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Pistons

For a third of the NBA, summer break comes early.&nbsp;
Though 10 teams didn't make the playoffs, it's not all doom and gloom. Several NBA bottom-feeders took tangible steps forward in their rebuilding efforts, while others &mdash; well, they're not supposed to be here.
Every franchise enters the offseason with summer plans. As teams get eliminated from the postseason, I'll be rounding up every team's offseason outlook and posing one question they must answer over the summer. You'll see each squad's 2022 NBA Draft chest, plus their potential free agents, along with the central question.&nbsp;
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Let's get started!
DETROIT PISTONS 
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Marvin Bagley III (restricted), Cory Joseph (player option), Hamidou Diallo (team option), Frank Jackson (team option), Luka Garza (team option), Carsen Edwards (team option), Rodney McGruder 
Central question: How do the Pistons build an offense around Cade Cunningham?
This was a pretty solid season for Detroit as far as rebuilding efforts go. Cade Cunningham emerged as a Rookie of the Year front-runner and two-way centerpiece who has fans ecstatic about his ceiling. The Pistons finished a solid 10-14 after the All-Star break, and have shown flashes of an improving defense. They did still finish with the 28th-ranked offense, per Cleaning the Glass, and one of the worst shooting rates in the NBA.
Cunningham had to carry a ridiculous offensive load in the latter stages of the season. Detroit has the power to change that in 2022-23, starting with its high draft pick. Maybe Jabari Smith's lights-out scoring means he's an ideal secondary option? Perhaps Paolo Banchero thrives as an additional creator, or maybe Chet Holmgren makes sense as a finisher and spot-up threat? The fun part about Cunningham is that his versatility creates so many pathways for the Pistons in the draft &mdash; whether or not the ping pong balls fall their way.
Detroit wields a cap hold of approximately $28 million on Bagley, and once that lifts (either via a new contract or letting him walk), the Pistons should have a solid chunk of cap space to add to the supporting cast.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), better of Brooklyn/Miami first-round picks
Potential free agents: John Wall (player option), Dennis Schroder, Bruno Fernando (restricted), Jae'Sean Tate (team option), Anthony Lamb (qualifying offer), Trevelin Queen (qualifying offer)
Central question: How patient is the front office willing to be?
Houston's 2021 draft strategy of "draft talent, figure out the fit later" appears to be working out. Jalen Green demonstrated an Anthony Edwards-esque leap post-All-Star break, Alperen Sengun is already one of the NBA's best passing bigs, and guys like Josh Christopher and KJ Martin routinely hinted at upside. Houston gets another prime shot at a franchise cornerstone this draft cycle. We're approaching Stage 2 of the strategy, though: figuring out how the pieces fit.&nbsp;
The Rockets were one of two NBA teams with bottom-five ratings on offense and defense. They led the league in rim frequency and were fourth in three-point frequency, but posted mediocre shooting clips. Houston evokes memories of the rebuilding Nets, who played a similarly extreme brand of ball for a few years as the team slowly reshaped into a fun playoff squad. Does the front office have the foresight to let head coach Stephen Silas work things out with his roster of young guns?&nbsp;
INDIANA PACERS
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How is there a &ldquo;rebuild&rdquo; to afraid of if it isn&rsquo;t a rebuild? <a href="https://t.co/0pDD7E6Mss">pic.twitter.com/0pDD7E6Mss</a>
&mdash; Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) <a href="https://twitter.com/C2_Cooper/status/1512127632758001664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (10.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick (if 15-30, via Cleveland), Second-round pick (via Houston), Second-round pick (via Phoenix)
Potential free agents: Ricky Rubio, T.J. Warren, Jalen Smith, Lance Stephenson, Nate Hinton (restricted), Oshae Brissett (team option)
Central question: How extreme is the incoming rebuild, and what veterans mesh with the future vision?
Notably unlisted among the potential free agents are Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell. All range from solid starters to rotational complements, and 3 of the 4 (not Turner) will be 30 next season. The Pacers are clearly retooling, as evidenced by their trade-deadline fireworks and Tyrese Haliburton's subsequent high usage. They also have publicly flip-flopped regarding the direction of the team; see the above Tweet.
Indiana doesn't have the pure depth of talent to straddle the line. The Pacers can trade many of these talented players and build up a chest of draft picks and young pieces, or they can charge ahead, turn their picks into win-now players and hope Haliburton is ready for the playoff push. But a middle ground doesn't exist in an Eastern Conference where just about every team has solidified its direction.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Draft assets: None
Potential free agents: Russell Westbrook (player option), Kendrick Nunn (player option), Austin Reaves (team option), Stanley Johnson (team option), Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, D.J. Augustin, Wenyen Gabriel, Mason Jones (restricted)
Central question: What does team-building around two injury-prone superstars look like?
LeBron James <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lebron-james-i-dont-have-a-cap-on-how-long-i-want-to-play" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turns 38 next season</a>, and has played 60-plus games just once in the past four seasons. Anthony Davis has now missed more than half the season in back-to-back years. Sure, the Lakers were a mess regardless of their stars' health, but going forward, is pursuing fits next to James and Davis even worthwhile if the two won't consistently be on the court?
With just three players under contract (the aforementioned stars, plus Talen Horton-Tucker), the Lakers enter another offseason of a roster overhaul. This time, I'd recommend almost entirely forgetting about James and Davis when building the squad and simply try to assemble units that make sense together.&nbsp;
NEW YORK KNICKS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, could change based on Play-In results), Second-round pick via Boston and Charlotte (if 56-60)
Potential free agents: Mitchell Robinson, Ryan Arcidiacono 
Central question: What's going to happen with the veterans?
The top six moneymakers for the Knicks next season are all 27 or older, and I think many fans would say that out of the group, only Julius Randle should have started &mdash; and he seriously regressed this season. The young Knicks <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/explain-one-play-young-knicks-playing-chess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clearly showed they're ready to take the mantle</a>.
So what happens with Randle, Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Kemba Walker? Is Tom Thibodeau prepared to reduce their (their meaning Burks specifically in this case) minutes and usage, will trades be coming, or will Madison Square Garden burn when Immanuel Quickley opens the season by playing 16 minutes off the bench? New York has drafted extremely well in recent seasons, but the ceiling of the young core is capped if these youngsters don't get a chance to prove themselves in meaningful situations.
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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 
Draft assets: First-round pick (12.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via Clippers, First-round pick via Phoenix, Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Derrick Favors (player option), Mike Muscala (team option), Lu Dort (team option), Isaiah Roby (team option), Melvin Frazier (restricted)
Central question: What is the pathway in the frontcourt?
I've stanned Sam Presti's team-building strategy for years now, and I still think it's on track for a serious payoff. Josh Giddey slots in somewhere on your All-Rookie ballot, and draft classmates Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aaron Wiggins flashed rotation-caliber play as well. It is simply a joy to watch a random young player have a breakout game on any given night, and OKC has already shown the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-emerging-defensive-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">early stages of a prominent defense</a>.
Next up: Capitalize on a draft loaded with intruiging frontcourt players. Banchero, Holmgren and Smith are obviously the best of the best. But even if the Thunder slide in the lottery, they could pounce on an athletic shot-blocker like Jalen Duren, or use one of their later picks on a center like Mark Williams. I'm just spit-balling, but the point is that OKC has plenty of chances to find its big-man anchor and further flesh out its core.
ORLANDO MAGIC
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Indiana
Potential free agents: Gary Harris, Robin Lopez, Bol Bol (restricted), Ignas Brazdeikis (restricted), Admiral Schofield (restricted)
Central question: How do the offensive pieces fit together?
Orlando quietly logged a 17th-ranked defense this season, and an 11th-ranked unit since Feb. 1. A dismal offense ultimately doomed the Magic, who were riddled with inconsistent shotmaking and poor team efficiency marks throughout the half-court. We don't need to sound any player alarms; it takes time for young guards in particular to grasp the responsibilities of running NBA offenses.&nbsp;
But what if I told you Orlando has wielded bottom-10 offensive ratings every season for the last decade?&nbsp;
Change can start in the draft, again with some of the top offensive forward options like Banchero or Smith. Adding another ball-dominant guard in Jaden Ivey might be overkill, but AJ Griffin and Bennedict Mathurin feel like good wing fits at first glance. Spotrac estimates the Magic could have up to $30 million in practical cap space, leaving plenty of room for veteran players to accentuate the young talent.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
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THE D IN DREW STANDS FOR DUNK DO NOT GOOGLE THIS <a href="https://t.co/2AojdAskYV">pic.twitter.com/2AojdAskYV</a>
&mdash; Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1508636734900166659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (9.0% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via New Orleans (if 5-14), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Memphis
Potential free agents: Joe Ingles, Jusuf Nurkic, Ben McLemore, Anfernee Simons (restricted), CJ Elleby (restricted), Elijah Hughes (restricted), Keljin Blevins (restricted)
Central question: Is Portland actually trying to win "now" or win soon?
Some really great development happened for the Blazers during the "wash" portion of the season in the form of players like Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson and Drew Eubanks. Add them to Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little and the incomng draft picks, and Portland suddenly has... kind of a sneaky-deep prospect pool? There's real potential to mold this group into a rotation cast that gives Portland one of its deepest rosters in years.
That's why these <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jerami-grant-trade-rumors-portland-is-still-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerami Grant trade rumors concern me</a>. Giving up a possible lottery pick to try and piece together a short-term playoff team risks too much and keeps the Trail Blazers in the limbo they have lounged in for several years. Understandably, the franchise wants to build a contender while Damian Lillard is invested and in his prime. With some patience, Portland can without sacrificing sustainibility.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Draft assets: First-round pick (7.5% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick (via Chicago)
Potential free agents: Jeremy Lamb, Josh Jackson, Damian Jones, Donte DiVincenzo (restricted), Neemias Queta (restricted), Trey Lyles (team option)
Central question: How does Sacramento turn into a competitive NBA defense?
The Kings have trotted out lackluster defenses for as long as I can remember. In fact, they haven't ranked above 20th in Defensive Rating since 2005-06 &mdash; notably, the last time they made the playoffs.
And that didn't change under interim head coach Alvin Gentry. (Gentry will not return as head coach next season, but is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/shams-alvin-gentry-no-longer-interim-coach-of-the-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in talks for a front-office role</a>, per ESPN.) However, the on-paper roster actually shines some hope. Davion Mitchell made highlight reels out of his "Off-Night" defense. Justin Holiday is a solid individual defender, as is Harrison Barnes, and even De'Aaron Fox has his sporadic moments.&nbsp;
Can Sacramento find a head coach who turns a group of intriguing players with defensive potential into even an average squad? What draft and free agency options exist? Of course, the Kings would like to end their NBA-leading playoff drought. That'll come with changing the culture on defense.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, depends on Play-In results), Second-round pick (via Dallas)
Potential free agents: Bradley Beal (player option), Thomas Bryant, Raul Neto, Tomas Satoransky, Anthony Gill (restricted), Cassius Winston (restricted)
Central question: What style of guard play is a feasible best fit?
Okay, so obviously the biggest question mark surrounds Bradley Beal's free agency. But from a conceptual standpoint, Washington has tried and failed over the past few seasons to find Beal's best-fitting partner in crime. John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Spencer Dinwiddie were each supposed to provide the downhill juice Beal lacks. The Wizards either did this at serious expense of another skill area (Wall, Westbrook), or it just didn't translate their at-rim ability (Dinwiddie). All battled injuries as well.
"I think we need bigger guards," <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-outlines-what-wizards-need-build-contender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beal said in March</a>. "We need more guys that can get in the paint for us, more ball-handlers, more guys that can really create and get two feet in the paint, but also who can knock down threes."
I mean, Beal's needs make total sense. The problem is that every other basketball team on Earth also wants this type of guard.
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Several years ago, I attended the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. In doing so, I became familiar with Purdue head coach Matt Painter's coaching style and offensive system, which is predicated on ball movement, perimeter players moving without the ball and feeding low-post scorers on the block.
Carsen Edwards &mdash; a strong and explosive, assertive, scoring 5-foot-11 guard &mdash; was their star. Edwards routinely ran off screens, endlessly hunting his shot in Painter's system while using ball screens as his secondary option. He had the full green light, which he took advantage of as he averaged 24.3 points per game. Ryan Cline was their shooting specialist, making several three-pointers per game and shooting an impressive 41.7% from deep. And lastly, they had giant 7-foot-3 Matt Haarms on the block. It was a terrific team that won a share of the Big Ten regular season championship and nearly made it to the Final Four.
However, despite Edwards' iconic performance in the Elite Eight, in which he scored 42 points while knocking down 10 three-pointers, the Boilermakers fell short to the eventual NCAA champion, Virginia. I appreciated Painter as a coach during that season and I've always looked forward to watching his teams play ever since.
Fast forward a few years to this current season when I recently attended the Big Ten Tournament and watched Painter's Boilermakers play several days in a row. It felt a bit like deja vu, as their team was very reminiscent of the 2018-19 Purdue squad. Sophomore guard Jaden Ivey is their star, and he also routinely runs off screens that lead to pick-and-roll actions in identical sets, just as Edwards did. They have Sasha Stefanovic, a freshman on the 2018-19 team and now a senior, playing Cline's shooter role. Trevion Williams, who was also a freshman on that last team, is now their primary low-post scoring threat. They also have 7-foot-4 Zach Edey in the Haarms role.
As usual, I enjoyed watching Purdue play in the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Penn State and Michigan State before falling to a good Iowa team in the championship game, securing a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance.
This year, the Big Ten Conference was loaded with talent, so I chose to attend the entire conference tournament rather than attend multiple tournaments like I usually do. And despite the abundance of talent in Indianapolis, one player stood out from the crowd, and that player was Ivey.
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Through 35 games this season, Ivey has averaged 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He was named First Team All-Big Ten Conference and Second Team All-American. He has established himself as a college star and a top NBA prospect, as he's widely considered a probable top-four pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Although Ivey and Edwards are playing a similar role for Purdue, their games are not the same. On the one hand, Edwards is an undersized scoring guard whose effectiveness is centered around his outside shooting &mdash; seemingly a perfect fit in Painter's offense. On the other hand, you have Ivey, an elite athlete who is a nightmare for opponents to stop one-on-one. Painter calls isolation and high pick-and-roll plays here and there for Ivey, breaking away from his typical offense to utilize Ivey's talents properly. Still, while I love Painter's offense, it's not built for a player like Ivey, nor is the college game in general, for that matter.
But you know what is built for a player like Ivey? The modern, guard-driven NBA with emphasized spacing so players like Ivey can create with the ball in their hands.
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Two great plays by Jaden Ivey, back to back. Once he gets downhill, it&rsquo;s over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GTourney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GTourney</a> <a href="https://t.co/3gk5JKBCKm">pic.twitter.com/3gk5JKBCKm</a>
&mdash; Matt Babcock (@MattBabcock11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattBabcock11/status/1502477366962135045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Sitting alongside me at the Big Ten Tournament were countless NBA scouts and executives, and I spoke to many of them.
"He has burst like [Ja] Morant, explosiveness like [Russell] Westbrook, and a playing style like D-Wade," said one scout. "He's a Ferrari."
"He will be a beast in the league," one general manager added.
He was compared to big stars, and bold statements were shared left and right. However, they are all valid, in my opinion. When the ball is in Ivey's hands, he is an overwhelming threat who is impossible to guard at times. He has a gear that not many players possess, providing him with elite talent and upside similar to those notable names above.
For the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Draft</a>, four players have separated themselves from the rest: Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey in some order, with Iowa's Keegan Murray seemingly knocking on the door to that group as well. Although in recent days there have been a couple of articles published suggesting that Ivey could make a play for the No. 1 spot (which I'm happy to see), I find it interesting that Ivey seems to be ranked fourth in that group more often than not by the media.
I've been one of Ivey's biggest supporters this season, ranking him No. 2 on the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com 2022 NBA Draft Big Board</a>. But I'll admit, he isn't perfect. He has some things to work on, like improving his decision-making, ball control and overall court awareness. He's shot the ball pretty well this season, knocking down 63-of-173 three-point attempts (36.4%), but he's certainly not a pure shooter.
But here's how I see it: there are always questions for young players transitioning to the pros, and Ivey is no exception. However, I believe that the questions surrounding Ivey are manageable. Subsequently, it leads me to visualize what type of player Ivey could become if he did indeed maximize his potential.
Could we be witnessing a star in the making? Perhaps.
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Purdue's Jaden Ivey is a special talent who is turning heads this season. Matt Babcock breaks down his ascent to stardom.

Is Purdue's Jaden Ivey a star in the making?

Yesterday, we <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/5-nba-teams-you-should-hammer-the-over-on-for-202122-win-totals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">covered the best NBA win-total bets to hammer the over on</a> and now it&rsquo;s time to flip the script and discuss the most intriguing under options available. With so many teams pushing the chips in for a 2021-22 playoff run, it'll be tougher for teams to separate from the pack. Which squads will ultimately regress or fail to meet preseason expectations?
Without further ado, let&rsquo;s dive into the five-best under bets to make entering this season.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: UNDER 51.5 WINS
The Sixers currently find themselves in a tricky situation. The Ben Simmons drama has reached a new boiling point, as the 2016 No. 1 overall pick has officially requested a trade from Philadelphia. Although Simmons' offensive struggles are well-documented, his defense helped him finish second in the Defensive-Player-of-the-Year race behind Rudy Gobert last season.
Just now entering his prime years at age-25, Simmons has shown unicorn-like tendencies as a jumbo playmaker who can defend five positions on the basketball court. Simmons&rsquo; impact will be missed in Philadelphia, and it'll be interesting to see what the Sixers receive in return for him.
With the Simmons rumors reaching a fever pitch, plus the inconsistent availability of Joel Embiid over the years, taking a swing on the under at 51.5 makes sense to me. Do we trust Tobias Harris to carry an Embiid-less team on the nights he eventually sits out? Especially with a more jam-packed Eastern Conference than ever, I expect a small step back from the Sixers. Fifty wins feels like the ceiling to me, which means I'm hammering the under here.
ATLANTA HAWKS: UNDER 47.5 WINS
Atlanta caught fire last season when they moved Nate McMillan over to the head-coach seat with Lloyd Pierce&rsquo;s midseason firing. However, will that mojo continue over a full 82-game schedule? The Hawks have built a great infrastructure of talent around their superstar Trae Young. However, I feel like Las Vegas might be overestimating Atlanta after this recent run.
Maybe I&rsquo;m too pessimistic when it comes to the Hawks, but I need to see this success continue to fully buy-in. Reaching the near-50-win mark is a huge milestone for an organization that has been stuck in the lottery for years. Atlanta added more young talent in the draft, but didn&rsquo;t add any veterans into the equation.
I&rsquo;m going to play it safe and roll with the under on Atlanta. If Trae lights up the NBA in his fourth season, plus other pieces of their core take steps forward, I would be happy to be proven wrong here. There&rsquo;s a real possibility that their late-season run was lightning in a bottle, and that their win total will be in the mid-40s. In my opinion, 47.5 is a steep over to hit.
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INDIANA PACERS: UNDER 43.5 WINS
The Pacers were dealt potentially the NBA's worst hand last season with injuries. T.J. Warren only played four games. Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner dealt with various ailments. Caris LeVert had to sit out an extended period of time following his arrival (via the Victor Oladipo trade) because a cancerous tumor was discovered on a physical.
With Rick Carlisle back in Indiana as head coach, will the Pacers&rsquo; talented nucleus finally put it all together? I <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/pacers-face-makeorbreak-202122-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have my doubts</a>, especially considering how much the East has improved. No longer will a team comfortably make the playoffs with a record around .500.
Indiana also feels like the most obvious team to hit the reset button midseason, especially if they get off to a slow start. Outside of Domantas Sabonis and LeVert, everyone could be on the table in trade talks. Warren is on an expiring contract, while Brogdon and Turner have been floated in trade discussions over the last calendar year. If Indiana floats around .500 or below, the Pacers would be wise to sell-high on those players at their last opportunity to receive positive value.
Although Indiana had only one down year, the East is now a beast. It might be too little, too late for this core to make a run, which leads me to feel comfortable hammering the under on 43.5.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: UNDER 41.5 WINS
Coming off their first playoff appearance since the Grit-n-Grind era, Memphis is bubbling with excitement to see if the Grizzlies can take the next step forward. Led by Ja Morant, Memphis has done a fantastic job of building around their young star point guard.
However, with the Golden State Warriors now back to full health, plus other young teams hoping to take a leaps (such as the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/by-making-zion-williamsons-job-easier-the-pelicans-should-finally-have-real-playoff-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Orleans Pelicans</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/will-the-timberwolves-finally-take-a-leap-forward-in-a-loaded-western-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>), Memphis will have to work even harder to return to the play-in spot they secured last season.
With how the Grizzlies have operated this offseason, it feels like they&rsquo;re content waiting to make a move &mdash; not getting antsy off of their early success after making the No. 8 seed. The Grizzlies&rsquo; main offseason additions were Steven Adams and No. 10 overall pick Ziaire Williams (plus they <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/mem-agrees-to-trade-hernangomez-to-bos-for-dunn-edwards-pick-swap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired</a> Kris Dunn and Carsen Edwards today).
I&rsquo;m betting on a slight regression form Memphis, especially if they get off to a slow start. With Dillon Brooks recently floated in trade talks, it makes me wonder if we see the Grizzlies emerge as sellers at this year&rsquo;s trade deadline, which further pushes me to hit the under on 41.5.
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SACRAMENTO KINGS: UNDER 35.5 WINS
After <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-76ers-asking-price-for-ben-simmons-is-too-steep-for-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">officially bowing out</a> of the Ben Simmons derby due to the 76ers' asking price &ndash; which is disappointing since Simmons would've been <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-ben-simmons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a perfect fit</a> on the Kings &ndash; Sacramento seems destined for another disappointing season.
Buddy Hield was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night for Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell, so who knows how long he will remain a member of the Kings? Sacramento re-signed Richaun Holmes and drafted one of the most NBA-ready prospects in Davion Mitchell, but is that enough to really make a big leap in the West? I doubt it.
The Kings have a solid young cored led by De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Mitchell, but everyone else could be moved down the road. Hield and Harrison Barnes stand out as obvious candidates to be moved to contenders at the trade deadline, especially if Sacramento falls out of the playoff race before the All-Star break.
I&rsquo;m hammering the under on 35.5 wins for the Kings, and feeling pretty comfortable doing so, which would unfortunately extend their playoff drought to an incredible 16 consecutive seasons.

Which NBA teams will fail to meet preseason expectations? Here are 5 teams you should bet the under on given their projected win total.

2021-22 win-total odds: 5 NBA teams you should hammer the under on

Memphis has agreed to trade forward Juancho Hernangomez to Boston for guards Kris Dunn, Carsen Edwards and a 2026 second-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1433820922184704000" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;The Celtics pick up a solid floor-spacing forward in Hernangomez, who the Grizzlies acquired in an earlier trade from Minnesota. The 25-year-old has made 35.1% of his career three-pointers. In return, Memphis nets a defense-savvy point guard in Dunn and a score-first spark plug in Edwards. This trade cannot be officially completed until September 15, per Wojnarowski.

The Celtics pick up a solid floor-spacing forward in Hernangomez, who the Grizzlies acquired in an earlier trade from Minnesota.

Memphis trades Hernangomez to Boston for Dunn, Edwards, pick swap

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

Louis King slammed home a two-handed dunk with a little more than two minutes left in the third quarter of the NBA Summer League championship game, let out a monstrous roar and promptly flexed with authority.
Fittingly, it was King who dominated for Sacramento and finished with 21 points to help the Kings cruise to a 100-67 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in front of a sparse, masked crowd that barely filled the bottom bowl, an uncommon scene for a title game that has packed the venue in recent years prior to the pandemic.
It was Sacramento&rsquo;s first Summer League title since 2014.
&ldquo;Our transition, that&rsquo;s what started it, our defense and transition points, that&rsquo;s what it came down to,&rdquo; said King, who started his career in Detroit after going undrafted from Oregon in 2019. &ldquo;I feel like everything we&rsquo;re doing now, that we&rsquo;re doing all summer, and what we&rsquo;ve been doing is just going to translate into our regular-season team.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got new guys, new faces and we just got to trust each other.&rdquo;
One of those new faces is defensive stopper Davion Mitchell, who was taken ninth overall in last month&rsquo;s draft and was out to prove the franchise didn&rsquo;t make a mistake in adding him to an already guard-heavy lineup that includes Tyrese Haliburton and De&rsquo;Aaron Fox.
It&rsquo;s not as if the Kings needed a boost to an offense that ranked 11th in the league with 113.7 points per game last season. Instead, it was the guard&rsquo;s defensive tenacity the Kings are hoping will help a lethargic defense that allowed 117.4 points per game, third-worst in the league.
&ldquo;We loved what we saw and that&rsquo;s why we drafted him,&rdquo; Kings coach Luke Walton said. &ldquo;We continue to try to bring a certain player in and the front office has done a nice job, and you watch Davion play and you see him win a national championship, you get his background and how he competes and how he leads and how he works, and that&rsquo;s why we spent a top-10 pick on him.&rdquo;
While the Kings got additional contributions from Jahmi&rsquo;us Ramsey (16), Matt Coleman III (14), and Ade Murkey (10), Mitchell chipped in with nine points but more importantly shut down Boston sharpshooter Payton Pritchard.
Carsen Edwards had 15 points and Aaron Nesmith 12 for Boston. Pritchard finished with just six points after being limited to 3-of-9 shooting from the floor.
&ldquo;All my life I&rsquo;ve played with a chip on my shoulder. I&rsquo;ve kind of always been like the underdog, especially coming to Sacramento hearing that they&rsquo;re not a really good defensive team,&rdquo; Mitchell said. &ldquo;That kind of just turned me on, like I really want to change the narrative, I want to be a defensive team because defense wins championships. So yeah, coming into Summer League I tried to show that and I think I did a really good job of that.&rdquo;
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After the Celtics took a 14-4 lead behind the strong play of Nesmith, who opened the game with eight points, the Kings stormed back quickly with a 20-6 run to take a four-point lead after one behind 10 points from King.
The Kings, who had the edge in fast-break points (24-4), pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring Boston 26-13 to take a 70-49 lead into the final 10 minutes.
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know what to expect out of this game,&rdquo; coach Bobby Jackson said. &rdquo;I knew it was going to be a really good game because looking at them on film they play fast, they shot a lot of 3s. In my meetings, I always told the guys they haven&rsquo;t run across a defense like us, and if we buy into defending and have each other&rsquo;s backs, the ball is going to fall. It was just an effort on the defensive side of the ball.&rdquo;
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More AP NBA: <a class="" href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a> and <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>
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Davion Mithcell and the Sacramento Kings beat the Boston Celtics to win the 2021-22 NBA Las Vegas Summer League championship.

King’s offense, Mitchell’s defense leads Sacramento to title

NBA free-agency activity fizzled out after many teams spent all of their available cap space. However, there's one situation that may not be resolved anytime soon: Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls are in a stalemate over his impending future.
Markkanen&rsquo;s restricted free agency has been a nightmare for the seven-foot Finnish big. Many teams pivoted to other options once Markkanen overvalued his worth on the open market. The fact that the Bulls could match any offer sheet for the 24-year-old likely scared some teams away too.
The Charlotte Hornets were very interested in Markkanen, reportedly preparing an offer sheet for the Bulls&rsquo; power forward. At the last minute, Charlotte went in a different direction and signed Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year deal. The San Antonio Spurs also poked around and inquired about Markkanen, but decided against bringing him onboard in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade with Chicago.
During the 2017-18 season, Markkanen flashed as one of the best rookies in the 2017 NBA Draft class. Averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game, while shooting 36.2% on three-pointers, Markkanen looked the part of an eventual long-term building block for the Bulls. However, over the last three years, the former No. 7 overall pick hasn't shown much else.
His averages over the last three seasons have been nearly identical to his rookie year: 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 36.9% from three in 29.3 minutes. Although the former Arizona Wildcat finally improved his three-point efficiency in 2020-21 (shooting 40.3% from deep), he's become stagnant everywhere else. Is Markkanen worth over $15 million per year as a floor-spacing stretch big who is a subpar rebounder and even worse defender? The quick answer is no, and teams seem to agree judging by how they've approached the early stages of Markkanen's free agency.
Chicago is willing to let Markkanen exit, but they&rsquo;re playing hardball. The Bulls want a future first-round pick while also not taking salary back in a potential sign-and-trade scenario. This not only limits the pool of teams, but it also requires the franchise that wants Markkanen to give up additional draft capital they may not want to relinquish.
At this moment, a return for Markkanen to the Windy City for his fifth season is certainly on the table. Markkanen&rsquo;s qualifying offer is $9 million, so this could be a scenario where he signs the dotted line, then becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
However, if Markkanen eventually gets his wish with a fresh start elsewhere, which teams make the most sense for him? Let&rsquo;s explore several possible landing spots.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
If a team wants to get involved in a sign-and-trade for Markkanen, they need to have one of these two things: a traded player exception (TPE) or salary-cap space. At this point, there are very few teams with enough wiggle room to give Markkanen an annual salary above $10 million, so the TPE could be the best bet to make a move occur.
Dallas certainly fits the billing, as they own a $10.9 million TPE. Does Markkanen want to sign a three-year deal that pays just $1.9 million more than his qualifying offer? Unless he's dead set on never returning to Chicago, it&rsquo;s not the best financial move for Markkanen.
If the Mavericks want to acquire Markkanen while saving their TPE, they would need to offload Dwight Powell&rsquo;s $11 million salary for 2021-22 plus another piece. For example, to meet the Bulls&rsquo; own demands, Dallas sends Chicago a heavily protected future first-round pick, while a team willing to absorb big salary (like the Oklahoma City Thunder) takes on Powell, plus whatever else, while also receiving their own draft compensation for the courtesy.
In terms of fits for Markkanen, Dallas certainly stands out as the best one remaining. With the potential to start alongside Kristaps Porzingis at power forward, Markkanen would play a low-usage role as a floor-spacing big who can open up the floor even further for Luka Doncic. The defensive fit between Markkanen and Porzingis is potentially horrific, but the offense could be bolstered even further with the Finnish product&rsquo;s arrival.
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NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
New Orleans currently possesses the largest traded player exception in the NBA after offloading Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe in a draft-day trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, and they can use their $17.1 million TPE to absorb Markkanen for a price that works for both sides.
The Pelicans need to keep adding perimeter shooters alongside Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Right now, there&rsquo;s not enough. Although they acquired Devonte&rsquo; Graham via sign-and-trade, plus drafted sharpshooting wing Trey Murphy III at No. 17 overall, they need to keep adding more to their arsenal. Markkanen would certainly provide fit in that role, coming off the bench in the Bayou for around 25 minutes per game.
Jonas Valanciunas will be the starter alongside Williamson in the Pelicans&rsquo; frontcourt, but Markkanen could be primed to slot in as an eventual starter down the road. The fit between Williamson and Markkanen is actually really solid, especially if the Pelicans&rsquo; former No. 1 overall pick is able to emerge as a rim protector like he showed in college.
BOSTON CELTICS
Markkanen in Boston would certainly be an intriguing scenario. Operating as a floor-spacing reserve big, Markkanen would provide another scoring punch to a retooling Celtics roster that's banking on further internal development from their fortified young core.
Boston only has a $9.7 million TPE at their disposal, which means they would need to get creative to fit Markkanen on their books. Josh Richardson, who was recently acquired from Dallas, best fits the salary-matching requirement to make a complicated Markkanen sign-and-trade work. Richardson is eligible to be traded again on August 19.
Adding Richardson&rsquo;s $11.6 million alongside another piece on their roster, for example Grant Williams at $2.6 million, gives Markkanen close to his desired annual value. Dumping Richardson and Williams onto a team like Oklahoma City makes this three-team scenario work for all sides. (However, it remains to be seen if Boston would be willing to part with Richardson and Williams to land Markkanen.)
If Boston decided to pull the trigger, the rotation would look like this after adding Markkanen:
Starters: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams
Second Unit: Dennis Schroder, Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith, Lauri Markkanen, Enes Kanter
That&rsquo;s a legitimate 10-man rotation, including a nice mix of versatility off the bench for the Celtics. Keep an eye on Boston as a dark-horse destination for an eventual Markkanen sign-and-trade.
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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
How ironic would it be for Markkanen to end up with the organization that initially drafted him? When Markkanen walked across the stage on draft night, he donned a Timberwolves hat, and then he and Zach LaVine were dealt to the Bulls as part of the Jimmy Butler blockbuster trade. Maybe we'll see a pseudo reunion in the cards soon? Minnesota has reportedly showed interest in the 24-year-old.
Minnesota possesses no TPE, so they would need to offload salary to a third team to meet Chicago&rsquo;s negotiation price. Luckily for the T-Wolves, they have a few different scenarios to make a Markkanen sign-and-trade occur. The first one revolves around Taurean Prince&rsquo;s $13 million expiring, which is eligible to traded again on August 18. Another example features Jarrett Culver and Juancho Hernangomez, combining to make $12.4 million next season.
Whichever direction Minnesota decides to go, they can make a Markkanen deal happen (defense be damned). Adding Markkanen alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, D&rsquo;Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards would give Minnesota quite possibly the worst quartet ever assembled defensively.
There&rsquo;s a chance Markkanen could start for the Timberwolves or come off the bench behind ascending prospect Jaden McDaniels, who's a better complement alongside Towns in frontcourt combinations. Markkanen would provide a nice scoring boost for Minnesota, likely sliding in as their sixth man of the future.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Mentioned multiple times already in this exercise as a potential dumping ground to make complicated sign-and-trade scenarios work, would the Thunder actually be interested in Markkanen themselves? It&rsquo;s an interesting thought, especially when you realize they can outright sign him without issue or use their $12.8 million TPE in a trade. With 35 draft picks over the next five years, maybe they value Markkanen enough to relinquish one to pair him alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
The Thunder are creating an all-in scenario revolving around high-upside swings in the draft featuring boom-or-bust prospects like Aleksej Pokusevski, Darius Bazley, Theo Maledon and Josh Giddey. Bringing at least an established presence on board could provide a win in the short and long-term for Oklahoma City. If Markkanen is able to reach his near-ceiling outcome eventually, Oklahoma City would have a nice scoring combination in their starting lineup.
Does Thunder GM Sam Presti even want to get involved in the Markkanen sweepstakes, though? That&rsquo;s the big question. The more likely scenario involves Presti adding more picks to his <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/tanking-101-how-the-thunder-built-their-asset-treasure-trove-for-a-hopefully-bright-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ever-growing collection of future draft capital</a> thanks to Markkanen being shipped off elsewhere.

Lauri Markkanen is the biggest name remaining in free agency. Let's examine some possible destinations for the former No. 7 overall pick.

Examining potential free-agency destinations for Lauri Markkanen

On Sunday, NBA teams descended on Las Vegas for the first time in over two years for the 2021 MGM Resorts Summer League. And viewers got one of the greatest starts to a summer showcase in recent memory.
Almost every NBA prospect showed flashes of talent and long-term potential. Even the "disappointing" players showed glimpses and displayed foundations for growth. It makes breaking down prospects all the more fun.
With any type of summer league analysis comes a bold, italicized warning. This is a small sample of games in a unique environment with limited chemistry and a focused shifted away from winning. We'll be listing the five "studs" and "duds" from Sunday's slate, but by no means should this reflect a stance on a player &mdash; it's merely observing their current state as a player in summer league and a prospect in general.
Let's get into it.
STUDS
Jalen Green, guard, Houston Rockets
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Yeah you can't teach this. Jalen Green is how old, again? <a href="https://t.co/vHLJCYyYD1">pic.twitter.com/vHLJCYyYD1</a>
&mdash; Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1424509320138399747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 9-for-18 FG, 4-for-9 3PT
Green simply dazzled in his Rockets debut. The first G League Ignite alum to log summer league minutes, Green demonstrated the array of scoring moves that made him this year's second overall draft pick (see above). But he also operated as the lead ball-handler on most possessions for Houston, <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1424523845621325826" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hitting some of the passing reads</a> he'll need to make in the future. That's a good sign for Green's continued growth as an offensive centerpiece.
Malachi Flynn, guard, Toronto Raptors
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Some solid defense from Deuce McBride, but Malachi Flynn still hits the tough step-back 3! <a href="https://t.co/uVeS3vzsrr">pic.twitter.com/uVeS3vzsrr</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1424486067634323458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 8-for-13 FG, 4-for-5 3PT
Leading the early voting for "guys who have outgrown summer league" is Flynn, who effortlessly carved up the Knicks on Sunday. He cruised to an efficient 23 points, knocking down floaters, pull-ups, step-backs and more in Toronto's 89-79 win. The second-year guard dealt with pressure from the Knicks' defense, but he seemed unbothered.
Scottie Barnes, forward, Toronto Raptors
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Scottie Barnes today: 18 points 10 rebounds 5 assists 2 steals Jumper looking smooth 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/xmNkmAvYgv">pic.twitter.com/xmNkmAvYgv</a>
&mdash; NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1424501730327384069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 7-for-18 FG, 1-for-4 3PT
Another Raptor? It's well-deserved for Barnes, who made quite the impression after surprisingly being chosen by Toronto with the fourth overall draft pick. The do-it-all forward filled up the stat sheet and left his mark on the game with relentless energy. His lone three-pointer looked solid off the catch, and along with some midrange touch, Barnes showed progress on his jump-shot, which was deemed "questionable" by many.
The rookie rarely appeared out of control, even when he dove for loose balls and whipped long passes. Barnes' debut should excite Raptors fans who see his potential as a versatile weapon on both ends.
Jalen Johnson, forward, Atlanta Hawks
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WHAT A BLOCK BY JALEN JOHNSON 🚫 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> <a href="https://t.co/hkomVGsPo8">pic.twitter.com/hkomVGsPo8</a>
&mdash; NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1424483847475924993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats:&nbsp;20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 8-for-12 FG, 1-for-2 3PT
Johnson showed that he's ready for the NBA by exhibiting the strength and power needed to make an impact in the league. Atlanta's No. 20 overall pick consistently attacked the Celtics off the dribble, finishing through tough contact at times. He wasn't perfect on the defensive end, but the former Duke Blue Devil hustled, as demonstrated by the above highlight block on Carsen Edwards. Without even showing off his passing and vision &mdash; arguably his greatest strengths as a forward &mdash; Johnson made his mark early.
Antonio Blakeney, guard, Portland Trail Blazers
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Antonio Blakeney (27 PTS &amp; 9/10 FG) was DEEP in his bag against the Hornets 🎒 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> <a href="https://t.co/pLq3YFvwIM">pic.twitter.com/pLq3YFvwIM</a>
&mdash; NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1424528749307985922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
Box Score Stats: 27 points, 1 block, 9-for-10 FG, 2-for-3 3PT
He's not a prospect, but Blakeney raised plenty of eyebrows with an electric performance that included 19 fourth-quarter points and 27 total in just over 18 minutes off the bench. The 24-year-old killed the Hornets off the dribble with change-of-pace moves and impressive touch. Blakeney has always been a scorer; he's averaged 26.3 points per game over his G League career. If he can keep things up in summer league, perhaps Blakeney finds another NBA opportunity.
DUDS

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Josh Christopher, guard, Houston Rockets
Box Score: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5-for-15 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
It wasn't all bad for Christopher, who played solid defense and dished a couple of nice passes for the Rockets, but the rookie guard had some serious tunnel vision on Sunday, often driving into crowds and finding himself without an escape route. Christopher's strength is his scoring ability, but he has to work on playing within the flow of the offense and being more methodical against NBA size.&nbsp;
Tre Mann, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Box Score Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3-for-14 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
When Josh Giddey went down with an ankle sprain, Mann assumed the lead ball-handler duties with Theo Maledon. But Mann couldn't buy a bucket in the 76-72 win. He created open looks with his handle and burst off the dribble, but missed a number of at-rim attempts and open perimeter shots.
Though Mann had zero assists, he made some smart passes that his teammates missed. He also threw away two quality alley-oop chances. The 18th pick of this year's draft will look to bounce back next game.&nbsp;
Aaron Nesmith, guard/forward, Boston Celtics
Box Score Stats: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 5-for-14 FG, 1-for-8 3PT
Boston's resident sharpshooter was simply ice-cold in the summer opener. Nesmith took plenty of catch-and-shoot threes and just never found a rhythm. This shouldn't cause any type of long-term concern &mdash; Nesmith is a proven threat from long range. Slumps happen, and especially in this setting, a cold streak should not raise alarms.
Cade Cunningham, guard, Detroit Pistons
Box Score Stats: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 5-for-17 FG, 2-for-7 3PT
I should be clear that this was far from a terrible game from Cunningham. He was active both on and off the ball defensively, creating transition opportunities that typically ended well. Cunningham's assist numbers were also limited by some poor finishes from teammates.
Still, the No. 1 overall pick delivered an inefficient performance. He cooled off from deep after a strong start and missed a critical (by summer league standards) fourth-quarter three-pointer. In the half-court, Cunningham lacked explosiveness off the dribble. He also logged five turnovers. There's definitely room for improvement here.
Bol Bol, center, Denver Nuggets
Box Score Stats: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5-for-14 FG, 0-for-3 3PT
In this case, I actually think Bol's final stat line masks what was another frustratingly inconsistent performance. The third-year center had just eight points with eight minutes remaining in the game; overall, it was a tale of two Bols in the 97-77 loss to Miami.
When Bol was engaged &mdash; like in the fourth quarter &mdash; he threw down putbacks, altered shots and handled the ball in the full-court before using his length to attack the basket. When he wasn't, he disappeared for extended stretches. Eleven of Bol's 21 points came via free throws. At this stage of his career, it's time to start turning the flashes into full games of consistent production.
It's been a while since we've had summer NBA basketball. Fortunately, it's back... And not a moment too soon.

Plenty of prospects made a positive first impression on Day 1 of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Others struggled in their debut.

5 studs and duds from the first day of NBA Summer League action

For the first time in over a decade, the Boston Celtics enter an offseason without a clear point guard hierarchy.
Dating back to 2007-08, when Rajon Rondo broke out and helped the franchise earn an NBA title, Boston had an established line of clear-cut floor generals. Rondo carried the torch (albeit through some injury-shortened seasons) before Isaiah Thomas came along, and then Kyrie Irving, and then Kemba Walker.&nbsp;
All four were established starters and played signficant roles in the team's offense. But when newly promoted team president Brad Stevens sent Walker to Oklahoma City in the first major trade of the summer, the chain broke. Boston is in layers of unfamiliar territory this offseason -- new head coach, new general manager, new starting point guard -- and that's what makes this one of the more interesting offseasons in recent team history.
The point guard question isn't just about what name will appear on the jumbotron. It could challenge that bloodline of Celtics scoring guards and signal a shift to a different style of offense.
Does Boston's lead ball-handler need to be the point guard? Do Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown need a third self-creator? What about the bench -- how do the Celtics resolve the revolving door at backup point guard and stabilize an inconsistent second unit? How many chips do the Celtics push in this summer with a potential spending spree looming in 2022?
Each answer changes depending on what avenue Stevens and head coach Ime Udoka choose. I'm just here to lay out the plausible options. Let's get started.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">In-House Solutions</h2>
The Celtics have five incumbent options to fill out the rotation. But according to Jared Weiss of&nbsp;The Athletic, two-way player Tremont Waters <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/tremont-waters-looking-to-leave-celtics-find-nba-rotation-role-elsewhere" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appears to be on his way out</a>. So that leaves four choices, with the most unproven player also being the only traditional point guard.&nbsp;
Marcus Smart is the longest-tenured Celtic. He's played seven seasons as a complement off the ball alongside all four of Rondo, Thomas, Irving and Walker. But Smart is&nbsp;different. Unlike the latter three in particular, he doesn't command touches or consistently make shots, but instead plays All-NBA-caliber defense and play-makes at an underrated level.&nbsp;
Despite what disgruntled Celtics fans might say about him hijacking possessions, Smart's usage rate has never exceeded 20%. He's a familiar fit next to Tatum and Brown, and could be the fuel that can jump start last year's disappointing defense.
Udoka sees it, too. He called Smart a <a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/06/29/ime-udoka-invaluable-marcus-smart-celtics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'foundational piece'</a> back in June. If the Celtics re-sign Evan Fournier, Smart can focus on distributing to three solid scorers while setting the defensive tone. He's a capable starter -- even if his role looks different from Celtic point guards' past.
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Great pass from Marcus Smart here. He's up to eight assists. <a href="https://t.co/hrQSmaEGl3">pic.twitter.com/hrQSmaEGl3</a>
&mdash; Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisgrenham/status/1389024830901604354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The experience level plummets after Smart. Payton Pritchard carved out a spot in the rotation as the 26th overall pick last season. The 23-year-old rookie made 41.1% of his threes and generally looked composed with the ball, but Pritchard has a ways to go as a defender and overall decision-maker.
Then, there's 2019 lottery pick Romeo Langford. The oft-injured guard may get some burn <a href="https://theathletic.com/2712647/2021/07/19/celtics-summer-league-roster-taking-shape-ahead-of-nba-draft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at point guard in Summer League</a>, and has shown glimpses of a versatile defender and attacker off the dribble. At this stage, though, Langford would be unprepared for a role he hasn't taken on since high school.&nbsp;
Carsen Edwards has yet to find consistency in his pro game and in the lineup. That leaves 21-year-old Israeli prospect Yam Madar -- the only player with a season of professional experience as a true point guard -- as a longshot option.
I'm as bullish on Madar's NBA future as anyone. At 6-foot-3, Madar's on-ball tenacity, athleticism and 40% three-point clip could shape up as a lethal combination. But it would be risky to even slot Madar in as a backup from the jump, much less put him in the starting lineup.
If the Celtics made no offseason addition, I'd expect Smart to roll as the starting "point guard." The position is in quotes because his role, and the position in general, lines up less and less with traditional responsibilities. Smart could be the "point guard," while Pritchard and Langford operate as backup "point guards," but Tatum and Brown will be just as important in setting the offensive table.&nbsp;
<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Draft and Free Agency</h2>
Boston traded its No. 16 overall selection to OKC in the Kemba Walker deal. As things stand, Stevens only has the 45th pick to work with. If the choice is a point guard, that rookie is unlikely to be a Year 1 contributor. So we'll move on to free agent options.
The Celtics do not have cap space. They're actually $16.3 million over the salary cap, <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per Spotrac</a>, and that's before potentially bringing back Fournier, who they can go over the cap to re-sign. Free agent signings will have to come via the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (worth about $9.5 million), the Bi-Annual Exception ($3.7 million) or veteran minimum contracts.&nbsp;
The pickings slim right down. I won't speculate on projected contracts, but consider that the Celtics signed Tristan Thompson to a similar deal (two years, $19 million) last offseason. Thompson was expected to be a borderline-starting player, and he more-or-less met that projection. Guards who could fit a similar tier include: Derrick Rose, T.J. McConnell, Reggie Jackson and Alex Caruso.&nbsp;
Boston signed Jeff Teague to a vet minimum deal last season. The move didn't pan out -- Teague was dealt at the trade deadline -- but he was brought in to be a steady, seasoned backup. Some names matching that description could be Patty Mills, Ish Smith or Langston Galloway.
Both pathways can infuse the rotation with quality players, but they likely won't be a long-term answer at the position. Plus, point guard isn't the only need on the roster, and the Celtics may find better value at another position. They shouldn't feel boxed in with these two avenues.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">The Trade Market</h2>
Do not expect Boston to swing another layered blockbuster this summer. If the salary cap sheets tell you anything, it's that Stevens is loading up to make a splash in 2022, when they have just three players locked down. The front office will bide its time until then.
The Celtics do have a whopping six trade exceptions at their disposal. Four of them are significant, worth approximately $11 million, $6.7 million, $5 million and $4.7 million. Teams cannot combine exceptions, so these would have to be used separately. But the $11 million TPE in particular must be used soon, or else it will expire on August 16.
What could the Celtics do with it? Potentially absorb a starting-caliber point guard, or package it with other players to make a more sizeable splash. For example, according to The Athletic's Zach Harper, both Dejounte Murray and Derrick White <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/dejounte-murray-derrick-white-could-both-be-gettable-in-spurs-trade-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are "gettable"</a> in trade talks. They haven't been linked to Boston, but Murray and White are two examples of players who could fit the rotation while being financially attainable in a trade.
Ultimately, I think there are three standout routes the Celtics can take without upending the roster.
Smart is going to be on this team barring an utter shock, and he should start -- but at point guard? I believe so... unless, in the interest of preserving the all-powerful 2022 cap space, the Celtics let Fournier walk. Then Smart could return to his usual role off-ball, and the starting point guard could be acquired via trade or the $9.5 million free agency slot.
At backup, I would predict a platoon of Pritchard, Langford and a veteran acquired with that $3.7 million Bi-Annnual Exception. Perhaps Madar breaks through, as well.&nbsp;
But the key takeaway should be that the point guard situation will differ from the past decade. Let's look back at the pipeline. Rondo's four highest seasonal usage rates of his career came in Boston. Thomas, Irving and Walker all logged usage rates of at least 26% in every season wearing green, per Basketball Reference.&nbsp;
Gone could be the days of the ball-dominant point guard in Boston. Whoever plays point has to facilitate, defend and find rhythm without extended touches. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the franchise's two faces, and every other player should be working off of the young stars.

The Celtics traded Kemba Walker this summer, creating a roster question mark. Ethan Fuller mulls Boston's options at point guard.

How can the Celtics build out their 2021-22 point-guard rotation?

Tyler Herro scored 24 points and the Miami Heat clinched a playoff spot and sent the Boston Celtics to the brink of the play-in tournament Tuesday night with a 129-121 victory.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Tyler Herro was FEELING IT in the <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiamiHEAT</a> dub 🔥 24 PTS - 11 REB - 4 3PM - 41.7 FPTS <a href="https://t.co/6F3P7FuwQs">pic.twitter.com/6F3P7FuwQs</a>
&mdash; NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAFantasy/status/1392302464767037440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Miami moved into a tie with idle Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The surging Heat won for the 10th time in 13 games. They have three games left in the regular season.
&ldquo;It does mean something. We don't want to act like it's nothing," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. &ldquo;It's not everything we want.&rdquo;
Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson each scored 22 points, Kendrick Nunn had 18 and Goran Dragic 17 for the Heat. They swept the two-game series in Boston.
&ldquo;To have a chance to play for everything is what everyone wants to do,&rdquo; Robinson said. &ldquo;It's a good first step.&rdquo;
Miami star Jimmy Butler had 13 before missing the second half with an eye injury.
Kemba Walker led the Celtics in their regular-season home finale with 36 points. Jayson Tatum scored 33 and Evan Fournier 20. Boston has lost seven of 10.
&ldquo;It's a pride thing," Walker said. &ldquo;Individually, we've all got to look into the mirror and say: &lsquo;Are we giving everything we&rsquo;ve got?' And to be honest, we're not.&rdquo;
The Celtics, who were already assured of a spot in the 7-10 play-in tournament, trail Miami and Atlanta by three games, but lost the tiebreaker against both teams. Boston has three games left.
&ldquo;When you have an opportunity to still make the postseason, you can't complain about that,&rdquo; Walker said.
It was the first game for the Celtics since they announced Monday that All-Star forward Jaylen Brown would miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his left wrist for a torn tendon.
&ldquo;We have to find the best version of the group that's available right now,&rdquo; Boston coach Brad Stevens said.
Coming off a 130-124 win over the Celtics on Sunday, the Heat showed the scoring balance &mdash; even without Butler &mdash; that carried them to the Eastern Conference title over Boston last season.
&ldquo;That's who we are when we're at our best,&rdquo; Spoelstra said. &ldquo;The more weapons we have, we're a more viable team.&rdquo;
Both teams tightened up defensively in the third quarter, and it became more physical, with Boston&rsquo;s Marcus Smart briefly having words with Robinson after the pair went to the floor hard when Smart was called for a foul.
Robinson scored eight of his 13 third-quarter points during a 17-4 spree that pushed Miami&rsquo;s lead to 93-77. The Heat led by 14 entering the final quarter.
Dragic's 3 gave the Heat a 105-84 edge with 9:02 to play, bringing some boos cascading down from the crowd filled to 25% percent capacity.
&ldquo;I feel like this is what every player works for when the lights are on,&rdquo; Herro said. &ldquo;I'm ready to make another run again.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Heat: Butler went to floor in pain late in the second quarter but stayed in after Miami called timeout. &hellip; Herro had 13 points in the second quarter, getting by Boston rookie Payton Pritchard for some easy looks.
Celtics: Stevens said Brown had already left Boston and will have the procedure later this week. &ldquo;You feel for Jaylen, he had a great year,&rdquo; Stevens said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s such an important part of us as we move forward.&rdquo; &hellip; C Robert Williams III missed the game with left foot turf toe. &hellip; Stevens was whistled for a technical in the second quarter.
EARLY INJURY SCARE
Walker left in the game&rsquo;s opening two minutes with an apparent left shoulder injury after colliding with Adebayo after grabbing a rebound.
Walker immediately dropped the ball, in play near the baseline in front of Miami&rsquo;s bench as he walked off, heading down a runway toward the locker room with 10:13 left.
Tatum ran back to get the ball as Stevens screamed for guard Carsen Edwards, who took Walker&rsquo;s place after a Celtics&rsquo; timeout. Walker returned with 6:25 left in the quarter.
UP NEXT
Heat: Host the 76ers on Thursday night. Miami lost both previous meetings, in Philadelphia, coming on consecutive days in January.
Celtics: At Cleveland on Wednesday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Miami moved into a tie with idle Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The surging Heat won for the 10th time in 13 games.

Heat clinch playoff spot with 129-121 victory over Celtics

Ethan Fuller gauges which NBA teams should be zeroing in on Cade Cunningham.

NBA Sour Rankings: Cade-O-Meter 2.0

The Boston Celtics announced today that Jaylen Brown, Semi Ojeleye and Javonte Green join the growing inactive list of players due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The Celtics have just eight eligible and active players ahead of Sunday's contest with the Miami Heat.
According to <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/1348354524835147791" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jared Weiss of The Athletic</a>, the eligible players are: Marcus Smart, Jeff Teague, Payton Pritchard, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters, Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall.
This leaves the Celtics with a single traditional wing in the rookie Nesmith. He, Theis and Fall are the three players above 6-foot-3 who are available to play. Given that most of these rulings have come in the past couple of days, the Celtics could be playing this lineup for multiple games.&nbsp;

The Celtics must have eight active players for Sunday's game to continue as planned.

With Jaylen Brown, others out, Celtics down to 8 available players

Three Celtics players -- Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Robert Williams -- are facing a minimum seven-day quarantine due to league health and safety protocols.
According to <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamHimmelsbach/status/1347575334439424000?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe</a>, Robert Williams was the lone Celtics player to test positive for COVID-19 and has been asymptomatic. Thompson and Grant Williams are out for contact tracing.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1347571744832368640" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/Twitter</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;An initial report also included Carsen Edwards, but Charania updated his report and excluded Edwards. The number of positive cases is starting to increase around the NBA, and this latest announcement guts the Celtics' big man rotation. Now, Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall are the lone bigs available to play.

Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Robert Williams are facing seven-day quarantines.

Three Celtics players face seven-day quarantine

Ethan Fuller breaks down the general direction of all 30 NBA teams in his weekly Sour Rankings.