additions haven't done much to stabilize the situation here. Josh Hart, Jusuf Nurkic and even newly-signed Gary Payton II would draw trade interest if the Blazers decide to reset or rebuild. Lillard is 32 and signed a two-year, $121.8 million extension that keeps him in Portland through 2027. 

Sacramento (19-15): The De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis marriage has worked well enough to hold off complaints about the Tyrese Haliburton trade, and this isn't superficial winning to try to navigate around the new playoff format to end their 16-year drought. The Kings looks legitimately good, seventh in offense with a 21st-ranked defense that needs improvement. Keegan Murray's growth into a star wing would make them more intriguing as contenders and he's averaging 11.7 on 42.2% shooting while burying 38% from deep. They could use some consolidation if they can. 

San Antonio (12-23): How much longer will Gregg Popovich coach and will they get Victor Wembenyama? They've compiled some nice prospects like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan, among others. Romeo Langford even flashed some potential with 23 points in 28 minutes against the Knicks. No team is on a lower floor in their rebuild though, and this team hasn't been fun to watch in a long time now.

Toronto (16-20): It's not time to panic yet, but Nick Nurse has stayed on top of this team as they've lost 7-of-10 and Pascal Siakam is averaging 26.5 PPG. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. should enter unrestricted free agency this offseason, creating more urgency at the deadline than there'd otherwise be if they slipped prior to the turn of the year. They're 14th in offense and 17th in defense, a slight net negative (-0.1). That's Wolves territory. 

Utah (19-19): Normally you'd look at this team as over-performing, ranking No. 5 in offense, but No. 25 in defense and wonder how they're going to successfully rebuild if they keep winning. That's not the case for the Jazz due to their spectacular Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades that returned tons of future asserts from Cleveland and Minnesota. Danny Ainge might've done it again between Will Hardy, Lauri Markkanen and picks. 

Washington (16-21): Each game they fall under .500 makes you think about Bradley Beal's future more. Beal owns a no-trade clause and his five-year, $251-million deal runs through at least the 2026 season, when he has a player option. He's averaging 23.5 PPG and 5.2 APG on 52.7% shooting, and Kristaps Porzingis' resurgence, a mix of decent prospects and a seemingly impatient Kyle Kuzma ahead of his free agency don't generate much hope.