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Knicks

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

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

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

Examining potential free-agent destinations for Jalen Brunson

Through two weeks of the WNBA season, where does each team stack up and what are some prime takeaways?

WNBA Power Rankings 5/22

In spite of Luka Dončić only playing half of the series, the Utah Jazz have been eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, which can only mean it&rsquo;s time to blow them up!
Okay, not really... but maybe? Virtually everyone is expecting organizational changes given the team's recent underachievement in the playoffs stemming from successful regular seasons. This incarnation of the Jazz was established in 2017-18, behind then-rookie Donovan Mitchell&rsquo;s quick rise to stardom and Rudy Gobert&rsquo;s emergence as an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
That season, Mitchell &mdash; filling the void left by Gordon Hayward &mdash; finished his first season as a 20-point-per-game scorer despite being picked No. 13 overall and averaging just over 14 points per game in his first 19 appearances. Gobert, even having played only 56 games, was awarded his first of now three DPOY awards.
In these five years, there have been as many playoff trips &mdash; three as the No. 5 seed (including this season), one as the No. 6 in the Orlando Bubble, and another as the top overall seed in the Western Conference last year.
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In 2017-18, the Jazz overachieved, taking down the Russell Westbrook-Paul George-Carmelo Anthony-led Oklahoma City Thunder in six games before losing to the No. 1 seed Houston Rockets in five contests.
In 2018-19, Utah lost to the Rockets again in five, this time in the first round, and Houston even led 3-0 with a +55 scoring margin before dropping Game 4.
In 2019-20, the Jazz squandered a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets, losing Game 7 in the final seconds of the opening round.
Last season &mdash; despite the Los Angeles Clippers losing Kawhi Leonard to a torn ACL (that he&rsquo;s still not back from) &mdash; the Jazz <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2yBy-EqnU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost in six games to the Clippers</a> in the West semifinals, and Gobert was dunked on by both Terance Mann and social media in the ending.
And finally, this postseason &mdash; in a series with Dončić missing the first three games with a calf injury, in which Utah still trailed 2-1 upon his return &mdash; Utah lost on yet another last-second heartbreaker.&nbsp;
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THE PLAYOFF DROUGHT IS OVER. THE DALLAS MAVERICKS ADVANCE TO THE SECOND ROUND SINCE 2011!<a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> | 📺 BSSW | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dALLasIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dALLasIN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/VcWGAdSOL4">pic.twitter.com/VcWGAdSOL4</a>
&mdash; Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsSW/status/1519896562079518727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Given <a href="https://twitter.com/tribjazz/status/1482077811019902980">the sniping back-and-forth between Mitchell and Gobert</a>, the Jazz's inability to break through and how far behind they appear from the top teams in the West, this seems like the summer where sizeable moves will be coming.
Personally speaking, it feels like we&rsquo;re heading toward Mitchell requesting a trade and moving on, but either way, one of Mitchell or Gobert &mdash; perhaps both &mdash; may be on the move in the coming months. Our Evan Sidery <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-rudy-gobert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently looked at five trade ideas involving Gobert</a>.
Today, let's look at where Mitchell could end up, <a href="https://fanspo.com/nba/trade-machine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">using this trade machine</a>.
Mitchell is due $30.3 million next year, $32.6 million in 2023-24, $34.9 million in 2024-25, and has a player option for $37 million in 2025-26. Keep that in mind as we embark on this journey together. (Why did I sound like Professor Oak there?)
New York Knicks
Mitchell&rsquo;s father, Donovan Sr., works with the New York Mets organization. The 25-year-old Mitchell himself is a native of Elmsford, New York. Naturally, with the New York Knicks, there will be Mitchell smoke until a deal (or something else) actually happens. Because Tommy Beer already <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/expect-the-knicks-to-make-a-real-run-at-donovan-mitchell-this-summer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke down the possibility of a Mitchell-to-New-York trade</a>, we won&rsquo;t stay here too long.
Regarding the Knicks&rsquo; actual proposal, the first look would be to RJ Barrett, who is extension eligible this summer, entering year four and making $10.9 million next year. The idea, for New York, should be to team Barrett and Mitchell together. If that&rsquo;s not possible, and the Mitchell deal were to have to get done, Barrett is your chief trade chip, along with first-round draft picks. The Knicks have all their own first-rounders as of this writing.
Usable salaries for the Knicks next year include Evan Fournier, who&rsquo;ll be at $18 million, Derrick Rose at $14.5 million, Alec Burks at $10 million, Nerlens Noel at $9.2 million and Kemba Walker at over $9.1 million. Rose, Burks and Noel all have team options for 2023-24, so they have ostensibly expiring deals. Walker&rsquo;s next season is his last under contract, and Fournier is signed through 2025, but that also includes a team option. Cam Reddish and Taj Gibson also enter the last year of their respective deals, at about $6 million and $5.1 million each, respectively.
The contract elephant in the room is Julius Randle&rsquo;s, which is a four-year, $117 million extension that begins next season at $26.1 million. It&rsquo;ll gradually increase until his player option for $32.4 million kicks in for 2025-26. The Knicks might try to move Randle instead, but what sense does that make for Utah? And if Utah isn&rsquo;t getting Barrett, would they want a package of the aforementioned veterans (say, Fournier and Burks), along with one or two of Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, or Miles McBride (who make between $1.6 and $2.3 million next year) and picks?
It&rsquo;ll be hard to do without Barrett, and maybe Randle gets involved in a three-team deal, but the Knicks have the picks, salaries and prospects to make it work, if that&rsquo;s the route the Jazz want to go.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons seem like a team that could be a version of this past season&rsquo;s Cleveland Cavaliers &mdash; not in terms of play style or once being a top-four team in the Eastern Conference standings necessarily, but from the standpoint of being competitive a year sooner than we think and playing meaningful games down the stretch (like one or two in the Play-In Tournament).
Given that 20 of 30 NBA teams will have games beyond the regular season, the Pistons may (should) attempt to get one of those spots.
Last year&rsquo;s No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is <a href="https://youtu.be/I9OLPXxgYWk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">someone you can build with</a>. Saddiq Bey should be a more efficient scorer with more experience and better teammates. Most of the rest is to be determined, but Detroit can start by using Jerami Grant&rsquo;s near $21 million expiring deal next summer.
What comes next depends on what stage the Jazz want to be closer to. If this is a rebuild, you can ask for a combination of Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo (both of whom make over $5 million next year), for example, and Hayes has a $7.4 million team option for 2023-24. If not, Kelly Olynyk has $12.8 million coming to him next year that&rsquo;s usable. Utah can in throw in, hypothetically, Royce O&rsquo;Neale&rsquo;s $9.3 million deal next year and get Olynyk anyway.
So the player framework can look something like:
<ul>
<li>Donovan Mitchell for Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk</li>
<li>Donovan Mitchell for Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo</li>
<li>Donovan Mitchell and Royce O&rsquo;Neale for Jerami Grant, Killian Hayes, Hamidou Diallo and Kelly Olynyk plus a sh*t ton of draft picks. The Pistons would be moving something like three first-rounders in the deal, and potentially multiple first-round pick swaps.</li>
</ul>
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Miami Heat
I brought this up during <a href="https://youtu.be/XBQwn0pOAa4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com's NBA Trade Deadline stream</a>.&nbsp;
The Heat didn&rsquo;t do it then, but it might still be on the table depending on how these playoffs go. The Heat might not offer the best return package because of their draft picks, but they did unlock additional firsts by moving KZ Okpala to Oklahoma City in February. And, for Miami, we&rsquo;re mainly talking about one package. But again, it depends on the results of this postseason.&nbsp;
Currently, the Heat are getting ready to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, a matchup they&rsquo;re favored to win (albeit narrowly). If they lose this particular series, or if they win and Tyler Herro continues to struggle in the playoffs, or even if Miami makes a deep run and Herro elevates from a slow start, he&rsquo;d be the primary chip in a Mitchell deal. Furthermore, the <a href="https://twitter.com/GregSylvander/status/1482101290964504580" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heat are on Mitchell&rsquo;s shortlist</a>, according to Greg Sylvander of Five Reasons Sports.
The deal, as I mentioned on our stream, would include Herro &mdash; who is still on a rookie-scale contract ($5.7 million next year), but is extension-eligible this summer and wouldn&rsquo;t kick-in until 2023. Then comes Duncan Robinson, who&rsquo;ll enter the second year of a five-year, $90 million deal next season, which bookends with a near $20 million player option and rises to $16.9 million next season.
According to the trade machine, Omer Yurtseven&rsquo;s $1.7 million next season makes the math work, and would give Utah a Gobert backup who&rsquo;ll, if nothing else, get you 10 rebounds in 15 minutes on occasion. Would the Heat have to throw in at least one of Gabe Vincent, Max Strus or Haywood Highsmith (all of whom make between $1.7 and $1.8 million next year)? Perhaps. And from there, Miami has tradeable first-rounders in 2022, 2024 and 2026. So, in summation, it could look like this:
<ul>
<li>Donovan Mitchell for Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Omer Yurtseven, one of Gabe Vincent/Max Strus/Haywood Highsmith, draft capital</li>
</ul>
But if Herro has a big playoff run moving forward, the Heat may instead opt to move Robinson in a separate, smaller deal for a worthy big man in their rotation, and mostly run it back otherwise.
Atlanta Hawks
Alright, now you saw what the Heat did to Trae Young in the first round. The Hawks clearly are not only poised to get Young some help, but make a 3-for-1-ish deal to consolidate some depth into a higher-end starter &mdash; or in the case of Mitchell, a fellow offensive starter. His teammate, Gobert, is probably the better fit, but one, I&rsquo;m not writing about Gobert (our Evan Sidery will handle that) and two, if Gobert is frustrated with Mitchell&rsquo;s defense...
But anyway, you gotta start somewhere. And for Atlanta, part of why the Heat neutralized Young is their malleability defensively, but also, the Hawks don&rsquo;t have another true star to account for on the perimeter. Mitchell would give Young a viable tag team partner offensively to spread the defensive focus. To do so, the Hawks could play this a few different ways.
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The obvious trade chip is John Collins, and there could be questions about his fit next to Gobert, but it&rsquo;s not a bad place to start if you&rsquo;re moving someone of Mitchell&rsquo;s caliber. Collins will make $23.5 million next year, and between $25.3 and $26.6 million through 2025-26. Collins has had rumored friction with Young, though they&rsquo;ve downplayed it over the years. From there, if you use Collins in a possible deal, it gets interesting.&nbsp;
De&rsquo;Andre Hunter &mdash; who makes $9.8 million next year in the last season of a rookie deal and is extension-eligible this summer &mdash; seems logical for both the Jazz to want and the Hawks to keep. Hunter was Atlanta's best player against the Heat, and has been a quality two-way wing when healthy. Is a framework of Collins and Hunter for Mitchell straight up enough of a deal for both sides? Sheeeeeiiiiit, ask them, but it sounds good to me!
<ul>
<li>Donovan Mitchell for John Collins and De'Andre Hunter</li>
</ul>
No Collins? Okay. You&rsquo;re not moving Clint Capela&rsquo;s long-term deal for Utah in a Mitchell move, so that&rsquo;s out of the picture. Kevin Huerter would absolutely have to be part of this, and no, that&rsquo;s not a white Utah joke. Hu-why would you think that?&nbsp;
Huerter begins his $65 million extension next year, the first of four, banking $14.5 million in 2022-23. Hunter probably stays in the deal because Utah has to get something really good, and the Hawks simply can&rsquo;t extend everyone. Again, Atlanta should want to keep Hunter, but this is the price of doing business. But if you&rsquo;re throwing in Huerter instead of Collins (which does work on the trade machine since different rules apply in the offseason than in-season), you&rsquo;ll need multiple first round picks &mdash; of which the Hawks have all their own &mdash; so that could get done.
Could Utah also want Onyeka Okongwu? Sure, but he seems like Atlanta's 5-man of the future, and a separate deal moving off Capela might be more likely. So the second proposal could look like this:
<ul>
<li>Donovan Mitchell for De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, draft capital</li>
</ul>
Now, the Hawks would still need to figure some things out defensively, seeing as how they&rsquo;d be led by two 6-foot-1 scorers in the backcourt. They could just became the new Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to some extent, but <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/a-salute-to-the-defiance-of-damian-lillard-and-cj-mccollum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Portland Trail Blazers are as much to blame for that &ldquo;not working,&rdquo;</a> and the Hawks can learn from those team-building mistakes.&nbsp;
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Bryan Fonseca takes a look at four logical landing spots for Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Examining potential trade desinations for Donovan Mitchell 

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points and the Utah Jazz finished strong to start their road trip, beating the New York Knicks 108-93 on Sunday night.
Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 18 of his 23 points in the first half for the Jazz, who opened a six-game road trip with the first of two games in two nights in New York. Rudy Gobert and Royce O'Neale each had 14 points.
Mitchell, a New Yorker who got a nice ovation before the game, made seven 3-pointers and threw down a powerful dunk midway through the fourth quarter when the Knicks were getting back in the game.
RJ Barrett scored 24 points and Evan Fournier had 17 for the Knicks, who had won two straight and five of seven. Julius Randle was 6 for 21 for 13 points and 11 rebounds as the Knicks shot 37% from the field.
Missing some key offensive players, Utah controlled much of the game with its defense before New York trimmed it to 93-89 on Obi Toppin's dunk with 5:19 left. But the Jazz answered with a 12-0 run, holding the Knicks scoreless for nearly four minutes to pull away to a 105-89 lead with just under two minutes remaining.
Utah only had two baskets during that stretch, punishing the Knicks by getting inside and drawing fouls before Rudy Gay capped the stretch with a 3-pointer and Mitchell later added another.
Mike Conley rested his right knee ahead of the game Monday night in Brooklyn and Bojan Bogdanovic missed his fourth straight with a left calf strain. So the Jazz turned up their defense, allowing just 44 points combined in the middle two quarters of their third straight victory.
The Knicks led 31-26 after one, but Clarkson played the entire second and scored 10 points. He and Mitchell both had 18 at halftime as Utah led 60-53.
The Jazz held the Knicks to 24% shooting in the third quarter, blocking almost as many shots (5) as the Knicks had baskets (6).
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TIP-INS
Jazz: Mitchell missed the last game with bruised right calf. ... Hassan Whiteside returned after a one-game absence with an illness not related to COVID-19 but Trent Forrest missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right wrist.
Knicks: Immanuel Quickley scored 16 points. ... Coach Tom Thibodeau said he'd been using a nine-man rotation at the moment to allow plenty of minutes for players such as Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes, though might extend at times for rookie Miles McBride. McBride did get in as the 10th late in the third quarter.
LONG ROAD AHEAD
Coach Quin Snyder was asked if there were any positives in having such a long road trip so late in the season. The Jazz don't play at home again until March 31.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. We&rsquo;re going to some cities that have great restaurants,&rdquo; Snyder said. &ldquo;We anticipated this stretch for a while obviously and we&rsquo;re not healthy right now. But sometimes when we&rsquo;ve gone on the road and we&rsquo;ve found adversity, whether it be internal or your opponent, I think there&rsquo;s opportunity there.&rdquo;
UP NEXT
Jazz: Visit Brooklyn on Monday night.
Knicks: Host Atlanta on Tuesday night.

Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points and the Utah Jazz finished strong to start their road trip, beating the Knicks 108-93 on Sunday night.

Mitchell scores 36 points, Jazz beat Knicks to open trip

NEW YORK (AP) — Derrick Rose had another procedure on his right ankle Friday, this time to address a skin infection just as it appeared he was close to returning to the New York Knicks.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose wasn't in pain but was feeling discomfort. The 33-year-old point guard had recently begun practicing fully after he had surgery on the ankle in December.
“He actually went through practice pretty well,” Thibodeau said. “So, just one of those things.”
No timetable was given for Rose's return and Thibodeau said he had no details other than the procedure had gone well. He said he believed it was to clean up the area where the previous surgery had been done.
Thibodeau said he didn't believe Rose's absence would change anything with Kemba Walker's status after it was decided this week he would be shut down for the season. Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley were the point guards available Friday against Miami, with rookie Miles McBride a possibility going forward.
Rose helped jump-start the Knicks last season after arriving in a midseason trade, finishing third in voting for the Sixth Man Award. The expected return of the 2011 NBA MVP after the All-Star break provided some hope the Knicks could make another late-season push and at least get into the play-in round.

Knicks guard Derrick Rose has suffered a setback in his ankle recovery and had another procedure done.

Knicks' Derrick Rose has another procedure on ankle

It's that time of year when NBA trade machines and insider gossip hijack basketball discourse. Trade deadline season means absolute chaos for just about anyone involved in basketball from a management, player or media perspective. For better or for worse, I'm pulling the "we live in a society" card and conforming.
The Tank-O-Meter is back for the second time this season to assess how seriously teams should consider folding for the remainder of 2021-22. Teams are rated on a scale from 1 (playoffs or bust) to 10 (do not even think about winning a game again) based on how much a rebuild helps the long-term franchise outlook.
A key part of any good rebuild is maximizing selling out at the trade deadline. It makes sense to get a read on what teams should do before Thursday to build their chests of assets and get out of the limbo of a weak postseason push. You'll see a Tank-O-Meter reading for each of these 10 squads, plus the usual Sour Rankings.
If you're new to the Sour Rankings, here's a refresher: 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 outlooks. 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 generally underwhelming play will earn you a spot on this list.
The central question is ultimately this: How good should you feel about the direction of each franchise? Let's get going.
Escaping the Sour Rankings:&nbsp;The New Orleans Pelicans got Brandon Ingram back from injury and immediately started winning. They're currently on a three-game stampede and have even moved into the Play-In tier of the Western Conference standings. Boston is also rolling on a five-game win streak with perhaps the hottest defense in basketball, suddenly tied with Toronto and Brooklyn for sixth in the Eastern Conference.
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10. Charlotte Hornets (28-26) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 2/10
The Hornets sink into the Sour Rankings as they tough out a four-game losing streak with defeats against the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. Their run to the All-Star break is daunting; it features 6 games in 11 days and includes matchups against the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Heat (again). According to <a href="https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/nba-trade-rumor-josh-richardson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heavy's Steve Bulpett</a>, Charlotte is also looking to trade PJ Washington, which still doesn't make much sense to me.
Charlotte shouldn't consider bottoming out as long as the team has confidence in its young core. The Hornets have the pieces to either become buyers or sellers at the deadline, and are right in the thick of a competitive East playoff race. At the absolute minimum, this is great experience for guys like LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, and the Hornets are still a threatening offense on a nightly basis.
(Last week: Unranked)
9. Detroit Pistons (12-41) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 9/10
Easy reading for Detroit &mdash; the franchise has already been near the bottom of the league all season. The Pistons can really supercharge the current rebuild with how they approach the trade deadline regarding veterans like Jerami Grant and Cory Joseph.
But Detroit still cracks the Sour Rankings, because even in the scheduled losses, it just feels like there's been too much uninspired basketball. Honestly, what young talents on the roster do you feel better about from the start of the season besides Cade Cunningham? I'd say there's an argument for Saddiq Bey and... that's about it. Detroit still has several questions to answer about the team's identity, and those questions can be answered even in losses.
(Last week: Unranked)
8. Utah Jazz (32-21) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 1/10
Utah battled to a win against the Denver Nuggets and dismantled the flailing Nets this week, bringing some stability after a five-game skid. However, reports are back (this one from <a href="https://www.deseret.com/2022/2/4/22916919/utah-jazz-donovan-mitchell-on-reports-relationship-with-rudy-gobert-has-deteriorated-thats-not-true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN's Brian Windhorst</a>) that Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are "at each other's throats." Mitchell once again denied the rumors, and who knows at this point what's grounding the reports. But it's never good to hear.
No, the Jazz should not tank &mdash; they're still fourth in the West standings even in this rough patch.
(Last week: 6)
7. Indiana Pacers (19-36) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 9/10
The Pacers <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/reaction-caris-levert-fills-blended-need-for-cavs-as-pacers-reset" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dealt Caris LeVert to the Cavaliers yesterday in a trade</a> that brought back an expiring (and injured) Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected first-round pick that will likely convey this season and two additional second-rounders. That's not a bad return for a team that simply needs young talent in waves, and draft picks always add some trade flexibility.&nbsp;
Moving LeVert for that package signals a rebuild is on the way. It's long overdue. Now, the Pacers have to get what they can for Myles Turner, Justin Holiday and their other vets. I do not think Domantas Sabonis is a "must-trade" due to his sheer skill. But Indiana also can't be afraid to accept a good offer. They're one of the primary teams to watch ahead of Thursday.
(Last week: 4)
6. Portland Trail Blazers (21-33) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 8/10
Here's another team giving off "rebuild" vibes. The Trail Blazers traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Clippers this week for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a future second-round pick. That return feels underwhelming considering Portland gave up two very good rotation players. But if they like the uber-athletic Johnson, so be it.
With no Damian Lillard return in sight, Portland should really sell at this deadline. What does being in a Play-In race even mean for this franchise? Young trade pieces and the NBA Draft are the best way to find game-changing talent. CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic have been involved in trade rumors recently. I wouldn't be surprised if both had new homes by Thursday evening.
(Last week: 7)
5. New York Knicks (24-29) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 7/10
One day, Deuce McBride and Immanuel Quickley will join the starting lineup and everything will be alright in New York. For now, the Knicks remain a woefully inconsistent basketball team that can't be trusted &mdash; but can't be counted out &mdash; on any night. If I had my way, Tom Thibodeau would commit to playing the youth; Quentin Grimes, Quickley and McBride would see serious playing time increases, and New York would head into the offseason with a good draft pick and an enticing young core. Then again, it's Thibs.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Julius Randle got into it with a coach on the bench against the Lakers. 😬 (h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/AhnFireDigital?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AhnFireDigital</a>) <a href="https://t.co/NNhrE2XgVt">pic.twitter.com/NNhrE2XgVt</a>
&mdash; theScore (@theScore) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScore/status/1490765945396244482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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By the way, read this <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/julius-randle-and-the-george-costanza-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">excellent piece from Mat Issa</a> that further highlights how the Knicks are leaving Julius Randle out to dry.
(Last week: 5)
4. Sacramento Kings (20-35) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 9/10
<a href="https://theathletic.com/3113791/2022/02/07/detroit-pistons-nba-trade-deadline-guide-what-im-hearing-about-jerami-grant-trade-tiers/?article_source=search&amp;search_query=jerami%20grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James L. Edwards III of&nbsp;The Athletic</a>&nbsp;says that the Kings have reported interest in Jerami Grant. This comes after all the will-they-won't-they drama surrounding a Ben Simmons trade and the availability of De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Of course, smokescreens exist in trade gossip, but I still can't rationalize most of the reported targets for Sacramento.
This is a bad basketball team. The Kings have the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA over the past few weeks in addition to their perenially-porous defense. Sacramento may be two games out of 10th place, but the team would have to unseat several better squads in the San Antonio Spurs, Trail Blazers and Pelicans. As repetitive as selling is for this squad, it's the logical step.
(Last week: 2)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (26-28) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 1/10
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
&ldquo;more from an off-ball perspective&rdquo; from TALEN HORTON-TUCKER is just- <a href="https://t.co/LO3LSpvuxR">https://t.co/LO3LSpvuxR</a>
&mdash; Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1490191241878851589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
I audibly chuckled reading this reaction from Nekias Duncan on Frank Vogel's rationale benching Russell Westbrook late against the Knicks. L.A. won that game in overtime, but it sure wasn't thanks to either player. Even though the Lakers went 2-1 this week, the lasting image will be the game-winner from Clippers guard Reggie Jackson on Thursday. The purple and gold are now down to ninth in the Western Conference.
The Tank-O-Meter reading remains the same: You don't tank with a healthy LeBron James.
(Last week: 3)
2. Washington Wizards (24-28) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 5/10
Washington's downward spiral continued last week with two one-sided losses to the Bucks and Suns. The Wizards did manage a 106-103 win over Philadelphia, but they've now been usurped by the Atlanta Hawks for the final Play-In bid. Does being on the outside looking in change anything from a directional perspective?
I think the Wizards are at the most polarizing trade deadline crossroads of any NBA team. They could make a desparation play for a star to help Bradley Beal and <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1488860395683168259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1488860395683168259%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F8points9seconds.com%2F2022%2F02%2F03%2Findiana-pacers-domantas-sabonis-trade-wizards%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swing on someone like Domantas Sabonis.</a> Or, Washington could send out its solid veterans in return for young talent or draft assets &mdash; at the risk of losing Beal this offseason. Moves have to be made by Thursday, but I couldn't honestly say what the right direction is.
(Last week: 1)
1. Brooklyn Nets (29-24) &mdash; Tank-O-Meter reading: 1/10
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Harden effort thread because I watched the film back and, my god, it's pathetic. Clip 1: just blatantly not caring. <a href="https://t.co/NbCccj2Ntt">pic.twitter.com/NbCccj2Ntt</a>
&mdash; Erik Slater (@erikslaterNR) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslaterNR/status/1489287381031297027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Whew... An eight-game losing streak, complete with some epic meltdowns, has the Nets in the Play-In tournament. And that's not even the worst part amidst the firestorm of rumors surrounding James Harden's potential availability. Whether or not he gets traded, Harden is showing visible disinterest at a critical point in Brooklyn's season. It's hard to consider the Nets a legitimate title contender with the way they've played over the past three weeks.
(Last week: 8)
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Ethan Fuller looks at which struggling teams should sell ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

NBA Sour Rankings: Tank-O-Meter readings ahead of the trade deadline

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Three of the four California NBA franchises have now resided in the Sour Rankings for multiple consecutive weeks.&nbsp;
This might be the worst check-in to date. The Los Angeles Lakers, with a coach on the brink of getting fired, an avalanche of roster criticism and a storm of rumors, have taken the No. 1 spot in these rankings. Not far behind are the Sacramento Kings, who continue to let an attainable Play-In bid slip away while trade gossip engulfs their own headlines. And the L.A. Clippers, while battling admirably, approach a criticial franchise inflection point with this week's trade deadline.
It is wild on the West Coast, and don't expect things to calm down anytime soon.
If you're new to the Sour Rankings, here's a refresher: 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 generally underwhelming play will earn you a spot on this list.
</div>
<div>
The central question is ultimately this: How good should you feel about the direction of each franchise? Let's get going:
</div>
Escaping the Sour Rankings:&nbsp;The Houston Rockets managed to sneak out this week after going 1-1 with a nice win over the Utah Jazz and a "good effort" loss to the Golden State Warriors. KJ Martin tallied 14 points, 3 assists and 2 steals in that Friday defeat off the bench. Also, a shoutout to Rio Grande Valley prospect Daishen Nix, who is putting up over 27 points per game for Houston's G League affiliate this month.&nbsp;
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10. Utah Jazz (30-17)
Expectations are high in Utah. This is a reigning No. 1 seed that needs to take the leap to legitimate title contender, and as of this recent stretch, the Jazz simply aren't there. Utah is 3-7 in its last 10 games with an 18th-ranked defense over the past two weeks. The Rudy Gobert slander is back, but as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/rudy-gobert-has-a-point" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekias Duncan wrote recently</a>, he's far from the main problem with this defense.
The Jazz are reportedly looking for <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jazz-looking-for-wing-defenders-on-trade-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wing defenders on the trade market</a>, which could sorely help while teams run rampant against Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic, and even Royce O'Neale.
(Last week: unranked)
9. Los Angeles Clippers (23-25)
The Clippers and their injury-plagued roster keep battling, and went a solid 2-2 with close losses to the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets this week. They've been a bottom-10 team on both ends recently, but are still solidly ninth in the West, so LAC remains in a limbo state ahead of the trade deadline.&nbsp;
If the Clippers are truly<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/clippers-reportedly-willing-to-discuss-majority-of-veterans-in-trades" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> willing to discuss most of their veterans in trade talks</a>, teams should be lining up to make offers for Nic Batum. The 33-year-old continues to be one of the league's most underrated complementary players. He's up to a career-high 64.9% True Shooting percentage and has been lights-out from beyond the arc while consistently taking tough defensive matchups.
(Last week: 9)
8. Portland Trail Blazers (20-26)
Anfernee Simons has almost singlehandedly given Portland joy. He's averaging 25.0 points and 7.2 assists per game in the month of January, while the Blazers have quietly gone a respectable 7-4 this month. Portland is now three games up on the Kings for the final Play-In bid in the West, and that should be comfortable breathing room given Sacramento's state right now.
The Blazers have 5 games in 7 days coming up, including matchups against Minnesota, Dallas and Chicago. If they can break .500 in that stretch, they might leave the Sour Rankings entirely.
(Last week: 2)
7. Atlanta Hawks (21-25)
Of course, the Hawks' best stretch of winning comes when trade rumors are swirling. Atlanta has taken its last four games, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets this week. Trae Young is averaging 31.3 points and 9.0 assists per game during the streak while canning 47.6% of his three-pointers, so he's on fire.
Onyeka Okongwu has also blended in seamlessly with the starters while Clint Capela has been out. De'Andre Hunter is on track to the tune of 18.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Is it too early to be back on the Hawks train?
(Last week: 1)
6. Boston Celtics (24-24)
Jayson Tatum's 51-point bombshell on Sunday essentially saved the Celtics from a potential No. 1 ranking this week. He now has the most 50-point games (5) in franchise history, and he is 22 years old (!!!). It's been a brutal year for Tatum, so Celtics fans certainly hope Sunday's performance was a spark.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Jayson Tatum delivered for us tonight with a 51-point performance that fueled a 116-87 win over the Wizards. <a href="https://t.co/HcrvPH0UMP">pic.twitter.com/HcrvPH0UMP</a>
&mdash; Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1485460341513498624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Meanwhile, the same team also went scoreless for seven crucial fourth-quarter minutes and blew a winnable game against Portland. In a 2-2 week, the Celtics move up by default against a struggling middle pack in the East. Perhaps a fully-healthy starting five is what the team has always needed.
(Last week: 3)
5. New York Knicks (23-24)
So the Knicks have a sneaky 10th-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense over the past two weeks. I know it doesn't reflect much in the record (1-2 this week) or today's rankings, but I do think good things are slowly happening.
From what I've seen and read, the biggest gripe appears to be that Tom Thibodeau still won't fully unleash his young talent. Immanuel Quickley has started just 2 of his 43 games played. Quentin Grimes has maximized his bench role with quality two-way play. Miles "Deuce" McBride has graduated from the G League. There's a lot of excitement around these backcourt players in particular and the fans are hungry for more.
(Last week: 4)
4. Indiana Pacers (17-30)
The Pacers' state of affairs hasn't meaningfully changed for over a calendar month. So this time, I'm giving the floor to Justin Holiday, who has been a bright spot in dim places for Indiana. The eldest Holiday brother is shooting a scorching 42.0% from beyond the arc and averaging 13.4 points per game in January, while being one of the few plus perimeter defenders on the roster. He's another Batum-level role-player who, if I were GM of a contender, I'd heavily pursue before the trade deadline.
(Last week: 6)
3. Washington Wizards (23-24)
Fortunately, the Wizards don't seem all too concerned with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/bradley-beal-likely-to-decline-player-option-team-has-not-talked-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bradley Beal's likely free agency</a> this offseason. Unfortunately, their on-court slide continues after an 0-3 week with losses to the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Celtics. Washington started 10-3 and has since gone 13-21 with the league's 22nd-ranked offensive rating and 26th-ranked defensive rating. The Wizards have two more games this month and some extended time off before the schedule ramps back up in February.&nbsp;
(Last week: 8)
2. Sacramento Kings (18-30)
So the Kings are <a href="https://theathletic.com/3078346/2022/01/19/insiders-think-a-ben-simmons-deal-gets-done-plus-a-pulse-on-teams-desperation-factor-nba-trade-deadline-roundtable/?source=nbatw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> thinking about acquiring Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris from Philly and... I just don't know if that's how you get out of 15 years' worth of directionless mediocrity. They're both great players, but do they significantly raise the ceiling when the Sixers would get a haul in return?&nbsp;
Sacramento is 2-8 in its last 10, and this quote from the aformentioned report by Sam Amick sums things up nicely:
"The widely held belief is that this front office, with general manager Monte McNair in his second season after working for all those years with Morey in Houston, simply must do a deal of significance now. To no one&rsquo;s surprise, there has been a collective loss of faith in the prospect of this core evolving into a contender in the West."
(Last week: 5)
1. Los Angeles Lakers (23-24)
The Lakers' woes have been the talk of the NBA for the past week. I don't need to add anything because an article and a video clip will cover everything you need to know. Frank Vogel appears to be coaching for his job every game, and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-lakers-have-put-frank-vogel-in-a-very-difficult-position" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as Alex Kennedy wrote, that's pretty brutal.</a> As for this roster, let JJ Redick explain:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
&ldquo;[The Lakers] are a bad team! &hellip; These are guys that are past their prime, that&rsquo;s the reality.&rdquo; &mdash;<a href="https://twitter.com/jj_redick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jj_redick</a> <a href="https://t.co/VMzY26su1B">pic.twitter.com/VMzY26su1B</a>
&mdash; First Take (@FirstTake) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstTake/status/1483497600623910913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2022</a></blockquote>

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I'll ask: What is the best return we can reasonably expect from a package of Kendrick Nunn, Talen Horton-Tucker and a 2027 first-round pick?
(Last week: 7)
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The Lakers and Kings occupy the top two spots in this week's rankings.

NBA Sour Rankings: Collapses in California

According to Yahoo Sports&rsquo; Chris Haynes, Sacramento Kings point guard De&rsquo;Aaron Fox is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kings-receiving-interest-in-deaaron-fox-ahead-of-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the biggest names that could be available</a> before next month&rsquo;s trade deadline. Haynes mentioned that the Kings are receiving heavy interest in Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, but the plan internally is to build long-term around this backcourt combination.
Haynes spoke with Fox recently about his future in Sacramento among other topics.
&ldquo;You definitely think about potentially being traded because we are struggling,&rdquo; Fox <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/deaaron-fox-addresses-kings-trade-rumors-his-ideal-role-in-the-nba-173928242.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Haynes</a>. &ldquo;If you do have a change of scenery, it changes everything. I&rsquo;ve been here for five years. I&rsquo;ve built a life here, a family here. But once I&rsquo;m on the court, all that is out the window. You&rsquo;re not thinking about anything else than can happen outside of your control.&rdquo;
Although Fox just signed a five-year rookie-scale max extension during the 2020 offseason, his fit alongside Haliburton has brought up serious questions about who Sacramento should actually build around in their backcourt.
As I wrote last month, Haliburton has a big enough sample size now to show he blossoms when he&rsquo;s not next to a high-usage backcourt partner in Fox. When Fox was in NBA health and safety protocols, Haliburton showed a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/tyrese-haliburton-providing-hope-potentially-forcing-kings-hand-on-backcourt-decisions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dazzling display of what his ceiling could potentially become</a> as Sacramento&rsquo;s No. 1 option.
In 42 games this season, Fox has averaged 20.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals on a pedestrian 53.1% True Shooting percentage. Simply put, Fox hasn&rsquo;t taken the developmental jumps the Kings&rsquo; front office hoped for when he inked a big-money extension. Fox is still a blur in transition, being a massive weapon in that area, but he still struggles to keep teammates involved consistently and put in complete effort on the defensive end.
Still only 24 years old, Fox has immense upside as a top scoring option in Sacramento or elsewhere. Could he be Devin Booker-like when it comes to defensive effort, once the Kings get a true contender around him? That&rsquo;s the big question for both player and team, because Sacramento is once again going nowhere for another season.
At this point, it might be best for the Kings to trade Fox at his peak value while resetting a little bit around Haliburton in their backcourt.
If Fox actually isn't untouchable &mdash; something that has been <a href="https://theathletic.com/3052221/2022/01/05/nba-trade-talk-russell-westbrooks-awkward-lakers-fit-the-hurting-hawks-and-more-sam-amicks-nba-notebook/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mentioned by The Athletic&rsquo;s Sam Amick</a> &mdash; which teams make sense for him? Let&rsquo;s dive into some potential landing spots for the score-first point guard.
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Philadelphia 76ers
This destination has been mentioned before as a potential blockbuster revolving around Fox and Ben Simmons, who continues to sit out games for the Sixers. So, why don&rsquo;t we explore that possibility a little bit further?
Honestly, I love the idea of Fox in Philadelphia creating a lethal one-two combination with Joel Embiid. Also, I believe Fox and Tyrese Maxey can coexist in the same backcourt for Philadelphia.
Instantly, Fox would come aboard and bring a scoring jolt that&rsquo;s desperately needed to take pressure off Embiid. On the other side, I&rsquo;ve long been a fan of the idea where Simmons lands in a situation where he becomes the No. 1 scoring option.
How fun would a pick-and-roll combination of Haliburton and Simmons be in Sacramento? All around, this feels like a major win-win. We&rsquo;ll see if Philadelphia and Sacramento are actually open to the idea, but this swap feels right for both parties.
Kings receive: Ben Simmons
Sixers receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox
Indiana Pacers
When looking through the NBA standings, Indiana continues to stand out like a sore thumb when it comes to a team in desperate need of a reset. Rumors are <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-mavs-blazers-wolves-knicks-lakers-hornets-targeting-myles-turner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">picking up steam revolving around Myles Turner</a> and Caris LeVert. Domantas Sabonis has also been mentioned around the league in potential trade talks.
Sacramento and Indiana could find common ground on a potential Fox deal, which could make a lot of sense for two teams who need a shake up.
Kings receive: Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren, draft compensation
Pacers receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_17117122_lg.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="474" />
Yes, the Kings have Richaun Holmes, who is an average starting center in the Association. However, could you imagine the on-court synergy Haliburton and Sabonis could develop as a lethal inside-out combination? As we&rsquo;ve seen in Indiana as well, there&rsquo;s some spot minutes where Holmes and Sabonis could share the floor as well (though I honestly wouldn&rsquo;t be a fan of that).
Fox would arrive in Indiana and be their star for years to come. He would be in a perfect situation to have a team built competently around him. Malcolm Brogdon would be an intriguing backcourt partner in this scenario too.
I&rsquo;m very intrigued by this potential landing spot for Fox, so keep an eye out on the Pacers here.
New York Knicks
Fox in the Big Apple? I love the sound of that. The question is: What would it cost for the Knicks to acquire him?
Honestly, unless the Knicks are willing to give up former No. 3 overall pick RJ Barrett, it likely won&rsquo;t happen. I&rsquo;m not a fan of Julius Randle in Sacramento, at least from the Kings&rsquo; perspective.
Kings receive: R.J. Barrett, Miles McBride, Kemba Walker, Taj Gibson
Knicks receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox
Fox and Randle would bring a potent pick-and-roll duo to New York. Meanwhile, Sacramento would acquire a young building block in Barrett who fits perfectly next to Haliburton. McBride has also shown unique upside, bringing aboard another backcourt piece who could play spot minutes with Haliburton down the road.
New York is in a tough spot after betting on running it back following a surprise playoff run last season. After stagnating, this could be the perfect move for the Knicks to make to expedite their win-now mindset with head coach Tom Thibodeau.
If the Knicks are open to trading Barrett for Fox, a big question mark currently, this could leapfrog right to the top of potential trade packages.
Boston Celtics
Boston is another team who seems poised for a major shake up within the next calendar year. Not taking a serious step forward this season, many questions are bubbling around <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-case-against-and-for-separating-jayson-tatum-and-jaylen-brown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whether the Celtics&rsquo; dynamic wing duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown can coexist long-term</a>.
If Celtics president Brad Stevens decides to pull the plug down the line and find peak value, Brown seems to be the more obvious choice. Tatum is locked in as the Celtics&rsquo; face of the franchise, so who could they find to be an ideal compliment with him?
Enter Fox, who brings backcourt competency for a team in desperate need of it like Boston.
Kings receive: Jaylen Brown
Celtics receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, draft compensation
Some might be asking why Sacramento is giving up draft compensation to Boston here, but, quite frankly, Brown has more value right now compared to Fox. And honestly, it would be a major win-win in the end for both teams.
Tatum and Fox would be a fun duo to build around in Boston, allowing more well-balanced roster construction. In Sacramento, Brown would enter as the go-to scorer with a great point guard to set him up in Haliburton.
This scenario might be more of a 2022 offseason scenario compared to the trade deadline, but crazier things have happened since both teams are stuck in neutral.
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New Orleans Pelicans
The pressure is on in the Bayou. Zion Williamson&rsquo;s injury concerns continue to put a cloud over the Pelicans&rsquo; future. New Orleans EVP David Griffin is on the hot seat, so what can he do to save his job?
Why not push the chips all-in on a franchise building block in Fox? In head coach Willie Green&rsquo;s system, acquiring Fox would be a brilliant move to make in the short and long-term. With Williamson out, Fox and Brandon Ingram would make a lethal scoring combination. And hopefully once Williamson eventually returns, the Pelicans would have their new Big Three set for years to come.
The Pelicans are loaded with future draft capital thanks to the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades. They own so many picks from the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, plus their own, which makes them a potential suitor in any star-level trade.
What would it take for Fox to land in New Orleans, though?
Kings receive: Devonte&rsquo; Graham, Josh Hart, Kira Lewis, draft compensation
Pelicans receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox
This trade doesn&rsquo;t look too enticing on the surface for Sacramento, but if they receive a boatload of future draft capital from the Pelicans, it makes this scenario very appealing.
Resetting around Haliburton with ample draft picks for the future would be an ideal solution to hitting the reset button in Sacramento.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic needs help in Dallas, so where can the Mavericks find a player who can take pressure off of him? Enter Fox, who could really push the Mavericks&rsquo; ceiling to a completely new level.
Fox and Doncic would create instant fireworks in Dallas, playing on and off-ball with no issue. The offensive ceiling of this duo would be one of the best in the Western Conference.
The question is, do the Mavericks have enough to make a Fox blockbuster happen?
Kings receive: Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr., draft compensation
Mavericks receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox
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This trade is very interesting for a multitude of reasons. I considered a trade of Porzingis to the Kings, but would they actually want his contract? I doubt it.
That led me back to giving up a prized asset in Brunson, who is going to cash out as a restricted free agent this offseason. Why not get something now for Brunson instead of potentially letting him walk with a big offer sheet elsewhere?
Fox not only would be an upgrade over Brunson, but also form a Big Three that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been lusting after for years in Dallas. It&rsquo;s a big bet to make locking in a core of Doncic, Fox and Porzingis together, but, if it works out, the ceiling is astronomical.
Sacramento would land future draft compensation to go along with an intriguing backcourt piece in Brunson. Also, Hardaway could be flipped elsewhere or kept around if the Kings decided to move Buddy Hield as well in a different deal.
Charlotte Hornets
This one was suggested to me by our own <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/news/authors/nekias-duncan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekias Duncan</a>, which had me thinking about some potential scenarios. Fox and LaMelo Ball would be box-office levels of entertainment in Charlotte, so I totally get the idea.
However, what would the Hornets need to give up for Fox? Here&rsquo;s where I eventually landed on that idea, which led to our biggest blockbuster yet.
Kings receive: Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, James Bouknight, P.J. Washington, draft compensation
Hornets receive: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Tristan Thompson, Jahmi&rsquo;us Ramsey
Yeah, that&rsquo;s a lot to take in. This could have been a lot easier if I believed the Hornets would trade away Miles Bridges in this scenario, but I don&rsquo;t think that&rsquo;s realistic. So, let&rsquo;s chew on this eight-player deal for a moment.
Charlotte swaps out Rozier for Fox, an instant upgrade who elevates Charlotte&rsquo;s playoff hopes for this season and beyond. It takes a midseason flier on Bagley, who is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. And Bagley could be a big-time beneficiary of being spoon-fed easy looks from Ball.
Sacramento lands two win-now veterans in Hayward and Rozier. Whether the Kings decide to keep him long-term or not is to be determined. The prize of this deal is the young players/prospects. Bouknight and Washington are former lottery picks who just haven&rsquo;t found a consistent role in Charlotte. With the Kings, that would definitely change.
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If the Kings indeed decide to shop Fox openly before the trade deadline, a league-wide bidding war will ensue. Yet to hit his prime, Fox has a lot of great basketball left in him. Wherever he would potentially land, Fox could change the immediate calculus for win-now possibilities.

De'Aaron Fox could be the top name available at this year's trade deadline. Which teams make the most sense for the Kings' star?

Examining potential trade destinations for De'Aaron Fox

TORONTO (AP) &mdash; Fred VanVleet scored 19 of his season-high 35 points in the third quarter, Pascal Siakam had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors extended their home winning streak against the Knicks to 11 games by beating a depleted New York team 120-105 on Sunday.
OG Anunoby scored 14 points, Scottie Barnes had 13 and Chris Boucher 12 as the Raptors won back-to-back games for the first time since home wins over New York and Sacramento on Dec. 10 and 13.
&ldquo;I thought we were pretty locked in for most of the game,&rdquo; VanVleet said.
Barnes returned after missing Friday&rsquo;s win over the Clippers because of a sore right knee. He sat out the previous two games while in the health and safety protocols.
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&ldquo;I felt pretty good out there,&rdquo; Barnes said. &ldquo;I really had my wind. I wasn&rsquo;t so tired.&rdquo;
Toronto, which had 10 players in the protocols for a Dec. 26 loss at Cleveland, had its eight most-used players available for the first time all season.
&ldquo;This is kind of where you want to be,&rdquo; VanVleet said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve just got to continue to get better individually and collectively. I think we&rsquo;ll be a tough team to beat if we can keep growing towards the end of the year.&rdquo;
VanVleet shot 11 for 17 and made a season-high seven of his 13 attempts from 3-point range. He went 6 for 6 at the free throw line and finished with five rebounds and five assists.
&ldquo;It makes us tough to guard when he&rsquo;s coming down, hitting in transition, coming off screens,&rdquo; Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.
Evan Fournier scored 20 points and RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin each had 19 for the Knicks, who lost their second straight after winning the previous three.
&ldquo;Overall, I thought some guys stepped up and played good but you&rsquo;re short-handed, your margin for error is small, and we didn&rsquo;t get it done,&rdquo; Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Fournier returned after missing Friday&lsquo;s loss to Oklahoma City because of a sore right ankle, but the Knicks were without starters Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, who joined Nerlens Noel, Jericho Sims, and Wayne Selden in health and safety protocols.
Another starter, guard Kemba Walker, sat for the second straight game because of a sore left knee.
&ldquo;We have three starters down,&rdquo; Fournier said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a lot.&rdquo;
Toppin&rsquo;s point total equaled his career high. He also had 19 against Toronto on Dec. 10.
&ldquo;It means something,&rdquo; Toppin said of matching the milestone, &ldquo;but obviously the loss sucks. We&rsquo;re just going to learn from this game and get better.&rdquo;
After scoring a season-low 80 points Friday, New York topped 100 for the first time in four games.
The Raptors played before a mostly empty arena for the second straight game after Ontario&rsquo;s provincial government reduced capacity limits to a maximum of 1,000 people in an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19. No tickets were sold, and only friends and family were allowed entry.
Toronto led 56-45 at halftime and used a 40-point third to take a 96-74 lead to the fourth.
SHARP SHOOTING
The Raptors shot 15 for 22 in the third. That was one fewer made baskets than the Knicks had in the first half. VanVleet had six made baskets in the quarter, while the Knicks had seven.
SHORT STINT
Rookie G Miles McBride started for the Knicks but was subbed out after five minutes and didn&rsquo;t return until the fourth quarter. Alec Burks started the second half.
&ldquo;Just the way the game was going, I felt we probably needed a little more offense to try to get things going,&rdquo; Thibodeau said.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant coaches Kenny Payne and Daisuke Yoshimoto were absent after entering the health and safety protocols. &ldquo;Everyone has added responsibility right now,&rdquo; Thibodeau said. &hellip; Play eight of their next 10 at home.
Raptors: Siakam finished with seven assists but had six turnovers. &hellip; F Isaac Bonga exited health and safety protocols but was not available (conditioning). &hellip; Outrebounded New York 44-30.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Host Indiana on Tuesday.
Raptors: Host San Antonio on Tuesday.
___
More AP NBA:&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>

Fred VanVleet scored 19 of his season-high 35 points in the third quarter.

Fred VanVleet scores season-high 35, Raptors rout Knicks 120-105

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Kemba Walker couldn&rsquo;t have envisioned this Christmas.
Less than two weeks ago, his coach wouldn&rsquo;t even call his name.
On Saturday, his hometown fans were chanting it.
Walker became the seventh NBA player with a triple-double on Christmas, and the New York Knicks beat the depleted Atlanta Hawks 101-87 for their first win on the holiday in a decade.
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<div class="Component-adTitle-0-2-29">&ldquo;It was amazing,&rdquo; Walker said. &ldquo;Those are moments that you dream about. It&rsquo;s kind of hard to put it into words, to be honest.&rdquo;</div>
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Julius Randle had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks in a matchup of teams that met in the first round of last season&rsquo;s playoffs. But the Hawks were missing Trae Young among nine players in the NBA&rsquo;s health and safety protocols, so it wasn&rsquo;t much of a rematch of Atlanta&rsquo;s five-game victory.
Walker finished with 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. The 6-foot guard raced around the floor trying desperately for his 10th rebound for much of the second half, finally getting it in the fourth quarter when Mitchell Robinson&rsquo;s block came to him.
It was the first triple-double on Christmas since Golden State&rsquo;s Draymond Green in 2017, continuing Walker&rsquo;s strong stretch since going from a nine-game stint out of the rotation to back in the starting lineup when the Knicks were short-handed.
He said he couldn&rsquo;t have foreseen things turning so quickly.
&ldquo;This is not how we pictured it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I ain&rsquo;t complaining, either.&rdquo;
Fans in the sold-out crowd chanted &ldquo;Kemba Walker! Kemba Walker!&rdquo; for the New York native, who scored 44 points in a loss to Washington on Thursday.
&ldquo;As a teammate, as a brother, I&rsquo;m happy for him that he&rsquo;s able to come out and be who he is,&rdquo; Randle said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure when he signed to come here this is kind of what he envisioned, playing the type of basketball that he&rsquo;s playing right now.&rdquo;
Evan Fournier and Quentin Grimes each scored 15 points for the Knicks, who snapped a six-game Christmas skid. They are 23-31 in their league-high 54 appearances, but hadn&rsquo;t won one since 2011.
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_15786418/APNews/site/article/midarticle2_0__container__">John Collins and Delon Wright each scored 20 points for the Hawks, who were playing on Christmas for the first time since 1989. They had their six-game road winning streak snapped.</div>
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Young starred in his first playoff series last spring against New York, ignoring profane taunts by Knicks fans and getting the last word when he bowed to them near the close of Atlanta&rsquo;s clinching Game 5 victory.
But he couldn&rsquo;t clear protocols in time for a coveted spot on the calendar, and playing short-handed caught up with the Hawks. Coach Nate McMillan said some players even asked to be subbed out of the game, which he said never happens.
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t a lack of energy,&rdquo; McMillan said. &ldquo;I think our guys are tired. They&rsquo;ve been logging a lot of minutes.&rdquo;
The Knicks made their first seven shots and raced to a 19-3 lead on Randle&rsquo;s 3-pointer with 7:48 left in the first quarter.
They blew it open in the third quarter, and consecutive 3-pointers by Grimes and Taj Gibson to open the fourth gave New York its biggest lead at 87-66. From there the only drama was whether Walker would get one more rebound.
The Hawks&rsquo; injury report took three tweets from the team&rsquo;s official account to list, and besides Young featured key players such as Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari. Clint Capela returned from protocols and had six points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are getting healthier. RJ Barrett returned to the starting lineup and Grimes made his first appearance since setting a Knicks rookie record with seven 3-pointers and scoring 27 points against Milwaukee on Dec. 12. He was then placed into protocols and missed the last five games.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Signed guards Anthony &ldquo;Cat&rdquo; Barber and Malik Ellison, both playing this season for the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta&rsquo;s NBA G League affiliate, to 10-day contracts. Ellison is the son of former No. 1 draft pick Pervis Ellison.
Knicks: Hall of Famer Bernard King, who set the Christmas record of 60 points playing for the Knicks in 1984, was at the game. ... The Knicks are down to just Nerlens Noel, Miles McBride and Jericho Sims in protocols. Immanuel Quickley and Kevin Knox II have been cleared but need to regain their conditioning before playing.
CHRISTMAS TRIPLE-DOUBLES
Besides Walker and Green, the other players with Christmas triple-doubles are Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Oscar Robertson, Billy Cunningham and John Havlicek. Robertson did it four times.
HOLIDAY HOOPS HISTORY
The Hawks fell to 9-12 on Christmas. They are 2-1 against the Knicks, with both victories coming when they were based in St. Louis.
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host Chicago on Monday.
Knicks: Visit Minnesota on Tuesday to begin a four-game road trip.
___
More AP NBA:&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a>

Walker posted 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the victory.

Kemba Walker’s triple-double leads Knicks over Hawks, 101-87

Tommy Beer is back with his latest version of BasketballNews.com's NBA Power Rankings. To read last week's version, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-power-rankings-jazz-jump-up-into-top-tier-grizz-and-cavs-climb-into-the-top-8-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.
The Phoenix Suns finally push past the Golden State Warriors to grab the top spot in the Basketball News Power Rankings for the first time this season, while the Cleveland Cavaliers climb into the top five.&nbsp;
1. Phoenix Suns (24-5) ⬆️ Last Week: 2
The Suns have posted a ridiculous 23-2 record over their last 25 games. And Phoenix welcomed back leading-scorer Devin Booker, who hadn't played in almost three weeks after injuring his hamstring in late November, in their 137-106 thrashing of the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. The Suns have also gotten tremendous production from sharpshooter Cam Johnson this month. He's averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 made triples (while shooting better than 44% from downtown) over his past nine contests.&nbsp;
2. Golden State Warriors (25-6) ⬇️ Last Week: 1
Golden State played without Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole (both are in health and safety protocols) but was still able to beat the Sacramento Kings by 15 points on Monday night, as they improved to a league-best 15-2 at home. Draymond Green led the way for the Warriors, racking up 16 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 2&nbsp; blocks and 2 steals. It was Green's 31st triple-double of his career. Remarkably, Golden State has won 30 of the 31 games in which Green has recorded a triple-double.&nbsp;
3. Brooklyn Nets (21-9) ⬆️ Last Week: 4
The Nets made headlines last week when they announced that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would be welcomed back to Brooklyn. Although Irving remains unvaccinated, which will prevent him from playing in home games due to New York City's vaccine mandates, Kyrie will be able to practice with the team and play in road games (except for the matchups with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden and the Toronto Raptors up north). The Nets roster has been decimated by COVID-19 of late, with 10 players, in addition to several staff members, in health and safety protocols.
4. Utah Jazz (21-9) ⬇️ Last Week: 3
Not only is Rudy Gobert dominating the paint per usual (averaging 15.4 points and 15.0 rebounds this season) while also leading the league in FG% (72.3%). He's also shooting a career-high 69.3% from the free-throw stripe thanks to a revamped shooting stroke. His complete skill set was on display in Monday's victory over the Hornets, as Gobert racked up 23 points and 21 rebounds while knocking down a career-high 15 free throws on 16 attempts.&nbsp;
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-12) ⬆️ Last Week: 8
The NBA announced Sunday that a total of five games involving nine teams would be postponed in response to COVID-19 outbreaks impacting several squads. One of the postponed contests was the Cleveland-Atlanta game scheduled for Sunday night after the Cavs, who have won six in a row, announced that five players entered protocols earlier that day. According to The Associated Press, all five Cavs &mdash; Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine and RJ Nembhard &mdash; tested positive for COVID-19.
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6. Milwaukee Bucks (19-13) ⬇️ Last Week: 5
The Bucks, forced to play without both Giannis Antetokounmpo (health and safety) and Khris Middleton ((left knee hyperextension), have lost two in a row. They look to get back on track Wednesday vs. the Houston Rockets, and it sounds like there is a good chance Middleton will be cleared to return to action.&nbsp;
7. Chicago Bulls (19-10) ⬇️ Last Week: 6
The Bulls took plenty of heat for signing DeMar DeRozan to a three-year, $85 million contract last offseason, but the early returns have been exceedingly positive. Not only is DeRozan averaging a team-high 26.8 points, but he's also scoring them when Chicago needs them most. DeMar is averaging a league-best 8.0 points per game in the fourth quarter of games this season. He is shooting a scorching 54.2% from the floor, 45.5% from downtown and 91.2% from the free-throw line in the final frame.&nbsp;
8. Miami Heat (18-13) ⬆️ Last Week: 9
The shorthanded Heat have won 2 of their last 3, thanks partly to a very unexpected lift from Max Strus, who <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/qa-max-strus-on-heats-nextman-up-mentality-building-confidence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke to our Spencer Davies at the beginning of last week</a>. The unheralded third-year pro exploded for a career-high 32 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 8 treys in a win over the Orlando Magic on Friday. He followed that up with 24 more points and four more triples on Sunday.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (19-13) ⬇️ Last Week: 7
The Grizzlies surprisingly posted a 10-2 record in 12 games Ja Morant missed due to a sprained left knee. The star point guard returned to action Monday night and played well, tallying 16 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in less than 30 minutes. However, after the game, Morant told reporters that some fans told him he should sit back out. He acknowledged that "the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/ja-morant-hurt-by-fans-telling-him-to-sit-back-out-as-grizz-fall-to-thunder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remarks from the fans actually hurt</a>," but Ja added, "I'm going to do what I normally do and bounce back and I'm very excited for this next game."
10. Philadelphia 76ers (16-15) ⬆️ Last Week: 11
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🔥Joel Embiid with a HUGE GAME in the <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sixers</a> win! 41 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 4 BLK, 2 STL <a href="https://t.co/r471bTMV01">pic.twitter.com/r471bTMV01</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1473141177650237441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Joel Embiid put Philadelphia on his back Monday night and carried them to a 108-103 victory over the Boston Celtics. Embiid tallied 41 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals. The much-needed win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sixers.&nbsp;
11. Denver Nuggets (15-14) ⬆️ Last Week: 16
He seems to be running a distant third behind KD and Steph in the MVP race according to some fans and TV pundits, but you could make a very strong argument that Nikola Jokic is on pace to bring home another MVP award. How valuable is he to Denver's success? The Nuggets are 11-4 when Jokic scores 25 or more points this season. They are 2-6 when he scores fewer than 20 points or does not play. Over the nine games Denver has played this month, Joker is averaging 26.4 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.2 (!!) assists a night. Yes, he's dishing out more dimes than Chris Paul or Trae Young. Crazy.&nbsp;
12. Los Angeles Clippers (16-15) ⬇️ Last Week: 10
Paul George returned to action on Monday night after missing the previous five games with a sprained right elbow. PG-13 poured in 25 points, but it wasn't enough, as the Clippers were whipped by the Spurs, 116-92. It was L.A.'s third consecutive defeat.&nbsp;
13. Los Angeles Lakers (16-15) ⬆️ Last Week: 14
Anthony Davis sprained his left knee on Friday, and we learned over the weekend that he'll likely miss four weeks of action. The Lakers are just one game over .500, and that's with LeBron James playing at a very high level and logging a ton of minutes. King James will have to carry the team on his back for the next month to keep L.A. afloat. We know the Lakers will be buyers at the deadline, so it'll be interesting to see if they try to make a move sooner rather than later.&nbsp;
14. Charlotte Hornets (16-17) ⬇️ Last Week: 12
The Hornets are in the midst of an exhausting six-game road trip and have lost 4 of their first 5 on this current West Coast excursion. Charlotte plays just once more this week (the final game of the trip is Thursday in Denver) before heading home to take on the Rockets next Monday.&nbsp;
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-15) ⬆️ Last Week: 20
The Wolves have won four in a row despite playing without Anthony Edwards, Josh Okogie, and Taurean Prince. And on Monday, Patrick Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt entered the NBA's health and safety protocols as well. Unsurprisingly, Karl-Anthony Towns has been doing the heavy lifting for Minny. Kat is averaging 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 triples during this four-game streak.&nbsp;
16. Washington Wizards (16-15) ⬇️ Last Week: 13
After scoring more than 30 points just twice over the first eight weeks of the season, Bradley Beal may finally be heating up. Over the three games the Wiz played last week, Beal averaged 31.0 points and 5.7 assists while shooting above 56% from the field and 42.9% from three-point territory.&nbsp;
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17. Boston Celtics (15-16) ⬇️ Last Week: 15
The C's have yet to win consecutive games this month, but it should be noted that they have played the league's most demanding schedule in December. Of the 12 games on Boston's calendar from Dec. 1 through Christmas Day, 10 of their 12 opponents have winning records. The Celtics take on the Cavs and Bucks later this week.&nbsp;
18. Dallas Mavericks (14-15) ⬇️ Last Week: 17
Kristaps Porzingis has been playing well of late, but exited Sunday's game with what the team called "right foot soreness." Luka Doncic is dealing with left ankle soreness and will miss his fifth straight game Tuesday vs. Minnesota.
19. Toronto Raptors (14-15) &harr;️ Last Week: 19
Fred VanVleet, Malachi Flynn, Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa all entered the league's COVID protocols on Tuesday, bringing the total number of Raptors in health and safety protocols to seven. As of Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday's game vs. the Bulls has yet to be postponed.&nbsp;
20. Atlanta Hawks (14-15) ⬇️ Last Week: 18
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Stay safe🙄🤦🏽&zwj;♂️🤷🏽&zwj;♂️😷 <a href="https://t.co/0cBfsg0CaW">pic.twitter.com/0cBfsg0CaW</a>
&mdash; Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTraeYoung/status/1472601570579779592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The Hawks haven't won consecutive games since late November and are just 3-6 over their last nine contests. Because Sunday's game vs. Cleveland was postponed, Atlanta will have four full days off between their last game (a loss last Friday to Denver) and their next matchup Wednesday vs. Orlando. However, the team announced over the weekend that Trae Young had entered health and safety protocols, which will likely sideline him through the Hawks' Christmas Day showdown with the Knicks at MSG. On Tuesday, Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari joined Young.
21. Indiana Pacers (13-18) &harr;️ Last Week: 21
After a very slow start to the season, it appears the Pacers are finally headed in the right direction. Indy has won 4 of the last 6 games, and the two losses during this recent stretch were to Golden State and Milwaukee. The team's success has coincided with an uptick in Caris LeVert's performance. He's averaging 21.9 points and 4.3 assists over his last seven appearances.
22. New York Knicks (13-17) &harr;️ Last Week: 22
Like many teams, the Knicks have been hit hard by COVID-19. What makes New York's recent run of back luck so frustrating for fans is that the team's young players seem to be sidelined following breakout performances. After Obi Topping scored a career-high 19 vs. the Raptors, he entered health and safety protocols the next day. Two days after Quentin Grimes poured in a franchise-record 27 points in his first career start, he was sidelined. Miles "Deuce" McBride stepped in and stepped up (15 points, 9 assists, zero turnovers) last Thursday in a win over the Rockets, and was forced into healthy protocols the following afternoon.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (13-18) ⬆️ Last Week: 24
The Blazers have won two in a row after snapping a disastrous seven-game losing skid late last week. They have another winnable game Tuesday when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans on the road. Dame Lillard is averaging over 30 points a night since returning from an abdominal injury on Dec. 12.&nbsp;
24. Sacramento Kings (13-19) ⬆️ Last Week: 26 
With De'Aaron Fox (health and safety protocols) sidelined, Tyrese Haliburton has been a beast for the Kings. In the three games Fox has missed, Haliburton is averaging 24.0 points, 10.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 treys while shooting 54.7% from the floor, 57.1% from downtown and 85.7% from the charity stripe.&nbsp;
25. San Antonio Spurs (12-18) ⬇️ Last Week: 23
Dejounte Murray remained red-hot in Monday's win over the Clippers, tallying 24 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals in 31 minutes. It was his third triple-double in five games, and his sixth this season. Murray is averaging 17.0 points, 10.4 assists, 9.6 boards and 2.2 thefts of the Spurs past five contests.
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26. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-19) ⬆️ Last Week: 27
After ripping down a career-high 18 rebounds to go along with 10 assists and 8 points against the Clippers on Saturday, Josh Giddey put up 19 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds in Monday's victory over the Grizzlies. Those are remarkable numbers in back-to-back games for a 19-year-old rookie. Over OKC's last seven games, he's averaging more than seven dimes and seven boards.&nbsp;
27. Houston Rockets (10-20) ⬇️ Last Week: 25
The Rockets have come back down to earth following their shocking seven-game win streak, as they have lost 5 of their last 7. Jalen Green (left hamstring) has been sidelined since Nov. 24, but coach Stephen Silas said he is hopeful Green will return by Christmas or early next week. Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh bruise) is reportedly targeting a return before the end of December as well.&nbsp;
28. New Orleans Pelicans (10-21) &harr;️ Last Week: 28
After an awful start to the season, in which they won just 3 of their first 19 contests, the Pels are slowly but surely making progress and have won 3 of their last 4. Jonas Valančiūnas has picked up his production of late, averaging 20.8 points (on 61.6% shooting) to go along with 11.4 boards over his past five contests.
29. Detroit Pistons (5-24) ⬆️ Last Week: 30
The Pistons snapped their 14-game losing streak by beating the Heat Sunday night in the Motor City. Saddiq Bey, who scored a team-high 26 points in the victory over Miami, finally broke out of a nasty shooting slump last week. Bey, who was shooting below 35% from the floor and below 30% from downtown over the Pistons' first 25 games this season, averaged 25.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.0 made treys while shooting 54.3% from the floor, 42.9% from behind the arc, and 94.7% from the free-throw stripe over his last three.&nbsp;
30. Orlando Magic (6-25) ⬇️ Last Week: 29
Franz Wagner, the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft, isn't drawing much national attention, but he has been fantastic for the Magic this month. Over Orlando's last 10 games, Wagner is averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.

Tommy Beer checks in with an installment of BasketballNews.com's NBA Power Rankings.

NBA Power Rankings: Suns eclipse Warriors for the top spot

Speaking with reporters after practice on Tuesday, Julius Randle, the New York Knicks' All-NBA forward, was asked what he and teammates were expecting in their season-opener at Madison Square Garden.
"Chaos," Randle replied. "We're expecting chaos. The city's excited to get basketball back."
Randle was referring to the much-anticipated chaotic atmosphere inside MSG, which welcomed back its full allotment of 19,000-plus fans for the first time since before the COVID pandemic shut down sports arenas across the globe.
What Randle, who has only been in New York for a relatively short spell, didn't realize is that Knicks fans had, unfortunately, grown far too accustomed to chaos &mdash; and not the kind that results from fans enthusiastically and passionately cheering on their hometown team. No, New Yorkers have been deluged with turmoil and chaos off the court for the better part of the past two decades. There was beef between former franchise greats and the team's owner, embarrassing trades, countless off-court controversies, tension between the owner and numerous fans, free-agency disappointment year after year, wasted draft picks and anything else you can think of.
Not to mention the losses. Many, many losses. Over the first 20 years of the 21st century, the Knicks lost 962 basketball games, more than any other team in the NBA. More often than not, New York was a league-wide laughing stock, trapped in the basement of the Atlantic Division.&nbsp;
However, a funny thing has happened over the past year-and-a-half since the Knicks hired former player-agent Leon Rose as team president, and Rose hired Tom Thibodeau as his head coach: the Knicks stopped making headlines for the wrong reason. They started winning basketball games.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the drama and controversy that tormented the Knicks for so long seemed to wander across the bridge to Brooklyn and drive down the Jersey turnpike to Philly.
The Nets, while uber-talented and the odds-on favorites to capture the Larry O'Brien trophy this season, are playing without their superstar point guard. Players on the Knicks and Nets, who play their home games in New York City, are prohibited from entering their team's home arena unless they are vaccinated against COVID-19. All Knicks have been immunized, but Irving has refused to follow the advice of medical experts, and says he is unwilling to get his shot. While Irving is eligible to participate in the Nets' away games, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks has declared that Irving will not be allowed to play or practice with the team at all until he is vaccinated.
"He has a choice to make, and he made his choice," Marks told reporters earlier this month.&nbsp;
Down in Philadelphia, the situation with the Sixers and Ben Simmons has devolved into a circus. The latest incident involves Simmons being booted from the team's training facility a day after he was filmed practicing in sweatpants. (Despite speculation about him practicing with a cell phone in his pocket, The Athletic's Shams Charania clarified that it was a crumpled up practice jersey.)
As far as the other teams in the Atlantic are concerned, the Raptors &mdash; who won a title in 2019 &mdash; had been remarkably successful and consistent, winning more than 50 games in five straight seasons... until they surprisingly finished 18 games below .500 last year. After losing franchise cornerstone Kyle Lowry via free agency over the summer, Toronto was blown out by the lowly Wizards in its season-opener Wednesday night. The Raps scored just 83 points, the least among all teams that have played over the first two days of the season.
Up in Boston, the Celtics failed to finish above .500 last season for just the second time in the past 15 years, and as a result parted ways with team architect Danny Ainge over the summer. Head coach Brad Stevens left the bench and went upstairs to the executive suite.&nbsp;
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The Knicks, however, flew under the radar all offseason. After finishing 10 games above .500 in 2020-21, they had a solid draft and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/for-a-change-a-successful-free-agency-period-propels-knicks-forward-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were praised by pundits</a> for revamping and upgrading their backcourt in free agency, while also locking up Randle to a long-term contract extension on a team-friendly deak. The team didn't generate any headlines on Media Day, which used to be one of the few days a year the Knicks would land on the back page of the NYC tabloids.&nbsp;
It was the Celtics who were matched up with the Knickerbockers in their home-opener. As it turned out, Mr. Randle was proven prophetic. Chaos consumed Wednesday's contest.
New York fell behind early. but fought back to take what appeared to be an insurmountable lead in the closing seconds, only to inexplicably allow the Celtics to tie the game on a Marcus Smart three-pointer at the buzzer in regulation.&nbsp;
Yet, somehow, after two exhausting overtime sessions, the Knicks found a way to win. This was a game the "LOL same-old Knicks" surely would have fumbled away after that backbreaking dagger by Smart. Yet, these new Knicks, nearly all of them in great shape following a month in camp with Drill Sergeant Thibs, kept fighting. Eventually, they won.
"We didn't close out the game the way we should have," Thibodeau said afterward. "We'll learn from that. The good thing is we got the win. We know we have a lot of work to do."
And that's what the topic of conversation will be around the ball club this week. No needless drama, no controversy. Just discussions about how the team won a basketball game and what they can do to improve and win some more. Imagine that...
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💥 35 points for <a href="https://twitter.com/J30_RANDLE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@J30_RANDLE</a> 💥 8 boards, 9 dimes, 3 blocks Julius Randle GOES OFF in the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> 2OT win to open the 2021-22 season! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KiaTipOff21</a> <a href="https://t.co/TILicyIhZB">pic.twitter.com/TILicyIhZB</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1451163884262469646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Knicks notes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What an effort from Randle, who is determined to prove his All-Star campaign last season wasn't a fluke. He finished with 35 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Basketball-Reference, the only other player in NBA history to tally at least 35 points, 9 dimes and 8 boards in his team's season opener is Oscar Roberston.</li>
<li aria-level="1">In the first half, RJ Barrett was invisible on the offensive end (it was the first time in his career he attempted at least three FG's and two FT's in the first half, yet failed to score a single point). However, Barrett certainly made his impression felt in the third quarter, pouring in a team-high 14 points to push the Knicks back in front. And while Jayson Tatum missed a handful of wide-open jumpers, Barrett certainly deserves credit for his defensive effort on Taum, who finished the game shooting an abysmal 7-of-30 from the floor.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Randle also deserves credit for helping reintegrate Barrett into the offense and sparking his teammate's third-quarter resurgence. Over one 2-minute stretch, Randle twice drew double teams and kicked the ball out to a wide-open Barrett, who knocked down a triple. Randle carried the Knicks offensively, but also passed up some good shots for great shots to get Barrett going.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Obi Toppin's contributions on Wednesday were critical. The second-year pro sparked the Knicks, scoring a career-high 14 points. Toppin's electric game energizes the Garden in a way few players can. "I thought he changed the pace of the game," Kemba Walker said of Obi. "He's a very special talent, and he can run. He can really run and get out in the open floor."</li>
<li aria-level="1">Some fans and pundits out there argued over the summer that Evan Fournier wasn't much of an upgrade over former shooting guard Reggie Bullock. Well, it's probably worth noting that Bullock has played 366 games in his career and never tallied more than 20 points and more than 5 rebounds in the same game. On Wednesday, Fournier had 32 points, 6 boards, 6 made treys, 4 steals and 3 assists in his first game as a Knick.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Some 10 minutes after the buzzer sounded in the second overtime, Knicks rookies Quentin Grimes and Miles "Deuce" McBride were on the Garden floor getting shots up, as MSG janitorial staff were cleaning the rest of the arena. This was something last season's neophytes, Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, would often do after games in which they didn't get much run. Yet another example of Thibs, his staff, and the players efforting to build a culture that can sustain success throughout the organization.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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Knicks rookies McBride and Grimes getting up shots less than 10 mins after the marathon game is over <a href="https://t.co/Ip1Ll8b0lA">pic.twitter.com/Ip1Ll8b0lA</a>
&mdash; Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1451019123924799493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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The Knicks and their fans have experienced a different kind of chaos than they've been used to over the last year-and-a-half.

Knicks continue to make headlines for the right reasons — wins

After a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/for-a-change-a-successful-free-agency-period-propels-knicks-forward-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">successful free-agency period</a>, the Knicks contingent headed out West with the players they selected in the 2021 NBA Draft, as well as a few familiar faces from last season. And now that Las Vegas Summer League has wrapped up, let's take a look back at how each of the newest Knicks handled themselves under the glare of the Nevada heat.&nbsp;
Quentin Grimes
After entering last month's draft with the No. 19 and No. 21 overall selections, New York had added only Grimes, the 25th overall pick, by the time the first round concluded. This drew the ire of some fans, as Grimes was projected to land somewhere in the second round, according to most mocks. However, one thing has become clear about the Knicks approach to draft day under Leon Rose and company &mdash; New York locks in on specific targets even if they are not necessarily regarded as elite prospects by pundits and prognosticators. Remember, the Knicks were heavily criticized after "reaching" for Immanuel Quickley with the same number pick last year.
Grimes didn't do much to quell concerns early, as he stumbled out of the gate. Over the Knicks' first three games, Grimes shot a combined 8-of-30 (26.6%) from the floor. However, Grimes located his stroke in Game 4, when he scored 15 points on 10 field goal attempts, and he closed out the summer session by showcasing the skills that earned him AAC Player of the Year honors as a junior at the University of Houston. Over New York's final two contests, Grimes averaged 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 6.0 made three-pointers.&nbsp;
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No. 25 pick Quentin Grimes (<a href="https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qdotgrimes</a>) cooks up 28 PTS and 6 triples in the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> win 👌 <a href="https://t.co/29yYRzfcEL">pic.twitter.com/29yYRzfcEL</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1426727845032873986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

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And even in the early games in which his shot wasn't falling, Grimes didn't let his offensive struggles negatively impact his effort on the other end of the floor. He showed impressive defensive versatility, checking both shifty point guards and stocky small forwards. Grimes also finished second on the team in total rebounds, behind only Obi Toppin, and led all players in Vegas with a total of 22 made three-pointers (NY played a league-high six games). In a league that values 3-and-D wings, it appears Grimes can establish himself as a contributor sooner rather than later. &nbsp;
Miles McBride
In his two years under Bob Huggins at West Virginia, Deuce McBride, whom the Knicks scooped him up with the No. 36 overall pick, earned a reputation as a feared perimeter defender. Those defensive instincts &mdash; along with his quick-twitch athleticism &mdash; were indeed on display in Vegas, where he hounded opposing guards all over the floor. McBride's relentless 94-feet-of-pressure defense undoubtedly brought a smile to even the typically-grumpy Tom Thibodeau, who was said to have fallen in love with Deuce during the pre-draft process and pushed hard for the Knicks to select the youngster out of WVU. &nbsp;
And, like Grimes, McBride was surprisingly impactful on both ends of the court. After two solid games to start, he caught fire in the second half of New York's third contest, when he poured in 20 points and was a perfect 6-of-6 from three-point range. Through three full games, McBride shot 62.5% from the floor, 61.5% from downtown and 87.5% from the FT line. In the Knicks' final contest, a blowout victory over Atlanta, not only did he put the clamps on highly-touted Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper (who had just six points on 3-of-11 shooting), McBride scored 19 points of his own on 7-of-10 shooting, including five made treys. &nbsp;
Over the six games New York played in Vegas, Deuce averaged 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 made triples. He disrupted opponents' flow with his defensive intensity while also scoring efficiently on the other end.&nbsp;
"That's how I get my offense going," McBride said of his defense after Monday's victory. "It's really coming in, stopping guys and giving energy to the team and that gives me offensive opportunities." 
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Still thinking about this defensive possession. <a href="https://t.co/zUOOh58LI0">pic.twitter.com/zUOOh58LI0</a>
&mdash; NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1425878558065315847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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When asked if he was satisfied with his performance in Vegas, McBride replied, "I thought I played well, but [I'm] never satisfied because that's when your opponents catch up. I had a pretty solid summer league, coming in to learn a whole new system. I did well in that, but there are a lot of things to improve on."
Yes, the Knicks suddenly have impressive depth in their backcourt, but if McBride can knock down long-range shots at a consistent clip, it will be very difficult for Thibs to keep him off the floor. Consider this: Of the 78 players who attempted at least 18 three-pointers at the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League, only three shot 50% or better from deep: No.1 pick Cade Cunningham, No. 2 pick Jalen Green and No. 36 pick Miles McBride.&nbsp;
Looking at the big picture, it's clear the Knicks' summer league coaching staff instructed their players to hunt three-point shots in Las Vegas. Among all the 30 teams in Vegas, New York ranked first in average three-point makes per game (14.2), first in three-point percentage (38%), and third in three-point attempts per game (37.2).
Obi Toppin
After playing limited minutes and struggling through most of his rookie campaign, Toppin encouragingly closed the 2020-21 season on a high note, providing New York with a much-needed spark in the team's first-round matchup with the Hawks. He built on that momentum in Vegas, excelling as a focal point of the Knicks' offensive attack.&nbsp;
Toppin was a force right from the start of their Vegas trip, scoring a game-high 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting to go along with 8 rebounds in his first contest. As a rookie last season, Obi was often relegated to standing in the corner or dunker's spot. However, in Las Vegas, Toppin had plenty of transition opportunities and was actively involved in pick-and-rolls, alley-oops, pick-and-pops, dribble hand-offs, etc. This was similar to how the Dayton Flyers deployed Obi during his sophomore season, when he led the country in dunks, averaged 20 points per game while shooting over 63% from the floor and was named the National Player of the Year.
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Obi Toppin, stoppin' &amp; poppin', <a href="https://t.co/rjX7ifxCna">pic.twitter.com/rjX7ifxCna</a>
&mdash; NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1425647930271145985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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In Vegas, Toppin led all summer league participants in minutes played, logging over 35 minutes per game, while averaging 21.0 points (on 44.5% shooting), 8.3 boards, 1.3 assists, 2.0 made treys and 1.3 steals. The only player in Vegas to <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/chicago-bulls-evolved-patrick-williams-offensive-game-at-nba-summer-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average more than 20 points and more than 8 rebounds was Chicago's Patrick Williams</a>, last year's No. 4 overall pick. Toppin became the first Knick to ever average 21-plus points in summer league action.&nbsp;
The question for Obi moving forward is how much playing time he'll see next season. Will Thibs look to reduce Julius Randle's workload after Randle led the NBA minutes played a season ago, or will Toppin get some time as a stretch 5 alongside Randle?&nbsp;
Immanuel Quickley
After a solid showing (15 points and 8 dimes) in his first contest, Quickley put on a show in Game 2, racking up a game-high 32 points (11-of-21 shooting) and dishing out a game-high 8 assists (vs. just one turnover). IQ scored 25 more points in the third game and averaged 24 points through New York's first three contests.
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Immanuel Quickley was balling today 👀 <a href="https://t.co/szpTZvRHZ1">pic.twitter.com/szpTZvRHZ1</a>
&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1424829362789040133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Yet, Quickley missed the Knicks' fifth game due to a sore groin and was woefully inefficient offensively over his final two appearances, shooting 7-of-36 from the floor. All told, IQ averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.4 three-pointers in Vegas. Although the shooting numbers were disappointing (33.7% from the floor and 24% from downtown), Quickley showed he might very well possess the patience and skills necessary to develop into an NBA point guard, which was a pleasant surprise. Time and time again, IQ successfully read ball screens, facilitated the offense and found open shooters, all while taking care of the basketball (averaging less than 2.5 turnovers per game).&nbsp;
It had been over a decade since a player averaged more than 20 points and 7 assists in the Las Vegas Summer League. (That player was John Wall for the Wizards in 2010.)&nbsp;
Jericho Sims
When the Knicks selected Sims with the third-last pick in July's draft, it was assumed the 6-foot-10 Texas product would spend the vast majority of the 2021-22 campaign toiling in the G League. Yet, after watching him in Vegas and getting an up-close look at his mind-boggling combination of size and athleticism, it seems possible Sims may earn some time with the big club in 2021-22.
His two best games came in his first and final summer league contests. In the opener, Sims was a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor (including this incredible alley-oop) for 12 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. In the finale, he ripped down 13 boards.&nbsp;
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Go up and get it, Jericho Sims! ✈️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> on NBA TV <a href="https://t.co/XrySfm1yXM">pic.twitter.com/XrySfm1yXM</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1427407237799157762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Over his five appearances, Sims converted 81% of his FG attempts while averaging 8.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 28.0 minutes. (The last rookie to attempt more than 20 total shots and shoot over 70% from the floor in Las Vegas was Rudy Gobert for the Jazz.)
Sims also exhibited an impressive basketball IQ and solid feel for the game, continually setting solid screens and staying on his feet defensively, smartly refusing to chase blocks.&nbsp;
If New York's center triumvirate of Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson all remain healthy, it will be difficult for Sims to find minutes. Still, he's an excellent insurance policy. And one with some tantalizing upside.&nbsp;
Rokas Jokubaitis
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Really nice two-way sequence from Rokas Jokubaitis. Rokas relocates to the corner and hits the 3, then snags the steal from behind following some good D, and then takes it the other way for the lay in transition. <a href="https://t.co/SoAm5MftEU">pic.twitter.com/SoAm5MftEU</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1425649402706862083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Jokubaitis, the lefty from Lithuania whom the Knicks nabbed with the 34th overall pick, appeared in only three games. He played sloppily in his Knicks debut, understandably looking a bit overwhelmed, but seemed far more comfortable in his final two appearances.
He warped up his Vegas experience scoring 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, to go along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 treys and 4 steals in 29 minutes. Jokubaitis will spend next season getting extra seasoning overseas, suiting up for Barcelona in the ultra-competitive Spanish ACB League.&nbsp;
Luca Vildoza
After struggling for Argentina in the Tokyo Olympics, Vildoza looked outclassed in Vegas. He went scoreless, missing all four of his FG attempts in his first two games before sitting out the rest of summer league with a sore foot.&nbsp;
Leon Rose signed Vildoza to a four-year, $13.6 million contract back in May, but the pact is non-guaranteed. The Knicks have until October 21, the day after the season opener, to release Vildoza, which would open up a roster spot and clear his $3.3 million salary off their cap sheet. Considering their backcourt depth, New York may opt to part ways with Vildoza and bring in a wing.
It was reported last week that the <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/08/09/knicks-dwayne-bacon-agree-to-terms-in-guard-depth-addition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knicks had agreed to terms on Dwayne Bacon</a> after the Magic had waived him.

Tommy Beer goes in-depth on the Knicks' impressive summer league performance as a team and highlights who stood out.

New York Knicks' youngsters exceed expectations in Las Vegas

Over half of the NBA played its final summer league contest on Monday.
Though many games were missing top prospects as franchises prioritized risk management, viewers who tuned in still witnessed some exciting matchups. In many cases, perceived NBA longshots got their chances to break out and many made the most of the opportunity.
With just one more afternoon remaining on the schedule, here are my observations from Day 9:
STUDS
Brandon Boston Jr., guard/forward, Los Angeles Clippers
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Brandon Boston showing off the range 👀 <a href="https://t.co/EcLfIOajEk">pic.twitter.com/EcLfIOajEk</a>
&mdash; Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1427457865107742754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, 8-for-14 FG, 2-for-4 3PT
Boston Jr. thoroughly impressed me with his second half. The former five-star high school recruit attacked the basket with strength well beyond his wiry frame. Boston Jr. was unafraid of contact and didn't hesitate to fire away from deep &ndash; both areas of emphasis for him as a prospect. He took over in the later stages and helped the Clippers keep a high-scoring game competitive.
Toss in some promising defensive possessions as well, and you have a tantalizing effort from a player with one of the highest upsides among second-round picks. It's a good way to end a promising summer league showing all-around by Boston Jr.&nbsp;
Luka Garza, center, Detroit Pistons
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Luka Garza showed out tonight in the Summer League 🔥 + 21 points + 15 rebounds + 8/16 FG In case you were wondering, his ROY odds are 150-1 👀 <a href="https://t.co/uMWEKea9ea">pic.twitter.com/uMWEKea9ea</a>
&mdash; NBABet (@nbabet) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbabet/status/1427458783576563719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 21 points, 15 rebounds, 8-for-16 FG, 2-for-6 3PT
Detroit signed Garza to a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/pistons-sign-luka-garza-to-twoway-contract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-way contract today</a>. The Naismith Player of the Year is certainly earning that opportunity with his summer-league showcase. Garza went to work on the interior, corralling four offensive rebounds and finishing strong at the rim. He also canned two three-pointers, flashed a mid-range stepback, and made smart passes out of the high post. Garza was clearly gassed by the fourth quarter and his mobility is still a major question mark. But he did show a few bankable skills in this outing.
Kyle Alexander, forward, Phoenix Suns
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🇨🇦🍁Kyle Alexander with the chase down swat. 🛑 Cleveland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cavaliers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cavaliers</a> | Phoenix <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suns</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummerLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummerLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheValley?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheValley</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeTheFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeTheFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/S6yDKN461C">pic.twitter.com/S6yDKN461C</a>
&mdash; BasketballBuzz.ca 🇨🇦🏀🍁 (@basketballbuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketballbuzz/status/1427413244721893379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 18 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 8-for-12 FG
What a phenomenal game from Alexander, who joins the Suns' summer league squad after spending the 2020-21 season overseas in the Spanish ACB league. The 24-year-old center was a menace as a roller, outmuscling a physical opponent in Mfiondu Kabengele.
Alexander registered a killer chasedown block (shown above) and was an active presence throughout the close game. Phoenix is assessing its options for reserve bigs behind Deandre Ayton, and while Alexander is likely low on the totem pole, this effort surely opened some eyes.
Isaiah Jackson, center, Indiana Pacers
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Isaiah Jackson... wow. Blocks a 3, runs out for a dunk, then switches on to Corey Kispert and blocks his attack. Wonderful defense from the 22nd overall pick all summer league long: <a href="https://t.co/tuclmlTFIi">pic.twitter.com/tuclmlTFIi</a>
&mdash; Tony East (@TEastNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TEastNBA/status/1427361645131702275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 blocks, 2 steals, 4-for-14 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
Jackson tied the summer-league record for blocked shots in a single game, and he did so in just under 21 minutes of action. The athletic big man was a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive end. He guarded on the perimeter and swatted attempts from Corey Kispert, and then battled inside and neutralized screen actions.
Offensively, Jackson didn't have his shot falling today. But he got open consistently on the perimeter and as a roll man. The No. 22 pick made quality passes out of the high post to corner shooters as well.
Quentin Grimes, guard, New York Knicks
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Quentin Grimes (<a href="https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@qdotgrimes</a>) heats up for 26 points &amp; 6 threes in the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> win! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> <a href="https://t.co/xUz8N11OVx">pic.twitter.com/xUz8N11OVx</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1427433692629278725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 10-for-17 FG, 6-for-12 3PT
The No. 25 overall pick appeared to teleport all around the half-court for the Knicks in their 105-94 rout of Atlanta. Grimes knocked in three-pointers off the catch and off pull-ups, and he did a better job attacking as a cutter as well. Those three assists don't accurately state his impact as a passer, either. Grimes is more than a connector for New York; he can operate as a playmaker off the dribble in short spurts. This was a really fun offensive game overall.
Other notable performers: D'Mitrik Trice (Bucks), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Bucks), Bones Hyland (Nuggets), Miles McBride (Knicks), Javin DeLaurier (Hawks), Rob Edwards (Thunder), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Thunder), Hassani Gravett (Magic), Saben Lee (Pistons), Olivier Sarr (Grizzlies)
DUDS
Corey Kispert, forward, Washington Wizards
Box Score Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1-for-7 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
Washington went a blizzard-like 7-for-34 from beyond the arc in Monday's loss to the Pacers. But Kispert specifically struggled because he could not gain enough separation for open looks. The first-round pick had multiple shots blocked and had to get his attempts up through some significant contests. In fairness to Kispert, having to play creator without a lead scorer to draw defenses isn't his strength and won't be his role in the NBA. It's hard to run complex plays for Kispert off the ball with limited time in Las Vegas.
Mfiondu Kabengele, center, Cleveland Cavaliers
Box Score Stats: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, 2-for-7 FG, 0-for-1 3PT
Kabengele was the opposing force against Kyle Alexander's breakout game, and while he certainly battled, he ultimately came out on the wrong end. He struggled to beat Alexander inside and settled for tough face-ups in the latter stages. Alexander also destroyed in the pick-and-roll, although that was partially due to a lack of weak-side help. Kabengele still played with good physicality, had a double-double and made six of seven free throws.
Immanuel Quickley, guard, New York Knicks
Box Score Stats: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3-for-18 FG, 3-for-14 3PT
This was a "dud" performance incarnate. Quickley just couldn't buy a bucket for most of the afternoon, though he did settle for a few too many long perimeter heaves. But the second-year star continued to demonstrate improvement as a passer with <a href="been%20with%20the%20team%20since%20it%20selected%20him%20sixth%20overall%20in%20the%202014%20NBA%20Draft." target="_blank" rel="noopener">dishes such as this</a>. There's no reason to draw any meaningful takeaway from this game &ndash; it was just a sour ending to an otherwise dominant summer league.
Sharife Cooper, guard, Atlanta Hawks
Box Score Stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3-for-11 FG, 0-for-2 3PT
Cooper had a tough time handling the constant pressure from Miles McBride and the rest of the Knicks defense. The rookie point guard also did not have his lob mate in Jalen Johnson, who was held out of the final contest. Cooper continues to show a somewhat awkward step-back that didn't fall on Monday, and he also was challenged frequently on his way to the rim. Without consistent rolling rim pressure, the second-round selection had fewer chances to highlight his passing wizardry.

As summer league winds down, some more NBA hopefuls delivered breakout performances and tried to make a strong impression.

Studs and duds from the ninth day of NBA Summer League

Seven days into NBA Summer League, we continue to see young talents and NBA hopefuls make names for themselves in Las Vegas.&nbsp;
More and more teams are shutting down their top prospects due to rest or minor injuries. That means others are getting the chance to shine in featured roles. Only one or two games remain on the schedule for each team, so players have just a few more opportunities to make an impression before training camp.
As always, here are my individual observations from Saturday's slate.&nbsp;
STUDS
Bones Hyland, guard, Denver Nuggets
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BONES BUCKETS 🦴 No. 26 pick Nah'Shon Hyland drops 28 PTS (5 3PM) to lead the <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nuggets</a> to their first win of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Sh9Gd6bU8T">pic.twitter.com/Sh9Gd6bU8T</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1426657381795045378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 9-for-17 FG, 5-for-8 3PT
The No. 26 overall pick had his breakout summer-league game in an 89-85 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Hyland is an absolute microwave, with a solid handle and an ability to get into his shot form quickly. Though he struggled finishing at the rim early, Hyland showed he could get defenders on his hip, get low and blow by them, and use his length to get to the backboard. When he gets hot, his confidence is extremely fun to watch.
Skylar Mays, guard, Atlanta Hawks
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Skylar Mays: Smooth. 📺 ESPN <a href="https://t.co/Og8f8lGMcW">pic.twitter.com/Og8f8lGMcW</a>
&mdash; LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/LSUBasketball/status/1426658762434166788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 7-for-17 FG, 2-for-6 3PT
Mays relentlessly attacked the basket and made his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame feel like a freight train. The 23-year-old helped the Hawks get back into the game in the second quarter and led them to a 94-90 victory. In the absence of Sharife Cooper, he served as the floor general and had an excellent rapport with Jalen Johnson. Mays also did a great job of getting into passing lanes and pressuring the ball as a defender.&nbsp;
Jalen Johnson, guard, Atlanta Hawks
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Jalen Johnson corner 3 then shows the on ball defense, forcing the miss from Okpala <a href="https://t.co/aNnQx5vHW1">pic.twitter.com/aNnQx5vHW1</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1426661390538919938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 9-for-15 FG, 3-for-6 FG
Johnson looked smooth as silk in this contest, splashing face-up attempts and catch-and-shoot threes. He facilitated a really neat play to end the half for Atlanta; Johnson held the ball at the top of the key as Skylar Mays ran behind him, drawing defenders, and then Johnson hit Admiral Schofield off a flare screen for a three-pointer. Of course, the No. 20 overall selection also served as a highlight-reel lob threat.
Scottie Barnes, forward, Toronto Raptors
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Scottie Barnes showed out with 23 PTS against the Hornets ♨️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> <a href="https://t.co/6NQ5VGTpL9">pic.twitter.com/6NQ5VGTpL9</a>
&mdash; NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1426718576719798278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 10-for-18 FG, 1-for-3 3PT
Barnes' defense was awesome. He legitimately guarded 1-through-5 with success, clamping opponents from James Bouknight to Kai Jones. On offense, the fourth overall pick detonated in transition to propel him to those 23 points. But Barnes also took guys off the dribble and finished acrobatically at the rim. He still needs to find a rhythm mid-range shot, but Barnes already contributes in so many areas for Toronto.
Miles McBride, guard, New York Knicks
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Miles McBride : 23 points (9-14 shooting &amp; 5-8 from 3), 4 rebounds, 5 assists &amp; 2 steals in 33 minutes <a href="https://t.co/BSXvgofksL">pic.twitter.com/BSXvgofksL</a>
&mdash; Lee Harvey (@AyeThatsLee) <a href="https://twitter.com/AyeThatsLee/status/1426772246459211776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 9-for-14 FG, 5-for-8 3PT
Quentin Grimes led the team with 28 points, but I thought McBride was the best and most impressive player on the court in New York's 103-94 victory over Cleveland. The second-round guard took on more of a lead role with Immanuel Quickley out. Though he gave up four turnovers, McBride was fearless as a passer and creator. He frequently pulled up for long two-pointers and threes, which is a critical area to watch for him as a scoring guard. And McBride's hounding defense was present as always.
Other notable performers: Saben Lee (Pistons), Luka Garza (Pistons), Max Strus (Heat), Nate Hinton (Mavericks), Chris Duarte (Pacers), Quentin Grimes (Knicks), Obi Toppin (Knicks), Lamar Stevens (Cavaliers)
DUDS
Jaden Springer, guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Box Score Stats: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3-for-11 FG, 0-for-2 3PT
Thursday's 100-80 loss to the Celtics was partially frustrating because the Sixers, despite sitting Tyrese Maxey, scarcely gave Springer time on the ball. They instead went with Isaiah Joe and Frank Mason as the lead guards. Springer had to do most of his work off movement and off the catch, and was unsuccessful. He also continues to struggle with gaining separation, though he has been adept at finding pockets in the defense.
Theo Maledon, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Box Score Stats: 0 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 0-for-7 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
Like Springer, Maledon was held back due to a cold touch and lack of burst. He still facilitated well as the point guard for OKC, but missed a few attempts at the rim as well as all of his three-point attempts. The 20-year-old is 7-for-25 from deep in summer league, but five of those makes came in a single game. He canned 33.5% of his long-range looks as a rookie.
Nick Richards, center, Charlotte Hornets
Box Score Stats: 3 points, 8 rebounds, 1-for-5 FG, 0-for-1 3PT
Richards came in for Vernon Carey Jr. and played 24 minutes for Charlotte. But the seven-footer was ineffective as an interior presence. He missed some easy buckets inside and was lost when Toronto pushed the pace late in the game. It was a strange fit with fellow paint finisher Kai Jones, and the two did not mesh particularly well.&nbsp;

Two Atlanta Hawks players showed out on the seventh day of NBA Summer League.

Studs and duds from the seventh day of NBA Summer League

NBA Summer League rolls on, and after four days of action, 28 of 30 teams have competed in multiple games.&nbsp;
We're already seeing prospects figure things out in their second efforts. Viewers also tuned into the first sudden death overtime finish, seeing Max Strus ice things for the Miami Heat in a 97-94 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. We got another when the Utah Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks, 81-80. In general, games were close and competitive on Wednesday.
Below are some stud and dud performances that defined Day 4:
STUDS
Miles McBride, guard, New York Knicks
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MILES MCBRIDE 🔥 22 PTS 7/9 FG 6/6 3PT 7 REB 5 AST In 28 MINS<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewYorkForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewYorkForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/deucemcb11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deucemcb11</a><a href="https://t.co/mcO5xPJQBT">pic.twitter.com/mcO5xPJQBT</a>
&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1425780055716896770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 7-for-9 FG, 6-for-6 3PT
McBride was electric for New York in the 91-82 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The former WVU Mountaineer is already recognized as one of the best guard defenders in his draft class. But McBride is also an offensive threat, and he showed it Wednesday by hitting all six threes off the catch and off movement.
He also made smart passes as the secondary ball-handler next to Immanuel Quickley. McBride likely won't be a true point guard to start his career, but this type of performance shows he can earn playing time in a variety of different roles.
Max Strus, forward, Miami Heat
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MAX STRUS WINS IT IN DOUBLE OT 🥵 <a href="https://t.co/tAHP148iSo">pic.twitter.com/tAHP148iSo</a>
&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1425594821909958660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 32 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 9-for-22 FG, 7-for-17 3PT
Strus is a dynamic shotmaker, plain and simple. He obviously showed that on Wednesday. But this final shot &mdash; I mean, can we talk about the sense of swagger? To get the ball off the opening tip-off of sudden death double-overtime, stroll up to the three-point line and call game... That's cold. Strus made one of the highlights of NBA Summer League so far with that play.
Naji Marshall, forward, New Orleans Pelicans
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Naji Marshall with the perimeter lock-down defense on Mann! <a href="https://t.co/8D4aRVcqd3">pic.twitter.com/8D4aRVcqd3</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1425621246524465157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
Box Score Stats: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 6-for-12 FG, 3-for-5 3PT
The second-year Pelican did a little bit of everything in New Orleans' 80-65 win over the Thunder. Marshall has a nice handle and good vision as a 6-foot-7 wing. He also made open threes, attacked the basket and beat defenders off the dribble with impressive burst. Then he came back and guarded multiple positions on defense. I'm intrigued by the number of different solid skills the 23-year-old already has with his size and speed.
Ziaire Williams, forward, Memphis Grizzlies
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Ziaire Williams adjusts the ball mid-flight to get finish the baseline drive despite Yurtseven's contest. <a href="https://t.co/7X66aEaEhO">pic.twitter.com/7X66aEaEhO</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1425571726088343566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 6-for-10 FG, 4-for-6 3PT
The tenth overall pick in this year's draft demonstrated the shotmaking potential that helped enamor the Grizzlies. Williams canned four three-pointers off the catch &mdash; a major positive, considering he made just 29% of his threes at Stanford. He also attacked the basket, finishing with floaters and the nice contact layup shown above. One of the biggest pre-draft questions with Williams was if he could handle NBA physicality with his thin frame. He did a great job of addressing that on Wednesday.
Other notable performers: Omer Yurtseven (Heat), Cam Thomas (Nets), Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors), Immanuel Quickley (Knicks), Jalen Suggs (Magic)
DUDS
Santi Aldama, forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Box Score Stats: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-for-9 FG, 0-for-5 3PT
Unlike Williams, Aldama did not take a major leap forward on Wednesday for the Grizzlies. He moved into the starting lineup and played 19 minutes, but again struggled with the oppposing strength and could not make his threes. Aldama is now just 2-for-16 from the field in summer league play and 0-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Theo Maledon, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Box Score Stats: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-for-11 FG, 1-for-7 3PT
Just a tough off-day from Maledon, who couldn't buy a three-pointer in what was largely a team-wide slump against the Pelicans. Maledon did attack the basket with mixed success, and as one of the most experienced players on the team, looked comfortable running the offense with rookie Tre Mann. I'm not concerned about this dud; Maledon got to his spots on the court, but just didn't have the touch.&nbsp;
Brandon Knight, guard, Brooklyn Nets
Box Score Stats: 9 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 3-for-12 FG, 1-for-6 3PT
Knight hasn't been a profound negative for the Nets, but he's not making the type of impact he needs to for him to claw back into the NBA. The 29-year-old was inconsistent around the rim and simply off from three &mdash; both areas of trouble as a pro. He is a cumulative 5-for-21 from the floor and 2-for-13 from long range through two contests. Knight has to turn things around in order to leave NBA teams with a positive impression.

Ethan Fuller rounds up the best breakouts and biggest letdowns of Day 4 at the NBA Summer League.

Studs and duds from the fourth day of NBA Summer League

If we were to compare free agency to a regulation NBA game, most Knicks fans were discouraged by New York's first-quarter performance, believing their favorite team stumbled out of the gate.
On Monday, the first day that front offices were able to start negotiating with players available on the open market, Knicks fans learned that the team had inked Evan Fournier to a four-year deal worth as much as $78 million and re-signed Derrick Rose (to a three-year, $43 million contract), Alec Burks (to a three-year, $30 million contract) and Nerlens Noel (to a three-year, $32 million contract).
SNY <a href="https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1422323666415665157?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initially reported</a> that Burks' three-year deal was fully guaranteed. When no additional contract details were reported, Knicks fans feared the worst: that all of the pacts were fully guaranteed. Many New York supporters went to bed feeling distressed and pessimistic on Monday night.
The Knicks entered this summer's free-agency frenzy with north of $50 million in cap space, which was more than any other team in the league. Fans were hoping the team would make a significant splash with all that cash. Committing $183 million in guaranteed salaries to Fournier, Rose, Burks and Noel was not what they had in mind.
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However, on Tuesday morning, reports began to trickle out that the new contracts included team-friendly terms. Eventually, multiple outlets confirmed that all four pacts had a team option for the final season. That made each of the deals far more palatable, as it means each contract is far easier to trade and that New York has more cap flexibility moving forward. The fanbase was starting to come around. However, the franchise had burned through most of their cap space and still didn't have a clear-cut starting point guard on the roster.
But New York woke up to some wonderful news on Wednesday morning. Kemba Walker, who was born and raised in the Bronx, was coming home to NYC. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the Boston Celtics, Walker agreed to a buyout with the Thunder and would be joining the Knicks. He would be paid approximately $9 million per year &mdash; a relative bargain for a starting point guard of his caliber. Knicks fans rejoiced.
The following morning, Knicks fans once again were greeted with excellent news. The team's best player, Julius Randle, had agreed to a four-year extension. Like Walker, Randle decided to forgo a more profitable payday for the opportunity to play in Madison Square Garden.
On Friday, team president Leon Rose, capologist Brock Aller, and general manager Scott Perry put a bow on a banner week by announcing the team had signed guard Miles "Deuce" McBride &mdash; the 36th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft &mdash; to a contract. The announcement's timing is important because it means the Knicks likely used their available cap space to sign McBride. Consequently, his contract can run up to four years, including team options, instead of just two.
Let's take a quick look at the significance of each new signing.
Evan Fournier
Fournier will provide much-needed three-point marksmanship and shot creation to an offense that was often stagnant for long stretches last season. Despite suffering through a debilitating bout of COVID-19 and its lingering side effects (Fournier compared its impact to a concussion), he finished the 2020-21 campaign shooting a scorching 46.3% from downtown.
Over the past two seasons combined, Fournier is one of only eight players in the league to average more than 6.5 three-point attempts per game while shooting over 40% from downtown. The other seven players in the club are Steph Curry, Duncan Robinson, Bogdan Bogdanović, Davis Bertans, Bojan Bogdanović, Paul George and Kyrie Irving.
Having Fournier replace Reggie Bullock in the starting lineup will hurt New York on the defensive end of the floor, but the Knicks finished last season ranked inside the top-five in defensive efficiency, while they ranked 22nd overall in offensive efficiency.
Kemba Walker
Is Kemba Walker's left knee a concern? Absolutely. But if Kemba is even 80% healthy, he would immediately rank as the best point guard to wear a Knicks uniform since George W. Bush was in the White House. Over the past six seasons combined, dating back to the start of 2015-16, Walker has averaged 22.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 made three-pointers. Only three players have matched or exceeded those per-game averages: Steph Curry, James Harden and Damian Lillard.
Even in a down season last year, Walker averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 dimes and 3.0 made treys a night. In the 75-year history of the Knicks franchise, no point guard has ever averaged at least 19.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 triples in any single season.
It's been more than 30 years since a Knicks point guard played in an All-Star game (Mark Jackson in 1989). Walker has been named an All-Star in four of the past five seasons.
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Elfrid Payton logged a total of 1,484 minutes last season, the second-most among all guards on the team. Having a combination of Walker and Rose inherit all those minutes in 2021-22 represents a massive upgrade for a team that finished 10 games over .500 last year.
The Knicks faced zone defenses more than any team in the league last season. With Kemba and Fournier now in the starting lineup, opposing defenses will hesitate to switch to zone. And having Kemba run pick-and-rolls should significantly enhance the vertical spacing threat a healthy Mitchell Robinson brings to the table. Walker's ability to penetrate into the paint will also produce substantial dividends, as he draws fouls on opposing bigs and racks up points at the charity stripe. Over his two seasons in New York (108 total games), Payton made 122 free throws. In just 43 games last season for the Celtics, Walker made 143 free throws.
If New York had to pay market value for a point guard with Walker's skillset and resume, it would have been worth the cost. The fact that the Knicks will pay him less than $10 million makes the signing a steal.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Julius Randle
Did Julius Randle struggle mightily in the playoffs? Absolutely. Would the Knicks have advanced to the postseason and secured home-court advantage for just the second time this century if Randle hadn't carried the team on his back all year? Absolutely not.
Randle put together one of the most impressive all-around campaigns in franchise history, averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. To help put his 2020-21 regular season stats in context, consider this. Randle:
<ul>
<li>grabbed more boards than Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid;</li>
<li>dished out more assists than LeBron James and Stephen Curry;</li>
<li>scored more points than Jayson Tatum and Trae Young;</li>
<li>shot a higher three-point percentage than Damian Lillard and Duncan Robinson;</li>
<li>posted a higher effective field goal percentage than Anthony Davis and Paul George;</li>
<li>accumulated more win shares than Luka Doncic and James Harden;</li>
<li>recorded a higher player efficiency rating than Devin Booker and Kyle Lowry;</li>
<li>posted a higher box plus/minus than Jrue Holiday and Donovan Mitchell;&nbsp;</li>
<li>registered a higher value over replacement player than Rudy Gobert and Chris Paul.</li>
</ul>
Coming off an All-NBA-Second-Team campaign, Randle had the opportunity to play out the upcoming season and hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent next summer. At that point, he would have been eligible for a max contract worth north of $200 million. Instead, he inked a four-year, $107 million extension that can increase to $117 million if specific incentives are met. Randle is only 26 years old and just now entering the heart of his prime.
To put Randle's contract in perspective, compare it to some of the other lucrative deals signed this month. DeMar DeRozan, already 32 years old, will earn an average of $28.3 million over the next three seasons. Jimmy Butler will earn $51.6 million in the final year of his contract (2025-26), at which point he will be 36 years old. That same season, Randle will be 30 and in the final year of his contract and will earn $29.4 million. Randle is younger than Duncan Robinson and Norm Powell, both of whom inked $90 million deals. Randle is the same age as Devonte' Graham and Kendrick Nunn. Randle is three years younger than Tim Hardaway Jr.
Last season, Randle told reporters that he hoped to be a Knick "for the rest of my career, that's really what I want." Players say such things all the time, yet when they have an opportunity to cash in, they (understandably) hold out for the highest offer. Randle, however, quite literally put his money where his mouth is.
***
When you consider where the Knicks were just 10 months ago, the progress the franchise has made is remarkable. First, they vastly exceeded expectations on the court and then continued to build on that success thus far this offseason.
For years, various New York front-office executives have failed to persuade stars to sign on the dotted line. This past week, not only did New York add an All-Star-caliber point guard, but that point guard could have joined pretty much any team in the league and he opted for the Knicks.
Then the team's best player, fresh off a season in which he finished inside the top-10 in MVP voting, re-upped with New York for significantly less than market value. It&rsquo;s certainly a sign of progress for the franchise and a validation of what the organization is hoping to create.
When pundits talk about teams incrementally "developing a culture,&rdquo; this is what they mean.
After another step in the right direction this week, fans can feel confident that the Knicks will continue building momentum going forward.

New York had a productive offseason, adding Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, extending Julius Randle and re-signing key veterans.

For a change, a successful free-agency period propels Knicks forward

The 2021 NBA Draft is in the books. Now that we know where the prospects have landed, our NBA Draft experts Matt Babcock and Derek Murray are sharing their thoughts about the results.
Obviously, it&rsquo;s too early to definitively assess these picks (since we won&rsquo;t know the true winners and losers for a few years). Still, we still wanted to get their snap judgement on what unfolded.
Who are your biggest winners (and why)?
Matt Babcock: In my opinion, the Charlotte Hornets were the big winners last night. First of all, selecting <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/james-bouknight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Bouknight</a> at No. 11 was an excellent value pick (considering we had him mocked at No. 6 prior to the draft). The Hornets&rsquo; backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Bouknight should prove to be an exciting duo moving forward. The Hornets also added <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/kai-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kai Jones</a> at No. 19, which was a great pick as well. We had projected that the Hornets would select Jones at No. 11 for a while before the draft, so to move back and get him at No. 19 was impressive. Lastly, trading up to snag <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jt-thor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JT Thor</a>, a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jt-thor-could-be-2021-nba-draft-diamond-in-the-rough-auburn-tigers-prospect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">super high-upside</a> prospect, at No. 37 was another smart move. All in all, they added Bouknight, who I think will be able to contribute at a high level right away, and two players in Jones and Thor who possess significant potential. I think the Hornets deserve an &lsquo;A&rsquo; grade for their picks.
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Derek Murray: Charlotte and Houston. The Hornets added incredible athleticism across the board in guys who have crazy high upside. It may take a while for the group to develop as a whole, but the sky's the limit for them. I really loved Houston&rsquo;s draft too (possibly the most), as they added four first-rounders: <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jalen-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Green</a> (No. 2), <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/alperen-sengun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alperen Sengun</a> (No. 16), <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/usman-garuba" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Usman Garuba</a> (No. 23) and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/josh-christopher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Christopher</a> (No. 24). They addressed multiple positions, roles and archetypes in the same first round, which is usually impossible to do. They also did it with youth across the board, so I think Houston fans should be ecstatic.&nbsp;
Who are your biggest losers (and why)?
Matt Babcock: I don&rsquo;t know if I&rsquo;d go as far to say they were my &ldquo;biggest loser,&rdquo; but I will say that I was surprised that the Memphis Grizzlies traded up to No. 10 to select <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/ziaire-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ziaire Williams</a> and moved up to No. 30 to select <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/santi-aldama" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Santi Aldama</a>. Although there were some whispers that Williams had drawn some interest from teams as high as the Orlando Magic at No. 8, I wasn&rsquo;t totally convinced he was going to be selected in the lottery. Therefore, I think they would have had a pretty good chance of picking him later on in the draft. I was even more surprised by Memphis trading up to No. 30 to select Aldama, as I was not expecting him to be selected anywhere near the first round. (We had him mocked at No. 55 prior to the draft).
Derek Murray: I don&rsquo;t like to call any team a &ldquo;loser&rdquo; immediately following draft night because it truly takes three years to make that call. That being said, I&rsquo;m very curious about the decision-making in San Antonio. It feels like they have a log jam at the guard/combo-guard positions with Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones under contract, and then they took <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-primo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Primo</a> at No. 12 and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joe-wieskamp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Wieskamp</a> at No. 41. I really like both of these players, and I do think Wiekamp at 41st is good value, but I envisioned them addressing the front-court concerns at No. 12 with either <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/alperen-sengun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alperen Sengun</a> or <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/kai-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kai Jones</a>.&nbsp;
Which pick surprised you the most?
Matt Babcock: There were a number of picks that surprised me: <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-giddey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Giddey</a> to Oklahoma City at No.6, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/ziaire-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ziaire Williams</a> to Memphis at No. 10, and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-primo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Primo</a> to San Antonio at No. 12, for sure. However, the biggest surprise of the night for me was Memphis selecting <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/santi-aldama" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Santi Aldama</a> at No. 30.
Derek Murray: <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-primo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Primo</a> at No. 12 stands alone for me as the biggest surprise reach, but <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/santi-aldama" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Santi Aldama</a> at No. 30 is up there. Both are great players, I just imagined them each going 10-15 spots later than they did. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/sharife-cooper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharife Cooper</a> also surprised me; we knew he would slip to the second round so that part wasn&rsquo;t a shock, but to fall all the way to No. 48 is wild.
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Who were some of the best value picks?
Matt Babcock: <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/james-bouknight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Bouknight</a> at No. 11 to Charlotte, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/miles-mcbride" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miles McBride</a> at No. 36 to New York and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jared-butler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jared Butler</a> at No. 40 to Utah.
Derek Murray: <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jaden-springer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaden Springer</a> at No. 26, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/miles-mcbride" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miles McBride</a>e at No. 36 and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/sandro-mamukelashvili" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sandro Mamukelashvili</a> at No. 54.&nbsp;
Were you surprised that there weren&rsquo;t more trades? Why didn&rsquo;t we see more?
Matt Babcock: Yeah, I think everyone expected a more dramatic night in regards to trades. There were certainly a lot of trades discussed among teams behind the scenes. I think some of the early picks that surprised some of us changed the course of the entire draft.
Derek Murray: I imagined another move or two within the lottery, but with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/joshua-giddey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Giddey</a> being taken at No. 6, which nobody predicted, it pushed some players down one slot to the teams that wanted them. At that point, there was no rush or need to move up.&nbsp;
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Any parting thoughts?
Matt Babcock: Considering that there was no Summer League last year due to COVID-19, draft picks from the 2020 NBA Draft will be joining this year&rsquo;s class in Las Vegas for their first Summer-League action, which should make for a uniquely competitive and exciting tournament this year. Also, I&rsquo;m excited to start our rookie coverage, which will begin at Summer League in Las Vegas and carry on into the 2021-22 NBA season.
Derek Murray: I&rsquo;m fascinated with what comes from this draft for the Memphis Grizzlies. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/ziaire-williams">Ziaire Williams</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/santi-aldama">Santi Aldama</a> will be considered &ldquo;reaches&rdquo; by many, but these are two supremely talented players. It may be a few years before it clicks for them, but they could end up really, really good.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft">Check out all of BasketballNews.com&rsquo;s coverage of the 2021 NBA Draft (including interviews, highlight videos, analysis and more) here.</a>

Matt Babcock and Derek Murray share their winners and losers, biggest surprises, favorite steals and more from the 2021 NBA Draft.

2021 NBA Draft Recap: Winners and losers, steals, biggest surprises

The <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 NBA Draft</a> is 2 days away, so BasketballNews.com is breaking down the best prospects in each conference. Today, we&rsquo;ll look at Big 12 players to keep an eye on.
Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
STATS: 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals
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Throughout the college basketball season, Cade Cunningham&rsquo;s name is the one that has consistently been spoken as the number one overall pick in this year's draft. While others may have entered the conversation, the overwhelming majority have maintained that he&rsquo;s the one.
Cunningham is a 6-foot-8 guard/wing whose combination of offensive facilitating, scoring dynamism, versatility, high IQ, and clutch play have impressed scouts and fans alike. He&rsquo;s been able to reach and hold the top projection. Cunningham was the engine of a high-caliber Montverde team that also had the likes of fellow projected 2021 draft picks Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody and Day&rsquo;ron Sharpe, along with other current and future NBA players. Billed as an oversized playmaker coming out of high school, questions loomed regarding Cunningham&rsquo;s ability to score from outside, as an inconsistent jump shot was considered a weakness. However, once he took his talents to Oklahoma State for his assumed one-and-done collegiate career, a new layer of his game was added.
Cunningham took a step forward as a scorer as he shot 40% from beyond the arc and converted on 1.1 PPP in isolation situations, according to InStat. He proved that he was able to influence gravity not only as a passer but also as a three-level scorer. That allowed his high-level passing to shine. While his assist numbers may not jump off the page, they aren&rsquo;t indicative of the passing ability that he possesses when you watch the film. In the NBA, he&rsquo;ll have more spacing and a higher talent level surrounding him, which will give him double-double and even triple-double potential on a nightly basis. Cunningham also has the ability to defend multiple positions and made some impressive winning plays on defense this past season. To add the cherry on top, Cunningham, by all accounts, is a true leader on the floor who wants the ball in pressure moments. The Pistons hosted Cunningham for a light workout last week in Detroit and reports out of Cunningham&rsquo;s camp say that he won&rsquo;t visit any other teams. Unless a wild turn of events occur, expect Cade Cunningham to be the first name announced by Adam Silver on Thursday night.
Cade Cunningham remains the No. 1 overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in our latest mock draft.
Kai Jones, Texas
STATS: 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.9 blocks
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One of the highest upside prospects in this draft is Kai Jones of Texas. The 6-foot-11 sophomore came off the bench for the Longhorns but had plenty of flashes of athleticism and versatility over his two seasons. Jones projects as an energy big who&rsquo;s rim-running ability creates easy points at the basket. His explosive leaping ability, 7-foot-1 wingspan and high energy combine to create a prospect with intriguing shot blocking ability as a dunk/lob threat on the offensive end of the floor. Jones had numerous highlights this season where he stifled the opponent with a block, quickly got out in transition and finished the play with an emphatic dunk.
Still, his versatility is what intrigues the most as he has shown an ability to make decisions from the perimeter, shoot with relative efficiency (38.2% on 1.3 three-point attempts per game) and put the ball on the floor. He can also obviously finish at the rim while locking down perimeter players and get big stops. He had some impressive moments against a few of the Big 12&rsquo;s best guards like Cade Cunningham, Davion Mitchell and Jared Butler.&nbsp;
Jones is still a bit raw, as he picked up basketball as a 15-year-old in the Bahamas, and he will need to add size and strength to compete against other NBA big men. But the tools are there. If they can be tied together, they can form an elite and modern NBA big man.&nbsp;
Kai Jones is projected as the 11th pick to the Charlotte Hornets in our latest mock draft.
Davion Mitchell, Baylor
STATS: 14 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals
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The Baylor Bears had a major disappointment last year when the season (and the world) was shut down because of COVID-19. Many presumed Baylor would make a March Madness run to the Final Four.
Davion Mitchell was already displaying his defensive prowess during the 2019-20 run, but his 2020-21 season is what brought him into the lottery conversation. A Pitbull of a guard, Mitchell&rsquo;s defensive impact has immediate translatability. He possesses good lateral quickness, a plus-wingspan and a knack for making plays on the ball and creating turnovers. Although he&rsquo;s undersized by NBA standards, he projects to cause problems for opposing backcourts because of the pride he takes on the defensive end.&nbsp;
Where Mitchell&rsquo;s upside comes in is the leap he took as an offensive player this past season. His off-the-dribble creation was impressive, as he showed off a tighter handle with a quick first-step to blow by defenders. He also has the athleticism and finesse to finish around the rim. His shooting numbers up to this season were not very strong, but this year, he improved; he shot 51% from the field, including 44.7% from three-point territory. Some scouts find fault with his low free throw shooting numbers and the fact that he&rsquo;s older prospect, but he&rsquo;s shown he has value as an NBA player and that he can help a contending team right away on both ends of the floor.&nbsp;
Davion Mitchell is projected as the 13th pick to the Indiana Pacers in our latest mock draft.
Jared Butler, Baylor
STATS: 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.9 steals
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The other half of the Baylor Bears national championship backcourt is a prospect who&rsquo;s been on the NBA draft radar since he tested the waters last season.
Jared Butler is a smooth and shifty combo guard with a game that translates well to today&rsquo;s league. The draw with Butler is that he can excel as an on-the-ball pick-and-roll creator or off-the-ball spot-up three-point shooter. Butler is a wiz in the pick-and-roll. as he&rsquo;s shown the ability to make any read out of that action and make defenders pay with his passing or scoring acumen. Butler has developed into one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball, as he shot above 41.6% from beyond the arc along. His backcourt mate, Davion Mitchell, shot 44.7%, which made them a devastating combination. Butler also uses a crafty handle to get to his spots and self-create both points and passing lanes for his teammates.&nbsp;
Butler's game is very balanced as he also brings it on the defensive end. Along with Mitchell, he gave opposing backcourts many problems. Although Butler is not an overwhelming athlete, his two steals per game are indicative of the activity and engagement he has on the defensive end. He has very active hands and the quickness necessary to play passing lanes. Butler had some health concerns as he was screened for this year's draft, but was recently cleared to play. That should allow him to complete his goal of being drafted. He&rsquo;s got the ability to step on the floor next season and make an immediate impact for a team looking for more depth.
Jared Butler is projected as the 18th pick to the OKC Thunder in our latest mock draft.
Miles McBride, West Virginia&nbsp;
STATS: 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 41.4% three-point percentage
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With a similar profile to Davion Mitchell, Miles &ldquo;Deuce&rdquo; McBride is another one of the Big 12&rsquo;s lockdown defenders. Another undersized guard who plays bigger than what the measurements suggest, McBride, standing at 6-foot-1, uses his eye-popping 6-foot-9 wingspan to contest shots, get deflections and make opponents uncomfortable over the course of a game. This season, McBride had an impressive defensive sequence against Cade Cunningham on back-to-back possessions at the end of the game&rsquo;s first half &mdash; McBride got a stop and finished at the other end.
A player who gives up a 5-6 inch height difference not shying away from that moment and instead making two high-IQ defensive plays against the projected No. 1 overall pick would intrigue any NBA team.&nbsp;
As a full-time starter in his sophomore year, Deuce showed major improvements in his offensive game; he shot a strong 41.4% from three and used various dribble combinations to showcase a smooth mid-range pull-up game. However, McBride&rsquo;s reliance on his midrange game did get him in trouble at times, negatively impacting his efficiency (he shot 43% from the field), but he currently projects as more of an off-ball player in the NBA, so it may be immaterial. He does also have some playmaking chops, which is reflected in his positive assist-to-turnover ratio. He could take on some secondary ball-handling duties early on in his career. McBride&rsquo;s two-way potential has caused his stock to rise; he&rsquo;s now in the conversation as a first-round pick, and for good reason. It&rsquo;s easy to see his hard-nosed play as an impactful addition to a playoff team.&nbsp;
Miles McBride is projected as the 29th pick to the reigning Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns in our latest mock draft.
Greg Brown III - Texas
STATS: 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.0 block
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Greg Brown is another prospect who came out of high school highly ranked, and his arrival at Texas was closely watched. He joined a Texas front court that had the previously mentioned Kai Jones, and the next prospect, Jericho Sims. Together, the three combined to form one of the bounciest front courts in all of college basketball. Brown has tantalizing athleticism that easily projects well to the NBA. It&rsquo;s easy to expect him to thrive in transition, throw down some highlight dunks and create opportunities through his ability to fly around the court. While his ball skills are still developing, Brown has flashed his upside as an off-the-dribble scorer. He attacks close outs and utilizes his length to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Brown also shot 33% from long range this season, showing that he can be a shooting threat in the future.&nbsp;
Brown&rsquo;s measurements of 6-foot-8 (with a 7-foot wingspan) and elite athleticism suggest that he&rsquo;ll be able to guard both forward positions, as well as some centers. That&rsquo;s especially true if his body continues to get stronger.
In his lone season at Texas, Brown showed nice help-side rim protection and he moves fluidly enough to stay with guards on the perimeter. Maintaining his motor on defense will raise Brown&rsquo;s ceiling and increase his odds to get on the floor early, as well.&nbsp;
Greg Brown is projected as the 36th pick to the OKC Thunder in our latest mock draft.
Jericho Sims, Texas
STATS: 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists
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Jericho Sims, the third of the three athletic freaks from Texas, is the oldest of the three, but the senior helped his stock tremendously during the pre-draft process.
Sims is a strong, 6-foot-10, 245-pound center with the second-highest max. vertical leap in this year's combine &mdash; 44.5 inches. Those measurements along with a 7-foot-3 wingspan suggest Sims will translate well as a rim-running big man that will block shots and attempt to dunk everything. He was also at the top of college basketball in scoring as a rim-roller, finishing with an impressive 1.6 PPP in those situations, per InStat.
With additional offensive spacing in the NBA, Sims should continue to succeed in these areas of the game, but will need to improve as a passer out of the post. Additionally, Sims was Texas&rsquo; anchor in the middle and was a consistently impactful defensive player due to his shot-blocking ability and high motor.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s not difficult to see what Sims' role will be in the NBA and his four years of Big 12 experience has prepared him well for his opportunity at the next level. The pre-draft process treated Sims very well and it was capped off by the memorable moment of his hitting his head on the rim during the Klutch Sports Pro Day event.
Jericho Sims is projected as the 56th pick to the Charlotte Hornets in our latest mock draft.

2021 NBA Draft: Analyzing the Big 12's top prospects

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

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