2025-26 Feb Updates for NBA Gamers from Faculties in West

LA’s Massive Strikes

James Harden (Cleveland Cavaliers, Arizona State)

The Los Angeles Clippers had a nightmare 6-21 begin to the 2025-26 season.

And their unusually disrespectful therapy of the retiring franchise legend Chris Paul turned them into one of many NBA’s largest laughingstocks.

Nevertheless, they went on an enormous run and had been close to a .500 file earlier than deciding to make strikes for his or her future on the commerce deadline.

They traded away James Harden to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round decide, whereas additionally buying and selling Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round decide.

Contemplating the Clippers had just about no draft capital earlier than these strikes (due to the Paul George and James Harden trades), they did a strong job buying some belongings whereas nonetheless staying aggressive as a play-in group.

In the meantime, the Cavs have gone all-in and really feel like including Harden may help them make it out of the East. “The Beard” is enjoying among the best basketball of his profession proper now.

In his first seven video games as a Cavalier, he has gone 6-1 whereas placing up 18.9 factors and eight.0 assists per sport with a real taking pictures share of 65.9, by far the best mark of his profession since his last season in Oklahoma Metropolis as a 22-year-old.

Harden is just taking 12.4 photographs per sport, which is as soon as once more decrease than any of his seasons since his 2011-12 season in OKC.

His three-point effectivity has skyrocketed, as he’s presently taking pictures 48.8% from deep in Cleveland, up 12.5% from his profession common.

Sadly, he did decide up a proper thumb damage, which gained’t hold him out for lengthy as a result of Harden being left-handed, although it’s nonetheless one thing to look out for.

With Donovan Mitchell because the group’s undisputed high possibility, Harden gained’t have to hold an enormous offensive load anymore, which may help him play environment friendly basketball and struggle his playoff demons as he searches for his first championship.

Harden’s position in Cleveland is that of a ground normal, and he has already helped his teammates attain a brand new degree.

“Bringing James on has given us a renewed confidence,” stated Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. “I felt like we had been sort of lacking that edge, that perception. I really feel like we’re regaining that. Lots of it has to do with who we added within the commerce.”

Bennedict Mathurin (Los Angeles Clippers, Arizona)

Darius Garland nonetheless hasn’t made his debut for the Clippers, however he hopes to make an analogous influence as Bennedict Mathurin when he does.

Mathurin began the 12 months off because the Pacers’ “tank commander”, however that position shortly pale away because the group started to surprise about his long-term match as soon as Tyrese Haliburton returns in 2026-27.

A thumb damage that prompted him to overlook 11 video games didn’t assist both, and the Pacers finally determined to maneuver on from Mathurin as an alternative of discussing a contract extension within the offseason.

The proficient scorer has discovered new life in LA, as he has put up 28.3 factors and seven.0 rebounds per sport in his final three video games whereas taking pictures 48.1% from the sector.

Whereas they’re not contenders, with Mathurin, Garland, and the ageless surprise that’s Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers will nonetheless be aggressive and might trigger severe issues for contenders within the postseason.

Rookie Report

Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets, BYU)

After a really profitable stretch of play in January, Egor Dёmin capped the month off with a then-career excessive efficiency in opposition to the Utah Jazz.

He scored 25 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds whereas making six of his 12 three-pointers. That was his thirty fourth consecutive sport with a three-pointer, which set a rookie file.

“There’s a motive why we drafted him,” Nets HC Jordi Fernández stated. “We believed that [his] taking pictures was NBA taking pictures and he’s confirmed it from the start.”

Dёmin’s record-breaking streak ended within the following sport, as he went 0-4 from deep in opposition to the first-seeded Pistons.

Nevertheless, he bounced again shortly, as he set a brand new career-high with a 26-point efficiency in opposition to the Magic simply two days later.

With Cam Thomas’ departure, the Nets have handed the keys to their franchise to Dёmin, and everybody within the group is intrigued by his potential.

“You see the arrogance rising on him,” Nets middle Day’Ron Sharpe stated. “Who is aware of what Egor may be within the subsequent couple of years?”

Lawson Lovering (Memphis Grizzlies, Colorado/Utah)

It’s all the time good to see somebody lastly obtain their lifelong dream.

Lawson Lovering, a 7’0 middle who performed faculty basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes and the Utah Utes, went undrafted within the 2025 NBA Draft, however that didn’t cease him from chasing his dream of enjoying within the NBA.

Lovering performed for the Grizzlies within the Summer season League and was signed to their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. After a number of months with the Hustle, Lovering was lastly referred to as up by the injury-riddled Grizzlies.

On February 11, Lovering grew to become simply the second participant from Wyoming to play in an NBA sport for the reason that NBA-ABA merger.

Of their subsequent sport, Lovering was named a starter and put up a double-double, scoring 11 factors and grabbing 11 rebounds to assist the Grizzlies beat the Jazz.

Lovering has returned to the Hustle since then, nevertheless it’s not far-fetched to imagine he’ll get extra NBA alternatives this season.

Taking part in for a Winner

Nikola Vučević (Boston Celtics, USC)

Nikola Vučević has quietly carved out a pleasant profession for himself. He handed the 17,250-point mark this 12 months, which now means he’s formally a top-100 scorer in NBA historical past.

He’ll surpass $200 million in profession earnings this season, has made two All-Star groups, and is third on the Magic’s all-time scoring checklist.

Nevertheless, Vučević has by no means performed for a real contender, as he has by no means gained a playoff collection that he truly performed in (he didn’t play in Philadelphia’s notorious upset collection victory over Chicago in 2012).

That might all change this 12 months, as his new group, the Boston Celtics, are presently on a roll in a comparatively weak Jap Convention.

Vučević hasn’t been requested to do a lot in Boston, averaging simply 24.0 minutes per night time whereas the group has gone 5-2 within the seven video games since his arrival.

High Veterans

Dillon Brooks (Phoenix Suns, Oregon)

Dillon Brooks broke his hand within the Suns’ double additional time win over the Magic on February 21 and may miss time till April, which is a disgrace since he was enjoying among the greatest basketball of his life.

Within the 10 video games earlier than his damage, Brooks averaged 25.0 factors per contest whereas taking pictures 46.0% from the sector. This stretch included a profession night time in opposition to the Pistons, as he scored 40 factors to assist the Suns to an upset win.

The Suns have been one of many largest surprises of this season, however they want Brooks to return as quickly as doable in the event that they wish to keep alive within the West’s playoff race.

Jrue Vacation (Portland Path Blazers, UCLA)

Irue Vacation is growing old like a tremendous wine. The previous all-star is certainly one of my favourite gamers of all time, and he’s presently serving to a younger Path Blazers squad struggle for a playoff spot.

Some feared that his sport would drop off following a 27-game absence as a result of a calf damage, however the 35-year-old remains to be placing up nice numbers.

Over his final eight video games, Vacation has averaged 19.4 factors, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 51.4% from the ground and 44.9% from deep.

His true taking pictures share of 64.8 ranks third amongst all gamers with no less than 100 photographs throughout that span, which has helped the Blazers to a 5-3 file.