Exclusive Around the NBA: February, 2026!

[wizenheimer]

@THE HCP will still buy his jersey.

"man, I wish we had a C like Ayton" -- HCP says while scratching himself....probably

 

[riverman]

Delano Banton just signed a 10 day with the Clippers

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Delano Banton just signed a 10 day with the Clippers

You made me think of another ghost from the past and so I looked him up: In the 2025-2026 season with Hapoel Beer Sheva/Dimona, C.J. Elleby has been a standout player, averaging 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, according to 365Scores and Sofascore. Key performances include a 36-point game in late December 2025 and consistent high-scoring games in the Israeli Winner League, per RealGM and 365Scores.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Delano Banton just signed a 10 day with the Clippers

But what about Dalano Banton??

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[riverman]

Blazers are working on a buyout deal with Matisse Thybulle according to the rumor mill

 

[wizenheimer]

Blazers are working on a buyout deal with Matisse Thybulle according to the rumor mill

I wonder what the incentive is for Thybulle to reduce his salary

 

[riverman]

I wonder what the incentive is for Thybulle to reduce his salary

I'd say the fact that he hasn't worn a uniform in years.

 

[blazerfan11]

Look at this mask that Onyeka Okongwu is sporting today.
Looks like that character who likes his fava bean with a nice Chianti.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Castle seems to have emerged as the best player from the 2024 lottery. He had a monster game last night.
40 points (15-19), 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I wonder what the incentive is for Thybulle to reduce his salary

Wondering the same. Can’t he play in the playoffs if it’s early enough? We have $50K? Horrible signing keeping him. Waste of money and roster spot. And I admittedly was happy when we acquired him. That one did not work out.

 

[PDXFonz]

Remember when statmuse was released?

I need to get on it more. Crazy good for stat reference.

 

[KingSpeed]

Castle seems to have emerged as the best player from the 2024 lottery. He had a monster game last night.
40 points (15-19), 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.

One game. I think Clingan is up there too.

 

[KingSpeed]

Wondering the same. Can’t he play in the playoffs if it’s early enough? We have $50K? Horrible signing keeping him. Waste of money and roster spot. And I admittedly was happy when we acquired him. That one did not work out.

He’s so good when he plays. I’d hate to lose him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

One game. I think Clingan is up there too.

17- 7 -5 is pretty good for a 2nd-year player on a team with the 3rd-best record in the NBA

 

[Chris Craig]

I wonder what the incentive is for Thybulle to reduce his salary

Gets to be free of the Blazers and can join a contender.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Blazers are working on a buyout deal with Matisse Thybulle according to the rumor mill

I wonder what the incentive is for Thybulle to reduce his salary

Isn’t he an UFA expiring contract after this season?

 

[julius]

Isn’t he an UFA expiring contract after this season?

Yep.

While it makes sense in that they might save money if they bought him out, at this point, how much of a difference will it make to their potential tax/apron/whatever situation?

 

[wizenheimer]

Isn’t he an UFA expiring contract after this season?

yes, but that would have no bearing on a buy-out this season. All it would do is take one potential team, Portland, out of the picture

 

[Chris Craig]

Yep.

While it makes sense in that they might save money if they bought him out, at this point, how much of a difference will it make to their potential tax/apron/whatever situation?

If they are trying to convert both Sidy and Love it probably helps to keep them out of tax.

I'd rather buy out Murray, but I guess Thybulle isn't going to be back next season anyway.

 

[wizenheimer]

Gets to be free of the Blazers and can join a contender.

that's assuming he'll even be able to play this season. That doesn't seem like a very safe bet

say he gets healthy enough to impress a contender in a workout to be signed in the next couple of weeks. His vet minimum is a shade under 2.9M. If you pro-rate that assuming 20 games left in the season, his salary would be around 700K. I don't see any good reason for him to accept a buyout higher than his projected new salary

the critical date is March 1, He has to be waived or bought out before then in order to be eligible for the playoffs. The problem is that Cissoko only has 2 games left as a two-way contract. Thybulle won't be playing before he'd get waived or bought out so he has no good way to re-establish any value

 

[KingSpeed]

17- 7 -5 is pretty good for a 2nd-year player on a team with the 3rd-best record in the NBA

Oh it’s very good. Just saying he’s not as good as that one game.

 

[Chris Craig]

Look at this mask that Onyeka Okongwu is sporting today.
Looks like that character who likes his fava bean with a nice Chianti.

View attachment 80994

He's a biter

 

[HailBlazers]

Who's with me and who's with @THE HCP

 

[wizenheimer]

If they are trying to convert both Sidy and Love it probably helps to keep them out of tax.

I'd rather buy out Murray, but I guess Thybulle isn't going to be back next season anyway.

Blazers are 1.39M below the tax line

the rookie minimum salary is 1.27M. If they waited to waive Thybulle for 2 more games, then when they did that and wanted to convert Sidy's contract they would have 27 games left in the season. So, a pro-rated minimum salary would be 27/82 X 1.27M would be around 420K. So Portland can eat the dead money of Thybulle, and for example, Rupert or Blake, and still have room under the tax to convert the contracts of Cissoko and Love

if I had to choose between Cissoko and Love, I'd choose Cissoko. If I had to choose between Love and Blake, I'd take Blake. If I had to choose between Love and Rupert, I'd guess I'd take Love. But with Dame, Jrue, Scoot, and Blake I just don't see the need or fit for Love. That would be 1/3 of the roster invested in guys 6'3 and under, and that's regression back to the Olshey years

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers are 1.39M below the tax line

the rookie minimum salary is 1.27M. If they waited to waive Thybulle for 2 more games, then when they did that and wanted to convert Sidy's contract they would have 27 games left in the season. So, a pro-rated minimum salary would be 27/82 X 1.27M would be around 420K. So Portland can eat the dead money of Thybulle, and for example, Rupert or Blake, and still have room under the tax to convert the contracts of Cissoko and Love

if I had to choose between Cissoko and Love, I'd choose Cissoko. If I had to choose between Love and Blake, I'd take Blake. If I had to choose between Love and Rupert, I'd guess I'd take Love. But with Dame, Jrue, Scoot, and Blake I just don't see the need or fit for Love. That would be 1/3 of the roster invested in guys 6'3 and under, and that's regression back to the Olshey years

I think Blake is staying. Blazers will probably make a spot for Sidy and let Love finish the season with the Remix.

 

[blazerkor]

Who's with me and who's with @THE HCP

Wait did @THE HCP say he'd take Russ over AI???

I think it's obviously AI, all day every day. Russ is the better defender but AI scrapped on D. AI just gives you too many points and brought so much gravity on offense.