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Warriors

Just over four years ago, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors were shooting around on a chilly morning in Cleveland. As his teammates got their shots up, Shaun Livingston was sitting nearby on the baseline.
He foreshadowed his upcoming retirement that would happen at the end of that campaign, but glowingly talked about the Warriors' player development staff and the young talents who were next in line to carry along the franchise's legacy. Unprompted, after a question about Golden State's future, Livingston looked over with a smile: "LOONEY!"
"I mean, that&rsquo;s a perfect example,&rdquo; Livingston <a href="https://www.basketballinsiders.com/news/livingston-on-remarkable-career-warriors-next-in-line/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told me, referencing Kevon in Dec. 2018</a>. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s our most important big right now with Draymond [Green] out, know what I mean? &lsquo;Cause of what he brings to the table and he knows how to play. He&rsquo;s always in the right spot.
&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s the progression of him being here these years and watching, learning from the vets &mdash; watching Andre [Iguodala], watching Draymond. And now he&rsquo;s one of the main core guys that has to be on the floor.&rdquo;
It's safe to say Livingston knew what he was talking about all of those years ago. Now in his eighth season, having played in 179 straight games (postseason included), Kevon Looney is the Warriors' ironman and a main fixture of this ball club. He's a three-time NBA champion and among the top screen-setting centers in the league, using his physicality and will to outwork his opponents (as we saw Friday evening in Cleveland).
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Outrebounding the Cavaliers' duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined (17 boards to their 15), while also registering two steals, two blocks and four assists, Looney helped the Warriors finish their East-Coast visit with a 3-2 record despite being shorthanded.
Following the Warriors' 120-114 victory, Basketball News sat down with the 26-year-old to discuss the win, Golden State's season, his development and more:
Considering how this team has played on the road in the first half of the season, what can a 3-2 trip, especially the way it ended, do for you guys going forward?
Kevon Looney: "I think we had a good road trip. Whenever you can come out on a road trip playing against good teams like this, 3-2, it's always good. Especially since we've been struggling all year on the road, so it was a good win for us. But we felt like we should've won (Thursday in Boston), so to be able to bounce back after a tough loss like that shows our team's character, shows the growth on our team."
How do you feel like you have grown over the years, going from putting in work behind the scenes to now, playing winning basketball the way you have? It's clear that you have come a long way. 
Looney: "Yeah, I've been working on my game since I've been here. In my career, I've had a lot of great vets, a lot of great mentors to learn from. It was a struggle for me early, but all those struggles helped prepare me for now. When I'm out there, I'm just trying to provide that leadership and provide that toughness for our team that we'll be lacking sometimes. It took me a while to learn all that stuff (laughs), but now that I learned and got some experience and got that confidence, I feel really good out there and I feel like I'm playing the best basketball of my career."
In what way do you feel like you can impact the game the most, other than that leadership aspect you just brought up?
Looney: "I feel like defensively, and rebounding &mdash; that's something that we've always struggled with since I've been here, and I feel like I've been taking a leap every year in that department. And I take pride in being really physical and controlling the glass. People always say our team is undersized, so I take a lot of pride in going out there and controlling the glass. I felt last year, we had a great rebounding team. This year, we've been up and down in that area. But nights like (Friday in Cleveland), we did a great job though."
(Editor's Note: Looney is averaging 8.7 rebounds per game, a career-high, and ranks fifth in the NBA with 139 total offensive rebounds. According to Basketball-Reference, Looney is top-five in rebounding percentage at 20.3%.)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Point Loon 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSAuthentic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSAuthentic</a> <a href="https://t.co/MHko3kUcno">pic.twitter.com/MHko3kUcno</a>
&mdash; Golden State Warriors (@warriors) <a href="https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1596358684963008513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The dribble-handoff development in your game is impressive. You're also <a href="https://go.nba.com/jvbjk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the NBA's top 10 with 449 screen-assist points</a>. As far as gaining chemistry with your teammates, how has that come about?
Looney: "Just getting more experience and getting more reps, learning where guys like to get to on the floor and learning them guys' spots. Know when to get certain guys shots, know where these guys are going. It's something I learned from watching Draymond [Green], watching [Andrew] Bogut, Zaza [Pachulia] &mdash; some of the best screeners I've ever seen. So learning from them took my game to that level. Talking to Steph [Curry], talking to JP (Jordan Poole), talking to the guys coming off the bench, knowing where they want to be at is something that you've got to learn. Early on, it was a struggle for me, but now, I do it in my sleep."
Without giving too much strategy away, is there a difference between where Steph likes the ball and how Jordan wants it?
Looney: "Yeah (laughs). Playing with JP, he's really herky-jerky and he's kinda all over the court. He's really creative out there. I think Steph is a little bit more decisive. He kinda know where he wants to get to, I know what spots he really wants to get to. But JP's like free-flowing, he's like all over the place (laughs). We talk all the time like, 'Man, slow down. Let me do my job and I'mma get you open' (laughs). We have those talks all the time. So it's a big difference playing with both of 'em, but it's a lot of fun."
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All of those Finals and playoff experiences that you've got under your belt now &mdash; being on the floor and a part of these loud environments at home and on the road &mdash; what's the important thing you've learned both on and off the floor?
Looney: "Just how to stay poised and how to weather adversity. (Laughs) I got to experience a lot of the tough playoff games, lot of ups and downs in series. And learning that if a team goes on a run, it's not the end of the world. If you go down 3-1, 2-1, it's not the end of the world. You can come back. Different things like that. I learned playing with these guys and seeing them going down in series, never giving up. In the Houston series (in 2018), we were down 15 at halftime and nobody's worried, everybody would just keep fighting and keep playing our style of basketball. So learning that, trusting the process, trusting in your system, trusting in your teammates on and off the court, it'll really carry you a far way."
And that kind of mentality has to help in a season like this where not everything has gone perfect.
Looney: "Yes, it definitely helps you in a season like this when it's a lot of ups and downs. You just kinda lean back on our culture and what we have built, knowing that if we play our style of basketball and our brand, that we can go... it works. Just leaning back on that.
"When we start not playing team basketball, not focusing on what got us there, that's when we started losing and straying away (from it). But when you've got experience winning, you know what it takes and you start going back to the basics. We've gotta do that. We've been doing that on this road trip, and I think that's why we've been winning."

Spencer Davies sits down with Kevon Looney to discuss the Warriors' most recent road trip, his growth over the years and more.

Kevon Looney Q&A: Warriors season, 'best basketball of my career'

Nekias Duncan previews each of the Pacific division teams ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Division

Nekias Duncan thoroughly breaks down all five teams in the Central Division ahead of the 2022-23 season.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Central Division

In the latest installment of his "Blazing the Trail" series, Mat Issa analyzes the two-way brilliance of Shawn Kemp.

Blazing the Trail: Shawn Kemp, the aerial artist

It&rsquo;s the most wonderful time of the year. The days are long, the nights are warm and the NBA Finals have come back around.
The Finals stage is where legacies are made. The entire season leads up to this series.
But with the good comes the bad; such is the nature of life. For those with allergies, like myself, June also brings about itchy eyes and a runny nose. And for basketball purists, the bad comes in the form of recycled cliche talking points that, at times, dwarf the discourse surrounding the game itself.
The Finals are where we finally find the answers to season-long, and sometimes career-long, questions.
Can Dirk Nowitzki lead a team to a title?
Did Kobe Bryant need Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal?
Is LeBron James clutch?
This season is no different.
Today's question du jour: Does Stephen Curry need a Finals MVP and another championship sans Kevin Durant to shore up his legacy as one of the 10 best to ever play the game?
One might think the Golden State Warriors would be impervious to these conversations. After all, they won an NBA championship in 2015, the same year they entered the upper echelon of the league before questions could even emerge. And yet, here we are &mdash; eight years, six Finals runs and three titles later &mdash; questioning Curry&rsquo;s greatness and ultimate legacy.
So, what is the answer to that aforementioned question?
First, let&rsquo;s take a look at Curry&rsquo;s legacy. In short, he is an all-time great who's responsible for revolutionizing the Three-Point Era.
It is too simple to reduce Curry to just "the greatest shooter of all-time&rdquo; and limit his skills to only one facet of his game. Because not only is Curry the greatest shooter ever, he is also an elite finisher with both his right and left hand, and he sports one of the best handles we&rsquo;ll ever see. And yet, despite all of his on-ball skills, he is even deadlier off the ball.
In the words of Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers, who joined The Morning Roast on 95.7 The Game on June 7: &ldquo;This guy is a made-man. Forget about this Finals; it's already been done. He's already done it. He's already proven it. I don't know what else he has to continue to prove.&rdquo;
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Bob Myers believes Steph Curry has nothing left to prove in the NBA Finals 🐐 <a href="https://t.co/JXkLpiRj4b">pic.twitter.com/JXkLpiRj4b</a>
&mdash; 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) <a href="https://twitter.com/957thegame/status/1534234887221219328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Myers is correct. Curry has cemented himself as an all-time great.
But all titles matter, and winning this one is important for Curry&rsquo;s legacy. Just as the fourth title mattered to LeBron. Just as the fourth and fifth mattered to Kobe. Just as the fifth and sixth mattered to Michael Jordan.
They all matter when cementing your legacy.
And that&rsquo;s because, unlike other accolades, championships are not debatable. Being the last team standing is a matter of fact, and not decided on by a select group of media.
Players aren't awarded titles. They win them. Curry&rsquo;s greatness is shown by reaching this objective season after season. With each new ring, it cements what should never be up for debate.
Finals MVP, however, is a subjective award. And when it comes to subjectivity, Curry&rsquo;s greatness regularly gets called into question. Being a pioneer in any industry means having your name etched into the history books, but with that comes some bad: you&rsquo;re ahead of your time. And, as a result, people often can&rsquo;t keep up with your greatness as it happens.
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Take the 2015 NBA Finals, for example, Curry&rsquo;s impact was not immediately visible on the box score; although, he was no slouch there either. Curry finished the series averaging 26.0 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game on .443/.385/.885 shooting splits. (An efficiency dip from the regular season, where he averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game on a .487/.443/.914 slash line.)
They were numbers that paled in comparison to LeBron, who finished the series with averages of 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per contest, leaving many to believe Curry failed in the role of a superstar on the biggest stage.
Dominance in the form of counting stats is easy to quantify, but dominance in creating an ecosystem that benefits those around you &mdash; is not. Thus, the true value of Curry is hard to measure.
And that&rsquo;s why, of the 11 votes for Finals MVP, LeBron received four, Andre Iguodala received seven and Curry received headlines calling Matthew Dellavedova his kryptonite.
That&rsquo;s right. Curry received no votes, and Iguodala won the 2015 Finals MVP.
Many voters point to the tides turning after Game 3. The Cleveland Cavaliers had taken a 2-1 series lead, and the Warriors adjusted by swapping Iguodala in for Andrew Bogut in the starting lineup &mdash; a rare move that offered major benefits on both sides of the ball.
At a distance, the case for Iguodala over Curry for Finals MVP is such:
Iguodala guarded the best player in basketball and limited LeBron&rsquo;s impact to sub-40% shooting, the Warriors never lost a game once he entered the starting lineup, and, as a starter, he averaged 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He also shot 47.8% from the floor and 40.9% from three, numbers that closely resembled Curry&rsquo;s with much better efficiency.
Take a closer look, and we can see how that&rsquo;s all the more reason Curry deserved the Finals MVP. Without taking anything away from Iguodala, who was a valuable piece that allowed the Warriors to unlock this lineup, Steph made it unstoppable.
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Introducing Iguodala into the starting lineup in place of Bogut allowed the Warriors to play a five-out lineup with passing.
Curry, being the best shooter ever, gets the most attention, and the way he moves off-ball &mdash; constantly in motion and always a threat to shoot &mdash; opens the floor up for all of his teammates in ways that are not yet quantifiable. Curry running by two defenders and pulling them towards him is not a screen assist, but it still opens up a driving lane or a shot in a similar way.
Iguodala directly benefited from that gravity. According to NBA.com, 46% of the shots Iguodala took were considered &ldquo;wide open&rdquo; with the closest defender at least six feet away, and 20% were considered open with a defender four-to-six feet away.
With Bogut on the floor, the Cavs could tilt their defense toward Curry without any blowback. With Iguodala&rsquo;s passing and shooting in Bogut&rsquo;s place, the Cavaliers' defense was forced to make a choice. More often than not, their decision was to dare Iguodala to shoot, and to his credit, he knocked them down.
Curry&rsquo;s court vision and decisive actions create excellent opportunities for teammates, as he led the Warriors in assists. Iguodala was the prime beneficiary, accounting for nearly 40% of his points as a starter in catch-and-shoot situations, according to NBA.com. (That includes all of his made field goals in the deciding Game 6.)
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Decades from now, when people think back on the Warriors&rsquo; first championship, losing Finals MVP to Iguodala won&rsquo;t be an indictment on Curry and his game, but instead on our ability to appreciate what doesn&rsquo;t show up in the box score.
It&rsquo;ll be a capsule in time, defined by our limited scope.
The predicament is similar to the NBA's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Marcus Camby won the award, given to the best defender in a season, over Tim Duncan, who finished third behind San Antonio Spurs teammate Bruce Bowen.
Despite being one the greatest defensive anchors of all time, Duncan never won the honor &mdash; a gaffe on the part of voters and a result of our limited ability to measure defense.
In 2007, after finishing with his second blocks title in what would be a three-year reign, Camby was awarded Defensive Player of the Year instead.
Over time, we&rsquo;ve come to learn that blocking shots, though flashy and easily quantifiable, is far less a marker of a great defender than one who deters opponents from even attempting a drive.
NBA.com can track how well opponents shot against you in various areas on the court, and despite Camby&rsquo;s higher blocks-per-game average of 3.3 to Duncan&rsquo;s 2.4, players shot 8.3% worse when met by Duncan over Camby in the restricted area.
Blocks per game also remains the sole stat that favors Camby over Duncan defensively. The Denver Nuggets even performed better defensively with Camby on the bench.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 67.1558%; height: 132px;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Defensive Metric</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">Marcus Camby</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">Tim Duncan</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Defensive Efficiency</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">105.6</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">96.5</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Defensive Win Shares</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">5.1</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">6.8</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Defensive Box Plus-Minus</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">3.9</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">3.2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Opponent FG% in RA</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">60.5%</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">53.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 29.0771%; height: 22px;">Defensive Pts Per Poss.</td>
<td style="width: 16.18%; height: 22px;">+2.5</td>
<td style="width: 13.7594%; height: 22px;">-8.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
And though not one of these stats alone is a clear indicator of which player is a better defender, all of them together make it pretty obvious that Duncan was better than Camby in 2007.
Then, there are other factors that can&rsquo;t be measured, like how often the presence of a defensive force such as Duncan prevents teams from even passing to a guy guarded by the stalwart.
Defensive Player of the Year awards began in 1982-83. Ten of the first 28 winners led the NBA in blocks. Since then, no player who led the league in blocks has gone on to win DPOY. Nowadays, it would be laughable to base a defensive argument on something as basic as blocks.
I think this is how we&rsquo;ll understand Curry not winning a Finals MVP in his first three chances, namely in 2015. The Finals MVP is supposed to highlight the most valuable player during the most important stretch of basketball all year. That was undeniably him.
The mark of a great offensive player is that teams would prefer to play 4-on-3 versus 1-on-1, and in 2015, Iguodala benefited from being the man open. But that&rsquo;s entirely thanks to the gravity of Stephen Curry.
Because, at the end of the day, every NBA defense is trying to get the ball out of Steph's hands.
And, in the words of Max Kellerman, they want Iguodala.&nbsp;
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Imman Adan details how Stephen Curry's impact can't be quantified by looking back on the 2015 NBA Finals.

Understanding Stephen Curry's gravity and a 2015 NBA Finals MVP gaffe

According to <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/03/08/andrew-bogut-rumor-is-bradley-beal-will-join-james-harden-and-joel-embiid-on-76ers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">former NBA player Andrew Bogut</a>, the word on the street is that Bradley Beal wants to join Joel Embiid and James Harden on the 76ers this coming summer. The former veteran big man said so <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-basketball-podcast-episode-56-with-mike-procopio/id1541789772?i=1000553089199" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on his podcast</a>, "Rogues Bogues." 
"I&rsquo;ve heard a pretty big rumor &hellip; from some people that are pretty close to the situation in the NBA: Big three to Philly. Brad Beal&nbsp;is trying to get to Philadelphia in the offseason to team up with Harden and Embiid.
"Philly&rsquo;s desperate, obviously, to try to get off Harris, anyway. They have been for a while. And I think they&rsquo;re even more desperate now to free up that cap space somehow. It will most likely have to be a sign-and-trade with Philly. But don&rsquo;t be surprised if a big three forms in Philly. That&rsquo;s the word on the street."
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Something like this would be technically doable if Philly included Tobias Harris in a potential sign-and-trade, but it's hard to see Washington agreeing to take on such a mammoth contract that Harris is on, even if they could take back Tyrese Maxey in the deal. But, never say never.

Former NBA player Andrew Bogut says that Bradley Beal wants to join Joel Embiid and James Harden in Philadelphia this summer.

Bogut: Bradley Beal could be interested in move to 76ers

When the Golden State Warriors won the right to the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the prevailing sentiment was that the rich were getting richer.
And as he nears his 2021-22 season debut, Wiseman may end up being instrumental in determining whether the Warriors can truly hit the jackpot.
According to Dieter Kurtenbach of the Bay Area News Group, Wiseman <a href="https://twitter.com/LockedOnDubs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">will return to the lineup</a> for the Warriors on March 1 when the team opens up a four-game road trip in Minnesota. For Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, the second-year big man will probably be a sight for sore eyes.
During his rookie campaign, Wiseman had some flashes of brilliance, but his first stint was cut short after he suffered a torn meniscus last April. Now, about 10 months later, Wiseman will be joining a club that has since seen Steph Curry return to being an MVP-caliber contributor and Klay Thompson return to its lineup looking as strong as ever.
Andrew Wiggins has become an All-Star, while Jordan Poole has become one of the league&rsquo;s most effective reserves. From Jonathan Kuminga to Gary Payton II to Otto Porter Jr., the Warriors have gotten consistent, high-level production across the board.
But what&rsquo;s even better for Wiseman is this: He represents what is perhaps the only glaring need on the club &mdash; depth up front.
For the sophomore, opportunity knocks.
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With Draymond Green still on the shelf due to a nagging back injury, Kerr has gone to smaller lineups, with Kevon Looney remaining the only true 5-man pivoting the paint for the club.&nbsp;
But as serviceable as Looney has been as the team&rsquo;s starting center, his lack of a scoring punch on the offensive end has been one of the few weaknesses that the team has had. Despite being one of the league&rsquo;s top defensive teams, the Warriors' relative mediocrity on offense has been apparent in some of the close contests they&rsquo;ve lost this season.
Fortunately for Golden State, that&rsquo;s the area where Wiseman has shown the most upside.
And fortunately for him &mdash; unlike during his rookie season &mdash; he will have the luxury of playing off of the likes of both Curry and Thompson. Wiseman won&rsquo;t be the focus of any opposing team&rsquo;s scouting report, and that is what will help him quickly become a difference-maker for the Warriors.
As a rookie, in just 21.4 minutes per game, Wiseman managed to score 11.5 points and grab 5.8 rebounds per contest. More impressive, though, was the fact that he connected on just under 39% of his shots that came from beyond 16 feet of the basket.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s hard to imagine him not being the beneficiary of more open looks playing with a relatively healthy club. With his size and athleticism, he will give Kerr a type of big-man weapon that hasn&rsquo;t been at his disposal during the Warriors&rsquo; dynasty run, and that&rsquo;s with all due respect to Andrew Bogut.
Looney is the only player on the team&rsquo;s roster to appear in all 59 Warriors games this season, and he&rsquo;s started each and every one of them. He himself admitted to being a little beat up and he, more than anyone else, was looking forward to the break.
In comes the 20-year-old savior.
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Some quick hitters from James Wiseman's presser Wednesday morning: -The 5on5 scrimmage -The procedure in December -Frustration of rehab -Weight room work -Value of patience -Staying off Social Media -Hobbies outside of hoops <a href="https://t.co/lpYJGagOnz">pic.twitter.com/lpYJGagOnz</a>
&mdash; Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDumasReports/status/1494031835369594883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2022</a></blockquote>

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As always, the Western Conference playoffs will be incredibly competitive. But the Warriors will enter play on Feb. 24 with the league&rsquo;s top Defensive Rating (104.8) and third-best Net Rating (plus-7.0). With only 23 games remaining on their regular-season schedule, they trail the Phoenix Suns by 6.5 games for the conference&rsquo;s top seed. It would take a relative collapse on the part of the Suns for them to yield the position to the Warriors, but with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/chris-pauls-absence-could-actually-benefit-suns-longterm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Paul set to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks</a>, the possibility can&rsquo;t be completely dismissed.
In most instances, the most highly-touted young players don&rsquo;t get drafted into situations where they&rsquo;ll be flanking future Hall-of-Famers still in their prime or joining rotations with championship aspirations. And when they have in the past, those players haven&rsquo;t usually been afforded the opportunity to play meaningful minutes during the chase.
Wiseman is original in that sense.
As a prospect, it&rsquo;s difficult to not be excited by his size and potential, and for the Warriors in particular, he fills one of the few needs on the team&rsquo;s roster.
Usually, teams that are 42-17 don&rsquo;t end up adding difference-making pieces with fresh legs this late in the season. Golden State, though, will soon receive that infusion.
Already considered the cream of the West, the rich will indeed get richer.
To the tune of a 7-foot big man with an impressive offensive repertoire, Steph Curry, Steve Kerr and the rest of organization remain hopeful that Wiseman can help them cash in.&nbsp;
After being selected with the No. 2 overall pick less than two years ago, the timing seems just right; he&rsquo;ll now have every opportunity to make good.
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Moke Hamilton writes on James Wiseman's impending return to the Warriors and how unique his opportunity will be.

Long-awaited return of James Wiseman will fill Warriors’ only void

Let's talk about passed-up layups.&nbsp;
The scene has been set, explored, revisited, psychoanalyzed. You name it, it's been done.&nbsp;
Ben done, if you will.
Ben Simmons, in a high-pressure situation against the Atlanta Hawks, had a layup opportunity. Instead of taking it, he dished the ball off to Matisse Thybulle, who would eventually earn a trip to the free-throw line. It was an inexplicable choice by a player as talented &mdash; and even more simply, as large and open &mdash; as Simmons, but it was just that. An inexplicable choice.
But it's a choice that began (or accelerated, depending on your priors with Simmons) the downward spiral of his status as a star-caliber player. It set the stage for the mess we've had the (dis)pleasure of reading about for months.
The Philadelphia 76ers lost the series to the upstart Hawks. Doc Rivers said things that he later said he didn't say. Simmons didn't take too kindly to it.
Simmons asked out. The Sixers made it clear they would only move him for a bounty. Teams weren't &mdash; and, as of this writing, still aren't &mdash; willing to give up said-bounty.
Simmons didn't report to training camp, and was fined. The fines stopped once Simmons did report, but before expressing his bout with mental health issues. The mental health element permeating throughout the entire ordeal is a sensitive one &mdash; one that has made me incredibly uncomfortable to see dissected and speculated about in real time.
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Meanwhile, the Hawks are in their own sort of spiral.
Their playoff run ended with a loss to the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, but things were looking upward.&nbsp;
Trae Young (further, officially) announced himself to the world as a bona fide star. His supporting cast, highlighted by John Collins, Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic, proved to be impactful in its own right. Skilled. Versatile.
It was hard not to be excited by this Hawks team. Star talent, strong coaching, a deep roster.
Whew, buddy, is this a deep roster!
Whew, buddy... this is... a deep roster.
So deep, in fact, that head coach Nate McMillan mentioned during Media Day we'd see some all-bench units in an effort to spread the wealth.
Those lineups haven't done very well.&nbsp;
The Hawks have dealt with lineup questions, a lack of "oomph" defensively (27th in defensive rating), an adjustment period to let-'em-play officiating, a who-gets-to-the-rim-besides-Trae problem, a tough opening schedule and a stronger conference overall.
They are currently the losers of five straight, tied with the Hornets for the longest skid in the conference. Words like "sacrifice" and "boredom" have been uttered; that ain't what you want to hear less than a month into a new season.
I have a theory. A question, really: What if the Hawks are passing up a layup of their own?
What if the Sixers and Hawks have the answer to each other's problems?
Why haven't we explored the possibility of Simmons as a Hawk?
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On the Sixers' side, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/early-results-suggest-sixers-may-be-better-off-without-ben-simmons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they haven't missed Simmons too much</a>. They're 8-4, sporting a top-five offense and defense in the half-court, per Cleaning The Glass. A COVID outbreak has Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris out of the lineup, so a slide wouldn't come as a surprise. But when upright, this team has been good.
You can thank The Others&trade; for that. Seth Curry is the best shooter in the league right now. Tyrese Maxey has taken a step as a shot-creator. The bench, headlined by Andre Drummond and Georges Niang, has been stellar.
This is where they stand while getting zero production from Simmons' roster spot; one would think that replacing that spot with someone who actually wants to play there would be a positive.
And for the Hawks, Simmons could solve a bit of their squad's on-court issues.&nbsp;
Young is averaging 20.8 drives per game, and is taking 9.2 shots via drives per <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?Season=2021-22&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;TeamID=1610612737&amp;sort=DRIVES&amp;dir=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA.com tracking data</a>. Bogdanovic is second on the team in drives... at 6.8. Simmons has averaged north of 10 in all but one season of his career; he averaged 9.9 during the 2018-19 campaign, operating in a phone booth while splitting ball-handling duties with Jimmy Butler.
Simmons, despite his own self-creation limits, is an elite creator of offense for others. From 2018 to 2021, only Russell Westbrook (747) has assisted on more three-pointers (694) than Simmons. Young ranks No. 6 in that time frame with 650 helpers. That drive-and-kick dynamic would be a nice complement to Young, who leads NBA in rim-assists (947) during that stretch.
It's fun to imagine a Young-Simmons pick-and-roll tandem. Simmons has the finishing and playmaking chops to be a devastating short-roll guy. On one hand, he's never had a ball-handler as dynamic as Young to set him up. On the other, he hasn't consistently screened hard enough to maximize his opportunities as a roll-man.
As the Hawks have seemingly leaned into more switching this season, is there a better fit for that kind of scheme than Simmons? Having Simmons in the frontcourt could open up a world of grab-and-go sequences that can't be replicated by anyone else in their frontcourt.
(Well, there's rookster Jalen Johnson, but he isn't on the main roster right now, much less in the big-boy rotation.)
And to that point: the Hawks are 19th in transition frequency this year after ranking 20th the season before.
The Sixers have ranked seventh, eighth, 15th (the Al Horford season) and fifth in transition frequency over the past four seasons, mostly off the strength of Simmons pushing the pace.&nbsp;
There are half-court questions to be had, dependent on lineups. What would a potential Simmons-Collins-Capela frontcourt look like, especially when Simmons isn't involved in ball-screens?
Luckily, Simmons has experience navigating tight quarters. He's had to operate around the dunker spot (<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-dunker-spot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">subscribe!</a>) when necessary. He's also adept at making slot cuts from the perimeter if defenders cheat off of him.&nbsp;
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Of course, that's making the assumption that all three would play together.
If the Hawks are intent on switching as much as they have been this season, they could opt to start Simmons and Collins up front and really lean into that style. If Capela &mdash; off to a slow start on both ends this year &mdash; becomes the odd man out entirely, there are teams (DAL, CHA, BKN, TOR) that make sense as suitors when he's trade-eligible this offseason.
The real question is one I admittedly don't have a great answer to, that question is: What would the Sixers want from the Hawks?
Aside from the optics of trading with the team that just beat you in the postseason, it would take some creativity from Atlanta's side to appease Daryl Morey. The good news is the Hawks have the salary and pieces necessary to put together intriguing packages.
Even if we were to work under the assumption that Young and Collins are off the table, the Hawks have three young pieces (De'Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Onyeka Okongwu) who could potentially serve as a headliner, mid-to-high salary vets that could bolster Philadelphia's rotation and <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Hawks.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most of their future picks</a> moving forward.
An example &mdash; example, people! &mdash; of something that works salary-wise:
<ul>
<li>Hawks get: Ben Simmons, Shake Milton</li>
<li>Sixers get: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, Delon Wright, Jalen Johnson</li>
</ul>
Just eye-balling it, I'd imagine the Sixers would want more in terms of draft capital. They might push for Okongwu over Johnson if they'd prefer a young big in the pipeline behind Embiid. Have your own fun with the trade machine if you must.
The important thing here is that there's a conversation to be had between the two sides.
Simmons and the Sixers are primed for a divorce. The Hawks are primed for a consolidation deal. It's at least worth exploring if these two can make magic.

Nekias Duncan explores what a Ben Simmons-to-Atlanta deal would look like, and why it would make sense for both sides.

The Hawks should look into a Ben Simmons trade with the 76ers

Nekias Duncan breaks down all five teams in the Atlantic Division for his 2021-22 NBA season preview.

2021-22 NBA Season Preview: Atlantic Division

Last season, the knock on the 2020 NBA Draft class was that it lacked star power. The narrative was that the class didn't have a can't-miss prospect and that it was weaker than other drafts in recent memory. However, the 2020 class ended up exceeding expectations, with LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Co. shining as rookies.
After making the leap to the NBA in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, these players didn't have a Summer League or typical offseason as they got acclimated to the league. With that said, a steep adjustment curve should&rsquo;ve been expected for the 2020 rookie class.
Looking ahead to the 2021-22 season, there are many sophomores poised to break out as they take on more responsibilities and continue their development. So, which prospects are ready to take the Year 2 leap? Here are five second-year players who are taking on increased roles and should have an opportunity to shine on their respective teams.
PATRICK WILLIAMS, CHICAGO BULLS
The Chicago Bulls stunned the draft community when they selected Florida State wing Patrick Williams with the No. 4 overall pick last November. Coming off the bench for the Seminoles, Williams' stats didn&rsquo;t jump off the page, but he continuously displayed an intriguing array of skills that were moldable to today&rsquo;s NBA. Also, as one of the youngest prospects in the class, Williams&rsquo; upside was immense compared to other wings who may contribute more right away.
After Williams&rsquo; rookie season, it&rsquo;s fair to say that he emphatically passed the eye test with Chicago. Williams started all 71 games he appeared in, averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting an eye-opening 39.1% on three-pointers. Williams fits the modern 3-and-D archetype that every organization covets, but he&rsquo;s much more than that.
During this year's NBA Summer League, Williams <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/chicago-bulls-evolved-patrick-williams-offensive-game-at-nba-summer-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had the ultimate green light</a>, and he asserted his dominance early and often for the Bulls. Projected as the starting power forward alongside a loaded lineup of Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Williams is the true X-factor for a win-now Bulls team. He'll serve as the versatile, low-usage glue that holds it all together.
However, if we continue to see the aggressive version of Williams during the regular season, he&rsquo;ll force the Bulls to run some sets for him. After already showcasing an extremely high floor as a multi-positional defender and floor-spacer, Williams should continue his ascent into becoming one of the most polished products from the 2020 draft class.
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ISAAC OKORO, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Cleveland&rsquo;s young core added another piece to their puzzle recently, trading for Lauri Markkanen to add more frontcourt depth alongside No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley and $100 million man Jarrett Allen. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton make up a score-first backcourt with immense upside, but Okoro, like Williams, figures to be a two-way threat who holds everything together. Okoro also flashed improvements during his stint in Las Vegas, showing off his improved playmaking and scoring abilities.
If Okoro ever adds a reliable jumper to his arsenal, he&rsquo;s going to make the Cavaliers&rsquo; core even more appealing from the outside looking in. Okoro&rsquo;s aggressive nature already allows him to make an impact on both ends of the court, but certain elements are still missing on a consistent basis. You need to watch Okoro to appreciate his contributions outside the box score. Now, with more offensive artillery surrounding him, plus Mobley and Allen in the frontcourt, Okoro will help form the backbone of a team that could quickly become one of the more frightening defensive teams in the NBA.
JAMES WISEMAN, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Dealing with injuries and a playing style too advanced for his raw skillset, Wiseman struggled big-time throughout his rookie campaign. Some Warriors fans were even calling for GM Bob Myers to offload the No. 2 overall pick for a win-now player who could help the team contend for another championship.
The Warriors decided to be patient with Wiseman, giving him more time to develop and believing in his long-term talent. Before Wiseman went down late in the season, he was gaining a rhythm with Stephen Curry as Golden State began to run more pick-and-roll actions to best suit his game.
With a full year within an NBA organization, Wiseman should see a significant jump during his sophomore season, especially with the long-awaited return of Klay Thompson. Playing alongside Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green, Wiseman will fill a simple role for the Warriors: rim-run and hustle as a defender who can help anchor around the basket.
Wiseman&rsquo;s efficiency should increase as Golden State continues to run more pick-and-roll concepts, plus the added gravity of the Splash Brothers backcourt will make life so much easier for him inside.
Wiseman is Golden State&rsquo;s revved-up version of Andrew Bogut, JaVale McGee and Kevon Looney. If the Warriors decide to prioritize Wiseman&rsquo;s development moving forward, his game should grow by leaps and bounds at a rapid rate.
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AARON NESMITH, BOSTON CELTICS
Nesmith was an absolute flame-thrower for the Boston Celtics during Summer League, averaging 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds on 50% shooting. Coming out of Vanderbilt, Nesmith was known as a sharpshooter wing who could quickly translate to the NBA. However, in a loaded Celtics rotation last season, Nesmith had a hard time carving out a consistent role.
With the losses of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, more opportunities should open up for the promising second-year wing, who can become a key reserve off Boston&rsquo;s bench and provide a scoring boost. Nesmith&rsquo;s versatility also allows him to play real minutes alongside the Celtics&rsquo; dynamic under-25 duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Imagine the damage a wing lineup featuring Tatum, Brown and Nesmith could do against smaller-sized rotations.
Nesmith only played 14.5 minutes per game in 2020-21, so he should see a 10-plus minute bump for 2021-22. A youth movement is underway for the Celtics, while the team also maintains their playoff aspirations. If the Celtics want to overachieve next season in an improved Eastern Conference, not only will Tatum have to be a borderline MVP candidate, they'll also need Nesmith to be an important contributor on a nightly basis.
TYRESE MAXEY, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
I&rsquo;m all-in on the potential of Maxey. During the Philadelphia 76ers&rsquo; disappointing playoff run, Maxey seemingly usurped Ben Simmons, who is on a max contract, for their primary point guard duties moving forward. If Simmons ends up being traded, which both sides seem to want at this stage, Maxey&rsquo;s immediate value rises exponentially.
Maxey is a score-first guard who can play on or off the ball, a perfect complement to the paint gravity Joel Embiid provides for shooters. The former Kentucky Wildcat also offers scrappy defense and an aggressive scoring style that allows him to hit shots from all three levels.
After only playing 15.3 minutes per game last season, Maxey&rsquo;s role should double moving forward. He&rsquo;s flashed way too much potential not to break out in a massive manner for Philadelphia in 2021-22.
If Simmons is gone, Maxey could realistically be in a 25-to-30-minute-per-game role for the Sixers as a combo guard who can play alongside any of the Sixers&rsquo; sharpshooting guards.
In two Summer League games, Maxey <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/tyrese-maxey-centered-on-getting-1-better-every-day-for-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looked like the best player on the court</a>, averaging 26.0 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Bested by only Brooklyn Nets rookie Cam Thomas in the scoring department, those two joined Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell as the only players in Summer League history to average at least 26.0 points per game. That&rsquo;s amazing company to be alongside.
Buy up all the Maxey stock while you can, because the 20-year-old seems poised for a huge boost.

Evan Sidery breaks down five second-year prospects who seem poised to break out during the 2021-22 season.

5 NBA players poised for breakout sophomore campaigns

There&rsquo;s a difference between winning and being a winner.
And even before Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals tips off Tuesday night, we can say for certain: Chris Paul is a winner.
The &ldquo;Point God,&rdquo; he&rsquo;s called. For 16 long years, he&rsquo;s maximized the talent behind him, plied his trade and seen plays happen before they did. That&rsquo;s the hallmark of a true floor general &mdash; on the basketball court, while he&rsquo;s barking directives and trying to determine where to send the ball, he needs to be able to see the future.
Perhaps ironically, as the sun sets on his career, it rises in Phoenix. Paul saw dawn before everyone else.
After leading the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder to an improbable playoff berth in 2020, general manager Sam Presti made good the same way he did with Paul George. Presti, it has long been understood, did his best to take care of those who gave him their all. It&rsquo;s obvious that Paul did.
So when the time came for the Thunder to move on and fully embrace their youth movement, Paul was asked an important question: Where did he want to play next?
Over seven months after answering it, as he celebrated his first trip to the NBA Finals, he remembered.
&ldquo;A big thanks to Sam Presti for even allowing all of this to happen,&rdquo; Paul said in reflection.
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He could&rsquo;ve asked for a ticket to Los Angeles, asking OKC to accept cents on the dollar so that he could join a super-team with his good friend LeBron James. He could&rsquo;ve demanded a trade to Milwaukee to join the then-reigning back-to-back Most Valuable Player in Giannis Antetokounmpo. While his large contract certainly limited his trade options, he also could have negotiated a buyout and signed with any contender around the league. If Paul had become an unrestricted free agent, he would've received interest from nearly every team (especially if he was willing to accept a bargain deal). However, as president of the Players' Association, Paul didn't want to set that precedent and leave money on the table.
Instead, Paul looked at the upstart Suns &mdash; he saw Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne &mdash; and said to himself: Give me those guys.
Winning with the deck stacked in one&rsquo;s favor isn&rsquo;t the same as winning against all odds. Self doubt showed up at the front door of Paul&rsquo;s condo in Oklahoma City. He answered and chuckled in its face.
To Phoenix we go.
&ldquo;I just love to hoop,&rdquo; Paul would often say in the Thunder pressers.
When asked about his future, he&rsquo;d respond dismissively: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not thinking about that right now."
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As one of the game's biggest stars and leader of the NBPA, he couldn&rsquo;t help but to always find a camera staring at him or a recorder in his face. The league, including his constituents, was dealing with COVID-19, the Bubble and a historic protest in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
From afar, though, despite Phoenix failing to qualify for the playoffs, Paul saw daylight breaking in the desert. Bravely, in the twilight of his career, he went all-in on what could have been the final hand of his career and doubled-up.
He ended up bringing Phoenix where he couldn&rsquo;t bring the Los Angeles Clippers; he got the Suns to a place he couldn&rsquo;t quite get the Houston Rockets.
When it came down to it, with Paul having one last chance to win the championship that long eluded him, he opted to take his talents to a place in which he saw himself as the straw that would stir the drink, not just another ice cube in an already cold cocktail.
At the end of the day, Paul wanted to compete, and in an NBA where stars conspire to stack the deck in their favor &mdash; in an NBA where the path of least resistance is all-too-often chosen &mdash; Paul decided to do something different. And we&rsquo;re all better off for it.
When the next young superstar (or two) decides to move on to the next chapter -- be it Donovan Mitchell, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant or whoever -- they&rsquo;ll learn something important from the example Paul set: the harder the journey, the sweeter the victory.
Yes, Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray and Kawhi Leonard didn&rsquo;t have the opportunity to thwart Paul&rsquo;s Suns, but injuries have always been a part of the game. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson each suffered catastrophic injuries in the 2019 NBA Finals. Draymond Green&rsquo;s suspension and Andrew Bogut&rsquo;s significant injury certainly played a role in 2016.
If you look hard enough, you can always find a way to discredit these accomplishments. Haters are gonna hate.
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Suddenly, it seems so long ago that Paul was thought to have one of the worst contracts in the NBA &mdash; four years, $160 million is what he signed for in Houston after the Rockets came within one game of winning the Western Conference in 2018.
Shortly thereafter, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rockets-owner-tilman-fertitta-thought-chris-paul-had-the-worst-contract-hed-ever-seen-per-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly believed</a> it was &ldquo;the worst contract" he'd ever seen, "in business or sports.&rdquo;
Run out of town by James Harden and Fertitta, Paul took his aspirations to Oklahoma City, restored his value and then decided to take the road less traveled when Presti asked him to chart his own course.
Apropos to his opting for Phoenix, instead of throwing a tantrum and holding out to become the next superstar in a legacy of super-team building, Paul believed he could be the center to his own universe.
I can win in Phoenix, he thought.
When no one else did, Chris Paul believed. The Suns are rising, and he saw it before us all.

Chris Paul bet on himself when he requested a trade to Phoenix. Now sitting atop the Western Conference, he's already won big.

Regardless of 2021 NBA Finals outcome, Chris Paul is already a winner

Matt Babcock concludes his series by detailing the post-2001 years in Milwaukee and his father's role in finding talent deep in drafts.

Growing up a Buck: From Ray Allen to Giannis, my dad remains in Milwaukee

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push.
The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account earlier in the day, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform.
Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions.
“We’re all thrilled. He’s one of the best centers in the league and someone every defensive coordinator is going to have to account for while trying to slow down LeBron, AD and our guards when we get going," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said after Sunday's 96-93 victory over the Magic. “He can dominate on both sides and his physicality is something they have to account for.”
Vogel said he wasn't sure if Drummond would be available for the Lakers' next game, which is Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Drummond is almost certain to get his first significant NBA postseason playing time with the Lakers after appearing in only eight playoff games — and losing all eight — in two postseason trips with the Pistons.
When Drummond gets up to playing speed after sitting out the past six weeks, the two-time All-Star Game selection should be a notable upgrade at center for Los Angeles, which won a competition with several contenders for his services over the weekend.
Veteran Marc Gasol played inconsistently for the Lakers even before he returned recently from a 3 1/2-week bout with coronavirus, while 6-foot-8 Montrezl Harrell is undersized for the biggest defensive assignments in the middle.
“I really believe we are going to need all three of those guys and we will use all three of them with the condensed schedule and the playoffs coming up,” Vogel said.
Harrell knows Drummond is eager to play, especially after his long layoff, but hasn't considered the lineup implications.
“Everything comes from the top office and coaching staff. I am going to keep playing the way I can play,” he said. We got a great player who is going to help our team and organization."
Davis also plays center in many postseason matchups, but Drummond's rebounding and interior scoring should immediately boost the Lakers as they attempt to hang on to a top seed in the Western Conference without James and Davis. James is out indefinitely with a sprained right ankle, while Davis hasn't played since Feb. 14 due to a right calf injury.
Drummond is averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 25 starts for the Cavs this season. He hasn't played since Feb. 12, when Cleveland benched him to give more playing time to youngster Jarrett Allen.
Drummond would be second in the league in rebounds per game to Atlanta’s Clint Capela if he had played enough games to qualify among the league leaders. His 4.0 offensive rebounds per game would be third in the NBA.
The Lakers currently rank ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.1), but just 17th in offensive rebounds (9.6).
The 17-time champion franchise hasn't had a rebounder of Drummond's accomplishments for decades. The last Lakers player to top Drummond's career average of 13.8 rebounds per game in even one single season was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76, and Los Angeles has had just one league rebounding champ in those ensuing 45 years: Dwight Howard in 2012-13.
“So much of the playoffs are about the paint, you know, and he’s a physical force down there,” Orlando coach Steve Clifford said about Drummond. “He’s a great rim protector and one of the great offensive rebounders in our game. He could win one or two playoff games for you just for this physicality and size alone.”
Drummond's arrival in LA is the latest development in the NBA's annual super-team agglomerations around the trade deadline. Brooklyn added <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-new-york-brooklyn-nets-washington-wizards-brooklyn-48234b0a6e6f01f35ab043c1c7351cdb">Blake Griffin</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-new-york-lamarcus-aldridge-san-antonio-spurs-brooklyn-nets-f688c45bac402c03bf323ecdad02b002">LaMarcus Aldridge</a> this month, while Miami got Victor Oladipo and Denver landed Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee.
___
AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Frank Vogel talked about the addition of Los Angeles Lakers' addition of Andre Drummond and what he'll bring to the team.

Frank Vogel on Andre Drummond: 'He’s one of the best centers in the league'

Before the trade deadline, former NBA agent Matt Babcock shared what trade season is like for agents and gave a behind-the-scenes look at what deadline day is like for a player representative.
Over the years, Babcock worked with many NBA players including Ron Artest, Peja Stojakovic, Andrew Bogut, Jodie Meeks and more. In recent years, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/basketball-news-nba-draft-analyst-matt-babcock-let-me-introduce-myself" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he left the agent business and transitioned to media</a>, joining BasketballNews.com's staff.
What is an agent typically doing on the day of the trade deadline?
Matt Babcock: I really can only speak on what I would do, as each agent seems to do things their own way. With that said, here is what I would do: if I felt my client was on the trade block or if there had been prior discussions with the front office about potentially moving my client, then I would have kept a firm pulse and done my best to maintain a fluid level of communication with the front office's decision-makers. If my client and I wanted him to be traded, it was important to keep pressure on the team; sometimes that meant even being somewhat of a pest. Even if I didn&rsquo;t think my client was likely to be traded, it still would not be unreasonable to touch base with the front office to try to get a feel for whether anything was in the works. The last thing you want as an agent is for you and your client to be blindsided by an unexpected or unwanted trade. Unfortunately, it still might happen no matter what you do.
How much are you communicating with executives on the day of the deadline (and in the days leading up to it)?
Babcock: Every situation is a little bit different, as you naturally have different relationships with front-office members around the league. Sometimes, as a result of that, you'll communicate better with one team than the next. The level and value of your client usually affects how delicately a front office handles the situation as well. For example, if you&rsquo;re representing an All-Star-level player, a front office will usually deal with that player and their agent with kid gloves. Whereas a fringe player and his agent will likely not get the same type of treatment.
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If a player you represent gets traded, what are the next steps for the agent? For example, do you help the player book a flight and find a new place?
Babcock: Once a player is traded, his agent and the new team&rsquo;s general manager will usually touch base. The general manager will typically address the expectations that they have for the player and how he might fit into their organization. Following that call, someone from their office will reach out to either the agent or the player directly to coordinate travel and set plans in place. I have helped players pack their stuff or move after they've been traded midseason, though.
When you had a guy get traded, did you usually have a pretty good idea that it was going to happen or were you ever blindsided?&nbsp;
Babcock: The first NBA player that I successfully recruited was Jodie Meeks from the University of Kentucky, who was the No. 41 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite being a second-round pick, Jodie did well during his rookie year for the Bucks. My partner at the time, David Bauman, and I, thought Jodie had a bright future in Milwaukee. To our surprise, Jodie was traded at the trade deadline to the Philadelphia 76ers. I remember flying to Milwaukee and helping Jodie move out of his condo. We were all a bit blindsided by the trade, but it ended up working out fine for Jodie, as he carved out a nice role in Philadelphia, which led to him signing a lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Lakers once his rookie contract expired.
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There are many stories of executives saying one thing (like telling a guy he's safe) and then doing another. How common is that?
Babcock: It seems as though everyone is quick to point the finger at agents and call them the bad guys. The fact of the matter is that the NBA is a big business and its uber competitive. Agents aren&rsquo;t the only ones that are cutthroat; front office members can be too, at times. To make a long story short, yes, it&rsquo;s pretty common.&nbsp;
Do you have any favorite trade deadline stories?
Babcock: I worked for agencies that represented players that were moved at the deadline, but of the players that I directly managed, there weren't many midseason trades. But you know what? I&rsquo;m okay with that because trades are usually very stressful for both players and agents. I was once in Las Vegas with an agent and he had multiple clients get traded in the same day. I'm so glad I never had to deal with a situation like that!
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If you see a rumor floating around that involves your player and it has no merit, do you try to shut it down?
Babcock: I don&rsquo;t think taking the stance of trying to &ldquo;shut it down&rdquo; makes much sense. First of all, the idea that any player is totally untouchable is ridiculous. Of course, some players have more security and stability than others, but general managers have to do their jobs and part of that is talking with other teams about potential options. As part of that process, rumors are leaked, and sometimes fabricated. Also, keep in mind that teams, players, agents and journalists oftentimes have their own agendas, and many games are played behind the scenes because of that.
As an agent, I always told my clients, &ldquo;Focus on what you can control." You can&rsquo;t control rumors. I think players and agents should avoid throwing fuel on the fire, but there&rsquo;s no sense in letting rumors greatly affect day-to-day operations. Hearing rumors can cause stress, there&rsquo;s no doubt, but it&rsquo;s important to compartmentalize and just continue doing your job.
Don't miss our NBA Trade Deadline Show tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. ET! Alex Kennedy, Matt Babcock, Nekias Duncan, Spencer Davies and Imman Adan will react to every rumor and trade! You can watch on <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/bballnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitch</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqbiFlICp8fRLU1kyFuh9tQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a>.

Former NBA agent Matt Babcock shares what trade season is like for agents and gives a behind-the-scenes look at deadline day.

An inside look at how agents approach NBA trade deadline

My name is Matt Babcock and I was recently hired to be the lead NBA Draft analyst for BasketballNews.com. In this role, I will be responsible for managing the day-to-day efforts of covering the NBA Draft, in addition to evaluating prospects at various levels.&nbsp;
Prior to joining BasketballNews.com, it&rsquo;s possible that you may have seen me or my work at Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports HQ or Babcock Hoops. It&rsquo;s also possible that you might have seen or heard me as a guest on your favorite podcast or publication, as I have been heavily involved in the sports media world over the last few years. Here&rsquo;s the funny thing: it was never my intention to become a media member, so I&rsquo;d like to tell you about my unorthodox path that has led me to this point of my career.
From a broader scope, my story really began before I was even born because, essentially, I am just an extension of my family. The fact of the matter is that I would be remiss if I failed to mention my family&rsquo;s basketball story before I shared my own.
In 1962, my grandfather retired from the Air Force and moved his family to Phoenix, Arizona. It was there that my uncles (Pete and Rob) and my dad, Dave, all became standout players at Maryvale High School, played at colleges in the Phoenix area and ultimately became coaches at nearby high schools and universities -- none of which is all that atypical. However, much credit can be attributed to my oldest uncle, Pete, as he was the one that took my family&rsquo;s involvement in basketball to an entirely different level.
In the mid-to-late 1970s, my uncle Pete was a high school basketball coach in Phoenix. Although he enjoyed coaching at the high school level, he had lofty dreams of one day working in the NBA, as he detailed in an article that he wrote for Babcock Hoops:
&ldquo;I loved coaching high school basketball, but I knew that I wanted to work in the NBA somehow. I had no idea how to get there and I had no contacts in the league to ask for help. I decided to study the NBA on my own by recording as many games as I could. I broke down the tapes by charting offensive sets and out of bounds plays. I wrote evaluation reports on players and built files on each team. At the end of the season, I decided that the teams would know best if my reports and files were worthwhile. I sent a report to each team with a cover letter that simply stated I was a high school coach in Phoenix, Arizona, and if they thought there was any merit to my reports, I would like to volunteer to scout for them. Some never responded to my letter, some wrote back and said &lsquo;Thanks, but no thanks&hellip;&rsquo; and then I received my break. The New Orleans Jazz responded that they would allow me to work for them without compensation. Former NBA player and Hall-of-Famer Elgin Baylor was the head coach, and veteran NBA executive Bill Bertka was the general manager. I was elated and eager to prove myself.&rdquo;
My uncle Pete turned that opportunity with the Jazz into a 42-year NBA career. He went on to work for the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a general manager for more than 20 years, was the director of the NBA Draft Combine, served on a number of high-profile committees and won a championship ring. I could keep listing off his accomplishments, but I think you get the point -- his dreams became a reality.&nbsp;
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/pete45-1_lg.jpg" alt="Pete Babcock and Jerry Krause" width="594" height="AUTO" />Pete Babcock with Jerry Krause
My uncle Pete&rsquo;s success opened the door for my uncle Rob and my dad to follow in his footsteps, with me and my cousins after them.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/gettyimages-50951320-1_lg.jpg" alt="Rob Babcock" width="594" height="AUTO" />Rob Babcock
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/456700_10101538049563242_655866478_o-1_lg.jpg" alt="Nate Babcock (left), Matt Babcock (center) and Chris Babcock (right)" width="594" height="AUTO" />Nate Babcock (left), Matt Babcock (middle) and Chris Babcock (right)
Unfortunately, my uncle Rob passed away almost two years ago after a courageous battle with cancer. However, that was not before he had a 28-year career in the NBA that saw him serve in various front-office positions with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, where he was the general manager. His two sons (my cousins, Chris and Nate) currently serve in coaching positions with the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, respectively.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/dave_babcock-1-1_lg.jpg" alt="Dave Babcock with Zaza Pachulia and Ersan Ilyasova" width="594" height="AUTO" />Dave Babcock with Zaza Pachulia and Ersan Ilyasova
After 15 years of being a college coach, the youngest Babcock brother, my dad, Dave Babcock, is about to wrap up his 24th year working in the NBA, and 23rd year working with the Milwaukee Bucks. He is currently the Director of Player Personnel for the Bucks, and yes, he played an integral role in the team drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Well, that&rsquo;s my family&rsquo;s story, but what about me? My personal story within basketball is not nearly as linear as my dad&rsquo;s, uncle&rsquo;s or cousins&rsquo; journeys. Let me explain.
I became obsessed with the game of basketball from the time I could remember, and made a lifelong commitment to the game internally at a young age. My entire life has subsequently been consumed with chasing short and long-term goals that I have set for myself, all within basketball. My self-identity has always revolved around whatever my current role was at the time. I went from being a coach&rsquo;s son and an NBA kid to a player, and then, a coach. However, in 2007, my career trajectory of following in my family&rsquo;s footsteps went awry, and my new identity would be something no one -- including myself -- ever expected. I became a sports agent. &nbsp;
I was only 23 years old, but I was working as an assistant coach for Virtus Bologna, a top professional basketball team in Bologna, Italy. After only a short while overseas, I became homesick. I decided to leave the team prematurely to accept a position with Excel Sports Management, a sports agency in Los Angeles, California (now in New York). The job was an entry-level position that would set me on a completely new path, a path to become a sports agent.
The next thing I knew, I woke up one day and 10 years had passed. Memories flashed in front of my eyes of my career in the agency business. I thought of being a young junior agent sharing a condo with Marreese&nbsp;Speights in Las Vegas, managing Ron Artest (a.k.a. Metta World Peace) and Andrew Bogut&rsquo;s marketing, getting certified by the NBPA and FIBA, signing my first NBA player in Jodie Meeks, starting a basketball division of a prominent hockey agency, negotiating Jordan Mickey&rsquo;s second-round contract with the Boston Celtics (the most lucrative contract for a second-round pick in NBA history, at the time) and starting my own agency, Babcock Sports. I also thought of many of the other friends and memories that I made along the way.&nbsp;
Although I had many great times, I also thought about many of the hard ones as well. A business notorious for being cut-throat and crooked, the stress of being an agent wore me down. After 10 years, I looked in the mirror and questioned my place in the world.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m not one to usually have regrets, as I generally look at every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow; however, at that moment, I regret ever leaving Italy and dramatically changing the course of my career. I asked myself, &ldquo;Is it too late for me to get back on track?&rdquo;&nbsp;
At some point or another in my life, I have been exposed to just about every angle of basketball. However, in large part due to the vantage point I was given to see my dad&rsquo;s job on a day-to-day basis, I have always had a particular affinity for the NBA Draft. It was clear to me that I wanted to carve out a career that would have me evaluating NBA Draft prospects.&nbsp;
While I was still an agent, I verbally agreed to leave the agency business to become a college scout for an NBA team. Although the opportunity would have required me to take a bit of a step back financially, I looked at it as an opportunity to recreate myself and get back on track to follow in my family&rsquo;s footsteps.&nbsp;
The assistant general manager of the organization said his boss was on vacation, and that when he returned, the team would call me to get my contract finalized. Two weeks or so had passed, and the assistant general manager called. He said, &ldquo;Matt, I have bad news: I have been demoted, and I might be getting fired. Unfortunately, we will not be hiring you.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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Well, it was back to the drawing board for me.&nbsp;
Not too long after that call, Lawrence Frank of the Los Angeles Clippers called me for an informal interview for a scouting position they were looking to fill. The call didn&rsquo;t go well. He questioned my experience, how well I knew the upcoming prospects and pretty much told me he wasn&rsquo;t interested. He did me a favor, though, as it was a wake up call. I came to the realization that perhaps the basketball community did not view me as an &ldquo;NBA lifer&rdquo; and &ldquo;true basketball guy&rdquo; quite like I viewed myself. I became fearful that I was only looked at as an &ldquo;agent&rdquo; -- and that didn&rsquo;t sit well with me.&nbsp;
That was my trigger point. I knew I had to make a drastic move. After speaking to my wife and family, I decided to relinquish my certifications as an agent, dissolve my agency and help all of my clients find new representation.
I was out.&nbsp;
But what would be next?
Well, the truth is I didn&rsquo;t really have a sophisticated plan in place, but I knew I needed to gather as much pertinent information on prospects as I could and gain exposure simultaneously. I was prepared to do whatever I needed to do to learn the players and create value for myself.&nbsp;
I called my friend, Ryan Blake, the owner of Marty Blake &amp; Associates, a scouting service that his dad Marty had started for the NBA years ago. I asked him if I could scout for him for the season; I told him that I didn&rsquo;t need any compensation, but if he could provide me media credentials to games, I would send him reports. He agreed.&nbsp;
I spent the following months driving to as many games as I could and using whatever frequent flyer points I had saved from my time as an agent to see as many NBA prospects as I possibly could. I loved it, but I must admit that I had some tough days and nights during that time, where I questioned if I had made a mistake leaving the agent business. I was working for free with no clear end in sight. I had several NBA teams call me that were interested in hiring me (some even showed significant interest), but nothing ever came to fruition -- so I kept grinding.
Following that college season, I received a call from an old friend, Jake Fischer, a journalist with Sports Illustrated at the time. To my surprise, he and his editor were interested in having me write a series of articles about the NBA pre-draft process from an agent&rsquo;s perspective. l had pretty much zero experience with formal writing, but I agreed to their offer. Although I had received some media credentials via Marty Blake &amp; Associates, Sports Illustrated was my real entry point into the media. I wrote a handful of articles for Sports Illustrated and really enjoyed it. The feedback was surprisingly great, too. To be published in Sports Illustrated, a magazine whose covers could be found all over my bedroom walls as a kid, was just incredible!
But while the experience with Sports Illustrated was great, I still needed to figure out my long-term plan.&nbsp;
After getting a decent lay of the land in the scouting and media world, I decided to launch Babcock Hoops, a basketball website with an emphasis on the NBA Draft. I&rsquo;m pretty sure that my family thought I was nuts, but I went for it anyway. I got some of my friends involved, including Luca Desta, Jeff Feld, Jason Fillippi and Matt McKay Jr., all of whom had NBA scouting experience and were figuring out the next steps in their careers. The concept that I put together was for my guys to use the platform to get access to players and games, so that they could stay informed and also get exposure, all while they searched for their next landing spot. In return, they provided me information and content.&nbsp;
Well, the plan worked. Luca Desta was snagged up by the Lakers within months as a college scout, Jeff Feld was tabbed as general manager of the Northern Arizona Suns (Phoenix&rsquo;s G League affiliate) and Matt McKay Jr. successfully launched Pro Insight, a high school scouting database and service.&nbsp;
Before I knew it, I started to get a lot of attention. Interview requests came left and right, and our group started to get credentialed to all different types of exclusive games and events. I gradually stopped thinking about working for an NBA team so much, and instead, began focusing on building my career as an NBA Draft Analyst.
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Over the last few years, I had been a guest on Alex Kennedy&rsquo;s podcast on HoopsHype several times, and he requested quotes from me for articles he wrote on various NBA topics, somewhat regularly. He and I became friends during that span. Prior to the 2020 NBA Draft, Alex called me and told me that he was leaving HoopsHype to become the Chief Content Officer for a new startup basketball website called BasketballNews.com. He asked if I would have interest in running their NBA Draft coverage. I agreed to contribute to the site on a temporary basis while we figured out if doing something more involved made sense.
During that time, Scott Hale, the CEO of BasketballNews.com, and I had a chance to get to know each other. A basketball junkie, like myself, Scott and I have bonded over some epic conversations about hoops, business and life. It became apparent to me that Scott is an ambitious visionary and my kind of guy.
When discussing our potential partnership, Scott intently asked me, &ldquo;What do you want out of this?&rdquo; I told him, &ldquo;I want to be the best.&rdquo; From there, it was clear we were on the same page.
The rest is history.

BasketballNews.com's Matt Babcock shares his family's history in basketball and his journey from NBA agent to NBA Draft analyst.

Matt Babcock: Let me introduce myself

After 14 NBA seasons, Andrew Bogut &mdash; a 2015 NBA champion &mdash; announces he is retiring from basketball. 
Source: <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1333548359374737415" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter)</a>
ANALYSIS: Andrew Bogut played for five franchises in his 14-year NBA career and won a championship with the Warriors in 2015. Bogut spent the last two years playing professional basketball in his hometown Australia and is now ready to call it a career.
Bogut will end his NBA career with averages of 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Andrew Bogut has announced his retirement from basketball.

Andrew Bogut announces retirement from basketball

With training camps starting in a week, the NBA's 2020 free-agency period has moved very quickly. Nearly all of the marquee free agents are off the board, aside from Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram (RFA). However, both stars are expected to re-sign.
On Day 5, who are the top remaining free agents at each position?&nbsp;
GUARDS: Reggie Jackson, Shabazz Napier, Quinn Cook, Shaquille Harrison, Evan Turner, Dion Waiters, Marco Belinelli, Emmanuel Mudiay, Yogi Ferrell, Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, Jeremy Lin, Jordan McLaughlin (RFA), Chris Chiozza, Thabo Sefolosha, Jordan McRae (RFA), Courtney Lee, Troy Daniels, Brandon Knight, Andre Roberson, Allonzo Trier, Ky Bowman, Gary Payton II, Naz Mitrou-Long, Treveon Graham, Ian Clark, Marcus Georges-Hunt, Frank Mason, Ty Lawson, Shabazz Muhammad, J.R. Smith, Chasson Randle
FORWARDS: Anthony Davis, Nicolas Batum, Frank Kaminsky, Glenn Robinson III, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Wilson Chandler, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, John Henson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Taj Gibson, Jared Dudley, Ersan Ilyasova, Bruno Caboclo, Lance Stephenson, Kenneth Faried, Kenrich Williams, Anthony Tolliver, Cheick Diallo, Dante Cunningham, Donatas Motiejunas, Justin Anderson
CENTER: Hassan Whiteside, Kyle O'Quinn, Ian Mahinmi, Noah Vonleh, Skal Labissiere, Tyson Chandler, Thon Maker, Kosta Koufos, Andrew Bogut, Caleb Swanigan, Ekpe Udoh, Miles Plumlee
Who would you like your favorite team to add? Leave a comment below.

Here's a position-by-position look at the top players who remain unsigned on Day 6 of NBA free agency.