The Pelicans brought in Jonas Valanciunas for many reasons, but his veteran mentorship and competitive attitude stand out.

Pelicans made right decision to extend Jonas Valanciunas

Based on revenue projections and franchise valuations, the NBA may be poised for a record-setting season financially.

NBA's projected revenue and franchise valuations reach all-time highs

Al Harrington says that 85% of NBA players use cannabis, and that three top-20 players will speak out about their marijuana use soon.

Al Harrington: 85% of NBA players smoke weed, stars to speak out soon

Kevin Durant will have a creative development role at NBA Top Shot, curating and creating moments, producing video content and more.

NBA Top Shot partners with Kevin Durant, his media company Boardroom

After last week's shocking news that 18 former NBA players defrauded the league's Health and Welfare Benefit Plan, Alex Kennedy is joined by David Weinstein, an attorney who has represented athletes in white-collar criminal cases throughout his 30-year career. They discuss this case, what happens next, possible sentences for the players, whether more former NBA players may be charged, how this compares to the NFL's healthcare fraud case and more.

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The Alex Kennedy Podcast features candid conversations with NBA players, executives, coaches, reporters, agents and celebrities who love hoops. Each week, Alex gives listeners an inside look at the NBA and discusses the latest storylines, rumors and trends from around the league. New episodes drop every Monday!

The Alex Kennedy Podcast

Legal Expert David Weinstein on possible sentences, what's next in ex-NBA players' fraud scandal saga

Nikola Vucevic has become a terrific player, but he never seems to get the attention he deserves. Will that change in Chicago?

Nikola Vucevic may finally get credit he deserves with new-look Bulls

There are five teams that have “consistently registered interest” in the three-time All-Star, according to Marc Stein.

Wolves, Raptors, Pacers, Spurs, Cavs consistently pursuing Ben Simmons

These days, nearly every NBA star is on Instagram. A new study tracked which players added the most followers since Jan. 1, 2021.

Which NBA players have gained the most Instagram followers this year?

In this year's NBA GM survey, the executives selected Jaren Jackson Jr. as the player most likely to have a breakout season in 2021-22.

NBA GMs believe Jaren Jackson Jr. is poised for a breakout year

The results of this year's NBA GM survey shows that many front offices around the league are scared of the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets.

NBA GMs predict Kevin Durant to win MVP, Nets to win the championship

After a "weird" rookie year that ended due to a torn meniscus, James Wiseman is determined to have a much better sophomore season.

James Wiseman ready to make big strides: 'I'm going to be way better'

Alex Kennedy and Oliver Maroney discuss NBA Top Shot's one-year birthday, give away a pack and discuss the new NFL x Dapper Labs announcement.

NBA Top Shot Weekly

NBA Top Shot Weekly: Happy Birthday, Top Shot!

Alex Kennedy is a sportswriter, editor and podcaster. He has covered the NBA for the last 15 years and he has worked for HoopsHype, USA TODAY Sports, Bleacher Report, Basketball Insiders, RealGM and ESPN 1040. As managing editor of USA TODAY Sports' NBA Wire, he launched several NBA websites and managed the staff of writers and editors. His work has been featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo! Sports, The Undefeated, ESPN Radio, MSN, NBA TV, Fox News and USA TODAY Sports among others. He started covering the NBA as a credentialed media member at 14 years old, becoming one of the youngest professional sportswriters in the country.