Tigers

Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves is shaping up to be a defining moment in the series. With the Thunder up 2-1, the stakes are sky-high: a win would give Oklahoma City a commanding 3-1 lead and the chance to close out the series at home in Game 5. A Timberwolves victory, however, would tie the series and tilt momentum squarely in Minnesota&rsquo;s favor heading back to Oklahoma City. For both teams, Game 4 is a must-win, not just to improve their series odds but to psychologically establish control.
The Thunder have already demonstrated their potential dominance, capturing Games 1 and 2 behind strong defensive play and the leadership of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But their 42-point Game 3 loss &ndash; the franchise&rsquo;s worst in playoff history &ndash; shattered that narrative and gave Minnesota a jolt of confidence. Although it did not necessarily expose weaknesses that had been masked in earlier games, the Thunder are back in the drawing board.
Minnesota, meanwhile, needed that Game 3 win not just to stay alive in the series but to prove to themselves that they could crack Oklahoma City&rsquo;s defensive shell. Anthony Edwards&rsquo; explosive performance and a more balanced offensive attack were central to their blowout victory. The Timberwolves now face the challenge of sustaining that energy and focus, particularly in a pressure-filled Game 4 where every possession could shift the series balance.
<h3>The Thunder's adjustments:</h3>
Rekindling energy and intensity
Perhaps the most glaring issue in Game 3 was Oklahoma City&rsquo;s lack of energy from the opening tip. The Thunder were outscored 34-14 in the first quarter, and the deficit ballooned quickly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted postgame that the team simply didn&rsquo;t match Minnesota&rsquo;s intensity. That kind of mental and physical lapse is especially surprising for a young, energetic team known for playing with urgency.
The Thunder have typically prided themselves on their fast starts and emotional edge, with their crowd feeding off their hustle. To correct this, Daigneault may need to emphasize establishing their pace and transition offense early in Game 4. Perhaps a quick substitution pattern or a motivational shift in pregame preparation could help reignite that spark. If they come out flat again, Minnesota is likely to capitalize with another early run.
It&rsquo;s not just about emotion &ndash; focus matters as well. The Thunder committed costly early turnovers and allowed second-chance points, putting themselves in a hole they could never climb out of. The best adjustment may simply be a mindset shift: play like your back is against the wall, because in a Western Conference Finals, it always is. How Oklahoma City starts Game 4 will set the tone for the rest of the series.
Containing Minnesota's role players
While Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were expected to be focal points, Oklahoma City was undone in Game 3 by Minnesota&rsquo;s role players. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 15 points, including aggressive attacks to the rim and timely threes; while others like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided scoring bursts and defensive energy. The Thunder defense, which was so stifling in Games 1 and 2, was repeatedly caught off guard by Minnesota&rsquo;s bench guys.
This speaks to a deeper issue: defensive rotations and scouting. The Thunder&rsquo;s game plan had revolved around containing stars, but it left openings for corner threes and off-ball cuts that the Wolves&rsquo; bench exploited. Oklahoma City needs to tighten its weak side help defense and better communicate on switches. Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace will be vital in applying consistent pressure without over-helping.
One way to limit role players is to reduce their rhythm opportunities. That means rebounding better to end possessions, pushing the pace to limit halfcourt sets, and closing out with discipline. If OKC can neutralize Minnesota&rsquo;s bench and force Edwards and Randle to shoulder a heavier load, it could wear down the Wolves&rsquo; stars by the fourth quarter, a strategy that worked in Game 1 and 2.
Improving perimeter shooting
Oklahoma City&rsquo;s offense lives and dies by its ability to stretch the floor. In Game 3, they shot just 31.8% from beyond the arc &ndash; a drastic drop from their efficiency in Games 1 and 2. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe struggled to find clean looks, and the Wolves' perimeter defense closed out effectively. Without reliable spacing, Gilgeous-Alexander found it harder to penetrate and create.
Part of the problem was the Thunder&rsquo;s shot selection. Forced into late-clock attempts and contested threes, the ball movement that had fueled earlier wins stagnated. To fix this, OKC needs to reestablish its rhythm offense &ndash; using drives to kick out for open looks, and involving secondary playmakers and other bench guys like Aaron Wiggins to diversify the attack.
Hitting threes doesn&rsquo;t just boost the scoreboard &ndash; it changes the geometry of the court. If the Thunder regain their shooting stroke, it will pull Minnesota&rsquo;s defenders out of the paint and re-open driving lanes for SGA and Williams. A return to form from deep could be the single biggest factor in tilting Game 4 in Oklahoma City&rsquo;s favor.
<h3>The Wolves&rsquo; strategies:</h3>
Sustaining Anthony Edwards' Momentum
Anthony Edwards looked every bit the franchise superstar in Game 3, tallying 30 points in 30 minutes and setting the tone from the jump. His ability to attack in transition, create off the dribble, and knock down tough perimeter shots overwhelmed a Thunder defense that had kept him in check in some ways. But maintaining that level is the challenge.
Edwards has shown a tendency in past series to oscillate between brilliance and passivity. Minnesota needs him to be aggressive from the start of Game 4, particularly if OKC makes early adjustments to double or trap him. His decision-making, when to attack and when to pass, will dictate how the Thunder rotate defensively and could open up looks for teammates.
The other piece is Edwards&rsquo; defense. He played with renewed intensity in Game 3, helping disrupt OKC&rsquo;s ball movement and forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets. If he can continue to influence the game on both ends, he&rsquo;ll force Daigneault into tough matchup decisions. For the Timberwolves to even the series, they need their superstar to be the best player on the floor.
Consistency from Randle and McDaniels
Julius Randle gave Minnesota a much-needed offensive anchor in Game 3, finishing with 24 points and providing a physical counter to Chet Holmgren inside. His post-ups, face-up jumpers, and second-chance finishes is a powerful layer to the Wolves&rsquo; attack. It was a bounce back game after Randle&rsquo;s abysmal Game 2 performance, and consistency remains the key as we go deeper into the series.
Randle needs to continue exploiting mismatches &ndash; especially when the Thunder switch or play smaller lineups. If he can draw fouls and get to the line, it slows the pace and allows Minnesota to control tempo. Moreover, his ability to make quick reads as a passer will be crucial if OKC sends double-teams or crowds the paint.
McDaniels, meanwhile, doesn&rsquo;t need to score 20 points to be effective, but his timely threes and cutting lanes open up the floor. His primary value has come on defense, particularly in his effort to contain Gilgeous-Alexander. If he can provide his usual 10-12, 15 points while locking down one of OKC&rsquo;s stars, he becomes an x-factor that Oklahoma City has to account for every minute he&rsquo;s on the floor.
Bench production
The unsung hero in Minnesota&rsquo;s Game 3 romp was the bench unit. Terrence Shannon Jr. gave the Wolves a jolt with his confident scoring, while veteran Mike Conley played with the bench and helped steady the second unit. That depth allowed head coach Chris Finch to rest his starters earlier, preserving legs for what promises to be a grueling Game 4.
The Timberwolves&rsquo; bench not only scored, but also brought energy and defensive intensity. They helped build on the lead rather than merely maintain it&mdash;a luxury most teams don&rsquo;t have this deep into the playoffs. If players like Shannon, Reid, DiVincenzo, and Alexander-Walker continue producing, Minnesota can survive short lulls from their stars without losing ground.
What&rsquo;s more, the Wolves&rsquo; bench success forces OKC to go deeper into its rotation, potentially exposing weaknesses. The ability to trust non-starters with meaningful minutes is often the difference between a championship and a playoff exit. Minnesota&rsquo;s bench has a chance to turn this series around if they replicate their Game 3 performance.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
Game 4 will test both teams' resolve, adaptability, and poise under pressure. The Thunder are eager to erase the sting of a 40-point loss and reestablish dominance. The Timberwolves are riding high but know they can&rsquo;t afford a letdown. Whoever best applies these adjustments and wins the intangible battles &ndash; energy, focus, composure &ndash; will walk off the court with the series edge and momentum heading into Game 5.

Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals is pivotal as the Thunder and the Wolves battle for control.

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; Luka Doncic finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists just hours after his most recent technical foul and one-game suspension were rescinded Monday by the NBA and led the Dallas Mavericks past the Indiana Pacers 127-104.
The Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak and remained in contention in the race for one of the final two play-in spots in the Western Conference. Kyrie Irving added 16 points and six assists for Dallas.
Indiana was led by Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 22 points, and Andrew Nembhard, who had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists on a night the Pacers were missing three starters and a key backup. The Pacers have lost three straight and six of eight as they move closer to locking up a lottery pick.
Doncic had picked up his 16th technical that was rescinded on Sunday in the team&rsquo;s second loss to Charlotte. The technical came with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter of a 110-104 loss when Doncic argued a no-call after missing a shot on a drive to the basket. Crew chief Kevin Scott said in a pool report after the game that Doncic used &ldquo;a profanity directed at the officials in protest to a no-call that was correctly judged in postgame video review.&rdquo;
TIMBERWOLVES 119, KINGS 115
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) &mdash; Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points and Minnesota spoiled Sacramento&rsquo;s bid to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2006, the longest playoff drought in NBA history.
The Timberwolves won their fourth straight and completed a sweep of a back-to-back set at Golden State and Sacramento to tie the Warriors for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race.
Naz Reid scored 18 points, Anthony Edwards had 17 and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
De&rsquo;Aaron Fox scored 29 points and Domantas Sabonis added 24 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento, which shot 5 of 26 from 3-point distance.
The Kings will look to clinch a playoff berth when they travel to Portland for two games, starting Wednesday.
CLIPPERS 124, BULLS 112
LOS ANGELES (AP) &mdash; Nicolas Batum got all of his season-high 24 points on eight 3-pointers, and Eric Gordon added 22 points as Los Angeles beat Chicago.
Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points as the Clippers rebounded from an embarrassing loss to New Orleans with 20 3-pointers in an impressive outside shooting display led by Batum.
Russell Westbrook had 12 points, 10 assists and five rebounds as Los Angeles (40-36) kept hold of fifth place in the Western Conference standings and moved a half-game behind fourth-place Phoenix.
Zach LaVine scored 23 points and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls, who followed up their impressive win over the Lakers on Sunday with a dud.
NUGGETS 116, 76ERS 111
DENVER (AP) &mdash; Nikola Jokic recorded his 29th triple double of the season and Denver beat short-handed Philadelphia in a game Joel Embiid sat out with a sore right calf.
That scuttled the highly anticipated showdown between MVP front-runners that many felt could have decided whether Embiid, the runner-up the last two years, denies Jokic a third consecutive award. With Embiid in the locker room, Jokic scored 25 points, pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out 12 assists.
Tyrese Maxey scored 23 of his 29 points in the first half as the Sixers dropped their third straight.
PELICANS 124, TRAIL BLAZERS 90
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) &mdash; Brandon Ingram scored 29 points and New Orleans routed short-handed Portland.
CJ McCollum, who played nine seasons with the Blazers before he was traded to the Pelicans last season, added 17 points. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 10 points and 21 rebounds, and New Orleans led by as many as 36.
Keon Johnson had 20 points off the bench for the Blazers, who have lost nine of 10 and will, in all likelihood, miss the playoffs for the second straight season &mdash; although they have not been mathematically eliminated. Most of their regular starters were out with injuries, including top scorer Damian Lillard (right calf), Jerami Grant (bruised left quad), Jusuf Nurkic (right knee) and Anfernee Simons (right foot).
SUNS 117, JAZZ 103
SAT LAKE CITY (AP) &mdash; Devin Booker scored 24 points and Phoenix reserves sparked the decisive run in a win over Utah.
Deandre Ayton had 14 points after missing four games with a bruised hip. But a trio off the bench was pivotal for Phoenix: Terrence Ross had 13 points, Cameron Payne added 12 and Bismack Biyombo scored 11.
The Suns (40-35) had lost four in a row on the road. But with this victory they sit more securely in the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoff race &mdash; which would give them home-court advantage in the first round.
Lauri Markkanen scored 25 points for Utah, but shot 6 for 22. Walker Kessler had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz (35-40), who have lost four straight. Kessler also matched a career high with seven blocks.
KNICKS 137, ROCKETS 115
NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 40 points and Julius Randle had 26 as New York snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Houston.
RJ Barrett added 19 points, Obi Toppin had 15 and Quinten Grimes scored 14 for the Knicks.
Quickley connected on 14 of 18 shots from the field and added nine assists. He started in place of Jalen Brunson, who missed his second straight game with a bruised right hand.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 26 points. Jalen Green had 19 and Kenyon Martin Jr. added 18 as Houston dropped its sixth straight game.
BUCKS 126, PISTONS 117
DETROIT (AP) &mdash; Khris Middleton scored 34 points against the team that drafted him and Milwaukee beat Detroit without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee improved to an NBA-best 54-21 despite the absences of Antetokounmpo (knee) and Jae Crowder (calf). Goran Dragic made his Bucks debut after signing with the team on March 4, but didn&rsquo;t score in nine minutes.
Brook Lopez had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Bobby Portis added 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Jevon Carter scored 22.
The Pistons got 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists from Jaden Ivey, but lost their sixth straight game and 17th of 18. They are 1-13 against Central Division opponents.

A recap of Monday's slate of NBA games includes Doncic keeping the Mavs playoff hopes alive and a fourth straight Wolves win.

Luka Doncic powers Mavericks to 127-104 win over Pacers

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) &mdash; The 22nd-ranked Michigan basketball team has three Howards this season.
Juwan Howard is entering his fourth season as coach, and his first with two sons on the roster.
Highly touted freshman Jett Howard is expected to be in the starting lineup on the wing. Junior Jace Howard will have an opportunity to play a larger role, possibly as his brother&rsquo;s backup, after being a reserve during his first two years with the Wolverines.
The Howard reunion was widely expected to happen this year, but Tennessee coach Rick Barnes made a strong push while recruiting Jett Howard a few years ago.
&ldquo;It was very serious,&rdquo; Jett Howard said. &ldquo;I even told my mom I was favoring Tennessee at one point.&rdquo;
Juwan Howard, a former Fab Five and NBA player, made it clear he&rsquo;s not going to take it easy on his sons.
&ldquo;At times, there&rsquo;s going to be some hard, tough love,&rdquo; Juwan Howard said. &ldquo;Am I coaching them harder than their teammates? Maybe. Maybe not, but they&rsquo;re going to get coached.&rdquo;
Jett Howard found that out recently, noting that he has attention deficit disorder that led to him losing focus.
&ldquo;If he senses you&rsquo;re drifting and not sharp, he&rsquo;s going to address it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t realize that until my second week here.&rdquo;
In practices, the brothers are often matched up against each other with Jett in the starting group and Jace with reserves in a spirited competition
&ldquo;I give it to him hard in practice because he&rsquo;s in front of me for a job now,&rdquo; Jace Howard said. &ldquo;I know all of his moves. You can ask him that, too.&rdquo;
THOSE WHO STAY
Hunter Dickinson, a 7-foot-1 center, put his NBA goals on hold to return for his junior season after leading the team in scoring and rebounding the previous two years.
&ldquo;I was in no rush, and I think this is the best path for my career,&rdquo; said Dickinson, who has averaged 16.5 points and eight rebounds at Michigan.
NEWCOMERS
All-Ivy League guard Jaelin Llewellyn, who averaged nearly 16 points over three seasons at Princeton, joined the team as a graduate transfer and his arrival seemed to lead to Frankie Collins&rsquo;s departure for Arizona State.
Jett Howard leads a group of five freshmen, and is expected to play a key role along with 5-11, 160-pound guard Dug McDaniel and 6-10 forward Tarris Reed.
Forwards Gregg Glenn and Youssef Khayat, who was born in Beirut and moved to France when he was 15, will provide depth and may potentially redshirt to have four more seasons of eligibility.
GOING WAY BACK
Dickinson and junior forward Terrance Williams grew up near Washington, D.C., and have been friends since they were in the second grade.
&ldquo;It is something that is special for us,&rdquo; Dickinson said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s someone I can always go to and he really helped me when we were freshman, dealing with COVID.&rdquo;
THAT&rsquo;S SWEET
Michigan has at least reached the Sweet 16 the past five years, and Gonzaga is the only other school to pull off that feat with seven straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament round of 16. Howard, who helped the Wolverines win the Big Ten title in 2021, is aiming high in the conference and country this season.
&ldquo;Our biggest challenge and also one of our biggest goals is winning championships, not just one,&rdquo; he said.
STAYING NEUTRAL
Michian will not play on an opponent&rsquo;s home court until Jan. 7 against rival Michigan State.
The Wolverines will face Emoni Bates, a former basketball prodigy, and Eastern Michigan on Nov. 11 in Detroit.
Michigan will also play Pittsburgh in New York; No. 4 Kentucky in London, shortly after hosting No. 18 Virginia; and the top-ranked Tar Heels in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Juwan Howard is entering his fourth season as coach, and his first with two sons on the roster.

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In Los Angeles, Naz Reid had 22 points and 13 rebounds as Minnesota defeated the Lakers despite the Timberwolves sitting some of their key players, 118-113.
LeBron James had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers, and Anthony Davis added 19 points and 13 rebounds. Lonnie Walker IV scored 12 points before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter.
Walker, an offseason signee by the Lakers, left the game after teammate Patrick Beverley rolled into him under the Minnesota basket near the midway point of the third quarter. The team announced later that Walker suffered a left ankle sprain and would not return to the game.
D&rsquo;Angelo Russell and Luka Garza finished with 15 points apiece for the Timberwolves, and Jaden McDaniels scored 11 points.
While the Lakers played with their starters, including James, Davis and Russell Westbrook, Minnesota had most of their key players sitting.
That meant not seeing off-season acquisition Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns, along with others including Taurean Prince and P.J. Dozier.
KINGS 105, SUNS 104
De&rsquo;Aaron Fox scored 15 points, Kevin Huerter added 13 points as Sacramento held on to defeat shorthanded Phoenix.
Harrison Barnes and Terence Davis had 12 points apiece for the Kings.
Duane Johnson Jr. led the Suns with 31 points and Jock Landale recorded 17 points and eight rebounds. Bismack Biyombo had 12 points for Phoenix.
The Suns turned the game over to the reserves as many of the Phoenix rotation players took the night off, including Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges.
NUGGETS 126, CLIPPERS 115
Denver used a balanced scoring attack with eight players reaching double figures as it defeated Los Angeles in Ontario, California.
Ish Smith led the winners with 15 points, converting 7 of 11 shots, and adding eight assists to his night. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 14, and Zeke Nnaji scored 13.
Normal Powell led the Clippers with 34 points on 11 of 14 shooting. Marcus Morris Sr. had 13 points.
Paul George played 16 minutes, scoring two points, but he had six rebounds and four assists.
Kawhi Leonard took the night off.

In Los Angeles, Naz Reid had 22 points and 13 rebounds as short-handed Minnesota defeated the Lakers, 118-113.

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According to The Athletic&rsquo;s Shams Charania, Detroit Pistons wing Jerami Grant is one of the NBA&rsquo;s most sought-after players in potential deals as February&rsquo;s trade deadline approaches. This shouldn&rsquo;t come as a surprise, even with Grant sidelined due to torn ligaments in his right thumb. Once Grant is fully healthy, which should be around February anyways, he can provide a huge boost to just about any team that's looking to compete this year.
Since taking on more of an expanded role with the Pistons, he has averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game on a respectable 55.2% True Shooting percentage. Presumably on a winning team in his next stop, Grant should slide back into the coveted-role-player spot he thrived in during his stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
Detroit is 4-21 this season, and No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is beginning to blossom and showcase his superstar upside. With Grant&rsquo;s injury, now is the perfect time to let Cunningham spread his wings even further and recoup some assets for the Pistons&rsquo; best trade chip.
Charania mentioned many teams have been calling Detroit consistently about Grant, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. So, which teams should be blowing up the Pistons&rsquo; phone lines trying to acquire a souped-up three-and-D wing who can fit like a glove on any roster? Let&rsquo;s examine some potential blockbusters revolving around Grant.&nbsp;
Utah Jazz
Excuse me, because the idea of a potential Rudy Gobert and Grant frontcourt pairing would be filthy for Utah. Immediately, this trade vaults the Jazz into the Western Conference&rsquo;s top tier of Finals contenders alongside the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.
If the Jazz wanted to make an all-in Finals push, getting aggressive for Grant is the perfect scenario. Imagine them trotting out this starting lineup: Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Grant, Gobert. Wow, I can&rsquo;t stop thinking about how lethal that would be on top of their copious amounts of depth.
But how can the Jazz get into the Grant sweepstakes? Here&rsquo;s where it gets interesting.
Pistons receive: Royce O&rsquo;Neale, Joe Ingles, Jared Butler, draft compensation
Jazz receive: Jerami Grant
Detroit receives a culture-setter in O&rsquo;Neale, a young asset in Butler, plus some future draft capital. Ingles likely never suits up for the Pistons and either gets flipped or hits the buyout market to join another win-now contender.
In the end, Utah trades two fan favorites. However, the risk-reward ratio certainly leans heavily toward the latter. Grant in Utah is one of my favorite fits.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards are beginning to fall back down to Earth after their hot start to the season. With pressure building as Bradley Beal inches closer to unrestricted free agency this offseason, Washington could be a sleeper team to watch out for when it comes to making an aggressive move to appease their superstar.
Grant alongside Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie would be a lot of fun in D.C., but what&rsquo;s the cost? It won&rsquo;t be cheap for the Wizards, who would have to give up one of their top young assets in the process.
Pistons receive: Deni Avdija, Aaron Holiday, Thomas Bryant, draft compensation
Wizards receive: Jerami Grant
For a team in win-now mode, acquiring Grant makes a lot of sense for the Wizards. He would slide right into the starting lineup and provide two-way versatility they desperately need. Although giving up a prospect like Avdija is a tough pill to swallow, getting aggressive could be what seals the deal on Beal staying long-term in the nation&rsquo;s capital.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is a superstar. Kristaps Porzingis is playing with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kristaps-porzingis-renewed-confidence-leading-to-resurgent-season-with-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confidence we haven&rsquo;t seen since his New York Knicks days</a>. However, the Mavericks are in desperate need of another reliable long-term piece. Grant would be such a fun fit alongside Doncic and Porzingis, providing exactly what they need as look to make noise in the Western Conference playoffs.
Detroit likely asks for a player like Jalen Brunson in return, but Dallas should be very wary of doing that. Brunson is earning himself a hefty pay raise as he moves toward restricted free agency, but he&rsquo;s more than worth that price after his recent stretch of excellent performances for Dallas. The Mavericks could still make an interesting offer, countering with the following package:
Pistons receive: Dwight Powell, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, draft compensation
Mavericks receive: Jerami Grant
Detroit nabs an intriguing prospect in Green on top of two ideal complementary pieces to go alongside Cunningham. Powell would be able to stretch the floor, plus Finney-Smith is a bulky wing who can add some defensive value.
Dallas would be such an interesting team if they were to get serious on chasing Grant as their third option behind Doncic and Porzingis.
Minnesota Timberwolves
For years, Minnesota has been missing a complementary frontcourt piece to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns&rsquo; elite offensive ceiling. Well, the answer could be poached on the open market with Grant.
Grant is the perfect piece to fit alongside Towns, Anthony Edwards and D&rsquo;Angelo Russell. On a solid contract that won&rsquo;t break the bank (although a long-term extension should soon be in the cards wherever he lands), Grant provides exactly what is missing in Minnesota.
However, the cost could be a gut punch to some Timberwolves fans who are enjoying the recent development of their young role players:
Pistons receive: Taurean Prince, Jaden McDaniels, Leandro Bolmaro
Timberwolves receive: Jerami Grant
As you can see, no draft compensation goes back to Detroit here because they receive arguably the two best young assets listed thus far in McDaniels and Bolmaro. Both would certainly fit Detroit's long-term plan of building around with Cunningham as their No. 1 option. Meanwhile, Minnesota gets a much-needed boost in terms of two-way versatility.
This feels like a true win-win scenario for both sides, another deal I absolutely love the more I look it over.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are in desperation mode and seem like a strong candidate to shake things up sometime soon. Adding a piece like Grant would help alleviate some serious defensive concerns, plus add a true No. 2 scoring option alongside De&rsquo;Aaron Fox.
The question is, would the Kings&rsquo; likely offer be enough to entice Detroit?
Pistons receive: Marvin Bagley III, Tristan Thompson, draft compensation
Kings receive: Jerami Grant
There has been smoke billowing around a potential Bagley-to-Detroit deal for quite sometime. If the Pistons still wanted to explore that possibility, now could be the perfect time. The only way this package gets Sacramento into the final conversations is the draft picks. Would the Kings be willing to give up two future protected first-round picks to acquire Grant? If so, Detroit would certainly listen intently.
Detroit brings back the 2018 No. 2 overall on top of some eye-opening draft picks, which could become gold mines soon enough. Is this a trade that makes sense for both sides?
Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers superstar Damian Lillard is frustrated, and he&rsquo;s begging for more help. Portland is stuck in the bottom-end of playoff contenders with no real chance to climb the Western Conference rankings anytime soon. With one of the NBA&rsquo;s most inconsistent defenses, Grant would be a much-needed spark to place alongside Lillard and C.J. McCollum as a true third option.
The question is, what makes sense for Detroit in a potential return package for Grant? As mentioned, the interest around Grant is robust, so Detroit will demand a pretty compelling package in exchange for the 27-year-old. Perhaps this three-for-one swap could be compelling for both sides:
Pistons receive: Robert Covington, Nassir Little, C.J. Elleby, draft compensation
Blazers receive: Jerami Grant
Detroit lands an intriguing young asset in Little as well as some additional future draft capital. Who knows if Covington even plays for Detroit, but for including him is necessary for salary-matching purposes. I love this deal for the Blazers, and I bet Lillard would appreciate it as well.
Los Angeles Lakers
Somehow, the Lakers always make their way into discussions for any potential impact player. From the Pistons&rsquo; point of view, does Los Angeles even have enough to make an enticing offer for someone like Grant? I would say it&rsquo;s doubtful, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean the Lakers won&rsquo;t try.
The Lakers&rsquo; best trade asset at this point is Talen Horton-Tucker, who signed a three-year extension this past offseason. THT is their lone remaining young asset as well, so he would certainly need to be included in a deal for Grant. Horton-Tucker is an intriguing fit to think about alongside Cunningham in Detroit, but does it really move the needle for the Pistons' front office? Unless the Lakers toss in some serious draft assets, the Pistons likely hang up the phone and look elsewhere without hesitation.
For Los Angeles, this is probably the best offer they can come up with in this scenario:
Pistons receive: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo, draft compensation
Lakers receive: Jerami Grant
So, it&rsquo;s really a package built around THT and a little draft capital. Rondo would immediately get bought out, and Nunn wouldn&rsquo;t be in the Pistons&rsquo; rotation. This trade feels very one-sided, which makes a Lakers offer very low on the potential totem pole. Since Charania did mention the Lakers&rsquo; interest, though, it&rsquo;s intriguing to see what they could actually offer.
***
Every team in the NBA could use a player like Grant, who provides endless amounts of versatility and winning qualities. After proving he can handle an expanded role in Detroit, Grant&rsquo;s price has increased significantly.
Stay tuned for the latest on the Grant situation, plus what should be a very explosive trade deadline. Also, check out recent articles breaking down potential trade destinations for <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-ben-simmons-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Simmons</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/exploring-trade-destinations-for-domantas-sabonis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domantas Sabonis</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-myles-turner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myles Turner</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/examining-potential-trade-destinations-for-caris-levert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caris LeVert</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/finding-the-perfect-team-and-deal-for-terrence-ross" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terrence Ross</a>.

As trade winds begin to pick up around the NBA, Jerami Grant is a hot commodity. Which teams make sense as a landing spot?

Examining potential trade destinations for Jerami Grant

Over the last few days, one of the hottest free-agency rumors around the NBA involved Spencer Dinwiddie joining the Washington Wizards via a sign-and-trade. <a href="https://twitter.com/RealQuintonMayo/status/1420859465566412803" target="_blank" rel="noopener">There</a> <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumors-spencer-dinwiddie-terrence-ross-cam-reddish-jaden-mcdaniels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were</a> <a href="https://theathletic.com/2741514/2021/07/30/russell-westbrook-traded-to-lakers-what-happened-behind-the-scenes-what-it-means-for-bradley-beal-and-wizards/?source=twitterhq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">numerous</a> <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2946614-sources-free-agency-spotlight-on-cp3-the-lowry-domino-emerging-pg-carousel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> that mentioned Dinwiddie&rsquo;s interest in joining the Wizards.
However, on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nba-offseason-preview-jake-fischer-alex-kennedy-on/id1528900732?i=1000530625591" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;The Alex Kennedy Podcast,&rdquo;</a> Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report discussed why Dinwiddie to the Wizards is far from a guarantee at this point.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s starting to be some speculation about how legitimate that buzz has been,"&nbsp;Fischer mentioned early in the episode.
But even if Dinwiddie and the Wizards are determined to get a deal done, Fischer explained why the Brooklyn Nets could throw a wrench in their plan.
&ldquo;It came really strong over the weekend; I know Shams Charania and Fred Katz also <a href="https://theathletic.com/2741514/2021/07/30/russell-westbrook-traded-to-lakers-what-happened-behind-the-scenes-what-it-means-for-bradley-beal-and-wizards/?source=twitterhq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported it</a> at The Athletic, so it clearly got around the league and is something that&rsquo;s been rumored and talked about,&rdquo; Fischer said. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m not so sure if it&rsquo;s entirely happening right now. It doesn&rsquo;t sound like there&rsquo;s much interest from Brooklyn in this current state to take back Kyle Kuzma or Montrezl Harrell in a sign-and-trade, and that&rsquo;s a necessary piece that would have to happen in order for Washington to get Spencer Dinwiddie at a number that is more than the mid-level&hellip; I just don&rsquo;t think the book is shut and the chapter is closed on Spencer Dinwiddie to Washington. But I do still think there&rsquo;s absolutely mutual interest.&rdquo;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
<a href="https://theathletic.com/2741514/2021/07/30/russell-westbrook-traded-to-lakers-what-happened-behind-the-scenes-what-it-means-for-bradley-beal-and-wizards/?source=twitterhq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic</a> also mentioned that the Nets aren't interested in that package: "Harrell and Kuzma alone would not be enough for Brooklyn to accept a Dinwiddie deal, according to a source."
Fischer said there was a rumor that the Oklahoma City Thunder may make an offer to Dinwiddie once free agency begins, but he added that &ldquo;it doesn&rsquo;t seem like there&rsquo;s much momentum there at this moment.&rdquo;
Dinwiddie has made it clear that he&rsquo;s looking for a significant raise; last month, he <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/spencer-dinwiddie-says-5year-125-million-contract-could-keep-him-with-nets">suggested</a> that he&rsquo;s looking for a deal in the five-year, $125 million range. 
The 28-year-old guard played just three games this year before suffering a partially torn ACL. During the 2019-20 season, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game for the Nets.
Listen to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nba-offseason-preview-jake-fischer-alex-kennedy-on/id1528900732?i=1000530625591" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the full episode</a> with Jake Fischer below:
<iframe src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=BNI7124732776" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Spencer Dinwiddie to the Wizards makes sense, but it may not happen since the Nets don't want Kyle Kuzma or Montrezl Harrell.

Dinwiddie to Wizards no guarantee since Nets don't want Kuzma, Harrell

Multiple lottery teams have expressed interest in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves forward&nbsp;Jaden McDaniels, HoopsHype has learned... [But] the Timberwolves view him as a part of the core going forward.
Source: <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-terrence-ross-cam-reddish-and-jaden-mcdaniels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Minnesota drafted McDaniels last season with the 28th overall pick. The 20-year-old had an impressive rookie campaign, emerging as a strong defensive presence and potential solution as a long-term forward option. McDaniels averaged 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season.

A number of lottery teams have reportedly looked into trading for McDaniels.

Wolves view Jaden McDaniels as 'part of the core' despite opposing trade interest

The Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers had exploratory talks surrounding a trade centered on&nbsp;Cam Reddish&nbsp;and the 20th pick for the 13th pick, league sources told HoopsHype.
Source: <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-terrence-ross-cam-reddish-and-jaden-mcdaniels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Reddish has been rumored to be available out of Atlanta, and the Pacers are drawing interest for their pick at No. 13. Scotto also reported, "Indiana has also received an offer from the Lakers of&nbsp;Kyle Kuzma and the Lakers&rsquo; 22nd overall pick for the 13th pick." Reddish averaged 11.2 points per game with the Hawks in 2020-21.

The Pacers also received an offer with Kyle Kuzma from the Lakers.

Hawks, Pacers have discussed swapping Cam Reddish, No. 20 pick for No. 13

The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic have had exploratory conversations regarding&nbsp;Terrence Ross, league sources told HoopsHype.
Source: <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-terrence-ross-cam-reddish-and-jaden-mcdaniels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
ANALYSIS: Ross will make $24 million over the next two years of his current deal. The 30-year-old averaged 15.6 points per game off the bench for Orlando last season. According to Scotto, "The Knicks also inquired about the availability of Orlando&rsquo;s eighth overall pick, but the Magic have been reluctant to move that selection thus far."

Ross averaged 15.6 points per game with the Magic last season.

Knicks, Magic have discussed potential Terrence Ross trade

Hi, hello, and welcome to yet another edition of Roaming The Baseline! This will be a weekly endeavor where I point out some things that caught my eye: a hot or cold streak from a player, a developmental flash, a well-run play, a funny tweet, who knows? There will be film -- it&rsquo;s me, so of course there will be film -- but this will also be a bit looser. It&rsquo;s an extension of my Twitter feed, if you will.&nbsp;
With that said, let&rsquo;s roam the baseline.
PAUL GEORGE, IN ATTACK MODE
Don't look now, but the Clippers have won six in a row, and 12 of their last 14 games. They're getting a little bit of everything from everyone, though we should probably be paying more attention to Paul George's recent run.
He's tossing flames, averaging 28.3 points with a 51/54/97 shooting split. A 54 percent clip from deep on nearly seven attempts is absurd; the 5.2 free throw attempts in that stretch, as modest as that number looks on the surface, is the more important number to note.
We know what George can do as a shooter. He can kill drop coverage with pull-up triples. He's a monster off of corner pindowns or free-throw-line curls. Any semblance of space is an invitation to be picked apart with his quick trigger and high release point.
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What's more encouraging is that George has tuned his attack method. The volume of his drives hasn't changed much -- breaking it down monthly, he's been floating between 12.2 and 13.1 drives per game since the turn of the year, per <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?Season=2020-21&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;Month=7&amp;TeamID=1610612746&amp;sort=DRIVE_FGA&amp;dir=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Second Spectrum tracking.</a> George has been more forceful and more intentional with those looks.
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The number of drives may not have risen, but his shot attempts have. He's putting up nearly seven shots on drives in April, and converting those at a 56.1 percent clip. The free throw attempts have risen in tandem with his aggressiveness.
While the Clippers have been an elite offense all year long, the lack of rim pressure has been a question mark with serious playoff implications. That's gotten better as of late -- the Clippers rank 12th in the percentage of shots at the rim (33.6) since March 17, per Cleaning The Glass -- and George has been a major reason for that.
THE MONSTER MASH
"The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."
- Mark Twain, allegedly
- Kim Jung Un, allegedly
- Post-up offense
The post-up ain't dead; the bar for success is just higher. The increase in weak side zoning, the added length and athleticism of digging defenders and a shift in developmental priorities for young big men have been key factors in the rate of post-ups going down across the league. That doesn't mean we don't still have practitioners.
Jonas Valanciunas is one of my favorite players to watch on the block. It's akin to a bear doing ballet -- a grizzly bear, if you will. He's a massive human, but a massive human with superb footwork and a slow-but-effective over-the-head fake that helps him get defenders off balance. The way he can dislodge dudes with his shoulder is high comedy, and a welcomed change-up from the Memphis floaterfest.
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Valanciunas has been on fire as of late, averaging 22 points on 68.4 percent shooting from the floor in April. He's converted 12 of 22 shots (54.5 percent) on post-ups this month per Synergy, identical to his season average. Among 33 players that have logged at least 75 post-up possessions this season, Valanciunas ranks seventh in field goal percentage.
HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT
T.J. McConnell just keeps doing it. He can't keep doing it.
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Allowing McConnell to get to the baseline is a cardinal sin at this point. He's become one of the NBA's best Nashers, circling around the baseline to hunt dump-offs, kick-outs or quick-hitting turnaround jumpers.&nbsp;
It's especially criminal to toss lazy passes in the backcourt against him. After going through all of McConnell's steals this season, he's racked up 14 steals in the backcourt after dead balls this season -- 15 if you count this one.&nbsp;
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Whether it's 14 or 15, I'm just going to assume that mark leads the NBA by a wide margin.
A question to ponder: Is there a player better at an obscure skill than McConnell is at pilfering after the inbound?
I'm open to hearing your suggestions.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO "HMMMM"
<ul>
<li>155 players have logged at least 100 possessions as the pick-and-roll ball handler (passes included), per Syngery. Pascal Siakam ranks No. 6 (!) in points per possession generated (1.13 PPP). Pick-and-rolls only account for 17.1 percent of his offensive possessions. If you're looking for a way to unlock a next level for him offensively, maybe it's leaning into more of that? Inverted ball screens since the guard room (Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet) is so good at setting them? Just spit-balling.</li>
<li>More Synergy fun: the NBA's most efficient isolation player (including passes, min. 100 possessions) is, you guessed it, Andrew Wiggins (1.27 PPP). Zach LaVine (1.23), Paul George (1.18), Giannis Antetokounmpo (1.15; come back, king) and Kyrie Irving (1.15) round out the top five. Do with that information as you will.</li>
<li>There are 11 players averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. Eight bigs, two forwards and Matisse Thybulle, who is the only player on the list doing so in fewer than 20 minutes per game. Just a ridiculous event creator, and his work off the bench might <a href="https://www.pbpstats.com/wowy-combos/nba?TeamId=1610612755&amp;Season=2020-21&amp;SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason&amp;PlayerIds=1627732,1629680&amp;OnlyCommonGames=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skew the on-off numbers</a> enough to kill Ben Simmons' DPOY case.</li>
<li>Very quietly, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on a heater: 42.7 percent from deep since the beginning of March, and a 51.2 percent clip on nearly six attempts in April. The Lakers have struggled to shoot all year long; getting KCP going, especially on the type of movement looks he feasts on, is wildly important as they get closer to the postseason.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>I know I mentioned him last week, but Clint Capela is averaging 20 &amp; 15 with nearly three blocks per game in April (7-0 with him). Him good, him real good.</li>
</ul>
PLAYS I LIKED
Cutting Loose
Karl-Anthony Towns has been unleashed since the hiring of Chris Finch -- higher usage, more elbow touches, better numbers almost across the board. The high-post touches are key, as they allow the Wolves to maximize his scoring gravity and passing ability to unlock opportunities for others.
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This is a beautiful switch-beater from the Wolves. After the pitch to Towns, D'Angelo Russell gives the illusion of screen setting. Jaden McDaniels instead ghosts the screen -- the best way to beat a switch is with a slip, folks! -- and jets to the basket. This puts Marcus Smart behind the play and causes Grant Williams to offer some help. The sink from Williams ultimately opens up a wider window for another cut, this time for Anthony Edwards.
Sheesh.
Reversing Course
If you're looking to find some fun in Magic games, as a fan or a neutral observer, try to track the way they generate looks for Terrence Ross. Always a gunner, he's become even more important to their offense due to his ability to bend defenses with movement.&nbsp;
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We get some Iverson action at the beginning of the play (Ross running off the two elbow-area screens), though he cuts it short to set up a pick-and-roll...or so we think. A cross-screen underneath the basket frees Chuma Okeke (he's fun and&nbsp;good!) for a low-post touch. Mo Bamba then flips his screen to free Ross for a corner look.
It would've been nice if the Bamba screen was better -- a theme for him at this stage -- but it's essentially an empty corner with built-in counters depending on the way it's defended. I like the design.
The Power of Gravity 
There are players that force extra attention due to their on-ball prowess. There are players that strike fear in the heart of defenders off the ball because of their shooting ability. Then, there are guys like Damian LIllard, who can fill both roles at an elite level.&nbsp;
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A double-stagger look for Lillard ends with an Enes Kanter layup. How?&nbsp;
It all boils down to the Heat being terrified of what Lillard can do with the ball in his hands. As he begins to come off the first screen, he cuts his path short to screen for Robert Covington. Against normal humans, the Heat would simply switch it. But because Lillard is the screener, Jimmy Butler outright refuses to give up the assignment to Duncan Robinson.
This kicks off the chain of events. Covington comes off the screen, forcing Bam Adebayo to leap out to prevent an open triple. Kanter slips to the rim and gets a layup because Butler is behind the play. Despite not touching the ball, the two points scored are a direct result of Lillard.
THE READING LIST
There is plenty of high-level basketball content out here if you know where to look. I wouldn&rsquo;t be where I am as a writer without reading a ton of Zach Lowe or Chris Herring or Caitlin Cooper or Mirin Fader or, well, you get the point.&nbsp;
Anyway, here are some -- not all, but some! -- of the stories I&rsquo;ve read this week (since April 7) that I think you should check out. Their Twitter handles will be linked under their names, so click and follow if you don&rsquo;t already.
A double dip from <a href="https://twitter.com/wtevs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Katie Heindl</a> (please follow her) -- a research-heavy piece on the <a href="https://uproxx.com/dimemag/nba-soft-tissue-injuries-2020-2021-season-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rise of soft-tissue injuries</a> in the NBA this season, and a dope feature on <a href="https://uproxx.com/dimemag/kevin-huerter-atlanta-hawks-interview-feature-profile/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hawks guard Kevin Huerter</a>.
<a href="https://twitter.com/MarcoRomo_" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marco Romo</a> gives some <a href="https://uptempo.substack.com/p/terance-mann-through-the-wreckage?r=1fb9n&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=copy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">love to Terance Mann</a> for becoming an important role player on a title contender.
<a href="https://twitter.com/MSchindlerNBA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Schindler</a> goes deep on <a href="https://premiumhoops.org/2021/04/11/rj-barrett-is-controlling-the-driving-lanes-on-both-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RJ Barrett's development</a> on both ends.
<a href="https://twitter.com/jackfrank_jjf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jackson Frank</a> on the <a href="https://uproxx.com/dimemag/michael-porter-jr-denver-nuggets-2020-2021-analysis-breakdown-videos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">development of Michael Porter Jr.</a> on both ends.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Herring_NBA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Herring</a> on <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/08/jalen-brunson-mavericks-offense" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Brunson operating</a> as a great complement to Luka Doncic.

In Nekias Duncan's weekly notebook, he shares things that have caught his eye. He breaks down players, teams, plays, stats and more.