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Trail Blazers

Devontae Cacok has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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The Portland Trail Blazers are signing forward Devontae Cacok to an Exhibit 10 deal, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. Cacok has played 36 games over the past three seasons for the Spurs and Lakers.
&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1566813959168065539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1566813959168065539?s=20&amp;t=eVaBRsz0Ha_DDK1RvCBmjA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
ANALYSIS: Cacok averaged 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds over 15 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs. The 6-foot-7 forward will compete for a roster spot and hope to add depth to the frontcourt behind Jerami Grant, Justise Winslow, Nassir Little and Trendon Watford.

Devontae Cacok agrees to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Devontae Cacok agrees to deal with Blazers

The NBA sent four teams home from its Play-In Tournament after Friday night, but all four are poised to contend next season.
Though the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs exited early, their trio of All-Star guards and exciting young cores mean all three should be back in the hunt &mdash; provided they beef up their rosters in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers weren't supposed to make it this far without their franchise cornerstones; that only creates more buzz surrounding a 2022-23 championship contender.
What can these franchises do this offseason to set themselves up for success? I've written up some summer plans for all four squads, including draft assets (via Tankathon), potential free agents (via Spotrac) and a central team-building question (via my deranged mind). If you missed last week, I did the same for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/summer-plans-for-the-nbas-nonplayoff-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 teams who did not crack the NBA postseason</a>.
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Let's dive in.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, First-round pick via Pelicans, Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Toronto (if 55-60)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Montrezl Harrell, Isaiah Thomas, Miles Bridges (restricted), Cody Martin (restricted), Arnoldas Kulboka (restricted), Scottie Lewis (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How can the Hornets construct an interior defense?
Charlotte's bottom-10 defense doomed the franchise several times in the regular season and, ultimately, in the Play-In loss to Atlanta. The Hornets gave up boatloads of at-rim attempts and three-pointers, and simply looked like turnstiles at times. Improvement is necessary across the board, but an on-paper view highlights a clear need for upgrades inside.
Mason Plumlee is a fine basketball player, but he's not anchoring a high-level NBA defense. Neither is Montrezl Harrell, and 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones barely touched the floor in Charlotte. The Hornets don't have a whole lot of salary flexibility with big-money deals in place for Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. Miles Bridges' restricted free agency is also a key offseason focal point.&nbsp;
Though the Hornets likely can't throw outright money at a Deandre Ayton-level restricted free agent, perhaps they could work a sign-and-trade for a lesser-known young talent. Maybe Mo Bamba fits the bill from Orlando? Charlotte was tied to trade rumors surrounding Myles Turner before the trade deadline, and the front office could also elect to sign a veteran at a mid-level exception.
Regardless of the pathway, the Hornets have needed to address the center position for years now. With a playoff leap now the expectation in 2022-23, they can't afford to let another summer slip away.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, Second-round pick via Spurs, Second-round pick via Heat
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Ed Davis, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Goodwin, Collin Sexton (restricted), Moses Brown (restricted), RJ Nembhard (restricted), Dean Wade (team option)
Central question:&nbsp;What is Collin Sexton's future in Cleveland?
The Cavaliers may have slid out of the playoffs, but this was a banner year for the franchise's long-term trajectory. Darius Garland emerged as a cornerstone point guard, Evan Mobley might win Rookie of the Year, and the frontcourt pairing with Jarrett Allen looks to be a mainstay in the Eastern Conference. Injuries ultimately derailed what was a top-four seed. Most of the rotation is under contract and under 30, hinting at continued growth.
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Darius Garland -&gt; Jarrett Allen -&gt; Evan Mobley (Lob) <a href="https://t.co/nDQz7tkxbs">pic.twitter.com/nDQz7tkxbs</a>
&mdash; Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonLloydNBA/status/1515354588353728522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote>

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This seaon's leap makes the situation with Sexton... difficult. Let's not forget that the combo guard is a season removed from a 24-point-per-game season as an efficient primary scorer, and that the Cavs were 19th in Offensive Rating this year. Sexton can meaningfully boost Cleveland simply as a bucket-getter, nevermind if he keeps improving as a playmaker.
What kind of contract do the Cavs offer to a 23-year-old who missed nearly a full season with a knee injury though? If a desperate team decides to throw money at Sexton to force the franchise to match, is there a limit to the front office's willingness? What would an extension mean for Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert?&nbsp;
Sexton is one of the biggest dominoes in the upcoming offseason, and arguably the most unpredictable.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Robert Covington, Rodney Hood, Isaiah Hartenstein, Amir Coffey (restricted), Xavier Moon (restricted), Ivica Zubac (team option), Nic Batum (player option)
Central question:&nbsp;What does a fully-healthy 10-man rotation look like?
Nobody expected the Clippers to be a playoff contender without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and they still almost cracked the postseason with the supporting cast chipping in. L.A. made a splash at the trade deadline by adding Norman Powell and Robert Covington, two players who conceivably make sense next to the franchise's two stars.
This roster is deep. It's a great problem to have, but it's still a problem with several rotation options potentially hitting free agency. Covington will likely command a solid new deal as one of the league's more reliable two-way complements, and Batum could easily decline his $3.3 million team option in search of a raise. Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein may both hit free agency; what would happen to the center rotation in that case?
The Clippers have Leonard, George, Powell, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris locked down for next season. That's already seven rotation-caliber players, and it doesn't account for leaps from young talents like Brandon Boston Jr., Jason Preston or Amir Coffey. A roster crunch is inbound, and the organization can't let a quality addition slip away as it positions itself for title contention next season.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, first-round pick via Raptors, first-round pick via Celtics, second-round pick via Lakers
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Lonnie Walker IV (restricted), Devontae Cacok (restricted), Joe Wieskamp (restricted), DJ Stewart Jr. (restricted), Robert Woodard II (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How do the Spurs toe the line between developmental patience and consolidation?
San Antonio valiantly fought to get to the Play-In Tournament before losing to New Orleans, but also had one of the more underrated developmental seasons across the roster. Dejounte Murray made his All-Star leap and Jakob Poeltl established himself as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jakob-poeltl-san-antonios-newest-watchful-protector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the league's better rim-protectors</a>; the Spurs collectively were just a tick under league-average on both ends of the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
One of the NBA's youngest rosters is well on track and about to receive another influx of potential. San Antonio could use its three first-rounders (including its own lottery pick) to add to the frontcourt or find another lead guard. However, the Spurs already have 12 players locked down for next season under at least partial guarantees, and 11 of them are under 30. They have a pathway to over $24 million in salary cap space this summer should they move on from restricted free agents like Walker.&nbsp;
There's an avenue, with draft picks, young players and cap space, for San Antonio to make a serious splash. Is that in the programming for this franchise, though? San Antonio hasn't acquired a star via trade in several years, unless you want to count adding DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster. At the same time, there are only so many minutes to go around for the young guns, especially if the Spurs think they can compete for the playoffs.
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Ethan Fuller sets the stage for the NBA's four Play-In exits approaching the offseason.

Summer plans for the Spurs, Hornets, Cavaliers and Clippers

BOSTON (AP) — Gregg Popovich became the first to coach 2,000 NBA games with the same team, and Dejounte Murray scored 22 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Boston Celtics 99-97 on Wednesday night.
Devin Vassell and Derrick White each had 17 points for the Spurs, who snapped a four-game losing streak.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points after scoring a career-high 50 in a victory over Orlando in the Celtics' last game but had a driving layup roll off the rim just before the buzzer sounded.
Murray, the team’s scoring leader, returned from COVID-19 protocols after being sidelined the last five games and played 33 minutes.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum also returned after missing four games while he was in the league’s health and safety protocols and scored 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Marcus Smart chipped in with 14 points and six assists.
The Spurs led 95-89 with just over three minutes left before Boston sliced it to two points.
The Celtics then had a 24-second violation and Brown was called for an offensive foul on the next possession with 1:53 to go.
The Spurs held a 99-97 edge when Smart missed a one-handed floater in the lane with about 20 seconds to play.
Brown stole an inbound pass and drove while being contested, but his shot rolled off the rim.
Popovich downplayed the achievement before the game when asked if the milestone meant anything to him.
“No, it means I’m old, been at the same place for a long time, worked with a lot of great players, blah, blah, blah,” the 72-year-old said. 
Neither team held more than a two-possession lead the entire game.
The Spurs were just 1-4 while Murray was sidelined. He clamped down on Tatum while they were matched up Wednesday.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Forward Doug McDermott, guard/forward center/forward Lonnie Walker IV and Devontae Cacok all remain in COVID protocol. ... Forward/center Zach Collins remains out, recovering from offseason left ankle surgery. ... It was their fourth stop on a seven-game road trip.
Celtics: Center Robert Williams III returned after missing the last game with a sprained right toe. ... Guard Payton Pritchard entered health and safety protocols Wednesday. 
KEY RETURN
With Murray back in the lineup, the Spurs regained their leader also in rebounding, assists and steals, but Popovich knew he had to bring him along slowly after he was sidelined for 10 days. 
“He’s been out for so long,” Popovich said. “I just want to make sure we don’t overdo it, I guess. He’s not going to play 30 minutes. It’s nice to have him back.”
VIDEO TRIBUTES
The Celtics had a video montage of Sam Jones’ highlights on the jumbotron during the first timeout. Jones, a 10-time champion with Boston, passed away on Dec. 30. He was 88. 
They also recognized the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that captured gold in Tokyo last summer — which included Tatum and Popovich — with a video and message midway into the opening quarter, 
UP NEXT
Spurs: At Philadelphia on Friday night.
Celtics: At the Knicks on Thursday night in the first of back-to-back games against them. New York is in Boston on Saturday.
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More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Greg Popovich became the first NBA head coach to get to 2,000 wins with the same franchise.

Murray, Spurs hold off Celtics 99-97 in Popovich's 2,000th

TORONTO (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to three by beating the San Antonio Spurs 129-104 on Tuesday night.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 21 points as the Raptors evened their record at 17-17, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since they were 7-7 after a Nov. 13 home loss to Detroit.
The Raptors have won eight of their past 10 at home.
Toronto’s OG Anunoby scored 14 points and rookie Scottie Barnes had 11 points and a career-best eight assists. Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 14 for the Raptors, who matched their season-high point total.
VanVleet topped 30 points for the third straight game and fourth time in his past five. He’s the first Raptors player to score 30 or more in three straight games since Kawhi Leonard did it in four straight from Jan. 13-27, 2019.
“You recognize when you’re in rhythm and you just try to hold on as long as possible, because it’s not always like that,” VanVleet said. “I try to keep my floor a little higher but when you’re hot, you’ve just got to be aggressive and ride it out as long as you can.”
VanVleet shot 12 for 23 and matched his season highs with seven made 3-pointers and 14 attempts from distance. He also had seven assists.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse said VanVleet’s recent string of solid performances have burnished his All-Star credentials, but acknowledged that more Toronto wins would help strengthen the guard’s case.
“I think he’s got to be in the conversation,” Nurse said. “We’ve got to climb the standings some. I just think that’s part of it. If we do, then he certainly will deserve it.”
Toronto set a season high with 30 assists and shot 18 for 44 from outside the arc, matching its season best for made 3-pointers.
Former Raptors center Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points and Devin Vassell and rookie Josh Primo each had 15 as the slumping Spurs lost their fourth straight. Joe Wieskamp scored 13 points and Derrick White had 12 for San Antonio.
“I thought Jakob was great tonight,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I was really glad to see Jakob be as assertive as he was on offense. With two G-League guys, Josh and Joe, I thought they were fantastic. Devin was fairly solid but we didn’t get much from anybody else.”
Toronto led 30-29 after one, and extended its lead with a 14-1 run in the second. The Raptors shot 7 for 14 from 3-point range in the second quarter and led 68-53 at halftime.
Toronto took a 97-81 lead to the fourth.
SIX PACK
VanVleet has scored 30 or more six times this season, matching the number of times he did so in 52 games last season.
HOME ‘CROWD’
For the third straight game, only family and friends of the players were allowed inside the arena. Toronto native Primo had expected to have a group of “hundreds” on hand for his first professional game in Canada, but had to reduce that to about 20 people.
“It’s great being able to come out here and be in my hometown, play in front of some family and friends,” Primo said. “Playing in this arena brings back memories of coming into the Air Canada Centre at the time, watching games and wanting to be on that stage. Now being here, it’s a moment I’m just grateful to have.”
BACK IN ACTION
F Keita Bates-Diop came off the bench for the Spurs after missing Saturday’s overtime loss at Detroit because of a sore right hamstring. He scored seven points in 16 minutes.
TIP-INS
Spurs: F Devontae Cacok, F Doug McDermott, and G Lonnie Walker IV were all unavailable (health and safety protocols) while G Dejounte Murray (conditioning) did not play. … Matched a season high with 20 turnovers.
Raptors: F Svi Mykhailiuk and F Yuta Watanabe entered the health and safety protocols. … F Isaac Bonga returned after missing the previous four games. Bonga was in the health and safety protocols for three games, then sat out Sunday for conditioning. … Toronto also scored 129 points and made 18 3-pointers in an overtime loss at Brooklyn on Dec. 14.
UP NEXT
Spurs: Visit Boston on Wednesday.
Raptors: Visit Milwaukee on Wednesday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Fred VanVleet scored 33 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the San Antonio Spurs, 129-104.

VanVleet tops 30 for third straight game, Raptors rout Spurs

Former Lakers forward Devontae Cacok will sign with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell&nbsp;The Athletic.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1438894217242230784" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Charania added that Cacok will join the Nets' training camp roster and try to latch on via a two-way contract. The 24-year-old appeared in 20 contests as a reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers last season while on a two-way deal. Cacok is a 6-foot-7 forward who played college hoops at UNC Wilmington.

Cacok will join the Nets' training camp roster and try to latch on via a two-way contract.

Devontae Cacok to join Nets for training camp

Anthony Davis scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
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AD comes back with a VENGEANCE in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lakers</a> Game 2 win ‼️ 34 PTS 10 REB 7 AST 3 BLK 67.5 FPTS <a href="https://t.co/5BhJIauSH6">pic.twitter.com/5BhJIauSH6</a>
&mdash; NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAFantasy/status/1397413616509493249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

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It was a big bounce-back game for the Lakers, and especially Davis, who struggled in Game 1 and took personal responsibility for the team's 99-90 loss on Sunday. His 3-pointer with 2:15 left on Tuesday put Los Angeles up 98-92 and ended a late Suns rally.
LeBron James added 23 points and nine assists. Davis made 18 of 21 free throws and added 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Game 3 is on Thursday in Los Angeles.
The Lakers had a 63-48 lead after a 10-1 run to open the third quarter. James splashed home a 3-pointer to start the scoring and Los Angeles looked like it might put this one away comfortably.
But the Suns slowly clawed their way back. Cam Johnson made two 3-pointers late in the third quarter, including one at the buzzer, to pull Phoenix within 79-72 heading to the fourth.
Jae Crowder made a 3-pointer from the corner and was fouled, converting the free throw for a four-point play that pulled the Suns within 84-83 with 8:09 left in the fourth. Crowder had missed his first 11 3-pointers in the series before that attempt.
Deandre Ayton's dunk off an offensive rebound with six minutes left put the Suns up 88-86, which was their first lead since the opening minutes. But they couldn't hold on, struggling to guard James and Davis in the final minutes.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points and made all 17 of his free throws. Ayton had 22 points, 10 rebounds and shot 11 of 13 from the field.
Los Angeles is physically much bigger than Phoenix with Andre Drummond, Davis, James and Marc Gasol all standing 6-foot-9 or taller and tipping the scales at 250 pounds or more. The only player on the Suns' roster close to the size is Ayton. Unlike Game 1, the Lakers usually took advantage of that difference.
The Lakers jumped out to a 30-24 lead after the first quarter, scoring 12 points off of seven Suns turnovers. Los Angeles took a 53-47 advantage into halftime.
Drummond was a force before the break with 11 points and 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. Schroder led all players with 16 points. Ayton had 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting for the Suns.
There was a announced sellout crowd at Phoenix Suns Arena, which was capped at 11,919 because of COVID-19 restrictions. That's about two-thirds of the 18,000-plus capacity.
JUST FOR KICKS
The Suns had to make a quick lineup change when Crowder was called for two early fouls. The second one was painful for the Phoenix forward.
Crowder was whistled for a foul on a Davis jump shot, then he took a shot to the groin when Davis kicked his leg out on the follow through. Davis was called for a Flagrant 1 foul. Crowder remained in the game to shoot the free throws, but was then replaced by Dario Saric.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Forwards Devontae Cacok and Kostas Antetokounmpo were inactive. ... Gasol played 20 minutes after not playing in Game 1. He hit a 3-pointer on his first shot.
Suns: Paul wasn't listed on the Game 2 injury report despite his shoulder issues in Game 1. He played with a thin wrap around much of his right shoulder ... Forward Abdel Nader (knee) was out. ... Cam Payne finished with 19 points and seven assists after getting ejected in Game 1.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Anthony Davis scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and the Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Suns.