The Rock

While known for its rapid-fire news breaks, a core element of <a href="https://landonbuford.com/scoop-b-radio-podcast-sports/">Scoop B Radio</a>'s success lies in its ability to move beyond soundbites and embrace deep-dive, investigative storytelling. This commitment is best showcased through the production of Scoop B Radio Originals, a series of documentary-style features that tackle complex cultural and historical narratives with journalistic rigor.
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These Originals prove the platform is dedicated to more than just timely interviews; it is a serious production entity capable of in-depth, original research and narrative construction. The debut episode, "The Freezeout," exemplifies the caliber of this work. This documentary feature took a deep dive into one of the most enduring myths in NBA history: the alleged "freezeout" of rookie Michael Jordan during the 1985 All-Star Game.
The episode did not simply rehash the rumor; it featured exclusive, first-person testimonies from key figures who were actually there, including Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, and John Salley. This level of access and primary-source reporting is the hallmark of serious investigative journalism.
The production of such features highlights a key advantage of independent media: the ability to invest time and resources into passion projects that might be deemed too niche or time-intensive for a standard news cycle. By dedicating itself to untangling the facts behind decades-old controversies, "The Freezeout" successfully separated media myth from reality, providing a definitive, nuanced perspective that fuels cultural and sports conversations long after the initial broadcast.
This form of storytelling achieves a different, yet equally important, kind of impact than a headline-making interview. It fosters a connection with the audience based on intellectual curiosity and a shared appreciation for historical detail.<a href="https://scoopb.com/2025/11/scoop-b-radio-a-vital-news-platform/"> The Originals</a> showcase the platform's commitment to education and preservation, adding a significant layer of depth to the brand that extends its credibility beyond daily news reporting and into the realm of historical documentation.
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In conclusion, the development of<a href="https://scoopb.com/2025/11/scoop-b-radio-a-vital-news-platform/"> Scoop B Originals</a> elevates the platform from a successful podcast to a leading digital production entity. It demonstrates an ambitious capacity for original storytelling and a dedication to investigative journalism, confirming that the platform is not just aggregating content but actively generating and shaping critical cultural and historical narratives. This commitment to deep-dive features is a powerful competitive differentiator in the fast-paced world of digital media.
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How Scoop B Radio Originals turns sound bites into impactful investigative stories that shape digital media.

Scoop B Radio Originals: The Power of Investigative Digital Storytelling

In an NBA era defined by star-chasing, supermax contracts, and eye-watering luxury tax bills, the Indiana Pacers have defied every expectation &ndash; and the associated financial precedent. This isn't just a Cinderella story &ndash; it is a testament to the franchise&rsquo;s strategic planning, belief, and organizational cohesion. The Pacers didn&rsquo;t just sneak into the NBA Finals. They earned their way there, brick by brick, all while keeping their books clean and their identity intact.
When the final buzzer sounded in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it wasn&rsquo;t just a win for Indiana &ndash; it was a triumph for every small-market franchise searching for hope. In a league that often favors the big spenders, Indiana made it through without ever crossing into luxury tax territory. It&rsquo;s a feat that&rsquo;s not just impressive &ndash; it&rsquo;s unprecedented in today&rsquo;s NBA landscape.
This Finals appearance isn&rsquo;t an overnight success. What they lacked in payroll, they made up for in vision, development, coaching, and complete buy-in from the front office, to the coaching staff, and the players themselves &ndash; making this a culmination of the belief that you can build a winner through cohesion and culture &ndash; and not just cost.
<h4>A vision realized for Indiana</h4>
The foundation of Indiana&rsquo;s Finals run traces back to February 2022. The Pacers shipped All-Star Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento and received a then-rising guard in Tyrese Haliburton.&nbsp;
At the time, the move was seen as a gamble. Few teams part ways with a current All-Star for a young guard still developing. At the time, the move was seen as a gamble. Few teams part ways with a current All-Star for a young guard still developing. Many questioned the move and a few understood the vision.
However, Indiana did. They saw a lead playmaker who could evolve into the face of their franchise. Three years later, Haliburton has done exactly that &ndash; growing into an All-NBA-caliber PG, powering the league&rsquo;s fastest-paced offense and leading the Pacers with maturity beyond his years.
Haliburton was also someone who could not only run their offense but also carry the culture. The result was a floor general with a team-first mentality and elite passing instincts, now one of the NBA's most dynamic point guards, but at the same time has one of the energetic personalities and star vibe in the league. Haliburton&rsquo;s development into a full-fledged star wasn&rsquo;t accidental. It was intentional &ndash; nurtured by head coach Rick Carlisle, empowered by the front office, and amplified by the supporting cast that embraced his leadership.
The vision was clear from the start: make Haliburton the center of everything. Build around his IQ, his unselfishness, and his drive. That clarity allowed the front office to pursue players who complemented his skill set, not cluttered it.
One of those pieces came midseason in the form of Pascal Siakam, acquired from Toronto. Siakam brought championship pedigree, defensive versatility, and a scoring punch that balanced out Indiana&rsquo;s offense. While most teams searched for flash, Indiana sought fit. Siakam wasn&rsquo;t just a name &ndash; he was a need, and he filled it perfectly with all his traits that the team needed.
Pairing Haliburton&rsquo;s creativity with Siakam&rsquo;s downhill force turned Indiana into an offensive juggernaut. They didn&rsquo;t just outscore opponents, they overwhelmed them with pace, precision, and purpose.
<h4>Finding value in &ldquo;rejects and cast-offs&rdquo;</h4>
Indiana&rsquo;s roster isn&rsquo;t built on big names &ndash; it is built on belief.&nbsp;
Obi Toppin, once a lottery pick in New York, never got the role or runway he needed. In Indiana, he found freedom. In Carlisle&rsquo;s system, his athleticism became a weapon, not an afterthought.
Aaron Nesmith was viewed as a spare part in Boston, part of the return in the Malcolm Brogdon deal. Now? He&rsquo;s a defensive stopper, reliable shooter, and starter for a Finals-bound team.
Both were labeled as afterthoughts elsewhere but in Indiana, they were seen as untapped potential, and they have been vital pieces in this run to the Finals. These weren&rsquo;t lottery tickets. These were strategic buys; low-risk, high-reward acquisitions that paid off because the Pacers provided the right ecosystem for growth.
In a system that values spacing, ball movement, and grit, players like Toppin and Nesmith flourished. Their emergence wasn&rsquo;t just a bonus &ndash; it was necessary. The Pacers&rsquo; depth became one of their biggest advantages, and it was built on players most teams had given up on.
<h4>Myles Turner: The loyal soul that stayed after being through it all</h4>
If there&rsquo;s a symbol of Indiana&rsquo;s perseverance, it&rsquo;s Myles Turner. For years, he was in every trade rumor imaginable. Yet he never asked out, never wavered, and just kept working.
Now, the longest-tenured Pacer is finally on the biggest stage. Turner&rsquo;s elite shot-blocking, stretch/spacing ability, and leadership have anchored this team in every sense.&nbsp;
Turner is the defensive anchor and emotional pillar of Indiana&rsquo;s run, and on a team full of new faces, his presence provided continuity which he has embodied from day one.
His loyalty was rewarded and his patience paid off. And in a poetic twist, he&rsquo;ll play for a title in the only uniform he&rsquo;s ever known.
<h4>The right draft picks, the right roles, and the culture setters</h4>
The Pacers didn&rsquo;t just win the draft &ndash; they won the development battle. Andrew Nembhard, taken 31st overall in 2022, has become one of the best value picks in recent years. His poise, defensive tenacity, and timely playmaking have been invaluable throughout the playoffs next to Haliburton.
Then there&rsquo;s Bennedict Mathurin &ndash; flashy, fearless, and unafraid of the moment. He&rsquo;s not a volume scorer yet, but his playoff contributions &ndash; attacking off the bench, hitting momentum-swinging shots &ndash; have added another dimension to Indiana&rsquo;s attack.
Together, they reflect the front office&rsquo;s shrewdness. Indiana didn&rsquo;t just draft talent &ndash; they drafted competitors that can be brought to war.
On the other hand, people like TJ McConnell &ndash; veterans who show up, do the work, and demand accountability &ndash; have helped shape the culture in Indiana. McConnell may not stuff the stat sheet, but he sets the tone. Every loose ball, every second-unit possession, every moment of urgency, he&rsquo;s there &ndash; diving, scrapping, leading.
In the playoffs, when the margin of error shrinks, players like McConnell make the difference. His presence alone changes games &ndash; and reflects the kind of winning culture Indiana has quietly cultivated for years and it has absolutely paid off with this Finals run.
<h4>Brilliant coaching by veteran champion coach Rick Carlisle</h4>
However, none of this happens without Rick Carlisle. Over a decade removed from his legendary 2011 title run with Dallas, Carlisle has once again proven his genius. He reinvented Indiana&rsquo;s offense around Haliburton&rsquo;s strengths, managed egos without sacrificing cohesion, and made the right adjustments at every critical postseason juncture.
His calm demeanor, sharp tactical mind, and belief in player empowerment have given this group the freedom to grow &ndash; and the structure to succeed. He wanted to build something sustainable and something real. He didn&rsquo;t just install a playbook &ndash; he constructed a belief system. One that emphasized player development, ball movement, and defensive grit.
Carlisle has masterfully blended youth with experience, adapting his game plan series after series. He&rsquo;s out-coached more expensive benches and out-thought veteran counterparts. He&rsquo;s now one of the few head coaches to lead multiple franchises to the NBA Finals, and he did it again without a superteam &ndash; but by doing it with one of the most balanced rosters in the NBA.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
What makes Indiana&rsquo;s improbable NBA Finals run remarkable is the backdrop: a financial arms race across the league. Many are saddled with bloated payrolls and limited flexibility and have spent well into the luxury tax just to chase a title.
Through careful planning, smart contracts, and prudent investments, the Pacers have remained competitive without ever compromising their cap structure.
This is a reminder to the league that culture matters. That coaching still counts. That not every superstar needs to be acquired through chaos.
In many ways, Indiana has done the impossible: they&rsquo;ve built a Finals team without mortgaging their future or blowing up their balance sheet. They&rsquo;ve set a new standard &ndash;&nbsp; a proof that a franchise can win through culture, clarity, and consistency, not just cash.
The Pacers built something lasting. Something meaningful. And in doing so, they&rsquo;ve earned the respect of the basketball world. This is more than just a basketball success story. The Indiana Pacers didn&rsquo;t just get here. They earned it &ndash; methodically, intelligently, and without ever compromising who they are.
And now, the Pacers are four wins away from finishing the story on the sport&rsquo;s biggest stage.

The Pacers reached the NBA Finals without luxury tax, proving a sustainable, cap-smart approach can still build a title contender.

Sustainable Greatness: Indiana’s cap-savvy journey to the NBA Finals

The success of men&rsquo;s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans to the fact that there are great teams and players across the planet. While Team USA swept to the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/team-usa-defeat-hosts-france-to-claim-olympic-gold-medal">gold medal</a> with a win over France in the final, maybe you were impressed by some of the tournament&rsquo;s best non-NBA players and wondered whether they might end up in the American league.
<h2>Willy Hernangomez - Spain</h2>
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At 7-foot tall, this center is an imposing physical presence in the Spanish team. He broke through at Real Madrid and joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 NBA draft before being traded to the New York Knicks. His time playing at Madison Square Garden appeared to start well and was Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month early in his career as he led rebounding for newcomers to the league. He ended his first season in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Willy then bounced around a few American teams without realizing his obvious potential. In 2023, he signed a three-year deal with Spanish team FC Barcelona. He was recently reported to be dissatisfied with his role at Barcelona and will have been disappointed that the highly-rated Spanish team dropped out of the Olympics in the qualifying round. Will Willy return to the NBA at some point? After seven years in the American league, he stated that he was happy with the <a href="https://basketnews.com/news-197125-willy-hernangomez-havent-felt-this-much-support-in-all-my-years-in-nba.html">support he received</a> on his return to Spain, so it seems unlikely at the moment.&nbsp;
<h2>Bruno Caboclo - Brazil</h2>
This 28-year-old power forward from Brazil started his career with Pinheiros before joining the Toronto Raptors in the 2014 NBA draft. This selection is still best remembered for Fran Fraschilla saying that he was "two years away from being two years away" when reporting it. Bruno never quite made the breakthrough expected of him in the NBA and returned to Brazil, where he was more successful.
After moving around a few teams in different countries, he joined Partizan Belgrade of the Serbian League in 2023. He averaged 9.4 points over the 2023-24 season, which was ultimately unsuccessful for the team. Given his globe-trotting career to date, it would be easy to imagine Bruno being interested in a move back to the US, but the latest news reports suggest that he is <a href="https://www.nbamaniacs.com/en/nba-rumors/bruno-caboclo-receives-an-offer-from-israel/">considering an offer</a> from Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv. At the Olympics in Paris, his 33 points vs Japan was one of the top individual performances.
<h2>Wenyen Gabriel - South Sudan</h2>
Wenyen was born in Sudan but moved to the US as a youngster. His college basketball was played for the Kentucky Wildcats, and he was one of the country&rsquo;s most highly-ranked young players at one point. Despite this, he went undrafted in 2018 but then joined the Sacramento Kings to play in the Summer League. After briefly joining the Portland Trail Blazers, Wenyen moved to the New Orleans Pelicans followed by the Brooklyn Nets and other US teams.
He then went to Puerto Rico with the Vaqueros de Bayam&oacute;n and it was recently announced that he&rsquo;s signed for Maccabi Tel Aviv to play in the Euroleague and the Israeli Basketball Premier League. If you want to follow his career, you can now easily find online content for foreign basketball leagues and stream games. You might also want to check the current <a href="https://www.bodog.eu/sports/basketball">basketball odds</a> for leagues around the world. You&rsquo;ll see live betting odds as well as the numbers for upcoming games. Choose from options like moneyline, spread, and total bet when looking for games to bet on in the Euroleague and elsewhere.
<h2>Carlik Jones - South Sudan</h2>
Carlik was born in the US and grew up in Ohio, becoming one of the highest-rated college players while performing for the Radford Highlanders and then the Louisville Cardinals. He went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft but then joined the Dallas Mavericks to play in the NBA Summer League. After moving around a few teams, he was named as the NBA G League&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player in 2022 while playing for the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp;
The point guard played in China and was rumored to be moving to Maccabi Tel Aviv this season but surprised everyone by signing for Partizan Mozzart Bet of the Serbian league instead. Carlik revealed after the World Cup that he had some offers from the NBA but that the move to Serbia felt right and that Partizan appears to be the ideal team for him. At 26 years old, he might still have time to move back to the American league in the future.
<h2>Summary</h2>
At the moment none of the non-NBA players who performed well in the 2024 Olympics seems set to join the American basketball league. Yet, some of them have already played here before heading abroad to try their luck elsewhere, so it wouldn&rsquo;t be a major surprise to see one or more players from this list reaching the NBA at some point. &nbsp;

The success of men’s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans that there are a lot of great teams and players.

Which Olympic Basketball Stars Could Join the NBA?

As Klay Thompson comes off a flare screen from Kevon Looney, rookie Brandin Podziemski delivers a bounce pass at the block to Jonathan Kuminga to run their patented split-action. Podziemski sets another screen at the wing and Kuminga delivers a pass right on the money to a curling Thompson. He sets his feet, lets one defender chasing him fly by and shoots a three right over the help defender.
Splash. Nothing but the bottom of the net, just like the old days. The Warriors are comfortably up after the third quarter against the Utah Jazz after Thompson hits his third-straight three and score his 35th point as he came off the bench for the first time since 2012. Although the Jazz had a big fourth quarter to keep the game close, the Warriors eked out with a win to continue playing their best basketball of the season.
The Warriors are fun again, so it seems.
After a tumultuous season filled with ups and downs, the Dubs are 8-2 over their last 10 games right before the All-Star break and preparing for another playoff push with their aging dynastic core.
What makes their run so special is the fact that they rediscovered a winning formula despite making zero moves at the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8. Rumors were swirling, but they decided to stick with this group for the rest of the season &ndash; and possibly for seasons to come.
&ldquo;We did win a championship, in case people forgot, a year and a half ago,&rdquo; said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr when asked if he believes this isn't the last dance for the Warriors' Big Three. &ldquo;I believe in my guys, I love those guys, and we're going to keep fighting."&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"We did win a championship, in case people forgot, a year and a half ago...I believe in my guys, I love those guys, and we're going to keep fighting." - Steve Kerr when asked if he still believes this season is not a "Last Dance" for the Warriors' Big 3 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/WillardAndDibs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillardAndDibs</a>). <a href="https://t.co/0x1cmOmyqf">pic.twitter.com/0x1cmOmyqf</a>
&mdash; 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) <a href="https://twitter.com/957thegame/status/1747438806557712848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
Despite a seemingly lost season, the Warriors took a gamble by choosing to stand pat and stick with the core that won them a title two seasons ago, while trusting this new set of role players to fill in the gaps.&nbsp;
The championship core from two years ago is still intact. Steph Curry is still an all-world talent and offensive force even at 35 years old. Draymond Green is back to his usual self. Since returning from his suspension, Green&rsquo;s aggressiveness on offense and ever-reliant ability on defense have energized the team.&nbsp;
Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney started the season with bad slumps, but are slowly getting back into their groove, while Gary Payton II continues to work his way back to being 100% healthy. Thompson has struggled as of late, but he can still be lethal scoring in spurts with just his mere shooting prowess.
The young guys are coming into their own as contributors and finding their identity within the team. Podziemski has been a revelation, serving as a connector on offense and earning Steve Kerr&rsquo;s trust to start games and play with the closing lineup over Thompson. Kuminga is developing into a capable scoring option, which gives the Warriors another dimension.
Lately, the Warriors look like themselves again. Their in-game swagger is back and the vibes are immaculate. These are the Warriors of old, winning while having fun.
Given their recent success, they are confident that they still have at least one more run in them.
&ldquo;This is a story that&rsquo;s still kind of unfolding, and it&rsquo;s important that we see it all the way through until it&rsquo;s proven that we can&rsquo;t win,&rdquo; Curry said in <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/2/12/24070258/golden-state-warriors-steph-curry-steve-kerr-draymond-green-klay-thompson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with The Ringer&rsquo;s Logan Murdock.</a>
The Warriors are determined to win, and they want to do it their way. And perhaps that&rsquo;s the point.
This team was built from the ground up, with a collective effort from a group of players who were drafted and developed by the franchise. After all, it was the &ldquo;Strength in Numbers&rdquo; mantra that started it all, and it's only fitting to end their journey the same way they started: with a team that was built the right way.
The Warriors have won four championships in the last decade by using this formula, and they believe this same approach will lead them to another Larry O'Brien trophy. After doing it all these years, Thompson believes that they have what it takes to succeed once again by trusting their process.
&ldquo;You see Steph Curry, you see Draymond Green, you see our playoff record when we are together,&rdquo; Thompson proclaimed. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll always believe.&rdquo;

The Warriors are 8-2 over their last 10 games and preparing for another playoff push with their aging dynastic core.

Strength in numbers: The Golden State Warriors' way

With the Eastern Conference All-Star starters set, let&rsquo;s look at the players who deserve a reserve slot for the East All-Star team this season. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/picking-the-nbas-western-conference-allstar-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our Western Conference All-Star reserve picks here</a>.
Guard: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
This pick is a no-brainer. Brunson is the head of the snake for a New York Knicks team that&rsquo;s been the best in the NBA since the turn of the calendar, going an NBA-best 14-2 in January. If not for falling short in fan voting (ranking just fifth), he would have been an All-Star starter. The 6-foot-2 guard ranked third and second in player and media voting, respectively, earning the respect of his peers and the media alike due to his ongoing stellar season. He&rsquo;s currently averaging 27 points, 6.5 assists and 4 rebounds per game for the third-place Knicks. Brunson is surefire and deserving All-Star.
Guard: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Equally as deserving as Brunson, Mitchell is the second player (and guard) I'd select as an East reserve. He&rsquo;s averaging 27.7 points, 6.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds per outing and is leading one of the hottest teams in the NBA, as the Cavs recently went on an eight-game winning streak. What makes this recent stretch even more impressive is that Mitchell did this without All-Star backcourt mate Darius Garland and forward Evan Mobley, who have been out with injuries. Despite surfacing in some trade rumors early in the season, Mitchell put his head down and went to work, earning himself an All-Star spot this season.
Forward: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has certainly picked up right where he left off last season after recently signing his lucrative $300 million extension. Brown has been the second-best player on the best team in the NBA, averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game. He provides ample support for Celtics teammate and All-Star starter Jayson Tatum and at times carries the offensive load when Tatum is not on the floor. Boston would not be the juggernaut they are without the 6-foot-6 Brown&rsquo;s perimeter defense, dynamic three-level scoring and improved pick-and-roll decision-making.
Forward: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Blossoming into a true alpha for the Magic this season, Banchero has turned heads with his play. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick is averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and he has yet to miss a game (47 games played). Banchero is one of only three players with the same numbers this season while shooting 38% from three, with the other two being All-Star starters LeBron James and Luka Doncic. The Magic are in the thick of a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, and Banchero has been a big reason why. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward has produced in clutch moments and had a number of dominant performances despite being just a sophomore in this league. Without him, Orlando would be a totally different team.
Center: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat&nbsp;
Although the Miami Heat have been in a slump as of late, Bam Adebayo has shown up night in and night out while producing the same type of efficiency and numbers he's known for. Adebayo is averaging 20.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 blocks and a steal while serving as a two-way anchor for the Heat. A lot of Miami's offensive possessions have been initiated by Adebayo, whether it be dribble handoffs, screening actions or him going to work from the free-throw line. He is having a career-year in terms of scoring while still playing at a high level on defense. For a Heat team that's been missing key players all season long, Adebayo has been rock-solid and that will likely earn him another All-Star nod.&nbsp;
Wildcard: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
A Most Improved Player candidate, Maxey has taken his game to new heights this season. He&rsquo;s bumped up his scoring average from 20.3 to 25.7 points a game, and transitioned into a full-time point guard after James Harden&rsquo;s departure. Maxey has learned to balance his scoring and facilitating, emerging as a perfect No. 2 option alongside reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Their partnership has been lethal, averaging the most combined points by a duo this season. Maxey&rsquo;s ascension to a legit second option this season didn't go unnoticed, as he earned the respect of his fellow players and media, ranking second and fourth, respectively, in their voting ballots. This all adds up to the first All-Star berth for the 6-foot-3 guard.
Wildcard: Trae Young, Philadelphia 76ers
Even though the Atlanta Hawks have been underperforming, it's hard not to notice Young&rsquo;s exploits this season. He is the only player in the league averaging 26 points and 10 assists, and he has the most 30-point, 10-assist games (13). Although Young finished second in fan voting among East guards, he'll likely need to earn a wildcard spot in order to make the East team. Sure, one can argue Young&rsquo;s stats do not impact winning and somone like Boston&rsquo;s Derrick White deserves the nod over him because his team is atop of the standings. But I believe Young's sheer excellence this season has earned him a spot. 
Snubs: Julius Randle (Forward, New York Knicks); Derrick White (Guard, Boston Celtics); Kristaps Porzingis (Center, Boston Celtics); Jimmy Butler (Forward, Miami Heat)&nbsp;
Probably the toughest cut was Julius Randle, who was having a good season with the now third-place Knicks before dislocating his shoulder. He might still be named an All-Star and then a replacement would be named in his place, which would allow Randle and his replacement to be recognized. White&rsquo;s impact on winning for the top-ranked Celtics stands out and should warrant an All-Star spot if the East didn't have several star guards who are putting up ridiculous stats. Porzingis and Butler, on the other hand, have missed a considerable amount of games, which weakens their case.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/picking-the-nbas-western-conference-allstar-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our Western Conference All-Star reserve picks here.</a>

With the Eastern Conference All-Star starters set, let’s look at the East players who deserve a reserve slot this season.

Picking the NBA's Eastern Conference All-Star reserves

As an NBA fan, there's a special thrill in discovering diamonds in the rough who exceed all expectations relative to their draft slot.
The NBA Draft isn't an exact science, and there are many examples of prospects who slip through the cracks and become franchise-changing players.&nbsp;
Today, let's look back on some of the biggest draft steals in NBA history.
Nikola Jokic, No. 41 overall in 2014
Coming from Serbia, Nikola Jokic was relatively unknown entering the 2014 NBA Draft. When the Denver Nuggets snagged the versatile big man with the No. 41 overall pick, nobody could have expected him to become a two-time MVP, a Finals MVP and one of most skilled centers of all-time. Jokic is the lowest-drafted MVP in NBA history and it isn't close, since every other Most Valuable Player was a top-15 pick. Just to give you an idea of how overlooked Jokic was entering the NBA, Nuggets GM Tim Connelly wasn't asked a single question about Jokic during his post-draft press conference back in 2014. Every question from the assembled media was about Jusuf Nurkic or Gary Harris, causing Connelly to comment, "So, no one wants to ask about our second-round pick Nikola Jokic? We are really excited about him.&rdquo; Perhaps the lack of buzz was due to the fact that Jokic was selected during a Taco Bell commercial.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
As the broadcast mentioned, Nikola Jokic was the No. 41 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But let&rsquo;s not forget that Jokic was selected during a Taco Bell commercial. 😅 <a href="https://t.co/m8zm1kxZDt">pic.twitter.com/m8zm1kxZDt</a>
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1667343901374521347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2023</a></blockquote>

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo, No. 15 overall in 2013
Entering the 2013 NBA Draft, there was a bit of buzz about Giannis Antetokounmpo given his length and athleticism, but he was incredibly raw. Some scouts and executives had seen him play overseas, but the competition was deemed to be weak. Nobody knew what to expect from the young, lanky project from Greece. The Milwaukee Bucks decided to draft him with the No. 15 overall pick, and their gamble paid off spectacularly. Antetokounmpo developed into a generational talent, winning multiple MVP awards and leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in decades. What makes Giannis slipping to No. 15 look even worse is the fact that many players who went ahead of him ultimately struggled, including Anthony Bennett (No. 1), Cody Zeller (No. 4), Alex Len (No. 5), Nerlens Noel (No. 6), Ben McLemore (No. 7), Trey Burke (No. 9), Michael Carter-Williams (No. 10) and Shabazz Muhammad (No. 14).
Kobe Bryant, No. 13 overall in 1996
In 1996, the Charlotte Hornets selected a teenage Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick and immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. This move was undoubtedly one of the biggest draft blunders in NBA history, as Bryant became one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. His work ethic, talent and competitive spirit allowed him to become a five-time NBA champion, an NBA MVP and one of the game's all-time greats. While <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/revisiting-the-starstudded-1996-nba-draft-kobe-bryant-ray-allen-steve-nash-allen-iverson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the 1996 NBA Draft was loaded</a>, players like Todd Fuller, Samaki Walker and Vitaly Potapenko had no business being drafted before Kobe. It's worth noting that Bryant was the first guard to enter the NBA straight out of high school, which scared some teams off.
Draymond Green, No. 35 overall in 2012
Draymond Green slipped to the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft because he was viewed as a "tweener" without a clear-cut position. However, Green's success helped eradicate that term, as teams started seeing the value in versatile players who could fill multiple roles. Green's defensive prowess and basketball IQ have been instrumental during the Golden State Warriors' dynastic run. With his fiery leadership and two-way impact, Draymond is widely regarded as the Warriors' heart and soul. Also, his resume is incredible: four NBA championships, a Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Star appearances, two All-NBA selections and eight All-Defensive Team nods.&nbsp;
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Kawhi Leonard, No. 15 overall in 2011
One of the most shocking storylines during the 2011 NBA Draft was Kawhi Leonard slipping outside of the lottery. Finally, the Indiana Pacers drafted Leonard with the 15th overall pick and quickly traded him to the San Antonio Spurs for George Hill. It didn't take long for Leonard to make the teams that passed on him look foolish. Right away, Leonard made an impact with his lockdown defense and improved jumpshot. He played a huge role in the Spurs' 2014 title, taking home the Finals MVP award. Leonard just kept getting better and better until it became clear that he was a superstar and one of the game's most dominant two-way threats. Now, he's a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-NBA selection, as well as a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
Manu Ginobili, No. 57 overall in 1999
Manu Ginobili spent the first few years of his career playing overseas, where he was very successful. While he was drafted with the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Ginobili would ultimately remain abroad until the 2002-03 NBA season when he finally joined the Spurs as a 25-year-old. Ginobili's fearless style of play and exceptional basketball IQ turned him into a key cog in the Spurs' dynasty. Ginobili became a four-time NBA champion, an Olympic goal medalist, a Sixth Man of the Year and a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Not bad for someone who was nearly Mr. Irrelevant!
Isaiah Thomas, No. 60 overall in 2011
Speaking of Mr. Irrelevant, Isaiah Thomas was the 60th and final pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Thomas thrived in Sacramento and had a brief stint in Phoenix, but he played his best basketball in Boston. At the height of his stint with the Celtics, Thomas averaged nearly 30 points per game &ndash; becoming a two-time All-Star and a fan favorite. Thomas is the ultimate underdog, from his draft-day story to his 5-foot-9 frame. Thomas proved his doubters wrong and became one of the league's most exciting scorers before injuries impacted his game.
Gilbert Arenas, No. 31 overall in 2001
Gilbert Arenas slipped to the 31st overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, where he was ultimately selected by the Golden State Warriors. Despite slipping into the second round, Arenas' terrific scoring ability allowed him to become one of the most exciting guards of his era. His time with the Wizards was particularly memorable, as "Agent Zero" was a three-time All-Star during his stint in Washington. It's worth noting that Arenas played so well as a second-rounder that the NBA added <a href="https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/03/hoops-rumors-glossary-gilbert-arenas-provision-4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Gilbert Arenas Provision</a> in the CBA, which made it easier for teams to keep talented second-rounders or undrafted players who hit restricted free agency after breaking out.
Steve Nash, No. 15 overall in 1996
Selected with the 15th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash was not an immediate superstar. However, with his exceptional court vision and terrific work ethic, he transformed himself into one of the most skilled point guards of his generation. While leading the Suns' high-octane offense, Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006. In addition to being a two-time NBA MVP, Nash would become an eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, five-time assist champion, first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

Alex Kennedy looks back on some of the biggest draft steals in NBA history, including Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more.

Hidden gems: Examining the 9 biggest draft steals in NBA history

The following is a press release from the NBA:
NEW YORK &ndash; The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league. The discipline is in response to Morant&rsquo;s live streaming of a video on March 4 in which he is holding a firearm in an intoxicated state while visiting a Denver area nightclub. Morant will be eligible to return for the team&rsquo;s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, March 20.
A meeting took place today in the NBA&rsquo;s New York offices between NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Morant to discuss Morant&rsquo;s conduct. NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars and NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio, among others, attended the meeting.
The league office conducted an investigation of the March 4 incident. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league did not conclude that the gun at issue belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period. The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility, and the Colorado authorities did not find sufficient cause to charge Morant with a crime.
&ldquo;Ja&rsquo;s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,&rdquo; said Silver. &ldquo;It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.&rdquo;

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

NBA suspends Ja Morant eight games for conduct detrimental to league

Now in his eighth season with the Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner is easily the team&rsquo;s longest-tenured player. In fact, no other Pacer on the current roster has been in town longer than four seasons.
Turner arrived in Indiana as a wide-eyed teenager who was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. In the years that followed, Turner would watch as the team continually changed around him. He has played for four different head coaches &mdash; Frank Vogel, Nate McMillan, Nate Bjorkgren and Rick Carlisle &mdash; and witnessed a ton of roster turnover. But despite Turner&rsquo;s name surfacing in trade rumors annually, he has been the one constant in Indiana.
As a rookie, Turner suited up alongside stars like Paul George and Monta Ellis. During his sophomore campaign, he called Al Jefferson, Thaddeus Young, Jeff Teague and Lance Stephenson teammates. The following year, Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Bojan Bogdanovic and Darren Collison joined the squad. Turner has also played with veterans such as Tyreke Evans, Ty Lawson, Rodney Stuckey, Caris LeVert, Doug McDermott, T.J. Warren and C.J. Miles over the years.
However, one could argue that no teammate has had a greater impact on Turner&rsquo;s game than his current star running mate: Tyrese Haliburton.
When the Pacers <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-interview-tyrese-haliburton-indiana-pacers-chad-buchanan-bennedict-mathurin-myles-turner-sacramento-kings-domantas-sabonis-trade-drew-hanlen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired Haliburton from the Sacramento Kings</a> prior to last year&rsquo;s trade deadline, Turner was ecstatic. He was a fan of Haliburton&rsquo;s game and potential, and couldn&rsquo;t wait to team up with the pass-first point guard. Unfortunately, Turner wasn&rsquo;t able to play alongside Haliburton in the second half of last season due to a stress reaction in his foot.
This year, the Pacers&rsquo; one-two punch of Haliburton and Turner has been on full display, and they have become one of the most productive pick-and-roll duos in the NBA.
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pretty.😍 Tyrese Haliburton to Myles Turner for two. <a href="https://t.co/TupiSM909t">pic.twitter.com/TupiSM909t</a>
&mdash; Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1629656051175026688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Turner has set 814 picks for Haliburton, which is the third-most of any pick-and-roll duo in the league, per Second Spectrum. The only tandems who have run the pick-and-roll more are Philadelphia&rsquo;s James Harden and Joel Embiid (893 picks) and Phoenix&rsquo;s Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton (897). Possessions featuring a Haliburton-Turner pick-and-roll have generated 1.063 points per possession &mdash; the fifth-best PPP of the 24 duos with at least 500 picks.
&ldquo;This has been a wonderful opportunity for Myles to play with a playmaking guard of Tyrese&rsquo;s caliber,&rdquo; Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told Basketball News. &ldquo;A couple weeks ago, we checked and they were top-five or top-six in the league as a successful pick-and-roll connection, and that&rsquo;s pretty amazing. Myles is getting all different kinds of stuff &mdash; he&rsquo;s getting rolls for dunks, he's getting a little bit of mid-range, he's getting good looks for threes and he's getting some late passes underneath for dunks as well.
"I just love the force that he&rsquo;s playing with. Tyrese has had a wonderful impact on Myles and certainly the rest of the team, but the connection those two guys have has been special.&rdquo;
The partnership has been mutually beneficial. Turner gets easy looks from an elite floor general who ranks second among all players in assists per game (10.2) and assist percentage (46.9%), while Haliburton gets a unique big-man partner who can score inside (62.8% on twos) and out (40.3% on threes). It&rsquo;s no coincidence that both players are having career years.&nbsp;
Turner is averaging career-highs in points (18.2), rebounds (8.0), field-goal percentage (54.9%), three-point percentage (40.3%) and made threes (1.7), while also contributing 2.3 blocks, 1.4 deflections and 0.6 steals per game. Turner's dominance shows up in his analytics too, as he's posting personal bests in win shares per 48 minutes (.157), Box Plus/Minus (+2.6), True Shooting percentage (65.8%), Player Efficiency Rating (20.6) and total rebound rate (14.7%).
&ldquo;Myles has blossomed this year. We've seen the relationship with him and Ty; they're one of the best pick-and-roll [duos] in the league right now,&rdquo; Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said recently. &ldquo;This is the beginning of a nice core &mdash; no, a great core.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Haliburton <a href="bit.ly/3AyPKHC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became a first-time All-Star</a> after averaging career-highs in points (20.1), assists (10.1) and threes (2.8), while also contributing 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. Haliburton is also posting personal bests in advanced stats like assist percentage (46.9%), PER (23.0), VORP (3.8), BPM (+6.9) and WS/48 (.189).
&ldquo;It was unfortunate that I didn&rsquo;t get a chance to play with him last year and really start to develop that synergy, but I think we&rsquo;ve really picked it up quickly,&rdquo; Turner told Basketball News. &ldquo;Ty is someone who&rsquo;s easy to play with. Obviously, he sees the floor well. And as the season has progressed, we&rsquo;ve done a better job of communicating with each other. It&rsquo;s been a fun experience.&rdquo;
Despite the fact that they&rsquo;ve only played 44 games together, they have developed a strong connection and can often anticipate each other&rsquo;s next move.
&ldquo;I think I know what he&rsquo;s going to do before he does it in a sense,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;I think that just comes with playing with him.&rdquo;
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this sequence.🔥 a huge block by Myles Turner followed by a huge dunk by Tyrese Haliburton.👀 <a href="https://t.co/4MpAf4Kp0B">pic.twitter.com/4MpAf4Kp0B</a>
&mdash; Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1630770909442191360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

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&ldquo;We just needed time together, that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo; Haliburton told Basketball News. &ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;ve had pretty good chemistry with my bigs throughout my NBA career, and I knew that playing with Myles wasn&rsquo;t going to be any different. He brings a different dynamic than what I&rsquo;m used to, with his ability to space the floor. And he&rsquo;s the best shot-blocker that I&rsquo;ve ever played with, so that gives me confidence on the defensive end to be able to take more risks and get into the ball a little bit more.
"I think it&rsquo;s a mutual relationship where he&rsquo;s got my back and I&rsquo;ve got his.&rdquo;
Not too long ago, Turner&rsquo;s days in Indiana seemed numbered. After all, the team traded away nearly all of its veterans last season (including Sabonis, LeVert, Torrey Craig, Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb), and Turner&rsquo;s name continued to pop up in trade rumors. However, since Turner is only 26 years old, the Pacers&rsquo; brass felt that he could be on a similar timeline as Haliburton, who is 23.
It certainly seems that the Pacers are building around this duo, especially after Turner was given a two-year, $60 million extension in January.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad that we got it done. I think it was a win-win for both sides,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;I think I have a good relationship with (Pacers owner) Herb Simon, and I think he has a big belief in what I&rsquo;m capable of as well. I&rsquo;m glad that we were able to come to terms on an agreement. Behind the scenes, for me personally, I was open to the idea of free agency, but I also wanted to at least give Indy a fair chance, and both sides came to an agreement.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m comfortable. I&rsquo;m where I want to be. I&rsquo;m growing with a young team that&rsquo;s hungry. I think we&rsquo;re just trying to get better and better every day, and that&rsquo;s the main goal of this whole thing. I have a lot of belief in this city, a lot of belief in this program and a lot of belief in the guys in this locker room, so that was a big initial factor in me wanting to stay here.&rdquo;
Since Turner was a popular trade candidate, many fans of other teams got excited about the possibility of him joining their favorite squad. When Turner inked his extension with the Pacers, some of these fans reacted negatively &mdash; upset that he was no longer on the market.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What fans don&rsquo;t realize is that this is a business, and both sides have to do what&rsquo;s best for them,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;Sometimes it doesn&rsquo;t work out where you&rsquo;re able to stay with the same team, but I&rsquo;ve been blessed and fortunate enough to be with the same team for my entire career. That&rsquo;s not something that happens a lot, and I never take that for granted. That was obviously something that went into my decision as well. For the casual fan, they have to realize that while basketball may be a fun game, the business aspect of it will always reign supreme.&rdquo;
As Turner mentioned, not many players stay with one NBA team for the entirety of their career. He admits that retiring in Indiana would mean a lot to him.
&ldquo;Yeah, obviously, it&rsquo;s something that would be very special,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;Like I always talk about, the business of basketball always reigns supreme, but my loyalty is with the organization that drafted me and the city that took me in, and hopefully it&rsquo;s able to stay that way for years to come.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Turner has been a part of many different iterations of Pacers basketball. Now, looking at the current pieces around him, he&rsquo;s excited about the team&rsquo;s promising future.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen the growth in a lot of our young guys throughout the entire year,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;The best thing for them was getting a chance to play early. For <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-feature-interview-indiana-pacers-rookie-andrew-nembhard-rick-carlisle-tj-mcconnell-gonzaga-florida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drew [Nembhard]</a>, Ben [Mathurin] and those guys, playing heavy minutes early was big for their development, and not every rookie has a chance to do that. The fact that they&rsquo;re getting battle-tested so early is going to bode well for them.
"I&rsquo;ve just enjoyed the overall spirit and fight of this team. We&rsquo;ve got a lot of guys who clock in and work hard day in and day out, and they&rsquo;re coming in here and getting a chance to compete after working their whole life to get here.&rdquo;
While playing alongside Haliburton has certainly helped Turner, the big man does deserve a lot of credit for the leap he has taken this season. He&rsquo;s put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes to maximize his potential and make the most of his opportunity.
&ldquo;I attribute [my career year] to patience and obviously the hard work I put in over the offseason to prepare for these moments,&rdquo; Turner explained. &ldquo;I also attribute it to just the years that I&rsquo;ve been in the league, where I&rsquo;ve been able to play out on the perimeter at the 4 position and now I&rsquo;m able to play my natural position (the 5).
"I&rsquo;m thankful that I was able to just stick it out those years that I was here and see what the other side of basketball was like, outside of just getting what you want when you want it. I think I waited my turn and, obviously, I&rsquo;m thriving now, and I&rsquo;m only hoping to get better from here.&rdquo;
Nekias Duncan contributed to this article.

Alex Kennedy catches up with Pacers big man Myles Turner to discuss his extension, playing with Tyrese Haliburton and more.

Pacers' perfect pairing: Turner, Haliburton form dominant 1-2 punch

ATLANTA (AP) &mdash; Trae Young says he has &ldquo;nothing but love and respect&rdquo; for former Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan and expects to have no input in the hiring of McMillan&rsquo;s replacement.
Young spoke with reporters on Friday for the first time since&nbsp;McMillan was fired on Tuesday&nbsp;with the Hawks in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Young was not available following Wednesday&rsquo;s practice and was excused from Thursday&rsquo;s practice for personal reasons.
Young is preparing for his third full-time coach in five seasons. Asked if he is worried another change impacts the perception of his ability to maintain long relationships with coaches, Young said &ldquo;People are going to say what they&rsquo;ve got to say.
&ldquo;A lot of players have played for a lot of coaches. I don&rsquo;t look at it like that. I&rsquo;m not looking at the next coach who comes in here. I&rsquo;m trying to win a championship, whatever it is, I&rsquo;m just trying to win.&rdquo;
Young, a two-time All-Star, is Atlanta&rsquo;s on-court team leader as the starting point guard while also ranking as the team&rsquo;s top scorer with 26.7 points per game. He dismissed speculation he had a rocky relationship with McMillan.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of moments that people really don&rsquo;t understand that me and him have had and that&rsquo;s OK,&rdquo; Young said after Friday morning&rsquo;s practice. &ldquo;It will get brought up eventually. I know I don&rsquo;t tell everybody everything. I kind of let y&rsquo;all make up rumors about certain things about how I am and how my relationship is with certain people. I just play basketball.&rdquo;
Young said he has talked with McMillan since the firing and added &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the last time he and I are going to talk.&rdquo;
Hawks general manager Landry Fields on Wednesday said speculation that McMillan was hampered by conflicts with Young were unfair to Young. Fields said McMillan&rsquo;s relationship with Young was not a factor in his decision to make a coaching change.
Fields said he already has launched his search for McMillan&rsquo;s full-time replacement and said&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/atlanta-hawks-nba-sports-playoffs-nate-mcmillan-cb25039415b0a651ff041b515a27a5bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">former Utah coach Quin Snyder is a candidate.</a>
Young said &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to have any input&rdquo; in the coaching search.
&ldquo;I trust those guys up top,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Since I&rsquo;ve been here I&rsquo;ve always said that. Nothing has changed for me.&rdquo;
Fields said he believed it was time for a new voice on the Hawks bench and said &ldquo;there was slippage&rdquo; as the team lost four of six games before the All-Star break.
Asked if he believes it was time for a new voice, Young said &ldquo;That&rsquo;s not up to me.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I think that&rsquo;s part of it. I think sometimes it&rsquo;s not always going to be easy. Some conversations are not going to go great. That&rsquo;s just part of it. Not every situation is easy and nice.&rdquo;
Young participated in Friday&rsquo;s practice and is expected to start in Friday night&rsquo;s game against Cleveland as the Hawks (29-30) hope for a late-season surge under interim coach Joe Prunty.

Trae Young says he has “nothing but love and respect” for former Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan.

Trae Young expresses ‘love and respect’ for fired Nate McMillan

This year's NBA trade deadline challenged the glut of Western Conference contenders to test how far they would go to separate themselves from the pack.
Some teams, like the Phoenix Suns in their Kevin Durant blockbuster or the Dallas Mavericks in their Kyrie Irving acquisition, swung for the fences. Others &mdash; such as the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans &mdash; only nabbed a rotation player or two, opting to bet on their current core.
The Los Angeles Clippers appear to fall in the latter group, but we should not overlook their trade-deadline moves. With three separate trades, all in the final hours of dealmaking on Thursday, the Clippers added Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee. They took calculated risks and changed three important spots in their rotation, hoping the current stalwart defense insulates a boost of offensive juice.
Hyland was one of the hottest names in the rumor mill last week after his <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/09/nuggets-trade-deadline-bones-hyland-thomas-bryant-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">falling out with the Nuggets</a>. Los Angeles pounced and dealt two second-round picks for the former No. 26 overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Hyland quickly becomes the most promising developmental talent on the roster at 22 years old. But more immediately, he brings a high-charged dose of long-range shotmaking to the Clippers' bottom-10 offense.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Bones Hyland hit a career-high 7 three-pointers to lead the <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nuggets</a> to the win! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MileHighBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MileHighBasketball</a><a href="https://twitter.com/BizzyBones11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BizzyBones11</a>: 26 PTS, 7 3PM <a href="https://t.co/IkJU5Ajf0U">pic.twitter.com/IkJU5Ajf0U</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1586207446678138883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The combo guard profiles as one of the most extreme perimeter creators in the entire league. Some evidence: Hyland has attempted 118 self-created threes this season, according to PBP Stats, which would rank second on his new team behind Paul George (164) and far above the third-place guard he's replacing (Reggie Jackson, 66), in only 820 minutes this season. His 39.8% clip on those attempts ranks 13th among 81 players who have attempted at least 50 such shots.
To this point of his career, however, Hyland's primary impact has come from distance. He can attack the basket, but he's no more than a mediocre rim-pressure threat, and he's a very limited playmaker. Microwave shooting is an important skill that can swing a playoff series if active; it's unclear if Hyland can consistently impact the game this way.
That's why the Eric Gordon trade adds another level of intrigue. Gordon, a 34-year-old shooting guard, finally leaves a rebuilding Houston Rockets situation after years in and out of reported trade talks. He rejoins the franchise that drafted him seventh overall way back in 2008.&nbsp;
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Ty Lue on the <a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAClippers</a> new editions of Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon &amp; Mason Plumlee. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAClippers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAClippers</a> <a href="https://t.co/yxsD8SyutK">pic.twitter.com/yxsD8SyutK</a>
&mdash; Hoops &amp; Brews (@HoopsNBrews) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopsNBrews/status/1624289182775656448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Gordon has a 15-year history of solid, albeit streaky, pull-up shooting, and he can still slice his way to the rim with ease. Gordon has converted 67% or more of his shots within three feet of the hoop in each of the last three seasons, per Basketball Reference &mdash; and that's in a Houston offense that has looked pretty wonky at times.&nbsp;
The Clippers acquired Gordon in a three-team deal with the Rockets and Grizzlies that ultimately sent John Wall to Houston and Luke Kennard to Memphis. They now have a reshaped guard rotation that includes Hyland, Gordon, Terance Mann and Norman Powell &mdash; four complementary scoring threats next to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.&nbsp;
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Entering Saturday, L.A. took just 30.2% of its shots at the rim, a 23rd-ranked rate, per Cleaning the Glass. Gordon's talents should directly help, and Hyland's perimeter prowess ideally opens up lanes for others to attack.
The four-man crew allows for some interesting lineup flexibility. Does head coach Ty Lue opt to keep Mann in the starting lineup and let Hyland bombard off the bench, knowing Gordon can also keep teams honest? Or can Hyland eventually work his way up to start and provide a more powerful perimeter impact than Reggie Jackson ever could &mdash; also leaving Mann to keep the heat on with the second unit?
With just those two, we already see that the Clippers want to apply more pressure from more angles, versus the stagnation that can arise with just Kawhi plus PG plus floor-spacers. Mason Plumlee continues the theme in his own way as a passing hub.
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Pretty easy to see how Mason Plumlee's playmaking would fit seamlessly into Sacramento's offense. Lots of CHA's sets are similar to SAC's. Plumlee is averaging 4.6 assists per 36 mins and would probably be fairly cheap considering his expiring $9M deal. Davis + Len + two 2nds? <a href="https://t.co/U52qzH2vnd">pic.twitter.com/U52qzH2vnd</a>
&mdash; Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendenNunesNBA/status/1617660314237145088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Los Angeles added the veteran center in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets that sent Jackson and a 2028 second-rounder to Charlotte. During our <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/watch-basketball-news-2023-nba-trade-deadline-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 NBA Trade Deadline Show</a>, Nekias Duncan and I both commented on the parallels between Plumlee and the team's 2021-22 backup center, Isaiah Hartenstein.&nbsp;
Last year, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-stats-notebook-isaiah-hartenstein-is-the-clippers-secret-weapon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hartenstein showed off his facilitation chops</a> by hitting cutters from the arc and operating out of some roll actions. He's in the sub-Nikola-Jokic tier of best big man passers in the NBA, and so is Plumlee.
For several seasons, the 32-year-old has consistently posted some of the best passing numbers in the league; his 18.0% assist rate is in the 92nd percentile among bigs this season, per Cleaning the Glass. Plumlee is assisting on 12.6% of his total passes, per Second Spectrum, which is the third-highest rate among centers.
Add in his stellar presence around the rim (73% shooting in that zone) and solid track record on the glass, and Plumlee seems about as ideal a fit at backup center as feasible. The healthy Clippers are looking at a Hyland-Gordon-Powell-Robert Covington-Plumlee second unit, with Nic Batum and Amir Coffey as additonal options. That is deep.
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The overarching worry: L.A. is tweaking the components of its top-10 defense &mdash; the backbone of its current fifth-place standing in the Western Conference. Hyland has serious defensive question-marks, Gordon is strong but undersized and Plumlee, while fundamentally sound, is by no means a rim-protector. Can the system and the prowess of the remaining players provide a stable floor? And if not, do the new pieces just fall out of the rotation, or do they unearth a new problem?
We likely won't know the final answer until the postseason. But the Clippers pointedly targeted several needs on Thursday, and the moves have more reward and more risk than they appear to at first. Even without adding a star, the Clippers have become another must-track team in the reshuffled West playoff race.

Ethan Fuller breaks down the Los Angeles Clippers adding Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee prior to the trade deadline.

Evaluating the Clippers' three NBA trade deadline moves

For basketball fans, the NBA trade deadline is one of the most exciting days of the year. It&rsquo;s fun to track the rumors, react to trades and root for your favorite team to make moves.
However, for the players involved in these trades, it can be very stressful and emotional.
Most players spend deadline day looking over their shoulder, and there&rsquo;s a lot of anxiety and nerves around this time of year. There aren&rsquo;t many professions where your employer can ship you across the country without any notice, but that comes with being a professional athlete.
To get a sense of what it&rsquo;s like to be traded, Basketball News spoke to several former NBA players who opened up about getting dealt and what the process entailed.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtyqvPS02_Y&amp;t=2886s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RAY ALLEN</a>: &ldquo;When I got to Seattle, [here&rsquo;s] the way the trade went down. I was in Milwaukee playing for the Bucks and we flew to Seattle, and we had a practice that day. It was coming up on the trade deadline, and everyone was talking about Tim Thomas being traded. So we were on the Key Arena floor in Seattle and the media came rushing in. I'm sitting on the floor stretching and I'm looking around and as I turn [toward the media], all of these lights come on. And I'm like, 'What's happening? We're about to have practice.' And then I turn around and I'm like, 'What's going on?' And they're all looking and pointing at me. I&rsquo;m like, &lsquo;Me?!&rsquo; [The media members] are like, 'Yeah! You!' So we're stretching on one end and the other team is stretching on the other end, and [Bucks head coach] George Karl is down there on the other end. I kind of look around and I&rsquo;m looking up [at Coach Karl], and he takes off. So, I walk over to the media and said, &lsquo;What&rsquo;s going on?&rsquo; They were like, &lsquo;There was a trade.&rsquo; I&rsquo;m like, &lsquo;Who got traded?&rsquo; They were like, &lsquo;You.&rsquo; I go into the locker room and check my phone and it's blowing up. I got traded for Gary Payton. It was crazy to be traded to Seattle in the middle of the season. I go back [to Milwaukee], get my stuff, take my physical and fly back in. And my first game [as a Sonic] is against the Detroit Pistons.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I remember going out to lunch with Brent Barry, who was so great the whole time. He was such a jokester on the sly; he always had his little sarcasm that he'd add to any situation. He goes, 'Ray, just so you know, people aren't coming to the game to see you. They're coming to see the Barry brothers match-up.' Because Jon [Barry] was on Detroit. That was always Brett, with his dry humor. (Laughs) So, I'm watching the [Sonics'] film and Gary was &lsquo;The Glove&rsquo; &mdash; everybody knew how ferocious he was on defense. In Milwaukee, we had schemes, and I was used to that. But watching [the Sonics&rsquo;] film, Gary would come from one side of the floor and just start guarding a guy. And I was like, &lsquo;What scheme is that?&rsquo; And they were like, &lsquo;No, that&rsquo;s Gary&rsquo;s scheme.&rsquo; I noticed how the team was built around him, because a lot of the young players, they had kinda just waited on Gary to do whatever Gary did. So when I got there, Rashard [Lewis] was young and impressionable. We had Ansu Sesay, Reggie Evans, Jerome James and all of these young guys, and they all kinda just went as Gary went. So when I got there, I was like, 'Yo, get your shots up! I need you!' I was passing them the ball; I was flirting with triple-doubles like every other game. But I was like, 'You guys gotta [do something]!' They would just sit around, and I could tell the hole that Gary left &mdash; these guys were used to playing a certain way and kinda expecting him to do everything.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Rashard emerged because he started watching me come to the gym early every day and he would always say, 'Man, I want to make the money that you make and have the success that you've had. I really gotta start focusing in and taking this seriously&hellip;&rsquo; So, Rashard started getting to the gym early. He saw the work that I put in, and he saw that it was something that he could do and something he wanted for himself. I like to think that some of that money that he got from Orlando, he could have passed some of it [to me] on the side, but that didn&rsquo;t happen. (Laughs) But he was a great partner to have because he did get significantly better &mdash; so much better &mdash; from the time I got there to when we parted ways with him going to Orlando and me going to Boston. [I never talked to Coach Karl about him running away] and since then, George has always taken shots at me through the media or in writing his books. It's just the strangest thing because I always thought that we had a strong relationship as a player-coach.&rdquo;
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-etan-thomas-wpfw-dc-roundtable-drew-gooden-tony-massenburg-dave-zirin-john-wall-russell-westbrook-trade-washington-wizards-houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ETAN THOMAS</a>: &ldquo;I have a story from when I was with the Wizards. I was in [general manager] Ernie Grunfeld&rsquo;s office. We&rsquo;re talking about me going to big-man camp because they used to send a big man down to Florida to IMG Academy to work out with Robert Parish and Clifford Ray. So I&rsquo;m in there in the summer, and I&rsquo;m talking to him about big-man camp. And I&rsquo;ve heard a little bit of trade rumors, I&rsquo;ve heard whispers and stuff like that, but nothing major. So he&rsquo;s telling me, 'Yeah, you&rsquo;re coming back from your injury, we&rsquo;re looking forward to next year. We want to send you down to big-man camp and you&rsquo;re doing all this stuff, and Robert Parish is great to work with and Clifford Ray is this, and we&rsquo;re looking forward to everything with you and we&rsquo;ll see how you and Brendan [Haywood] can work together,' and all this different stuff. It was this whole long speech, right?
"Now I&rsquo;m driving from the Verizon Center home to PG County. I&rsquo;m not even off Route 50 yet, and I get a call from my agent who says, 'You just got traded.' I was like, 'Are you serious?' I was like, 'No, that has to be a mistake! I was just in Ernie Grunfeld&rsquo;s office like 10-15 minutes ago!' So, I had to do a U-turn, go back to the Verizon Center, clear out all my stuff, and then he shook my hand and said, 'Thank you for everything,' like the whole conversation 15 minutes ago never happened."
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/pos2.jpg" alt="" width="689" height="466" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/heres-the-story-on-the-time-the-nuggets-traded-me-and-didnt-tell-me" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JAMES POSEY</a>: &ldquo;I was in my fourth season with the Denver Nuggets, and things hadn&rsquo;t really gotten off to the best start, to say the least. We were 6-18 and knew we were gonna have our hands full that night. Our opponent? The Dallas Mavericks. With Mike Finley, Steve Nash, Raef LaFrentz and Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas was no joke. They began the season 21-3, so in our morning shootaround, we were definitely engaged. Afterward, I showered and changed, went back home, took my pregame nap and was on my way back to the arena. I&rsquo;m driving and going over the gameplan in my head when I get a call from my agent. He said he was calling to 'check on me.' He asked me how I was doing and where I was. I thought the questions were a little strange, but didn&rsquo;t really think much of it. 'I&rsquo;m going to the arena, we got a game,' I said. 'You&rsquo;re going where?!' And that&rsquo;s how I found out I&rsquo;d been traded. We were both shocked, and for the same reason.
"Nobody communicated with me. I was literally a couple miles from the arena. Getting traded is a part of life as a professional athlete. And fortunately for me, I was young and, outside of the team, hadn&rsquo;t really had any family roots or ties to Denver. But that didn&rsquo;t completely remove the sting. I just considered myself lucky to not be in a situation where I also had to move a wife and three kids in the middle of the school year. Not every player is that fortunate. One minute, you&rsquo;re driving on the highway. The next minute, at a moment&rsquo;s notice, you have to start packing and prepare to make a new life in a new city. It&rsquo;s the hardest part of the job, and it&rsquo;s one that we all accept. But damn. When I got the news &mdash; again, I was literally five minutes from the arena and had done shootaround that morning with my teammates and coaches &mdash; I had mixed emotions. My initial reaction was just genuine shock, and even though resentment might be too strong of a word, I definitely felt some kind of way. 'They couldn't even tell me?'
"I can&rsquo;t speak for everybody, but I can definitely understand how being traded and not being told could make a player feel really disposable. Sometimes, people forget that players are people too. As far as I know, there&rsquo;s no specific rule about when you are no longer able to communicate with the coaching staff or the front office of a team that trades you, but in most instances, there would at least be a phone call or a text message from your old coach or GM or whoever. Just a, 'Thank you for your service, we wish you the best of luck,' something like that. From Denver, I got nothing. All those thoughts and feelings raced through my mind in the 30 seconds it took me to process everything and turn my car around. Then, naturally, I asked my agent the question everyone in my situation would ask. 'Where did I get traded to?' When he told me Houston, I perked up and immediately pressed the gas... I actually moved in with Nick Van Exel after the trade. He had a crib in Houston, so I stayed with him. When I found out about the trade, I just packed up as much of my clothes as I could and went to Nick&rsquo;s house. I stayed there until the end of the season, then I got my own spot. But yeah, if my agent hadn&rsquo;t called, I would've showed up at the arena and they probably wouldn't have even let me in.&rdquo;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-etan-thomas-wpfw-dc-roundtable-drew-gooden-tony-massenburg-dave-zirin-john-wall-russell-westbrook-trade-washington-wizards-houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DREW GOODEN</a>: &ldquo;I got drafted as the No. 4 pick in Memphis. Jerry West, it was his first year being the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, and I was his pick at No. 4, and I would say three or four months into that season, we were stockpiled at my position. We had Stromile Swift (who was drafted as the No. 2 pick two years prior to me), Pau Gasol (who was the No. 3 pick the year before my draft) and Shane Battier (who was the No. 6 or No. 7 pick that same year) and then the following year, they picked me at No. 4. So we had a lot of young talent, but we just could not put the pieces together to make something right. I heard the trade rumors. Rumors are rumors until they actually happen. It&rsquo;s funny, this story, because when I was hearing the rumors about me being traded, me and my agent had the discussion with Jerry West.
"Jerry West said, 'Drew, this is ridiculous, we have no intentions of trading you. Don&rsquo;t read the papers, you&rsquo;re going to be here a long time. So plan on wearing a Memphis jersey for a long time.' So I was like, 'Alright, that&rsquo;s cool; Jerry West gave me a straight-up answer, man! We&rsquo;ve got nothing to worry about! Let&rsquo;s just see what happens, man, let&rsquo;s ride this season out.' A day later,&nbsp;less than 24 hours later, I get a call from Dick Versace, who was an assistant general manager at the time saying, 'Drew, we&rsquo;ve got some news.' He said, 'You&rsquo;re on your way to the Orlando Magic; we just traded you for Mike Miller, the reigning Rookie of the Year.' And I was like, 'Wowww.' I was happy, don&rsquo;t get it wrong, I was happy that I was traded, but I was like, 'Wowww, Jerry West just told me that I was not going to get traded less than 24 hours ago, and then he has somebody else call me to tell me I was traded?!'"
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-rumors-tj-ford-james-posey-interview-qa-milwaukee-bucks-toronto-raptors-indiana-pacers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T.J. FORD</a>: "The way I got traded, I felt it was just cold-blooded. Getting traded for the first time is just a unique experience. I got traded in the summer, I think after Hurricane Katrina and all that; it was when the Essence Festival was in Houston for the first time. Somebody bought my house and I was supposed to move out a week later, but they told me they wanted me out on Friday. Now, I've got an appearance in Milwaukee on Saturday that I'm supposed to fly to on Friday&hellip; So I get to Milwaukee and I speak at Michael Redd's camp, but he wasn't there. It was just a strange day. Who comes to somebody's campand then they ain't there? That just didn't make sense to me. [I&rsquo;m thinking], &lsquo;Gosh, something ain't right.&rsquo;
"I ended up having dinner plans with Skip [Robinson], the public relations guy. He helped me do a lot of great things in Milwaukee. We go to dinner and I didn't really have no power at my house, so at the restaurant I&rsquo;ve got my phone and my charger, but they&rsquo;re not next to me. Skip answered his phone and he's sitting directly across from me and I just hear him go, 'No! No! You've got to be kidding me.' Then, he's like, 'Here, the GM wants to talk to you.' So, I'm like, 'What's going on?' The GM's like, 'How do you feel about going to Toronto?' I'm like, 'What are you talking about? Stop playing with me. Stop fuckin' with me. Seriously, what's going on?' He's like, 'No, for real. We just traded you for Charlie Villanueva and it hasn't hit the news yet and it probably won't tonight.' I'm like, 'Yo, Skip, he just told me he f*ckin' traded me. He must be joking with me.' So, I handed him the phone. I get my phone and I've got a bunch of missed calls from my mom.
"So I called my mom and she's like, 'Your agent has been trying to call you! He's been saying something about a trade?' I was like, 'I know! The GM just told me that he traded me, so it must be a joke or something. I don't know. I'll call you right back.' I called my agent right away. But before I was able to do that, they got a TV at the bar in the restaurant. And, remember, the GM just told me that nobody knew about it. But it had just hit the news. Not ESPN, I'm talking about the local news at 10. I'm like, 'Ah man!' It was the worst day, man. Worst day. I was hurt. That was a tough one&hellip; I was fortunate to always get traded in the summertime. I probably would've been really shocked if I had to move midseason. I felt like I was pretty blessed to get traded in the summertime, when you can really process it."

Basketball News spoke to several former NBA players who opened up about getting dealt and what the trade process entailed.

NBA veterans open up about getting traded: 'It was the worst day'

CLEVELAND (AP) &mdash; Jarrett Allen scored 20 points, Evan Mobley added 19 and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their fourth straight game, 113-85 over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night despite resting their starting backcourt.
All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell (groin) and Darius Garland (thumb) got the night off to heal some nagging injuries and the Cavs barely missed their top guards, who average a combined 48.8 points.
With Allen and Mobley doing inside damage and combining for 21 points, Cleveland built an 18-point lead after one quarter.
The Pistons hung around and got within two in the third before the Cavs opened the fourth by outscoring Detroit 26-4 over the first seven minutes to put it away.
&ldquo;Jarrett did a great job of setting the tone,&rdquo; Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. &ldquo;There was a bunch of extra-effort plays that he made where he was just outworking the guy in front of him. He was able to get offensive rebounds, his teammates were finding him in the paint.
&ldquo;And the same thing with Evan. They had opportunities to attack and were extremely aggressive.&rdquo;
Allen added 14 rebounds as the Cavs outrebounded the Pistons 48-32 and held them to their lowest point total this season.
&ldquo;These type of games are butt-kicking contests because they play physical offense,&rdquo; Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. &ldquo;It was a great game for us to feel, to taste, to go up against a hard-nosed, physical playoff team.&rdquo;
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 15 and rookie Jalen Duren 14 for Detroit. The Pistons have dropped nine of 11 and have the worst record (14-42) in the Eastern Conference.
Cavaliers swingman Caris LeVert, who has been mentioned in rumors leading into Thursday&rsquo;s NBA trade deadline, struggled for much of the game. He finished with 15 points &mdash; 10 in the fourth &mdash; on 5-of-16 shooting.
&ldquo;He knows we need him,&rdquo; Bickerstaff said, &ldquo;and he knows how to get to his spots and what he&rsquo;s capable of, so it&rsquo;s not one of those things where he&rsquo;s having a bad night and you just sit him down.&rdquo;
The Cavs are unlikely to make a significant move, but LeVert&rsquo;s expiring $18 million contract does make him attractive for a team looking to clear salary space in the offseason.
Cleveland hasn&rsquo;t lost since a tough three-point defeat at home against Miami.
&ldquo;I feel like everyone is just clicking right now,&rdquo; Mobley said. &ldquo;Everyone is in attack mode.&rdquo;
THE GREAT DEBATE
Now that he&rsquo;s the NBA&rsquo;s career scoring leader, LeBron James has checked a box on his resume that can&rsquo;t be equaled.
And while there will continue to be discussion over whether James or Michael Jordan is the greatest player in league history, Bickerstaff believes one argument has been settled.
&ldquo;I no longer think there is a debate over who had the greatest NBA career,&rdquo; Bickerstaff said, referring to James, who spent 11 seasons with Cleveland.
For Bickerstaff, James&rsquo; best attribute is his well-roundedness &mdash; as a player and person.
&ldquo;The way he has gone about his business,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a pros pro. He&rsquo;s about his teammates. He made everybody he plays with better. You can be a great player and be selfless. &rdquo;He&rsquo;s a hell of a role model for younger players.&rdquo;
<div class="Component-dfp-0-2-62 apnews_article_midarticle_3" data-card-id="sovrn-article-midarticle">
TIP-INS
Pistons: Surprisingly, Detroit came in leading the league in free throws attempted (27) and made (20.8). ... The Pistons went 17 of 18 from the line. ... Rookie Jaden Ivey has scored in double figures in 17 straight games.
Cavaliers: LeVert and Raul Neto started in place of Mitchell and Garland. Neto had 14 points eight assists and four steals. ... Recorded their league-leading 25th win by double digits. ... Ricky Rubio played 16 minutes as the Cavs continue to monitor him following knee surgery. ... F Kevin Love was active, but didn&rsquo;t play for the fifth straight game. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re just trying to give this rotation and opportunity and see what we got with it,&rdquo; Bickerstaff said.
</div>

Jarrett Allen scored 20 points, Evan Mobley added 19 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 113-85.

Allen, Mobley power Cavaliers to 113-85 win over Pistons

The Orlando Magic are still on the outside looking in of the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, but the franchise is on the rise. The team has already matched its 22-win total from last season and is only getting better behind the young core of Rookie-of-the-Year favorite Paolo Banchero and second-year wing Franz Wagner.
The Magic could be buyers before the Feb. 9 trade deadline and <a href="https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/nba-trade-intel-knicks-jazz-nuggets-deadline-rumors?source_caller=api&amp;shortlink=qy6dqcj4&amp;af_sub1=602143514&amp;c=af-newsletter&amp;pid=af-newsletter&amp;deep_link_value=action%3A%2F%2Farticle%3Fid%3D602143514&amp;af_adset=nba-trade-intel-knicks-jazz-nuggets-deadline-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple sources have told Matt Moore of The Action Network</a> that "there&rsquo;s real interest from the Magic in Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet." The 28-year-old veteran would bring some needed experience to the team as it looks to take its next step forward.
VanVleet is in the final year of his contract and has passed on a four-year, $114 million extension, the most Toronto can offer him before the offseason. He recently switched representation and the belief is that he's looking to get a long-term deal that averages between $30 million and $35 million per year.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/nba-trade-intel-knicks-jazz-nuggets-deadline-rumors?source_caller=api&amp;shortlink=qy6dqcj4&amp;af_sub1=602143514&amp;c=af-newsletter&amp;pid=af-newsletter&amp;deep_link_value=action%3A%2F%2Farticle%3Fid%3D602143514&amp;af_adset=nba-trade-intel-knicks-jazz-nuggets-deadline-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moore adds</a> that former No. 3 overall pick Jalen Suggs could be part of a deal along with draft compensation. However, the under-performing Raptors have been very busy leading up to the trade deadline, with teams around the league showing interest in VanVleet along with Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr.
Following a slow start to the season, VanVleet has picked up his play over the past few weeks. He is now averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting 39.7% from the field and 34.7% on three-pointers.

The Orlando Magic could be buyers before the NBA trade deadline and they have a real interest in Toronto's Fred VanVleet.

Magic have "real interest" in Fred VanVleet before NBA trade deadline

"We're a championship team."
That's what Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said, as <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/03/nuggets-jamal-murray-championship-team/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">part of a larger answer</a> about the team's prospects after Thursday night's 134-117 win over the Golden State Warriors. Murray was a big part of the win, scoring 33 points (9-of-12 from two, 3-of-11 from three), dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 5 rebounds in a little over 30 minutes.
"All that stuff, not being happy, has gotta go out the window or else we&rsquo;re not going to win," Murray said. "It&rsquo;s nice to have a coach that knows that and knows what we&rsquo;re trying to accomplish.&rdquo;
There are a couple of ways to decipher the rest of Murray's words. You can take the "duh" approach and leave it there. Any team with title aspirations &mdash; and the Nuggets, headlined by MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic while boasting the West's best record, certainly fit the bill &mdash; needs buy-in. Beyond the Xs and Os and rotation decisions, a head coach's primary responsibility is to get buy-in from its players.&nbsp;
Michael Malone has appeared to get that for the most part. You can see that most blatantly with the Nuggets' defensive performance. Per Cleaning The Glass, they're up to 16th in defensive rating on the year, excluding garbage time. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-examining-the-denver-nuggets-poor-defense-nikola-jokic-michael-malone-bruce-brown-michael-porter-jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In early December</a>, I wrote about how pourous their then-ranked 27th defense was; Coach Malone seemingly lamented it every other game.
If you read a little deeper into Murray's reminder for connectivity, you could interpret it as a message to second-year guard Bones Hyland.
Hyland didn't appear in Thursday night's game. He only played four minutes in Tuesday's win over (what's left of) the New Orleans Pelicans. In fact, here is Hyland's minute count over the Nuggets' past 10 games: 8, 15, 18, 8, 11, 0 (inactive), 24, 21, 4, 0 (DNP).
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There have been reports of Hyland and Malone not seeing eye-to-eye. It would make sense; young players &mdash; especially young guards &mdash; have to do a lot to earn Malone's trust on both ends of the floor.
Hyland is a microwave scorer, unafraid to pull from 30 feet if he's feeling it. He's drained nearly 38% of his threes on high volume (5.7 attempts in 19.5 minutes) this season. He's also, at this stage of his career, a harmful defender due to his off-ball awareness and shaky screen navigation. Those are hard sells for Malone fundamentally, even while acknowledging how talented Hyland is.
But with the relationship appearing to deteriorate, trade rumors have <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-bones-hyland-is-one-of-the-most-likely-players-to-be-dealt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continued to swirl</a>. Most recently, ESPN's Tim MacMahon essentially called a Hyland trade an inevitability. Brian Windhorst didn't go that far, but it seems the writing is on the wall in Denver.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
&ldquo;Bones Hyland is getting traded. It&rsquo;s a matter of where and for what.&rdquo; (via <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn_macmahon</a>) <a href="https://t.co/JlUJQI7YnW">pic.twitter.com/JlUJQI7YnW</a>
&mdash; The Trade Deadline (@_TradeDeadline) <a href="https://twitter.com/_TradeDeadline/status/1621550941500473348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote>

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

Beyond the intrigue of the Nuggets potentially moving Hyland this early, figuring out who they'd actually pursue is also challenging.
It's easy to look at the roster and pinpoint&nbsp;what&nbsp;they should pursue. Finding a bigger, more reliable two-way presence on the perimeter would be at the top of the list. As it stands, rookies Christian Braun and Peyton Watson are the only "3s" between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-8 on the roster. Braun has been in and out of the rotation this season despite his positive flashes, and we've seen virtually nothing from Watson.
If they land on another guard to directly replace Hyland, that player would need to hold their own defensively &mdash; and likely be capable of punching above their weight &mdash; while being able to toggle between on and off-ball duties. Murray has been commanding the second unit when staggered away from Jokic; ideally, you'd want to take some of that creation burden off of him.
The "who" of it is what makes this tough. Hyland isn't just a young trade chip &mdash; he might be the&nbsp;trade chip for the Nuggets considering their first-round pick situation. <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Nuggets.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Due to prior trades</a>, the earliest available first-rounder they can move <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/2023/1/10/23547887/the-denver-nuggets-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is their 2029 first</a>. Cashing in Hyland for a veteran could still be the move, but it'd be beneficial to add a vet who could move the needle this year and&nbsp;next year, at the very least.
No team wants to "lose" a deal obviously, but there's heightened importance in nailing a trade involving Hyland because of it.
For that reason, I'd imagine the first call would be to the Chicago Bulls. Alex Caruso doesn't fit the wing-with-size archetype, but he doubles as one of the NBA's stingiest and most versatile perimeter defenders. He is one of the best screen navigators in the sport, possesses quick hands that allow him to pester ball-handlers and restrict passing lanes and has the strength and guile to defend bigger wings or forwards when called upon.
A fun stat, per Second Spectrum: Over the past two seasons, possessions featuring a post-up defended by Caruso have garnered just 0.82 points per possession (PPP). Among the 114 players who have defended at least 75 post-ups in that time frame, that mark ranks 11th. Players ahead of him include Pascal Siakam (0.74 PPP), Draymond Green (0.75 PPP), PJ Tucker (0.76 PPP), Onyeka Okongwu (0.78 PPP) and Jayson Tatum (0.8 PPP).
Any questions concerning Caruso come on the offensive end of the floor. He's currently shooting 40.2% from deep, but is only attempting 4.3 threes per 100 possessions, the second-lowest clip of his career. Because of his infrequent trigger &mdash; with more infuriating catch-and-holds sprinkled in this season &mdash; defenses are okay defending him conservatively on the perimeter.&nbsp;
Caruso remains a smart cutter and a tough-as-nails screener, making him an ideal partner for Nikola Jokic whenever they play together. His cross screens consistently help Nikola Vucevic establish deep post position; it's easy to see him doing the same for Jokic. There's also room for him to act as a brush screener whenever the Nuggets want to utilize Jokic as the pick-and-roll ball handler.
Per <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-latest-nba-trade-winds?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=99187151&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;utm_medium=email" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marc Stein of Substack ($)</a>, the Bulls reportedly want two first-round picks in a deal for Caruso. Would the Bulls consider Hyland as a first-rounder, and would the 2029 first the Nuggets could actually offer be enough to entice them? If so, Hyland, Jeff Green, Ish Smith and the 2029 first is a package that could get the ball rolling.
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(There would be haggling, of course. The Nuggets would rather add second-rounders &mdash; they have six, including two this year. If they do include the first-rounder, I'm sure they'd ask for protections &mdash; or explore what it would take to get the Bulls to include Andre Drummond in the deal as well. In short, there are conversations to be had here.)
If not the Bulls, the Nuggets should check in with the Washington Wizards again. They just did business over the summer with the wing room; why not see if they could pry Delon Wright out of there? It would take one of Green or Smith along with Hyland for salary-matching purposes. Because of the age gap and team control aspect, the Nuggets may be able to ask for minor draft compensation.
Among available forwards, I wonder if they'd call the Phoenix Suns and check in on Jae Crowder. Because of Crowder's contract status &mdash; he's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer &mdash; the Nuggets likely wouldn't have to think about including a future first. The Hyland-Green-Smith triumvirate would work salary-wise for Crowder and a minimum piece (maybe Jock Landale or Josh Okogie).
STRAY THOUGHTS
<ul>
<li>If the San Antonio Spurs didn't already have multiple guards they're somewhat invested in, a Hyland-led package for Josh Richardson would be something worth exploring.</li>
<li>Same guard-heavy issue with the Utah Jazz, otherwise a Jarrod Vanderbilt deal would be at the top of the list for me.</li>
<li>The Sacramento Kings and Warriors have reportedly been linked to Matisse Thybulle. The Nuggets have the offensive infrastructure to slot Thybulle in as a cutter and occasional screener. How would we feel about a Hyland/Green for Thybulle/Shake Milton swap? Feels like a third team would be needed to balance things further for the Sixers, but I'd be intrigued.</li>
<li>Hyland for Cam Reddish is the "Man, everybody would hate this" trade that I can't push in good faith.</li>
</ul>

The Denver Nuggets may be on the verge of trading Bones Hyland. Nekias Duncan explores which landing spots make sense for Hyland.

Exploring possible trade destinations for Nuggets' Bones Hyland

On January 15, after a 112-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was asked about Kevin Durant's absence. More specifically, he was asked how the circumstances (and the locker room) differ from last year. This is what he had to say.
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Kyrie on why KD's absence is different this year: "Well I'm consistently in the lineup, that helps. We also don't have anyone who is halfway in in the locker room."
&mdash; Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alec_Sturm/status/1614805186589110277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2023</a></blockquote>

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There was a hint of irony to the response in light of his&nbsp;absence for large portions of last season due to New York's vaccine mandate, as well as the suspension he served this season due to sharing antisemitic content. Secondarily, it felt like a clear shot at former Nets guard James Harden, who ultimately requested a trade before last year's deadline.&nbsp;
On January 15, Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10063026-ball-is-in-the-nets-court-as-kyrie-irving-seeks-long-term-extension" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relayed word from Irving's agent</a>, expressing their desire to reach an agreement on a long-term extension in Brooklyn. From the piece:
<blockquote>
"Around Kyrie and staying with the Nets? I have reached out to the Nets regarding this," his agent Shetellia Irving told Bleacher Report. "We have had no significant conversations to date. The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets' court to communicate now if their desire is the same."
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It would appear the desire isn't mutual. With no extension agreed to, Irving has reportedly requested a trade from the Nets ahead of the February 9 trade deadline.
Zooming out, that's three separate trade requests the Nets have received from stars over the past calendar year. And before digging into potential destinations from Irving, it's worth taking the step back to acknowledge how wild things have been in Brooklyn during the 7/11 Era.&nbsp;
(Also, the clock is going to start back ticking on Durant, no? Irving requesting the trade now is unfortunate timing. Depending on what they could get back, this deal could take the Nets out of the contention conversation through absolutely no fault of Durant's. Considering Irving's role in Durant's trade request in the summer &mdash; he wants, or wanted, his guy there with him long-term &mdash; it would be understandable if he got antsy again.)
Irving has been tremendous on the court this season, averaging 27.1 points (career-high 56.9% on 2s, 37.4% on 3s), 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds. His blend of ball-handling, pull-up shooting and finishing is almost unrivaled in the league &mdash; and in league history. And to Irving's credit, his buy-in on the defensive end is as consistently high as it's ever been in his career.
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Irving's availability and contract status &mdash; he'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer &mdash; will complicate his trade value. The receiving team, if he's moved, will have to be confident in retaining Irving long term. And from there, they'd have to be confident that Irving, who hasn't appeared in 70 games since the 2016-17 season, will be consistently available. His injury history and off-the-court controversies in back-to-back seasons make that a tough bet on the surface.
Of course, the bet being tough &mdash; and likely untenable for some franchises &mdash; doesn't mean it won't be made at all. There will be teams that check in on Irving and push their chips to the middle of the table.
We have to start the conversation with the Los Angeles Lakers. They were linked to Irving in the summer, when it felt like both Durant and Irving could be moved. There's an obvious link between Irving and LeBron James. The two played in Cleveland together for three years, winning a title in 2016. LeBron also stood up for Irving during his suspension earlier this season.
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💭 I told you guys that I don&rsquo;t believe in sharing hurtful information. And I&rsquo;ll continue to be that way but Kyrie apologized and he should be able to play. That&rsquo;s what I think. It&rsquo;s that simple. Help him learn- but he should be playing. What he&rsquo;s asked to do to get back on
&mdash; LeBron James (@KingJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1590781218790211584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2022</a></blockquote>

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We don't have to spend much time here. The Lakers would build a package headlined by Russell Westbrook and one or both of their future first-round picks (2027, 2029) for Irving. That doesn't mean the Nets would get Westbrook; three-team frameworks would likely be discussed, and it's worth noting that Haynes reported earlier on Friday that the Lakers and Utah Jazz <a href="https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10064005-nba-insider-buzz-lakers-know-they-need-another-trade-jazz-enter-westbrook-chat.amp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">re-engaged in talks surrounding Westbrook</a>.
Beyond the Lakers, there are a few teams that come to mind that make on-court &mdash; and I stress on-court &mdash; sense for the star guard.
Priority number one for the Dallas Mavericks, for example, is finding a legitimate co-star to pair with Luka Doncic. He's clearly good enough to handle a gargantuan offensive load; he leads the NBA in points (second in scoring average, 33.4) and ranks fifth in assists (8.2). Only the Cavs play at a slower pace than the Mavericks this season, mostly due to Doncic's surgical cadence in the half-court.&nbsp;
Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood (when healthy) have filled in well as secondary scorers. Dinwiddie is averaging nearly 18 points a game while bombing away from three (40.3% on a career-high 6.4 attempts). Wood's inside-out dynamic has helped him become the second half of the NBA's most prolific pick-and-roll duo, per Second Spectrum tracking.
Neither of them garner the same defensive attention that Irving does, nor can they take over games in the way that Irving can. A framework built around former-Net Dinwiddie and currently-in-the-rumor-mill Dorian Finney-Smith could intrigue the Nets.
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The Miami Heat were reportedly on Irving's summer list of teams he'd be okay getting signed-and-traded to, per ESPN's Adrain Wojnarowski. A certified third star alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could lift their ceiling, especially one as dynamic offensively as Irving. As of writing, the Heat rank 25th in overall offensive rating, excluding garbage time, and 22nd in half-court offense.
While Tyler Herro has taken steps as a creator and first-time starter &mdash; 20.3 points (49.9% on 2s, 37.3% on 3s) and a career-high 4.4 assists is nothing to sneeze at &mdash; his ability to generate traction downhill and deal with in-your-jersey defenders on an island pale in comparison to Irving. Among teams that may show interest in Irving, Herro may be the best young piece that could be offered in a deal &mdash; though his inclusion would be complicated due to the <a href="https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2018/10/hoops-rumors-glossary-poison-pill-provision.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"poison pill" element</a> of his current contract status.
Because Herro's rookie extension (4/120) hasn't kicked in yet, the Heat and Nets would be dealing with different cap numbers in a potential trade. For the Heat, they'd be sending out Herro's current-year salary ($5.7 million). The Nets (or a third team receiving Herro) would be accounting for $25.1 million &mdash; the average of Herro's total salary owed.
Without Herro, Miami would likely try to use Kyle Lowry as the headliner to a package. With <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Heat.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">somewhat limited pick ammo</a> and young prospects -- how much would Nikola Jovic appeal to this version of Brooklyn? -- the Heat feel more like a long shot compared to Los Angeles and Dallas.
STRAY THOUGHTS
<ul>
<li>The Suns and Nets were linked during the Durant Sweepstakes, but I wonder if they'd check in on Irving. This would be a deal centered around Chris Paul, which begs the question: how much more would Brooklyn want? Would a Paul + Cam Johnson package appeal to both parties, in light of Phoenix's need for half-court scoring?</li>
<li>The Clippers will always &mdash; or at least should &mdash; be mentioned in these kind of conversations. Their roster is littered with quality players on mid-level salaries, making them an appealing keep-us-competitive option for the Nets.</li>
<li>I'm sure the Knicks are content with Jalen Brunson, but hey. Just ... hey, I'm sure they'll think about it. Even if the answer is ultimately, "Nah, we're good", I find it hard to believe they wouldn't think about it.</li>
<li>Normally there's a "won't happen, but these pieces make sense" team to choose from in trade discussions like this, but I'm struggling with this one. Would the closest be something surrounding an Irving-Zach LaVine swap? Like, sure?</li>
</ul>

Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the Nets. Nekias Duncan looks at which teams make sense as a possible landing spot.

Exploring possible trade destinations for Nets' Kyrie Irving

The biggest domino of the WNBA offseason has fallen.
Breanna Stewart &mdash; with a resume that includes two titles and Finals MVPs, an MVP, five All-WNBA selections (four-time First Team, one-time Second Team), four All-Defensive Team selections, four All-Star appearances and a Rookie of the Year award &mdash; plans to sign with the New York Liberty.
The source on that blockbuster news? Well, a video posted by Breanna Stewart.
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🗽 <a href="https://t.co/6Sg28YnCPz">pic.twitter.com/6Sg28YnCPz</a>
&mdash; Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart/status/1620829634349928450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

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It's hard to overstate how big of a shift this is for the league &mdash; and for the Liberty.
Stewart is, at the absolute worst, the second best player in the league right now. She led The W in scoring last season (21.8 points per game), while also grabbing 7.6 rebounds, dishing out 2.9 assists and racking up 2.5 stocks (1.6 steals, 0.9 blocks) a night.&nbsp;
Stewart is an offense onto herself, able to generate good shots for herself from anywhere, while also being a good enough passer to punish defenses for sending extra help. She can bend defenses as the ball-handler or screener in pick-and-rolls, feast on size mismatches on the block and fly off screens and let it rip from three. (It's worth mentioning she drained nearly 38% of her threes on career-high volume [5.2 attempts] last season.)
This is all while being one of the best defenders in the sport. Stewart had a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year last season. Her massive wingspan and instincts as a help defender allow her to toggle through multiple assignments&nbsp;and&nbsp;clean up messes with ease. There's enough lateral quickness to defend 1-through-3, and enough length and strength to battle with 4s and some 5s.&nbsp;
Stewart's two-way prowess would make virtually any team an instant contender. That the Liberty are adding her two weeks after <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wnba-trade-rumors-news-connecticut-sun-star-jonquel-jones-traded-to-the-new-york-liberty-sabrina-ionescu-dallas-wings-natasha-howard-kayla-thornton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trading for another MVP</a> in Jonquel Jones is patently absurd.
Games aren't played on paper, but there's only one frontcourt in The W that could conceivably match the collective talent that Stewart and Jones have &mdash; A'ja Wilson and Candace Parker, now (<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-aces-are-signing-candace-parker-though-its-hard-to-be-excited-right-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and somewhat controversially</a>) in Las Vegas.&nbsp;
Stewart's ability to space, shoot or attack closeouts should vibe well with Jones' interior dominance. And Jones' ability to shoot from multiple platforms should unlock plenty of space for Stewart to work with.
Both of them can serve as how-do-you-guard-this screening partners for Sabrina Ionescu, who's fresh off the first All-WNBA (second team) and All-Star season of her young career. A big three of Stewart, Jones and Ionescu is unheard of and, at least among Eastern Conference teams, unrivaled.
If this team is able to stay healthy and gel, it's hard not to envision a deep playoff run for this group &mdash; this year, and for many years to come.

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Nekias Duncan breaks down the news of Breanna Stewart joining Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu on the New York Liberty.

WNBA Free Agency: Breanna Stewart to sign with the New York Liberty

Since entering the NBA in 2015, Myles Turner has seen his name surface in trade rumors constantly. One could argue that he's been featured in the rumor mill more than any other NBA player over that span.
Despite all of the rumblings, Turner has never actually been dealt. Even when the Indiana Pacers blew up their roster last season &mdash; trading away veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, Torrey Craig, Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb &mdash; they ultimately decided to keep Turner.
Now, after signing a two-year, $60 million extension with the Pacers (that includes a $17.1 million renegotiation of his 2022-23 salary), it would seem that Turner isn't going anywhere.&nbsp;
On Monday, the team held a press conference to announce the extension and Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard was asked if Turner is finally off the trade block.
"Yes, he's off the trade block!" Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle immediately chimed in.
"One of the things that we've always believed in here is that if you sign a player, it's to sign a player; we don't sign a player to trade a player," Pritchard said. "And Myles has blossomed this year. We've seen the relationship with him and Ty [Haliburton]; they're one of the best pick-and-roll [duos] in the league right now. This is the beginning of a nice core &mdash; no, a great core &mdash; and we signed Myles to be here. That's our goal."
"I'm here to stay," Turner added with a smile.
This season, Turner is averaging career-highs in points (17.5), rebounds (7.8), three-pointers (1.6), field goal percentage (54.4%) and three-point percentage (39.3%). Meanwhile, he continues to dominate defensively, averaging 2.4 blocks (fourth-most in the NBA) and 0.6 steals.
Looking at Turner's advanced stats, he's also posting career-bests in True Shooting percentage (64.8%), total rebound percentage (23.0%) and player efficiency rating (19.8).
"I'm gonna tell ya'll right now: I'm just getting started. The best version of myself is yet to come," Turner said. "I'm just leveling up each and every day."
"We've seen him play some of his best basketball this year and it really makes me proud to see Myles sitting here and accomplishing what he's accomplished," Pritchard added. "And I think his best is still to come."&nbsp;
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Carlisle praised Turner's development and said that he and his coaching staff "were hoping that this day would come very desperately."
&ldquo;Myles&rsquo; values and what he stands for really align with what we&rsquo;re trying to do here," Carlisle said. "His love of the game, his loyalty to his teammates and to this city and to our vision, and his commitment to growth has been something that&rsquo;s been great to see. And over the last year-and-a-half, he&rsquo;s transitioned back to his natural position as a full-time five man and we&rsquo;ve seen him flourish."
Pritchard revealed that the two sides had extension talks last year, but Turner chose to bet on himself and wait. One month ago, the negotiations started back up and they were able to reach an agreement.
&ldquo;Give Myles a ton of credit here because he took a risk,&rdquo; Pritchard said. &ldquo;We talked about an extension in the past, but he wanted to wait another year. He wanted to be in a position where he was playing the right position, the one that he&rsquo;s most comfortable with."
"This has been a really great example of a player having a vision and having the discipline and patience to wait it out and put himself in this great position with the right players [surrounding him]," Carlisle added.
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the squad pulled up to celebrate Myles Turner's contract extension.💙 <a href="https://t.co/ZTuB7BwYbP">pic.twitter.com/ZTuB7BwYbP</a>
&mdash; Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1620207893328039936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
Many of Turner&rsquo;s teammates came in during their day off to show their support at the press conference and put in some extra work. Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Trevelin Queen, James Johnson and Oshae Brissett were all in attendance &mdash; a testament to the Pacers&rsquo; culture. Turner believes that this organization is building something special.
&ldquo;I think that that&rsquo;s a huge reason why I stayed here: I really truly believe that we can accomplish something here," Turner said. "You&rsquo;ve got to start from somewhere. We have a team that&rsquo;s on the up and up. Today was supposed to be our blackout day, but I see countless players here getting their work in. That&rsquo;s the type of stuff I respect and the type of stuff that I came up on... That made the decision really easy.&rdquo;
Pritchard acknowledged that the Pacers have exceeded expectations this year, which factored into the decision to extend Turner. Despite having one of the league&rsquo;s younger teams, Indiana is 24-28 &mdash; which is just a half game back from the Play-In Tournament and two games back from the Eastern Conference&rsquo;s eighth seed.&nbsp;
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Turner has been with the Pacers since he was 19 years old, and he appreciates the fact that he's been able to stick with one team up to this point in his NBA career.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s still very surreal. Growing up here, I&rsquo;ve spent my entire 20s here," Turner said. "It&rsquo;s incredible to still see the same faces from the beginning of my journey. I have such a strong belief in this organization and this city&hellip;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m still here where I started, and that&rsquo;s very special to me. I want to continue to grow here, continue to grow this organization, continue to grow with my team and put Indiana back on the map."

Rick Carlisle and Kevin Pritchard confirmed that Myles Turner is "off the trade block" after signing a two-year extension with the Pacers.

Following extension, Pacers take Myles Turner 'off the trade block'

The Utah Jazz continue to be in the playoff mix at 26-26 and in the No. 10 position in the Western Conference. The team is reportedly looking at being buyers before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
Two players that Jazz have shown a strong interest in as of late, <a href="https://theathletic.com/4136200/2023/01/30/nba-trade-deadline-rumors-raptors-bucks-suns-crowder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Shams Charania of The Athletic</a>, are Atlanta Hawks' forward John Collins and Dorian Finney-Smith of the Dallas Mavericks. He reports that the Jazz and Hawks discussed a Collins deal earlier in the season with Atlanta wanting Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in return with Utah wanting a first-round pick as part of the deal before the talks stalled.
<a href="https://theathletic.com/4128572/2023/01/27/rockets-trade-john-collins-turner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic's Kelly Iko</a> recently reportedly that the Houston Rocksts are another team pursuing Collins.
The Jazz have also show interest in Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith <a href="https://theathletic.com/4136200/2023/01/30/nba-trade-deadline-rumors-raptors-bucks-suns-crowder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with Charania adding</a> that "Dallas would be open to moving the 29-year-old in the right deal for a star-caliber player". While the Mavericks have a hige value on the two-way wing, the Mavericks will need to include him in any deal for an All-Star level player.
Last season, Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $55M extension through 2024-25 that includes a player option for the 2025-26 season.
&nbsp;

The Utah Jazz are looking to add before the NBA trade deadline with the team interested in John Collins and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Jazz interested in Hawks' Collins, Mavs' Finney-Smith

While Myles Turner has come up in trade rumors over the past few years, he isn't going anywhere for now.
<a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1619454876685336580" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski</a>, Turner and the Indiana Pacers have agreed on a two-year, $60 million contract extension that includes an additional $17.1 million renegotiation on his 2022-2023 salary.
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Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has agreed on a two-year, $60M contract extension that includes an additional $17.1M renegotiation on his 2022-2023 salary, his agent Austin Brown of CAA Sports tells ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/17nSSwN14z">pic.twitter.com/17nSSwN14z</a>
&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1619454876685336580?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Turner was set to become a free agent following the season. The Pacers were able to give him the additional $17 million in a renegotiation because the team was that far under the salary cap.&nbsp;
The 26-year-old center is averaging career-highs in points (17.5), rebounds (7.9), field goal percentage (54.4%) and three-point shooting (39.1%). He is a part of the young core in Indiana alongside third-year point guard Tyrese Haliburton and rookie guard Bennedict Mathurin.

Myles Turnes and the Indiana Pacers agree on a two-year, $60M extension.

Myles Turner, Pacers agree on two-year, $60 million extension

Stop me if you've heard this before: We have another trade in the WNBA.
It's been reported, twice over, by Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports that the Dallas Wings were expected to trade versatile wing Allisha Gray over the offseason. In <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wnba-trade-rumors-news-dallas-wings-forward-allisha-gray-expected-to-be-traded-connecticut-sun-chicago-sky-washington-mystics-atlanta-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the latest report</a> from Williams, four teams &mdash; Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Washington Mystics, and Atlanta Dream &mdash; were listed as potential suitors.
It would appear that Gray has finally gotten her wish. Per ESPN's M.A. Voepel, Gray will be traded to the Atlanta Dream. From his feed:
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Sources tell ESPN that an agreement is in place for guard Allisha Gray to be traded to <a href="https://twitter.com/AtlantaDream?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AtlantaDream</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/DallasWings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DallasWings</a>. Details being finalized. <a href="https://twitter.com/Graytness_15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Graytness_15</a> was 2017 <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> rookie of year out of <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecockWBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GamecockWBB</a> and was 3x3 Olympic gold medalist in 2021.
&mdash; M.A. Voepel (@MAVoepel) <a href="https://twitter.com/MAVoepel/status/1615865386121187328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></blockquote>

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UPDATE: On Saturday, the Dream and Wings officially announced the deal, with the Dream sending the third overall pick of this year's draft and a 2025 first round pick to the Wings for Gray.

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As we wait for the details to roll in, I think it's still fair to call this a slam dunk for the Dream. Gray narrowly missed out on an All-Star berth last season, but make no mistake: She's that type of talent.
Gray averaged career-highs in points (13.3) and assists (2.5) while also grabbing 4.8 boards and racking up 1.1 steals per contest. Even those numbers don't do Gray justice. She's an additive on both ends; someone who can spread the floor at an elite level (40.8% from three on 4.8 attempts), attack titled defenses (66.1% FG inside of three feet), and defend multiple positions at a high level.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.pbpstats.com/wowy-combos/wnba?TeamId=1611661321&amp;Season=2022&amp;SeasonType=All&amp;PlayerIds=1628277" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Per PBP Stats</a>, the Wings outscored opponents by 69 points (plus-3.1 net rating) in nearly 1200 minutes with her on the floor last season, playoffs included. They were outscored&nbsp;by 93 points (minus-12.0 NET) in 372 minutes without her. This may shock you, but that was one of the biggest swings in The W last year.&nbsp;
Adding Gray to a Dream roster headlined by Rhyne Howard &mdash; the reigning Rookie of the Year who also made the All-Star team last season &mdash; is truly fun stuff. As noted by <a href="https://twitter.com/MG_Schindler/status/1615866720585150464?s=20&amp;t=bv5DdMIkDVXTSzPIpp85gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA.com's Mark Schindler</a>, there may not be a two-way wing tandem in the league like Howard and Gray.&nbsp;
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Both Gray and Howard are dangerous off the ball, with Howard having a little more gravity due to her slippery nature around screens. Gray showed last season that she can handle more ball-screen usage than originally given credit for. Howard got increasingly comfortable getting downhill against defenses geared to stop her.&nbsp;
There shouldn't be much overlap between to the two. Don't be shocked if we see the Dream flow into more option-based reads in the half-court. Picture, for a moment, Howard coming off a pindown on one side and Gray coming off a pick on the other. The lead guard would have the option to feed one of them for a shot or drive, or receive receive a ghost screen from one of them to further strain a defense.
With as much handling that Cheyenne Parker did on the perimeter &mdash; as a high-post hub or a dribble handoff hub above the three-point line &mdash; there's room to invert the offense as well. The Dream led The W on field goal attempts from dribble handoffs (5.8) last season, per InStat tracking.
Gray's comfort pulling against defenders going under handoffs (or leaving a gap when switching), and ability to get downhill makes her a viable piece in a handoff-heavy offense.
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For a Dream team that ranked 11th (out of 12 teams) in offensive rating last season, they could move into a different tier with the Gray acquisition. The fit is&nbsp;that&nbsp;good.
Defensively, Gray is tenacious defending 2s and 3s, with the ability to slide with 1s and body up 4s in a pinch. She navigates screens well, and, more impressively, her motor never seems to die out. Even if she does get hung up on a screen, she can still challenge (and sometimes block) shots from behind.
I fully expect her and Howard to bring chaos to opposing offenses.

Nekias Duncan gives his early thoughts on the Atlanta Dream's acquisition of Allisha Gray.

WNBA trade: Atlanta Dream acquire Allisha Gray from the Dallas Wings

We have an MVP on the move, folks!
There's been a ton of smoke surrounding the New York Liberty landing a superstar this offseason. To the surprise of many, Breanna Stewart isn't&nbsp;the player heading to the northeast.
That honor goes to Jonquel Jones.
<a href="https://twitter.com/RachGall/status/1614741260493000704?s=20&amp;t=OsIqYHBdRYlwRpzsvN8M3g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First reported</a> by Rachel Galligan of Winsidr, the Sun are trading the 2021 MVP to the Liberty as part of a three-team deal. Howard Megdal of The Next came through shortly after with the <a href="https://twitter.com/howardmegdal/status/1614753296064942082?s=20&amp;t=OsIqYHBdRYlwRpzsvN8M3g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outline for the deal</a>.
Liberty receive: Jonquel Jones (CON), Kayla Thornton (DAL)
Wings receive: Natasha Howard (NYL), rights to Crystal Dangerfield (NYL)
Sun receive: No. 6 overall pick, Rebecca Allen (NYL), Ty Harris (DAL)
And before you could quizzically ask, "Wait, that's it?" about the Jones return for Connecticut, we got the she-asked-for-this nugget from ESPN's Alexa Philippou:
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BREAKING: Jonquel Jones is being traded to the New York Liberty, sources confirm to ESPN. The 2021 WNBA MVP with the Connecticut Sun requested the trade specifically to NY.<a href="https://twitter.com/RachGall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RachGall</a> had it first
&mdash; Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexaphilippou/status/1614753043949535235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote>

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So, wow. Superstar trades are fun. Superstar trades before free agency begins are even more fun, and help set up a good deal of (potential) fireworks.
On the Sun's side, Jones' departure actually helps them retain their top free agent. Brionna Jones, two-time All-Star and reigning Sixth Woman of the Year, was set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. With Jones heading to the Liberty, the Sun plan to use the core designation on Bri Jones, giving them exclusive negotiation rights &mdash; and locking in a one-year max offer for Jones, unless her and the Sun agree to a long-term deal.
Beyond that, I like the pieces the Sun added, even if the return still falls short of Jones' status in the league.
Harris should give the Sun another steady hand at point guard, something they lacked with Jasmine Thomas missing most of last season due to injury. That placed a heavier creation burden on All-World forward Alyssa Thomas, who practically served as the de facto point guard. With Harris providing depth, the Sun should have an easier time building cohesion in the half-court.&nbsp;
For a team that didn't take many threes &mdash; the Sun ranked 11th in three-point rate (26.1% of shot attempts) but third in percentage (35.4%) &mdash; Rebecca Allen could be a godsend. She's drained 37.2% of his threes over the past three seasons, an impressive mark considering a dip in efficiency last season (31.3% on 3.3 attempts per game). She cares very little about shot contests, and has a knack for finding space off the ball. It's easy to envision her presence taking pressure off of others, particularly in the half-court.
(Are you sensing a theme here?)
The Wings being included as the third team was interesting. There have been rumblings <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wnba-trade-rumors-news-dallas-wings-forward-allisha-gray-expected-to-be-traded-connecticut-sun-chicago-sky-washington-mystics-atlanta-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about their own star talent</a> (Allisha Gray) potentially being moved over the offseason. For the Wings to land an actual All-Star in Natasha Howard was a pleasant surprise.&nbsp;
Howard's a versatile talent, able to pop or roll as the ball screener, put the ball on the deck against larger opponents, and bully her way to the basket against smaller ones. Her activity on the defensive end, notably her quick hands, allows her to play in &mdash; or quarterback the back end of &mdash; more aggressive coverages. That could become important depending on who her frontcourt partner will be this season.
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Former Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield is a walking (running?) paint touch that could serve as a nice replacement to Ty Harris. She was able to find life as a complementary piece to Sabrina Ionescu last season, with her ability to pressure the rim helping to unlock Ionescu as an off-ball threat. She could provide similar value playing alongside Arike Ogunbowale or Marina Mabrey whenever the other is on the bench.
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Of course, the true winners of the deal are the Liberty.&nbsp;
Jones is, at worst, one of the six best players in The W. Even in a down year statistically &mdash; one that says more about the re-emergence of Alyssa Thomas, and a little bit about the inconsistent usage of Jones &mdash; Jones still earned All-WNBA and All-Defensive Second Team honors.
Players the size of Jones aren't supposed to be able to move the way she does, shoot the way she does or handle the way she does. That she can blend all of that together makes her one of the most difficult covers in the league.
On one possession, you can find Jones bullying some poor defender on the block. On another, you can find her spaced on the perimeter, one pass away from another post-up or a ball screen. A kick to her can lead to a three (that defenders have no chancd of contesting, thanks to her release point), or a catch-and-drive that most bigs in the league aren't equipped to deal with.&nbsp;
If you want to get fancy, you can run Jones off of screens. I don't mean simple cross screens to clear a side for a post-up or isolation &mdash; though you can obviously do that. You can run Jones off pindowns, off staggers, use her as the third&nbsp;screener in Spain pick-and-roll actions or anything else you can think of because of her footwork and ability to shoot off movement.
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And on other possessions, you don't even have to draw up anything. Because of her defensive prowess, she can kickstart her own offense by grabbing a board and pushing the ball in the open floor.
In short, Jones is an absolute monster.
Pairing her with Ionescu &mdash; one of the best pick-and-roll ball-handlers in the league to put it lightly &mdash; is patently unfair. Jones hasn't played with a ball-handler this dynamic; Ionescu hasn't a screening partner like this, and certainly hasn't played with a big who can clean up messes on the other end like (an engaged) Jones can.
But not only did the Liberty land Jones, but they were also able to snag Kayla Thornton from Dallas as well. The Liberty were a middling defense last season (No. 7 in defensive rating), but struggled on the perimeter. Adding Thornton, a multi-positional defender who can disrupt things on and off the ball, should help shore things up. Having Jones, Thornton and a healthy Betnijah Laney should give the Liberty a solid foundation.
There will be questions up and down the board. The Sun will need to nail the sixth overall pick if they keep it &mdash; much like they did with Jones in 2016 &mdash; to make the fan base feel better. You don't really replace an MVP, but it's hard to overstate just how much scoring gravity (and versatility) is walking out the door. Bri Jones can capture a good bit of the interior force, but shooting will still be a question mark overall.
Howard is certainly a talent upgrade, but it's worth wondering just how fluidly the offense will operate. Thornton is a lesser offensive talent, but her ability to fill gaps complemented the Ogunbowale-Mabrey backcourt. Howard will require more touches &mdash; obviously fine, but it's worth noting she isn't, say, Candace Parker as a high post passing hub. There will likely be some growing pains.
There's less to question on the Liberty front, but implementing Jones may not be an early slam dunk. Even with Ionescu shifting more off the ball in the second half of the year, she still finished in the top 10 in usage rate &mdash; and, if the tracking were available, I'd bet she ranked just as highly in touches per game. Jones wasn't always utilized as frequently as an MVP should be &mdash; something I imagine factored at least somewhat into her desire to be traded.
Still, it's hard not to be excited about &mdash; or terrified of &mdash; what the Liberty can become. Per Myles Ehrlich of Winsidr, the Liberty actually&nbsp;<a href="https://winsidr.com/2023/01/trade-report-jonquel-jones-to-liberty-in-a-three-team-deal-between-ny-connecticut-and-dallas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">created&nbsp;more cap space</a> with this trade. The rumors of Stewart in New York aren't dead.
And if the Liberty are able to land Jones and Stewart in the same offseason... whew, buddy, I don't know what you do with that kind of star power.&nbsp;

Nekias Duncan looks Sunday's three-team mega trade involving Jonquel Jones from all angles.

WNBA trade: Connecticut Sun star Jonquel Jones heads to New York Liberty

We've gotten our first official trade of the WNBA offseason!
On Friday, Rachel Galligan of Winsidr reported the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever agreed to a player swap. The upstart Dream will be acquiring veteran guard Danielle Robinson, while the Fever will get guard Kristy Wallace in return.
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BREAKING: The Atlanta Dream have traded Kristy Wallace to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Danielle Robinson, sources confirm to <a href="https://twitter.com/Winsidr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Winsidr</a>
&mdash; Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) <a href="https://twitter.com/RachGall/status/1613993306907901952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Wallace was a bright spot for the Dream, providing shooting (36.8% from three), connectivity against tilted defenses and physicality on the non-glamour end of the floor. If The W had an All-Rookie second team, she would've been in strong consideration for a selection.
Robinson, a former All-Star (2013-15), provided a blend of pull-up shooting and table-setting for the younger-than-anyone Fever last season. She started all but one game she appeared in, but held a lower minute load (23.6) as the Fever opened up playing time for rookie point guard Destanni Henderson.&nbsp;
Despite the lack of star power in this trade, I'm intrigued by the ripple effects, particularly for the Dream. Robinson is not only seven years older (with more than 10 years of W experience than Wallace), she's also slated to make much more ($155K) than Wallace ($64.6K) will this season. Her addition to the roster is interesting considering the presence of Aari McDonald, as well as Erica Wheeler's pending free agency.
To that point, Wheeler let this tweet fly shortly after the trade report came out:
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Major respect for T and Dan <a href="https://twitter.com/AtlantaDream?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AtlantaDream</a> for calling me before today's news! Forever grateful for my ATL family! One of the best ran franchise! 🤞🏾
&mdash; Erica Wheeler (@EWeezy_For3eezy) <a href="https://twitter.com/EWeezy_For3eezy/status/1614023649538834433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2023</a></blockquote>

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If Wheeler winds up leaving the Dream, adding Robinson for veteran depth makes some sense. Beyond that, her (higher) salary could be easier to use in a future trade, depending on who the Dream target. For no reason at all, I'll note that Robinson's salary is $14K lower than Wings' forward Allisha Gray. It would be cool if the Dream were, I don't know, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wnba-trade-rumors-news-dallas-wings-forward-allisha-gray-expected-to-be-traded-connecticut-sun-chicago-sky-washington-mystics-atlanta-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed as a possible trade destination</a> for Gray a few days ago.
For the Fever, this feels like a no-brainer. They can use some help on the wing, and Wallace could provide spacing and secondary attacks for their young core. Ridding themselves of Robinson should free up more playing time for Henderson, who only averaged 16.4 minutes per game on the year.
(Also, Henderson showed fun flashes to close out the year. Her averages &ndash; 9.4 points, 4.2 assists in 24.3 minutes &ndash; don't pop off the page, but her speed, playmaking and increased willingness to fire from deep should excite the fanbase moving forward.)

Nekias Duncan gives his initial thoughts on the first trade of the 2023 WNBA offseason.

Examining the trade between the Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever

Gear up for fireworks, folks.
The fun period of the WNBA offseason is on the horizon. As of yesterday, teams are now allowed to offer qualifying offers and core designations to their own restricted and unrestricted free agents respectively. That period ends on Jan. 20, with (outside) free agents and teams being able to negotiate deals on Jan. 21.
With superstars like Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike headlining the market &mdash; and with rumors already swirling about Stewart eyeing the Big Apple &mdash; this is one of most anticipated free-agency periods in recent memory.
Below the star tier, it's worth keeping an eye on what's happening with the Dallas Wings.
Midway through <a href="https://twitter.com/Khristina/status/1548019576142585857" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last season</a>, Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports (<a href="https://twitter.com/Khristina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow her!</a>) reported that Allisha Gray &mdash; an All-Star caliber wing for Dallas &mdash; would stick around through the trade deadline, but was expected to be moved during the offseason.
Well, the offseason is here, and, per Williams, that's looking more like an inevitability.
Here's her report from Wednesday night:&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SOURCES: Allisha Gray is expected to be traded from Dallas. Possible destinations include Washington, Chicago, Connecticut,and Atlanta. Gray is in the last year of her contract and plans to exercise free agency when her contract is up. <a href="https://twitter.com/GrlsTlkSportsTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GrlsTlkSportsTV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAFreeAgency?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAFreeAgency</a> <a href="https://t.co/KEp5ALIMib">https://t.co/KEp5ALIMib</a>
&mdash; Khristina Williams (@Khristina) <a href="https://twitter.com/Khristina/status/1613363135146037254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Not only do we have a follow-up on Gray, but we also have potential destinations!&nbsp;
The Connecticut Sun are fresh off a Finals appearance (and a loss to the Las Vegas Aces), but have their own tightrope to walk with an actual All-Star. Brionna Jones, a two-time All-Star and reigning Sixth Woman of the Year, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. And because of the Sun's salary crunch, they may not be able to retain her on the max deal she's worthy of without moving a piece (or two) of their core.
Aside from the Seattle Storm, there may not be a team in The W with more potential roster turnover than&nbsp; the Chicago Sky. After losing to the Sun in the Eastern Conference Finals, they're now faced with a daunting offseason. Parker is a free agent, as is All-Star guard Courtney Vandersloot, sharpshooter Allie Quigley and budding star big Azura Stevens.
The Washington Mystics are stacked with talent, headlined by Elena Delle Donne and a pair of two-way forces in Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins. Though they have pending free agents like Alysha Clark, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Elizabeth Williams, they don't run the risk of losing core talent like the Sun and Sky, which sets them up as an interesting landing spot for Gray.
And then, we have the Atlanta Dream, whose <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/theyve-got-next-an-inside-look-at-the-atlanta-dream-rebuild/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">organizational overhaul</a> has set them up for long-term success. Not only do they have talent now &mdash; reigning Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard has "star" written all over her, and versatile big Cheyenne Parker is coming off the best season of her career &mdash; they're flush with cap space.
In summation, the destination list contains three recent contenders and one team that's on the upswing and has plenty of money to spend. All four could use a shooting boost in particular.
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To that end, it's easy to see why Gray is so coveted. She was one of six players to knock down 40% of her threes while attempting at least four per game. Her ability to play-make against tilted defenses adds to her offensive value. Add in her defense &mdash; the list of players who can defend on the perimeter like or better than Gray is a short one &mdash; and you have one of the most versatile wings in the sport, smack dab in the middle of her prime.
When players like her are on the trade market, it would behoove a good team to pounce. Her contract status could complicate things a bit; she has one year left on her deal and, per Williams, she plans on testing the market next offseason. But this is the type of player you shouldn't have issue commiting to long-term.
Among the teams listed, I'd probably give the Mystics the edge here.
In light of Dallas having some questions in the frontcourt &mdash; Isabelle Harrison is an unrestricted free agent who isn't far removed from complaining about her playing time; Teaira McCowan is a restricted free agent with up-in-the-air market value due to play style &mdash; the Mystics could use Myisha Hines-Allen to headline a package. Beyond that, the Mystics have draft equity to use, including the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft.&nbsp;
A starting five of Cloud, Atkins, Gray, Delle Donne and Rookie of the Year runner-up Shakira Austin (already a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/how-the-washington-mystics-are-winning-with-activity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">near-elite defender</a>) would challenge the Aces for the best unit in The W.
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Among the teams not listed in Williams' report, I wonder if the New York Liberty could get into the mix. They could surely use more punch in their stable of perimeter options.
It was almost comical how much better their defense looked &mdash; roughly <a href="https://www.pbpstats.com/wowy-combos/wnba?TeamId=1611661313&amp;Season=2022&amp;SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason&amp;PlayerIds=204335" target="_blank" rel="noopener">five points per 100 possessions stingier</a> &mdash; when Betnijah Laney rejoined the rotation after recovery from meniscus surgery. She was the Liberty's only wing option that could credibly defend while also drawing the attention of defenders when operating off the ball.
Regardless of who lands her, you can put Gray's name on the list of players whose acquisition could help shape this year's title picture in The W.

Nekias Duncan digs into a buzzworthy 2023 WNBA offseason that could include Wings guard Allisha Gray being on the move.

Weighing sensible landing spots for Dallas Wings' Allisha Gray

Basketball News highlights the reporting, analysis and podcasts that defined a year of basketball in 2022.

Best of Basketball News: Spotlighting our top content from 2022

Don't forget about the other summer blockbuster.
You can't go online without the Rudy Gobert trade being flamed. It's hard not to question that move considering how clunky things have looked for the Timberwolves on both ends, a recent winning streak when Gobert was out of the lineup, and a slide coinciding with Gobert's return &mdash; featuring closing minutes with Naz Reid instead of Gobert.
You know who else has looked clunky on both ends of the floor? The Atlanta Hawks, fresh off a loss to LeBirthday and the Los Angles Lakers on Friday night.
The Hawks are currently sitting two games under .500 (17-19), with a bottom-10 net rating (-1.7, 24th) and more rumors swirling than a high-school hallway. The latter portion &mdash; the outside noise &mdash; is really what sucks about this Hawks season.
It's understandable enough that there would be growing pains when implenting former Spurs All-Star Dejounte Murray into the mix. I was ultimately <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-offseason-trade-news-dejounte-murray-fit-atlanta-hawks-trae-young-bogdan-bogdanovic-deandre-hunter-san-antonio-spurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high on the move</a>, but the Young-Murray fit hasn't been clean. The Hawks are <a href="https://www.pbpstats.com/wowy-combos/nba?TeamId=1610612737&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason&amp;PlayerIds=1629027,1627749" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barely winning the minutes</a> &mdash; plus-1.8 in 695 minutes &mdash; with them sharing the floor.&nbsp;
It's even tougher considering the injury woes the Hawks have dealt with. Clint Capela has missed nine games; John Collins and De'Andre Hunter have missed eight. Bogdan Bogdanovic, an important spacer and secondary creator, made his season debut on December 2.&nbsp;
In a perfect world, this is just a matter of on-court chemistry building. But alas, it doesn't appear to be just that. The cloud surrounding the relationship between Young and head coach Nate McMillan is hard to ignore at this point.
Before the season, Young and McMillan each referenced their need to improve communication with each other. McMillan took steps over the offseason <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34656193/atlanta-hawks-look-improve-communication-trae-young-coach-nate-mcmillan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with an in-house visit</a>, for a quick example. Naturally, Young missed a home game against the Denver Nuggets earlier this month due to [checks notes] <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/trae-young-reportedly-sat-out-fridays-game-vs-nuggets-after-feud-with-coach-nate-mc-millan-232604712.html#:~:text=The%20team%20said%20at%20the,to%20be%20any%20further%20discipline." target="_blank" rel="noopener">morning shootaround etiquette.</a>
(As the story goes, Young wanted to bypass morning shootaround to receive extra treatment for a troublesome shoulder. McMillan gave Young a choice: either come off the bench [for missing a normally-mandatory shootaround], or stay home. Young opted for the latter.)
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That's a petty story at best, another notch on the "what-the-heck's-going-on-with-those-two?" belt at worst. It didn't look good for Young, who simply could've played if he wanted to. It didn't look good for McMillan, who wouldn't have lost sleep over letting Young slide considering the circumstances &mdash; and his importance to the team, but you know.
Fast forward to Friday, before the Lakers loss, and we get a report from The Athletic's Shams Charania that McMillan has <a href="https://theathletic.com/4046211/2022/12/30/nate-mcmillan-hawks-considers-resigning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">considered resigning from the job</a>. When asked about the report, McMillan didn't necessarily <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hawks-coach-nate-mcmillan-responds-to-report-suggesting-he-may-resign-well-move-on-past-that/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shut things down</a>:
"I read that article briefly, I've never spoke to that reporter before,"&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Pat_Benson_Jr/status/1608958610905903105?s=20&amp;t=p8pumdwNvGb35E1h4W7reQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McMillan said</a>. "I think the last two weeks, he's written a couple articles with some sources in our organization that are making some comments about me, and some things that I'm saying and doing. Look, at the end of the year, I'll do as I've always done, at the end of the season I talk with my family and see if I still have that flame, that fire to continue next season. That's the end of the season. All of us think about retiring, but that's at the end of the season. So we'll move on past that."
What makes this dynamic &mdash; and the Hawks in general &mdash; so difficult to parse through is the chicken-or-egg nature of it.&nbsp;
For the "star &gt; coach" crowd, there are arguments to make.
There is a level of rigidity with McMillan from a scheme perspective. That isn't inherently bad; he provides structure, and that appeal is what helped land him the job after the Hawks fired Lloyd Pierce in the first place. But it's part of why teams have been willing to move on from McMillan after a spell, looking for a new voice or a boost in creativity. The Hawks very well could use that.&nbsp;
On the flip side, how much more can be done with this personnel? That's worth asking before factoring in the injury woes.&nbsp;
Daryl Morey would throw up at the Hawks' shot profile: 37.5% of their shots come from the mid-range area (1st), while they lag way behind in rim (32%, 20th) and three-point rate (30.5%, 29th). But when your shooting talent underperforms (Collins, Hunter, Justin Holiday), is mostly unavailable (Bogdanovic) or trying to learn the ropes in year one (AJ Griffin), what should the expectation be?
McMillan, like virtually every coach in existence, has had his rotations questioned during his tenure. But with the revolving door of talent he's had at his disposal this season, what should the expectation be?
And then there's Young himself.&nbsp;
He's underperformed by his lofty standards. Averages of 27.4 points and 9.9 assists are dope; averaging career-lows from just about everywhere &mdash; 31% on 7.2 threes, 47% on 13.8 two-pointers &mdash; is admittedly not dope.
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He hasn't been able to can the pull-up threes that make him such a lethal pick-and-roll threat. His floater, one of the NBA's best weapons, has largely failed him this season. (Ja Morant's dealing with a similar floater issue, hence his career-low in two-point percentage.)
Young missing shots wouldn't be as tough if his play-style didn't exacerbate things. He dictates a ton of the action &mdash; and rightfully so, with his blend of playmaking and scoring chops. After <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/touches?Season=2021-22&amp;dir=D&amp;sort=AVG_DRIB_PER_TOUCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leading the NBA</a> in seconds per touch and dribbles per touch last season, Young ranks... second and first respectively <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/touches?CF=GP*GE*20&amp;Season=2022-23&amp;dir=D&amp;sort=AVG_DRIB_PER_TOUCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this season</a>.
After an encouraging start to the year, the off-ball juice just hasn't been there for Young. We're back to pass-and-stand with the ball out of his hands. He's taken just 23 relocation threes this season, per Second Spectrum; that's on pace to smash last season's number (26), but still well below the threshold you'd like to see from Young.&nbsp;
The primary reason that people questioned the Young-Murray fit was because of the off-ball woes. Murray was a fine-not-threatening catch-and-shoot threat, while Young just wasn't particularly engaged in that area. Sadly, it's been mostly a "my turn, your turn" ordeal between the two.
It's fair to question if McMillan can bring this team to the next level, and if he can connect with Young enough to make that possibility a reality. It's also fair to question how much of a limiter Young's style is to building the sort of multi-faceted attack that can take the Hawks to the next level.&nbsp;
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That question, in addition to the weird relationship with McMillan, is why <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10059477-sources-trae-young-could-be-next-nba-superstar-to-request-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">executives have started chirping</a> about the possibility of Young eventually asking out.
This is where I pause and state the obvious: executives saying "hey, he might be the next star to ask out" is not a report. It's notable conversation, and fun to think about. It's not an actual trade request.
Even with that context, it's interesting to think about what a Young trade would even look like. The Hawks pushing that button would signify, "We can't do this," "We don't want to deal with this," or a combination of the two. How would that message be received league-wide?
Young is an offense unto himself; that's incredibly valuable and, oddly enough, part of the problem with building around him. Add in the defensive concerns &mdash; he's a small dude whose attention span wanes off the ball too often &mdash; and a Young trade sweepstakes won't be as simple as "this dude's good so we should sell the farm for him."
Go down the line of fake trade destinations, and you'll come across some roadblocks.
That Young-for-KAT swap seems plausible until you think about Young, Anthony Edwards and Gobert in the same locker room. Gobert was frustrated enough being blamed for Utah's defensive miscues; cleaning up for Young and&nbsp;Edwards' off-ball lapses feels like trouble waiting to happen.&nbsp;
The New York Knicks should be happy with the All-Star caliber play that Jalen Brunson has provided this season. Brunson isn't a Young-level talent, nor is he a Young-level star. I'd be shocked if they didn't at least consider constructing a package for Young.
In light of Chris Paul's decline, I'm sure the Phoenix Suns would sniff around. The prospect of pairing Young and Devin Booker together would be interesting, though building out an offer would induce headaches.&nbsp;
(I don't know if anyone wants to hear this, but there's probably a conversation to be had between Atlanta and Philadelphia depending on what James Harden wants to do with his player option.)
For a player as talented as Young, that's not a long list of suitors. And again, you could poke holes in all of those. Ideally, this doesn't become a real talking point to begin with. The Hawks want Young to be the face of the franchise, and he's already shown he's talented enough to lead them on a deep playoff run.
What needs to change for the Hawks to turn things around? The anwer is a little bit of everything.&nbsp;
More malleability from McMillan would be nice. A healthier roster &mdash; and better shooting talent &mdash; would give McMillan more room to experiment. Obviously there's no "shoot-the-ball-better" button to press, but Young can control his own engagement level off the ball &mdash; on both ends of the floor.&nbsp;

What's wrong with the Hawks? Nekias Duncan breaks down the team's issues and Atlanta's options moving forward.

What's wrong with the Atlanta Hawks?

The Los Angeles Lakers are a mess.
Employing a roster that's built on guards in an era when most successful NBA teams are loaded with wing players, the team is currently 25th in the league in three-point shooting (33.9%) and ranks <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/clutch-advanced?dir=D&amp;sort=NET_RATING" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dead last</a> in clutch-time performance, finding some creative ways to give games away.
Despite LeBron James continuing to playing at an unbelievable level in his 20th NBA season and soon hitting the age of 38, the Lakers find themselves at No. 13 in the Western Conference standings with a 14-21 record.
(Of course, you can point to the loss of Anthony Davis as a reason why the Lakers have dropped to seven games below .500. He was playing at an MVP-level and carrying this team on both ends of the court before he suffered a stress injury in his right foot on Dec. 16. He won&rsquo;t be back until at least mid-January either.)
Everyone knows that this team desperately needs to make a trade. Even with their struggles, the Lakers need to do something &ndash; anything &ndash; or else they are just wasting another season of LeBron&rsquo;s greatness. And he&rsquo;s starting to voice his frustrations again, saying after their latest loss that his top priority remains winning: "Playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA.&rdquo;
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LEBRON: "I'm a winner &amp; I want to win. I want to still compete for championships &amp; that's been my passion &amp; goal since I entered the league as an 18yo kid out of Akron, Ohio...Playing basketball just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA anymore.&rdquo;<a href="https://t.co/lAB22WNt6K">pic.twitter.com/lAB22WNt6K</a>
&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1608437886374023170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Before the season began, Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka <a href="https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268771/Rob-Pelinka-We-Will-Do-Everything-We-Can-Picks-Included-To-Help-LeBron-Get-To-The-End" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pinky swore</a> that the organization would do &ldquo;everything we can, picks included, to make deals to give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end." It&rsquo;s time for him to make good on the promise and actually &ndash; finally &ndash; make a move that can help the team sneak into the Play-In Tournament and maybe for future seasons as well.&nbsp;
The buzz around the Lakers is that Russell Westbrook and his gigantic $47 million expiring contract won&rsquo;t be traded unless they can get a star in return. The more likely scenario is Los Angeles trading its two other expiring deals in Patrick Beverley ($13 million) and Kendrick Nunn ($5.2 million), and one of either its 2027 or 2029 first-round picks.
With the trade deadline approaching, more teams should be open to making a deal &mdash; especially those diving in the standings. Here are seven options and trade partners who could make sense.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS 
One of these days, Michael Jordan and Co. might be convinced to blow up the Hornets, or at least enough to strip it down and build around LaMelo Ball.
The Lakers have apparently made it clear that <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2022/10/31/23433700/lakers-russell-westbrook-gordon-hayward-terry-rozier-hornets-trade-rumors-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they&rsquo;re not interested in taking on an oft-injured Gordon Hayward</a>, who is on the books for $30 million this season and $31.5 million next season.&nbsp;
The more interesting names would be PJ Washington and Mason Plumlee. Washington would add some size as a forward, and maybe his shooting &mdash; which has been hovering around a career-low near 40% &mdash; can turn around with a change of scenery. Plumlee would be another big body who can rebound and help protect the paint a little, especially with AD missing.
A deal for Beverley&rsquo;s expiring contract alone would work salary-wise for both Washington and Plumlee; the issue is what else LA would have to include. A pair of second-round picks might not get it done, and the Hornets would likely demand at least a protected first-rounder.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 
Sure, the league would laugh if the Lakers traded back for Kyle Kuzma after including him in the Westbrook deal two summers ago. But in a lot of ways, he&rsquo;s exactly what they need &mdash; a big wing who can switch on defense and rebound while creating his own shot and knocking down threes on the other end.&nbsp;
In his previous LA stint, Kuzma wasn&rsquo;t happy with his role. But now, with AD playing the bulk of his minutes at center, Kuzma would slide in perfectly next to Davis and LeBron. Indications are that the Wizards want to build around Kuzma, Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. However, Kuzma is set to opt-out of his contract and he's poised to get a big pay day in free agency. Odds are that the Wizards wouldn&rsquo;t want to lose him for nothing and would make him available with plenty of teams interested in renting Kuzma for the rest of the season.
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Nothing like getting off the plane and that California breeze hit you 🌴
&mdash; kuz (@kylekuzma) <a href="https://twitter.com/kylekuzma/status/1603467117839273984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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While the Lakers won&rsquo;t give up both of their future first-round picks, a package of Beverley and either the unprotected pick in &rsquo;27 or a protected pick and rookie Max Christie would seem feasible if Washington considered moving on.
INDIANA PACERS 
Just before the start of the season, the Lakers and Pacers had the much-talked about deal for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner in place before LA backed out in hopes they could do it later without giving up both of its available future first-round picks.&nbsp;
That backfired. Indiana has an 18-17 record with Hield shooting a lights-out 41.9% from deep and Turner putting up 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a night on 40.5% from distance. Things could be much different for the Lakers if they hadn&rsquo;t gotten cold feet.
Indy probably won&rsquo;t revisit that deal, but Turner could still be available. The big man is set to become a free agent this offseason with a big raise. And while the Pacers are open to an extension, it could be too much for them to swallow.&nbsp;
Turner would be a huge addition to the Lakers' rim protection both now and once Davis returns to the lineup, as the two seemingly would be a great fit on the court together, terrorizing other teams defensively.&nbsp;
The price to land Turner would be high; at least one unprotected first and a second along with Beverley and either Nunn or Thomas Bryant to make the numbers work. (Of course, Indiana has young bigs in Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith already, so that doesn't exactly incentivize an agreement.) If you&rsquo;re Pelinka, you keep your fingers crossed that the Pacers go on a losing streak and could be persuaded to revisit the Turner and Hield deal &mdash; but don&rsquo;t count on it.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS 
It&rsquo;s not exactly the sexiest option, but the Lakers and Spurs have been dancing around each other since before the season. The Spurs are committed to the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes and could lose center Jakob Poeltl in free agency.&nbsp;
The Lakers <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/nba-trade-rumors-los-angeles-la-lakers-interested-san-antonio-spurs-vets-jakob-poeltl-josh-richardson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may have interest in him</a>, along with wings Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott, who would add shooting and some size to match up better against teams.&nbsp;
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San Antonio is looking for a premium package in exchange for Poeltl, whose skill set probably works better some place else.
A deal for Richardson and/or McDermott &ndash; who is shooting 42.3% from deep, but also on the hook for $13.7 million next season &ndash; makes sense if all it takes is a few second-round picks. More matching salaries would additionally have to be included with Beverley and Nunn in a bigger deal.
DETROIT PISTONS 
Our own Nekias Duncan recently detailed why good teams <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-trade-rumors-good-teams-should-be-looking-at-bojan-bogdanovic-detroit-pistons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">should be looking to trade for Bojan Bogdanovic</a>, and it&rsquo;s already been reported that the Lakers have talked to Detroit about him. The 33-year-old is having a banner year, averaging 20.7 points on 47.7% shooting and a whopping 40.4% from three-point range.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re not exactly getting a defensive dynamo with him, but he would help balance the roster and his offense would probably be worth it. However, Bogdanovic did sign a two-year, $39 million extension that would bite into LA&rsquo;s available cap space going forward. But it&rsquo;s not like this upcoming year&rsquo;s free-agency class is fantastic, as the best players are likely going to stay put with their current teams.
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Bojan feels the contact and gets the fading and-one in the corner! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pistons?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pistons</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ThinkFordFirst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThinkFordFirst</a> <a href="https://t.co/ELivYW2vmQ">pic.twitter.com/ELivYW2vmQ</a>
&mdash; Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1607542439237099520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The Pistons brass has been posturing about keeping Bogdanovic, but with the team going nowhere this season, a Cade Cunningham-less, still-rebuilding Detroit is expected to take calls as the deadline approaches. Would a top-four protected first in 2027 along with Beverley and Nunn&rsquo;s expiring deals be enough?
There are other options in Motown as well. Alec Burks is connecting on 43.2% of his threes in just over 21 minutes per game and Nerlens Noel has been benched in favor of younger players. Both veterans would provide a need for the Lakers and each has a team option for next season, so there isn&rsquo;t a long-term commitment. Plus, Burks and Noel would probably be available for deals involving second-round picks.
ORLANDO MAGIC 
With young stars in rookie Paolo Banchero and second-year player Franz Wagner, the Magic are in a great position in their latest rebuild. In addition, they were smart in the offseason to re-sign Mo Bamba ($10.3 million) and Gary Harris ($13 million) to very movable deals that are non-guaranteed in 2023-24. Plus, the always-in-trade-rumors swingman Terrence Ross is on the final year of his contract.
It's unlikely that LA would sacrifice one of its gold-chip first-round picks in any deal with Orlando, but Bamba-Ross for Beverley-Nunn and some second-rounders could be a worthwhile gamble. It&rsquo;s not a glamorous deal, but it shows a little effort. (Though, the Magic might elect to continually develop Bamba instead.)
NEW YORK KNICKS 
Before last season&rsquo;s deadline, the Knicks and Lakers were almost part of a three-team deal with the Toronto Raptors that could have put Cam Reddish in the purple and gold. And the Lakers are still interested in the 6-foot-8 forward despite his struggles that have kept him outside of New York&rsquo;s rotation.
The two teams talked earlier this season about Evan Fournier, who is owed almost $19 million next season and has fallen out of Tom Thibodeau&rsquo;s rotation as well. Even if NY included a future first-rounder to get off Fournier&rsquo;s deal along with Reddish, the deal would be an act of desperation on LA&rsquo;s behalf and not worth it.

Brian Fritz breaks down seven different trade routes the Lakers could try to go to bolster their roster this season.

Examining 7 possible trade options for the Los Angeles Lakers

Despite the recent injury to Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers remain active on the trade front, looking to add some pieces around LeBron James in hopes of putting themselves in playoff contention.
The latest rumors surrounding LA comes from <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/surprising-magic-could-emerge-as-possible-factor-in-trade-market-free-agency-004820046.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports</a> who reports that the team is interested in both Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic.
While the Magic are just 11-21 on the season, the team has won 6 of its last 7 and has a good foundation of young players to build around in rookie Paolo Banchero and second-year singman Franz Wagner. The team could be looking for future draft assets and both Ross and Bamba could be available.
Fischer states that Ross "has long garnered interest" from the Lakers. Orlando has turned down offers in previous years for the 31-year-old swingman below a first-round pick but "it&rsquo;s difficult to foresee a playoff contender sacrificing more than a single second-round selection for Ross&rsquo; services." Ross is in the final year of his deal that pays him $11.5 million this season.
The Lakers are also in need of another big man and have show interest in Bamba who signed a two-year, $20.6 million deal before the season with the second year non-guaranteed.
"League executives expect Orlando to hold out for a protected first-round selection or a late first-round pick to part with the 24-year-old rim presence," <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/surprising-magic-could-emerge-as-possible-factor-in-trade-market-free-agency-004820046.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Fischer</a>. "There are teams like the Lakers and Clippers, as well as Toronto, Sacramento and Brooklyn, that front-office personnel expect to sniff around the big-man market ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline and may be willing to cough up a pair of second-round choices for Bamba."
&nbsp;

New trade rumors have the LA Lakers interested in adding Orlando Magic players Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba.

Lakers interested in Magic players Ross, Bamba

This isn't how things were supposed to go in Detroit.&nbsp;
It was hard not to be excited for the Pistons heading into the year. Strong draft class, headlined by Jaden Ivey and the traded-for Jalen Duren. A Jerami Grant trade not only netted them a future first-rounder and other draft capital, it was a move made in part to clear some of the runway for Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, the latter of which was expected to fill more of Grant's time at forward.
The shooting woes that hampered Detroit last season were somewhat accounted for; adding Alec Burks into the mix was supposed to help, and an offseason trade for sniper Bojan Bogdanovic was expected to be a big add to their offense.
Fast forward to now, and the Pistons are without Cunningham for the year, dealing with an uneven campaign from Bey, and ultimately find themselves percentage points away from the worst record in the NBA.
So much for the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-23-nba-season-preview-central-division-chicago-bulls-cleveland-cavaliers-detroit-pistons-indiana-pacers-milwaukee-bucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">play-in ceiling</a>.&nbsp;
There have been bright spots though. Ivey and Duren have been as advertised; Ivey's going to make the All-Rookie first team, and Duren could make a push for it by the end of the season. Loyal listeners of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dunker-spot/id1547857052" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Dunker Spot</a> know how pleased I've been with Killian Hayes' growth this season.
On the veteran side, Bogdanovic has somehow been better than expected.&nbsp;
The initial plan was to spread the floor at a high level, and act as a security blanket so Cunningham (and Bey) wouldn't have to work as hard as creators. Instead, Bogdanovic has become the defacto top option.
Since November 11, kicking off the stretch without Cunningham for good, Bogdanovic is averaging a team-high in front-court touches (33.8), points (22.3), shot attempts (14.8), three-point attempts (5.6) and free throw attempts (5.8).&nbsp;
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The efficiency has been off the charts, with Bogdanovic converting a ridiculous 56.6% of his twos and nearly 41% of his threes.&nbsp;
League-wide, Bogdanovic is <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-general?CF=FG3A*GE*5:FG3_PCT*GE*40:FG2_PCT*GE*55&amp;TeamID=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of five* players</a> converting at least 55% of their twos and 40% of their threes with high volume during this month-plus stretch, joining Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins and Lauri Markkanen. (*Wendell Carter Jr. is also on this list, but only has three games under his belt during this stretch. Please come back soon, Wendell. We miss you, and the Magic surely do.)
What makes Bogdanovic fun is the myriad ways he can be used. He's running nearly 15 ball screens per 100 possessions since November 11, and the Pistons are scoring roughly 1.04 points per possession (PPP) on those trips &mdash; a mark that ranks in the 72nd percentile, per Second Spectrum.
He's shooting most of the time (50.8%), with his scoring prowess popping against drop coverage or switches (1.08 PPP). Bogdanovic slow-probes his way to his spots, whether that's keeping his defender at bay when faced with drop, or picking out a matchup agains a (late) switch and posting up.
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There are still limitations. Mainly, Bogdanovic's handle isn't tight enough to access&nbsp;every&nbsp;area of the court on a whim. When faced with more aggressive coverages &mdash; hedges or flat-out traps &mdash; he's prone to retreating without taking full advantage of the numbers game ahead of him. Even when he isn't, navigating close quarters can be an adventure. He's up to 27 "lost ball" turnovers in 30 games this season (0.9), after racking up 48 of them in 69 games last season (0.7).
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Even with that uptick, it's hard to ignore the overall efficiency here. And it's especially impressive considering he's carrying a much larger offensive load than originally expected.
This isn't the first time Bogdanovic has had to scale up. He saw his shot volume increase by nearly three attempts between his first and second year in Indiana. In year two (2018-19), Bogdanovic averaged 18 points with shooting splits similar to what he's doing now &mdash; 53.8% on twos, 42.5% from three. That was a year where Victor Oladipo appeared in just 36 games.
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But this is different. Bogdanovic's 64.9% True Shooting clip is easily the higheest of his career, and a whopping 7.4 points above league average. It would behoove other teams to take notice.
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have, according to <a href="https://theathletic.com/3992371/2022/12/12/bojan-bogdanovic-jae-crowder-shams-charania-inside-pass/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic's Shams Charania</a>. The Phoenix Suns were linked to Bogdanovic before he was dealt to the Pistons, and could probably use another shot creator in light of Chris Paul's decline in that area.
There are others, like the Atlanta Hawks, that could use the forward's blend of creation and outside shooting. Is there a conversation to be had around a package headlined by John Collins? It's certainly worth asking. <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumors-lakers-knicks-john-collins-bojan-bogdanovic-free-agency-stock-watch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Scotto of HoopsHype</a> reported that the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks have also expressed interest.
That would track. The Mavs desperately need more creation to take pressure off of Luka Doncic. The Heat need more shooting &mdash; they rank 21st in three-point percentage despite ranking seventh in three-point rate &mdash; and could stand to upgrade at the 4, though Caleb Martin has played pretty well this season.
Of course, the Pistons don't have to cooperate. They recently extended Bogdanovic, and per James Edwards of The Athletic, the Pistons <a href="https://theathletic.com/3995150/2022/12/13/pistons-trade-scenariors-noel-bogdanovic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aren't eager to move him</a>. It would (rightfully) take a big offer to pry him out of there. But with the way he's playing, it's probably worth the swing.

Nekias Duncan breaks down the recent offensive explosion of Bojan Bogdanovic.

Good teams should be looking to trade for Bojan Bogdanovic

While the NBA trade deadline isn't until Feb. 9, trade talks are starting to heat up.
Dec. 15 is known as the start of NBA trade season because any player who signed a contract last offseason can now be traded by their respective team, making it much easier for teams to negotiate deals and match salaries.
As of now, it seems that there are a lot of buyers and only a few sellers. The main sellers seem to be the San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets, according to <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/emerging-spurs-big-man-jakob-poeltl-could-be-a-key-player-in-this-seasons-trade-market-005938316.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports</a>. NBA executives are waiting for more sellers to emerge, but since there's so much parity this season, many teams are looking to buy or stand pat.
So far, the most active teams on the trade market have been the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Rockets, according to <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/emerging-spurs-big-man-jakob-poeltl-could-be-a-key-player-in-this-seasons-trade-market-005938316.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fischer</a>. Let's take a look at each team and the moves they're considering.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Over the offseason, it seemed like a Russell Westbrook trade was inevitable. However, <a href="https://theathletic.com/4004360/2022/12/15/lakers-russell-westbrook-celtics-clippers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Amick of The Athletic</a> reports that "Westbrook&rsquo;s play this past month has made it increasingly unlikely that he will be traded before the league&rsquo;s Feb. 9 deadline."&nbsp;Since becoming a sixth man on Oct. 28, the 34-year-old has averaged 15.2 points, 7.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game.
If Westbrook isn't expected to get dealt, why are the Lakers considered one of the most active teams?
Well, they are reportedly looking to pull off a smaller trade involving Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and potentially a protected first-round pick. Jovan Buha of The Athletic <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lakers-looking-at-possible-patrick-beverley-kendrick-nunn-trades" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke about this</a> two weeks ago, and Fischer <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/emerging-spurs-big-man-jakob-poeltl-could-be-a-key-player-in-this-seasons-trade-market-005938316.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> that L.A. has offered this package to various teams (including to the Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic). It remains to be seen whether the Lakers will be able to flip this package for a significant contributor prior to the trade deadline. As always, they're also a team to watch once buyouts begin.
The Lakers are currently 11-16, which is the 12th-best record in the Western Conference. They have the NBA's 15th-ranked defense (allowing 110.1 points per 100 possessions) and 21st-ranked offense (scoring 108.8 points per 100 possessions).
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NEW YORK KNICKS
Big changes may be coming in the Big Apple.
The Knicks have "made plenty of its roster available for discussion, particularly Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish and Immanuel Quickley," according to <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/emerging-spurs-big-man-jakob-poeltl-could-be-a-key-player-in-this-seasons-trade-market-005938316.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fischer</a>.
One year after acquiring Reddish in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks are working with Reddish's camp to find him a new home. Fischer mentions that the Knicks and Lakers have talked about a deal involving Fournier and Reddish.
At one point earlier this season, the Knicks expressed interest in Rockets veteran Eric Gordon, but the two sides weren't able to reach an agreement.
New York is currently 15-13, which is the sixth-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks boast the NBA's 10th-best defense (allowing 109.1 points per 100 possessions) and 14th-best offense (scoring 110.2 points per 100 possessions).
HOUSTON ROCKETS
As previously mentioned, Houston has emerged as an early seller. 
The Rockets have the second-youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 23.58 years old &mdash; trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder (23.14). They are focused on rebuilding and developing their young core, but they could also be open to moving certain players for the right price. 
Eric Gordon's name has surfaced in trade rumors over the last two years, but the Rockets have insisted that they won't move Gordon unless they receive a first-round pick. There are "roughly a half dozen teams" that have had preliminary talks about Gordon, according to <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Houston-Rockets-trade-options-17651050.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle</a>. Feigen mentions that Gordon is a top target for contenders (including the Phoenix Suns).
KJ Martin is another name to keep an eye on. The 21-year-old requested a trade over the offseason and "multiple sources believe he still wants out," according to <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10058513-latest-nba-intel-on-trade-season-storylines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report</a>. Pincus notes that the Suns have tried to acquire a package of Gordon and Martin.

The Lakers, Knicks and Rockets are reportedly the most active teams in trade talks. Alex Kennedy breaks down the latest rumors.

Lakers, Knicks, Rockets are most active NBA teams in trade talks

LOS ANGELES (AP) &mdash; Rookie Andrew Nembhard hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Indiana Pacers rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a stunning 116-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points and hit a tying layup with 39 seconds left for the Pacers, who trailed 101-84 early in the fourth. LeBron James hit a one-handed floater with 20.9 seconds left, and Myles Turner missed an ensuing 3-point attempt for Indiana &mdash; but Haliburton got the rebound and found Nembhard alone on the perimeter, where the Canadian second-round pick from Gonzaga drilled his fourth 3-pointer of the night.
Haliburton had 13 assists while rookie Bennedict Mathurin added 23 points for the Pacers, who avoided their first back-to-back losses since October in dramatic fashion.
Anthony Davis had 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who were well on their way to their sixth victory in seven games before their defense faltered down the stretch. Davis missed one of two free throws right after the Pacers missed three consecutive layups and tip-in attempts in the final minute, leaving the door open for Nembhard's eventual heroics.
James had 21 points and seven rebounds, while Russell Westbrook scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half.
Los Angeles opened its biggest lead two minutes into the fourth quarter, but Indiana responded with a 10-0 run and eventually trimmed the deficit to one point with 2:11 to play. The Pacers missed three consecutive layups and tips that would have put them ahead early in the final minute, and Davis hit one free throw before Haliburton's tying layup with 39 seconds left.
Davis returned to the lineup after a one-game absence to rest his bruised left calf, while James played his third straight game after a five-game absence with a groin injury.
James scored 10 points in an early-game outburst, but he went to the locker room midway through the first quarter after he rolled his left ankle when he stepped backward onto Haliburton&rsquo;s foot. James returned to start the second quarter.
TIP-INS
Pacers: Buddy Hield had 15 points, missing five of his six 3-pointers. ... Injured C Daniel Theis played alongside Schr&ouml;der on Germany's third-place EuroBasket team this summer. Theis has yet to make his Pacers debut after knee surgery.
Lakers: Patrick Beverley served the third game of his three-game suspension for shoving Phoenix's Deandre Ayton last week. Schr&ouml;der made his third straight start in Beverley's place and got eight points and four assists. ... Lakers fan Jaime Murry hit a shot from well behind midcourt to win $75,000 between the third and fourth quarters. He celebrated by hitting the Griddy and getting hugs from much of the Lakers' roster.
SAME TEAMS
Westbrook, Hield and Turner were the main characters in months of trade rumors between these clubs, but no deal was ever reached. Turner&rsquo;s positional versatility and Hield&rsquo;s outside shooting seem to make them ideal fits for the current Lakers, but the 17-time champions have been unwilling or unable to meet Indiana&rsquo;s price.
UP NEXT
Pacers: At Sacramento on Wednesday.
Lakers: Host Portland on Wednesday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Andrew Nembhard hit a three at the buzzer, and the Pacers rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth for a stunning 116-115 victory.

Rookie Nembhard hits three at buzzer, Pacers stun Lakers 116-115

There were little to no expectations for the Indiana Pacers entering this season. Entering a new era headlined by emerging point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana was a preseason favorite in the Victor Wembanyama derby. Instead, Indiana checks in with a 9-6 record, including wins in eight of their last 10 games.
With this early-season surge, the Pacers' young core is turning heads and it's clear that this team is just scratching the surface.
Haliburton is making the leap to All-Star candidate, averaging 20.6 points, 10.5 assists and 1.9 steals on an eye-opening 62.3% True Shooting. As the engine of Indiana&rsquo;s offense, Haliburton has helped vault their offensive rating to No. 7 in the Association, averaging 114.0 points per 100 possessions.
The brilliance of Haliburton is his ability to elevate the numbers of everyone around him, which includes feeding Myles Turner consistently to a career-best in scoring (18.2 PPG). Incredibly enough, Indiana&rsquo;s entire starting lineup, sans Jalen Smith, is shooting above 40% on three-point attempts with Haliburton as the trigger-puller.
Alongside Haliburton is the early Rookie-of-the-Year candidate, Bennedict Mathurin, who was picked No. 6 overall and may be a sleeper in the Sixth Man of the Year race as well. Mathurin instantly displayed his natural knack for scoring the basketball in a multitude of ways. Not only can Mathurin effortlessly slash to the rim, he can pull up with no hesitation thanks to beautiful shot mechanics. Mathurin&rsquo;s perimeter prowess immediately translated too, as he's converting 42.7% on threes with adequate volume (5.9 3PA).
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Eventually, Mathurin will move into a full-time role next to Haliburton in the Pacers&rsquo; starting unit, but being the featured piece off the bench has allowed for scoring binges at a rapid pace, including 18 points in one quarter. It&rsquo;s hard to describe the &ldquo;It&rdquo; factor Mathurin possesses, but he oozes confidence. Based on early indications, the Pacers may have hit a grand slam drafting Mathurin, which could already be fast-tracking expectations in Indianapolis.
The word &ldquo;rebuild&rdquo; wasn&rsquo;t thrown around much by the Pacers&rsquo; front office, as they viewed this as more of a multi-season re-tooling because they already had a few foundational pieces on the roster. Thanks in large part to this backcourt duo, Indiana currently sits in the No. 5 slot in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton and Mathurin are creating fireworks for the Pacers&rsquo; offense, but there are also a few other surprises within this 15-game sample size. While Chris Duarte is sidelined due to an ankle injury, second-round pick Andrew Nembhard has been starting. Already, Nembhard has a veteran-like feel to his game with noticeable two-way versatility because of his consistent on-ball defense and three-point shooting. The former Gonzaga product more often than not is taking on the Pacers&rsquo; toughest defensive assignment, which speaks volumes to how much head coach Rick Carlisle trusts the rookie. In multi-man efficiency stats, combinations featuring Nembhard all rank near the top since he makes so many winning plays. On a rebuilding team, having a reliable piece like this could pay huge dividends down the road.
Because of the strong returns from the Pacers&rsquo; young core, career-best campaigns from Buddy Hield and Myles Turner are flying under the radar. Already possessing three first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, Indiana could be in a very advantageous position to cash in once again between now and February&rsquo;s trade deadline.
Turner is becoming a more reliable offensive threat coupled with his elite shot blocking, averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on 67.6% True Shooting. Meanwhile, Hield is putting up 18.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 40.3% on threes.
Following an offseason-long rumor mill pertaining to Turner and Hield potentially being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Russell Westbrook&rsquo;s expiring contract, both of Indiana&rsquo;s veteran leaders are thriving. And with their success in the win-loss column, the next month could be huge in deciding the long-term fate of both players in Indiana. If the Pacers maintain their strong start, this team all of a sudden could be looking like a play-in contender in the first year of their rebuilding efforts.
Simply put, the Pacers are too good to tank their way to a 20-win record. All of the following players for the Pacers have consistently flashed: Haliburton, Mathurin, Turner, Hield, Nembhard, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith. Add in Duarte, who was one of the best scorers from the 2021 rookie class, and Indiana is one big offseason away from rebounding to consistent-playoff-threat status within the East.
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When Indiana decided to ship off two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Haliburton and Hield at last season&rsquo;s trade deadline, it was a pivotal moment for the organization to reset. Putting a lid on expectations for the team for the next few years internally, this core instead may very well be ahead of schedule.
Don&rsquo;t look now, but the Pacers are quickly becoming an NBA-League-Pass favorite because of their fast-paced brand of basketball. Also, they&rsquo;re finding an identity on defense over their last 10 games, ranking No. 8 in defensive rating. Indiana ranks in the top-10 in offensive rating and defensive rating &mdash; only the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers can say the same over that span.
Whichever direction the rest of the season takes for Indiana, the internal signs of growth are blindingly bright. Haliburton and Mathurin have immense potential as a complementary backcourt pairing, and it seems there are a number of players who could be involved in the Pacers' long-term vision.
Possessing oodles of cap space and multiple first-round picks, Indiana will be operating in the driver&rsquo;s seat from a potential trade-negotiation standpoint over the next few months. Right now, the ship is certainly turned in the right direction for a franchise in search of consistent stabilization once more.

One of the NBA's biggest early-season surprises resides in Indianapolis, where the Pacers are blossoming into a fun team.

Pacers' early-season promise gives a peek at long-term outlook

Nekias Duncan previews the Mavericks, Rockets, Grizzlies, Pelicans and Spurs ahead of the 2022-23 NBA campaign.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) &mdash; This could be the year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaches All-Star status.
The smooth Oklahoma City Thunder guard averaged more than 30 points per game after the All-Star break last season, then missed the final month of the season with a sore right ankle. He recovered and dominated for Canada's national team this summer.
He had a setback right before training camp &ndash; a left knee sprain that has kept him out of preseason action &mdash; but the Thunder have said they expect it to be minor.
Gilgeous-Alexander has never been an All-Star; Oklahoma City has ranked among the league's worst teams the past two years. He understands that one of the league's youngest rosters will need to come up with more wins to get him there.
&ldquo;I think it should be that way because the point of the game is to win,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It matters most that you win. That&rsquo;s what we all play the game to do, is to win games, win championships. So I think it (winning) means a lot, and I think it should mean a lot.&rdquo;
Injuries are part of the reason Gilgeous-Alexander has been overlooked &mdash; he&rsquo;s only played in 91 of the Thunder&rsquo;s 154 regular-season games the past two seasons.
Two seasons ago, he averaged 23.7 points per game. Last season, he averaged 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists. After the All-Star break, he averaged 30.4 points on 54% shooting in 13 games and scored at least 30 points 10 times.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s just going to start scraping the beginning of his prime, which is exciting to think about,&rdquo; Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Gilgeous-Alexander's success has sparked rumors that he might eventually want to leave the struggling franchise. But he is focused on the Thunder and wants to make good on his long-term deal.
Oklahoma City has 15 potential first-round picks and 14 potential second-round picks through the 2029 NBA draft, meaning the franchise could add a significant amount of talent soon.
&ldquo;Honestly, I don&rsquo;t pay attention to like the NBA media stuff and what gets tweeted and what circulates around the web,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Try to stay focused with what I&rsquo;ve got going on, me getting better, the guys that are on the team.&rdquo;
NO HOLMGREN
Chet Holmgren &mdash; the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft &mdash; <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-city-thunder-nba-sports-draft-8c087d0afbe773f3d61b24753f35b713">is recovering from a season-ending foot injury he suffered in a pro-am game</a> in August.
He doesn&rsquo;t regret participating.
&ldquo;At the end of the day, basketball players are going to play basketball,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just kind of like, you&rsquo;ve got to feed the love for the game. I don&rsquo;t want an injury like this to kind of take away from that.&rdquo;
ROOKIE CLASS
Oklahoma City&rsquo;s rookies still will bear watching.
Ousmane Dieng, a 6-foot-10 forward from France, averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 rebounds for the New Zealand Breakers last season. Jalen Williams, a 6-6 guard, averaged 18 points and 4.2 assists last season as a junior at Santa Clara. Jaylin Williams, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, averaged 10.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for Arkansas last season.
JUST JOSHING
Josh Giddey, like Gilgeous-Alexander, looks poised to be a star.
The Australian guard averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game last season and was named Western Conference rookie of the month four times. He also shot just 26.3% from 3-point range last season.
Daigneault said the 20-year-old should be a better shooter this season.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s worked really hard at it, and I think he&rsquo;s better, just watching him from the summer,&rdquo; Daigneault said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s gained confidence. He&rsquo;s more consistent.&rdquo;
DORT READY
Guard Lu Dort missed the first three preseason games in concussion protocol, but he had 23 points in 18 minutes against Israeli team Ra&rsquo;Anana Maccabi Ra&rsquo;Anana on Sunday.
Best known as a defensive stopper, the Canadian averaged a career-best 17.2 points per game last season before going down with a shoulder injury.
MANN UP
Tre Mann is on fire this preseason.
The second-year guard has averaged 17 points and made 13 of 22 3-pointers in the three games he's played. He made 8 of 10 3-pointers against the Adelaide (Australia) 36ers last Thursday.
___
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: <a href="twitter.com/CliffBruntAP">twitter.com/CliffBruntAP</a>

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is hoping to achieve All-Star status, but most importantly, helping OKC rack up more wins in the process.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder look to take step forward

Nekias Duncan previews the Hawks, Hornets, Heat, Magic and Wizards ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Southeast Division

Nekias Duncan previews each of the Pacific division teams ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Division

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Jalen Brunson has the New York Knicks believing the search for a point guard is over at last.
Never mind that he was never even a full-time NBA starter until last season, or that the quest to find the long-term answer at point guard in New York seemingly never ends.
The former second-round pick has the keys at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks appear sure it's going to be a smooth ride.
&ldquo;I think Jalen can provide whatever you need,&rdquo; coach Tom Thibodeau said. &ldquo;So if you need him to do more scoring, he can do that. If you need more playmaking, he can do that. If you need him to create pace and create movement, he can do that. You need a big 3, a big shot, he can do that. I love the way he can control and manage the game, and to me that&rsquo;s the No. 1 function of a point guard.&rdquo;
Thibodeau said all that after coaching Brunson for just one preseason game, though he had been building intel on the 26-year-old long before then. Brunson would visit the Knicks as a boy in the late 1990s when his father, Rick, played for the team and Thibodeau was an assistant coach. Thibodeau later followed Brunson's accomplishments in high school ball in the Chicago area, where he coached the Bulls, and then as a two-time national champion at Villanova.
So perhaps Thibodeau knew something when the Knicks seemed to lock in so early on Brunson as their priority in free agency, even before his strong playoff run for the Mavericks last season.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a winning player that would fit with any team, really, at any level,&rdquo; said Rick Carlisle, who coached Brunson in Dallas before moving to Indiana. &ldquo;He just figures it out and he&rsquo;ll be great here.&rdquo;
Brunson broke out last season after Jason Kidd replaced Carlisle, averaging a career-best 16.3 points. That number grew to 21.6 per game in the postseason, including a 41-point performance in a first-round victory over Utah, as the Mavericks made a surprising run to the Western Conference finals. The New Jersey native then left Dallas for a $104 million contract in New York.
Brunson &mdash; whose father is on Thibodeau's staff &mdash; will need help, though. RJ Barrett, rewarded with a big offseason extension, must continue the growth he showed last season. And Julius Randle has to play closer to his 2020-21 form, when he won the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
If so, the Knicks could challenge for a playoff spot after falling from the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference in 2021 to out of the postseason entirely last season &mdash; provided Brunson is everything they believe he is and the game manager Thibodeau thinks he can be.
&ldquo;It's a difficult job, but it's something that I think I'm capable of doing,&rdquo; Brunson said. &ldquo;I've been a leader my entire life and I lead by example, I lead vocally. It's not easy. I'm continuing to get better as a leader, so I still have strides to take in that category, but we're moving in the right direction.&rdquo;
LEFTY LOOK
With Brunson, Randle and Barrett, the Knicks will have three left-handed players in their starting lineup.
BARRETT BACK
Barrett was mentioned in trade rumors for Donovan Mitchell during the summer before the Knicks signed the the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft to an extension of his rookie contract. He averaged 20 points last season, the youngest player in franchise history to do so.
RETURNING ROSE
Derrick Rose is healthy again after being limited to just 26 games last season by ankle injuries, and the former NBA MVP figures to be Brunson's backup at the point.
SECOND UNIT STRENGTH
With Rose, fan-favorite Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, joined by newcomer Isaiah Hartenstein, Thibodeau believes the Knicks can again get the bench boost that was a strength of their playoff team two seasons ago.
50-YEAR WAIT
This season will mark 50 years since the Knicks won their second and most recent NBA championship in 1973.

Jalen Brunson has the New York Knicks believing the search for a point guard is over at last.

With Jalen Brunson aboard, Knicks feel they have their point guard

Nekias Duncan thoroughly breaks down all five teams in the Northwest Division ahead of the 2022-23 season.

2022-23 NBA Season Preview: Northwest Division

When Indiana Pacers trade rumors have popped up throughout recent seasons, Myles Turner's name has been a mainstay in those reports. Since 2018, when the awkward front court pairing between Turner and Domantas Sabonis began, the former lottery pick had been cast aside as the apparent odd man out. However, after years of surfacing in trade rumors, Turner is still on the Pacers' roster.
This past offseason, though, the feeling was completely different for Indiana&rsquo;s starting center.
Not only was Turner the subject of more rumors &mdash; including legitimate negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers for a potential salary-dump deal for Russell Westbrook &mdash; he saw the organization openly flirt with the best free agent available at his position. Turner watched as the Pacers aggressively pursued restricted-free-agent Deandre Ayton, which ultimately led to a signed max offer sheet. Although the Phoenix Suns quickly matched Indiana&rsquo;s offer sheet (the largest contract negotiated in franchise history), Turner knew at that point they were actively trying to find an upgrade.
During Media Day on Monday, Turner addressed the consistent rumors and failed Ayton pursuit by Indiana.
&ldquo;This is the only time I will be addressing it this year; I want to make sure everyone knows that,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;Yeah, elephant in the room. For me, this is my eighth season. I&rsquo;ve been in trade rumors the past four or five years. It&rsquo;s something that I know I&rsquo;m numb to. It&rsquo;s something that... it&rsquo;s just whatever comes with this business. There are no hard feelings in his business. You have to take the emotions out of everything, and I&rsquo;ve learned that at a young age, and I still hold true to that. My job is to come in here and help these young guys now, man.&rdquo;
Turner took the high road there &mdash; no surprise for someone tactful and professional like the former Texas Longhorn. When asked about a potential contract extension still being on the table, Turner didn&rsquo;t want to elaborate. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard echoed a similar tune regarding Turner&rsquo;s murky future with the organization last Thursday.
&ldquo;I sat down and talked with Myles for an hour, hour-and-a-half the other day. It was a heart-to-heart,&rdquo; Pritchard told Basketball News last week. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to tell you exactly what was said, but I&rsquo;ll give you the crux, and that is I think he&rsquo;s super excited about playing with Tyrese [Haliburton]. I think he wants to play the 5 exclusively. I think he wants to be a defensive monster. And I think that he&rsquo;s okay planting deep roots here. But, you know, he&rsquo;s going to be a free agent next year. There&rsquo;s a lot of things that can happen. What we think today isn&rsquo;t something that we know is going to happen tomorrow. This is the most dynamic business in the world.&rdquo;
Turner enters the 2022-23 season in Indiana not only as a veteran voice for a young locker room, but with plenty of motivation to silence the critics. Playing with another high-usage big for years, Turner feels he&rsquo;s never really had the opportunity to showcase his entire two-way skillset. Even after the seismic Sabonis trade in February, which helped steer the Indiana's direction altogether by acquiring Tyrese Haliburton, Turner never logged a minute with the rising star due to a stress reaction in his left foot suffered a few weeks prior.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ve scratched the surface of my potential,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;I gotta let my play do the talking. I could sit here and promise y&rsquo;all things&hellip; but I&rsquo;m going to go out there and hoop, man. That&rsquo;s what it&rsquo;s all about.&rdquo;
Already known as one of the Association&rsquo;s best rim protectors, averaging an eye-opening 2.8 blocks per game over the past four seasons, Turner is enthused about the idea of finally having the system cater to what he hopes is a full-fledged breakout campaign. The 6-foot-11 big set a career-high in scoring in 2018-19, with 13.3 points in 28.6 minutes per game. With no Sabonis and a roster in dire need of his abilities on both ends of the court, however long it may last, Turner could see his numbers spike.
Entering a contract year doesn&rsquo;t bother him.&nbsp;As he put it on Monday, Turner thrives within those types of environments. Also, Turner openly acknowledged a thought that had crossed his mind ahead of another Media Day: Would he still be in Indiana or elsewhere?
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good question,&rdquo; Turner said. &ldquo;I think that the way the past offseason had played out, you can only go off your past experiences. And I&rsquo;ve been in a Pacers uniform, so I can clearly say yeah, I was.&rdquo;
When Turner went down for the remainder of the regular season, Indiana&rsquo;s defense fell off a cliff. Over the final 39 games without Turner, Indiana ranked last in defensive rating, allowing a ghastly 120.9 points per 100 possessions. Before Turner was sidelined, the Pacers checked in 10.5 points better at 110.4 points per 100 possessions (which ranked No. 21 in the NBA).
Turner will be an integral piece to the Pacers' overall identity early on this season. Haliburton is now the proverbial face of the franchise, taking on a leadership role alongside expectations of flirting with an All-Star berth. However, Turner&rsquo;s fit alongside Haliburton as pick-and-roll/pop option, to go with his anchoring ability on the defensive end, could help set the tone for the organization.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle returned to Indiana expecting to coach a team that would consistently be within the Eastern Conference&rsquo;s top eight teams. The strong pivot in the other direction hasn&rsquo;t fazed Carlisle, potentially even reinvigorating him with players seeking out his knowledge of the game. As it relates to Turner, Carlisle has put an emphasis on making the veteran feel welcomed after the failed pursuit of Ayton.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been talking to Myles ever since July, ever since the stuff where we put the offer sheet on [Deandre] Ayton,&rdquo; Carlisle said. &ldquo;Got to spend time, a couple of days, with him at his basketball camp in Dallas in late July. Spent some time with him in August in the gym. Lloyd [Pierce] came down for a few days the following week. We spent a couple more days in the gym, had dinner at my house in Dallas.
"Myles is a pro. Myles has made it clear to me that he&rsquo;s excited about being here. He&rsquo;s excited about playing with a pass-first starting point guard like Tyrese [Haliburton]. That&rsquo;s where we are right now. That&rsquo;s where we are. I know he&rsquo;s in the last year of his contract. That&rsquo;s something that&rsquo;s on everybody&rsquo;s mind, but, hey, this is day one of Media Day. We&rsquo;re here. We&rsquo;re excited about basketball, and he&rsquo;ll be here in the gym tomorrow going hard.&rdquo;
Turner will be a member of the Pacers at least through the start of the regular season, but there are no assurances beyond that. Indiana will be put in a tough position with Turner during the final year of his contract. Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson, two key young frontcourt pieces who have long-term potential in Indiana, need to play as much as possible. And with Turner&rsquo;s nagging injury history, how much will the organization be willing to put on his motivated shoulders from now until February&rsquo;s trade deadline?
With the way Turner&rsquo;s tenure in Indiana has gone, one thing is for certain: Rumors will pick up steam once more as the calender inches closer to a final resolution.

For years, Myles Turner has remained the subject of trade rumors. Entering into a contract year, Turner is motivated to prove himself.

Despite uncertain future, Myles Turner motivated entering contract year

NBA Media Day is typically a wellspring of optimism and excitement for teams across the Association. But in Boston, Celtics players have simply been trying to collect their bearings.
Ime Udoka's sudden one-year suspension as the team's head coach has rocked the organization and sent unprecedented questions toward a roster trying to rebound from falling two wins short of an NBA title. While Monday's press conference still included on-court questions, most of the dialogue revolved around Udoka, interim head coach Joe Mazzulla and the players' ability to even process this past week.&nbsp;
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Here's what we did learn about the Celtics' muddled circumstances, plus some unanswered questions that will hopefully be answered before the season:
WHAT DO THE PLAYERS KNOW ABOUT IME UDOKA'S MISCONDUCT?
Based on their answers, very little.
Jayson Tatum said he found out about Udoka's suspension on Twitter. Grant Williams said he learned "same as everyone else." <a href="https://theathletic.com/3617945/2022/09/22/celtics-ime-udoka-discipline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of&nbsp;The Athletic</a>&nbsp;reported that members of the Celtics franchise first learned of Ime Udoka's relationship with another woman in the organization in July.
Marcus Smart said that Udoka visited him and other players in Los Angeles over the summer, and he noticed nothing unusual about the suspended head coach.
"I think that's why (the news is) so off-guard for us, because everything just seemed so normal," Smart said.
Since the announcement, the players have obviously met and had conversations. But several indicated that, as of Monday, the players don't know much more information than the public. Tatum has not spoken with Udoka since the suspension.
"It's been hell for us, caught by surprise. Nobody really knows anything. So we're just in the wind just like everybody else. So the last couple of days, as far as this, have been confusing," Smart said.
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"It's been hell for us... these last couple days for us have been confusing." Marcus Smart reacts to Ime Udoka's suspension, and Joe Mazzulla stepping in as interim head coach <a href="https://t.co/IwD4YJCDco">pic.twitter.com/IwD4YJCDco</a>
&mdash; Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1574455058460282880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2022</a></blockquote>

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"I wish we had more details," Jaylen Brown said. "From what we know, it's hard to make a decision based upon whether it's consensual or not in the workplace or whatever is going on &mdash; which we've known has happened before in the workplace &mdash; but I guess there's more to it possibly, which we don't know. I don't know. I don't have all the details; [they're] not being shared with me. So it's hard to really comment on something that you're not filled in with all the details. So I don't really have a feeling or comment on my emotions about it because I don't have the details."
Celtics players generally seemed to understand that legal and privacy reasons have slowed the information process. That doesn't mean it's easy being left in the dark on the full story.
"If you read the statement, and if you watched the press conference [Friday], obviously, apparently there's a lot of things that they can't, can't speak about," Tatum said. "So I think I'm kind of in the same boat, as &mdash; I don't know. So it's hard for me to answer if things were handled the right way [or] if they weren't because I guess for a lot of reasons, I don't know all the details."
Added Smart: "We don't know what the organization knows. So it's kind of hard to say that &mdash; we don't know what they know, so we don't know what they are supposed to tell us or what we're supposed to know. And I think this is where this is at and why it is what it is, because literally, no one knows anything. We're still waiting just like everybody else. As a player, you would like it to be known, but at the same time, that's none of our business. It's their lives. It's the people involved, it's between them, you know, and we should respect their privacy and we understand, just like we want our privacy respected. So, although, as a player, you would like to know, like I said, it's it's not an obligation."
DOES JOE MAZZULLA HAVE THE BACKING OF THE PLAYERS?
Like <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/breakingnews/celtics-udoka-suspended-for-multiple-policy-violations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brad Stevens and Wyc Grousbeck did on Friday,</a> the players gave positive reviews of Mazzulla. The 34-year-old was hired as an assistant on the C's staff in 2019, and is a holdover from the Stevens coaching era.
"He knows and understands us as players. He's built relationships with us. So we love Joe; we're excited to be able to work with him in this opportunity that he has," Smart said.
Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have both played under Mazzulla when he was at the helm of the Summer League Celtics.
"I think he's gonna be an unbelievable coach," Pritchard said. "He's intelligent, he knows the game and I think he is the right amount of, like, pushing players, but also understanding [them]."
"I think he is a hard-nosed type of coach," Hauser added. "He kind of says it how it is, but he also really cares about you as a person &mdash; not only a basketball player, but he really cares about the off-the-floor stuff. I'm excited for Joe, and I can't wait to see how he takes advantage of this opportunity."
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Malcolm Brogdon certainly didn't expect this past week to happen when he <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-malcolm-brogdon-qa-fit-boston-celtics-basketball-without-borders-africa-camp-egypt-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-danilo-gallinari-ime-udoka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joined Boston as a high-profile trade acquisition</a>. Brogdon said the Indiana Pacers gave him a few options for trade destinations, and he picked Boston because, "I want to win."
In his short time knowing Mazzulla, Brogdon has admired his discipline. Mazzulla often lifts weights with Brogdon early in the morning. One time he approached Brogdon, who was doing a breathing exercise, and started explaining the theories behind different techniques. Brogdon has also heard of Mazzulla's reputation for putting together quality opponent scouts.
"He's a guy that is so detail-oriented; I am like-minded with people that are detail-oriented, that care about the small things, the little things that get you through the day," Brogdon said.
WHAT WILL MAZZULLA CHANGE FROM UDOKA'S SYSTEM?
Of course, the Celtics have all the on-court pieces to replicate and even improve upon last season. Mazzulla does not want to drastically change course from Boston's success under Udoka.&nbsp;
"It's about carrying on the identity of our players," Mazzulla said. "We had our struggles early last season, but at our best, we knew what our identity was. It was our defense, it was our buy-in from a defensive standpoint, and then it was sharing the ball and moving quickly on the offensive end. So as much as we can stick to the things that we were great at last year, and then find small areas to improve in, is the right way to go."
The Celtics' coaching staff now has two openings with Udoka's suspension and Will Hardy's departure for the Utah Jazz head coaching gig. Mazzulla has not thought about replacements yet and would work with Stevens on filling out the bench. He believes the foundation of existing relationships should help the Celtics build solid chemistry early in the season.
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Joe Mazzulla talks about the strong endorsement he received from Brad Stevens for interim head coach <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Celtics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Celtics</a> <a href="https://t.co/hCuynuUdoR">pic.twitter.com/hCuynuUdoR</a>
&mdash; Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1574435350465990657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2022</a></blockquote>

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WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CENTER ROTATION WITH ROBERT WILLIAMS III OUT?
Amidst the off-court bombshell, the Celtics also announced that Robert Williams III will miss 8-to-12 weeks as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. This puts additional strain on an already-thin big rotation for a Boston team that sent Daniel Theis out in the trade for Brogdon this summer.
Luke Kornet could step into major minutes. The 7-foot-2 center spent most of last season with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League, but has four seasons of experience at the top level. Kornet said that with the door for minutes certainly open, his mindset naturally changes, but not his approach to the game.
"There definitely is a bit of a switch in that, but in terms of still being a basketball player and conditioning and [wondering] how am I going to help this team do the best they can &mdash; a lot of those things stay the same. But there's some change," Kornet said.
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A larger burden falls on Al Horford, now age-36 and older than his head coach, to shoulder some of the two-way responsibilities Rob Williams wields.
"For me, I have to step up a little more, Grant's gonna have to step up a little more, Luke, whichever one of our bigs, we just have to step up and do a little more," Horford said. "Even some of our guys, whether it's you know, [Tatum] playing more at the 4 or whatever it may be, I'm not sure about all that. But we all just have to do more until he gets back."
Williams, meanwhile, will start a road to recovery that began as he battled knee injuries throughout last spring's playoffs. Despite eventually needing surgery, he doesn't regret playing through the injury to compete in the NBA Finals.
"I'm playing the Finals, you know what I'm saying?" Williams said. "You win some you lose some, but I don't regret my decision at all. I was 24 years old, my dream was to play in the Finals, dawg. I can't regret that sh**."
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
What is the extent of Udoka's misconduct? &mdash; Ultimately, the players and public need more details as to the forces behind a year-long suspension and potential firing. Grousbeck said Friday that Udoka committed multiple violations of multiple team policies, suggesting the punishment came down for much more than the singular act of being in a workplace relationship. While the woman's privacy must be respected, there must be some level of clarity on the wrongdoing.
What has Mazzulla done to atone for his past arrests?&nbsp;&mdash; Mazzulla answered two questions relating to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2022/09/22/joe-mazzulla-boston-celtics-new-coach-ime-udoka-suspension/8087114001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple arrests between 2008 and 2009</a>, including a domestic violence charge in '09. Here were his quotes:&nbsp;&nbsp;
"Listen, I've made mistakes. I'm not perfect. I've hurt people, and I've had to use the situations I put myself in as a younger man, I've had to use to learn from and to become a better person," Mazzulla said. "And that's what I've tried to focus on is: 'How can I recreate my identity as a person? How can I rely on my faith? And how can I just have a positive impact on the people around me?' And I've always had good people around me...
"...I can't talk about specifics of [the incidents]. But what I can talk about is: I'm not the same person that I was, and I think as you grow as a person, you're constantly having to build an identity, and you know, I didn't have an identity at a certain point in my life for whatever reason. And I think it's [about]: 'How can I develop an identity? How can I find a foundation which for me, is my faith, and then, how can I impact people positively around me? And that's something that I really learned throughout my life.'"
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&ldquo;That made him who he is today&hellip; I&rsquo;ll be the first to tell you, I believe in him.&rdquo; Brad Stevens on Joe Mazzulla after being asked about Mazzulla&rsquo;s domestic battery charges from his college days. <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abc6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bleedgreen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bleedgreen</a> <a href="https://t.co/s5ia1rYvnY">pic.twitter.com/s5ia1rYvnY</a>
&mdash; Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanSteeleABC6/status/1573338669007704064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Mazzulla did not dodge any questions and he did acknowledge his past wrongdoing. But he also did not explain what led to his behavior, what in his faith prompted the change and how he has shown other people he has progressed.
Player and front-office endorsements are not enough in an NBA that has hired at least two other coaches with domestic-violence and sexual-assault histories in the last year-and-change &mdash; not to mention the recent reminders of troubling workplace environments in Boston and Phoenix. We need more assurance that this behavior does not have a tolerable place in the league.
How will Mazzulla manage his starters in the early goings of the regular season? &mdash; Among the many, many questions Mazzulla will face as he acclimates to the head-coaching gig is the impending usage for Tatum, Brown and others. Tatum played through a fractured wrist down the stretch of the postseason (he said he feels good on Monday).
Can Mazzulla give the high-usage players more rest to hopefully prepare them for another deep playoff run? Or will the Celtics have to go all-out just to stay on top of a stacked Eastern Conference?
ADDITIONAL NOTES
<ul>
<li>Brown's name popped up in trade rumors surrounding Kevin Durant this offseason, and the 25-year-old said he discussed those rumors with members of the Celtics, but did not elaborate.</li>
</ul>
"I've talked to my teammates, I talked to ownership, the organization, etc. I'll keep those conversations between us," Brown said. "All I can say is now that I'm here, I'm ready to play basketball. I'm in great shape, probably the best shape of my life. So I'm excited to start the journey."
<ul>
<li>With Brogdon bolstering a stellar guard rotation, his addition leaves room to wonder about Pritchard's playing time. Pritchard is embracing the competition for minutes in training camp.</li>
</ul>
"Obviously, we have a lot of tremendous players. But I don't go through all summer and all year working on my game to just ride the bench," Pritchard said. "So for me, I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and compete, and earn minutes and see where that lies. Ultimately, we just want the team success though."
<ul>
<li>Grant Williams will soon be eligible for a contract extension, but said he hasn't let that distract him. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
"When it comes to that, I just let my agents and everybody handle it, because if you become too overwhelmed or concerned with it, that's when you start focusing on your play or you start doing things that aren't necessarily characteristic of yourself," Williams said. "For me, my number one focus and goal is allowing and helping this team to win a championship. Everything else takes care of itself."

Celtics players addressed the upcoming season and head coaching change on Monday at Media Day.

2022 Boston Celtics Media Day Notebook: What did we learn?

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has been the subect of plenty of trade rumors again this offseason. First, the team signed restricted free agent center <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/deandre-ayton-agrees-fouryear-max-offer-sheet-with-pacers-nba-offseason-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deandre Ayton to an offer sheet</a> before the Phoenix Suns matched it to keep the big man. Then he was tied to the Los Angeles Lakers in rumored deals involving Russell Westbrook that never happened.
It's far from the first time that Turner's name has come up in trade rumors but the 26-year-old said at the Pacers media day on Monday that it comes with the job and doesn't bother him.
"For me, this is my eighth season and I&rsquo;ve been in trade rumors for the last four or five years," said Turner. "It&rsquo;s something I know I&rsquo;m numb to; it&rsquo;s something, it&rsquo;s just whatever comes with this business. There are no hard feelings in this business. you have to take the emotions out of everything and I&rsquo;ve learned that at a young age and I still hold true to that.&nbsp;
"My job is to come in here and help these young guys now. I&rsquo;m no longer the young guy in the locker room. I&rsquo;m 26 and one of the oldest in the room and that&rsquo;s something that&rsquo;s a new position for me and one of the things I want to take a lot of pride in as well.&nbsp;So, that&rsquo;s where all my attention lies. As long as I&rsquo;m in this uniform, I&rsquo;ll go out there and represent this state and how it&rsquo;s supposed to be represented and represent myself in the same manner."
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Myles Turner addresses the trade rumors and the organization pursuing Deandre Ayton this offseason <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basketbllnews</a>: <a href="https://t.co/74MDlL16Nk">pic.twitter.com/74MDlL16Nk</a>
&mdash; Evan Sidery (@esidery) <a href="https://twitter.com/esidery/status/1574411323705794560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Pacers center Myles Turner addressed another offseason of trade rumors and that he's "numb to it" and it "comes with the business".

Myles Turner on offseason trade rumors: "Something I'm numb to"

The Indiana Pacers have entered new, uncharted waters recently. Embracing a full-scale rebuild attempt for the first time in 30-plus years, the fresh energy surrounding the organization is palpable. An infusion of young talent headlined by Tyrese Haliburton and No. 6 overall pick Bennedict Mathurin suggests that a brand new vision is beginning to take shape in Indianapolis.
Stuck in neutral for a long period, the Pacers realized what had to be done and pressed the rebuild button. This decision is already showing immense promise, as they have a long-term outline that was simply nonexistent beforehand. Tearing down a veteran-heavy core that once featured Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon was a step-by-step process, and now, Indiana has ultimate amounts of optionality after moving on from all three veterans.
The Memphis Grizzlies' blueprint has stood out to the Pacers&rsquo; brain trust. It's a model that the organization hopes to follow, according to Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard.
&ldquo;We looked at some of the teams that have really drafted well, and now that they&rsquo;re a pretty good team... You look at the Memphis&rsquo;s and the teams like that that have built and now they&rsquo;re going to be powerhouses for the next couple of years. So, I think what we came away from our studies [with] is there&rsquo;s no quick fix," Pritchard told Basketball News in a small scrum setting on Thursday. "We can&rsquo;t make a trade or two trades or three trades or use our draft picks and become what we want to become, which is great. So, how do you do it? You&rsquo;ve got to pay your dues, and you&rsquo;ve got to get everybody on board. And that takes multiple meetings and conviction from your head coach (Rick Carlisle), your president, your GM (Chad Buchanan) and your owner. Mr. [Herb] Simon is 100% on this. It can&rsquo;t be easy.
"Nobody wants to walk in and think rebuild, and I hate that word because we have some players that we really like that we can build around. It&rsquo;s going to take some time. We&rsquo;re going to enjoy the heck out of it. And we&rsquo;re going to build this team back up to make it a really special team, guys that have true character that want to have deep roots in this community. I think that is something we&rsquo;ve talked about. How do you do that? At the end of the day, you draft well, develop relationships. [It] is your best recipe for high-level talent, high-level characters and the ability to keep players for a long time. I don&rsquo;t think that&rsquo;s a secret to this.&rdquo;
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It&rsquo;s hard to avoid the "rebuild" phrase for the Pacers, but the upside is flowing into the facility with former lottery picks integrating. With one of the league&rsquo;s youngest rosters heading into the season, Haliburton quickly acclimated himself and is being labeled as the new face of the franchise. (Our Alex Kennedy <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-interview-tyrese-haliburton-indiana-pacers-chad-buchanan-bennedict-mathurin-myles-turner-sacramento-kings-domantas-sabonis-trade-drew-hanlen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke with Haliburton about this and his hopes for the upcoming season last month</a>.)
With Haliburton acclimating himself with a full offseason in Indianapolis, the Pacers are having fun building a roster around their point guard&rsquo;s unique traits.
&ldquo;It starts with Tyrese, don&rsquo;t get me wrong, his ability to make plays for others,&rdquo; Pritchard told Basketball News in the scrum. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll say this: By having Tyrese and having players say, &lsquo;You know, I really like playing with that,&rsquo; I think that was a big decision in Jalen [Smith] (re-signing). I think Myles [Turner] is really looking forward to playing with Tyrese. The league has changed in that the point guard position has turned into like score first, then maybe I pass. Well, Tyrese is unique; he&rsquo;d rather pass. It&rsquo;s like a quarterback. If you&rsquo;ve got a great quarterback that&rsquo;s hitting you in the chest every time, he is that.
"We&rsquo;ve got to build around that and he&rsquo;s gotta build us. There&rsquo;s going to be games where he looks amazing and he&rsquo;s going to get 15 assists. And we&rsquo;re going to need him to do a lot of things, we&rsquo;re going to ask a lot, but we&rsquo;re not going to put too much [on him]. I&rsquo;ve seen where teams put too much on players. It&rsquo;s going to be collective with our young players and our vets. The good thing is a lot of of players are going to play this year. You&rsquo;re going to see more athletic plays, and we&rsquo;re going to play harder than we&rsquo;ve ever played. From what I&rsquo;ve seen so far, it&rsquo;s easy to stand up here and say it. I want to be about actions. I think we&rsquo;re going to be a super-hard-playing team. I think you&rsquo;ll see a lot of growth.&rdquo;
There's plenty of internal optimism for Haliburton to take a massive jump within the Pacers&rsquo; organization. (A stat line flirting near 20 points and 10 assists wouldn&rsquo;t come as any sort of a surprise in Indiana.) Outside of Haliburton and the aforementioned rookie in Mathurin, their highest draft pick selected since 1988, many new-core players are taking notable steps forward in their development.
Chris Duarte, who was sidelined to end his rookie campaign with a nagging toe injury, is mentally processing the game at a different speed. Isaiah Jackson, who Pritchard said has gained 15 to 18 pounds, is poised for a massive breakout as well. Smith, who re-signed with Indiana, continues to flash his former top-10 pick upside following his exit from the Phoenix Suns.
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A gym full of athletes and prospects looking to improve provides a breath of fresh air compared to the all-too-familiar unknown of whether or not the team would make it past the first round of the playoffs.
&ldquo;We are giddy,&rdquo; Pritchard told Basketball News of their young core they&rsquo;re building together. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s interesting, when watching (scrimmages) and you throw them out there and let them play, what you find out is Tyrese, TJ McConnell, [Andrew] Nembhard are really fast players, and everyone kinda fills in. There have been times where I have been in awe about how fast our team is, which, that&rsquo;s young legs right? That&rsquo;s young, exciting legs. We&rsquo;ve seen more plays at the rim where it&rsquo;s a blocked dunk, sprint down, dunk on someone. We&rsquo;ve had more alley-oops &mdash; I think Chad Buchanan was joking with me the other day about three or four years ago we had two lob dunks in the whole year. We had 10 [on Thursday].
"The league is getting more athletic. A couple years ago we decided, 'We&rsquo;re going to look at this draft and trades, and let&rsquo;s get some of these athletes because they&rsquo;re fun to watch.' Balancing that... Coach Carlisle loves shooting. So, if you can find a great athlete that is a great shooter, I&rsquo;m all-in.&rdquo;
Not only are the Pacers all-in on their new long-term vision, one where patience is the most important part, but they&rsquo;re also in a new position as an organization &mdash; optimizing future flexibility via multiple avenues. Indiana still has oodles of cap space ($29.6 million per Cleaning The Glass), which allows for new opportunities to fall into their lap. The Pacers are open about their desire to continue bringing in more assets, either young players or future draft picks, to accelerate their plan.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;ve gotta do right now. We&rsquo;ve gotta capitalize on cap space, on picks,&rdquo; Pritchard said. &ldquo;In any way we can, we got to be gritty as a staff, if can we acquire more of those to have a chance to be part of our big core. And we&rsquo;re developing the core. People ask me all the time, do you have that core? Maybe, maybe not, but we&rsquo;re getting closer and next year we&rsquo;ll be closer.
"That&rsquo;s the fun part of our business is being creative and generating ideas. Look, we have three first-round picks it looks like next year. We have close to $30 million in cap space. And we&rsquo;ll be active to use that cap space to acquire more assets. That&rsquo;s just natural, but I think it gives us the ability to pivot in a lot of different ways. We have optionality out the butt. At the end of the day, I want to be able to sit in the room with Herb and management and coach and say, 'Alright, here&rsquo;s our possibilities. Where do we want to go?&rsquo; In the past it&rsquo;s been, 'We&rsquo;ve got to go down this path. This is the path we&rsquo;ve got to go down. It&rsquo;s only going to get us so far, we know there&rsquo;s only so far, we&rsquo;ve got a freaking ceiling.' What I want to do is remove a ceiling and that takes time. It&rsquo;s going to take time.&rdquo;
Outside of that excitement for the new-look youth taking over the roster, an uncertain future remains for veteran mainstay Myles Turner. A subject of trade rumors for the last few years, which picked up immense steam once the Pacers hit the reset button, Turner saw the organization openly flirt with replacing him by chasing Deandre Ayton in restricted free agency.
Entering a contract year, Turner&rsquo;s future feels murkier than ever in Indianapolis. And with the way the subject was broached on Thursday, it wouldn&rsquo;t be a stunner to see Turner play in another uniform before February&rsquo;s trade deadline passes. Pritchard admitted his recent conversation with Turner was one filled with emotions, and the ever-changing nature of the business leaves the door open for anything to happen there.
&ldquo;I sat down and talked with Myles for an hour, hour-and-a-half the other day. It was a heart-to-heart,&rdquo; Pritchard said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to tell you exactly what was said, but I&rsquo;ll give you the crux, and that is I think he&rsquo;s super excited about playing with Tyrese. I think he wants to play the 5 exclusively. I think he wants to be a defensive monster. And I think that he&rsquo;s okay planting deep roots here. But, you know, he&rsquo;s going to be a free agent next year. There&rsquo;s a lot of things that can happen. What we think today isn&rsquo;t something that we know is going to happen tomorrow. This is the most dynamic business in the world.&rdquo;
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Turner is eligible for a contract extension, but Pritchard didn&rsquo;t want to publicly say whether or not that route remains on the table with their starting center.
&ldquo;Respectfully, I&rsquo;d like to keep that between me and him,&rdquo; Pritchard said.
Based on the Pacers&rsquo; turn into a fresh era, one where internal development takes priority over the win-loss column in the meantime, veterans like Turner and Buddy Hield will be names to watch from a leaguewide lens throughout the season from a potential trade market perspective. Nowadays, optionality, flexibility and patience will be the key buzzwords heard out of Indiana. And it&rsquo;s for the best with how its roster was running into a brick wall over and over again before the light finally turned on to rebuild from the ground up.
With the Pacers armed with draft capital and cap space, on top of a roster filled to the brim with potential &mdash; including their tantalizing backcourt combination of Haliburton and Mathurin &mdash; the vision is as clear as day. It&rsquo;s a new era in Indiana, and a route that everyone internally acknowledges should have been explored even earlier. If all goes to plan for the Pacers, these tough times could soon turn into a sustained success that hasn&rsquo;t been witnessed for the organization since nearly a decade ago.
&ldquo;We were an aircraft carrier and it was really hard to turn. And right now, we&rsquo;re a little speedboat and we&rsquo;ve got all of these ways to maneuver,&rdquo; Pritchard said. "That&rsquo;s exciting. That&rsquo;s really exciting for us, because it&rsquo;s hard to turn the big boats. For better, we&rsquo;re all-in.&rdquo;

Pacers president Kevin Pritchard discussed the franchise's new era and focus on the long-term vision, Evan Sidery writes.

Pacers enter uncharted waters searching for long-term sustainability

Spencer Davies recaps Donovan Mitchell's introductory press conference in downtown Cleveland with the Cavaliers.

Donovan Mitchell ecstatic to bring experience to young, 'fun' Cavaliers

The second domino in Utah has finally fallen.
After trading All-World center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a league-shifting pick package, the Jazz followed suit by <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-trade-instant-reaction-donovan-mitchell-cleveland-cavaliers-utah-jazz-collin-sexton-lauri-markkanen-ochai-agbaji-darius-garland-evan-mobley-jb-bickerstaff-koby-altman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trading star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. Three unprotected first-round picks, two unprotected pick swaps and a multi-player package headlined by Collin Sexton was enough for the team to officially set off its rebuild.
The stars are gone, but there are vets still on the roster. Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Jazz aren't opposed to moving them if they're given more picks, young players or (ideally) both.
Chief among those vets is point guard Mike Conley.&nbsp;
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Conley is coming off one of his healthier campaigns, appearing in 70 games (72) for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Conley was steady, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 assists (1.7 turnovers) while posting a 57.2% True Shooting percentage. He oscillated between diagnosing defenses as a pick-and-roll threat and spreading the floor for Mitchell to attack.
Coinciding with Mitchell's ascension, he's become more of a spacer than a focal point over the past two seasons. Conley's three-point rate &mdash; the percentage of shot attempts that come from deep &mdash; has hit career-high levels over the past two seasons (52.3). He's drained 41% of his threes on 6.1 attempts per game during that stretch; only three other players &mdash; Anfernee Simons, Zach LaVine and some Steph Curry guy &mdash; have hit 40% of their threes on 6 or more attempts on average (min. 100 games).
Don't let the off-ball focus fool you: Conley's blend of pull-up shooting, court vision and ambidexterity still makes him a valuable playmaker. Over the past two seasons, possessions featuring a Conley-led ball screen has generated 1.03 points per possession (PPP), a mark sandwiched between Damian Lillard (1.032 PPP) and James Harden (1.023 PPP).
Even at this stage, playing drop coverage against Conley is a mistake.
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Because Conley doesn't have the same burst anymore, he doesn't get two feet in the paint very often. His rim rate &mdash; the percentage of shot attempts coming inside of 3 feet &mdash; has dropped in each of the past five seasons. Only 7.5% of his attempts came at the rim last year, easily a career low.
He's been able to counter that by sprinkling in short pull-ups and floaters with either hand, but the threshold for bending defenses with those shots is pretty high.
Conley remains sound defensively. He's dutiful when navigating screens and still does a good job of reconnecting with ball-handlers. This might be my favorite stat find of the summer: Per Second Spectrum, among 165 players that defended at least 300 drives last season, only one player &mdash; Chicago Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu (13.97%) &mdash; was "blown by" at a lower rate than Conley (14.18%).
There's context to be added, like who Conley was directly matched up with, but that's a "he's typically in the right spot" stat if I've seen one.
Of course, Conley isn't perfect. There's only so much he can do as a shot-contester, even against his position, because of his size. While he's still a good screen navigator, his recovery speed isn't what it once was. If a screen nails him, you could be in some trouble.
Overall, Conley is still a good starting point guard with a game that can complement a high-usage star. If the Jazz are truly open to moving him, teams should come calling.
With a vet like Conley, finding a contending team for him is the likely priority. That makes trade talks tough since so many of the top teams either have (All-) star point guards already (Golden State, Phoenix, Milwaukee, etc.), younger players they're already invested in (Philadelphia, Denver), or vets they're okay with (Miami, Boston).
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The Dallas Mavericks may be the most realistic suitor within this lens. Conley could certainly slot into the Jalen Brunson-sized void that was opened this summer. Tim Hardaway Jr.'s contract ($19.6 million in 2022-23) is enough to start the conversation, but you'd have to wonder if a middleground could be found from there.
The Mavericks owe a first round pick to the Knicks (top-10 protected through 2025) that you'd assume would convey this year, but that's off the table. Would the Mavericks be willing to throw in a later first-round pick instead? If not, is there a young piece on the roster (<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/josh-green-impact-basketball-dallas-mavericks-playoffs-joe-abunassar-offseason-training-diet-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hello, Josh Green</a>) that they'd be willing to sweeten the pot with in lieu of the pick? It's hard to gauge.
I'd be intrigued by a trade centered around a Conley-D'Angelo Russell swap if the Minnesota Timberwolves were game.
(I don't think I'd be game if I were them. It'd have to be Conley and another player or two &mdash; Rudy Gay and Nickeil Alexander-Walker would get you there &mdash; since the Jazz are hard-capped. Beyond that, I'm sure they would've worked to include a Russell-Conley swap into the Gobert trade if there was real interest in that regard.)
There's been smoke, then fire, then smoke, then fog, then&nbsp;more&nbsp;smoke around Conley being featured in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Russell Westbrook. Conley would certainly vibe alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis; I just don't know how likely it is that Westbrook is traded at this point, even if it might be best for everyone involved.
If it's not contender-or-bust for Conley, there are a couple of lottery teams I'd like to see throw their hats in the ring for him.&nbsp;
Depending on how you feel about the Kevin Porter Jr. point guard experiment, something I had my eye on <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/something-to-prove-kevin-porter-jr-at-point-guard-houston-rockets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heading into last season</a>, there could be room for a half-season of Conley stability in the starting backcourt. Having a consistently-good decision-maker alongside Jalen Green could foster easier development for him.
There are things Green (or Porter, for that matter) could learn from Conley. My mind immediately goes to how patient Conley is against drop, and how good he is at snaking ball-screens and bending defenses. Green showed growth as his rookie campaign went on, but there's still room for improvement.
There's even a number for it. Per Second Spectrum, the Rockets generated a little over 0.67 points per possession (PPP) on trips featuring a ball-screen that Green snaked.
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Considering Eric Gordon's salary would likely be needed to make this work, a third team would make some sense here. An interesting framework would be sending Conley to Houston, Eric Gordon to New Orleans (I know, I know) and a combination of KJ Martin (if he <a href="https://theathletic.com/3373516/2022/06/20/houston-rockets-nba-draft-roster/?source=emp_shared_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">still wants a trade</a> from Houston), Kira Lewis and more salary filler to Utah.
STRAY THOUGHTS
<ul>
<li>If Bradley Beal wants an even more dependable guard next to him than Monte Morris, Conley would make some sense in Washington. At minimum, the Wizards certainly have enough pieces to consolidate. I still don't know what to make of their forward room.</li>
<li>In light of the Lonzo Ball injury news, I can definitely see the use for a table-setter in Chicago. The Bulls may be content with Goran Dragic filling that void; beyond that, I'm not sure they could make the money work without getting ride of a core piece.</li>
<li>The Clippers would've been a fun team in here before <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-offseason-news-rumors-examining-john-wall-fit-with-los-angeles-clippers-houston-rockets-buyout-paul-george-kawhi-leonard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the John Wall signing</a>. I guess they could still be a dark horse if things don't work out, but I wouldn't bet on it.</li>
</ul>

Nekias Duncan analyzes the trade market for Jazz guard Mike Conley and which teams the veteran point guard could fit with.

Examining potential destinations for Mike Conley

Recently, the John Wall Foundation hosted an event at The Salvation Army, where John Wall opened up about how difficult the last few years have been for him. The five-time All-Star described the last few years as &ldquo;the darkest place I&rsquo;ve ever been in.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;At one point in time, I thought about committing suicide,&rdquo; Wall admitted. &ldquo;I mean, just tearing my Achilles, my mom being sick, my mom passing, my grandma passing a year later &mdash; all of this in the midst of COVID at the same time&hellip; me going to the chemotherapy and sitting there, seeing my mom take her last breath, wearing the same clothes for three days straight and laying on the couch beside her. My team, the mother of my kids has been great, my two boys, it's my motivation for me. Looking at all that, I'm like, 'If I can get through this, I can get through anything in life.'
"Everybody goes through something, we all went through tough times, nobody's got it easy. But I don't think a lot of people could get through what I went through. To me, to be back on top where I want to be and see that the fans still want me to play, having support from my hometown, their support means a lot in a time where I had to go find a therapist.
"A lot of people think, 'I don't need help, I can get through it,' but you gotta be true to yourself, find out what's best for you, and I did that. I'm just happy to have this opportunity to play basketball again. I think everything I have been through has all been a part of God's plan&hellip; Even though I was in a dark place the last couple of years, I'm super excited... to play the game that I love."
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This admission sent shock waves throughout the entire sports world.&nbsp;
I reached out to former Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat, who played with Wall for five seasons, to have a discussion about his former teammate.
Etan Thomas: What were your thoughts when you heard John Wall&rsquo;s interview detailing everything he has been through?&nbsp;
Marcin Gortat: &ldquo;First of all, I was shocked. I didn&rsquo;t know that he was going through so many different issues. I was a witness a couple years ago while we were teammates and there was this little 6-year-old girl, Miyah Telemaque-Nelson, who <a href="https://twitter.com/johnwall/status/537085825767735296?s=21&amp;t=isslghfV3tQMWGH-SXWKbg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he had really connected with</a> who passed away from cancer. He had been raising money for her and doing charity work for her, and I remember the big impact her death had on him. He literally broke down during a postgame interview where he dedicated the game to her.&rdquo;
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Thomas: Yeah, I remember seeing that video. He really took that hard.
Gortat: &ldquo;Even harder than most people know. He was really down for a couple of weeks after that. So when I heard that he lost his mom and then his grandmother, I thought back to how hard he took [it] when little Miyah passed away. After hearing this past interview, I felt bad. Like as a former teammate, I should&rsquo;ve been supporting [him] more. Yeah, I texted with him a couple of times while he was in Houston. I knew he was struggling with the situation as far as the team and them pushing him to the side, so I knew that alone was catastrophic for him because I know how much he loves basketball. But couple that with losing people as close to you as your mother and grandmother [and that] had to have been just devastating.&rdquo;
Thomas: He mentioned that he has a positive outlook now and feels optimistic with his new situation with the Los Angeles Clippers, so that was good to hear.&nbsp;
Gortat: &ldquo;Yeah, I&rsquo;m hoping that basketball will be something that can help him since he seems to be in a much better situation with the Clippers so that will occupy his mind and his emotions somewhat, but I really hope he heals and gets all of the support toward his healing.&rdquo;
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Thomas: I definitely agree. One of the things that bothers me is when I hear different fans or people on social media or in the sports media reporting on rumors that are just inaccurate. They cast a negative light on an athlete based on these rumors. Stephen A. Smith <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/news/stephen-a-smith-apologizes-to-john-wall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">publicly apologized</a> to John for his role in demonizing him last season in Houston. I was glad to see him do that because the media really went after John Wall and swayed public opinion on him in a very cruel and uninformed way.&nbsp;
Gortat: &ldquo;Yeah and that&rsquo;s very unfortunate that that happens a lot in the media nowadays, but this is how it is in this league. A lot of people owe John Wall an apology. I understand the media has to write something or say something on their shows that&rsquo;s controversial and that gets all of the people&rsquo;s attention because that&rsquo;s what they are paid to do. But people who know John know that they were unfairly demonizing him. Not that he&rsquo;s perfect, nobody is perfect. Did he make mistakes? Yes, but everybody makes mistakes. But he is not the person they were making him out to be, and it&rsquo;s terrible how much that happens.&rdquo;
Thomas: I had a debate with David Aldridge and Marc Spears about the power of the media. Marc came out publicly and said that he regretted doing the interview, but I was trying to explain to them the power that the media has to sway public opinion, and how the media should be held accountable when they talk recklessly. And they just weren&rsquo;t willing to accept that the media has that kind of power. But this is a prime example. It&rsquo;s good that Stephen A. publicly apologized, but hopefully that changes the way he and many others in the media target players and demonize them because it happens too often. Just here with the Wizards, I saw it happen with Kwame Brown and with Chris Webber after he got traded (back when they were the Bullets). It really happens way too much.&nbsp;
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Gortat: &ldquo;I definitely agree. So let me say, as someone who played with John Wall for many years: When he is healthy, he is one of the best point guards in the league &mdash; hands down. The guy is a beast. I don&rsquo;t know what Houston was doing with him. That was completely absurd. Here you have a guy of his caliber and you have him sitting at home? Not even on the bench, but at home? I can&rsquo;t imagine how he felt going through that for [an entire] season? And to have these prominent people in the media vilifying him while he is going through all of this, as he&rsquo;s dealing with injury after injury and losing his loved ones?&rdquo;&nbsp;
Thomas: Yeah, I don&rsquo;t care if anyone says there wasn&rsquo;t any cruel or malicious intent behind their reporting &mdash; that doesn&rsquo;t mean that it wasn&rsquo;t still cruel and malicious.&nbsp;
Gortat: &ldquo;Exactly! Many people think athletes are like robots &mdash; like video game characters who just perform, and that&rsquo;s not true. We are human beings with emotions and we go through tragedies and hardships in life, but are still expected to push all that to the side and perform at the highest level every night. I remember seven or eight years ago when DeMar DeRozan was in Toronto and he was going through depression and he said that he was going to the games, but he wasn&rsquo;t really thinking about the games because he was dealing with so much personally.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The NBA is getting better at helping players now when they are going through tragedies, but we still have a long way to go. I remember my fourth year and definitely my fifth year playing in Washington &mdash; specifically when things with me and John were not the best &mdash; there was a lot that I was dealing with and I didn&rsquo;t have too much help. But honestly, it wasn&rsquo;t a concern. Many people just wanted me to perform and push my personal life to the side, and sometimes that&rsquo;s hard to do.&rdquo;
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Thomas: &ldquo;I can definitely attest to that. I lost my grandmother, who I was really close with, while I was playing with the Wizards. And I remember our trainer, Eric Waters, trying to rush me back and I was like, &ldquo;Can you give me a minute please?&rdquo; When I came back, that&rsquo;s when I had the first issue with Brendan Haywood. Normally, I would&rsquo;ve ignored him throwing tantrums over not getting enough playing time, but that day just wasn&rsquo;t the day, so I flipped on him. The team actually formed a human barricade and escorted him out of the locker room. Then, everyone &mdash; Ernie Grunfeld, Eric Waters, Coach Eddie Jordan &mdash; was like, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s wrong? Why did you get so upset?&rdquo;&nbsp; And I was like, &ldquo;I told y&rsquo;all I needed a minute!&rdquo;
Gortat: &ldquo;Yeah, and my issues with John kind of formed in a similar way, to be honest &mdash; because I was holding so much in and suppressing what I was going through and reacting to different things on the court like not getting the ball as much as I wanted to or us losing games I felt we should&rsquo;ve won. Interesting, I didn&rsquo;t know that&rsquo;s what started y&rsquo;all&rsquo;s issues.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Let me tell you this quick story. I went to Cleveland and I was on this stupid streak of 250 or 280 or something games [in a row] without missing a game, so I was playing like three seasons straight. And all of a sudden in December, my mom had a stroke. I got the message while I was in Cleveland and I was shocked. I broke down crying. They had found my mom after like a day-and-a-half, laying at home unconscious; my friend found her. So when I came back to the locker room that morning, I was there physically but I wasn&rsquo;t really there. But John and Brad [Beal] were the first people who said, &lsquo;Give him some space, let him go deal with what&rsquo;s going on with his family because that&rsquo;s bigger than basketball and he has our support.&rsquo; So, Coach [Randy] Wittman came down and told me, &lsquo;Go to Poland, don&rsquo;t worry about the team for now.&rsquo;
&ldquo;That meant a lot to me. They knew what I was going through. And when you&rsquo;re so close to a teammate, you feel their pain. And in turn, I know how close John was with his mom. He talked about her all the time. When we finally sat down and squashed our issues, we had a real &lsquo;kumbaya moment.&rsquo; We talked about all of our personal struggles, all that we were dealing with and had been dealing with. We cleared the air and connected on a whole &lsquo;nother level as teammates, and it was exactly what we needed. So, hearing last week that my teammate contemplated suicide was devastating. Yeah, we had our issues in the past, but none of that matters now. I am cheering for John and want him to be successful both on and off the court.&rdquo;
Thomas: I&rsquo;m glad we did this interview, to have us &mdash; two former Wizards &mdash; encourage our brotha. You know, once a Wizard, always a Wizard. I really want to see him do well too. I was already rooting for him to really have a new beginning with the Clippers and shine like the old John Wall, but now I&rsquo;m rooting for him times 1,000.&nbsp;
Gortat: &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t agree with you more! I wanna see John demolish every other point guard in the league. Just go on a tear. I remember seeing him battle every game &mdash; Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul &mdash; and people forget how good he was, how fast he was end to end, how explosive he was. John was special, and I want to see him get back to that. But more importantly, I want him to heal because he has literally gone through hell over these last years.&rdquo;

John Wall recently opened up about his struggles. Former Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Marcin Gortat discuss his comments.

Marcin Gortat: 'A lot of people owe John Wall an apology'

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz for Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and Ochai Agbaji in a sign-and-trade, multiple sources confirmed to Basketball News. Sexton and the Jazz agreed to terms on a four-year, $72 million contract agreement, per Yahoo's Chris Haynes.
The Cavs will also send three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029) and two future pick swaps (2026, 2028) in the deal. The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. 
Sources told Basketball News that the deal "all came together in the last 24 hours." This is a swing-for-the-fences type of move by the Cavs, who clearly believe that they had to add another superstar to complement their up-and-coming star in Darius Garland, along with the team's promising two young bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. With a majority of the Eastern Conference improving with huge offseason moves &mdash; such as Dejounte Murray heading to the Atlanta Hawks and Malcolm Brogdon going to the Boston Celtics &mdash; Cleveland joined the party by bringing in a bona fide superstar in Mitchell.
Fit shouldn't be too much of an issue for "Spida," as he'll slide into the 2-guard role that Sexton occupied for the last two seasons (before getting hurt early last year). For a number of months now, the Cavs have discussed taking some of the playmaking burden off of Garland so he can get loose and work away from the ball. Mitchell's ability to create for others has improved year-by-year, and there's no worrying about him creating space to get his own shot off. We definitely know how well Garland and his new backcourt partner can score the ball, but watching them work in sync could be poetry in motion. And while delegating between the two might be shaky at first, once some cohesiveness is established, it'll be on.
If you're into simple counting numbers, Mitchell adds about 26 points per game to this roster that was missing. (Sexton's absence was very much felt last season.) Donovan's True Shooting percentage was the highest of his career to boot (57.2%), and he also contributed a career-high 27.7% assist rate.
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Defensively, we know Mitchell had his flaws last season; however, the personnel Cleveland has in place with Mobley and Allen should take some of that pressure off of him. They are both rim-protecting (and switching, in Evan's case) monsters in their own unique way, which should cover for both smaller guards if they get beat, as we've seen in the past.
It will be interesting to see what Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff does with his rotation, as Cleveland lost its starting small forward in this deal as well. Will he elect to try Mobley at the 3 and possibly go back to Kevin Love at the 4 to keep "big ball" going? Will there be a three-guard lineup between Garland, Mitchell and Caris LeVert? Does the team trust Isaac Okoro enough offensively to give him his starting spot back?
Those are likely the most prominent questions on everybody's minds with Cleveland.
As for the Jazz, they have slammed the reset button. It started with the Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota, and ended by sending Mitchell packing to Cleveland. Now, they've got some intriguing young pieces to work with.
Kudos to Utah general manager Justin Zanik and executive Danny Ainge for bringing in two solid starters and a lottery-pick rookie in this move. Sexton is a straight-up dog as a scorer, an intense competitor and one of the best culture pieces the Jazz could bring in. He's improved as a three-point shooter, has become a better passer over the years and will never shy away from crunch time. While he must improve defensively, the desire and ball pressure are there.
Markkanen is a stretch 4 who can spread the floor, attack off the dribble in an unorthodox manner and is long enough to be disruptive on defense. His biggest issue to overcome is his inconsistency. Agbaji hasn't even stepped foot on the floor yet, but at Summer League in Las Vegas, he had a pair of games where he was lights out from distance and was well balanced with his shooting form.
We'll see how the new-look Jazz operate under head coach Will Hardy. Utah also recently brought in Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson, while also trading for Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. One thing is for sure, Zanik and Ainge retooled this roster in a big way, and with all of those guards and veterans, they're probably not done. It'll be intriguing to see how this team comes together at the end.
Even with Cleveland growing organically, step-by-step, the team obviously felt this was an opportunity it couldn't pass up. This front office is quite meticulous when it comes to the importance of chemistry and not messing with a good thing, and that showed last season by how fun this locker room truly was.
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Cavs president Koby Altman and general manager Mike Gansey have shaken things up with a colossal blockbuster, and were successful in keeping their core three pieces together. For that, they should be commended. Mitchell and Sexton are similar in some aspects of their game and their stature; with that said, the former is further along into his career with plenty of memorable playoff moments and experiences, as well as three All-Star appearances.
On paper, Cleveland is boasting a deep, talented roster with some solid balance. Barring any health setbacks, the 26-year-old Mitchell should fit like a glove offensively. Yes, Garland's usage will take a bit of a hit; maybe that's a good thing. He was out of gas when the Play-In Tournament came around. Honestly, the whole team was.
But adding a talent like Mitchell to the fold means you can trust two incredible ball-handlers and stagger them, if need be, and let the chips fall where they may.
Mitchell is locked in for the next three years of his contract, with a player option in 2025-26. Garland just inked a rookie max extension. Allen is in it for the long haul. You'll have to imagine Evan Mobley will be in line to sign the dotted line. The Cavs are not messing around and have a loaded core going forward.
Maybe that'll finally quiet the LeBron James rumors, huh?

Spencer Davies offers his instant reaction to the shocking trade of Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Instant reaction: Cavs swing for fences with Donovan Mitchell trade

FIBA EuroBasket is making a triumphant comeback this week after five years away from competition. Per ESPN, that's the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34457762/eurobasket-2022-scores-schedules-teams-news-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">longest gap in the tournament since World War II</a>, so EuroBasket 2022 should turn out to be a remarkable celebration of basketball's growth across Europe.
A&nbsp;lot has changed in five years. Luka Doncic was the "chosen one" of European hoops in 2017 as an 18-year-old suiting up for Slovenia, Giannis Antetokounmpo had just won Most Improved Player with the Milwaukee Bucks and earned his first NBA All-Star appearance, and Nikola Jokic had yet to clear 30 minutes per game in an NBA season.
Today, the three international stars are among the faces of basketball in the NBA and around the world, and the trio will compete in EuroBasket 2022. That's just the tip of the iceberg as far as the immese talent slated to participate. We've already gotten a peek of what the action could look like via the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers that have taken place over the past week.
EuroBasket features 24 teams in four groups, with action beginning on Thursday and culminating in a gold-medal showdown on Sept. 18. Here's a rundown of the must-see NBA players (as of last season), international stars and top prospects (under age 23) in each group.
(Note: If a player is listed as "questionable," it is because their playing status is uncertain. Not all EuroBasket rosters have been finalized, so several countries' teams may look slightly different. <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/news/roster-tracker-fiba-eurobasket-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here is a full roster tracker</a>.)
GROUP A: SPAIN, TURKEY, MONTENEGRO, GEORGIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Alperen Sengun against Serbia: 17 PTS | 13 REB | 2 AST | 2 BLK | 61 TS% Spearheaded the Turkey comeback in the third quarter 🔥<a href="https://t.co/faBFt2SQLe">pic.twitter.com/faBFt2SQLe</a>
&mdash; Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/JTGatlin/status/1563966082322468869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Top NBA Players: Juan Hernangomez (Spain), Willy Hernangomez (Spain), Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey), Cedi Osman (Turkey), Goga Bitadze (Georgia), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Georgia)
Top International Players: Rudy Fernandez (Spain), Lorenzo Brown (Spain), Shane Larkin (Turkey), Bojan Dubljevic (Montenegro), Retin Obasohan (Belgium), Sasha Vezenkov (Bulgaria)
Notable Prospects: Usman Garuba (Spain), Vrenz Bleijenbergh (Belgium), Alperen Sengun (Turkey), Marko Simonovic (Montenegro)
Spain and Turkey might not have quite the Tier 1 star power of some other countries, but both squads are fun and deep. Fernandez and Brown are stalwarts who have starred on their respective European teams for years. Then for Turkey, Osman and Korkmaz are NBA rotation players boosted by an electric point guard in Larkin.
We'll hopefully get to see the pair of Houston Rockets sophomore talents as well. Sengun impressed with his flashes last season and has already created highlights with Turkey over the summer. Garuba was quieter as a rookie, but has experience on a large Spanish stage with his time playing for Real Madrid.&nbsp;
GROUP B: BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, FRANCE, GERMANY, HUNGARY, LITHUANIA, SLOVENIA
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Luka Doncic drops 25 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST in win over Estonian National team 🔥😭<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MFFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4khnb7BEr3">pic.twitter.com/4khnb7BEr3</a>
&mdash; MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) <a href="https://twitter.com/NationMffl/status/1562897679155204098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Top NBA Players: Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Evan Fournier (France), Rudy Gobert (France), Timoth&eacute; Luwawu-Cabarrot (France), Daniel Theis (Germany), Dennis Schr&ouml;der (Germany), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania), Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Ignas Brazdeikis (Lithuania), Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Goran Dragic (Slovenia), Vlatko Cancar (Slovenia)
Top International Players:&nbsp;Dzanan Musa (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Elie Okobo (France), Guerschon Yabusele (France), Thomas Huertel (France), Vincent Poirier (France)
Notable Prospects:&nbsp;Th&eacute;o Maledon (France), Franz Wagner (Germany), Rokas Jokubaitis (Lithuania), Ziga Samar (Slovenia)
Yeah, this group is absolutely loaded. Five of the six rosters could potentially boast multiple players with 2021-22 NBA experience. Slovenia, led by Doncic and Dragic, is considered a favorite to win EuroBasket. But France has a loaded roster (though no Victor Wembanyama), too. They'll be worth checking out additonally because Okobo has been balling in Europe since leaving the NBA.
New York Knicks fans might want to circle Lithuania as the team to watch. They'll receive a nostalgia injection in the forms of Brazdeikis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and they'll get a glimpse of the future with Jokubaitis, the team's 2021 draft-and-stash guard. Franz Wagner is one of the best young talents in EuroBasket too, making Germany a team to monitor.
GROUP C: CROATIA, ESTONIA, GREAT BRITAIN, GREECE, ITALY, UKRAINE
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Giannis Antetokounmpo <a href="https://twitter.com/Giannis_An34?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Giannis_An34</a> dropped 26pts 7rebs in the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fibawc</a> Qualifiers win for Greece. Watch all the games of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> Qualifiers on Courtside 1891 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForAll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForAll</a> <a href="https://t.co/t7JNIYvGgG">pic.twitter.com/t7JNIYvGgG</a>
&mdash; Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) <a href="https://twitter.com/swishcultures_/status/1564222344067010561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Top NBA Players:&nbsp;Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia), Dario Saric (Croatia), Ivica Zubac (Croatia),&nbsp;Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Tyler Dorsey (Greece), Simone Fontecchio (Italy), Alex Len (Ukraine), Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine)
Top International Players: Mario Hezonja (Croatia), Sacha Killeya-Jones (Great Britain, questionable),&nbsp;Nick Calathes (Greece), Georgios Papagiannis (Greece, questionable), Kostas Papanikalou (Greece), Kostas Sloukas (Greece, questionable), Nicolo Melli (Italy)
Notable Prospects:&nbsp;Karlo Matkovic (Croatia), Roko Prkacin (Croatia),&nbsp;Issuf Sanon (Ukraine), Nico Mannion (Italy)
Three of the Antetokounbros (the above two, plus Kostas, who is questionable at this time) could assemble for their home country. Greece also has a handful of international stars who might play; their roster has yet to be finalized. Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 40 points in a World Cup Qualifiers loss against Nikola Jokic and Serbia, so it's safe to say he's firing on all cylinders.
Croatia, however, might be my pick for most intriguing team in the tournament. They have a trio of NBA players, plus a former top-five pick in Mario Hezonja. Prkacin has been on NBA Draft radars for several years now, and Matkovic just went No. 52 overall in the 2022 Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans. This is a fun mix of talent at different stages and platforms.
GROUP D: CZECH REPUBLIC, FINLAND, ISRAEL, NETHERLANDS, POLAND, SERBIA
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
They call him the MVP for a reason 🃏 Deadly in so many ways, Nikola Jokic was in top form for Serbia during World Cup Qualifying 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForSrbija?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForSrbija</a> 🇷🇸 <a href="https://t.co/1ZqvDPLQsi">pic.twitter.com/1ZqvDPLQsi</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1564286832510226436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Top NBA Players:&nbsp;Vit Krejci (Czech Republic), Tomas Satoransky (Czech Republic, questionable), Lauri Markkanen (Finland), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Nemanja Bjelica (Serbia, questionable),&nbsp;
Top International Players: Jan Vesely (Czech Republic), Vasilije Micic (Serbia, questionable), Nikola Milutinov (Serbia)
Notable Prospects: Deni Avdija (Israel), Yam Madar (Israel), Balsa Koprivica (Serbia, questionable)
Nikola Jokic instantly makes Serbia a frontrunner for the gold, but the nation could have several veterans backing him up in a potential deep run. Micic in particular should be on NBA fans' radars as a player who could immediately come over and produce in the league. The 28-year-old guard won two EuroLeague titles and was named MVP in 2021. Oklahoma City currently owns his draft rights, though he was mentioned frequently in offseason trade rumors.&nbsp;
Israel has a pair of notable young talents leading the way. Deni Avdija took a legitimate step forward in his second year with the Washington Wizards. Madar, meanwhile, has been playing overseas as a draft-and-stash prospect selected by the Boston Celtics in 2020.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic lead a stellar group of competitors in EuroBasket 2022.

FIBA EuroBasket 2022: Top teams, players and prospects to watch

Alex Kennedy goes 1-on-1 with Tyrese Haliburton, who opens up about getting traded, the Pacers' future, his offseason training, etc.

Tyrese Haliburton won’t let trade 'resentment' define new Pacers era

The NBA released its full regular-season schedule Wednesday afternoon, and the collective public had absolutely no idea what games were coming!
*Aggressive winking*
The schedule release announcement had more leaks than a pre-Flex Seal screen boat. Now that the full picture is out in the open, we can break down the marquee matchups of the season and piece together a timeline of games to watch should injuries be avoided and fortune fall our way.
Opening night of the 2022-23 regular season is Oct. 18. It features an Eastern Conference showdown between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET, and kicks off a week where several different squads dot the national TV landscape.
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The first week of the season will feature 11 national television games across three networks, including two doubleheaders each on TNT and ESPN and three games on NBA TV. <a href="https://t.co/O9So5il0Cs">pic.twitter.com/O9So5il0Cs</a>
&mdash; NBA Communications (@NBAPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR/status/1559979736125906944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
We already knew about many of these games, though, and we were already aware of <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2022-nba-christmas-day-schedule-lakers-vs-mavericks-warriors-vs-grizzlies-headline-five-game-holiday-slate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the loaded Christmas Day slate from prior reports</a>. I'm going to gloss over those and highlight some of the more recent takeaways from Wednesday's unveiling.
One of the primary areas of interest with schedule releases is the breakdown of nationally-televised games. Brett Siegel of SI Fastbreak tallied up the <a href="https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/2022-23-nba-schedule-team-by-team-nationally-televised-games-lakers-warriors-nets-knicks-celtics-nba-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national schedules for each team</a>, and I went back to <a href="https://uproxx.com/dimemag/lakers-most-national-tv-games-2021-2022-nba-season-schedule-release/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last year's count from UPROXX's Bill DiFillippo</a> to check out the shifts.
The Memphis Grizzlies have skyrocketed up the league market landscape. They're appearing in 28 national TV games, far more than double the 11 they had in 2021-22. Ja Morant's <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/ja-morant-has-been-playoffs-most-popular-player-across-nbas-socials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social-media impact is well-documented</a>, and it seems the NBA wants to put him and the exciting young Grizzlies in the spotlight.&nbsp;
Memphis saw the largest bump, but the Minnesota Timberwolves were close behind, quadrupling their national broadcast schedule with 16 games compared to four last season. It's understandable; Minnesota has a walking highlight player in Anthony Edwards, and the franchise made the largest addition to date this summer by trading for Rudy Gobert.
Also on the rise are the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their nine national TV games are small in the grand scheme of the league, but Cleveland only had four such appearances on last season's initial schedule drop and zero outside of NBA TV. This season, the Cavs add three showings on ESPN and two on TNT, and Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-jarrett-allen-qa-cleveland-cavaliers-offseason-basketball-without-borders-asia-camp-evan-mobley-darius-garland-robin-lopez-ricky-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jarrett Allen</a> should make for some electric primetime showcases.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cavs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cavs</a> have 9 national TV games: - 11/7 at Clippers (NBA TV) - 12/6 vs. Lakers (TNT) - 12/26 vs. Nets (NBA TV) - 2/2/23 vs. Grizzlies (TNT) - 2/10/23 at Pelicans (ESPN) - 3/1/23 at Celtics (ESPN) - 3/10/23 at Heat (NBA TV) - 3/15/23 vs. 76ers (ESPN) - 3/21/23 at Nets (NBA TV) <a href="https://t.co/5bSrq0AqSs">https://t.co/5bSrq0AqSs</a>
&mdash; Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpinDavies/status/1559982279912558594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Meanwhile, the New Yorks Knicks' national schedule took a nosedive after they failed to back up a 2021 playoff appearance. New York has just 16 such games on the calendar right now vs. 29 of those contests a year ago. But one broadcast matchup has already captured attention &mdash; a Nov. 15 contest against the Utah Jazz on TNT. What's the implication of this scheduling given the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-jazz-knicks-reengage-in-donovan-mitchell-trade-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swirling trade rumors around Donovan Mitchell</a>?
Speaking of the Jazz &mdash; Utah won't be on nearly as many screens around the country. The Jazz went from 28 national TV games in 2021-22 to four this upcoming season. Yeesh.
The Golden State Warriors earned a league-high 42 nationally-televised games, beating out the Lakers (39), Celtics (37), 76ers (34) and Phoenix Suns (34). Every team has at least one game on a national cable station this season after four squads were confined to NBA TV last year.
After another frenetic offseason, seeing stars face their former teams always makes for entertainment. Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves host the Jazz on Oct. 21, and they'll travel to Utah for the first time Dec. 9. New Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray will host the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 11 and visits the Lone Star State on March 19.&nbsp;
Folks are still waiting to see Ben Simmons return to Philadelphia (and an NBA court in general). The 76ers and Brooklyn Nets face off several times as divisional opponents: Nov. 22 (at Philly), Jan. 25 (at Philly), Feb. 11 (at Brooklyn) and April 9 (at Brooklyn). Feb. 11 will also mark James Harden's first game on the road against his former team in the Nets.
In a battle of this year's top-two draft picks facing off, Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic will hit the road to take on Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 1, and that game will be televised on TNT.&nbsp;
Lastly, travel is always a key component of understanding the league schedule. Every squad has between 12 and 15 total back-to-back situations this season, and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/breakingnews/nba-schedule-has-less-miles-and-lebron-chasing-more-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">teams will travel about 5% fewer miles than in 2021-22</a>. Here's a team-by-team breakdown from Ed K&uuml;pfer:
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NBA 2022-23: Miles to be traveled by each team <a href="https://t.co/WZ7UuNVlz5">pic.twitter.com/WZ7UuNVlz5</a>
&mdash; Ed K&uuml;pfer (@EdKupfer) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdKupfer/status/1560000305135321090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote>

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We still have two months to nitpick these schedules to infinity, but it's a good reminder that the NBA regular season is circling back around at a brisk pace.

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With the NBA releasing its schedule for the upcoming season, Ethan Fuller highlights the most notable matchups and moments.

Takeaways from the NBA's 2022-23 regular-season schedule release

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As we officially put the finishing touches on &ldquo;Bet Week&rdquo; here on BasketballNews.com, NBA over/under win total projections have been released for every team.
Which numbers stand out most to hammer one way or another from a betting perspective? In this piece, I unveil my over/under predictions for every team in the Western Conference. All odds are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Phoenix Suns: Over 52.5 (-110)
Even if the Suns don&rsquo;t acquire Kevin Durant, they remain in an advantageous position to finish near the top of the Western Conference standings. Phoenix still has a stacked rotation, with the biggest difference being Dario Saric&rsquo;s return to the backup big role in place of JaVale McGee. If Devin Booker and the Suns&rsquo; formidable young core continue taking steps forward, it&rsquo;s hard to envision much of a drop-off occurring in the win-loss column.
Phoenix&rsquo;s postseason exit was one of the ugliest we&rsquo;ve seen in recent memory, but a loss like that could rattle this group enough to come back similarly to the team's Finals experience in 2021. I&rsquo;m hammering the over here, as the Suns remain one of the most dangerous squads in the Association. If Durant comes, that&rsquo;ll be the ultimate cherry on top.
Los Angeles Clippers: Over 52.5 (-110)
A fully healthy Clippers squad with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will always stay in the conversation among the league's elite tier. Last season, we were all robbed of seeing this dynamic duo in action together, but all the time off leads me to believe we should see them play more than usual. If so, the over/under of 52.5 wins is one I&rsquo;m comfortable placing the over wager upon.
Los Angeles not only has a loaded rotation similar to Phoenix, but it has a historically potent wing tandem ready to go on a revenge tour. As one of my favorite bets in the West, lock in the Clippers&rsquo; over with the utmost confidence.
Golden State Warriors: Over 51.5 (-115)
The defending champions check in third in the West, which feels like an undersell of what they just accomplished. Stephen Curry is still playing at an all-time level, and Klay Thompson began to find his footing throughout the Warriors&rsquo; run to a championship.
Feeling confident in the over also has to do with the development of the team's younger, up-and-coming players. Though dependent upon how much more Golden State will go into the luxury tax long-term, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins look to be entrenched long-term pieces. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman are the ultimate wildcards for Golden State. Even if only one takes off from a development perspective in 2022-23, 51.5 wins is a number to hit the over on.
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Denver Nuggets: Over 49.5 (-140)
Nikola Jokic enters this season as a trendy dark-horse selection for MVP as the back-to-back award winner, which is incredible to even think about. The Nuggets have stayed competitive amidst their countless injury issues because of Jokic&rsquo;s greatness.
Now, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. eventually expected back at 100%, Denver is a team many bettors are hammering the over on with -140 moneyline odds on 49.5 wins. Frankly, I&rsquo;m in lockstep with the sportsbooks because Denver was a team that sneakily improved on the margins this offseason. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was an underrated acquisition from the Washington Wizards, and he&rsquo;s earned a new multi-year extension upon his arrival.
If Murray and Porter&rsquo;s health cooperate alongside the all-world talent that is Jokic, 50 wins for the Nuggets just feels right to say. Even above that mark is an appropriate projection, because Jokic elevates the floor that much on his own.
Memphis Grizzlies: Under 48.5 (+105)
Ja Morant qualified as our <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/best-bets-for-202223-nba-most-valuable-player" target="_blank" rel="noopener">under-the-radar MVP selection</a> during &ldquo;Bet Week,&rdquo; but the loss of Jaren Jackson Jr. early on looms large for the Grizzlies. Although he flies under the radar a little bit too often, JJJ is an anchor to a defense that&rsquo;s done a complete 180 over the last year.
A lot will be on the plate of Morant, which he won&rsquo;t have a problem with, but what about the rest of the West? The Clippers and Nuggets are healthy now, plus the Suns and Warriors will remain in the title race as well. If Morant can carry the Grizzlies in similar territory without JJJ, his MVP argument could become very valid.
I&rsquo;m going to tread lightly on Memphis and select the under here with plus-money value. Morant will put up spectacular numbers once more, and Desmond Bane should continue to emerge in the backcourt. For my current projection, the Grizzlies will slot in as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
Dallas Mavericks: Under 48.5 (-105)
The argument against the Mavericks is almost identical to the one I just presented for Memphis. Luka Doncic enters as the heavy betting favorite for MVP, but will he alone be enough to lift Dallas into truly elite territory? That&rsquo;s one of my biggest questions entering 2022-23, because players like Doncic and Morant fit the billing of talents who can lift teams all on their own.
Months away from it now, it&rsquo;s still stunning to think back to the Mavs&rsquo; Game 7 shellacking of the Suns in the West semifinals. Once Doncic figured out Phoenix&rsquo;s defense, it was game over. Could Doncic do this to the rest of the league? There&rsquo;s no doubt he will put up monster numbers, but the Mavericks fit into the same tier as the Grizzlies right now around 47-48 wins.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Over 47.5 (-140)
I&rsquo;ll continue to bang the Minnesota drum until proven otherwise because I&rsquo;m all-in on the Timberwolves taking a huge step forward. Anthony Edwards checks every box for a young superstar, and their new addition in Rudy Gobert will augment a talented rotation. Karl-Anthony Towns being flanked by Gobert makes up one of the most unique frontcourt combinations we&rsquo;ve ever seen in the modern NBA, but this type of move is a risk an organization like Minnesota must take. Towns and Edwards are ready to win big soon, so adding an elite rim-protector like Gobert allows those gifted scorers to focus on that end.
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Bookmark this if you want, but here&rsquo;s perhaps my biggest hot take: Minnesota will win the Northwest Division and become a top-four seed. With how everything stacks together for Minnesota, this is a team well-positioned to take a leap similar to the one we&rsquo;ve seen from Phoenix and Memphis in recent years.
Los Angeles Lakers: Under 45.5 (-105)
Unless Kyrie Irving is walking through the door anytime soon, I&rsquo;m taking the money and running as quickly as possible on the Lakers' under here. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will do their usual damage, but this roster is nowhere close to being finished. Also, there&rsquo;s no way anyone can truly believe the Lakers are a Finals contender with their ongoing saga surrounding Russell Westbrook. From the very beginning, Westbrook&rsquo;s fit was super clunky alongside LeBron and AD. Now, the triple-double king continues to be the main target of trade rumors, many of which are linking him to the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs as a pure salary-dump option.
Indiana is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lakers-would-be-foolish-not-to-accept-pacers-lifeline-to-extend-their-title-window" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offering the Lakers a lifeline to fix the Westbrook situation</a>. The Pacers are willing to take on the $47 million owed to Westbrook while also sending Los Angeles back two starters in Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. The current hold-up in trade negotiations reportedly is draft pick compensation. Los Angeles refuses to offer its 2029 first-round pick on top of the 2027 selection, which the Pacers believe is more than a fair price to pay.
In the meantime, I&rsquo;m going to take the Lakers under 45.5 wins while it remains at plus value. Until any resolution is reached on the roster, I&rsquo;m betting against L.A.
New Orleans Pelicans: Over 44.5 (-140)
Compared to almost any other team in the NBA, New Orleans projects supremely well long-term if Zion Williamson&rsquo;s health cooperates. Williamson and Brandon Ingram have each shown on separate occasions they can be the No. 1 option for New Orleans. CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas are ideal veteran pieces in the starting unit as well. Well-balanced on both ends of the court, the Pelicans have completely bought into what head coach Willie Green brought over from Monty Williams in Phoenix.
With Williamson, Ingram and McCollum, the Pelicans should be a team projected closer to 50 wins. I absolutely love the over here on 44.5 wins, so don&rsquo;t be surprised if New Orleans finishes as a playoff lock instead of a Play-In Tournament competitor.
Portland Trail Blazers: Under 40.5 (-110)
Kudos to Damian Lillard because he will not leave the Blazers hanging anytime soon. He&rsquo;s all-in on winning in Portland, which reminds me so much of Reggie Miller with the Pacers a few decades back. Portland re-signed Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons, but two notable splashes occurred this offseason. Jerami Grant is the Blazers&rsquo; first true wing threat in years, and the ultimate wildcard from the 2022 NBA Draft fell into their laps at No. 7 overall. What if Shaedon Sharpe hits his ceiling? That&rsquo;s something Portland has in their back pocket, because Sharpe&rsquo;s scoring prowess forecasts very well alongside Lillard. They'll just have to hope he can get healthy and stay healthy.
The West remains a tough customer though. So, with that being said, the Blazers fall into the category of a feisty team that&rsquo;s competitive most nights on their way to a sub-40-win campaign. It's certainly not the outcome Blazers fans hope for, but there&rsquo;s a large number of teams ahead of them at the moment.
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Sacramento Kings: Over 32.5 (-120)
The Kings actually had a good offseason. Yes, you&rsquo;re reading that right. Keegan Murray at No. 4 overall looks to be a lights-out scorer with an extremely high floor. Ideally, Murray can become the third piece to a long-term trio in Sacramento alongside De&rsquo;Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Also, don&rsquo;t forget about the Kings adding much-needed help on the perimeter with Kevin Huerter via trade and Malik Monk via free agency.
I had to double-take upon finding this fact, but the Kings have only exceeded 33 wins once over the last 14 years (2018-19 was that season).
Luckily for Sacramento, I&rsquo;m projecting them to finish with at least 33 wins for 2022-23. If the Kings underachieve once more, I wonder what the future looks like for an organization that stays in topsy-turvy mode.
Utah Jazz: Under 31.5 (-110)
Assuming Donovan Mitchell is eventually traded, this number will crumble down into the 20s. Utah is in the midst of a full-scale rebuild attempt for the first time in over a decade, and all signs point to Mitchell&rsquo;s exit soon enough from Salt Lake City. Gobert being dealt within the division to Minnesota for a historic amount of draft capital shook up the trade market for good, as it&rsquo;s holding up potential blockbusters revolving around Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Mitchell.
Moving forward, there&rsquo;s no reason why you should feel confident about betting the Utah over unless Mitchell keeps them above water staying around until February. If not, you&rsquo;re putting an awful lot of faith into the hands of Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson to carry the roster. (If they're there.)
The smart route is to go with the under for the Jazz. Lock in with extreme confidence that Jazz executive Danny Ainge eventually tears it all down within a few months.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Under 26.5 (+100)
Until the Thunder stop their tanking ways, I can&rsquo;t willfully bet an over on them. Following their aggressive draft night &mdash; obtaining three lottery picks headlined by No. 2 overall selection Chet Holmgren, who many viewed as the best overall player &mdash; maybe that "tanking" buzzword is in their rearview mirror.
OKC&rsquo;s roster is young, but the talent screams out as a team that could propel itself forward in a huge manner. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey profile as a super fun long-term backcourt pairing. Luguentz Dort is a pitbull defender who continues to improve his outside shot, which earned him a lucrative five-year extension.
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The Thunder could easily make me look foolish selecting the under, but something along the lines of 25 or 26 wins feels spot on. Can Sam Presti resist the temptation of not tanking for Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson in 2023?
Houston Rockets: Over 23.5 (-125)
The Rockets have one of the most interesting young cores to monitor heading into next season. Jalen Green began to turn the corner over the last month of the season, averaging 22.3 points on a 59.9% True Shooting percentage. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston&rsquo;s No. 3 overall selection from the 2022 draft, projects as a score-first wing/big hybrid who should excel alongside Green and Kevin Porter Jr. Alperen Sengun, a throwback Turkish big man, is an underrated prospect with an unlimited ceiling once the small aspects of his game are figured out.
Houston is nowhere close to being competitive, but that&rsquo;s totally okay. The team controls the Brooklyn Nets&rsquo; draft for the next season years, so the Rockets are set up arguably as well as anyone right now with the chaos surrounding that whole situation. If the youth jells together and the organization obtains another top pick in next year&rsquo;s draft, be on the lookout for this core to ascend.
For the over/under, 23.5 wins feels a little low, in my opinion. I&rsquo;m projecting the Rockets with 25 victories, so give me the over at -125 odds on DraftKings.
San Antonio Spurs: Under 22.5 (-110)
Once Dejounte Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, it sounded the alarm that the Spurs are finally waiving the white flag on competing for wins effective immediately. San Antonio obtained three future first-round picks for Murray, a haul for a team pressing the reset button at the perfect time.
Las Vegas projects the Spurs with the worst over/under for next season, and there&rsquo;s no real reason to go against them there. Keldon Johnson will put up numbers following his long-term extension, but inexperience is the main theme for San Antonio. The Spurs should be on their way to 20 wins or less, so hammer the under.

Evan Sidery goes over win totals for the Western Conference. Who stands out?

Best Bets: NBA Western Conference over/under projections

There are championship teams, and then there are dynasties. The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s were the latter, a franchise that didn&rsquo;t just win titles but fundamentally changed the way the world understood professional basketball. In a candid conversation with veteran sports journalist <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/03/from-chicago-bulls-last-dance-dynasty-to-deans-list-the-resilience-of-jason-caffey/">Brandon &ldquo;Scoop B&rdquo; Robinson</a>, former Bulls forward Jason Caffey pulled back the curtain on what it was really like inside one of the greatest teams ever assembled, revealing the tensions, the relationships, and the moments that defined an era.
<h2>The Jerry Krause Problem</h2>
Every dynasty has its fault lines, and for the Bulls, much of the internal friction ran directly through general manager Jerry Krause. Caffey didn&rsquo;t mince words when Robinson asked about the tipping point between players and the front office.
&ldquo;When I came into the situation, the guys NEVER got along with Jerry Krause. He was just a shrewd businessman. God rest his soul, but Michael would sit there on the bus and call him &lsquo;the sloop.&rsquo;&rdquo;
What followed those bus rides painted a vivid picture of a locker-room culture shaped from the top down or, in this case, from the back of the bus. When Michael Jordan set the tone on Krause, the rest of the roster followed suit. Scottie Pippen, still simmering over a contract that underpaid one of the best players in the world, added his own fuel to the fire. The result was a front office that existed in a kind of cold war with its own players, a dysfunction that somehow coexisted with six championship banners.
It speaks to the complicated legacy of that Bulls run. Chemistry doesn&rsquo;t always mean harmony. Sometimes it means a shared adversary.
<h2>Learning From a Silent Beast</h2>
If Krause represented the tension within the Bulls organization, Dennis Rodman represented something entirely different, a quiet, relentless standard of professional excellence that left a permanent mark on everyone around him.
Robinson asked Caffey about the mental preparation required to play alongside Rodman&rsquo;s unique and electrifying personality. The answer was both surprising and deeply instructive.
&ldquo;Dennis was a great guy to learn up under. He didn&rsquo;t say three words the whole year but, one of the first guys at practice, he&rsquo;s gonna ride the elliptical an hour before practice. He&rsquo;s gonna practice the ENTIRE practice.&rdquo;
Caffey, a young power forward trying to earn his place among legends, described practically having to beg Rodman to step off the floor so he could get reps with the first string. The image is remarkable, a future champion so consumed by preparation that his teammates had to negotiate for practice time. Rodman&rsquo;s silence wasn&rsquo;t disengagement. It was a focus.
Now 52, Caffey credits that experience directly for his continued commitment to physical fitness. The lessons absorbed from Rodman, Jordan, and Pippen didn&rsquo;t expire when the final buzzer sounded on the dynasty. They became a life philosophy.
<h2>The Trade That Stung</h2>
Perhaps no moment in Caffey&rsquo;s career carries more emotional weight than his 1998 trade to the Golden State Warriors, a move that arrived just before the Bulls pursued what would become their sixth and final championship of the decade.
What made the departure sting even more was what happened behind the scenes. Both Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman publicly advocated for Caffey to remain in Chicago, a gesture that clearly still resonates deeply with the veteran forward.
&ldquo;It was awesome that my teammates trusted me at that time and they wanted me on the team. For him to step up and speak on my behalf in a good manner really made me feel proud of myself.&rdquo;
In a dynasty defined by Jordan&rsquo;s will and Krause&rsquo;s calculated maneuvering, having the greatest player in the world go to bat for you meant everything. For Jason Caffey, that loyalty is the championship he still carries with him.

Jason Caffey reflects on his time with the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Krause, and the trade that prevented a third championship.

Jason Caffey on Bulls Dynasty & Costly Trade

For years, the Toronto Raptors have prided themselves on culture. It was never just about talent or star power. It was about identity, accountability, and a belief that development could bridge the gap between good and great. That formula delivered the ultimate prize once, and even through the inevitable transitions that followed, the foundation never truly disappeared.
Now, after seasons of inconsistency and questions about direction, Toronto is starting to look like itself again.
This current stretch has not been about headlines or blockbuster moves, but instead it has been about rediscovery. The Raptors are playing with purpose, with connectivity, and most importantly, with a clear identity that has carried them back into relevance. Defense has become their calling card, and in a league increasingly dominated by offensive firepower, that commitment has given them a chance every night.
Under head coach Darko Rajakovic, Toronto has leaned fully into its defensive principles. The schemes are sharp, the rotations are disciplined, and the effort level has been consistent. It is not just about individual stops but about collective buy-in. Every possession feels intentional, and that has translated into one of the league&rsquo;s better defensive units this season.
At the center of it all is Scottie Barnes, who continues to evolve into the face of the franchise. Barnes has taken on the challenge of anchoring the defense while expanding his offensive game in meaningful ways. He is among the league leaders in combined steals and blocks, a reflection of both his instincts and activity level. More importantly, his offensive approach has matured. His shot selection has improved, his reads are sharper, and his overall scoring efficiency reflects a player beginning to understand how to control the game on both ends.
Barnes represents what the Raptors want to be: Versatile, unselfish, and relentless.
And around him, the roster is starting to make sense.
Brandon Ingram provides a steady scoring presence, someone who can create offense when possessions break down. His ability to operate in the midrange and command defensive attention gives Toronto a different dimension, especially in tight games where execution matters most.
Meanwhile, the returns from the OG Anunoby trade continue to define the team&rsquo;s present and future. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have not just filled roles, they have become foundational pieces. Quickley&rsquo;s pace and shot creation bring life to the offense, while Barrett has embraced the opportunity to contribute across the board, attacking the rim and using his physicality to impact the game.
Inside the paint, Poeltl remains a stabilizing force. He does the work that often goes unnoticed. Screening, rebounding, protecting the paint, and providing a reliable interior presence. His role may not generate headlines, but it is essential to everything Toronto wants to do defensively.
The depth of the roster has also started to show real value.
Jamal Shead has stepped into a playmaking role off the bench and provided composure, organizing the offense and keeping the team structured. Ja'Kobe Walter adds scoring punch, someone who can change the tempo with his aggressiveness. Gradey Dick continues to stretch the floor, offering much-needed spacing that allows the rest of the offense to function more fluidly.
Then there is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who brings a different dimension to the frontcourt. His ability to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter creates mismatches and forces defenses to adjust. It is a contrast to Poeltl&rsquo;s interior presence, and that versatility gives Rajakovic more options depending on the situation.
Perhaps one of the more encouraging developments has been the emergence of Collin Murray-Boyles. The rookie has exceeded expectations early, showing that he is physically ready for the NBA level. He has embraced the physicality, competed defensively, and found ways to contribute without needing the offense to run through him. For a young team still building its identity, that kind of readiness matters.
All of these pieces together have started to form something tangible. The Raptors are no longer searching aimlessly. They are building, and more importantly, they are building with clarity.
The question now becomes what comes next. There are multiple paths in front of Toronto, and each one carries its own level of risk and reward.
They could continue to build organically, trusting the development of Barnes and the rest of the core. This approach requires patience, something that is often difficult in a results-driven league. However, it also aligns most closely with the culture the organization has always valued.
Another option is to make a significant move, a splashy trade that could accelerate their timeline and push them back into contention. It is a tempting idea, especially when a team begins to show signs of cohesion. The challenge is ensuring that such a move does not disrupt the very identity that is starting to take shape.
Then there is the middle ground. Incremental improvement through smart trades, disciplined drafting, and targeted free agent signings. This path may not generate immediate headlines, but it can often produce the most sustainable success. It allows the team to grow while maintaining flexibility, something that becomes crucial as young players develop and expectations rise.
What makes this moment compelling is that none of these options feel out of reach. Toronto is not stuck. They are not rebuilding without direction. They are a team that has begun to rediscover itself, anchored by defense and fueled by a young core that is starting to understand how to win together.
There is also a growing sense that this could be the season where it all starts to translate into results. After struggling through the past few years, the Raptors are showing signs of a team ready to compete for a playoff spot again. The energy is different. The connectivity is evident. They are playing like a group that believes in what it is building. That belief matters.
Culture is often an abstract concept, something that is easier to talk about than to define. For the Raptors, it has always been about consistency in effort, trust in development, and a willingness to adapt without losing identity. This season, those elements are beginning to resurface in a meaningful way.
The road ahead will not be simple. There will be decisions to make, challenges to navigate, and expectations to manage. However, for the first time in a while, the direction feels clear. The Raptors have found their footing again. Now, it is about deciding how far and how fast they want to go.

The Toronto Raptors are rediscovering their identity through defense and a rising young core led by Scottie Barnes.

Raptors built on culture. What comes next?

The San Antonio Spurs have been playing one of their best basketball stretches this season, winning 18 of their last 20 games, and they are now back in familiar territory. The Spurs have won 50 games or more again for the first time since the 2016-17 season, and the conversation for the team has shifted into something far more serious.
The San Antonio Spurs are no longer a feel-good story. They are no longer just a young team figuring things out or a rebuilding group showing flashes. That last 50-win team was elite, built around Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge while still anchored by the championship DNA of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. That group knew how to win, knew how to execute, and most importantly, knew how to close games when everything slowed down.
This current Spurs team has been reincarnated from the same success. But this time, only younger, and still evolving. Yet somehow, the results are starting to look familiar.
The ball is moving and the defense is connected, just the way Spurs basketball is supposed to be played. The confidence is growing with every win. There is a rhythm to how they play, a sense of control that does not always show up in the standings but becomes obvious when you watch them over a stretch of games.
So the question now becomes unavoidable. Can the Spurs actually go out and win it all this season?
<h3>A foundation built on something rare</h3>
There are flashes of greatness with this team that go beyond typical rebuilding success. This is not just about stacking wins or overachieving expectations but rather about identity, and more importantly, sustainability.
San Antonio is playing a brand of basketball that feels both modern and timeless. They prioritize ball movement, spacing, and trust. They currently rank near the top of the league in assists per game, a clear reflection of their commitment to finding the best shot rather than forcing one.
Even with a generational talent leading the way, they are actively avoiding hero ball by design. Possessions rarely end with isolation-heavy sets unless absolutely necessary. Instead, the ball swings, players cut, and defenses are forced to rotate until something breaks.
That balance is what makes this team dangerous, and it is also what makes them historically unique.
The Spurs are on the verge of something rarely seen in NBA history. <a href="https://x.com/SpursReporter/status/2033475088729706608?s=20">They are close to becoming the only team to sustain eight players averaging double figures over a full season since the 1981-82 Denver Nuggets.</a> That Nuggets team became the gold standard for high-powered offense, averaging a league-record 126.5 points per game while embodying the idea that everybody eats.
San Antonio is knocking on that door. That kind of depth changes everything when the playoffs arrive. It gives them multiple counters, gives them flexibility, and it allows them to survive off nights from their stars because someone else can step up and carry the load. That is not common for a team this young, and what makes them a contender heading into the playoffs.
<h3>Victor Wembanyama is already that guy</h3>
At the center of it all is Victor Wembanyama.
There is no longer a need to temper expectations or speak in hypotheticals. He is a once-in-a-generation player, and more importantly, he is already playing like someone capable of leading a championship team.
At just 22 years old, Wembanyama is putting up numbers that place him firmly in the MVP conversation. He scores efficiently, protects the rim at an elite level, and continues to expand his offensive arsenal with every passing month.
His impact goes beyond scoring or defense. He alters games in ways that cannot always be captured in the box score. Opponents change their shot selection because he is on the floor. Guards hesitate on drives, and bigs are forced away from their comfort zones.
He is the type of player every contender wants. A player who can take over when necessary, but also elevate everyone around him.
That is the key difference, because Wembanyama does not just dominate. He fits within a system that empowers others, which makes the Spurs far less predictable and far more difficult to scheme against in a playoff setting.
And when the game slows down, when possessions tighten and defenses lock in, having a player who can create something out of nothing becomes invaluable. Wembanyama is already that kind of player.
<h3>A supporting cast that fits perfectly</h3>
Championship teams are never built on one player alone. What makes this Spurs team intriguing is how well the pieces around Wembanyama complement his strengths, both stylistically and mentally.
De&rsquo;Aaron Fox gives them a legitimate second star. His speed, shot creation, and ability to collapse defenses provide a different dimension to the offense. He can push the pace, create advantages early in possessions, and attack gaps before defenses are set.
More importantly, Fox knows how to handle pressure. He has been through playoff battles. He understands what it takes to execute late in games when every possession matters.
Devin Vassell continues to be one of the most reliable scorers on the roster. His midrange game is automatic, and his ability to space the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat makes him an ideal fit alongside both Fox and Wembanyama. He thrives in the gaps created by their gravity.
Stephon Castle has quickly established himself as a defensive anchor on the perimeter. He takes on the toughest assignments nightly and continues to grow offensively, showing more confidence as a slasher while steadily improving his jump shot.
Dylan Harper has been impactful from day one. As a rookie, his ability to attack the rim adds pressure to opposing defenses, and his development trajectory suggests he will be a key piece not just now, but for years to come.
Around them, the Spurs have built a roster filled with purpose.
Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes provide consistent shooting from the wings and corners, giving the offense the spacing it needs to operate at a high level. Their presence forces defenses to stay honest, opening driving lanes for Castle, Fox and Harper.
Keldon Johnson brings relentless energy off the bench. He plays with urgency, attacks the rim with force, and serves as the emotional heartbeat of the team. His willingness to embrace a bench role speaks volumes about the culture being built in San Antonio.
Luke Kornet offers stability as a backup big. He understands his role, plays within the system, and brings the experience of a champion, which can be valuable in moments when composure is needed.
Carter Bryant has quietly emerged as a hidden gem. He can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots, giving the Spurs another versatile piece in their rotation.
This is functional depth for the Spurs where every player has a role, and every role has value. More importantly, every player understands where they fit within the bigger picture, a usual recipe of success for a championship team.
<h3>The numbers are starting to align</h3>
For years, there has been a simple benchmark used to identify true contenders. The 40-20 rule.
Teams that reach 40 wins before 20 losses historically have a strong chance of competing for a championship. The Spurs have met that criteria, placing them firmly in the conversation with the league&rsquo;s elite.
As mentioned, they have also secured their first 50-win season since 2016-17, a reminder of the franchise&rsquo;s sustained excellence during its peak years. That stretch of 18 consecutive 50-win seasons remains one of the most remarkable runs in NBA history, and it set a standard that this new group is now trying to live up to.
After years of losing after their golden age, this season feels like the beginning of something new, yet strangely familiar. It speaks to the growth of their young core, and it reflects the internal development of players who have embraced their roles and elevated their games.
It also highlights the impact of head coach Mitch Johnson. Taking over in a post-Gregg Popovich era is no easy task. The expectations are different, the pressure is constant, and the comparisons are inevitable. Yet Johnson has managed to guide this group with clarity and confidence, maintaining the Spurs&rsquo; identity while adapting to the strengths of a new generation. He has done more than just keep the system intact &ndash; he has evolved it and fine tuned it for the foreseeable future.
<h3>The upcoming playoff reality check</h3>
However, even for all the reasons to believe, there are still questions that cannot be ignored.&nbsp;
The playoffs are a different environment. The pace slows down. Possessions become more valuable. Execution becomes everything.
And that is where experience often separates contenders from champions.
The Spurs are still young. Wembanyama may be playing at an MVP level, but this will be his first true playoff run with real expectations. The same goes for much of the roster. Fox and Kornet bring experience, but beyond them, this group has not been tested deep into the postseason.
That raises an important question. How will their inexperience show up when the stakes are at their highest?
Will their ball movement hold up against elite defenses that are specifically game-planning to take away their strengths? Playoff opponents will scout every action, every tendency, every preferred spot on the floor.
Will the Spurs be able to adjust on the fly when their first option is taken away? Or will they struggle when forced into late-clock situations where individual shot creation becomes necessary?
There is also the matter of their role players. During the regular season, depth wins games. Over an 82-game stretch, having multiple contributors averaging double figures is a luxury. But in the playoffs, rotations tighten, and the margin for error shrinks.
Will those same role players continue to produce when minutes become more defined and defensive intensity rises? Or will the Spurs find themselves needing more from their top-end talent than they have relied on so far? These are the questions that only the postseason can answer.
<h3>The narrative question that could define them</h3>
Beyond the X&rsquo;s and O&rsquo;s, there is another layer to this conversation. Every championship team has a defining narrative. Some teams are built through adversity. Others are driven by redemption. Some rise through experience after repeated failures.
The Spurs are still writing their story.&nbsp;
Are they a team that is arriving ahead of schedule, simply enjoying a breakthrough season before taking the next step in the coming years? Or are they a group that is ready right now, capable of skipping the usual timeline and capturing a title earlier than expected?
Then, there is also the pressure of expectation. At the start of the season, there was no burden. Every win felt like progress. Every loss was part of the process.
That has changed since then. Now, there is something at stake. Now, there is something to lose. How they handle that shift could define their postseason, because belief can shift a series. Confidence can change outcomes, and sometimes, a team that does not know it is supposed to wait ends up winning sooner than anyone predicted.
<h3>Can they actually do it and win it all?</h3>
On paper, the Spurs have the ingredients. They have a generational superstar playing at an MVP level. They have a second star who complements him. They have depth, shooting, defense, and a system that emphasizes trust and unselfishness.
They have momentum, they have belief, but championships are not won on paper. They are earned through experience, execution, and resilience under pressure.
The Spurs are close &ndash; closer than anyone expected this early in their timeline. Whether they are ready to take that final step this season remains the biggest question in the league. And that is what makes them one of the most fascinating teams to watch as the playoffs approach.
Because if everything clicks, if their identity holds, and if their young core rises to the moment, this may not just be the start of something special: it could be the moment it all comes through and arrives, and it is theirs for the taking.

The San Antonio Spurs are surging behind Victor Wembanyama and elite depth, but are they truly ready to win an NBA title this season?

Can the Spurs go out and win it all?

There is something quietly remarkable about Gary Payton II. In a league where legacies are inherited as readily as surnames, he has spent the better part of a decade carving out something that belongs entirely to himself,&nbsp; a reputation built not on bloodline, but on relentless effort, defensive tenacity, and an unmistakable hunger to prove that he is more than a footnote to his father&rsquo;s Hall of Fame story.
In a recent interview with journalist <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/03/id-request-a-trade-immediately-gary-payton-ii-on-a-seattle-sonics-return-the-1996-finals-against-mj-carving-his-own-path-beyond-the-gloves/">Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson of ScoopB.com</a>, Payton II pulled back the curtain on a childhood that was equal parts privileged and complicated, and a future that, if he has anything to say about it, might one day circle back to where it all began.
<h2>Growing Up Payton in Seattle</h2>
Robinson asked Gary Payton II what he remembers about his father&rsquo;s playing days, and his face likely lit up the same way it does when he&rsquo;s locking down an opposing guard on a big defensive possession. &ldquo;A lot of Seattle days,&rdquo; he told Robinson. His memories are vivid, warm, and tinged with the kind of wonder that only a child standing inside a professional locker room can fully understand.
Kevin Garnett is coming over for dinner. Allen Iverson and Vince Carter are dropping by. George Karl&rsquo;s coaching staff roams the halls of practice. For most kids, these names are posters on bedroom walls. For a young Gary Payton II, they were the men at his family&rsquo;s dinner table. It was an extraordinary upbringing, one that provided access few could imagine, while simultaneously placing expectations on his young shoulders that were nearly impossible to carry.
That duality, the gift and the burden of growing up a Payton, shaped the man he would become. By openly acknowledging the mental battles of his youth and the bullying that came with bearing a famous name, Payton II has done something that many sons of legends rarely do: he has been honest about the cost. His current success is not a product of entitlement, but of survival, persistence, and an internalized version of his father&rsquo;s legendary competitive fire.
<h2>Memories of the &rsquo;96 Finals</h2>
Even the most storied chapter of his father&rsquo;s career,&nbsp; the 1996 NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, lives in Payton II&rsquo;s memory not as mythology, but as lived experience. He was only four years old, and he&rsquo;s the first to admit the details blur. But certain images remain: the crackling atmosphere inside KeyArena, the electric energy of a city gripped by basketball fever, and the unforgettable moment of going to see Jordan after a game.
&ldquo;Just going up against Mike,&rdquo; he said, was the defining memory of that season. The SuperSonics may have ultimately fallen to Jordan&rsquo;s Bulls in six games, but for a four-year-old Payton, the Finals were not a loss, they were magic.
<h2>A Trade Request Waiting to Happen</h2>
Perhaps the most telling moment of the Robinson interview came when the conversation turned to the long-discussed prospect of Seattle reclaiming its NBA franchise. Payton II didn&rsquo;t hesitate. &ldquo;I would probably request a trade immediately,&rdquo; he said, laughing, but the laughter barely concealed something genuine underneath it. The desire to play for a Seattle team, to pull on a SuperSonics jersey before his career ends, is real and runs deep.
It is a sentiment that resonates far beyond one player. Seattle&rsquo;s NBA wound has never fully healed, and Payton II,&nbsp; son of its greatest player, serves as a living symbol of what the city lost when the Sonics departed in 2008.
<h2>A Legacy Distinctly His Own</h2>
What the Scoop B interview ultimately reveals is a player who has made peace with his name while refusing to be defined by it. Gary Payton II has secured a legacy built on lockdown defense, championship contributions, and a genuine love for the game that mirrors his father's yet remains independent of it. Whether or not<a href="https://landonbuford.com/nba-expansion-update-seattle-las-vegas-teams-targeted-for-2028/"> Seattle </a>ever calls him home, he has already answered the only question that ever truly mattered,&nbsp; and the answer, emphatically, is yes. He belongs.

Gary Payton II reflects on his Seattle roots, the 1996 NBA Finals, and the dream of a homecoming tied to the Sonics legacy.

Warriors' Gary Payton II on Seattle Roots & ’96 Finals Dream

Defense is not a switch you flip. It is a discipline you practice, a mindset you carry from the film room to the floor, and a daily commitment that either holds or it does not. Rudy Gobert has understood this longer than most. Four Defensive Player of the Year awards tend to sharpen a man's philosophy on the subject, and right now, he is watching the Minnesota Timberwolves struggle with the very question his entire identity is built around.
Following a 153-128 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game in which Kawhi Leonard dropped 45 points, the Clippers connected on 19 of 37 three-point attempts, and Minnesota surrendered 58 points in the paint,&nbsp; Gobert was direct in his assessment when speaking to RG.org. The Wolves were not connected. They were not competing on every possession. And in his view, those problems do not originate at tip-off. They originate in the preparation that happens before the game is ever played.
"We need to be connected," <a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/rudy-gobert-talks-dpoy-chances-wembanyama-anthony-edwards">Gobert told RG.org</a>. "We need to play with the level of urgency. All of us, all five guys on the floor, need to compete. Every possession, we have to sharpen up our awareness and focus."
What a Fifth DPOY Would Actually Mean
Rudy Gobert sits on the doorstep of something that has never been done. Four Defensive Player of the Year awards already place him in a conversation with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace, two of the most impactful defenders in the history of the sport. A fifth would separate him from that company entirely and establish an individual defensive legacy that may stand for a generation.
The case is not built solely on narrative. Minnesota's defensive rating with Gobert on the floor sits at 113.7. Without him, that number deteriorates to 121.8, an eight-point swing that tells the full story without requiring any additional context. Coach Chris Finch has been unambiguous about what that data means for how the Wolves use their center: Gobert now plays through almost everything. The era of coaching him off the floor to avoid matchup problems is over. His ability to cover mistakes, protect weaker defenders, and anchor an entire defensive scheme regardless of personnel has made him too valuable to sit.
"He can anchor a defense regardless of whether there are good or bad defenders out there all by himself." &mdash; Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, via RG.org
The DPOY race this season is genuinely competitive, and Gobert is aware of who is pushing him. But his argument is rooted in the same place it has always been, not in individual plays or highlight blocks, but in the sustained, nightly transformation of a defense that becomes measurably worse the moment he is not present. That is the standard for the award, and he is meeting it.
<h2>Wembanyama: A Rival Built From a Friendship</h2>
The name that comes up most often in discussions of Gobert's DPOY competition is Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs center who arrived in the league as a generational defensive prospect and has delivered on nearly every expectation attached to that label. What makes this particular rivalry different from most award races is the relationship underneath it.
Gobert and Wembanyama are not strangers. They are teammates, or at least they have been, representing France at the international level, sharing a locker room and a national team identity that creates a specific kind of bond. Gobert has spoken about Wembanyama with genuine affection and respect, the kind that comes from watching someone develop up close and understanding the full scope of what they are capable of. None of that changes the fact that one of them will win the award and the other will not.
What Gobert brings to this race that Wembanyama cannot yet match is sustained excellence across a full body of work, not just this season, but across a career that has consistently demonstrated the same principles at the highest level, season after season, in the most demanding conference in the sport. Wembanyama's ceiling is a different and genuinely exciting conversation. But the DPOY award is about what you have done, not only what you will do. On that measure, Gobert's case remains the strongest in the room.
<h2>Anthony Edwards: The Ceiling Is Still Open</h2>
If you want to understand what Rudy Gobert values in a basketball player, listen to how he talks about Anthony Edwards. The Wolves' 24-year-old star has grown into one of the most electric offensive presences in the NBA across six seasons, and Gobert has had a front-row seat to every chapter of that development. His assessment of what Edwards can still become is the kind of observation that only comes from someone who has spent real time thinking about the difference between greatness and maximized greatness.
Edwards already has the gifts. The athleticism, the confidence, the shot-making ability, and the competitive edge are all there in abundance. What Gobert's broader comments throughout this difficult stretch of the season suggest is that the next level,&nbsp; for Edwards, for the Wolves, for anyone operating in this environment, is unlocked through the habits that exist between the big moments. The preparation before tip-off. The focus on every possession when the game is not going your way. The daily approach that makes the special moments possible.
For Minnesota, the path from a sixth seed with question marks to a legitimate championship contender runs directly through two conversations happening simultaneously: Gobert earning his fifth DPOY by anchoring the most reliable defense in a fractured roster, and Edwards becoming the kind of player who does not need the game to be going well in order to compete at an elite level. Those two evolutions are not separate stories. They are the same one, and how it ends will define this era of Timberwolves basketball.

After back-to-back blowout losses, Rudy Gobert is not looking for excuses. He is looking for the Timberwolves version that shows up when it matters, and he has a clear idea of what it takes to get there.

Rudy Gobert Talks DPOY, Wembanyama & Timberwolves Growth

Some stories from the golden era of the NBA exist in that fascinating space between confirmed history and beloved lore,&nbsp; too detailed to be invented, too strange to be mundane. The tale of what happened in an elevator at the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City sits squarely in that territory. It involves a teenager named <a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/phil-handy-jordan-kobe-lebron-goat-debate">Kobe Bryant</a>, a 270-pound veteran named Jayson Williams, a near-brawl in an enclosed space, and the intervention of a man who would eventually become the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
The confined space of an elevator is the last place you want to be when a 270-pound professional athlete decides he has been disrespected enough. According to Williams's account, one he has told many times over the years with the kind of vivid detail that only a born storyteller can summon, that is exactly where things stood between him and a young Kobe Bryant during All-Star Weekend at Madison Square Garden.
A Future President Steps Between Two Giants
Williams reportedly swung at Bryant, and what started as a locker room tension between a veteran who felt disrespected and a teenager who refused to back down threatened to become something far worse. This is where the story takes its most improbable turn. Donald Trump, then a New York fixture and real estate mogul who had turned celebrity into its own kind of currency, did not step back. He stepped in.
Trump later confirmed the incident during an interview with Jake Paul, offering a characteristically direct account of what happened. "That was a long time ago. Yeah, well I was breaking up a fight, which sometimes is more dangerous than being in a fight," Trump said. "But I like Kobe. Kobe was having a hard time with somebody, and it worked out fine. But yeah, I broke it up,&nbsp; probably not a smart thing to do. Historically, it's never good to break up fights."
According to the account that has circulated since, Trump physically grabbed Williams and told Bryant to get out. The elevator doors opened. Kobe walked. A potential disaster for the NBA's rising star, a teenager still finding his footing in the league, was averted in one of the most unlikely moments in sports history.
"I was breaking up a fight, which sometimes is more dangerous than being in a fight... I like Kobe. Kobe was having a hard time with somebody, and it worked out fine." <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/14/sports/donald-trump-confirms-breaking-up-fight-involving-kobe-bryant/">said Donald Trump</a>
<h2>Charles Oakley, the Witness Who Doesn't Quite Remember</h2>
Every great piece of basketball lore needs a credible voice to place it in context, and Charles Oakley, one of the toughest and most respected players of that era, provides exactly that, even if his account comes with a caveat. Oakley, speaking with Yahoo Sports, was measured: he doesn't personally recall being in the elevator that day, but he has absolutely heard the story, told by Williams himself, on multiple occasions to multiple people.
"He had told it to some people that I was around," <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/03/exclusive-the-night-trump-saved-kobe-inside-the-1998-elevator-brawl-with-untold-accounts-from-jayson-williams-and-charles-oakley/">Oakley said to Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson</a>&nbsp;"Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.'" When I spoke with Oakley separately, he echoed that sentiment. While he couldn't personally account for the specifics of the elevator incident, he was quick to note that Williams tells it with extraordinary conviction and color. "Jayson is an awesome storyteller who brings these moments to life with incredible detail," Oakley said. That endorsement, from a man who has no incentive to embellish, carries its own weight.
<h2>Jayson Williams and the Locker Room That Made History</h2>
Williams's connection to the 1998 All-Star Game runs deeper than one elevator encounter. He has vivid memories of walking into the locker room at Madison Square Garden and locking eyes with Larry Bird, who was coaching the Eastern Conference that weekend. The history between them stretched back to Williams's second game in the league, when Bird, still active and relentless, had torched him for 45 points while repeatedly demanding that the coach put the rookie back in so he could keep going.
"He just looked at me and said 'Your minutes are on the board'... And I said 'Thanks Coach' and he goes 'You f---n' rookie!' This is Larry Bird and he remembered that for 25 years!" Williams said. "He's one of the biggest and best smack talkers but he can back it up. All the time though!"
And then there was Michael Jordan, the loudest presence in a room full of legends. Williams describes Jordan's energy that day as laser-focused and entirely intentional: MJ was announcing to anyone who would listen that he wanted the ball every single possession. "He was coming in there letting us all know that he wasn't going to take the ball out because you know in the All-Star Game when you take the ball out you don't get it back," Williams explained. "He's MJ baby! He's the best who ever did it."
<h2>Why This Story Still Matters</h2>
The 1998 NBA All-Star Game produced a box score and a winner. But the stories that live from that weekend, a future president breaking up a fight in an elevator, Larry Bird's long memory for a rookie he once torched, Michael Jordan manufacturing motivation in real time, are the ones that remind you why the human element of professional basketball is as compelling as anything that happens between the lines.
Jayson Williams may have told the elevator story fifty times. But fifty tellings of a story this strange, this specific, and this perfectly placed at the intersection of basketball and American history is not repetition. It is preservation. And now it belongs to the record.

A veteran who felt disrespected. A teenager who refused to back down. A future president who stepped into the middle of it. The story of one of the NBA's most surreal untold moments — set against the electric backdrop of Madison Square Garden in 1998.

Donald Trump Stopped Kobe Bryant–Jayson Williams Elevator Fight (1998 NBA All-Star)

Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant has made it clear he&rsquo;s interested in representing Team USA once again at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, potentially aiming to compete for a historic fifth Olympic gold medal despite his age.&nbsp;
The 18-season veteran expressed his willingness to play for Team USA two years from now and spoke candidly about his Olympic aspirations following a strong performance for Houston this season, emphasizing that he wants to earn a roster spot, not simply receive one due to his legacy.&nbsp;
Durant &ndash; already the United States men&rsquo;s Olympic basketball all-time scoring leader and a four-time Olympic gold medalist &ndash; told reporters he would &ldquo;love&rdquo; to suit up for the Olympics again, even as he approaches 40 years old when the Los Angeles Games begin. However, he stressed that his decision to play would hinge on being a meaningful contributor on the court, not merely riding on reputation.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I&rsquo;m older &hellip; I&rsquo;d love to be part of it until I&rsquo;m done playing,&rdquo; Durant said after a Rockets win this week, noting that he informed USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill of his intentions.&nbsp;
Durant&rsquo;s commitment to Team USA is about helping the US to claim yet another gold medal. With a pipeline of emerging stars rising through the NBA ranks, he acknowledged that earning a roster spot in 2028 won&rsquo;t be automatic, even for a future Hall of Famer.&nbsp;
Though not ruling out the idea that other veteran teammates such as LeBron James or Stephen Curry could return, Durant&rsquo;s has highlighted his personal competitiveness and love for representing his country.&nbsp;
If Durant does make the 2028 team, he&rsquo;ll be doing something few in NBA history have achieved &ndash; competing at five separate Olympic Games &ndash; and solidifying his place as one of the most decorated figures in American basketball history.

Rockets star Kevin Durant says he wants to play for Team USA at the 2028 LA Olympics, to pursue a historic fifth Olympic gold medal.

Kevin Durant open to play for Team USA in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Championship windows in the NBA are fragile. They open quietly, they close abruptly, and often, they hinge on one bold decision. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, that decision came at the trade deadline when they swapped Darius Garland for James Harden in a star-for-star deal that immediately reshaped the Eastern Conference landscape.
It was not simply a talent upgrade. It was a philosophical shift from what they thought was going to work and best for the franchise moving forward. 
Through his first three games in a Cavaliers uniform, Harden has fit seamlessly into Cleveland&rsquo;s system. The early returns are striking: the Cavaliers are 3-0 with Harden in the lineup, and more importantly, they look structurally different. The offense has more clarity, more control, and more inevitability in late-game situations.
Harden has not just joined a contender, but instead he has raised their championship ceiling in a way Garland never did.
<h3>From good to inevitable</h3>
Darius Garland is an All-Star caliber guard, dynamic with the ball and capable of playmaking and scoring for stretches. However, Cleveland did not need more talent. They needed veteran orchestration, playoff gravity, and someone who could dictate terms in a seven-game series.
That is where James Harden separates himself. Over the course of his career, Harden has established himself as one of the most gifted playmakers the league has seen. His command of tempo, his manipulation of defenses, and his ability to generate efficient offense in the half court are traits that translate directly to postseason basketball. Albeit his notable playoff struggles, Harden has proven to thrive in moments when games slow down and every possession becomes magnified.
The Cavaliers already had scoring potential, but what they lacked was a master conductor. Now they have one with James Harden.
<h3>Unlocking Jarrett Allen once again and empowering the next wave</h3>
Perhaps the most immediate impact has been Harden&rsquo;s chemistry with Jarrett Allen.
Harden&rsquo;s history with rim-running big men is well documented. From his days with Clint Capela in Houston to Ivica Zubac in LA and various productive partnerships throughout his career, Harden has consistently elevated centers who can sprint to the rim, finish above it, and operate in space. His pick-and-roll mastery forces defenses into impossible decisions. Help too much, and shooters are left open or he calls his own number and just scores the rock. Stay home, and the lob becomes automatic.
Jarrett Allen is built for this Harden ecosystem. Through three games, the synergy has been evident. Allen is receiving the ball in rhythm, in stride, and in positions where he does not have to create. Harden&rsquo;s pocket passes and lobs are calculated manipulations of defensive coverage that put Allen in advantageous spots before the defense even realizes it is compromised. Cleveland&rsquo;s offense feels more vertical now. It feels more punishing inside, and that matters in the playoffs.
Beyond the stars, Harden&rsquo;s presence has created ripple effects throughout the roster, particularly for rising wing Jaylon Tyson.
Tyson has been one of the quiet developmental wins for Cleveland this season. His two-way activity, energetic scoring, and willingness to defend have earned him increased trust within the rotation. Recently, he has even been rewarded with starting opportunities.
With Harden orchestrating, Tyson&rsquo;s responsibilities become clearer. He is not forced to overcreate. Instead, he can attack closeouts, shoot the three ball, run the floor, and capitalize on defensive attention directed elsewhere. Harden&rsquo;s gravity bends coverage toward the ball, freeing Tyson to operate against tilted defenses.
The result is synergy. The young wing is thriving within structure rather than fighting through chaos. Championship teams often need internal growth to align with external additions. Cleveland is seeing both happen simultaneously.
<h3>The Harden-Mitchell equation</h3>
The headline, however, remains the backcourt.
James Harden teaming up with Donovan Mitchell instantly forms one of the best, if not the best, backcourts in the NBA. Two All-NBA caliber players whose skill sets complement rather than conflict.
Mitchell is averaging 29 points per game this season, good for fifth in the league. He is one of the most explosive scorers in basketball, capable of detonating for 40 on any given night. What he has not always had is a backcourt partner who can consistently relieve him of primary creation duties without diminishing offensive pressure. Harden provides that balance for him.
Unlike previous guard pairings, this partnership does not require compromise. Harden can initiate offense, manipulate the defense, and deliver Mitchell the ball in scoring positions rather than forcing him to self-generate every possession. Meanwhile, when Mitchell takes over scoring stretches, Harden can shift into a secondary role, spacing the floor and attacking mismatches.
This dynamic is built for playoff basketball. In tight games, Cleveland now has two players who can close. Two players who command double teams. Two players who understand the geometry of postseason defense.
Depth and defense matters. But in May and June, elite shot creation wins playoff series deep into the postseason. Cleveland now has it in abundance and full effect.
<h3>Raising the ceiling, not just the floor</h3>
There is an important distinction between raising a team&rsquo;s floor and raising its ceiling.
Garland ensured Cleveland remained competitive. But Harden elevates the possibility of something greater.
The Eastern Conference is unforgiving. Established powers demand not only talent but experience and composure under pressure. Harden, despite the scrutiny that has followed parts of his postseason career, has consistently been at the center of high-stakes basketball for over a decade. He understands defensive adjustments. He understands how to exploit mismatches repeatedly until a team has no counters left.
That experience cannot be replicated internally. By making this move, Cleveland signaled urgency. It signaled belief that its championship window is open now, not just over the next few years. It signaled that incremental improvement was no longer sufficient.
The Cavaliers were already good enough to win a playoff series. With Harden, they are built to win four.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
But even beyond tactics and numbers, there is an emotional undertone to this shift.
Championship aspirations require courage from the front office and buy-in from the locker room. Swapping a homegrown star for a veteran with a polarizing narrative is not a safe decision, rather it is a decisive one. Early signs suggest the locker room understands the stakes.
Harden has embraced his role without disrupting hierarchy. Mitchell remains the main&nbsp; engine. Allen continues anchoring the interior. Tyson and the young core are stepping into opportunity rather than shrinking from it. This alignment has felt intentional, and this is what&rsquo;s needed from the team to take the next step.
These first three Harden games do not define a season, and they do not guarantee banners. But they do reveal direction. Right now, Cleveland looks like a team that understands its moment.
If the early chemistry is any indication, the Cavaliers did more than shuffle their roster at the deadline. They altered their trajectory, and who knows where they go from here.
They certainly hope it&rsquo;s at the mountaintop of the NBA.

James Harden’s arrival in has transformed the Cavaliers into legitimate title contenders, raising the team’s championship ceiling.

James Harden raises the Cavaliers’ championship ceiling

All-Star Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California delivered a packed slate of fan-favorite events Friday night before Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game, blending sharpshooting, team precision and high-flying athleticism in front of a roaring crowd &ndash; and setting the tone for an electric All-Star Weekend.
<h3>Damian Lillard shines in 3-Point Contest</h3>
The night kicked off with arguably the most anticipated event &ndash; the 3-Point Contest &ndash; as Damian Lillard captured his third career All-Star 3-Point crown. Despite being sidelined all season rehabbing a torn Achilles, Lillard poured in the deep balls, edging out Phoenix Suns&rsquo; Devin Booker in the final round to tie NBA legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges with three titles in the event&rsquo;s history. His performance provided one of the biggest feel-good moments of the weekend so far.
<h3>Team Knicks dominates Shooting Stars Challenge</h3>
Next up was the revived Shooting Stars Challenge &ndash; a timed team shooting event that returned to Saturday night for the first time in years. The trio of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Knicks legend Allan Houston represented Team Knicks and delivered a composed, clutch performance, finishing with 47 points to defeat Team Cameron in the final round and capture the title.
<h3>Keshad Johnson claims first Slam Dunk Contest title</h3>
The night closed with the AT&amp;T Slam Dunk Contest, featuring four high-flyers battling for creative supremacy. Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson electrified the crowd with a series of inventive slams &ndash; including a windmill and between-the-legs finishes &ndash; ultimately outdueling Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the finals to take home the trophy. Bryant, who had earlier posted a perfect score in the final, came up just short after Johnson&rsquo;s final round showing.
While some people voiced criticism online about the overall dunk lineup and absence of perennial favorites &ndash; notably three-time dunk champ Mac McClung &ndash; Johnson&rsquo;s performance still brought excitement late into the evening and gave the contest a memorable finish.
<h3>Celebrity Game continues to entertain</h3>
Earlier in the weekend on Friday, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game drew stars from music, film and sports, with Rome Flynn repeating as MVP and Team Giannis topping Team Anthony 65-58 in a lively celebrity showcase. The event featured performances from names from different celebrities, underscoring the community and entertainment blend that All-Star Weekend champions.
<h3>Saturday sets stage for All-Star Game</h3>
Between Lillard&rsquo;s sharpshooting legacy moment, Team Knicks&rsquo; precision in Shooting Stars and Johnson&rsquo;s dunk coronation, All-Star Saturday offered something for every type of fan &ndash; from competitive spirit to pure showmanship. With momentum building, attention now shifts to Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game, where superstar rosters assembled earlier in the week will take the court in a unique USA vs. World format designed to crown the weekend&rsquo;s culminating highlight.

Damian Lillard wins the 3-Point Contest, Team Knicks triumphs in Shooting Stars, and Keshad Johnson claims the Slam Dunk Contest.

2026 All-Star Saturday night: Dame wins 3rd 3pt crown; Knicks top shooting stars; Johnson claim dunk contest

Team Vince captured the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge championship on Friday night, kicking off NBA All-Star Weekend with high energy and emerging star power at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.&nbsp;
Coached by NBA legend Vince Carter, Team Vince edged Team Melo 25-24, in a thrilling finale. This was highlighted by clutch play from Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe, who was named Rising Stars MVP after delivering decisive baskets in both games of the mini-tournament.&nbsp;
The format featured four teams &ndash; three made up of NBA rookies and second-year players and one G League squad &ndash; competing in three games to varying target scores. Team Vince&rsquo;s path to the championship included a 41-36 semifinal win over Team T-Mac, with Edgecombe pacing the squad with 17 points and crucial late scoring that swung momentum in their favor.&nbsp;
Edgecombe&rsquo;s impact was the defining storyline of the night. After dominating the semifinal with a mix of perimeter scoring and all-around play, he again rose to the occasion in the title game. In the closing seconds against Team Melo, he was fouled and calmly knocked down two free throws to push Team Vince past their rivals in a 25-24 nail-biter, earning MVP honors for his efforts.&nbsp;
Before the final, Team Melo earned its spot by defeating the G League team 40-34 in an early semifinal. San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper &ndash; younger sibling of Ron Harper Jr. &ndash; made key plays, finishing with a team-high eight points in the final and five rebounds, keeping Team Melo within striking distance throughout.&nbsp;
Team T-Mac, despite falling to Vince&rsquo;s squad, featured strong outings from players like Jaylon Tyson, who led the effort with 10 points and five rebounds, showcasing the depth and talent on display across the Rising Stars rosters.&nbsp;
The Rising Stars Challenge has become a highlight of All-Star Weekend, giving the NBA&rsquo;s hottest young talents a stage to display their skills, competitiveness and clutch instincts. With its mini-tournament format, the event has shifted from a pure exhibition into an entertaining, competitive showcase that often foreshadows future stars of the league.&nbsp;
With the Rising Stars event now in the books, All-Star Weekend continues with the Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest and other marquee festivities building toward Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game &ndash; offering a full slate of hoops entertainment for fans in Los Angeles and around the world.

Team Vince wins the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge 25-24 over Team Melo, with 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe earning MVP honors.

Team Vince wins 2026 NBA Rising Stars Challenge; VJ Edgecombe named MVP

NBA point-guard icon Chris Paul has announced his retirement from professional basketball, bringing an end to a 21-season NBA career that saw him cement his place among the greatest floor generals in league history.
Paul confirmed his decision Friday in a heartfelt social-media post, stepping away from the game after spanning three decades on the hardwood.&nbsp;
A 12-time NBA All-Star and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection, Paul &ndash; also known as the &ldquo;Point God&rdquo; &ndash; wrote, &ldquo;This is it! After over 21 years I&rsquo;m stepping away from basketball,&rdquo; reflecting on a career defined by leadership, competitiveness and consistency.&nbsp;
Drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, Paul quickly emerged as one of the league&rsquo;s premier guards, earning Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as a perennial All-Star early in his career. Over 1,370 games, he averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, ranking second all-time in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728) behind only John Stockton.&nbsp;
Paul&rsquo;s impressive resume includes:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">12 NBA All-Star selections</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">11 All-NBA team honors</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nine All-Defensive team honors</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two Olympic gold medals</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">NBA 75th Anniversary Team</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">First to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 assists &ndash; a milestone since matched only by LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Despite never capturing an NBA title &ndash; coming closest with the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 Finals &ndash; Paul&rsquo;s influence spanned far beyond championship hardware, earning admiration for his craft, basketball IQ and leadership.&nbsp;
Paul&rsquo;s final campaign was marked by unexpected twists. After signing with the Los Angeles Clippers for his 21st season, his time with the team ended abruptly as the franchise moved on in December amid struggles and reported disagreements. He was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors near the deadline but never suited up before being waived &ndash; prompting his retirement announcement shortly after.&nbsp;
In his retirement announcement, Paul touched on the emotional weight of the decision, saying he felt grateful for the journey and excited for what comes next off the court, particularly spending more time with his family.&nbsp;
Paul exits the game as one of the most influential and respected point guards in NBA history. His ability to control games, elevate teammates and consistently impact winning basketball across multiple franchises &ndash; from New Orleans and Los Angeles to Phoenix, Houston, Oklahoma City, Golden State and San Antonio &ndash; has left an indelible mark on the league&rsquo;s modern era.&nbsp;
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hailed Paul as &ldquo;one of the greatest point guards in league history and a true steward of our sport,&rdquo; praising not only his on-court brilliance but also his leadership, including his tenure as NBA Players Association President.&nbsp;
As Chris Paul transitions away from playing, conversations already swirl about his imminent Hall of Fame induction &ndash; a fitting tribute to a career spent redefining what excellence and longevity look like at the point guard position.

Chris Paul announces his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons, concluding a Hall-of-Fame career.

Chris Paul officially retires after 21 NBA seasons

The New York Knicks are poised to add versatile forward Jeremy Sochan to their roster after he cleared waivers following his release from the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.&nbsp;
The 22-year-old &ndash; the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft &ndash; agreed to part ways with San Antonio earlier this week and is expected to sign with New York for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Sochan&rsquo;s departure from the Spurs came after an extended stretch out of the rotation; he played just 12.8 minutes per game in 28 appearances this season and logged a total of eight minutes across San Antonio&rsquo;s last 12 outings. The Spurs explored trade opportunities for him before the Feb. 5 deadline but ultimately waived him after no deal materialized, allowing him to seek a fresh start with a contender.&nbsp;
Once he officially clears waivers, Sochan is set to join a Knicks club with championship aspirations, bolstering their wing and forward depth with his size, athleticism and defensive versatility. New York had reportedly shown interest in Sochan even before the deadline and now capitalized on his availability without giving up assets in a trade, adding him on a veteran&rsquo;s minimum deal for the rest of the season.&nbsp;
Across four seasons in San Antonio, Sochan averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.3 minutes per game over 212 games (149 starts), showing flashes of two-way impact and earning a spot on the 2022-23 All-Rookie Team as well as two Rising Stars appearances early in his career.&nbsp;
San Antonio&rsquo;s decision to waive Sochan marks the end of his four-plus-year tenure with the franchise, during which he developed from a lottery pick into a reliable starter and team contributor. While his role diminished this season, teammates and coaches openly praised his professionalism and locker-room presence.&nbsp;
Now unrestricted, Sochan lands in one of the Eastern Conference&rsquo;s most competitive rotations, joining a Knicks core led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and adding to a frontcourt that&rsquo;s seeking consistent depth and defensive versatility as the playoff race intensifies.

Jeremy Sochan plans to sign with the New York Knicks after clearing waivers from the San Antonio Spurs.

Knicks set to sign Jeremy Sochan after Spurs waive forward

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame revealed its class of 21 finalists for 2026, highlighting a mix of NBA legends, coaching icons, international contributors and historic teams eligible for enshrinement this year. Former NBA star Blake Griffin, WNBA great Candace Parker and veteran coach Doc Rivers headline the list &ndash; with the final inductees set to be announced on April 4 during Final Four weekend in Indianapolis.&nbsp;
The announcement underscores the broad scope of basketball&rsquo;s influence, spanning players, coaches, teams and contributors whose careers helped shape the sport at every level. This year&rsquo;s group reflects not just individual excellence in the NBA and WNBA, but also international impact and historic achievements that extended across decades.&nbsp;
<h3>Star players and historic teams among finalists</h3>
Leading the field on the player front are NBA standouts such as Blake Griffin, a six-time All-Star whose athleticism helped redefine the modern power forward role, and Amar&rsquo;e Stoudemire, the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year and perennial All-Star. Former Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat frontcourt force Stoudemire joins Griffin as a first-time finalist.&nbsp;
On the women&rsquo;s side, Candace Parker &ndash; a two-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion &ndash; headlines the group alongside players like Elena Delle Donne and the 1996 United States Women&rsquo;s National Team, the latter of which remains one of the most iconic squads in U.S. basketball history.&nbsp;
<h3>Coaches, contributors and international figures in consideration</h3>
The coaching ranks are represented by high-impact figures including Doc Rivers, who led the 2008 Boston Celtics to an NBA championship and has accumulated more than 1,175 wins over a 27-year career, and Kelvin Sampson, whose 37-year coaching journey spans deep NCAA Tournament runs and consistent program building.&nbsp;
Also in the mix are Mark Few, the Gonzaga head coach known for transforming the Bulldogs into a national powerhouse, and longtime NBA referee Joey Crawford, adding officiating excellence to the finalist roster. International and contributor categories include figures such as Du&scaron;an Ivković, Tal Brody and Mike D&rsquo;Antoni &ndash; reflecting global influence and strategic contributions to the game.&nbsp;
<h3>What&rsquo;s next before enshrinement</h3>
Finalists will now be considered by the Hall of Fame&rsquo;s Honors Committee, which will determine the official Class of 2026. The selection will be publicly announced on April 4 &ndash; the Saturday of the NCAA Men&rsquo;s Final Four &ndash; and formal enshrinement is scheduled for August 15 at the Hall&rsquo;s home in Springfield, Massachusetts.&nbsp;
For many nominees, reaching finalist status represents a culmination of Hall-of-Fame worthy careers &ndash; from multifaceted stars who dominated on both ends of the court, to coaches whose leadership shaped generations, and teams whose collective legacy lives on in basketball lore.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame revealed its class of 21 finalists for 2026.

NBA Hall of Fame announces 2026 finalists

The NBA has officially unveiled the full participant lists for the 2026 All-Star Weekend, giving fans a complete look at the stars headed to the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, from Feb. 13-15. This year&rsquo;s festivities &ndash; highlighted by a unique USA vs. World round-robin All-Star Game format &ndash; will feature perennial All-Stars, breakout performers and standout event competitors in a celebration of the league&rsquo;s top talent.&nbsp;
Leading the headlines, Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named as a replacement for Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry on the USA Stripes roster after Curry was ruled out due to a lingering right knee injury. The absence of the two-time All-Star Game MVP &ndash; who had been selected for his 12th All-Star appearance &ndash; opens the door for Ingram&rsquo;s second career selection, his first since 2020.&nbsp;
On the international side, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun will take the place of Oklahoma City Thunder guard and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World after Gilgeous-Alexander was sidelined with an abdominal injury. Sengun&rsquo;s addition marks his second consecutive All-Star nod and adds another high-octane playmaker to the World lineup.&nbsp;
Under this season&rsquo;s format, the All-Star Game breaks from the traditional East vs. West matchup and instead will feature three teams &ndash; two representing the United States and one made up of international talent &ndash; competing in a round-robin slate of four 12-minute games before the two best teams square off in a championship matchup.&nbsp;
The USA squads are anchored by the league&rsquo;s brightest names. Veterans such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown headline the USA rosters alongside rising stars including Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey. Meanwhile, the World team showcases global stars like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama &ndash; with Sengun now joining that group.&nbsp;
All-Star Saturday will also feature the State Farm Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and additional skills competitions &ndash; giving a diverse cast of sharpshooters, high-flyers and playmakers multiple stages to shine before the main event kicks off.&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s roster announcements arrive at a pivotal point in the NBA season. With teams locked in tight playoff races and narratives building around emerging stars, All-Star Weekend doubles as both a celebration and a barometer. For Ingram, logging All-Star minutes after stepping in for Curry could be a springboard into wider MVP conversations. And for Sengun, joining the World team again &ndash; especially in place of an MVP calibre guard &ndash; reinforces his rising status on the global stage.&nbsp;
Injuries to marquee players rarely dampen excitement in All-Star festivities, but they add an undercurrent of unpredictability &ndash; a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in a 2-plus-month sprint to the playoffs.
As rosters are finalized and events approach, All-Star Weekend promises to flare into one of the most compelling showcases of the season &ndash; both in terms of star power and emerging momentum headed into the home stretch.

This year’s festivities will feature perennial All-Stars, breakout performers and standout event competitors.

NBA sets complete 2026 All-Star Weekend roster; Ingram and Sengun named as replacements

The NBA and ESPN have officially unveiled the star-studded rosters for the 2026 Ruffles&reg; NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, set to take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET (Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8 a.m. PHT) and will be exclusively available on Disney+ in the Philippines.
As part of All-Star Weekend festivities, the annual showcase once again blends basketball with pop culture, bringing together celebrities from music, film, television, sports and digital media for a night of entertainment on the hardwood.
<h3>Star-Studded Lineup</h3>
This year&rsquo;s roster features a diverse mix of talent, headlined by actor and producer Keegan-Michael Key, multi-platinum rapper Badshah, DJ and producer Mustard, and rapper GloRilla. NBA champion Jeremy Lin and 7-foot-6 fan favorite Tacko Fall add legitimate basketball credentials, while ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania is set to swap breaking news for jump shots.
From the NFL, Los Angeles-native and All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen will take the floor. Brazilian soccer legend and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Cafu also joins the lineup, further emphasizing the global flavor of the event.
Social media and entertainment personalities will also be well represented, including Dude Perfect co-founder Cody Jones, basketball content creator Jenna Bandy, singer-songwriter Adrien Nu&ntilde;ez, &ldquo;Love Island&rdquo; standout Nicolas Vansteenberghe and reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul. Phoenix Suns Chairman Mat Ishbia and Charlotte Hornets Co-Chairman Rick Schnall round out the roster, bringing team ownership into the mix.
Several familiar faces return to the Celebrity Game spotlight. Reigning MVP Rome Flynn is back for his second appearance, along with actor Simu Liu and Olympic medalist sprinter Andre De Grasse. Chinese actor and singer Dylan Wang and NBA legend Jason &ldquo;White Chocolate&rdquo; Williams will each make their third Celebrity Game appearances.
<h3>Coaches and Broadcast Team</h3>
The sidelines will feature just as much star power. Two-time NBA MVP and champion Giannis Antetokounmpo will serve as a coach alongside his brothers Thanasis and Alex. Former MVP and four-time World Series champion Mookie Betts, NBA shooting coach Lethal Shooter, actor and comedian Anthony Anderson and renowned trainer Chris Brickley will also take on coaching duties.
ESPN&rsquo;s Monica McNutt will host the broadcast and conduct special interviews throughout the night, including the presentation of the MVP trophy. Veteran play-by-play announcer Mark Jones will call the action, joined by analyst Richard Jefferson.
Ahead of tipoff, ESPN&rsquo;s digital pregame show Hoop Streams will stream at 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PHT) on ESPN&rsquo;s YouTube and Facebook platforms. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson with analyst Iman Shumpert, the show will provide pregame analysis, celebrity interviews and live coverage leading into the game.
<h3>K-Pop Halftime and Fan Activations</h3>
Adding to the entertainment, five-member K-pop group CORTIS will headline the halftime show, marking the first-ever Celebrity Game halftime performance by a K-pop act. Recently named part of the NBA&rsquo;s &ldquo;Friends of the NBA&rdquo; program in Asia, CORTIS&rsquo; performance underscores the league&rsquo;s continued global expansion and cultural reach.
Fans can also look forward to the return of popular in-game elements such as the Ruffles&reg; 4-Point Ridgeline and Ruffles&reg; Crunch Time. The Green Carpet presented by Wingstop will precede the game, with coverage across NBA and ESPN social platforms.
For fans in the Philippines, the exclusive Disney+ broadcast provides front-row access to one of All-Star Weekend&rsquo;s most entertaining traditions. More information, including ticket details and the full NBA on Disney+ schedule, is available on the NBA and Disney+ Philippines websites.

The NBA and ESPN have officially unveiled the star-studded rosters for the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Rosters unveiled

<div>Every February, LeBron James has been wondering why he didn't participate in the Slam Dunk Contest for more than two decades, one of the NBA's great what-ifs. Fans have debated the topic in barbershops, on sports radio, and across social media.</div>
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<div>Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson's recent interview with former <a href="https://bookmaker-ratings.ru/tip/sport-types/tip-nba-tips/">NBA </a>forward and 1992 dunk champion Cedric Ceballos has given new life to the conversation, even though some parts of the past need to be addressed.</div>
<div>Ceballos didn't just suggest that LeBron skipped the contest because he wasn't interested.</div>
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<div>He defined it as something deeper: the preservation of the brand.</div>
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<div>&ldquo;He had a chance his rookie year and he didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/02/cedric-ceballos-talks-vince-carters-springs-anthony-edwards-rise-and-why-lebron-james-skipped-the-dunk-contest/">Ceballos told Robinson</a>. &ldquo;After that rookie year, anything after that would damage his credibility and his career. It&rsquo;s not really if he wins it &mdash; because he&rsquo;s supposed to win it &mdash; it&rsquo;s that if he loses it.&rdquo;</div>
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<div>According to Ceballos, the risk outweighed the reward. LeBron had already become too big, too famous, and too accustomed to dominating. Winning would be the standard operating procedure.</div>
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<div>Losing would be a headline that would follow him forever.</div>
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<div>To reinforce his point, Ceballos referenced LeBron's high school years.</div>
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&ldquo;He lost in the McDonald&rsquo;s All-American Game,&rdquo; Ceballos said, claiming that a then lesser-known Shannon Brown outshined LeBron in the dunk contest. &ldquo;Shannon Brown beat him, but he was a little bit not as famous as LeBron and they gave it to LeBron.&rdquo;
The story fits neatly into Ceballos&rsquo; narrative: LeBron experiencing early proof that even one loss could dent his aura.
The problem? It didn&rsquo;t quite happen that way.
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<h2 data-start="1601" data-end="1646">What Ceballos Was Really Arguing</h2>
Ceballos' fundamental basketball critique was evident, even though his memory was spotty. According to him, LeBron is a powerful power dunker - one of the best in live action - but not a specialist in dunk contests.
&ldquo;LeBron dunks on a lot of people,&rdquo; Ceballos implied, &ldquo;but trickery, suaveness &mdash; no.&rdquo;
<div>LeBron's remarkable abilities are attributed to his speed, strength, timing, and rim violence, not to his choreographed creativity. In the past, the Dunk Contest has awarded both flair and force equally.</div>
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<div>The basketball argument is fair. Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and Zach LaVine were legends of the contest, blending athleticism and innovation.</div>
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<div>Windmills, free-throw line glides, props, timing, and theatrical moments all play significant roles.LeBron's game has always been about efficiency and dominance, not pre-planned artistry.</div>
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<h2>The McDonald&rsquo;s Contest Reality</h2>
Officially, LeBron James won the 2003 McDonald&rsquo;s All-American Slam Dunk Contest in Cleveland. The other finalists were Shannon Brown and J.R. Giddens.
However, the nuance matters.
Many recaps from that night noted that LeBron&rsquo;s dunks were solid but relatively basic &mdash; powerful, clean, but not jaw-dropping. Brown, on the other hand, pulled off one of the most impressive single dunks of the event but missed multiple attempts afterward, hurting his overall score.
LeBron benefitted from consistency, hometown energy, and others&rsquo; miscues.
So while Ceballos is wrong that LeBron &ldquo;lost,&rdquo; he&rsquo;s not wrong that the perception afterward was more complicated than a dominant victory.
Even as a teenager, LeBron was learning something crucial: when you&rsquo;re the most famous player in the building, expectations distort everything.
<h2 data-start="3213" data-end="3356">The Real Risk for Superstars</h2>
This is where Ceballos&rsquo; brand argument actually lines up with reality.
For a player like LeBron James, the Dunk Contest was always a high-risk, low-reward proposition.
If he won? Fans would shrug and say he was supposed to.
If he lost &mdash; especially to a smaller, less famous, more creative dunker like Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, or Zach LaVine &mdash; it would instantly become a meme, a punchline, a permanent footnote.
History backs this up. Dwight Howard&rsquo;s loss to Nate Robinson still gets referenced. Aaron Gordon losing twice despite incredible dunks became a running joke about being &ldquo;robbed.&rdquo; The contest doesn&rsquo;t forget.
And LeBron has essentially acknowledged this dynamic himself over the years.
He&rsquo;s said repeatedly that if he ever did the Dunk Contest, he&rsquo;d &ldquo;have to win&rdquo; &mdash; otherwise it wouldn&rsquo;t be worth it. That mindset alone shows how much pressure and perception factored into the decision.
<h2 data-start="4098" data-end="4298">LeBron&rsquo;s Own Explanation</h2>
Publicly, LeBron has always framed his absence in basketball terms rather than branding ones.
He&rsquo;s emphasized that his goals <a href="https://x.com/ScoopB/status/1668247108309118977">were championships</a>, MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year awards &mdash; not dunk trophies.
He&rsquo;s also consistently called himself an &ldquo;in-game dunker,&rdquo; explaining that he doesn&rsquo;t enjoy planning or practicing set-piece dunks. For him, dunking is about reacting in real time, attacking defenders, and finishing with force &mdash; not choreography.
That explanation fits his personality and play style perfectly.
But it doesn&rsquo;t exclude the brand reality either.
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<h2 data-start="5066" data-end="5370">So Was Ceballos Right?</h2>
Factually, no &mdash; LeBron didn&rsquo;t lose that high-school contest to Shannon Brown.
Conceptually? He was tapping into something very real.
From the moment LeBron entered the league as &ldquo;<a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/phil-handy-jordan-kobe-lebron-goat-debate">The Chosen One</a>,&rdquo; every appearance became a referendum on greatness. The Dunk Contest, meant to be fun and experimental, would&rsquo;ve placed him in a situation where creativity mattered more than dominance &mdash; and where a single off night could live forever online.
For a generational superstar with nothing to gain and everything to lose, skipping it made strategic sense.
In that light, LeBron&rsquo;s absence doesn&rsquo;t look like fear or lack of interest alone. It looks like a calculated understanding of modern sports culture, expectations, and reputation.
<h2 data-start="5481" data-end="5659">The Middle Ground</h2>
<div>LeBron James' Dunk Contest absence was not only framed as a branding decision by Cedric Ceballos, but also by an associate of James' <a href="https://landonbuford-com-488060.hostingersite.com/lakers-lebron-james-associate-reveals-real-reason-he-skipped-dunk-contest/">Rob MC in the Walklikeus room</a> a few years back.</div>
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<div>They said it did not fit LeBron's image at the time and pointed out that the contest was less exciting after the best players stopped participating in the early 2000s.</div>
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<div>He answered those who questioned LeBron's drive by citing his famous 3-1 Finals comeback, and also reminded everyone that many great players skipped the contest.</div>
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<div>LeBron stayed out of the Dunk Contest, not because he was scared, but because he thought it could hurt his reputation more than it could help, choosing his long-term legacy over a show, according to their comments.</div>
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Cedric Ceballos explains how branding, risk, and legacy factored into LeBron James's decision not to enter the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Ex-Laker Cedric Ceballos Weighs-In on Why LeBron Skipped the Dunk Contest

There are great rookie seasons in the NBA that are etched into history. Every single one of the greats &ndash; LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, and many more &ndash; have had awesome rookie seasons that are likely indicators of how their careers would pan out in the league. And then there are seasons that bend the timeline that puts you in a spot among other greats in the league.
Cooper Flagg&rsquo;s rookie year belongs in that category.
It isn&rsquo;t just hype, projection, or promise during this current season. This is real production that is historic and increasingly impossible to contextualize within normal rookie expectations. Flagg isn&rsquo;t just winning Rookie of the Year this season but he&rsquo;s separating himself from the field in a way that forces a different conversation altogether.
His recent stretch doesn&rsquo;t make any sense for a 19-year-old in the league, a teenager nonetheless. Over his last four games, Cooper Flagg has authored one of the most absurd scoring stretches the league has seen from a first-year player:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">32 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">36 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">34 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">49 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists</li>
</ul>
That&rsquo;s 37.8 points per game, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on an outrageous 64.1% true shooting &ndash; numbers that would be eye-popping for a superstar in his prime, let alone a 19-year-old navigating his first NBA season. His 151 points over that span are the most by a rookie in a four-game stretch since Allen Iverson in April of 1997. History doesn&rsquo;t offer many comparisons &ndash; and that&rsquo;s the point. Flagg is setting the bar for expectations higher than what he is projected to be coming into the season.
<h3>Rewriting the Rookie Record Book</h3>
With his most recent 32-point performance, Flagg added even more lines to a growing list of accomplishments that feel surreal for someone his age and he has rewrote some of the rookie record book&rsquo;s scoring performances:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">He is the youngest player in NBA history to record four straight 30-point games</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">He is the first rookie since Michael Jordan (1985) with four consecutive games of 30+ points and 5+ rebounds</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">He is the first rookie since Allen Iverson (1997) to score 150+ points over any four-game span</li>
</ul>
Those names aren&rsquo;t thrown around lightly &ndash; Jordan and Iverson &ndash; cornerstones of NBA mythology and greatness. Flagg isn&rsquo;t chasing their shadows &ndash; instead he&rsquo;s placing himself directly into their historical lanes.
To be completely clear, this isn&rsquo;t a knock and an indictment of fellow rookie and former college teammate Kon Knueppel, who has been outstanding in his own right. Knueppel has exceeded expectations, played with poise beyond his years, and established himself as one of the best rookies in the class with his shooting ability and gravity that also has never been before seen as a rookie coming in.
But this conversation isn&rsquo;t about second place &ndash; it&rsquo;s about recognizing that what Flagg is doing exists on a different plane. He&rsquo;s not merely outperforming his peers, but he&rsquo;s doing things rookies are not supposed to be capable of doing, let alone poised enough to sustain.
He plays with an understanding of space, timing, and pressure that typically comes years later. His confidence comes from a standpoint of certainty instead of a bravado that he brings with his game.
<h3>The Skill, the Poise, the Presence</h3>
But what separates Flagg isn&rsquo;t just the scoring alone, it&rsquo;s how it comes and how he does it. His skill, poise, and presence have all been outstanding right from the jump. Flagg scores at all three levels, punishes mismatches, makes advanced reads when help comes, and rebounds with purpose. He&rsquo;s decisive without being rushed, aggressive without being reckless, and dominant without hijacking the offense.
There&rsquo;s a calm to his game &ndash; a sense that he understands not just what&rsquo;s happening, but what&rsquo;s about to happen.
And that&rsquo;s the rare part. Rookies aren&rsquo;t supposed to react and adapt this fast into the league, and Flagg is already doing that.
<h3>&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</h3>
The league has seen prodigies before. But even the best rookie scorers often come with inefficiencies, limitations, or narrow offensive roles. Flagg has avoided those pitfalls entirely, at least from what he is showing so far with almost two-thirds of the season done.
His efficiency remains elite, his workload is increasing, his confidence is compounding, and his impact stretches beyond the box score.
Opposing defenses are already loading up on him. Game plans are shifting, and the respect has arrived early. If anything, this will help him to become an even better basketball player.&nbsp;
At this point, the Rookie of the Year race feels like writing on the wall already. Barring something unforeseen, Cooper Flagg has separated himself decisively.
But awards are secondary to what&rsquo;s really happening. This is the emergence of a player who doesn&rsquo;t fit traditional developmental curves. A player whose ceiling conversations feel increasingly outdated because his present reality is already brushing against them.
Cooper Flagg is playing like the future of the league, among other bright stars ahead of him, and he will likely remain so for years to come.

Cooper Flagg is redefining what’s possible for a rookie, delivering a historic four-game stretch that places him among the greats.

Cooper Flagg is not your ordinary rookie

The trust of legends has been earned by a few NBA coaches like Phil Handy. Handy's r&eacute;sum&eacute; is a testament to his reputation as one of the most respected minds in skill development in the league, and he is in the company of generational icons like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
His experience in championship locker rooms gave him a glimpse of greatness in action.
<h2>Learning the Mamba Mentality</h2>
<div>Handy coached in the NBA with the <a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/phil-handy-jordan-kobe-lebron-goat-debate">Los Angeles Lakers from 2011 to 2013</a>, working closely with Kobe Bryant in his later years. During that time, it was not just about natural talent; it was about being fully committed. Kobe's workouts were known for being hard, focused on small things, and always intense. Handy saw for himself that Bryant treated improving at basketball as something he worked on every day, not just during the season.</div>
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<div>What really stood out was how skilled Kobe was. He had a way to handle every move. He turned every weakness into something to work on. Handy has often called Bryant one of the most skilled basketball players ever, not because he was showy, but because he really understood how the game works and how players think.</div>
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<h2>Championships, Growth, and LeBron James</h2>
<div>In 2013, Handy joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining a team led by LeBron James. He learned a lot with the Cavs, who reached the NBA Finals four years in a row and won the unforgettable 2016 championship. LeBron took over games completely, while Kobe always worked to get better.</div>
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<div>In 2019, Handy helped the Toronto Raptors win the title under coach Nick Nurse before returning to the Lakers. When he teamed up with LeBron James again, Handy won another championship in 2020, which made him even more sure that LeBron is the most complete basketball player ever: a top scorer, top passer, top leader, and tougher than anyone before.</div>
<h2>A Lineage of Legends</h2>
<div>Handy sees the Michael Jordan-Kobe Bryant-LeBron James debate not as a contest, but as a line of progress. He thinks Jordan set the bar, Kobe improved his game, and LeBron made greatness mean even more. By coaching both Kobe and LeBron closely, Handy gained a unique perspective on how greatness has changed over time and why it continues to evolve.</div>
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Phil Handy shares rare insight from coaching Kobe Bryant and LeBron James during multiple NBA championship runs.

Phil Handy on  Coaching Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Up Close

Two young guards are set to transfer and call another city their new home after they got moved ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline: Sixers&rsquo; Jared McCain and Bulls&rsquo; Coby White.
<h3>Jared McCain traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder</h3>
The Philadelphia 76ers have traded second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2026 Houston Rockets first-round pick and three second-round draft picks, per ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.&nbsp;
McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, enjoyed a promising rookie season before injuries disrupted his development. This season, he&rsquo;s averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting roughly 38.5 % from three, and OKC hopes his shooting and potential can help bolster its guard depth, especially with star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Adding McCain gives OKC a young shooting guard with upside who can provide spacing and perimeter scoring in relief of its stars &ndash; an appealing low-risk, high-reward piece as the defending champions chase another deep playoff run.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For the 76ers, the deal brings significant draft capital and roster flexibility, helping them get below the luxury tax threshold and clear space for other backcourt pieces.&nbsp;
<h3>Coby White heads to the Charlotte Hornets</h3>
In a separate deadline move, the Chicago Bulls sent veteran guard Coby White (along with Mike Conley Jr.) to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a three-team trade.&nbsp;
Charlotte received White, currently averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game this season, to upgrade its backcourt and add more offensive firepower.&nbsp;
Bringing in White gives Charlotte a proven scorer and playmaker to support its young core and push toward the play-in/playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.&nbsp;
In return, the Bulls acquired Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three future second-round picks, signaling a broader roster retooling as Chicago continues its rebuild.&nbsp;
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As for the Sixers &amp; Bulls, both franchises gained future draft capital and flexibility as they adjust long-term strategies and balance present competitiveness with future building.

Two young guards are set to transfer and call another city their new home after they got moved: Jared McCain and Coby White.

A pair of guards on the move: Jared McCain to OKC, Coby White to Charlotte

Another blockbuster deal is on the way: Anthony Davis is going to the Washington Wizards in an 8-player deal, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
Davis along with D&rsquo;Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum will move to the Wizards in exchange for 2 first-round picks, 3 second-round picks, Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and Malaki Branham
ANALYSIS: This move signals a new era for Washington, who are accelerating up their rebuild by acquiring all-NBA big man Davis. They have also traded for Trae Young earlier in the season to pair with their rising young core Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. In Davis, the Wizards are getting an all-around player capable of making plays on both ends of the floor, blocks shots, rebound, and provide internal stability and anchor in the front court.&nbsp;
Together with Young, Davis allows Washington to try and compete in what is supposed to be a wide-open East next year. It remains to be seen if Davis will sign an extension with the franchise, but this is a step forward in the right direction for them.
For the Mavericks, this move recalibrates this season to turn and build around rookie Cooper Flagg by acquiring draft assets. Flagg has emerged as the team&rsquo;s brightest spot this season and Dallas will now move forward with him in mind, securing the future and beyond.

Another blockbuster deal is on the way: Anthony Davis is going to the Washington Wizards in an 8-player deal.

Slippery Rock The Rock