Bonnies

LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Anton Watson scored 20 points and Drew Timme had 17 to help No. 9 Gonzaga beat pesky San Francisco 84-73 on Monday night and advance to yet another West Coast Conference championship game.
The Bulldogs (27-5) will face No. 16 Saint Mary&rsquo;s (26-6) on Tuesday for the tournament title. The teams split two regular-season meetings.
Julian Strawther scored 15 points while playing in his hometown and Ben Gregg had 12 for Gonzaga.
Khalil Shabazz led San Francisco (20-14) with 26 points. Tyrell Roberts scored 17.
Gonzaga is in the conference championship game for the 26th time in a row. The Zags have won this event 20 times.
They enter on an eight-game winning streak. Gonzaga&rsquo;s last loss? In overtime at Saint Mary&rsquo;s.
NO. 16 SAINT MARY&rsquo;S 76, BYU 69
LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Alex Ducas scored 23 points to lead four Saint Mary&rsquo;s players in double figures, and the Gaels held off a late BYU rally in the West Coast Conference semifinals.
The Gaels (26-6) will play in their fourth WCC title game in five years Tuesday night, facing No. 9 Gonzaga. Saint Mary&rsquo;s will try to win its first tournament championship since 2019.
BYU (19-15) will wait to see if the NIT has a spot. The Cougars have a NET ranking of No. 85, so they are at best on the bubble. If they don&rsquo;t make the postseason, this was their last game as a WCC team; the program joins the Big 12 Conference next season.

A recap of Monday's action in men's college hoops includes two semifinal battles in the West Coast Conference.

No. 9 Gonzaga to face No. 16 Saint Mary’s for WCC title

Last year, the Detroit Pistons' highest-paid player was not a member of their active roster: Blake Griffin. This offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder will come close to matching the achievement.&nbsp;
OKC is slated to pay Kemba Walker just over $27 million in 2022-23, which is just a smidge less than the $29,750,000 they'll shell out to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Walker has never (and likely will never) suit up for the Thunder after they bought his contract out last summer.
Walker's deal remains on the books, though, in the form of "dead money," a terminology for one of the more uncommon scenarios in NBA roster management.&nbsp;
When an NBA franchise negotiates a buyout with a player whose contract is not up, they're still on the hook for any guaranteed money remaining. Teams have two options: Continue to honor the contract over its original duration, or use the Stretch Provision.
The Stretch Provision is what it sounds like; the released player has his salary "stretched" to be paid in smaller increments over a longer period &mdash; specifically, twice the number of years remaining on the contract, plus an additional year (here's a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/nba-free-agency/glossary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">great explainer on the provision</a> inside of our free agency glossary). Remember the monster salaries handed out in 2016 and 2017 free agency? Some of those players were waived and stretched, meaning they're still receiving checks.
Fifteen teams held dead money entering the 2021-22 NBA offseason. This year, the number is down to nine, according to salary figures at <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotrac</a> and <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/OKC.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basketball Reference</a>. Perhaps teams are getting smarter with how they hand out contracts or how they buy out players.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Here's a breakdown of the dead money deals heading into 2022-23, and some players who you might be surprised are still earning a salary:
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ($28.4 million in total dead money)
Kemba Walker ($27.4 million) &mdash;&nbsp;Walker joined the Thunder last offseason in the trade that sent Al Horford back to Boston. OKC also received a first-round pick that it dealt to Houston and a 2025 second-round pick. The team released Walker less than two months later before he ever suited up, and decided to simply play him the two remaining years as they stand instead of stretching out his salary. He'll be off the books by next offseason.
Kyle Singler ($999,200) &mdash;&nbsp;Here's a great blast from the past. Singler played in Oklahoma City for three seasons and change as a reserve, but never stuck in the rotation. He signed a five-year deal worth $25 million in 2015; by 2018, the Thunder decided to waive and stretch him, and he has not played an NBA game since. Singler has received just under $1 million each season since 2018-19. This is also his his last year on the books.
DETROIT PISTONS ($11.8 million in total dead money)
DeAndre Jordan ($7.8 million) &mdash;&nbsp;The Pistons are actually paying Jordan for the money remaining on a four-year, $39.6 million contract he signed with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2019. Brooklyn traded Jordan to Detroit in a minor move last September, and the Pistons bromptly bought him out. Jordan then signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, so he actually earned money from two teams in 2021-22. This is his last year receiving cash from Detroit.
Dewayne Dedmon ($2.9 million) &mdash;&nbsp;This is one of my favorite crazy scenarios, and I want to break it down. Let's travel back to 2019, when Dedmon signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Sacramento Kings. Things didn't work out, so the Kings traded him that season to the Atlanta Hawks, who then moved him again to Detroit in the 2020 offseason.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_13942810_690w.png" alt="" width="746" height="373" />
The Pistons then waived and stretched Dedmon four days later with two years remaining on his deal. So that meant, instead of paying him just over $13 million for two years, they're sending him a tad under $3 million for five years &mdash;&nbsp;all the way out to 2024-25. Dedmon will receive five years of money from the franchise without ever playing a game for the Pistons. It's a rare, but cool situation (for the player, at least) that we only see one other time this year.
Zhaire Smith ($1.1 million) &mdash;&nbsp;I feel for Smith, a former first-round pick who had one of the most <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/zhaire-smith-76ers-deadly-allergic-reaction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">devastating strokes of bad luck</a> absolutely derail his NBA career. He was acquired by Detroit in the 2020 offseason, but later waived and stretched. This is his last season on the payroll in Detroit.&nbsp;
CHARLOTTE HORNETS ($8.9 million in total dead money)
Nicolas Batum ($8.9 million) &mdash; Charlotte is in the final year of playing Batum the remaining money from a five-year, $120 million contract he signed in that 2016 free agency frenzy. Batum played through three seasons on that deal, but never found his footing with the Hornets. They waived and stretched his final deal in November 2020. Batum has received just under $9 million in each of the last three seasons from Charlotte while re-emerging as a stellar rotation player with the Los Angeles Clippers.
BROOKLYN NETS ($3.9 million in total dead money)
Jevon Carter ($3.925 million)&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;Carter comes off the books after next season, but it still must hurt for the Nets to see how he helped out the Milwaukee Bucks. Brooklyn acquired Carter, along with Day'Ron Sharpe, in the trade that sent Landry Shamet to Phoenix. Carter averaged just 12 minutes per game before being released and signing with the Bucks two days later. He then shot a scorching 55.8% from long range in Milwaukee, while boosting the bench unit with his strong defense.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ($2.8 million in total dead money)
Andrew Nicholson ($2.8 million)&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;Nicholson is my dead money GOAT. In 2016, he signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Washington Wizards, played 28 games with the team and was then traded to the Nets, where he appeared in 10 contests in the same 2016-17 season. Brooklyn then sent him to Portland in a swap for Allen Crabbe in the offseason; Portland released Nicholson just over a month later.&nbsp;
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_13489394_690w.png" alt="" width="746" height="373" />
Nicholson still had three seasons left on his contract, and the Trail Blazers decided to stretch it, meaning they'd pay him for the next&nbsp;seven years.&nbsp;Since 2017-18, he has received just over $2.8 million each season &mdash; and will continue to get that bag until the 2024 offseason &mdash; without ever playing for Portland. That's how it's done.&nbsp;
DALLAS MAVERICKS ($1.8 million in total dead money)
Tyrell Terry ($1.8 million) &mdash;&nbsp;Dallas releasing Terry last fall was a somewhat surprising move when it happened. Terry was the No. 31 overall pick to the Mavericks just one season prior in 2020, and he had his supporters in the NBA Draft community. For whatever reason, Terry's slow start underwhelmed the franchise to the point where they flat out released him from his rookie contract a year later. He then signed with the Girzzlies on 10-day and two-way contracts.
HOUSTON ROCKETS ($456,074 in total dead money)
DJ Augustin ($333,333) &mdash;&nbsp;We're now getting into the minutae of dead-money deals that will scarcely affect teams financially. The journeyman Augustin played 34 games with the rebuilding Rockets last season. His 2022-23 season is only partially guaranteed, hence the small payout.
Troy Williams ($122,741) &mdash;&nbsp;This salary ties all the way back to 2017, when Williams signed a three-year contract with Houston. Williams played a partial season in 2017-18 before having the last two years on his deal waived and stretched. He then joined the New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Kings and Phoenix Suns, but never latched on anywhere long-term.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
TORONTO RAPTORS ($125,000 in total dead money)
Ish Wainright ($125,000) &mdash;&nbsp;Wainright signed a two-year contract with Toronto last offseason and impressed at NBA Summer League, but was waived in October. Both years were partially guaranteed. Wainright bounced back on a two-way contract with Phoenix that the Suns eventually turned into a standard NBA deal.
BOSTON CELTICS ($92,857 in total dead money)
Demetrius Jackson ($92,857) &mdash;&nbsp;Jackson's contract is another bizarre situation. He signed a four-year deal worth $5.5 million with the Celtics as a second-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The first year, Boston paid him $1.45 million. The second year only had $650,000 in guaranteed salary, the third year had zero guarantees and the fourth year was a team option. Stay with me, here.&nbsp;
Boston decided to waive and stretch Jackson in 2017, the last day that his $650,000 would be guaranteed. He still technically had three years left on the contract, so the (relatively) tiny guaranteed salary of $650,000 would be stretched across seven whole seasons. Jackson has made $92,857 since the 2017-18 season and will make that salary through 2023-24.&nbsp;
NBA players make more money than ever before on five-year maximum contracts. So it's pretty unbelievable that the longest active contractual obligations in the league right now (extensions nonwithstanding) are eight years in length, heading to two players: Andrew Nicholson and Demetrius Jackson.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com. <a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

Ethan Fuller looks at the nine NBA teams and 13 players with dead-money contracts entering the 2022 offseason.

Which NBA teams hold dead money contracts for the 2022-23 season?

By appearing in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks showed that they have collected some of the ingredients of an NBA title contender.
Prior to that, the Mavs had not made it out of the first round of the playoffs since winning the Finals in 2010-11, and had exited the postseason in the first round each of the last two years. Even this season, Dallas had its doubters in the first round against the Utah Jazz, and most of the national audience was against them versus the dominant Phoenix Suns.&nbsp;
Then, the Mavericks won. Luka Doncic continues to ascend as one of the best basketball players on the planet. Several supporting cast members helped carry the load as well, whether it was Jalen Brunson in the first round, Maxi Kleber's Round 2 fireworks or Spencer Dinwiddie's production in the West Finals.
For so long, the narrative in Dallas had been: Does Luka have any help? After 2021-22, we at least know the Mavs have pieces to the puzzle. This summer presents the opportunity to shape the vision of a championship under Doncic and second-year head coach Jason Kidd.
The Mavericks boasted the sixth-best Defensive Rating (109.4) in the NBA during the regular season, per Basketball-Reference. That's impressive growth from a 20th-ranked unit in 2020-21 that didn't undergo massive roster overhaul. Our <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/how-do-the-mavericks-have-an-elite-defense" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekias Duncan covered Dallas' defense back in January</a>, and it kept up the work even after trading Kristaps Porzingis away in the deal that returned Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.&nbsp;
No single, All-Defense-caliber player even stands out on the roster right now. Dorian Finney-Smith is very solid and so is Frank Ntilikina, though his minutes are too inconsistent currently. It's a true team-wide shift that significantly raises the team's floor come playoff time.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
With that being said &mdash; finding a true center to anchor the paint and provide stability on the glass remains a high priority. Dallas was 15th among the 16 playoff teams in offensive rebounding percentage (45.1%) and second chance points per game (9.0). They also gave up 14.2 second-chance points per game to their opponents, ranking fourth-highest in the postseason. The Mavs scored just 42.9 points in the paint per game during the regular season (ranked 29th of 30) and 35.4 in the playoffs (13th of 16) despite boasting two of the league's best driving threats in Doncic and Brunson.
Dwight Powell is a fine, rotation-caliber NBA player, but his minutes decreased in each subsequent series. Kleber is an awesome sharpshooting big and solid defender, but not an impactful interior presence.
Fortunately, there are several available free agents who Mavs president and general manager Nico Harrison could pursue in his second offseason with the team. Unfortunately, they have severely hamstrung themselves financially. According to Spotrac, they're a luxury taxpayer, which only leaves a mid-level exception worth just over $6.3 million to spend on a free agent. Dallas has virtually no path to cap space this season.
Jusuf Nurkic and Mitchell Robinson are the biggest names to hit unrestricted free agency as a center. They would almost instantly plug the rebounding hole, but are they the types of defenders and rim-runners who would thrive with Doncic? And is there a realistic way for the Mavericks to even sign them?
Other free agent centers who could fit in the mid-level exception include JaVale McGee, Andre Drummond and Bismack Biyombo, for some quick suggestions. Dallas does also hold a $10.2 million trade exception that it created when the team traded Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics. It expires on June 27, before free agency begins, but it provides another avenue to acquire a rotation-level player.
It might make more sense for the Mavs to pursue a sign-and-trade with a restricted free agent. Obviously, Deandre Ayton is the marquee man. Evan Sidery toyed with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-destinations-for-deandre-ayton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">potential trade packages for the Suns</a>; could Dallas offer something in this ballpark?
I personally am intrigued by Mo Bamba's potential fit. The 2018 No. 5 overall pick had a solid developmental year in Orlando, but appears to be the odd man out in a crowded young locker room. Bamba feels like a worthwhile gamble as a rebounder and rim-protector with a bit more mobility and shooting than your traditional bruising center.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QfxEZ9a694c" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Of course, all this free agency discussion will come after the Mavericks address their largest elephant in the room. Jalen Brunson broke out as a secondary scorer this season, culminating in his huge games that gave Dallas the edge against Utah. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-destinations-for-jalen-brunson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He's an unrestricted free agent</a> who deserves a bag this summer.
"It&rsquo;s the top priority,&rdquo; Harrison said about re-signing Brunson in his <a href="https://www.mavs.com/brunson-is-top-priority/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exit interview Friday</a>. &ldquo;We got to figure that out. Obviously, we&rsquo;re not in control of it. But he&rsquo;s definitely a priority. We want to re-sign him. He knows it. And we want him back. He&rsquo;ll be a big part of our future.&rdquo;
The Mavs' last route to improve is with their No. 26 overall draft pick. Dallas has been a mixed bag with drafting in recent seasons, but this is the first year Harrison will be at the helm after the franchise passed on the process in 2021. Most recently, the franchise selected Josh Green at No. 20 and Tyrell Terry at No. 31 in 2020. Green's development has been slow but notable through two seasons, while Terry is no longer in the organization.&nbsp;
Matt Babcock's latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/nba-draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Mock Draft</a> projects the Mavericks to select Max Christie, a freshman wing from Michigan State. Christie was a five-star high school talent who struggled to produce as a college freshman. But his tools as a shooter, scorer and on-ball defender have all flashed and can be sharpened in the right environment.&nbsp;
Aside from Brunson, reserves Trey Burke and Theo Pinson are the only other players entering free agency. However, Dallas notably has just four players under fully guaranteed contracts in 2023-24, per Spotrac: Doncic, Finney-Smith, Bertans and Tim Hardaway Jr. If the squad underwhelms next year, the 2023 offseason could open up a serious roster makeover.&nbsp;
Dallas is on the cusp of true title contention. This offseason is all about checking off some final boxes, keeping the successful core intact and adding depth to a team that persevered through several injuries during the season.
If the summer breaks right, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Mavericks emerging as everyone's favorite championship sleeper by October.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

The Mavericks exited the Western Conference Finals with a strong playoff run, but have several glaring needs.

2022 NBA offseason preview: What's next for the Dallas Mavericks?

As we near the end of the NCAA regular season, let's take a dive into college basketball's Power Five conference standings, remaining matchups, and teams to watch as we come down the stretch.
Earlier this week, we addressed the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/state-of-the-conference-evaluating-the-sec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEC</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/state-of-the-conference-evaluating-the-big-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big 12</a>. For this article, we'll dive into the Pac-12.
Here are the current Pac-12 standings, with conference wins and losses to the left and overall record to the right (<a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/pac-12/2022.html">table via CBB Sports-Reference</a>):
<table dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 112.547%;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><colgroup><col width="47" /><col width="138" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /><col width="58" /></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Rk&quot;}">Rk</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;School&quot;}">School</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;W&quot;}">W</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;L&quot;}">L</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;W-L%&quot;}">W-L%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;W&quot;}">W</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;L&quot;}">L</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;W-L%&quot;}">W-L%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;SOS&quot;}">SOS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:1}">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Arizona&quot;}">Arizona (3)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:12}">12</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:1}">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.923}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.92</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:22}">22</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2}">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.917}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.92</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6.1}">6.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2}">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Southern California&quot;}">USC (17)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.714}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.71</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:21}">21</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.84}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.84</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4.7}">4.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2}">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Oregon&quot;}">Oregon</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.714}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.71</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:17}">17</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.68}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.68</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6.9}">6.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;UCLA&quot;}">UCLA (13)</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.692}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.69</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:17}">17</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5}">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.773}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.77</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8.3}">8.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5}">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Washington&quot;}">Washington</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5}">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.615}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.62</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:13}">13</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.565}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.57</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5.5}">5.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6}">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Washington State&quot;}">Washington State</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6}">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.538}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.54</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:14}">14</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.583}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.58</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4.7}">4.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Colorado&quot;}">Colorado</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.533}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.53</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:16}">16</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.64}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.64</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:5.2}">5.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Stanford&quot;}">Stanford</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7}">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.533}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.53</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:15}">15</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.6}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.60</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8.3}">8.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Arizona State&quot;}">Arizona State</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.308}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.31</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:8}">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:15}">15</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.348}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.35</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10.8}">10.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:10}">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;California&quot;}">California</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:4}">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:11}">11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.267}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.27</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:11}">11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:15}">15</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.423}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.42</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6.6}">6.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:11}">11</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Utah&quot;}">Utah</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2}">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:13}">13</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.133}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.13</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:9}">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:16}">16</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.36}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.36</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:6.1}">6.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:12}">12</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Oregon State&quot;}">Oregon State</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:1}">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:12}">12</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.077}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.08</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:20}">20</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:0.13}" data-sheets-numberformat="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;0.00&quot;,&quot;3&quot;:1}">0.13</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:7.3}">7.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
FRONTRUNNERS: ARIZONA
A favorite for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Arizona Wildcats have set themselves apart as one of the best units in the entire nation. They rank second in Adjusted Efficiency and have the eighth-fastest tempo, which is a combination that makes them extremely difficult to beat. Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko are solidifying their respective places in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, while Azuolas Tubelis and Kerr Kriisa are reliable scorers in their own rights. Arizona has the conference all but locked up, and will be predicted by many to win the NCAA Tournament.
Notable games remaining: USC (Feb. 28)
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_17614860_lg.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="423" />
ON THE HEELS: OREGON, USC, UCLA
Oregon sits only two-and-a-half games back from Arizona, but the Ducks' remaining schedule is brutal. While that is scary, it&rsquo;s a tremendous opportunity to get some big wins and raise the stock in both Pac-12 play and regarding the NCAA Tournament. Will Richardson is having a tremendous season at 15.1 points per game, and will look to carry the offense during this stretch.
Ranked No. 30 nationally in Adjusted Efficiency, the USC Trojans are led by Isaiah Mobley and Boogie Ellis. They are a quiet force to be reckoned with, and just secured a huge victory against UCLA. The final two games of the year will be crucial to seeding, so the supportintg cast of Chevez Goodwin, Drew Peterson and Co. will need to fire on all cylinders. The Trojans currently project as a No. 7 seed for March Madness.
UCLA is ranked No. 13 nationally, yet sits fourth in the Pac-12 standings. The Bruins have lost 3 of their last 4 contests, and need to get back on track quickly. Tyger Campbell had a huge 27-point effort against USC, and will need to continue producing alongside Johnny Juzang if UCLA wants to climb back into a top-two seed for the conference tournament.&nbsp;
Notable games remaining:&nbsp;
Oregon: Arizona (Feb. 19), UCLA (Feb. 24)
USC: Arizona (Feb. 28), UCLA (Mar. 5)
UCLA: Oregon (Feb. 24), USC (Mar. 5)
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_17691010_lg.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="423" />
SLEEPER: WASHINGTON STATE
I listed the Washington State Cougars as a sleeper because they rank top-45 in Adjusted Efficiency and have favorable matchups to close out the final five games of the season. Michael Flowers, Tyrell Roberts and Noah Williams are a formidable backcourt, and Wazzu has an opportunity to climb late before the Pac-12 Tournament.
Notable games remaining: USC (Feb. 20), Oregon (Mar. 5)
THE REST: 
Washington, Stanford, Colorado, Arizona State, California, Utah, Oregon State
2022 NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/bennedict-mathurin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/harrison-ingram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harrison Ingram, Stanford</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/christian-koloko" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Koloko, Arizona</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/johnny-juzang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Johnny Juzang, UCLA</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/jabari-walker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jabari Walker, Colorado</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/jaime-jaquez-jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/isaiah-mobley" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaiah Mobley, USC</a>
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

Nearing the end of the NCAA regular season, Derek Murray takes a dive into the state of the Pac-12.

State of the Conference: Evaluating the Pac-12

It's a new NBA season, which means the Sour Rankings are back!&nbsp;
Unlike the typical "power rankings" that repeat themselves throughout sports media, Sour Rankings are a bizarro-world counter. These rankings highlight the top-10 most frustrating NBA franchises throughout the season, and they will be updated every week to match the twists and turns of the league.&nbsp;
This is not merely a bottom-10 of your typical best-to-worst power rankings. You will see championship contenders and playoff hopefuls mixed in with struggling squads. Teams well-under .500 may never touch the Sour Rankings because they are on track with their respective processes. Injuries, drama, transactions and general underwhelming play will all be considered.
The central question is ultimately this: How good should you feel about the direction of each franchise? Some teams value wins this season and paths to a title, while others are looking down the road at long-term pieces.&nbsp;
This week is not a "preview" installment; it is rather a barometer of the general vibe around a franchise as things get underway. The NBA preseason is generally filled with optimism; 10 teams make the Sour Rankings, but that doesn't mean they're all in dire straits, as I'll note.
So without further ado, let's get to it!
10. Washington Wizards
Given the circumstances, the Wizards had a satisfactory 2021 offseason. They returned three rotation-caliber players from the Russell Westbrook trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, and then went out and found a strong backcourt partner for Bradley Beal in Spencer Dinwiddie.&nbsp;
Washington could be a very solid team on paper with improved depth &mdash; but is that enough to make considerable playoff noise in the Eastern Conference? Beal's looming 2022 free-agent status shines a harsh spotlight on the current Wizards. Their star has stuck it out through multiple years of mediocrity. Maybe he'll re-up with the team that drafted him, but Beal would undoubtedly appreciate some serious postseason contention before having to decide.
9. Indiana Pacers
The injury bug simply will not let go of the Pacers. T.J. Warren still appears to be a ways off from recovering from a foot injury that held him to just four games last season. Caris LeVert will <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2021/10/16/pacers-caris-levert-getting-closer-but-miss-first-four-games/8489876002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly miss at least the first four games</a> of the regular season as he works to return from a stress fracture in his back. These are two top-scoring options out of the short-term picture.
Indiana largely opted to stay the course in a suddenly crowded East. The Pacers can't afford to fall behind early, and these absences certainly won't help.
8. New Orleans Pelicans
Another team hampered by health, this ranking is entirely due to Zion Williamson's injury status. The superstar forward has suffered a sprained knee, torn meniscus and foot fracture in the past years, and is now without a return timetable as he recovers from that foot surgery. Without Williamson, the Pelicans are nowhere near the playoff sleeper they could be &mdash; even with a new head coach and some positive roster moves. They need their centerpiece, and his <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/we-should-be-worried-about-zion-williamson-ability-to-stay-healthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">developing pattern of injuries is concerning</a>.
7. Phoenix Suns
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Mikal Bridges on being there for Deandre Ayton after not signing a new contract: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s way more mature with everything. He has great people around him. I try to do the best I can to clear his mind, but it&rsquo;s tough. .. Being around him every single day, I don&rsquo;t want to lose that.&rdquo;
&mdash; Evan Sidery (@esidery) <a href="https://twitter.com/esidery/status/1450186692871135232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Three hours before writing this, I would not have remotely considered the Suns to be in the Sour Rankings. But the rookie extension deadline has passed without Deandre Ayton securing a long-term deal, the first No. 1 pick since Anthony Bennett not to do so.
Suns general manager James Jones did not negotiate a maximum contract extension with the Bahamian big man, perhaps at the direction of team owner Robert Sarver &mdash; but the team did agree to a 4-year, $43 million extension with draft classmate Landry Shamet. As Evan Sidery <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/news/authors/evan-sidery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote in regards to Ayton</a>, that's blasphemous, and it could fragment an extremely fun, likable Phoenix squad.
6. Sacramento Kings
Your 2021 Las Vegas Summer League champs are back to fight the longest postseason drought in the league. The Kings are making strides with their young talent, highlighted by the preseason success of No. 9 overall pick Davion Mitchell, and retained a core piece in Richaun Holmes.&nbsp;
But does it feel like Sacramento is any closer to the playoffs? Buddy Hield was all-but-traded to the Lakers, and his future is now uncertain as the Kings see if a De'Aaron Fox-Tyrese-Haliburton-Mitchell lineup has potential. What about 2018 No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III, who was not extended at Monday's deadline? He's as big of a question mark as one can exist among young prospects league-wide.&nbsp;
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
There's definitely reason for optimism with the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards had a phenomenal second half to the 2020-21 season and an overall stellar rookie year. Karl-Anthony Towns can be rid of the awful, awful year-plus he has endured personally. D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley can get buckets, Jaden McDaniels and Jarred Vanderbilt are intriguing defensive pieces and Chris Finch had a summer to prep for all of this as head coach.&nbsp;
But the Gersson Rosas firing and fallout feels all too Timberwolves-y. It's yet another reset for Towns, who was vocally frustrated at training camp. Is the front office in position to guide the team with the season about to start?&nbsp;
4. Portland Trail Blazers
Larry Nance Jr.'s acquisition partially salvaged what was a wildly terrible offseason in Portland between the Chauncey Billups hiring and the Damian Lillard trade rumors. It appears Lillard is content to stick with the Blazers this season and see how the team operates under its first-year head coach. That's admirable, but it also means the entire season will be laced with tension.
Portland should run back a fun, high-scoring offense. Will the defense improve with Nance in the frontcourt? That's the big question. If not, the Blazers will return to playoff mediocrity and potentially push Lillard closer to the exit door.&nbsp;
3. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks were one of my picks for the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/roundtable-which-nba-team-had-the-worst-offseason" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worst NBA offseason</a> (Jackson Frank also picked them), and nothing in recent weeks has made me feel any better. Mark me down as adamantly opposed to the Jason Kidd hiring. Reggie Bullock is a fine individual player; he is not going to dramatically alter things on the offensive end. Plus, Dallas recently released 2020 draft pick Tyrell Terry, and we haven't seen much of 2020 first-rounder Josh Green. Where does the optimism come from outside of Luka Doncic?
2. Brooklyn Nets
I'm not going to get deep into the Kyrie Irving situation from a public health perspective, celebrity responsibility perspective or general common sense perspective. I don't have anything major to add to those discussions, other than to reinforce that Irving is carelessly and dangerously misusing his power as a public figure.&nbsp;
This section is about the Nets, who are paying the price for Irving's choices. The NBA title should have traveled through Brooklyn and its Big Three, and the Nets are still an elite basketball team with improved depth. But, remove an All-NBA-caliber player and the ceiling significantly lowers. Instead of being the overwhelming favorite, the Nets have become just another contender.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons has given us the Hollywood trade drama we had missed since, well, last winter. Simmons was <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/ben-simmons-thrown-out-of-practice-suspended-philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tossed out of practice and suspended Tuesday</a>, so the months-long firestorm appears to still be getting hotter. But while that's a win for NBA/TMZ crossover fans, it's a serious loss for the 76ers, who now have to take this show into the regular season.
Joel Embiid has never played more than 64 games in a season, and is coming off of two shortened offseasons sandwiching an East Finals run. That should cause concern. The backcourt is fun, but nowhere near close to replicating Simmons' impact. Maybe Simmons actually does suit up in games &mdash; will he bring a positive on-court presence to a team that has publicly denounced his game?
Until Philly finally makes a trade &mdash; and who knows when it could happen &mdash; the Sixers' season could range from awkward to disastrous.

Ethan Fuller ranks the top-10 most frustrating NBA franchises ahead of the season.

NBA Sour Rankings: Chaos among the contenders?

No baseline roaming today, folks, but I did want to take a page from that particular book. I recently wrote a piece on my <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/opening-weekend-thoughts-on-nba-2k22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initial thoughts on NBA 2K22</a>. It was a mostly positive experience at the time, and I'm proud to announce that I still feel that way after more time with the game.
This is the most fun I've had with a 2K since probably 2K19. There's a lot of depth to this year's edition, and the gameplay tweaks to defense have appealed to my nerdy side. We're on the up-and-up.
While I'm having fun and generally believe the game to be good, that doesn't mean there aren't flaws to poke at. In what feels like a yearly tradition on my end, I must dig into the ratings.
This is a "duh" thing to say, but the most important part of a basketball game are, well, the basketball players. The appeal of 2K is supposed to be it's realism at the end of the day: from the player models, to their signature moves and styles, and ultimately, how closely they perform to their real-life counterparts.
The good folks at 2K nail most of this stuff. You can honestly get lost in the amount of animations available to make players shoot, dribble, and even dunk like they do in the real world. The actual player models are tremendous. As much as the "added sweat" meme is a thing, you have to tip your cap at how realistic the players look.
(Well, the NBA players at least. I'd love to see more done on the WNBA side. Seriously, <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1436189173522878464?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">look at Atlanta Dream guard Chennedy Carter</a>. I get the Dream want to pretend like she doesn't exist, but she does, and that should be apparent in the game.)
Where the game falls a bit short for me is how the players are rated. I don't necessarily mean the overall ratings; that's arbitrary enough to where it genuinely doesn't mean much. It's a yearly tradition to get upset about the early rating releases before the game officially dropped.
Here's a thought exercise, though: give a detailed explanation of the difference between an 87 overall and an 88 overall. I'll give you some time.
Go on.
Uh huh.&nbsp;
I rest my case.
When I say player ratings in this context, I mean the nitty gritty stuff. The individual stuff like "perimeter defense." Not the just badge layout, but the badge level given -- or not given. I mean player tendencies most of all. Having the James Harden (double) stepback in the game means nothing if he actually doesn't do it when you face him, for example.
I found myself getting so frustrated with botched tendencies and higher-than-it-should-be ratings that I started making my own rosters. I'm in the midst of doing so now, but I wanted to peel the curtain back into some of the things that have to be altered. I starteed a <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1440043942427299840?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter thread</a> detailing some of the mishaps, but here are a few more that have stood out as I've begun the roster editing process.
KINGS CENTER RICHAUN HOLMES: NO "TEAR DROPPER" BADGE
I'll start here because this is the one I can be swayed to leniency on. Holmes does have a 95 "Close Shot" rating, with the stat being defined as the "ability to shoot when standing still out to 10 feet from the basket."&nbsp;
Within that context, I could see why they went that route versus giving him the badge. How exactly do you define Holmes' push shot in the game? Is that just a close shot animation, or is it an actual floater that gamers should be looking to trigger?&nbsp;
Considering you can't choose specific floaters like you could in past games -- why can't you do this anymore, by the way? -- it would appear 2K played it safe. It's just a bit odd that a guy who, per Synergy, converted over 61% of his runners on the fifth-highest volume in the league (184 attempts) doesn't have a badge to show for it.
PISTONS GUARD CADE CUNNINGHAM: "DISH TO OPEN MAN" TENDENCY IS A 35
Cade Cunningham has yet to play in an official NBA game to this point, but he's one of the most heralded prospects in recent memory. Arguably his most prolific trait as a player is his passing ability. At 6-foot-7, he has the luxury of seeing over the top of defenses and flinging darts across the lot. There isn't a pass that he doesn't have in his bag, so it's a bit baffling that the 2K read on him is that he just ... won't hit open guys.
This feels like a case of inputing his assist numbers from his lone year at Oklahoma State without even a hint of context.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there aren't ten Pistons more willing to hit open teammates than Cade.
LAKERS GUARD RUSSELL WESTBROOK: HIGH LEVEL DEFENDER
I feel like we do this every 2K with Russell Westbrook. I honestly feel for the ratings guys because it's not an easy needle to thread.
On the right night, or even in the right quarter, Westbrook can be an absolute menace on the defensive end. He moves incredibly well laterally, has quick hands, is strong, and can flat-out bully opposing guards.&nbsp;
In that same game, he can die on a screen and flat-out give up on it. He can offer weak contests. Teams can exploit him off the ball due to his tendency to ball-watch.
The "best" solution here would be to give him a solid on-ball rating, a relatively low one in the "help defense IQ" one, and a middling rating in "defensive consistency" since the possession-by-possession variance is pretty high with him.
Instead, Westbrook has an 83, an 80, and an 80 in the three ratings, respectively. I can't say I get that. The 83 in perimeter defense is even wilder when you consider he outpaces guys like Mikal Bridges (82), De'Anthony Melton (81), TJ McConnell (82), and Pascal Siakam (79); he also shares that 83 with Lu Dort, Draymond Green, and Fred VanVleet.
STRAY THOUGHTS
<ul>
<li>Jimmy Butler had the worst shooting season of his career and was rewarded with an 84 mid-range rating and a 75 3-ball. Sure.</li>
<li>On top of Bridges' defensive rating being too low, having that while giving his teammate Chris Paul a 90 is ... I'll be respectful, but come on. We know what we watched.</li>
<li>Karl-Anthony Towns having a 60 in pass accuracy, which puts him 11th on his own team, is pretty freaking wild.</li>
<li>Based on his tendencies, Trae Young is more likely to receive an alley-oop (25) than he is to throw one (10). I don't think I need to say more than that.</li>
<li>Bouncing off the Cade point, 2K cover boy Luka Doncic (60) is not the most willing passer on his own team. That honor belongs to Tyrell Terry (65). Sure.</li>
<li>Keldon Johnson's "attack strong on drive" tendency being a 50 seems woefully low based on the way he plays. He only passed on 21.2% of his drives last season, per <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?Season=2020-21&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;TeamID=1610612759&amp;sort=DRIVE_PASSES_PCT&amp;dir=-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Second Spectrum tracking data</a>.</li>
<li>I am amused by Dwight Howard not having the highest "hard foul" tendency (41). With a 76, that honor belongs to [checks notes] Wolves rookie Leandro Bolmaro???</li>
</ul>

Nekias Duncan gives his thoughts on some controversial ratings in NBA 2K22.

Things That Make You Go 'Hmmm': 2K Edition

In discussing his new role as Managing Director of USA Basketball, seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill said a mouthful when looking back at what transpired this summer with the United States men's national team and the Tokyo Olympics. Also, he called Kevin Durant &ldquo;maybe the best offensive player of all-time.&rdquo;
That may not sit well with his old rivals in Michael Jordan and Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal among others, but anyone who watched Durant lead the American team to the gold medal would at least say that Hill has a valid argument as he plunges into his newest job.
&ldquo;What is encouraging is that we had the best offensive player, maybe of all-time, wanting to be a part of it, along with a lot of our best young guys wanting to be a part of it,&rdquo; Hill told BasketballNews.com in his first interview since taking over the USA Basketball position previously held by Jerry Colangelo. &ldquo;I do believe there is a widespread excitement and desire to be a part of it.&rdquo;
Colangelo stepped down following the Olympics after being at the helm for 15 years and winning four Olympic gold medals. Now, Hill must first decide who will replace Gregg Popovich as head coach and who will play for the team that will have to qualify for the World Cup beginning in November. Jeff Van Gundy, who handled coaching duties when the Americans qualified for the 2019 World Cup in China and became the chief U.S. scout for the Tokyo Olympics afterward, would seem like a likely candidate if he can get clearance from his broadcasting duties at ESPN and ABC.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
The next competition for Team USA is the 2023 World Cup of Basketball, which will be contended in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan &ndash; the first time multiple nations have played host to the event. And though it may be a challenge to get a team of top American professionals to commit to playing in those far-flung locales, Hill said he will definitely field a team of NBA players, despite suggestions from some corners that the Americans should use a team that has already competed under the Team USA banner (such as the Under-19 team led by Chet Holmgren, a Gonzaga recruit who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft).
&ldquo;Every generation of players is different, so the challenge is what can we do to make it interesting and welcoming so that players will want to be a part of it,&rdquo; Hill said. &ldquo;I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and making it work.&rdquo;
Presumably, the coach who ends up leading Team USA at the 2023 World Cup will also be the head coach for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, when Durant &ndash; if he so chooses &ndash; will have a chance to go for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Whether that will happen is a long way from being determined, and Durant will have had two more seasons to try to bring the Brooklyn Nets franchise its first NBA championship.
What Hill expects to be difficult is keeping expectations in line with reality, something Popovich and his predecessor, Mike Krzyzewski, dealt with over the past decade-and-a-half. There is a segment of the basketball-viewing public that expects American teams to dominate the competition, but in reality the American teams have been challenged and defeated at numerous events, including the 2002 World Championship in Indianapolis, the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the 2006 World Championship in Japan and the 2019 World Cup in China. It even happened during training camp this summer when they lost exhibition games against Nigeria and Australia. That was, however, before the roster was tweaked and the team came together over the course of the Olympics, peaking at the end and defeating France 87-82 for the gold medal.
Hill was a member of the first U.S. team that was challenged &ndash; the 1996 Olympic squad that competed in Atlanta and had its hands full in the first half of the gold-medal game against Yugoslavia before pulling away in the second half.
&ldquo;What I remember most were the personalities on that team: Charles Barkley, Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton," Hill recalled. "It was always fun to be together as a group, just constant laughs, and back then, guys did not know each other as well as they do nowadays because there was no social media and guys played on different teams, and they were just not as connected.
"But I remember the practices were incredible. I went up against Scottie Pippen every day, and all of us formed a bond and a connection that has lasted 25 years."
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/px8jVDPjqjQ" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Two years from now, and then again the following summer, similar bonds will be formed by players to be determined. Whether they return to the United States with gold medals remains to be seen, but Hill sounded a cautionary tone when he noted that last season&rsquo;s NBA Most Valuable Player, Nikola Jokic, and his runner-up, Joel Embiid, were non-Americans. This year's NBA Finals MVP (Giannis Antetokounmpo) and NBA Defensive Player of the Year (Rudy Gobert) were international stars as well.
Hill also spoke about his role as the secretary of the National Basketball Retired Players Association&rsquo;s Legends Care initiative, which earlier this year awarded five $10,000 scholarships to students who will be attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the fall.
&ldquo;I was very involved in picking the finalists,&rdquo; Hill said. "And in reading the essays and looking at the students' histories, you hate to narrow it down because they are all inspiring, all deserving in many ways. We look forward to doing this for years to come. We looked at everything from GPAs to hardships growing up, how some endured gun violence, some had low household income. When you see what they&rsquo;ve endured, it&rsquo;s wonderful to see who these students actually are."
Here are the "Starting Five&rdquo; of the Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program:
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Damon Germaine Bryan Jr.</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="3">South Carolina State University, Class of 2022&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Major: Criminal Justice&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Born and raised in the projects of Charleston, SC, he plans to use his major to develop a youth center that would offer a safe space with services &ndash; such as mentoring &ndash; and college scholarships to help youth realize their potential and build for their future outside of their current constraints.</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="2">Saniya Keeton&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="3">Tuskegee University, Class of 2023&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Major: Animal Science&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Only 2.1% of veterinary medicine professionals are people of color. She plans to use her major to become a veterinarian, adding to the diversity of the field and showing BIPOC &ndash; especially children and young adults &ndash; that this is a field for them.</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="2">Tyrell Miller-Johnson&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="3">Central State University, Class of 2023&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Major: Psychology&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">He enlisted into the U.S. Army in 2017 after his high school graduation, and has deployed on missions to help others affected by hurricanes, tornados, COVID-19 and other disasters/crises. One deployment involved his providing security for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. He plans to use his major to help educate teens and high-school students that the entire world is open to them and to teach them about college-alternative pathways such as learning a trade, becoming an entrepreneur, military service, etc.</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="2">Erin Foster&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="3">Spelman College, Class of 2024&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Major: Political Science&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Fewer than 5% of federal judges are women of color. She plans to use her major to go to law school, become a federal judge and start removing the gender and racial disparities in the field.</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="2">Jayla Imani Thornton&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="3">North Carolina A&amp;T State University, Class of 2024&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">Major: Political Science&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="3">She currently interns for Congresswoman Kathy Manning, and plans to use her major to go to law school and become a civil rights lawyer to combat and eradicate systemic racism and the oppression of minorities in America.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</ul>
The five Legends Scholars will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship from the NBRPA for the 2021-22 school year. In addition to addressing the financial needs of Legends Scholars, a comprehensive scholars program will assist Legends Scholars in the areas of career preparation and development, job placement and mentoring both during and after their undergraduate years.
The Legends HBCU Scholarship and Legends Scholars program was created in 2020 under the NBRPA&rsquo;s Legends Care initiative as a way to honor the rich history of HBCUs and their alums while moving the legacy forward by supporting current HBCU undergraduates.

In his first interview since becoming USA Basketball's managing director, Grant Hill discusses what's next for Team USA.

Grant Hill shares widespread excitement surrounding USA Basketball

In a <a href="https://theathletic.com/2649806/2021/06/14/inside-the-mavericks-front-office-mark-cubans-shadow-gm-is-causing-a-rift-with-luka-doncic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thorough insider article from Tim Cato and Sam Amick of&nbsp;The Athletic</a>, it was revealed that Dallas Mavericks front office member Haralabos Voulgaris has a wide scope of power in team circles -- and that has lead to some frustration from parts of the team, including franchise centerpiece Luka Doncic.&nbsp;
In one note, Cato and Amick point to last year's draft:
"Multiple league and team sources point to the 2020 draft as a particularly egregious example of Voulgaris&rsquo; power, an evening one source described as 'embarrassing,'" the story says. "Most members of the scouting department joined the team&rsquo;s war room remotely through Zoom and were surprised when Voulgaris, attending in person, didn&rsquo;t consult them for either of the team&rsquo;s first two selections (Josh Green and Tyrell Terry) despite disagreements they held with at least one of the players he picked.
"'What did (he) sell to Mark to make him believe (he) can do this?' asks one source with an intimate knowledge of the situation. 'Nobody knows.'"
The article also says that Voulgaris even had power over transactions and rotation decisions, despite his unassuming title of "director of quantitative research and development."
According to the report, Voulgaris was the motivator behind the Mavericks' acquisitions of Seth Curry and Delon Wright, and he pushed for head coach Rick Carlisle to start Wright in the 2019-20 season-opener. Wright never started a game after the first night.
Voulgaris has frustrated Doncic on a number of occasions, per the story. The young star still plans to sign the $200 million maximum rookie extension.
But as Cato and Amick wrote, "a high-level power broker within the league says the Mavericks recognize that there&rsquo;s urgency to build a contending team around Doncic after losing in the first round in each of the past two seasons. The clock is ticking."
UPDATE: Mark Cuban denied several elements of this story in <a href="https://www.ballysports.com/national/news/luka-s-my-guy-mark-cuban-refutes-report-of-doncic-s-discontent-in-dallas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with Bally Sports</a>: &ldquo;Luka&rsquo;s my guy. I listen to him like I listen to Dirk (Nowitzki). It&rsquo;s trash. It&rsquo;s a reason they didn&rsquo;t reach out to me (because) they didn&rsquo;t want me to question the validity of the story.&rdquo;

Voulgaris has reportedly frustrated members of the team, including star Luka Doncic.

Mavs executive Haralabos Voulgaris made rotation calls, tuned out scouts

After six and a half seasons, and one five-game playoff berth in between, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has finally had enough of his environment. The Athletic&rsquo;s Jared Weiss and Sam Amick reported that Gordon <a href="https://theathletic.com/2468679/2021/03/22/will-the-celtics-trade-for-aaron-gordon-sources-say-a-deal-has-been-discussed/">formally requested a trade</a> on Monday. On Tuesday night, The Athletic&rsquo;s Josh Robbins <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/aaron-gordon-speaks-on-trade-request-orlando-magic">asked</a> Gordon for his reasoning.
&ldquo;I mean, there&rsquo;s been times where I just expressed my frustration to management,&rdquo; Gordon says. &ldquo;Frustration with the losses, injuries, the way we&rsquo;ve been playing, how we&rsquo;ve been playing and how many losses have accumulated over the years. It&rsquo;s just my frustration kind of boiling over, I would say. And I think a lot of people share that sentiment with me, of frustration.&rdquo;
Gordon wants a winning situation, a big &ldquo;duh&rdquo; for anyone who has endured as many losses as he has. He reportedly also wants the marketability that comes with being in a better situation, which is also a fair desire for a 25-year-old high flyer.
WHAT GORDON PROVIDES
The basic scouting report on Gordon is that he&rsquo;s an athletic marvel on both ends of the floor. That, of course, undersells what he can do.
Very quietly, Gordon is one of the most versatile defenders in the sport, able to credibly defend 2-through-4.&nbsp;
Though he&rsquo;s at his best using his strength to body power wings like Jimmy Butler, he also has the lateral chops to mirror a guard for a few slides:
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/gordon-vs-harden.gif" alt="" width="513" height="287" />
Gordon possesses pretty wild recovery speed for a guy his size. Getting a step doesn&rsquo;t always mean getting an advantage:
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/jb.gif" alt="" />
Because of his rare blend of strength, lateral quickness, leaping ability, and feel, Gordon can fit in just about any defensive scheme. He has the chops to switch a bunch of actions, and has the off-ball awareness to operate as a cleanup man on the weak side.&nbsp;
Offensively, we&rsquo;ve never seen Gordon consistently optimized. There are passing chops hidden in plain sight, especially when flowing out of short-roll situations. This season, the Magic have given him career-high pick-and-roll usage.
It&rsquo;s mostly been a disaster, ranking in the 18th percentile in overall pick-and-roll play, per Synergy. Dig a little deeper, and you&rsquo;ll see he ranks in the 50th percentile in points per possession generated with passes. And that ranking is watered down by his screener converting a ghastly 44 percent of their shots.
Look at the film, and you&rsquo;ll see Gordon attempting to manipulate help defenders and alternating speeds with his passes. Nobody would confuse him with Luka Doncic, but there&rsquo;s generally a pass or two per game that make you go &ldquo;hmmm.&rdquo;
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/gordon-live-dribble-feed.gif" alt="" width="522" height="293" />
Double-hi set for the Magic here, and Gordon waits out the switch. PJ Washington stumbles and frees Nikola Vucevic in the process, but Gordon made that live-dribble feed look a lot easier than it was. The cross back to his right shifted Bismack Biyombo just enough to open the window for the Vucevic pass.
While the lead initiator reps are intriguing, Gordon remains at his best as a play-finisher. He&rsquo;s becoming a better shooter, draining a career-high 39.3% of his triples. The same athleticism that nearly won him a pair of dunk contests is able to shine through when paired with a solid guard. The issue is that he hasn&rsquo;t consistently been paired with one. Shift Gordon&rsquo;s usage from initiator to play-finisher more often, and you&rsquo;re bound to see his efficiency numbers skyrocket on a new team.
WHERE HE FITS
The Boston Celtics appear to be the frontrunners for Gordon at this juncture. They&rsquo;re equipped with a massive Traded Player Exception, rookie-deal prospects that just won&rsquo;t get meaningful reps for a team trying to compete now, and <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Celtics.htm">all of their first-rounders</a> moving forward.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Gordon would certainly fit in Boston&rsquo;s switch-a-ton style. The prospect of Gordon, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart -- if he isn&rsquo;t included in the deal -- closing out games together would be a nightmare for opposing offenses. Teams have had success trapping Tatum, Brown, and even the good-but-recovering Kemba Walker in high-ball screens. It would be a lot harder to do that with Gordon operating as a short-roll playmaker.
Another team that has been linked to Gordon is the Denver Nuggets. Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported that <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2021/03/23/nuggets-harrison-barnes-kings-forward-harrison-barnes-trade-deadline/">there is interes</a>t in the versatile forward, and it&rsquo;s easy to see why. While the Celtics opt to switch, the Nuggets show their centers high in pick-and-roll. That puts strain on the backline of the defense to rotate and rim protect. Gordon can do that.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/f.gif" alt="" width="519" height="291" />
Offensively, he&rsquo;d almost never be tasked with initiating offense. Nikola Jokic controls the offense; Jamal Murray is a pull-up artist who can draw two to the ball when he gets going. All Gordon would have to do is fill open space, either as a screener or cutter, and he would be able to feast.&nbsp;
Like the Celtics, the Nuggets have young prospects (RJ Hampton, Zeke Nnaji, Bol Bol) who aren&rsquo;t ready to contribute to playoff basketball. The Nuggets have control of all but one of their <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Nuggets.htm">future first-round picks</a>. Sending one of Will Barton or Gary Harris, a prospect and a first should be enough to at least get the conversation going.&nbsp;
How about the Portland Trail Blazers as a fit? They could use another versatile defender at forward, and Gordon&rsquo;s playmaking would vibe well with the attention Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum warrant. The Blazers would have to be willing to move their 2023 first and likely another, but they do have middling salaries (Rodney Hood + Zach Collins gets you there) and young pieces (Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little) to cobble together something intriguing.&nbsp;
Ditto could be said for the Dallas Mavericks, though they&rsquo;d have an easier time matching salaries than they would coming up with assets the Magic would want.&nbsp;
Their pick situation is <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Mavericks.htm">murky in the short-term</a> because of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. As far as rookie-scale prospects, would they be willing to part with two of the Jalen Brunson/Josh Green/Tyrell Terry trio? Would that even be enough for Orlando? Still, it&rsquo;s fun to imagine what Gordon would look like playing off of the strengths of Doncic and Porzingis.

After requesting a trade from the Magic, Aaron Gordon may be on the move. Nekias Duncan examines possible destinations for the forward.

Examining possible landing spots for Aaron Gordon

Nekias Duncan looks ahead to how the five teams in the Southwest Division will fare in the upcoming NBA season.

2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division

Ethan Fuller breaks down the state of each NBA franchise and ranks the most frustrating teams ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season.

NBA 'Sour' Rankings: Preseason Prelude

The 2020 NBA Draft forged ahead on Wednesday night with a rapid-fire second round that saw a bevy of smaller trades go down.
But one move stuck out from the rest. The Philadelphia 76ers dealt two-way wing Josh Richardson to the Dallas Mavericks, along with pick No. 36, in exchange for sweet-shooting bench guard Seth Curry. Dallas ended up with two picks in the 30s, leading off the round by drafting Stanford guard Tyrell Terry and then taking Colorado forward Tyler Bey at pick No. 36.&nbsp;
In a draft that lacked star power, but fields fantastic depth, franchises had plenty of chances to find quality rotation players in the second round. My five favorite selections, with a breakdown of their team fits, are below:&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pick 31. Dallas Mavericks: Tyrell Terry (G), Stanford
The Mavericks' next step to title contention is surrounding Luka Doncic with outlet sharpshooters. Frankly, Terry would have been a great selection at No.18 for the Mavs. Instead, they land him 13 picks later, making the Stanford guard a clear steal.
Terry drilled 40.8 percent of his three-pointers at Stanford and is one of the best pure shooters in the class. He'll play off the ball in the NBA, but Terry can make quality reads as a passer. Though he's undersized at 6-foot-3, Terry makes up for his slight frame with tenacious effort and awareness.
Pick 35. Memphis Grizzlies (from SAC): Xavier Tillman (C/F), Michigan State
Memphis now boasts a Swiss Army Knife of a frontcourt. The Grizzlies have a bruiser in Jonas Valanciunas, a lengthy shot-maker in Jaren Jackson Jr. and an athletic marvel in Brandon Clarke.&nbsp;
In his own dimension, Tillman brings defensive versatility, leadership and NBA-ready court awareness. Unlike most second-round picks, the Michigan State big man could feasibly bypass the NBA G League and earn a spot on the Grizzlies' roster right away. Memphis is nearing playoff contention, and the exciting young franchise needs steady basketball minds such as Tillman.
Pick 40. Sacramento Kings (from MEM) : Robert Woodard (F), Mississippi State
Everything about modern basketball is packaged into Robert Woodard. He possesses valuable physical attributes as a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and underrated hops. Woodard also knocked down over 42 percent of his triples as a sophomore, albeit on a small sample size. He can realistically defend positions 2-through-4 at the NBA level and is the prototypical 3-and-D forward. Sacramento nailed this selection.
Pick 49. Philadelphia 76ers: Isaiah Joe (SG), Arkansas
At long last, the 76ers addressed their shooting woes with a venegance on Wednesday night. But the success extends beyond acquiring Seth Curry. Philly also nabbed a premier long-range threat in Isaiah Joe. Though he was less efficient as a sophomore, Joe lit up the arc for the Razorbacks, canning over 200 threes across two years.&nbsp;
The concerns with Joe center on his healthy and fragile frame at approximately 165 pounds. If he can put on more muscle, the young shooter can be a dynamic weapon for Ben Simmons and other Sixers' playmakers.
Pick 60. Milwaukee Bucks: Sam Merrill (PG), Utah State
Merrill fits seamlessly with what the Bucks have valued as guard sparks. He plays a similar game to Donte DiVincenzo; both can score are all levels, play with pace and hustle on both ends. Merrill may not have the upside to be a safety valve for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he can certainly come off the bench and give the Bucks an offensive boost.
The Utah State product has limited upside at age-24. But with the Bucks all-in on a title, Merrill is yet another roster-ready piece to bolster the team's depth.&nbsp;

A number of NBA teams found serious value in the second round, from Tyrell Terry to Sam Merrill.

2020 NBA Draft: Recapping the second round's best value picks

With the 2020 NBA Draft just two weeks away, our Matt Babcock updated his mock draft and provided his thoughts on each player. Some of the risers include Kira Lewis Jr. (Alabama) and Zeke Nnaji (Arizona), while some of the fallers include Aleksej Pokusevski (Olympiacos) and Leandro Bolmaro (FC Barcelona):
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
At 6'5" and a strong 225 pounds, Anthony Edwards has perhaps the most upside in this year's draft. Edwards' raw talent was on full display at the Maui Invitational in November when he scored 33 points in one half versus Michigan State. Although he has significant room for growth in regards to his overall maturity as a player, his uncanny ability to hit tough shots from all over the court gives him the potential to be a special player.
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
Although James Wiseman is 7'1" and 240 pounds with an impressive 7'6" wingspan, he should not be considered a throwback, big-bodied center (which is somewhat of a dying breed). Instead, Wiseman is extremely athletic for a player his size. He also has an underrated skill level, and he can be a major contributor for a team right off the bat. That&rsquo;s why he is the first big man off the board.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Onyeka Okongwu, C/PF, USC
Commonly referred to as the "Big O," Onyeka Okongwu had a terrific freshman campaign for the USC Trojans, averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He's an undersized center that can serve as a defensive anchor for a team. He's also a legitimate scoring threat who's capable of displaying fancy footwork and a soft touch with both hands around the rim. He's extremely strong and explosive, which allows him to be an effective rim protector and powerful finisher. Comparisons to the Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo have been drawn regularly for good reason.
4. Chicago Bulls: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
The youngest brother of the Ball family, LaMelo comes to the NBA with lofty expectations. At 6'7", Ball has terrific size for a point guard. He has the ball on a string and a knack to make spectacular plays. Despite concerns of immaturity, Ball's talent is undeniable -- look for him to be the first point guard taken in the 2020 NBA Draft.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/obi_lg.jpg" alt="" width="802" height="AUTO" />
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
After not receiving an invite to the NBA Draft Combine following his freshman season, Obi Toppin returned to Dayton for his sophomore year and he put on a show from start to finish, subsequently being named the National College Player of the Year. At 6'9", Toppin is a high-flyer who throws down jaw-dropping dunks reminiscent of former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire. He's also a capable outside shooter, as he shot a stellar 39% from three-point range. Already 22 years old, Toppin is probably the most NBA-ready player in the draft and could be considered an early favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
6. Atlanta Hawks: Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
A product of the famed Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, Deni Avdija has already gained valuable professional experience in the Euroleague (the best league in the world outside of the NBA). At 6'9", Avdija is extremely versatile as a hybrid forward and he's also a capable ballhandler and playmaker who is deceptively athletic. In a draft with significant international talent, Avdija is certainly the cream of the crop.
7. Detroit Pistons: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
After entering his freshman season at Alabama as the second-youngest Division-I player in the country (at 17 years old), he returned for his sophomore season and did not disappoint. Perhaps the fastest player in the draft, Lewis Jr. averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game this past season for the Crimson Tide. Comparisons have been drawn to former NBA player Darren Collison.
8. New York Knicks: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
Perhaps the best overall athlete in the entire NBA draft, Isaac Okoro steps into the NBA from Auburn with a reputation of being an exceptional defender that's capable of defending multiple positions effectively. Although he possesses a relatively simple game on the offensive end, he does have a good feel for how to play. If he is able to improve his outside shooting, watch out; Okoro could end up being a big-time player.
9. Washington Wizards: Devin Vassell, SG/SF, Florida State
Devin Vassell is a long wing that is capable of playing the shooting guard or small forward positions, effectively. On the offensive end, he reminds me of Jeremy Lamb of the Indiana Pacers. He's a capable shooter from outside, has a good mid-range game, and can finish around the rim as well.&nbsp; On the defensive end, he uses his length and instincts to be a high level defender. Overall, Vassell is a solid, well-rounded player, that does not make many mistakes. He would be easy to plug into just about any team's roster.
10. Phoenix Suns: Killian Hayes, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm
After playing in France for years, Killian Hayes decided to move to Germany this last year to play for Ratiopharm Ulm - a decision that certainly paid off, as Hayes took a major step in his development, progressing as a playmaker and scorer. With good size for a point guard at 6'5", whichever team lands the left-handed Hayes should be able to pencil him in as their point guard of the future. If he's able to continue to develop his outside shooting, the future could be extremely bright for Hayes.
11. San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams, PF/SF, Florida State
Patrick Williams had somewhat of an up-and-down freshman year for the Florida State Seminoles, but the hybrid forward oozes talent and upside. He's a capable shooter from outside, a strong finisher at the rim and a versatile defender. Williams fits the modern style of basketball, as he's able to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. It remains to be seen if he will be able to contribute at a high level early on in his NBA career, but if he develops properly, he could be one of the better players in this year's draft in a few years.
12. Sacramento Kings: Aaron Nesmith, SF/SG, Vanderbilt
Aaron Nesmith is likely the best shooter in this year's draft. Prior to a season-ending foot injury in January, Nesmith dazzled with his shooting performances, averaging 23 points per game while shooting 52.2% from three-point range in 14 games for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He's from the same high school as NBA All-Star Khris Middleton in Charleston, South Carolina.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/tyy_lg.jpg" alt="" width="792" height="AUTO" />
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Iowa State
After averaging 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game for the Iowa State Cyclones this past season, Tyrese Haliburton will look to contribute right away in the NBA. At 6'5", Haliburton is capable of playing on or off the ball effectively. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and simply does not make many mistakes. Although he shoots the ball with extremely unorthodox mechanics, he knocks them down from deep at a high rate, shooting 41.9% from three-point range last year. He certainly needs to get stronger, as he is only a thin 175 pounds. But he should be a solid NBA player, at the very least.
14. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Stewart II, C/PF, Washington
At 6'9" and 250 pounds of muscle with a 7'4" wingspan, Isaiah Stewart II is a physical specimen and a brute. He would (and could) run through a brick wall, if needed. In his lone season at Washington, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Despite being utilized purely as a low-post scorer this past season, he has shown signs of having the potential to shoot the ball well from outside - a much desired attribute in today's NBA. One example: He shot 77.4% from the free-throw line.
15. Orlando Magic: RJ Hampton, SG/PG, New Zealand Breakers
After skipping college to play for the New Zealand Breakers, R.J. Hampton enters this year's draft as one of the players with the most upside. Although not a finished product, Hampton has the burst and athleticism that's seen in many star players. If he is able to develop his point guard skills, outside shooting and overall feel for the game, he could end up being a steal for whichever team selects him.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Villanova
Jay Wright's list of Villanova alumni who have had productive NBA careers continues to grow and Saddiq Bey seems to be the next in line. He's a 6'8" forward that is well-rounded, dependable and, most importantly, a high-level shooter, which was on display during his sophomore season when he scored 16.1 points per game while shooting 45.1% from three-point range. He also defended the opposing team's best player on a regular basis.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Zeke Nnaji, PF/C, Arizona
In his lone season for the Arizona Wildcats, Zeke Nnaji posted an impressive 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Pac-12 and Freshman of the Year honors. At the Combine, Nnaji measured in at 6'10" without shoes and 247.8 pounds, with a 7'2" wingspan and a 38" max vertical. Nnaji <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-draft-prospect-zeke-nnaji-arizona-wildcats-q-and-a-pac-12-basketball?fbclid=IwAR3LerQY7oOuFEQ0ZLYNmkus_sSxCYphs2l0TzJqc69ymtcZmrdWKZDpOPo">recently spoke with BasketballNews.com</a> about his game, his regimented lifestyle, why teams should pick him, his off-court interests and more.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/pad_lg.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="AUTO" />
18. Dallas Mavericks: Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
Initially, Precious Achiuwa was expected to play the majority of his minutes at power forward alongside big man James Wiseman. However, when Wiseman left the team, Achiuwa took over the big man duties and delivered. The chiseled Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, earning him AAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.
19.&nbsp;Brooklyn Nets: Jaden McDaniels, SF, Washington
Possessing terrific length for a wing at 6'9", Jaden McDaniels' versatility and playmaking abilities on both ends of the court are extremely intriguing. If he is able to get stronger and mature properly, he could be well-worth the risk, as his upside is nearly as high as any other player in the draft.
20. Miami Heat: Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
After transferring from Washington State to San Diego State, point guard Malachi Flynn led the Aztecs to a spectacular 30-2 record. After averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game, Flynn was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Flynn <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-rumors-2020-draft-malachi-flynn-san-diego-state-aztecs-matt-babcock-analysis-interview-chris-paul">recently spoke with BasketballNews.com</a> about his game, his collegiate career, his goals, the NBA players whom he&rsquo;s modeled his game after and more.
21. Philadelphia 76ers: Cole Anthony, PG/SG, North Carolina
The son of former NBA player Greg Anthony, Cole entered North Carolina for his freshman season with lofty expectations after being touted as one of the top players in his high-school class. Despite an up-and-down season, Anthony is an aggressive and dynamic scorer, which he displayed by averaging 18.5 points per game in 22 contests for the Tar Heels.&nbsp;
22. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Smith, PF/C, Maryland
At 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan, Jalen "Stix" Smith does two things very well: he blocks shots and shoots the ball from outside -- certainly a unique combination, which has NBA teams intrigued. After returning to Maryland for his sophomore season, he averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 36.8% from three-point range.
23. Utah Jazz: Elijah Hughes, SF/SG, Syracuse
An unheralded recruit out of high school and a subsequent East Carolina transfer, Elijah Hughes emerged as a star player for the Syracuse Orange during his junior season. Possessing solid size for a wing and the ability to make shots from all over the court as well as put the ball on the floor, Hughes should make a smooth transition to the NBA.
24. Milwaukee Bucks: Cassius Stanley, SG/SF, Duke
After playing as a combo guard in high school, Cassius Stanley was asked by Coach K to fill a more limited role during his freshman season at Duke, utilizing his electric athleticism in transition and focusing on spreading the floor as a spot-up shooter. His combination of elite athleticism and the ability to make shots off catch-and-shoot opportunities make him an intriguing option as a role player in the NBA (at the very least). If he develops when it comes to creating off the dribble, his value could increase dramatically.
25.&nbsp;Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski, PF/C, Olympiacos
Having displayed an incredibly high skill level this past season with the junior team of Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, Aleksej Pokusevski has caused quite a stir among NBA scouts. Standing 7-feet tall and a frail 200 pounds, "Poku" is the youngest prospect in this year's draft (and younger than many high-school seniors) at just 18 years old. He is certainly a player who falls into the category of "high-risk, high-reward," which is why he's somewhat of a polarizing prospect in terms of his draft value.
<img src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/maxey2_lg.jpg" alt="" width="793" height="AUTO" />
26. Boston Celtics: Tyrese Maxey, SG/PG, Kentucky
A top-10 RSCI prospect, Tyrese Maxey was Kentucky's second-leading scorer with 14.0 points per game. At 6'3" and 200 pounds, he has a well-developed frame, although he's a bit undersized for a shooting guard. Still, he was solid at getting to the rim. He struggled from three-point range (relative to expectations) at 29 percent.
27. New York Knicks: Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
After being ranked 88th in his high-school class, Tyrell Terry surprised everyone by posting an impressive freshman campaign at Stanford and subsequently declaring for the NBA draft. Considered to be one of the best shooters in this year's draft, Terry converted 41% from three-point range this past season. His high skill level and ability to shoot the ball has generated quite a buzz among scouts; however, due to his thin frame and lack of physicality, some concerns and questions have been raised as well.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Green, SG/SF, Arizona
A top recruit coming out of high school, Green is a plus athlete and defensive stopper with good size for a wing. In his freshman year at Arizona, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
29. Toronto Raptors: Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke
Although a bit of a throwback as a big-bodied center at 6'10" and 270 pounds, Vernon Carey Jr. had an effective freshman season for the Duke Blue Devils, as he averaged 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Some questions have been raised about his inconsistent motor. However, his talent remains intriguing.
30. Boston Celtics: Leandro Bolmaro, SG/PG, FC Barcelona
After logging legitimate Euroleague and ACB minutes this past season with FC Barcelona in Spain, the 6'7" Argentinian guard has slowly but surely moved up draft boards. Although it is unlikely that he will be coming to the NBA right away due to him extending his contract with his current club, Bolmaro could still get consideration from teams selecting in the first round.
Matt Babcock is the owner and founder of <a href="babcockhoops.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Babcock Hoops</a>, which features in-depth scouting reports, prospect interviews and more. He is also a contributor for BasketballNews.com. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/news/authors/matt-babcock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out more of his 2020 NBA Draft coverage here</a>.
Also, tune in to BasketballNews.com's Virtual Watch Party on the night of the 2020 NBA Draft (Nov. 18). Our live-stream will feature top analysts, NBA players and more special guests!

With the 2020 NBA Draft just two weeks away, Matt Babcock shares his updated mock draft. Find out who's rising and who's falling!

Matt Babcock's updated 2020 NBA mock draft (11/3): Who's rising?

Stanford's Tyrell Terry got people talking by measuring around 6'3" and weighing in at 174 pounds, a notable difference from the 6'2", 160 pounds Stanford lists him as.
I've heard Terry linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers as teams showing interest.&nbsp;
Source: <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2915414-2020-nba-draft-buzz-emerging-point-guards-and-latest-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report</a>
ANALYSIS: The freshman Stanford standout opened many eyes in his lone year with the Cardinal. He averaged over 14 points per game and knocked down above 40 percent of his triple tries. Those measurements are likely going to improve his stock considering the drastic difference in weight and extra inch in height.

The freshman Stanford standout opened many eyes in his lone year with the Cardinal.

Kyrell