Evan Sidery
@esidery
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NBA contributor @Forbes. Follow for the best basketball coverage. Turning on notifications is highly recommended.
Joined June 2011
Jalen Brunson shot 26-of-39 (66.6%) when guarded by Andrew Nembhard during last year’s playoffs. How Brunson vs. Nembhard plays out will have a massive impact on who makes the NBA Finals. Arguably the biggest individual matchup to monitor during the ECF.
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The Lakers and Mavericks will face off on February 25th in Los Angeles for a nationally televised game on TNT. This will now very likely become the most watched NBA regular season game in years.
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The Luka Doncic trade would’ve included Dalton Knecht and more first-round picks, but Rob Pelinka was able to convince Nico Harrison that was too much due to his conditioning concerns, per @kirkgoldsberry (. What an unbelievable blunder for the Mavericks.
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The Suns didn’t make the playoffs for a decade between 2011-2020. Their first year back, they made an incredible run to the NBA Finals headlined by their young core. Less than 18 months later, Phoenix dismantled their young core to hopefully buy a title. A lesson in patience.
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The Lakers are aggressively pursuing athletic rim protecting centers on the trade market. Nic Claxton and Robert Williams are two players to keep a very close eye on over the next few days.
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Netflix is releasing a documentary on when Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton both brought guns into the Wizards’ locker room to settle a dispute in 2009. Both players were suspended the rest of the season. ‘Untold: Shooting Guards’ releases on May 6.
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Nike just unveiled their logo for Victor Wembanyama, arguably their best one ever. Wembanyama’s shoe deal with Nike is over $100 million, and he will be featured as one of their stars moving forward.
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Karl-Anthony Towns was taking in his final moments as a Minnesota Timberwolf late last night with his father at the team’s facility. Minnesota’s former No. 1 overall pick was blindsided by the move to the Knicks.
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If Mike Budenholzer decides to not pursue any coaching opportunities, he will be paid $10 million a year from the Suns until 2029. $40 million still remain on Budenholzer’s contract.
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The Magic are 11-1 since Paolo Banchero exited the lineup due to a torn oblique. Franz Wagner has looked the part of a superstar over that stretch for Orlando:. 27.2 points.7.0 assists.5.8 rebounds.2.3 steals.58.5 TS%. Once Banchero returns, Orlando has true Finals potential.
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The Pistons are evaluating the trade market for Isaiah Stewart, per @JakeLFischer (. Stewart averaged 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 38.8% on threes.
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Wow, Rudy Gobert was just put on one of the biggest poster dunks of his career.
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Charles Barkley said on @dpshow he might hire Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal to his production company, Fine Line Productions, and go independent beginning in 2025-26. A potentially huge win for NBA fans everywhere, if Barkley can make it happen.
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The Suns hired Luka Doncic’s Slovenia national team coach, Igor Kokoskov, heading into the 2018 draft. Phoenix drafted Deandre Ayton instead at No. 1. A moment in time where Phoenix could have formed one of the most lethal homegrown scoring duos ever in Devin Booker and Doncic.
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James Wiseman and Marvin Bagley III are competing for minutes as the Pistons’ backup center. Head coach Monty Williams said only one will be in the rotation. Two former No. 2 overall picks fighting for their careers in training camp.
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The NBA released the mic'd up version of when Chris Paul and Monty Williams embraced at the end of Game 6. A strong, beautiful moment:. Monty: "Chris, you're going to the Finals.".CP3: "Coach, I'm trying to calm down, coach.".Monty: "You don't have to calm down.".CP3: "Coach!"
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Steve Kerr is likely to retire as Team USA head coach, which means a new lead voice for 2028 in Los Angeles. Erik Spoelstra is viewed as the strong internal favorite to become Team USA’s next in line following Gregg Popovich and Kerr.
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Saturday will feature an NBA quadruple header of Game 1 action:. Pacers vs. Bucks (1:00 p.m. ET).Clippers vs. Nuggets (3:30 p.m. ET).Knicks vs. Pistons (6:00 p.m. ET).Lakers vs. Timberwolves (8:30 p.m. ET). Ten straight hours of playoff games 🍿
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The Suns mortgaged away their entire future, and it resulted in a first round sweep. Phoenix not only has zero control over their first-round picks from 2025-2030, but Bradley Beal also refused to waive his no-trade clause when he arrived in June. Beal, who is owed $160 million
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Major kudos to Noah Eagle for his fantastic play-by-play coverage throughout the Olympics. Eagle will likely become a key fixture in NBC’s NBA coverage, once their media rights deal begins in 2025-26. The 27-year-old is a rising star in the media industry.
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NBC announced Reggie Miller will be leaving TNT to join their broadcast team as a lead game analyst beginning next season. Miller was with TNT for 20 years.
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Erik Spoelstra has now led the Heat to six NBA Finals appearances since 2011. This year is arguably his best ever run leading the No. 8 seed to a Finals for only the second time in postseason history. It’s time to recognize Spoelstra as one of the greatest coaches ever in the
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Here is a clip of LeBron James and JJ Redick in June diving deep into Luka Doncic’s pick-and-roll mastery from their podcast together. Who would have thought they would all be together on the Lakers less than seven months later.
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Deandre Ayton on questions about his motor:. "I told the guys this summer that I'll be changing the narrative. I'm in an organization that wants me and wants me to succeed. There will be a lot more grit and a lot more domination this year.". Ayton said “DominAyton” is coming to
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The Mavericks have hit on all of their most important transactions lately:. — Trade Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2029 1st, two second-round picks for Kyrie Irving. — Draft Dereck Lively at No. 12 overall in the draft. — Trade Grant Williams, Seth Curry, 2027 1st (top-2
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During Team USA’s exhibition games, Tyrese Haliburton was slowly phased out of the rotation entirely by Steve Kerr:. Canada = 20 minutes.Serbia = 15 minutes.South Sudan = 7 minutes.Germany = 0 minutes. Haliburton, who was one of the key players on Team USA’s FIBA roster, appears
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Stephen Curry’s Team USA legend status is cemented. Absolutely incredible.
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Kevin Durant returns to the University of Texas tomorrow when the Suns play the Spurs in Austin. Durant’s one-and-done freshman highlights are incredible to watch.
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Bronny James was scheduled for 10 workouts with NBA teams, but he’s declined all of them except two: Lakers and Suns, per @ShamsCharania on @RunItBackFDTV. Phoenix will legitimately be considering Bronny at No. 22 overall.
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Luka Doncic’s shocking mid-season trade from the Mavericks certainly appears to have motivated him physically. A side-by-side comparison from opening night to his latest game with the Lakers shows a noticeable drop in weight.
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Team USA has officially created a new dream team starting lineup for the 2024 Olympics in Paris:. Stephen Curry.Devin Booker.LeBron James.Kevin Durant.Joel Embiid
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Alex Len will no longer be signing with the Pacers, per @DustinDopirak. Len and the Lakers hold mutual interest after their trade for Mark Williams fell through.
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The Trail Blazers do not plan to cooperate with Damian Lillard on his trade request to the Heat, per @wojespn:. - Portland “open for business everywhere in the league” on trading Lillard. - Blazers seeking a combination of young players, draft picks and cap relief. - Miami has
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The guaranteed base salary for the top-four picks in the WNBA is $76,536. The top-four women’s college basketball players averaged $1.1 million in NIL earnings. Until the WNBA significantly reforms their salary structures, there is no reason for a top prospect to declare early.
Notre Dame's Olivia Miles – the projected No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft this month – will forgo the draft and enter NCAA's transfer portal, sources tell ESPN. The 22-year-old top prospect makes unprecedented decision to use her one year remaining of college instead of the draft.
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Deandre Ayton would reportedly embrace forming a new dynamic duo with Cade Cunningham on the Pistons, per @TheSteinLine.
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When Luka Doncic and LeBron James shared the court last night, the Lakers scored 139 points per 100 possessions. For reference, the Cavaliers rank No. 1 in offensive rating at 121.8 points per 100 possessions. Once they fully figure out how to play with one another, look out.
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McNeese State manager Amir Khan is making over $100k in NIL endorsements, per @MattNorlander. Khan graduates this spring with a Sports Management degree, so don’t be surprised if he is eventually involved with an NBA franchise in some capacity.
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Kevin Durant has officially played his last game with the Suns as he will be on a new team this summer via trade, per @ShamsCharania. The Durant era in Phoenix led to one postseason series win in three years after moving all-in for a title.
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The Warriors are scoring 143.3 points per 100 possessions when Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield share the court, which ranks No. 1 by a wide margin. Lineups for Golden State featuring Curry and Hield also have an NBA-best net rating of +57.8. A big reason why the Warriors are 7-1.
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The Rockets have been in trade talks with the Nets and Grizzlies about the No. 3 overall pick, per @KevinOConnorNBA (. Houston is seeking Mikal Bridges while Memphis covets Donovan Clingan.
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Stephen Curry is the only untouchable player on the Warriors’ roster ahead of the trade deadline, per @WindhorstESPN. It appears Golden State is ready to swing for the fences to chase another championship with Curry.
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Victor Wembanyama, considered one of the greatest international prospects ever, is about to break the NBA in a year.
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Four years ago, the Suns were two wins away from their first title. Now, Chris Paul and the entire young core around Devin Booker are gone while also not controlling their own 1st-round picks until 2032. Aggressive moves ruined Phoenix’s immediate future.
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Tyrese Haliburton posted his game-winner against the Cavaliers on Instagram with a new angle set to Drake’s “Too Much.”. Haliburton is silencing a lot of national critics again during the Pacers’ postseason run.
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The Mavericks had a homegrown star backcourt with Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson. On the verge of a full-scale breakout, Dallas refused to pay Brunson a four-year, $55 million extension. Three years later, Dallas traded Doncic. A truly historic fumble of a franchise’s future.
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Bennedict Mathurin wants to test LeBron James 👀 (via @washingtonpost):. “A lot of people say he’s great. I want to see how great he is. I don’t think anybody is better than me. He’s going to have to show me he’s better than me.”
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In consecutive offseasons, four superstars had the Heat on their shortlist of preferred destinations: Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Damian Lillard. For Miami to somehow not land any of them is a failure of epic proportions. It’s time to rightfully criticize
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For the first time in his career, LaMelo Ball plans to wear ankle braces next season. Ball originally planned to wear them in 2023-24, but never felt comfortable with it before suffering another season-ending ankle injury. Charlotte has extremely high hopes for Ball staying
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Derrick Jones Jr. has been the Mavericks’ x-factor all postseason long. Jones signed in Dallas for the veteran’s minimum. The value of hitting on bargain contracts for title contenders is so huge, and it will mater even more under the new CBA. Jones’ defensive versatility,
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James Harden is on the way to Sixers training camp with intentions of making a scene, per @wojespn:. “James Harden wants a trade. He wants to make the 76ers uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, ultimately, they don’t think they’ll get the best out of him and make a trade.”
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The Mavericks originally offered Luka Doncic in a trade for Anthony Davis a few days ago, per @ShamsCharania. The Lakers met internally over the last 48 hours ago to decide they would indeed deal Davis. Dallas wanted out on Doncic. Unbelievable.
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The Suns are hoping to pursue LeBron James this offseason, which is why Bronny James is a very serious draft option at No. 22 overall to potentially lure him in. Phoenix appears to believe they can convince LeBron to join forces with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be eligible to sign a four-year, $294 million extension with the Thunder this summer. SGA would soon be making $73.5 million annually on his new deal, which is the richest figure in NBA history.
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Tidjane Salaun is scheduled to conduct private workouts for the Spurs, Pistons, Trail Blazers and Thunder, per @NBADraftWass (. Salaun is viewed as one of the highest upside prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft.
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With Slovenia’s win today over New Zealand in Olympic qualifying, it now sets up a fun matchup Saturday in Greece for a winner-take-all scenario. Luka Doncic vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo with a likely berth in the Olympics on the line.
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Luka Doncic officially makes his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers tonight against the Jazz at Arena. It will be broadcasted to a nationally televised audience at 10:40 p.m. ET / 7:40 p.m. PT on ESPN.
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The Grizzlies and Nets are closing in on a trade involving Dorian Finney-Smith, per @NetsDaily. Finney-Smith would go to Memphis in exchange for Luke Kennard, John Konchar, and a future first-round pick.
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The Bulls and Kings are currently in sign-and-trade negotiations involving DeMar DeRozan, per @wojespn:. - DeRozan is officially moving on from Chicago with no scenario of re-signing. - Chicago is not willing to take on large salaries in a potential deal, so a third team has to
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Paul George confirmed on @PodcastPShow the Warriors were his preferred destination, but a sign-and-trade agreement fell through:. “It would’ve been dope, man. I was looking forward to it, if it happened.”. Golden State viewed George as their missing piece alongside Stephen Curry.
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Wizards GM Will Dawkins said Bilal Coulibaly has grown an inch since being drafted. Coulibaly now stands 6’9” with a 7’3” wingspan. Washington’s 2023 No. 7 overall pick has a tantalizing two-way upside.
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JJ Redick is officially the frontrunner for the Lakers’ head coach opening, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow. Redick, who has never coached before, appears likely to take over in Los Angeles leading LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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With the Celtics up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, they will now allow Kristaps Porzingis five full weeks of recovery time from a calf injury. A fully healthy Porzingis will be awaiting the Mavericks or Timberwolves in the NBA Finals.
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The Clippers are unwilling to offer Paul George more than they gave Kawhi Leonard, a three-year, $152.3 million extension, per @PompeyOnSixers (. The Sixers could be willing to offer George a full-scale max making $212 million over four years.
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Two years ago, the Pacers offered Deandre Ayton a four-year, $133 million contract in restricted free agency. In less than an hour, the Suns decided to match. Phoenix also declined sign-and-trade overtures for Ayton, which included Myles Turner. A sliding doors moment for
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The Celtics will begin to explore cost-cutting trades this offseason, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow:. “This iteration is just not going to be sustainable for this team.”. Players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday could become prime trade candidates this summer.
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TNT has matched Amazon’s $1.8 billion media rights deal to maintain their NBA coverage long-term. “Inside The NBA” is here to stay.
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There’s some buzz building around a potential Jimmy Butler trade framework including the Heat, Suns, Bucks and a facilitating fourth team. Phoenix would receive Jimmy Butler. Milwaukee would receive Bradley Beal. Miami would receive Khris Middleton. Facilitator takes on salary.
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The best teams in net rating since the All-Star break:. 1. Cavaliers = +14.2.2. Warriors = +12.5.3. Thunder = +10.6.4. Celtics = +7.6.5. Pistons = +7.2
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The Spurs currently have a 3% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. Now without Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio faces the 7th-toughest schedule remaining in the NBA. There’s now a realistic outcome where San Antonio forms a Big 3 of Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Cooper Flagg.
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Before Kevin Durant shot down a trade to the Warriors, the Suns were set to receive Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, multiple first and second-round picks, plus swaps, per @ShamsCharania. Phoenix was prepared to accept the trade before Durant stepped in.
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All indications are Jalen Brunson is ready to sign a four-year, $156 million extension with the Knicks this offseason, per @StevePopper (. In total, it would become a five-year, $181 million restructured deal for Brunson. A potentially massive steal for
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If the Suns didn’t make trades for Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen + Jusuf Nurkic in 2023, this would’ve been their long-term starting five:. Chris Paul.Devin Booker.Toumani Camara.Kevin Durant.Deandre Ayton. Patience for the right final piece should’ve been the move for Phoenix.
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The Clippers have made multiple contract offers to Paul George below the max, which he will not accept, per @ShamsCharania on @RunItBackFDTV. Los Angeles wants to keep George, but he appears heading towards unrestricted free agency this summer.
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Three players who are expected to make their Team USA debuts at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles:. Paolo Banchero.Chet Holmgren.Cooper Flagg. Keep an eye on the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar as a place where Banchero, Holmgren and Flagg will be their top overall talent as well.
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When Nikola Jokic is playing, the Nuggets have the best offensive rating in NBA history scoring 125.4 points per 100 possessions. Denver’s offense craters to the NBA’s worst when he sits:. On: 125.4 OffRtg (1st).Off: 104.9 OffRtg (30th). A 20.5-point swing with just one player.
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The Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Lakers, Magic, Pistons, and Timberwolves have all held exploratory trade talks with the Bulls centered on Lonzo Ball. Chicago would be open to moving Ball’s $21.3 million expiring contract in exchange for second-round draft capital.
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The Heat, Suns and Warriors are discussing the framework for a blockbuster trade including Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, per @WindhorstESPN. Phoenix being unable to find one team interested in Bradley Beal has forced them to come to the realization of making Durant available.
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Hornets legend Kemba Walker said having the opportunity to work with LaMelo Ball was a big reason why he accepted a role on their coaching staff:. “If that kid stays healthy, this organization has a chance to go really far.”. Walker will be a huge asset in Ball’s development.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo just went face-to-face with Tyrese Haliburton’s father after the Bucks were eliminated in Game 5. Giannis had to be pulled back by team staffers.
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The Bulls had the opportunity to sell off DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond at the trade deadline to contending teams for draft capital. In the end, they will likely receive zero draft picks for all three. Chicago’s front office completely missed the window to sell.
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The Suns are now 11-3, a 64-win pace, when Kevin Durant and Devin Booker play without Bradley Beal this season. Phoenix needs to do whatever it takes to offload Beal this summer to properly build a title contender around Durant and Booker.
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McNeese State manager Amir “Aura” Khan is receiving significant interest from NBA franchises to join in some capacity once he graduates. Khan will interview with at least five teams at the NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago to discuss organizational roles as a team attendant.
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The Jazz are open to listening to trade offers on Lauri Markkanen, per @wojespn:. - Utah was seriously in on acquiring Mikal Bridges, and now teams wonder if they will pivot to sell. - Utah would like to keep Markkanen “in a perfect world,” but teams are preparing aggressive
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Two months ago today, the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. Eight weeks later, still can’t believe it.
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The Warriors and Nets have been in trade dialogue centered around three players, per @ShamsCharania: Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder. Golden State is dangling De’Anthony Melton’s $12.8 million expiring contract as salary filler in talks around the NBA.
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The market has cratered over two weeks into free agency. Most players who were hoping for solid paydays will now likely have to settle for prove-it deals on the veteran’s minimum. Contending teams could find solid value with the best available remaining:. Tyus Jones.Markelle
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Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer said they plan to experiment playing Bol Bol as a jumbo stretch-four alongside Jusuf Nurkic. Bol will contribute in Phoenix’s rotation as a key member of the second unit.
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Say hello to the next generational basketball prospect: Mohamed Daboné, who is draft-eligible in 2031. Only 12-years-old, Daboné is already 6’10” playing up in competition against U18 level. Developing in FC Barcelona’s program, Daboné is on a Victor Wembanyama-type trajectory.
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Cam Johnson will now be the next move for the Nets on the trade market following Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith. After two trades, it’s clear what Brooklyn desires: prospects, draft picks and expiring contracts. Johnson will bring back their most significant haul.
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