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Clippers

One of the breakout stars of this year&rsquo;s NBA playoffs has been Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. He&rsquo;s old-school, unconventional, talented, savy and up for a big pay day this summer. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard and Villanova alum was selected No. 33 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and is one of the better second-round draft picks over the past few classes.
Last year, he was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 assists on 52/41/80 shooting splits in this third season with the Mavericks. This season, as a full-time starter, while watching his minutes jump from 25.0 to 31.9 per game, his productivity increased to 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game on 50/37/84 shooting. In the playoffs (35.2 minutes per contest), Brunson jumped to 21.6 points and 3.7 assists per contest on 47/35/80 shooting.
His 2022 postseason included signature performances like a 41-point game in a win over the Utah Jazz in Game 2 without Luka Dončić and a 31-point effort against the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. He also had a meaningful 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting in Dallas&rsquo; shocking Game 7 romping of the Phoenix Suns.
But now, he&rsquo;s an unrestricted free agent. Dallas has a lot of questions to answer. How can they best build around Dončić? What do they do with Tim Hardaway Jr.? If they want to upgrade at center, what's the best answer at that position?
Among the most important questions is: do they extend Brunson? Here are some teams to watch in the Brunson sweepstakes this offseason.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The New York Knicks haven&rsquo;t had a reliable point guard since Raymond Felton in their famed 54-win season back in 2012-13. Since then, it&rsquo;s largely been a revolving door of meh at the point of attack at Madison Square Garden. Jose Calderon was past his peak when he got to New York. Iman Shumpert, though very talented, wasn&rsquo;t a natural point guard. Frank Ntilikina is closer to a three-and-D wing than a true floor general. Jerian Grant never panned out. Neither has Kemba Walker. Derrick Rose has arguably been the best of the bunch.
Walker, Rose, Alec Burks, Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride make up the Knicks' point guard depth chart for 2022-23, in no particular order. Walker&rsquo;s health can&rsquo;t be trusted for an entire season. Burks isn&rsquo;t a true point guard and might be a trade chip. Quickley, if he starts, is probably better suited next to a natural point, and the same could be said for R.J. Barrett. And McBride is young, raw and inexperienced. Brunson is better than all of them, hard stop.
Because Brunson will be unrestricted, the highest-bidder has a chance. The bad news for the Knicks is that <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they&rsquo;re pretty much capped out</a>.
That means getting Brunson to New York would require a sign-and-trade. The good thing is that the Mavericks need a Mitchell Robinson type of center, and for about two years, I've been pushing for Brunson-Robinson swap. The Knicks should throw in something else, be it draft capital and or an additional young piece to make the deal work (for cap purposes too), but that&rsquo;s the framework that can come from this. Robinson gives Luka a lob threat, gives the team a higher upside defensively, and gives the coaching staff a player who can share the floor with just about anyone on the roster.&nbsp;
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LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
If Brunson can play with Dončić and Spencer Dinwiddie, he can share a backcourt with Reggie Jackson. Kawhi Leonard has <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/19/report-kawhi-leonard-wants-clippers-to-add-point-guard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wanted a point guard</a>, but the Clippers still don&rsquo;t have one. It&rsquo;s Jackson, and that&rsquo;s it. Norman Powell, Luke Kennard and Terance Mann are guards, but they're all wings. 2021 second-round pick Jason Preston still hasn&rsquo;t played due to injury, and Xavier Moon was a two-way guy last year who played just 10 games. <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/19/report-kawhi-leonard-wants-clippers-to-add-point-guard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonard&rsquo;s been wanting a point guard for two seasons</a>, and it&rsquo;s time for the Clippers to address that spot since both Leonard and Paul George are due back next season.
Given the Clippers' cap situation, this would most certainly be a sign-and-trade. Powell, Marcus Morris, Kennard and Robert Covington all make between $12 and $16 million next season, and any of them could make sense going to Dallas. Only one or two of them would probably need to go at most, among other compensation (i.e. young players and picks).
Brunson in L.A. would join the starting line-up alongside Jackson, Leonard, George and a center. Ivica Zubac is an expiring $7.5 million contract next season, and he could actually be a piece Dallas wants in return. Assuming he stays in Los Angeles, Zubac rounds out their starting five and gives Los Angeles a true point guard, which they&rsquo;re clearly missing.
DALLAS MAVERICKS&nbsp;
The Mavericks reportedly had multiple opportunities to sign Brunson to a four-year, $55.5 million deal before and during the season, <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/25/report-mavericks-didnt-offer-jalen-brunson-contract-extension-until-after-trade-deadline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per reports</a>, but did not. As a result, he could be looking at <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952513-latest-nba-trade-intel-lakers-realistic-targets-myles-turner-landing-spots?share=sms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">something in the $80 million range</a>, and possibly more after these playoffs.
Clearly, the offense works with him and Luka in the backcourt, blending in Dinwiddie in a natural role as a combo guard off the bench who can finish games. Dallas can keep their core together (those three and Dorian Finney-Smith) and work around the margins.
After losing to the Warriors in Game 5, Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban said that keeping Brunson is a priority, and damn near guaranteed that it&rsquo;ll happen.
"We can pay him more than anybody,&rdquo; Cuban said. "I think he wants to stay, and that's most important. I think [Jason Kidd] has a big part to play in that... JB blossomed as a player as much as anybody on this squad. From where he was last year to how far he came this year is a tribute to how hard he worked. And the support he got from his dad and his family and his girlfriend, but also, what he was able to learn from [Kidd]. I think he recognizes that, and I think he wants to stay."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mcuban</a> reflecting on the 2021-22 Dallas Mavericks season with Marc Stein. <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> | 📺 BSSW | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dALLasIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dALLasIN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSteinLine</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZROfVsnq0">pic.twitter.com/YZROfVsnq0</a>
&mdash; Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsSW/status/1530038560673435658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Brunson didn&rsquo;t have the exact same tone, but he&rsquo;ll cross that bridge when he gets there, it seems.
"When it&rsquo;s time, it&rsquo;s time. I&rsquo;m not worried about it right now," Brunson said, <a href="https://twitter.com/sixfivelando/status/1530037759955636242" target="_blank" rel="noopener">via Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life</a>. "I&rsquo;m just really happy I got to play with these guys and what we did this year. I&rsquo;ll think about that later.&rdquo;
For Dallas, this is probably the move. Keep Brunson and build around the margins, particularly on the interior. Four years in, we can now say, as long as you have Luka, you have a chance. You just have to nail what&rsquo;s around him, and Brunson is someone you should want back in Dallas.
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Jalen Brunson was a breakout star for the Mavericks this postseason and is now an unrestricted free agent. Where will he end up?

Examining potential free-agent destinations for Jalen Brunson

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

Rookie big man Evan Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Darius Garland had 24 points and 13 assists, sending the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-111 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Isaac Okoro added 20 points, including two free throws to open the extra period. Cleveland never trailed after that.
The Cavaliers hold a 1 1/2-game lead over Toronto for the sixth playoff spot in the East.
Ivica Zubac had 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, and Amir Coffey scored 19 for the Clippers, who had only nine players in uniform. Los Angeles shot 1 of 10 from the field in OT, with Nicholas Batum making a 3-pointer to pull within 110-109.
Cleveland scored the final seven points on Okoro's dunk, Lauri Markkanen's 3-pointer and two free throws by Markkanen.
The Cavaliers won for the fourth time in 12 games and welcomed back Caris LeVert, who had 11 points in his return from a sprained right foot that sidelined him for a month. All-Star center Jarett Allen missed his fourth straight game with a broken finger on his left hand.
All-Star point guard Garland buried a 3-pointer with 1:20 left in regulation to give Cleveland a 106-103 lead, but Zubac answered with a layup and Coffey made 1 of 2 free throws to force OT. Coffey missed a 23-footer at the buzzer.
Cleveland began a five-game homestand, its longest of the season, over an eight-day span. Ten of its final 15 regular-season games are at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Clippers, who have played an NBA-high 71 games, completed a stretch of five in seven days. Starting point guard Reggie Jackson and starting power forward Marcus Morris were given the night off.
Kawhi Leonard (right knee surgery) has not played this season for Los Angeles, while Paul George (right elbow ligament tear) has been sidelined since Dec. 26 and does not have a projected return date.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who piloted Cleveland to its only NBA championship in 2016, was embraced by Kevin Love during a first-quarter timeout. Love is the only remaining player from that team.
Los Angeles held a 57-56 advantage at the break behind 11 points apiece from Coffey and rookie Brandon Boston Jr. Mobley had 12 for the Cavaliers.
EIGHT IS ENOUGH
The Clippers are solidly in eighth place in the West, placing them in the play-in tournament. Lue said being &ldquo;cemented&rdquo; in the spot allowed him to rest Jackson and Morris. &ldquo;If we were close to being out of the playoffs, these guys would all play,&rdquo; Lue said. &ldquo;Reggie didn&rsquo;t want to sit, but playing him wasn&rsquo;t the smart thing to do. It was fair to give them the night off, especially after (winning 106-102 in Detroit on Sunday).&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Clippers: F Robert Covington (personal reasons) missed his fifth straight game, but will rejoin the team in Los Angeles and is expected to play Wednesday. &hellip; G Norman Powell (left foot fracture), two-way G Jay Scrubb (right foot recovery) and rookie G Jason Preston (right foot recovery) were inactive. &hellip; The Clippers wore their San Diego-era, light blue, orange and white throwback jerseys.
Cavaliers: F Dean Wade (right knee soreness) and G Rajon Rondo (right ankle sprain) were inactive. Rondo has missed 12 games with various right leg injuries since being acquired from the Lakers in a Jan. 3 trade. &hellip; G Collin Sexton (left knee surgery) is out for the season. &hellip; G Dylan Windler and two-way G RJ Nembhard were recalled from their G League assignments with the Cleveland Charge.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Cavaliers: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Rookie big man Evan Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Darius Garland had 24 points and 13 assists to lead the Cavs.

Mobley scores season-high 30 as Cavs beat Clippers in OT

Indiana Pacers rookie Isaiah Jackson celebrated his best game of the season with an unexpected bath.
He savored every precious second of the ice cold water.
Jackson scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and posted his first double-double in his first career start, leading the Pacers past the Los Angeles Clippers 122-116 on Monday night.
&ldquo;It surprised me because I didn&rsquo;t know the guys were going to do that and I'm not going to lie, it was very cold," he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the first time it's happened to me and it&rsquo;s something I&rsquo;m going to remember forever."
The first-round draft pick out of Kentucky spent most of Indiana&rsquo;s first 51 games scrapping for minutes and avoiding fouls. But with Indiana&rsquo;s top three centers out of action, the Pacers challenged Jackson and he impressed everyone.
Jackson was 12 of 19 from the field, posted season highs in points and rebounds, blocked two shots and even made a 3-pointer all without being called for a single foul. Duane Washington Jr. added 16 points, including four 3s in the fourth quarter, to help the short-handed Pacers earn their second win in six games.
Rick Carlisle became the second coach in the franchise&rsquo;s NBA history to win 200 career games. Frank Vogel had 250 wins in five seasons with the team and this one looked awfully good to Carlisle.
&ldquo;He did such a great job in every area tonight,&rdquo; Carlisle said, referring to Jackson. &ldquo;When we talked about him in the draft, this is what we were talking about and this is a dimension this team hasn&rsquo;t had.&rdquo;
The worn-out Clippers also were caught off guard. Amir Coffey finished with 27 points and Reggie Jackson had 21 as their five-game winning streak against Indiana came to an end.
&ldquo;To go 4-4 on this tough trip was pretty good for us. It is what it is and now we have to go back and try to regroup," coach Tyronn Lue said. &ldquo;They played well and Isaiah Jackson did a hell of a job."
Neither team was near full strength.
Injured All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were out again for the Clippers, and the Pacers played without two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who entered the COVID-19 health and safety protocols earlier Monday.
Not surprisingly, it turned this game into a grind-it-out contest.
Indiana took a 30-27 lead after one quarter and a 60-55 halftime advantage. Even when it appeared the Clippers had taken control with a 14-5 run late in the third period, they couldn't put it away. Instead, the Pacers answered with 10 straight points to retake an 84-82 lead &mdash; only to give it back on Nicolas Batum's 3 to end the third.
Batum opened the fourth with another 3 to make it 88-84 and this time Indiana answered with 12 points in a row, including three consecutive 3s by Washington, to make it 99-89. Los Angeles never led again.
TIP-INS
Clippers: Lost at Indiana for the first time since 2018. ... Batum scored 13 points despite playing with a sore lower back. ... Serge Ibaka had 14 points and 11 rebounds. ... Jackson added five assists. ... Eric Bledsoe also scored 13 points. ... Jason Preston (right foot) and Ivica Zubac (sore right calf) sat out with injuries.
Pacers: Caris LeVert had 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. ... Terry Taylor had 15 points and eight rebounds. ... Justin Holiday finished with 13 points, including a 3 to seal the win in the waning minutes. He also had five rebounds and six assists. ... Lance Stephenson had 10 points, three rebounds and four assists.
INJURY UPDATE
Carlisle provided a lengthy pregame medical report. Sabonis is expected to miss at least six additional days. Oshae Brissett (right ankle) was a late scratch and Goga Bitadze will return from his sore right foot when he feels comfortable.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Brogdon (right Achilles tendon) and T.J. Warren (left foot) squared off Monday in a 1-on-1 competition, T.J. McConnell had a pin removed from his surgically repaired right wrist and center Myles Turner (left foot) is shooting again. But Carlisle provided no timetable for the return of any players.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Play their first home game since Jan. 17 on Thursday against the crosstown Lakers.
Pacers: Host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in the second game of a three-game homestand.
___
More AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>

Isaiah Jackson scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and posted his first double-double in his first career start

Jackson's breakout game sends Pacers past Clippers 122-116

Earlier this week, we identified roster spot battles to watch through training camp this October here. And already a portion of my <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/3-roster-spot-battles-to-watch-for-in-the-eastern-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eastern Conference list</a> has been upended by transactions, as the Brooklyn Nets promptly traded away Sekou Doumbouya almost immediately after I predicted that he would make the team. Long story short: Things happen quickly in training camp.&nbsp;
But still, we forge ahead, this time refocusing our analysis on the Western Conference. So as training camp approaches its close, let&rsquo;s identify the three most interesting roster-spot battles in the Western Conference.&nbsp;
Portland Trail Blazers
Entering training camp, the Trail Blazers signed three former lottery picks to training camp deals: Dennis Smith Jr., Marquese Chriss and Patrick Patterson. Portland only has 13 players signed, meaning that they technically have two spots to fill (and one of their two-way contracts are spoken for, too), but Portland general manager Neil Olshey usually enters seasons with fewer than 15 players. So, it&rsquo;s an understandable assumption that the Trail Blazers will probably only sign one of the three guys they inked to training camp deals.
Considering who was signed and who is already in place in Portland, none of the three are likely to get major minutes. Smith is best suited as a backup point guard, while Chriss and Patterson are power forwards. In my estimation, this decision comes down to needs. Considering that Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr. are their only true 4s, the most pressing need is probably down low. So, if Portland is hell-bent on entering the season with no more than 14 guys on its roster, the team will probably choose between Chriss and Patterson. Patterson has more experience, and he shoots it better from deep (36.9% on three-point attempts in his career compared to just 28.9% for Chriss.) Neither makes or breaks Portland&rsquo;s season; but considering the Blazers are trying to build a contender and convince Damian Lillard that Portland is the place for him, Patterson is a better addition. If the Blazers decide to fill out their entire roster by signing a 15th player, Smith should get a long look. He is too skilled and athletic to not get another shot, and backing up a star like Lillard removes a lot of the pressure he&rsquo;s had on him throughout his career.
Prediction: Patterson makes the cut (and Smith signs a two-way contract).
Golden State Warriors
Golden State entered training camp with the maximum of 20 players on its roster, one of whom is on a two-way deal (Chris Chiozza) and three of whom are on training-camp deals (Jordan Bell, Avery Bradley and Langston Galloway.) Damion Lee, Mychal Mulder and Gary Payton Jr. are all signed to non-guaranteed deals, too. To summarize, the Warriors have lots of options &ndash; but Golden State will probably avoid making any zany moves. Instead, they will probably keep one of the three players signed to training-camp deals and cut the other two. As much as the veteran savvy of Bradley and Galloway could be alluring, Golden State doesn&rsquo;t need more veteran leadership &ndash; but they could use help backing up the power-forward position. Enter Bell, who returns to the Bay Area with a familiarity of head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors&rsquo; systems. Bell exited Golden State after playing his first two professional seasons there, and he had some maturity issues in his first go-round with the Warriors. But Bell sounded significantly more mature in a <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/jordan-bell-warriors-contract-reunites-two-desperate-parties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area</a>. Assuming he demonstrates that growth in practices and preseason games, Bell will probably be kept.
Prediction: Jordan Bell makes the cut.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers' roster battle is particularly interesting, as it features a former top-ranked high school prospect in Harry Giles. Giles is battling with Isaiah Hartenstein and Moses Wright for the Clippers&rsquo; final roster spot; both of the team's two-way contracts are used up (Jay Scrubb and Amir Coffey.) &nbsp;Two of the spots are also occupied by players who will miss a good chunk of the 2021-22 season to injuries (Kawhi Leonard and rookie Jason Preston), making the remaining roster spots all the more valuable.&nbsp;
In the Clippers&rsquo; first preseason game, Giles produced more than Hartenstein and Wright, posting 8 points and 12 rebounds in 16 minutes. In their second preseason game, Wright played slightly better than the other two, finishing with 7 points and 5 rebounds in 12 minutes. What the Clippers ultimately choose to do is anyone&rsquo;s guess, but I think that Giles&rsquo; potential is too much to pass on. He&rsquo;s still only 23 years old; and if he finds what made him special just a few short years ago, Giles could be significantly more valuable than what the salary of a 15th man will pay him.&nbsp;
Prediction: Giles makes the cut.&nbsp;
The NBA&rsquo;s 75th regular season kicks off in less than two weeks. Decisions will be made between now and then that will greatly impact the lives of several men. Ultimately, some will impact teams' seasons too, as a chunk of these end-of-the-bench guys will probably earn bigger roles as the season goes on.&nbsp;

Drew Maresca examines the three most interesting final roster spot situations in the West.

3 roster-spot battles to watch for in the Western Conference

Clippers rookie point guard Jason Preston had right foot surgery in Los Angeles today and is expected to miss a significant part of the season, sources tell ESPN.&nbsp;
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1446181136082812930" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;This is a tough blow for Preston, who was the No. 33 pick in this summer's NBA Draft. The point guard played three college seasons at Ohio, where he led the Bobcats to an upset win in the NCAA Tournament.

Preston was the No. 33 pick in this summer's NBA Draft to the Clippers.

Jason Preston undergoes foot surgery, expected to miss significant time

The 2021 NBA offseason featured blockbuster trades, draft-day surprises and some big-name players changing teams. Those are typically the transactions that garner the most attention, but what were some of the under-the-radar moves that deserve to be highlighted?
Now that most of the free agents have signed and the dust has settled, we asked our writers:
What was your favorite "underrated move" of this offseason?
Jackson Frank: I really liked the Pistons nabbing Kelly Olynyk. A versatile offensive big man to pair with their young guards in Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes is so important. He&rsquo;s going to help facilitate their development and ease some of their creation burden with his pick-and-pops, dribble handoffs and mismatch-hunting in the post. Good, complementary players for young dudes is critical and Olynyk is exactly the former.
Alex Kennedy: Victor Oladipo went from being regarded as one of the top free agents in this class to a complete afterthought. After signing a one-year, minimum deal with the Heat, he's the ultimate low-risk, high-reward addition. If it doesn't work out, Miami can cut him or let him walk. If he gets healthy and has a strong bounce-back season, he'll be a steal. The 29-year-old will need to make an impact in order to ink a more lucrative deal next offseason. Oladipo's days as an All-NBA player are likely over, but he doesn't even need to play at that level in order to drastically outperform this contract. Despite his struggles last year, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.6 threes and 1.3 steals in 29 games with the Rockets and Pacers. After Oladipo's season-ending quad surgery in May, his surgeon <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31489484/miami-heat-victor-oladipo-cleared-full-contact-basketball-november-doctor-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ESPN</a>, "I was amazed he was playing with what he had. I'm very optimistic that I could clear him in six months, by November." If he was able to put up those numbers on a badly-injured quad that he had no business playing on, he should be able to help the Heat. Miami had an exciting offseason &mdash; from acquiring Kyle Lowry to signing P.J. Tucker to extending Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson &mdash; but re-signing Oladipo at the minimum was another impressive move that could look really smart come playoff time.
Nekias Duncan: I like Isaac Bonga heading to Toronto. There&rsquo;s been a clear emphasis in adding rangy defenders, and Bonga fits the bill while adding a hint of ball skills. I felt like he was a bit buried in Washington, so I&rsquo;m interested to see if he gets more burn.
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Spencer Davies: Patty Mills to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $12 million deal. With Spencer Dinwiddie leaving and no regularly-dependable backup in the backcourt, Mills will bring an edge and depth to Steve Nash&rsquo;s second unit in this go-round. While he may not be the FIBA Patty that everybody loves, Mills will not hesitate to take shots and bury triples when one of James Harden or Kyrie Irving is getting a rest. That&rsquo;s going to make Brooklyn a tough customer from a pace standpoint, as well.
Imman Adan: It&rsquo;s not that the move itself was underrated, but I'm surprised that people are more focused on what the Wizards-Lakers trade means for Los Angeles and for Bradley Beal rather than focusing on how much of a win it is for Washington. John Wall&rsquo;s massive contract was widely considered one of the worst deals in the league, yet they turned him into Russell Westbrook and then turned Westbrook into multiple talented rotation pieces and no behemoth contract. Just a massive win for the Wizards' books.&nbsp;
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Chris Sheridan: That would be Miami signing P.J. Tucker away from Milwaukee. I am a huge fan of guys who kill it on defense, and we saw P.J. do a great job against the Brooklyn Nets in their second-round series when the Bucks came back from being down 3-2. Milwaukee is going to miss that guy. The reason they got him in the first place was to have someone who could guard opposing forwards in the postseason, and there will come a time when the Bucks realize how much they miss him. Both Tucker and Jimmy Butler really get after it on the defensive end, so kudos to Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra and Andy Elisburg for snatching Tucker away from the Bucks in free agency.
Ethan Fuller: I'm a big fan of the Los Angeles Clippers' draft class as a whole. The Clippers went after their favorite prospects, trading up to get uber-athletic Keon Johnson at No. 21 and cerebral playmaker Jason Preston at No. 33. Then, they took a flier on a former five-star player in Brandon Boston Jr. with the No. 51 pick. All three possess immense upside, and the Clippers are deep enough where they don't need any rookie to step into the rotation right away.
Evan Sidery: In terms of overall value, the Phoenix Suns hit a home run re-signing backup point guard Cameron Payne to a three-year, $19 million deal. Compared to other backup facilitators, Payne&rsquo;s annual value fell well below what others have been paid over the last few offseasons. After Phoenix gave Payne a chance to revive his NBA career, the 27-year-old point guard returned the favor by giving the Suns a discount. Payne, who has become a wonderful fit within their system, will continue to play a vital role for the Suns as a key cog to their improved second unit. Payne, Landry Shamet, Cameron Johnson and JaVale McGee will give Phoenix such a strong bench.
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Jesse Blancarte: The Los Angeles Clippers&rsquo; trade for Eric Bledsoe. There may be some pushback on this selection, but hear me out. Yes, Eric Bledsoe has struggled over the last few seasons. Yes, Patrick Beverley is a high-level defender (when healthy) and was an emotional leader for the Clippers. Yes, Rajon Rondo has championship experience and is capable of elevating his game in the postseason. But with this deal, the Clippers lowered this season's luxury-tax payment significantly, opened a needed roster spot and took a reasonable chance on Bledsoe having a bounce-back season. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined for possibly the entire season, Bledsoe offers another playmaker who can attack the basket and defend multiple positions.
Drew Maresca: This one&rsquo;s easy &mdash; Kemba Walker to New York. It flew under the radar given the timing of the move relative to the other major signings, but adding a legitimate point guard who is just <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/an-indepth-breakdown-on-how-and-why-kemba-walker-will-help-the-knicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two years removed from an All-Star selection</a> is a big deal for a team that&rsquo;s been looking for a reliable point guard for (literally) decades. Just two years ago, Walker signed a four-year max contract worth $141 million, so the fact that New York was able to sign him to a two-year, $18 million deal makes the move even more impactful.
Jonathan Concool: P.J. Tucker to the Heat. 100%. I think this also wins because absolutely no one saw this move coming. Tucker, who is coming off his first championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, was expected to remain with the team considering how much he contributed during their postseason run. However, Pat Riley had other plans. The Heat nailed their offseason &mdash; re-signing Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler, acquiring Kyle Lowry, and then bringing in more veteran, championship experience in Tucker. Tucker does so many things that don&rsquo;t show up on a box score and he'll be a key contributor for the Heat, who are clearly serious about making another deep playoff run.
Jannelle Moore: My pick for the best underrated move is JaVale McGee joining the Phoenix Suns. The Milwaukee Bucks exposed Phoenix&rsquo;s lack of depth at center. By signing McGee &mdash; a serviceable big with playoff experience and three championships on his resume &mdash; the Suns addressed that need.

Now that most of the free agents have signed and the dust has settled, what were some of the most underrated offseason moves?

NBA Roundtable: Breaking down this offseason's most underrated moves

The basketball universe is assembling in Las Vegas this week, and it is not just NBA personnel. Officials from EuroLeague teams and EuroCup teams will be in Sin City, too, because teams around the world are looking for players who will not make the NBA. An exception is China, where foreign players will be barred because of COVID factors.
So let&rsquo;s have a look at who is there and has the potential to be &ldquo;eating pasta&rdquo; next season (basketball vernacular for playing overseas) or playing their way onto an NBA roster.
There are some very talented younger players who do not have the height or athleticism that NBA scouts and general managers gravitate towards. Can they break through anyway?
But there also are some accomplished vets who would ordinarily play in China because they can make more money there than they can in the United States. Many of them may end up in Europe, but some may end up making NBA rosters if injuries open up jobs.
Here are 10 names worth keeping an eye on:
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Kenneth Faried, Portland Trail Blazers: He was a very productive NBA player for nine years before becoming one of many veterans who got squeezed out because NBA teams turned to developing younger prospects and players on two-way contracts. He was a member of the U.S. National team that won the 2014 Basketball World Cup and was one of 30 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. He last played for the Houston Rockets in the 2018-19 season where he averaged an impressive 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 25 appearances. He will be joined on the Blazers&rsquo; roster by two players who also spent last season in China, Emmanuel Mudiay and Michael Beasley.
Eugene Omoruyi, Dallas Mavericks. Regarded as one of the top undrafted players in 2021, the Oregon product tied for the Ducks&rsquo; team lead in scoring at 17.1 points per game and is considered a strong two-way player. Omoruyi averaged 1.5 steals per game and grabbed 41% of his rebounds on the offensive end. He did so playing alongside the more highly regarded Chris Duarte, the 13th overall pick of the Indiana Pacers.
Jimmer Fredette, Denver Nuggets: He was supposed to play for the Nuggets after spending most of the past five seasons in China, but was a late scratch. Still, his return stateside could land him an NBA job. The 10th overall pick in 2011 played two-and-a-half seasons for Sacramento, averaging seven points per game for the Kings in 15 minutes. He then played briefly in Chicago, New Orleans, Phoenix and New York. He eventually went over to China to play with the Shanghai Sharks, where he averaged 37 points per game in his first three seasons with the team from 2016-2019. He scored 75 points in a 2018 game. Because of COVID restrictions, China is not likely to allow foreign players to compete in its 2021-22 season, so Fredette may end up landing an NBA job without even suiting up in summer league. His pedigree still makes him a name to watch, though.
Mac McClung, L.A. Lakers: He&rsquo;s a longshot to make the roster for a Lakers team that has loaded up on veterans to flank LeBron James and Anthony Davis. When your prospective team adds the likes of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn (among others), there&rsquo;s bound to be a roster squeeze. But somebody has to buy the donuts for the vets. McClung&rsquo;s college stats at Texas Tech were pedestrian, but he would not be with the Lakers unless someone in the organization saw something in him. The team also desperately needs some youth.
Yves Pons, Memphis Grizzlies: The 22-year-old Haitian guard led the Tennessee Volunteers in blocks in each of the past two seasons, and that is pretty much his major skill set. He was the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and with a dearth of perimeter defenders in the NBA who also can block shots, the Grizzlies are giving him a look-see because they watched him play in their backyard for four seasons. Try to name another shot-blocking guard. There are not many of them.
Asbjorn Midtgaard, Orlando Magic: The Danish 7-footer rode the bench for three years at Wichita State and then transferred to Grand Canyon, where he averaged 14.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. His team made the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Iowa. Still, he led NCAA Division I in field goal percentage (70.6), which is no small accomplishment. He also shot 8-for-11 against Luka Garza in his team&rsquo;s first-round loss in the NCAA tournament.
Keon Johnson, L.A. Clippers: An exception here, because Keon is not exactly "under the radar" after being selected with the 21st overall pick in the draft. He is an exception because his athleticism is exceptional; he recorded a 48-inch vertical leap at the NBA draft combine, shattering a 20-year-old record of 45.5 inches recorded by Kenny Gregory in 2001. One of his teammates will be Jason Preston, who was drafted 33rd by Orlando and was dealt to the Clippers for a future second-round pick and cash.
David DeLeo, Philadelphia 76ers: His father, Frank, was a scout for the Sixers, and he clearly taught his son a bit about how to shoot the ball. DeLeo was the all-time leader in the MAC in three-pointers made with 337, and has spent the past two seasons playing in Spain and Greece. He may end up in an NBA camp before ultimately finding another European job, but then again, Philly needs a three-point marksman to develop behind Danny Green. So you never know.
Derrick Alston Jr., Golden State Warriors: A former ball boy for the Houston Rockets, Alston made the team at Boise State as a walk-on his freshman year. He progressed to the point where he was First-Team All-Mountain West after averaging a team-leading 17.0 points. He is one of 12 undrafted rookies on Golden State&rsquo;s summer league team.
Rokas Jokubaitis, New York Knicks: He finished second behind Rockets draft pick Usman Garuba (the 23rd overall pick) in EuroLeague Rising Star voting after a solid season for FC Barcelona, where he is under a four-year contract. This will be a chance for Knicks fans to get their first look at the pick they acquired from Oklahoma City at No. 34. If he impresses and can negotiate a buyout of his current contract, he could end up battling Luca Vildoza for the final point guard spot on the Knicks.
Every year, whether it be undrafted players or second-round picks, players who end up making an impact manage to fly under the radar. These 10 (nine if you exclude Fredette) hope to do exactly that.

Every year, there are players who outperform the competition in summer league and land an NBA job. Here are some names to watch.

10 under-the-radar players worth watching in the NBA Summer League

With the 2021 NBA Draft just days away, BasketballNews.com's Lead NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has put together a list of the top available prospects by position.
Here are the best point guards in this year's class:
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/cade-cunningham" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State</a>
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Widely considered the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham has very few holes in his game. At 6-foot-8, he can play multiple positions including being a floor general who can carry his team&rsquo;s offense in crunch time when necessary. He has a tremendous basketball IQ and is improving as a shooter. Although he is not an elite athlete, he is perhaps the safest bet to have a long and successful NBA career of all the players in this year's draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jalen-suggs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga</a>
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Suggs&rsquo; intelligence and feel may be the best of any prospect in this draft class. He&rsquo;s a true point guard on the offensive end who has superior toughness and court presence. He is also a capable defender who has shown glimpses of the two-way star that he could become. If he is able to improve his consistency as a shooter, he will provide high-level value in the NBA for years to come.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-giddey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Giddey, Adelaide 36ers</a>
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Josh Giddey has continued to improve at a rapid rate throughout this season in Australia. While he isn't overly athletic, at 6-foot-8, his court vision and basketball IQ shine through in everything he does on the court. An intelligent initiator with positional size and versatility, Giddey is a valuable asset in today's NBA.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/davion-mitchell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Davion Mitchell, Baylor</a>
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After a memorable season that saw his Baylor Bears win the national championship, no one has helped themselves over the past year as much as Davion Mitchell. An elite, physical, and pesky on-ball defender and a much-improved outside shooter and playmaker, Mitchell has entered the conversation as a possible lottery pick.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jared-butler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jared Butler, Baylor</a>
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One of the best shooters in college basketball this past season - both off of the dribble and from catch-and-shoot opportunities - Jared Butler was a key part of Baylor&rsquo;s success. In addition to spreading the floor, he showed that he&rsquo;s an effective playmaker, as he constantly created open looks for his entire team. On the defensive end, he is a pest on the ball, often disrupting ball-handlers creating turnovers. Butler is a highly intelligent player who is impactful on both ends of the floor. From a talent standpoint, he is more than capable of being a solid, reliable guard in the NBA.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/sharife-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharife Cooper, Auburn</a>
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Cooper's impact on offense is undeniable. He is the best passer and facilitator in the draft, and he has an ability to collapse defenses and make jaw-dropping passes on the move. He has elite court vision, but he&rsquo;s also a crafty finisher at the rim. He's undersized and his ability to shoot from deep is a big swing skill, but he's shown that he should be able to run an offense at the next level.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/tre-mann" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tre Mann, Florida</a>
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Having vastly improved from his freshman to sophomore season, Tre Mann, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, has solidified himself as one of the better guards in this year&rsquo;s draft. His footwork, pull-up shooting, creativity, passing, and ability to play on or off the ball make him a hot commodity.
<a href="&lt;iframe%20width=&quot;560&quot;%20height=&quot;315&quot;%20src=&quot;https:/www.youtube.com/embed/J5lWFOh0gew&quot;%20title=&quot;YouTube%20video%20player&quot;%20frameborder=&quot;0&quot;%20allow=&quot;accelerometer;%20autoplay;%20clipboard-write;%20encrypted-media;%20gyroscope;%20picture-in-picture&quot;%20allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miles McBride, West Virginia</a>
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Mostly known for his defensive prowess and frustrating opposing ball-handlers, there is more to McBride's game than just that. He averaged nearly 16.0 points per game while hitting 41% of his three-point attempts this season, giving promise to real two-way impact at the next level. He is a bit undersized for his position, but he's a hard-nosed competitor who makes winning plays.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/nah-shon-hyland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, VCU</a>
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Nah'shon "Bones" Hyland is a skilled guard who easily has legitimate NBA range as a three-point shooter. In two seasons at VCU, he hit 39.9% of his 331 three-point attempts. He broke out as a sophomore, averaging 19.5 points per game. He lacks the ability to play as a true point guard, but he's a good playmaker who can create looks for both himself and others. If he cleans up his shot selection and defensive discipline, he projects nicely at the next level.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/david-duke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Duke Jr., Providence</a>
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At 6-foot-4 with a powerful frame, David Duke is a lead guard who can score on multiple levels. He plays with a good combination of burst and change-of-pace as he attacks the rim. He was also able to knock down 38.9% of his three-point attempts this past season. Duke's rim finishing and jump shooting will need to be more consistent at the next level, but he has the tools and toughness to carve out a role in the NBA.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/marcus-zegarowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton</a>
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Although a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, Marcus Zegarowski excels as a facilitator, playmaker, and shooter. He connected on 42.1% of his three-point attempts this season, while attempting 6.6 per game. He's reliable as a pull-up shooter and is solid as a lead ball-handling facilitator. The former Creighton Bluejay has potential to serve as a solid backup point guard at the next level.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/d-j-steward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DJ Steward, Duke</a>
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A point guard in high school, DJ Steward earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game due to his speed and playmaking ability. At Duke, he was asked to play off-ball more than ever before, averaging 13.0 points and shooting 34.0% from deep. Look for him to play on-ball more at the next level as he continues to improve as both a distributor and shooter.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/daishen-nix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daishen Nix, G League Ignite</a>
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At 6-foot-3, Daishen Nix is an excellent passer with great vision, and he averaged 8.9 points and 5.1 assists in 16 Bubble games for the G League Ignite this season. He has a powerful frame and has shown the ability to create for his teammates at a high level. He'll need to improve his engagement and technique on defense, but there is a lot to like in Nix as a primary ball-handler.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/david-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Johnson, Louisville</a>
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David Johnson is an intelligent, anticipatory passer on offense, and an instinctual playmaker on defense. Johnson's outside shooting has been streaky throughout his two seasons at Louisville, but he plays with a strong basketball IQ and can provide value on both ends of the floor. He projects well as a defensive-minded, facilitating backup point guard.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jason-preston" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Preston, Ohio</a>
Jason Preston was one of the most productive players in the country last season, leading Ohio to the NCAA Tournament. He has a unique ability to facilitate for teammates, while also knocking down 39.0% of his shots from deep. He had a 38.5-inch max vertical at the NBA Combine, and is a viable option for being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.&nbsp;
To see BasketballNews.com's latest 2021 NBA Mock Draft, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

Matt Babcock lists his best point guard prospects in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.

2021 NBA Draft: Top point guards in this class

Back in March, smaller-school Colgate University blew an early first-half lead and lost to a Power-5 program in Arkansas, 85-68, in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 64. But viewers might have noticed one Raider guard whose game conjured up thoughts of an NBA superstar.
Despite a cold touch that afternoon, Jordan Burns scored 13 points -- an uncharacteristic low for the 2021 Patriot League Player of the Year -- and put his eye-popping handles and range on display. The broadcast crew applauded one step-back as Damian Lillard-esque, and others took notice on social media.
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Jordan Burns with the deep 3 from Dame range!!! <a href="https://t.co/DD8RU56yJ3">pic.twitter.com/DD8RU56yJ3</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1372973366928404481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
It meant the world to Burns, who feels the impact of Lillard's collegiate rise at Weber State and professional dedication to the Portland Trail Blazers.&nbsp;
"A lot of people were texting me after the game... it was nice," Burns told BasketballNews.com with a laugh. "It definitely makes you feel good to be compared to a guy like that."
Burns, Javion Hamlet of North Texas and Ohio's Jason Preston make up a trio of prospects taking a shot at the 2021 NBA Draft process. Like Lillard, the three guards made names for themselves at the mid-major level, captivated their respective conferences with the way they played and took pride in sticking it out with the school that recruited them, despite the opportunity to play on bigger stages.
Videographers and recruiting analysts didn't follow these players around in high school. They carved paths that had scarcely been walked before, and through an unflinching resolve, forced the spotlight to shine on them.
Colgate is traditionally more synonymous with toothpaste than basketball; the school has produced a single NBA player (Adonal Foyle) since 1965. But the Raiders were the only Division I program that offered a scholarship to Burns out of high school, and the 6-foot guard enrolled in 2017, intending to put the New York liberal arts university on the map.&nbsp;
He did just that. Colgate made two NCAA Tournament appearances in four years with Burns as the team's floor general. In 2021, the shifty senior averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting over 39 percent from long range. Along the way, Burns flashed "Dame Time" moves, and worked to exemplify one of his favorite players.
"[Lillard] has become one of the better guys shooting from 30-plus feet," Burns said. I think that's something I've tried to experiment with. The further you shoot out -- a lot of those shots are more open... being a smaller guard, that has helped my game tremendously, watching a guy like Dame Lillard."
When Burns played a post-grad year at Kent School in Connecticut, he turned down a late flurry of offers because of his commitment to Colgate. After his junior season with the Raiders ended in a loss to Boston University in the Patriot League title game, Burns tested the NBA Draft waters in 2020 and had the chance to transfer. But he chose to return to Hamilton, NY for this season's tourney-bound run.
"Loyalty is a big thing to me. Since I was a kid, that was something that was always stressed to me by my parents," Burns said. "...For me, I was okay with not going to a big school and staying at Colgate. That was where I had chosen to go, so I think I resonated a lot with him staying in Portland, and deciding that these are the people who invested in me, loved me and brought me in before anybody else believed I was who I was."
Glance at Javion Hamlet's pinned Tweet. He shows a similar conviction:
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I&rsquo;m not going nowhere I&rsquo;m getting drafted from North Texas ⏳
&mdash; J hamlet (@javion_hamlet) <a href="https://twitter.com/javion_hamlet/status/1248001163544465408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote>

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Hamlet's winding college basketball journey included two stops at the JUCO level and knee surgery before he finally reached North Texas (Sam Blum wrote an <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/unt-mean-green/2021/03/16/ive-always-been-the-underdog-how-javion-hamlet-led-north-texas-to-ncaa-tournament-after-long-being-overlooked/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insightful feature on Hamlet for the Dallas Morning News</a>). Then, the 6-foot-3 guard promptly won Conference USA Player of the Year in 2019-20, and this season, averaged 15.6 points and 4.5 assists per game. Hamlet's 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists led the Mean Green to a 78-69 upset of Purdue in March Madness.
"You gotta believe it before anyone else believes," Hamlet told BasketballNews.com. "You just gotta keep going, even if it doesn't work tomorrow, today, the next day or the next couple of months. You just gotta stay true to yourself. Just keep working. The hard work does pay off."
He's got a mantra -- "Doubt the Doubters" -- that has fueled his work ethic and driven him to the doorstep of the NBA.
"I don't get caught up in the hype," Hamlet said. "I ain't [ever] had the hype. I've always been the underdog all my life. I just feel like me doing it is going to motivate other people to be like, 'Man, if he did it from there, I can do it, too.'"
Hamlet said he also had opportunities to transfer to high-major programs after that first year at North Texas. Instead, he adhered to the words of his pinned Tweet.&nbsp;
"I know it's harder for [North Texas] to get to the NCAA Tournament," he said. "[My mindset was] just go there and change the culture -- change it into a championship school."
Like millions of basketball fans around the world, Burns and Hamlet hear the narratives surrounding Lillard in Portland. They hear analysts and critics berate the six-time All-Star for choosing a small market over the flashy cities and super-teams around the league. But Burns and Hamlet know what Lillard knows -- that when you find a team and place that feels like home, you cherish it.&nbsp;
"It's all about staying true to you," Hamlet added. "Dame's trying to do something that hasn't been done in a long time, and I respect him for it. I'm kind of the same way -- big on loyalty. The people that gave you a chance, and stuck with you through your ups and downs -- you can't leave nobody like that."
Jason Preston knows it, too. The Ohio University guard's <a href="https://www.slamonline.com/college-hs/jason-preston-ohio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improbable hoops journey</a> inspired thousands when it went mainstream during this past college season.&nbsp;
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This attitude right here 👇🏾 by <a href="https://twitter.com/Treballjay11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Treballjay11</a> 👊🏾 will get you all you ever need! <a href="https://t.co/m83F1h0aRf">https://t.co/m83F1h0aRf</a>
&mdash; marcus smart (@smart_MS3) <a href="https://twitter.com/smart_MS3/status/1332750556532789250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
Despite layers upon layers of tragedy and turmoil, Preston tirelessly worked his way to two Division I offers, and from there, helped the Bobcats beat Illinois in the regular season and Virginia in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds as a junior.
The 6-foot-4 guard is now testing the NBA Draft process while maintaining college eligibility. He loves to watch LeBron James and Chris Paul, but also appreciates the standard Lillard has set as a leader.
"I love his approach towards the game," Preston said. "If something bad happens to his team -- something good or bad -- he has mostly the same reaction throughout the whole game. CJ [McCollum], too. They're both very even-keeled and have a nice manner towards the game."
McCollum and Stephen Curry are a few of the other mid-major products that Preston, Burns and Hamlet applauded. Ja Morant has also <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/mutual-respect-between-damian-lillard-and-ja-morant-keeps-growing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">publicly praised Lillard</a> for his role as a beacon for this next generation.
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say dat 🗣 paved the way for guys like me . RESPECT 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/ddW69YjcFR">https://t.co/ddW69YjcFR</a>
&mdash; Ja Morant (@JaMorant) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1387621541643423751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Every mid-major star, from Lillard to this trio, as well as Oral Roberts' Max Abmas, carries a relentless passion for basketball and personal growth. But as Preston emphasized, every player's story is unique -- and to inspire others with it is a blessing.
"I think the most valuable thing you can give someone is inspiration," Preston said. "For people to hear about my story and to get motivated to do something themselves -- I think that's that's everything. I'm very happy that I can do that for certain people."

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Lillard's rise to fame and loyalty to the Blazers coming from a small school has inspired Jordan Burns, Javion Hamlet and Jason Preston.

In Damian Lillard, the next mid-major NBA hopefuls see a blueprint

If you search &ldquo;Marcus Zegarowski&rdquo; on Google, you will see &ldquo;Michael Carter-Williams&rsquo; brother&rdquo; in the top results.
Perhaps a fact known among basketball circles, but not likely quite as well-known by the greater public, is that Zegarowksi -- Creighton&rsquo;s leading scorer this season and a 2020-21 All-Big East First Team member -- is much more than an NBA Draft prospect in the shadow of the 2014 Rookie of the Year. Zegarowski was a steady force and a key leadership piece for a very successful Bluejays team this year, in one of the most competitive and deep conferences in America.
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A 6-foot-2 guard, Zegarowski hails from Hamilton, Massachusetts, which is about 40 minutes north of Boston. He comes from a family of basketball players; beyond the aforementioned Carter-Williams, his older sister Masey plays Division I at Bryant University, and his mother Amanda (Mandy) is a former collegiate player, as well as high school head coach.
Maybe the most important person in his career arc is his twin brother Max (a player at Division II Franklin Pierce and formerly Lynn University). The twin brothers played at Hamilton-Wenham High School, and led the Generals to a perfect 25-0 season and a Division IV state title during their freshman year. They then transferred together to Tilton School (NH), a New England powerhouse that was once the home of current NBA players Nerlens Noel, Terance Mann and Georges Niang. In their junior year at Tilton, the brothers led the team to the NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Class-AA Finals, but came up short; Marcus was named to the NEPSAC First Team. Heading into their senior year, they took the Rams back to the Class-AA Finals, this time winning 99-92 against St. Andrew&rsquo;s School (RI), a game in which Marcus dropped 24 points and took home NEPSAC Player of the Year for his efforts.
Upon his graduation, Zegarowski committed to Creighton University. It would be the first time in his life that he didn't play on the same team as his brother. In his freshman season, Marcus earned Big East All-Freshman honors, posting 10.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.9% from three-point range. In the 2019-2020 season, Zegarowksi paired with Ty-Shon Alexander (currently on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns) for a potent 33 points per game combined, leading the Bluejays to a 13-5 record in the Big East (24-7 overall) and a first place finish. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic dashed the team's postseason hopes, as they seemed poised to make a run in the 2020 NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;
With Ty-Shon Alexander moving on to the NBA, Zegarowski stepped into a larger leadership role for Creighton this season. Although his overall statistical profile was nearly identical to his sophomore year, he did cut down his turnovers and produced a two-point improvement on his individual defensive rating. Creighton went into March with a 22-9 record and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Fresh off of averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game during the Big East Tournament, Zegarowksi and Creighton faced No. 12 UC Santa Barbara out of the Big West. He rose to the occasion by posting 17 points and 8 assists, and was pivotal down the stretch, scoring or assisting on 7 of Creighton&rsquo;s 9 points with the Gauchos taking them to the brink.
Zegarowski only got better as the stakes became higher. In the Round of 32 matchup against Ohio University and fellow draft prospect Jason Preston, Zegarowksi scored 20 points while holding Preston to only 4 points on 1-for-10 shooting from the field. Against an undefeated Gonzaga, which was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament field, Zegarowski went for an impressive 19 points.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been intrigued by Marcus Zegarowksi since last season," added Matt Babcock, BasketballNews.com's Lead NBA Draft Analyst. "Although he does not have physical tools that blow you away, he&rsquo;s a player that&rsquo;s hard not to like as he shoots the ball with range, provides toughness, and is just a good point guard overall."
Since the season ended, rumors have swirled about Zegarowksi&rsquo;s next move, but on Tuesday, Zegarowski put an end to the speculation over his future by declaring for the NBA Draft and indicating that he won&rsquo;t be returning to Creighton next season.
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Bluejay forever 💙🙏🏽 <a href="https://t.co/fUJLcI1TxH">pic.twitter.com/fUJLcI1TxH</a>
&mdash; marcus zegarowski (@MZegarowski1) <a href="https://twitter.com/MZegarowski1/status/1382039277803016196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2021</a></blockquote>

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"We will take him very seriously as a prospect. He is currently No. 39 on our 2021 NBA Draft Big Board,&rdquo; Babcock added.
I&rsquo;m really not sure which jersey Marcus Zegarowksi will don next season, but I&rsquo;m looking forward to watching him regardless of where he ends up.

Grant Aqui shares how Marcus Zegarowski's family has influenced his basketball career and details his impressive years at Creighton.

Basketball runs in Marcus Zegarowski's blood

There's a reason it's called March Madness.
Aside from the unfortunate elimination of VCU due to an instance of a positive COVID test outbreak among the team, the first two days of the Men's NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis has felt somewhat normal with the level of play and the energy in the environment. You've heard the crowds reacting to pivotal plays, and momentum is taking hold in the majority of these back-and-forth affairs.
While the powerhouse schools are mostly doing their part, perhaps nothing is more exciting than the amount of low-seeded schools pulling off upsets. For the first time in NCAA Tournament history, there are four teams seeded No. 13 or lower advancing to the field of 32.
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15-seed Oral Roberts 14-seed Abilene Christian 13-seed North Texas 13-seed Ohio This is the first time four teams seeded 13 or worse have reached the Round of 32 in a single NCAA Tournament. <a href="https://t.co/EBzRkxDv6h">pic.twitter.com/EBzRkxDv6h</a>
&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1373498408661618690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Our first colossal surprise was the No. 15 seed Oral Roberts defeating No. 2 Ohio State, behind a masterful combination of the nation's leading scorer, Max Abmas, and the toughness of Kevin Obanor. Later that night, we saw Javion Hamlet take over for No. 13 North Texas down the stretch in the fourth and overtime to send No. 4 Purdue packing. Mind you, these were two Big Ten darlings coming into the tournament.
On Saturday night, it was the No. 13 seed Ohio Bobcats knocking off the defending champions, No. 4 seed Virginia, courtesy of the all-around game of Jason Preston and the sharpshooting of Ben Vander Plas. Just hours afterward in a battle of in-state universities, No. 14 Abilene Christian locked down on the defensive end and used every bit of heart with Joe Pleasant leading the way to stun No. 3 Texas.
It was mid-major madness in the first two days of the men's tourney, but there were a number of double-digit seeds in power fives to advance as well -- including Maryland, UCLA, Oregon State, Rutgers and Syracuse.
Round two is just underway. Let's see what else awaits us!

While the powerhouse schools are mostly doing their part, perhaps nothing is more exciting than the amount of low-seeded schools pulling off upsets.

Upset-minded: Four teams seeded No. 13 or lower advance to Round of 32 in men's tourney

In a basketball year full of uncertainty and unknowns, athletes have had to take on both the physical and mental challenges of the season, including those circumstances out of their control. The players who had their conference and NCAA Tournament hopes ripped away by COVID-19 after last season experienced a heartbreak that very few can relate to. A tumultuous 2020 tested and tried us all in our unique ways, so for a lot of us, having March Madness in our lives again is pure bliss.&nbsp;
As the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/basketball-news-march-madness-2021-ncaa-tournament-bracket-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brackets were released Sunday evening</a>, a handful of first-round round matchups quickly popped out, as well as some potential Round of 32/Sweet 16 games that could provide excellent viewing opportunities from a NBA Draft perspective, as numerous high level prospects are in the Field of 68.
Here are some matchups, and potential matchups, we could see unfold:
Round of 64
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West Region: Oregon (7) vs. VCU (10) 
Chris Duarte and the Oregon offense face a tough assignment in VCU, who own the No. 12 ranked defense in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom.com. Nah&rsquo;Shon Hyland will enter the tournament averaging 19.4 points after a stellar season. The A-10 Player of the Year will have an opportunity to dazzle on the big stage.
West Region: Virginia (4) vs. Ohio (13) 
Jason Preston averaged 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists this season and will face a tough Virginia team in round one. Sam Hauser and Trey Murphy III will also have an opportunity to show their ability to stretch the floor with their tremendous three-point shooting.&nbsp;
South Region: Texas Tech (6) vs. Utah State (11) 
This will likely shape up to be a defensive battle, as both teams are in the top-25 of adjusted efficiency. Terrence Shannon Jr. can add to his draft resume, and Neemias Queta, averaging a double-double on the year, has a prime opportunity to use his 7-foot frame and length on the big stage.&nbsp;
Potential Round of 32
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Midwest Region: Oklahoma State (4) vs. Tennessee (5) 
This would be a phenomenal matchup from a draft perspective, with three players projected top-20 in the 2021 class. Cade Cunningham, Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer would each be able to cement themselves even further as high-level prospects. This game would undoubtedly draw a lot of attention.&nbsp;
West Region: Kansas (3) vs. USC (6) 
Evan Mobley is widely considered a top-5 pick in this 2021 class, so watching him play against the physical David McCormack would be very informative. Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson of the Jayhawks are likely to test the waters after the season, so a strong performance against a defender like Mobley would be positive.
East Region: Michigan (1) vs. LSU (8) 
This matchup would provide a look at numerous potential future pros. It&rsquo;s reported that Isaiah Livers will miss the remainder of Michigan&rsquo;s games, but Cameron Thomas and Trendon Watford vs. Franz Wagner, and Hunter Dickinson for a shot at the Sweet 16 would be must-see TV.
East Region: Alabama (2) vs. UConn (7) 
James Bouknight missed eight games due to injury, but has still played his way into the lottery-pick conversation. The SEC Champion Crimson Tide would be a phenomenal defensive test for him, and Herb Jones could once again show his all-around value on the floor.
Midwest Region: West Virginia (3) vs. San Diego State (6) 
Miles &ldquo;Deuce&rdquo; McBride and the Mountaineers secured the No. 3 seed in the tournament, and could face a difficult task in SDSU (23-4) in the second round. McBride is a pesky defender and has shouldered much of the offensive load this season -- this would be a prime opportunity to shine and really display his talent.
Other Notables
South Region: Arkansas (3) vs. Texas Tech (6) Midwest Region: Illinois (1) vs. Georgia Tech (9) South Region: Baylor (1) vs. North Carolina (8)
Potential Sweet 16 Matchups
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South Region: Baylor (1) vs. Villanova (5) 
Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell have led Baylor to an incredible season, with both of them showing great promise for the next level; two high-level defenders and terrific shooters and an experienced Villanova squad would be a great test for a chance at the Elite 8. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is also on many draft boards -- his energy, physicality and rebounding may be put to the test against Mark Vital and the toughness of Baylor.
East Region: Alabama (2) vs. Texas (3) 
Kai Jones and Greg Brown III both have an opportunity to boost their stock on the big stage, as the freshmen are both projected to be first-round picks. A tough Alabama squad would provide a real test in a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup.
Other Notables
East Region: Michigan (1) vs. Florida State (4) - Franz Wagner, Hunter Dickinson, Scottie Barnes,&nbsp;
South Region: Ohio State (2) vs. Arkansas (3) - Duane Washington, E.J. Liddell, Moses Moody
Midwest Region: Illinois (1) vs. Oklahoma St. (4) / Tennessee (5) - Ayo Dosunmu, Cade Cunningham/Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer

Derek Murray breaks down his favorite games (and potential meetings) in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.