4:32 PM ET Associated Press RIETI, Italy — The first Italian basketball team that Kobe Bryant’s father played for retired the Lakers superstar’s jersey to the rafters in a pregame ceremony Wednesday. “You began to play here and as an adult you made us dream. Our colors are with you in the sky,” read a

9:31 AM ET The fun thing about the trade deadline is that it’s a deadline — which spurs activity. Just when you think it’s barren, seven trades come across Woj’s Twitter feed in a two-minute span. The lead-up has been a tad dull. Bradley Beal‘s extension took him off the market until the offseason, removing

12:34 AM ET The Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have agreed to a multi-player trade that includes Clint Capela and Robert Covington, among other players, and draft picks, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The four-team deal sends Covington and Jordan Bell to Houston; Capela and Nene to Atlanta; Malik Beasley, Juan

3:34 PM ET NEW YORK — D’Angelo Russell is no stranger to being in the middle of trade discussions. Since Russell signed with Golden State in July, he has been seen as a potential trade chip. The latest iteration came Tuesday, when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves were interested in organizing a

1:56 AM ET The Phoenix Suns are in discussions to acquire Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard, league sources tell ESPN. The Pistons’ intrigue with a deal centers on the opportunity to land a future Phoenix first-round pick, perhaps as soon as the 2020 NBA draft, league sources said. Talks have gained traction, but there is

12:01 AM ET INDIANAPOLIS — Almost two years to the day, Kristaps Porzingis was down underneath the basket in Madison Square Garden holding his left knee, wondering what might become of his NBA career. Fast forward to Monday night against the Indiana Pacers, and he was putting together two of the best back-to-back games of

2:33 PM ET After two consecutive All-Star appearances, Karl-Anthony Towns was left off this year’s roster, something the Minnesota Timberwolves star isn’t happy about. “It’s unfortunate that this year’s All-Star Game won’t have the 24 best players in the NBA,” Towns told the Minneapolis Star Tribune after Saturday’s loss to the LA Clippers. Towns is

8:21 PM ET The Houston Rockets are actively discussing several trade scenarios involving center Clint Capela, including with a host of Eastern Conference franchises, league sources tell ESPN. The Rockets are engaged in three-way trade possibilities that might allow for them to use Capela’s to gather the draft assets needed to acquire an impact wing

6:47 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN HOUSTON — In the early part of his NBA career, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has proven to be a force down in the post area. Whether it’s his offensive rebounding or touch around the rim, he’s proven a tough cover for opposing teams. That’s why after Sunday afternoon’s

11:54 AM ET ESPN News Services Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will be reevaluated in a week after suffering a ligament sprain in Saturday night’s loss to the Washington Wizards. The Nets announced that an MRI done Sunday morning on Irving’s right knee confirmed the initial diagnosis of a medial ligament sprain. He will miss