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.

Just when Cameron Johnson was settling into a groove with Phoenix after missing nearly three months with a knee injury, the Suns will reportedly trade him to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a blockbuster trade that will send star forward Kevin Durant to Phoenix. The NBA trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Thursday.

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.

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.

Friday will be Michael Jordan Day on ESPN and ACC Network as the channels will feature extensive programming that spotlights No. 23 on 2/3/23. Highlights of the Carolina and NBA great’s career will be part of multiple studio shows, while ACCN will air four Tar Heels games from the 1981, 1983 and 1984 seasons.

Saturday was the most productive day in the NBA for UNC alums this season as five scored at least 13 points, led by Cole Anthony, who broke loose for 21 points one night after scoring 19. The bad news for Anthony is that both were losses.

The Phoenix Suns limited Cameron Johnson’s minutes in his third game back after recovering from knee surgery, but he made the most of his time on the court. Johnson scored 24 points and six 3-pointers in only 18 minutes as the Suns rolled past the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night 128–97 for their fourth consecutive victory.

Harrison Barnes’ play in January has been spectacular and, according to his coach, is “irreplaceable.” With his leadership, the Sacramento Kings continued to roll Monday, doing it in record-breaking fashion. Barnes scored 15 of his 20 points and five of his six 3-pointers as the Kings tied an NBA record with 12 first-quarter 3-pointers on 13 attempts in a 47-point period. Sacramento finished off Memphis by outscoring the Grizzlies 33–10 in the fourth quarter for a 133–100 home victory.