Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson, his ‘twin’ knew since June that they might end up in Brooklyn; Cavs sign Green

Cameron Johnson joined the new-look Brooklyn Nets, and was one of four newcomers who started in Saturday night’s home game against Philadelphia. Johnson and Mikal Bridges, nicknamed “The Twins” by former Suns teammate Deandre Ayton because they spent so much time together, each started in the Nets’ 101–98 loss to the Sixers. Joining them in the lineup were Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney, who Brooklyn got in the Kyrie Irving deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Tar Heels in NBA: Lakers reportedly among teams seeking Green; Thunder waives Jackson; Bullock stays hot; Kessler hits 23

Danny Green is with Houston after the Rockets acquired him in a trade-deadline deal with Memphis on Thursday, but it appears unlikely that he’ll be there long. Justin Jackson’s stay with Oklahoma City Thunder lasted less than 24 hours as the Thunder waived him Friday. In Friday games, Reggie Bullock scored 13 points and his 800th career 3-pointer as Dallas beat Sacramento 122–114, and rookie Walker Kessler netted a season-high 23 points in Utah’s 122–116 win at Toronto.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson, Green, Jackson dealt; Anthony has huge game in Magic win

When the trade deadline dust settled, three UNC alums changed teams. But Cole Anthony isn’t going anywhere and he showed why with his play in Orlando’s big home victory. Anthony collected 17 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks as the Magic knocked off Western Conference-leading Denver for a 115–104 home victory Thursday night.

Tar Heels in NBA: Bullock — now a starter — and Pinson productive in first game playing with Irving

The bigger news for UNC alums was that the Phoenix Suns are reportedly trading Cameron Johnson to Brooklyn (more on that deal here), but the flurry of trades ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline has worked quite nicely so far for Reggie Bullock. After starting only 30 of the Dallas Mavericks’ 52 games, Bullock is back as a Mavericks starter and playing well. He scored 15 of 18 points and five of his six 3-pointers in the first quarter Wednesday as Dallas earned a 110–104 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson has been consistent; Suns are 9–2 since he returned

Cameron Johnson continues to consistently play well, which has helped turn the Phoenix Suns’ season around. He’s combined for 34 points and five 3-pointers in the last two wins. The Suns have gone from losing 11 of 13 games before he returned to 9–2 since then to move up to fifth place in the Western Conference at 30–26. Johnson tore the meniscus in his right knee and missed nearly three months.

Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony hits 20, tries to break up fight; Barnes scores 23; both on Top 10 plays for dunks

Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes both had big games Friday night, with Anthony trying to play peacemaker amid a brawl in an Orlando win and Barnes throwing down a highlight-reel dunk but missing a big shot at the end of a Sacramento loss. Anthony had his second-best game of the season with a 21.9 game score, collecting 20 points, two 3-pointers, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal in the Magic’s 127–120 win at Minnesota that included an ugly fight that led to five ejections.

Tar Heels in NBA: White hits 20, makes Bulls 3-pointers history amid report team rejecting trade offers

It hasn’t been the most productive of Coby White’s four NBA seasons, but he has made a little Chicago Bulls history this week. And, according to one report, the Bulls have rejected multiple offers for him ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline. White scored 20 points and three 3-pointers in their 114–98 home victory Thursday over the Charlotte Hornets. That effort came one game after he became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 500 3-pointers, with a pair of 3s Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, needing only 237 games.

Tar Heels in NBA: Green returns after horrible knee injury; Kessler blocks 7 shots; Brooks suffers concussion

After a gruesome knee injury during last season’s playoffs that many thought would end his career, Danny Green finally made his season debut Wednesday night after a long rehabilitation process. When he tore the MCL and LCL in his left knee, he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. After an offseason trade to the Memphis Grizzlies, Green entered the game to start the second quarter of their 122–112 home loss to Portland.