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Brown: Irving, Waiters are Still Learning
It took Cavaliers coach Mike Brown nine games before he pulled the plug on the combination, and moved Waiters to the bench.
Brown said Waiters and Irving aren’t just learning how to play together, they are learning how to play. Waiters is in his second year in the NBA, Irving in his third.
“They’ve had some moments where they’ve played very well together on the floor,” Brown said. “They are two young guys trying to figure out how to play the right way themselves, no matter who else is out on the floor. They are getting better learning how to play with each other.”
Being moved to the bench has fueled rumors the Cavs might entertain offers to deal Waiters at the Feb. 20 trade deadline. They might live to regret that move, especially if Waiters continues to have games like he did on Sunday against Memphis.
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Sources: Spurs ‘listening to inquiries’ on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Trey Lyles, Patty Mills

The [San Antonio] Spurs are receiving calls on their veteran players who are pending free agents — LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Trey Lyles and Patty Mills — and are listening to inquiries, sources said. San Antonio is the sixth seed in the Western Conference at 18-13, blending its veterans and talented young core of Keldon Johnson, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV.
Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic
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Sources: Celtics, Hornets Interested in Nikola Vucevic

The [Boston] Celtics and [Charlotte] Hornets are among teams interested in [Orlando] Magic two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, sources said. Rival teams expect that any haul for Vucevic would have to be massive. The 7-foot big man is having his best NBA season, averaging 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 41.8 percent from 3-point range. Vucevic has spent nine of his 10 NBA seasons in Orlando.
Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic
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Sources: Timberwolves Interested in John Collins, Aaron Gordon

Minnesota [Timberwolves] has shown interest in power forwards around the league, including Atlanta’s John Collins and Orlando’s Aaron Gordon, sources said. Both players have significant asking prices in the marketplace. The Timberwolves had substantive conversations with the Magic on Gordon prior to his severe ankle sprain last month, sources said, and those talks are expected to resume as he nears his return to the floor.
Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic