ICYMI: 

Most of the fireworks on Friday night happened in Houston in an absolute shoot-out between the Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray combined for 83 points, but it wasn’t enough. After leading by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, Atlanta squandered the lead, and the Rockets surged late to capture their fourth win of the season, 128-122.

Despite Murray scoring a career-high 39 points and making a career-high eight threes, the Hawks couldn’t get the job done. A big reason for this was their performance on the boards in the absence of Clint Capela, who was out due to dental pain. Houston outrebounded Atlanta 59-28. This included a 22-6 drubbing on the offensive boards and a 37-22 advantage on the defensive boards.

Most of the headlines after the game were about the aftermath of a third-quarter scrum between each team’s respective backcourt. Young and Murray did plenty of showboating on the way to scoring a combined 83 points, and you get the sense that Green and Kevin Porter Jr. didn’t like it one bit. Green and Porter took to Instagram to mock Young following the game. Green waved goodbye to the Hawks after their 18-point fourth quarter. 

Ja Morant messed around and dropped a triple-double in Madison Square Garden, dropping 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 dimes. He’s been highly productive during Desmond Bane, who suffered a sprained big toe injury on Nov. 15 and won’t be back for at least another week.

Postgame, Morant credited New York Knicks point guard and Chicago/Memphis legend Derrick Rose for paving the way for hyper-athletic guards by saying; 

“He really made it to where people believe in guys like me,” Morant told the Commercial Appeal. “Coming in, athletic guards, I felt like he was pretty much the one who kind of made it more famous. With how acrobatic his finish is, his touch around the rim, and how explosive he was. Coming in, he was my comparison. It’s crazy to be out there on the floor sharing a court with him.”

Klay Thompson was off to a rough start on the offensive side of the ball to begin the season, but he’s beginning to get on track. He shot 61.5 percent from the field in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State scored 47 points in the first quarter and never really looked back. They had crisp offensive execution the entire game. 

The Boston Celtics continued their winning ways. They have won 12 of their last 13 games. They are a League-best 16-4 on the season. Jaylen Brown had 36 points in their most recent win sans Jayson Tatum against the Washington Wizards. The Celtics are poised for a return to the NBA Finals if they keep playing the way they’re playing. 

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and the Brooklyn Nets are now only a single game under .500 following their 111-97 win against the Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Seth Curry was a big factor in the win against his former squad, with 29 points on 11-15 shooting. 

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has been playing out of his mind and is turning some heads. Fox has been shooting a career-high 53 percent from the field, helping him average 25.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Fox has the Kings sitting in sixth place in a jammed Western Conference with a record of 10-8. Fox’s play has been so good that this past weekend, he inked a deal with one of the biggest and most well-known sports agencies in basketball Klutch Sports. For Sacramento, Fox’s recent play and lead role in the Kings’ resurgence could be just what the team needs to end their 16-year playoff drought.

The Kings have the talent and youth to be very disruptive if given a postseason opportunity. The team’s additions of Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk (in addition to Fox’s play) have been a great fit. Hopefully, Fox and the team can continue this momentum.

Over the weekend, the Lakers played the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in their last four games. During the third quarter of Saturday’s game, Russell Westbrook was going up for a layup after previously grabbing a rebound and was fouled on the way up by Spurs center Zach Collins. When Westbrook rose up from the ground heated from the foul, you could see that he had a cut and was visibly bleeding from his forehead.

The two teams got together for what seemed like a couple of seconds after the foul, but everyone was calmly escorted to their respective benches. Westbrook, who was fuming for a good reason, was taken away by LeBron James, who quickly compressed Westbrook’s head wound with a towel and walked him over to the bench to be further examined by the Lakers team doctors.

Once the situation calmed down, a Flagrant 2 foul was given the Collins, and a tech was given to Westbrook. Postgame, James commented on the altercation, saying;

“I saw where the cut was immediately. It was just common sense to put pressure on the cut right away. Don’t let it continue to go. Before we became teammates, we’ve always been like brothers and cool and things of that nature. His health is more important than the game of basketball. We were just trying to stop that and let the training staff do their job after we got him over to the bench.”

Miami center Bam Adebayo has had a quiet yet phenomenal stretch over the Heat’s last six games averaging 25.5 points per game and 10.2 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field. However, in Adebayo’s last two games, he has scored over 30 points and has been a key contributor toward the end of games on both the defensive and offensive sides.

The Heat are currently on a three-game win streak led by Adebayo’s diverse and consistent play, and the team looks to carry that momentum into their Wednesday matchup with the 2022 Eastern Conference Champion Celtics. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND:

Ja Morant’s father asked for his son’s jersey for the first time in Morant’s career. Morant stated that it was “special” for him to get a triple-double in the Garden and that it was a place that he always had a special feeling for.

Morant admitted after Sunday’s game that MSG was special for him to have a triple-double since it was a place he watched in so many games on television as a kid — which was why his father made the unusual request for his jersey.

“It’s just the bright lights, man,” Morant told ESPN post-game. “Having a triple-double in the Garden is crazy. Growing up actually watching teams come here and play, watching the Knicks play — everybody loves the Garden. We really called it the bright lights. Everybody is watching. So for me to be able to go out and play like I played tonight was big-time for me.”

The post ICYMI: We Got You Covered With Thanksgiving Weekend News appeared first on SLAM.

According to former Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon, the talent that has elevated his game the most for the Rockets is USC product Kevin Porter Jr. His impressive play has Gordon believing there’s still more that Porter can do and bring out his true potential.

“The dude [Porter] has some real talent,” Gordon said, per Sports Illustrated. “It is all about him continuing to do what is best for the team. He has grown, and his progress is real, and it is definitely coming together for him. But I know he can do more, and I expect a lot out of him.”

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Porter is a serious contender for the Most Improved Player award in his third year with the Rockets. He’s currently averaging 19.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field this season.

Of course, the team record may play a factor in winning the award, but the fourth-year guard has made sure to take leadership as the franchise point guard, capable of leading on the floor while taking accountability for any mistakes on and off the court.

“I’ve been working on controlling my emotions on and off the court,” Porter said. “Being the point guard, I took it upon myself to be more vocal and show my example by leading.”

Though the Rockets are committing towards building a talented young group, Gordon has nothing but veteran experience and quality knowledge to share with players like Porter and Jalen Green. The duo could one day be named one of the best in the League, but for the moment, H-Town continues to focus on the development and tools they should center around them.

The post Eric Gordon On Kevin Porter Jr. Career-Year: ‘His Progress Is Real’ appeared first on SLAM.

Porter was traded to the Rockets after a tough stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since coming over to Houston, it still was not always easy for KPJ, spending some time between the G-League and playing for the Rockets when first traded. However, now Porter has found a role amongst the team and is looking like the right fit in the Rockets backcourt alongside teammate Jalen Green.

General Manager Rafael Stone and Coach Stephen Silas feel that they have invested a significant amount of time and energy into KPJ, both on and off the court. Porter’s rapid growth is what gave them the confidence to keep helping the 22-year-old to develop and become a franchise cornerstone.

Last season in just 61 games with Houston, Porter averaged 15.6 points on 41.6 percent shooting from the field. To go along with scoring in bunches, he also averaged 6.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds while playing 31.2 minutes per game.

It will be truly interesting to see how KPJ and the Rockets do this season, being one of the youngest teams in the NBA. That being said, they are definitely a team on the rise and should be taken seriously in any matchup they get. Happy to see things finally trending in a positive direction for both Porter Jr and the Rockets organization.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post REPORT: Kevin Porter Jr. and Houston Agree On Four-Year Extension appeared first on SLAM.

Preparation Award: LeBron James 

LeBron is LeBron because of his insane work ethic. This summer, if a workout was scheduled for 10 AM, LBJ would walk in early at 9:15 AM. He’d then do a workout routine that included stretching, balance, and core for about 40 minutes. Once he was done with that, he’d go back to his post workout routine—stretching, some cool down and then balance exercises. For a player going into his 20th season, his body sure doesn’t look like it but he moves on the court like he’s 31, not 37.

Early Bird Award: Jimmy Butler 

Jimmy and I travelled the world this summer. From time zone to time zone, we worked out in New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, the Hamptons, Switzerland, Paris…the list goes on. No matter where we were, we would always start our workouts at 6 AM—I’m not going to lie, but sometimes, depending on the time, I would be super tired when my alarm rang at 5 in the morning. But it was always a great feeling to be done with his first workout by 7:30 AM. In Europe, we even did double sessions. Jimmy had a great summer and I’m excited for him to show off his work this season. 

Biggest Black Ops Surprise (Non-NBA Player): Ian Jackson 

Over the years, I’ve had many elite high school players play in the summer Black Ops Runs: Donovan Mitchell, Obi Toppin, Cole Anthony, Adrian Griffin to name a few. But no high school player had a summer like Cardinal Hayes’ Ian Jackson. His first Black Ops Run was a learning lesson—the pace of the game was very fast for him and he struggled. However, he did come back the next day and played great and had eight threes and a series of nice dunks and passes. After that day, he was comfortable and he surprised NBA players all summer.

The Record Holder: CJ McCollum

There are a few drills each summer that I keep track of, specifically the player shooting 50 threes off the dribble or 100 threes off of the move. Well, CJ McCollum holds the record in almost all of them. He has an incredible work ethic and a very consistent jump shot. He made 92 out of 100 threes in one of the drills and also broke a few other records. 

Viral Sneaker Moment: LeBron James 

LeBron came to a workout one time with a light brown box in his hand. But there was no writing on the box. It wasn’t until after he did his pre-workout stretching routine that he laced up his sneakers and revealed that they were the LeBron 20s. It was the first time anyone had seen them. Within minutes of me posting a picture of them, the photo was everywhere and the top story on every sneaker blog across the world. Definitely a special moment. 

Breakout Season: Dre Hunter 

Dre Hunter worked out with me for the first time this summer and he was hungry! He learned very quickly and always pushed himself. I was very impressed with his professionalism and his skill level, too, and I think this year will be a huge year for Dre. 

Best 1 Day Performance in a Black Ops Run: Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown came to NYC during Fashion Week and pulled up to a Black Ops run. He dominated the run offensively and defensively, even hitting a series of game winners. He couldn’t be stopped and the entire gym saw how talented he was that day. On top of dominating the game, he had asked me to put Ian Jackson on his team so he could mentor him. He’s truly a great leader. 

What People Don’t Know: Drake’s Jumpshot

Everyone knows about Drake’s new gym at his house in Toronto but not everyone knows about how he’s improved his jumpshot. His form looked completely different from when I saw him last—he even played in a run at the Summit and hit 13 threes. The video went viral. 

Most Focused: Ty Jerome 

Ty Jerome’s work ethic this summer was on 1,000. He came to the gym all summer long to workout; he would jump into others players workouts to learn and he really improved. Every player that came to the gym consistently improved their games but Ty improved the most. I’m excited that he has landed on the Warriors. I think that’s a great fit for him. 

Efficiency Award: Kevin Love 

Kevin Love had a very productive offseason. Coming off of getting runner up for Sixth Man of the Year, he had an extra pep in his step this summer. We would shoot 100 threes after each workout and Kev would never get below 75; he’d average between 80 and 85. That is what I call efficient shooting. 

Best Conditioned: Julius Randle 

By the end of the offseason, Julius would come to the gym and workout for 90 minutes straight with no water break and free throws. He would ask me to push him as much as possible and most of the drills would be full court, too. He has to be one of the best conditioned athletes in all of the NBA. 

Biggest Surprise in a Black Ops Run: Paolo Banchero

Paolo came to a run after he was drafted No. 1 and people didn’t know what to expect at first. Well, when they left that day, they knew that Paolo was going to be a very special player. He scored in a number of ways: slashing to the hoop, mid post, offensive rebounds and threes. Funny part about his performance was that after the first game, I went up to him and said, “Can you please be aggressive!” He definitely listened and after a slow start, he stringed off about eight great games. 

Viral Moment: Donovan Mitchell’s Dunk

The angle of the video did not do the dunk justice, but when Donovan blew by his opponent and raised up for a two-hand dunk, he dunked it so hard that the entire backboard shifted. We had to stop the game and shift it back into center. The video went viral and the funny part was that one of the players had yelled out to Paolo Banchero, “Welcome to the NBA.” Unfortunately, Paolo was the one Donovan had blown by.

King of the Hill Award: Kevin Porter Jr.

During the course of the summer, one of my favorite things to do is have the players play 1-on-1. Kevin Porter Jr. was unstoppable in that setting and it didn’t matter if there was a three dribble limit or a single dribble limit. Kevin won every 1-on-1 matchup that summer.

Point God Award: Darius Garland and Cole Anthony

We’ve had some incredible performances by point guards this summer, but both Darius Garland and Cole Anthony played tremendously. The game looked so easy for them: not only do they make their teammates better, but they can get to anywhere they want on the court and make tough shots. Both of those guys have bright futures in the NBA.

Watch Out For: Kiyan Anthony 

Kiyan Anthony, who will be a sophomore at Christ the King, had one of those summers where you say, Man he got so much better! Not only did he grow about four inches this summer, but his game has really developed. He already has a handful of Division I offers and he’s nationally ranked.

The post The 2022 Black Ops Basketball Summer Recap and Awards appeared first on SLAM.

So far we have seen the Knicks land, Jalen Brunson, on a massive four-year deal, and Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns have re-signed to their teams on supermax deals. Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal will remain with the Bulls and Wizards respectively after signing max deals. Young All-Stars like Ja Morant, Darius Garland, and Zion Williamson have also signed max extensions with their teams.

The Warriors will also look to be putting a different bench mob on the court this coming season after they let Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Juan Toscano-Anderson walk away in free agency. The decision seems to imply that the Warriors will invest 100 percent into their win-and-develop model as they keep their championship core intact while empowering Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber is finalizing a three-year, $33 million contract extension, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Kleber was entering the final year of his deal, now under contract through 2025-26.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 8, 2022

Montrezl Harrell is headed to Philly after a tumultuous offseason where he dealt with some legal troubles surrounding marijuana trafficking that was later reduced to misdemeanor possession in a Madison County (KY) courthouse. The charge will be expunged from his record in 12 months if Harrell doesn’t get in any more legal trouble.

James Harden recruited Harrell due to their relationship as teammates on the Rockets. Harrell is expected to bring some toughness and grit to a Philly team that needed a backup big man behind two-time MVP runner-up Joel Embiid.

ESPN Sources: Free agent C Montrezl Harrell is signing two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, including a player option. Harrell brings more toughness to a team searching for it this offseason. He was Sixth Man of the Year with Doc Rivers/Sam Cassell in 2019-2020 w/ Clippers.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2022

Sources: The Toronto Raptors signed Thaddeus Young to a two-year, $17 million extension, which includes player incentive bonuses and a $1 million partial guarantee for the 2023-24 season, @hoopshype has learned.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 5, 2022

Gary Harris’ two-year extension with the Orlando Magic is flat $13M each season. The second season is fully non-guaranteed, a league source told @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 5, 2022

Sumner is fully recovered from a torn left Achilles that cost him the entire 2021-2022 season. He had been coming off his best NBA season with the Pacers prior to the injury, and now he’ll join the Nets’ backcourt rotation. https://t.co/5HfzZmkDZN

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2022

Free agent TJ Warren has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

Free agent center Gorgui Dieng has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

Cole Swider signed a two-year Two-Way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source tells @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 4, 2022

Free agent center Serge Ibaka has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2022

The Brooklyn Nets signed Wake Forest Alondes Williams to a 2-way deal.

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) July 4, 2022

Dragic is signing a one-year, $2.9M deal with the Bulls, sources said. https://t.co/f6VK9np1cf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

Free agent Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed on a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could earn him as much as $231 million, CAA Sports’ Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z4lnVLD1GM

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Restricted free agent Cody Martin has agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2022

Free agent G Eugene Omoruyi has agreed to a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Mike George of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland has agreed on a five-year, $193M maximum designated rookie contract extension that could be worth as much as $231M, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. It is the largest deal in franchise history.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Free agent guard Damion Lee has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Free agent Donte DiVincenzo has agreed to a two-year, $9.3M deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent guard Raul Neto is signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a three-year, $25.5M deal to return to Golden State, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr. has agreed to a two-year, $6.6 million deal to return to the Chicago Bulls, with player option in second season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Robin Lopez has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent F/C Drew Eubanks is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a one-year deal, his agent James Dunleavy of @excelbasketball tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

John Wall officially agrees with the Clippers on a two-year deal for the taxpayer midlevel. https://t.co/5yCuV4cePg

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2022

Free agent C Jusuf Nurkic has agreed on a new four-year, $70 million deal to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6vmHrdOZI3

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

NBA All-Star Zach LaVine has agreed to a five-year, $215.2 million maximum contract to return to the Chicago Bulls, with a player option in Year 5, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

The defending champs lose another valuable two-way star after Otto Porter Jr. signed with the Raptors on a two-year deal that has a player option.

Free agent Otto Porter Jr. — vital member of Golden State Warriors championship team — reached an agreement with the Toronto Raptors on a two-year deal with a player option, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/ck81fptKZh

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022

Free agent G Theo Pinson is returning to the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year deal, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent Aaron Holiday has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed on a new four-year, $60 million contract to stay with the New York Knicks, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @Wassbasketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/dnKtVQmln9

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Bruce Brown has agreed to a 2-year, $13M+ deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 1, 2022

#Pistons to re-sign Marvin Bagley III, add Kevin Knox as free-agent frenzy begins: https://t.co/WVHahAmeKR

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) July 1, 2022

Ricky Rubio played an integral part in the Cavs’ resurgence to the playoff scene last season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December. Rubio was traded to the Pacers near the trade deadline but the Cavs and Rubio were mutually interested in bringing back the former lottery pick point guard.

Free agent guard Ricky Rubio is nearing a deal on a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Zion Williamson, the 2021 All-Star phenom, has locked in on signing a max extension deal with the Pelicans. Williamson missed all of the 2021-2022 season while he recovered from foot surgery. The deal keeps Williamson in New Orleans through 2027-28.

Williamson said after the season ended, “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Indeed, the All-Star locks in commitment to New Orleans.

The deal is expected to include protections that both sides were sorting through overnight and will finalize, sources said. https://t.co/n0hyRwRk9e

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

The Golden State Warriors lose one of their best and most versatile defenders after Gary Payton II decided to head towards playing for the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year deal. Payton led the League in steals per 36 minutes.

Warriors were unwilling to meet that high of a price tag (and resulting tax spike) for Gary Payton II and have now lost their defensive ace off the bench to the Blazers. He led the NBA in steals per 36 minutes last season. https://t.co/iaY6xmUrG7

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Andre Drummond is finalizing a deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent Kevin Knox has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent Kevin Knox has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent JaVale McGee has agreed to a three-year, $20.1 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, with player option for third season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Ja Morant is locked in with the Grizzlies after his agent told Woj that he signed a five-year max extension to lead Memphis as its lead guard for the foreseeable future.

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has agreed on a five-year, $193M designated rookie maximum extension that could become worth $231M, his agent Jim Tanner of @_TandemSE tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Karl Anthony-Towns has reportedly agreed to a four-year super max extension per his agent. KAT’s contract will begin during the 2024-2025 season.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed on a four-year, $224M super max extension, his agent Jessica Holtz of @CAA_Basketball tells ESPN. Deal begins with the 2024-25 season and delivers Towns’ total contract value to six years and $295M.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Jalen Brunson has reportedly agreed to the four-year deal that the Knicks offered him. Woj reported that the near-max deal includes a player option on its final season.

Free agent guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks, his agents Aaron Mintz and Sam Rose of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option on the final season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

The Wizards have added three veteran guards to join Bradley Beal in recent days — Will Barton, Monte Morris and now Delon Wright leaves the Hawks for Washington. https://t.co/4YFMxR2o7Z

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Kyle Anderson has agreed to a two-year, $18M deal to join the Timberwolves, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @wassbasketball tell ESPN. https://t.co/fWzhFhVfkx

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has agreed on a two-year, $26 million contract extension, his agents Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Anthony Gill is signing a two year-deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Restricted free agent C Nic Claxton has agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent Troy Brown Jr. has agreed to a minimum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Lonnie Walker IV is signing a one-year, $6.5M deal with the Lakers, sources said. https://t.co/7xBnStLWfo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Rockets restricted free agent Jae’Sean Tate has agreed to a three-year, $22.1 million deal to return to Houston, his agents E.J. Kusnyer and Jordan Cornish of @beyond_am tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center Dewayne Dedmon has agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal to return to the Miami Heat, agents Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier of @steinbergsports tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Davon Reed has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent guard Jevon Carter has agreed to a two-year deal to return to Milwaukee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Wesley Matthews has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Trevelin Queen has agreed a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent F Nic Batum has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Lu Dort has agreed to a five-year, $87.5M deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Chris Boucher is returning to the Toronto Raptors on a three-year, $35.25M deal, his agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Jones’ agent, Austin Brown of @CAA_Basketball, tells ESPN the second year is a player option.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Amir Coffey has agreed to a three-year, $11M deal with the Clippers, his agents Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of @BDA_Sports and WME Sports tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Tyus Jones is returning to the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-year, $30M deal, his agent Kevin Bradbury of @REP1Basketball tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent Danuel House has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Bobby Portis has agreed to a four-year, $49 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Deal includes a player option in Year 4.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent PJ Tucker is finalizing a three-year, $33.2 million fully guaranteed deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent Andre Buck (@andrebuck14) told @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Victor Oladipo has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal to return to the Miami Heat, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a two-year, $16 million-plus deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fully guaranteed deal for Hartenstein.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center DeAndre Jordan has agreed to a deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Sources: Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19M deal to join the Kings. https://t.co/spgbvRZspx

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns have reportedly finalized a four-year supermax extension that he will likely sign sometime next week. Shams Charania reports that he will be the cover athlete for NBA 2K23.

The Phoenix Suns and All-NBA guard Devin Booker are finalizing a four-year, $214 million supermax contract extension that he’s set to sign as soon as next week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

Booker will also be the cover athlete for NBA 2K23, per sources.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Nikola Jokic has reportedly signed the richest deal in NBA history after signing a supermax contract extension with the Nuggets on Thursday.

Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has agreed to a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension with the Denver Nuggets, the richest deal in NBA history, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fifth season (2027-28) will be a player option at $60M.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Bradley Beal will stay in the Nation’s Capital after he reportedly signed a five-year max deal.

All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a five-year, $251 million maximum contract to stay with the Washington Wizards, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has agreed on a four-year, $100 million contract extension, his agent Bill Duffy of @BDA_Sports + WME Sports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

The Spurs are pulling the qualifying offer on Lonnie Walker IV, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Expect a strong market for Walker immediately.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Jalen Brunson is headed to New York after Shams Charania reported that he intends on signing a four-year deal with the franchise.

Free agent Jalen Brunson intends to sign a four-year, near $110M deal with the New York Knicks in free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Mavericks never received chance to make offer, sources said.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

According to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, P.J. Tucker will be pursued by Atlanta, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Chicago. and Philadelphia during the free agency period of the NBA offseason. Furthermore, Schiffer reports that Tucker is unlikely to return to South Beach.

Multiple teams — including Atlanta, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Chicago and Philadelphia — are expected to compete for PJ Tucker in free agency. All are expected to offer the full mid-level/TPMLE exception. He is unlikely to return to Miami, per sources.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 30, 2022

Trent Forrest will be an unrestricted free agent after the Jazz decided not to extend a qualifying offer to the point guard out of Florida State.

The Utah Jazz will not extend a qualifying offer to point guard Trent Forrest, making him an unrestricted free agent, League Sources tell The Athletic. There is interest in working something out during free agency. Forrest was a member of the rotation this past season

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 30, 2022

Per Marcus Thompson of The Athletic, Juan Toscano-Anderson will be an unrestricted free agent once the free agency period of the NBA offseason begins on Thursday. The 29-year-old became the first Mexican-American to win an NBA title after the Warriors won the 2022 NBA Finals.

“I got a championship with my hometown team,” JTA told Thompson during a phone interview Wednesday night.

“I’m stamped in the Town. I’m stamped in my country. That shit can’t nobody take from me. You’ve got to give a little to get a little. And I gave up playing time to, you know, become a legend. I’m a legend in the Town. I’m a legend in Mexico. And I’m not saying that myself. It’s showing, know what I mean?”

Juan Toscano-Anderson is at peace with leaving the Warriors.

“I’m stamped in the Town. I’m stamped in my country. That shit can’t nobody take from me.”

It’s time for the next chapter of his storybook journey.https://t.co/m94B7ILm2u pic.twitter.com/5OxoGWXG6P

— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) June 30, 2022

According to Tim Reynolds, the Heat does not have a meeting scheduled with restricted free agent Jalen Brunson on Thursday.

The Heat are not planning to meet with Jalen Brunson today, and they did not have such a meeting scheduled, per league source.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 30, 2022

The Cavs are reportedly expected to match offers given to restricted free agent Collin Sexton. Multiple reports say Sexton wants a “starting guard” extension. The Alabama product is coming off a season-ending torn meniscus.

Cavs Expected To Match Outside Offers For Collin Sexton – Hoops Wire https://t.co/9k5zuRmUAd

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 30, 2022

The Jazz won’t extend a qualifying offer to forward Eric Paschall, sources tell @Tjonesonthenba.

He will become an unrestricted free agent.https://t.co/fcOCtqEmMN pic.twitter.com/ok07Xpx9Dr

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 30, 2022

Kemba Walker and the Pistons have reportedly agreed to a contract buyout. Walker will be a free agent after he clears waivers. Walker last played for the Knicks last season before he was traded to the Pistons as New York clears space to sign fellow free agent Jalen Brunson.

Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN. Once Walker clears waivers, he’ll join free agency.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat have guaranteed the contracts of Max Strus, Gabe Stevenson, and Omer Yurtseven as of Thursday morning.

Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Omer Yurtseven are still on the Heat’s roster this morning, which means their full $1.8 million salaries for next season are now guaranteed. This was seen as a formality. Carry on.

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 30, 2022

The Sacramento Kings are exercising the option on PF/C Chimezie Metu for the 2022-2023 season, sources tell ESPN. Metu averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 minutes a game for the Kings last season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Patty Mills will be exploring his options on the free-agent market after declining to sign his player option with the Nets on Wednesday afternoon.

Brooklyn Nets guard Patty Mills declined his $6.2M option and will become a free agent, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

The Kings won’t be offering a qualifying offer to Donte DiVencenzo, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Sacramento Kings are declining to offer Donte DiVencenzo a qualifying offer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. There will be significant interest in DiVencenzo on the open market.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Lu Dort will be a restricted free agent after the OKC Thunder decided to not sign Durt’s team option for the 2022-23 season, per Shams Charania.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are declining the $1.9 million team option on froward Lu Dort for 2022-23 season, which makes him a restricted free agent and allows sides to negotiate a new deal in free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

James Harden will hit the free-agent market for the first time in his career but he is likely to re-sign with the 76ers.

ESPN Sources: 76ers star James Harden has declined his $47.3M option and become a free agent. He keeps real the possibility of negotiating a new deal that would deliver the Sixers roster-building flexibility in free agency – including use of the full $10.5M exception.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Bobby Portis told the Bucks that he’ll decline his player option and will instead become a free agent.

Portis has early bird rights in Milwaukee.

The maximum that he can sign for is 4 years/$49M.

The contract has to be for a minimum of 2 seasons and cannot include an option in year 2. https://t.co/Nu5KC9G8D9

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2022

Bradley Beal has made his long-awaited decision and will become a free agent for the first time in his career after declining his player option.

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has declined his $36.4M option and become a free agent, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Beal is eligible to sign a 5-year max to return to Wizards – or sign elsewhere on a 4-year deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Jae-Sean Tate will be a restricted free agent after the ROckets declined his team option for the 2022-23 season. Shams Charania reports that Houston and Tate are mutually interested in signing a new deal once free agency begins on Thursday.

The Houston Rockets have declined forward Jae’Sean Tate’s $1.8 million team option for next season, making him a restricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Rockets and Tate have mutual interest in discussing new deal in free agency beginning Thursday night.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

The Cavaliers have reportedly elected to not offer Moses Brown a qualifying offer to Moses Brown, per Michael Scott of the Hoopshype. The decision allows Brown to enter the free-agent market as an unrestricted free agent.

Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers won’t tender a qualifying offer to center Moses Brown, @hoopshype has learned. The 7-foot-1, 22-year-old center will become an unrestricted free agent. Brown could be an intriguing development option for NBA teams around the league.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 28, 2022

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Taurean Prince and the Timberwolves have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Minnesota Timberwolves F Taurean Prince has agreed on a two-year, $16 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Ivica Zubac and his reps have reportedly agreed to a three-year extension with the Clippers, per Woj. The Clippers declining to sign his team option led to the agreement with Zubac.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac has agreed on a three-year, $33 million extension, his agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman of @excelbasketball tell ESPN. The Clippers declined his $7.5M team option for 2022-2023, clearing the way for Zubac’s new deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

Tony Bradley is reportedly opting into his player option and will remain with the Bulls next season, per Woj.

Chicago Bulls center Tony Bradley is exercising his $2M player option for next season, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

The post 2022 NBA Free Agency Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

The game was tied late when Donovan Mitchell dished to Mike Conley as he stumbled in the lane, and Conley dropped a triple from the right corner to put Utah up 117-114 with 8.3 seconds to go in the fourth.

A look at that @mconley11 triple pic.twitter.com/tpNFYAWdZD

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 3, 2022

However, Rockets forward Christian Wood tied the game moments later with a last-second three-pointer to force overtime.

Conley carried his momentum into the extra period to bail the Utah Jazz out for a 132-127 win, their third straight. The 34-year-old point guard scored nine of his 15 points, eight assists, and four steals in the extra period.

When the Rockets took a 124-123 lead on a three-point play from Kevin Porter Jr., Conley responded with consecutive three-pointers to give Utah a five-point lead, and some needed breathing room with just over a minute left in the game.

Cool.
Calm.
Conley. pic.twitter.com/1YNmvFsMpB

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 3, 2022

Then the Ohio State product closed out the game at the free-throw line with three crucial free throws, cementing a 132-127 Jazz win over the Rockets. After the game, Conley talked about the trust he’s built with Mitchell and how he mentally dealt with the pressure of overtime.

| “That time of the game, there’s something about it. You want to lock in a little bit more.”#walkoffinterview | @lhmauto pic.twitter.com/JPJssaCPik

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 3, 2022

The Utah Jazz (39-22) have won nine of their last ten games going into their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on(26-36) on Friday.

The post Mike Conley Shines In Overtime to Lead the Utah Jazz to Win Over Houston appeared first on SLAM.

Rafael Stone says he believes giving minutes to Eric Gordon and Dennis Schröder the rest of the season will help the development of the Rockets young guards: “I think Eric’s been extraordinarily helpful to the development of our young guards…” pic.twitter.com/dcgUuB7EEv

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 11, 2022

Stone further explained what Schroder can bring to this team going forward via USA Today Sports.

“Dennis is not by any means like an over-the-hill veteran,” Stone said. “He’s just a really good basketball player and has been for years. Depending upon how you measure it, we’re either the fastest or one of the top three or four fastest teams in the NBA, and he’s obviously electric in the open court, and he’s an above-average defender. So I think it’s going to be a good fit, or I hope it’s going to be a good fit, both ways.”

Schroder was placed in the starting lineup due to a Kevin Porter Jr. scratch and played precisely how the Rockets envisioned he would, leading the Rockets in scoring in a 124-121 loss.

Schroder averaged 14.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as a Celtic. In his second game as a Rocket, the 28-year-old point guard put up a stat-line of 23 points, nine assists, and six rebounds, almost leading Houston to a big upset of the NBA’s best team.

Jalen Green flies in for the alley-oop

Watch Now on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa pic.twitter.com/ifkEpBcGlX

— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2022

Rafael Stone and the Rockets will need more of Schroder’s production like this going forward.

“We play a five-out system, so you need multiple perimeter players on the court and multiple ballhandlers,” Stone said. “One of the things that is hard about playing four or five young guys at the same time is that making reads as a young player in the NBA is difficult.”

Schroder is in his ninth season.

The post Dennis Schroder Shines In Starting Role For Houston Rockets Against Suns appeared first on SLAM.

The 26-year-old center being so overlooked has riled up Nuggets Coach Michael Malone. During his postgame press conference with media following the Nuggets’ 87-85 to the Clippers, the veteran coach didn’t hold back on the perceived Jokic slander.

“I think he is one of the more disrespected reigning MVPs that I can think of in terms of the attention,” Malone said per ESPN.

“But if you open up the dictionary, look up the word consistency, there’s going to be a picture of Nikola there. That’s going back to the bubble, that’s going back to a 72-game season last year, and this year we knew Jamal [Murray] was going to be out for an extended period. When you add a Michael Porter, when you add a P.J. Dozier to that [injured] list, it even becomes more incredible what he’s doing.”

As of Wednesday, Jokic is putting up 25.7 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. As far as analytics goes, Jokic holds a 112.4 offensive rating, 103.6 defensive rating and leads the League in player impact estimate. The Joker is also in the top 5 for usage, assist percentage, defensive rebound percentage, and rebound percentage.

Compared to last season when Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists on 56.6% shooting, Jokic holds even more responsibility with Murray, Porter, and Dozier out with injuries. Like no other time during his Nuggets tenure, how Jokic goes is how the Nugget will go. The Nuggets are currently sixth in the West with a 20-19 record.

A big reason Jokic hasn’t been in the MVP conversation with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Nuggets’ record. The last MVP to win without having a top-three record was 2017 MVP, Russell Westbrook. The former Thunder guard won it after averaging a triple-double, the first since Oscar Robertson did it during the 1961-1962 season but didn’t win the MVP after guiding the Cincinnati Royals to a 43-37 record.

“I mean, Nikola Jokic is not sexy,” Malone said. “He’s just not. There is nothing about Nikola — his wife might disagree. But if you are a true student of the game, a coach, someone that loves the game being played the right way, then you appreciate him at the level that he should be appreciated at.

— But if you appreciate passing, IQ, reading the game, just what he does every night from a scoring, rebounding, playmaking standpoint, and finally, I am starting to hear that he is getting a little more credit as a defender, and it is well deserved.”

The post Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic: ‘One of the More Disrespected Reigning MVPs That I Can Think Of’ appeared first on SLAM.

Per ESPN, the Rockets are disciplining Porter Jr. and Wood for their behavior surrounding the team’s loss to the Nuggets on Saturday. Reports say that both Porter and Wood traveled with the Rockets to Philidelphia, but Coach Stephen Silas subsequently decided to sit both of them out for two separate incidents they were involved in.

Neither Porter nor Wood stepped foot on the court during the Rockets’ 124-111 loss to the Nuggets, which included Wood refusing to check in during the second half and Porter leaving the arena after assistant coach John Lucas was critical of Porters play, leading to a confrontation in the locker room, according to multiple reports.

According to ESPN, Wood was initially punished for failing to show up to daily COVID-19 testing, causing the team to delay their shootaround. Following his benching in the first half, Wood reportedly declined to check in during the second half when Silas called on him, which led to Silas moving on to players who would play.

As for Porter, multiple reports say the 21-year-old became angry in the locker room after Lucas reportedly brought up an issue that led to the third-year guard losing his cool on the bench during the first half. Furthermore, Lucas confronted Wood at halftime, and a young teammate called out Wood for not setting a standard for the team as a veteran in the locker room per ESPN. Silas called the incident a “spirited debate” but did not elaborate.

According to Kelly Ito of the Athletic, Porter apologized to his teammates following his premature departure from the arena. Porter and Wood will play again on Wednesday against the Wizards (18-18).

Per a team source, the Rockets have since spoken to Porter Jr. since the halftime incident and he’s apologetic for the overreaction. https://t.co/nogc86tcqq

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) January 2, 2022

The post REPORT: Rockets Suspend Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood appeared first on SLAM.

“You don’t really realize what you’re doing in that moment,” Wagner later said. “I just tried to jump as high as possible and finish the play.” The clip is posted to his Instagram account—the only thing he’s posted since entering the NBA a few months ago. And the caption, in German, reads: “Immer weiter, immer weiter.” Translation: “On and on and on.”

Wagner had 28 points that night, in what was just the eighth outing of his professional career. 

“That locker room is so happy for him, because they know how hard he works,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said following the game. “He has such a high basketball IQ—making the right reads, finding the open teammates, knowing when to turn the corner, knowing when to get downhill and when to pass the ball. His basketball IQ and knowledge of the game—the things he sees—it makes him special.”

There wasn’t much buzz around Wagner heading into the season, partly because the Magic also drafted Jalen Suggs—the well-known, highly-touted prospect who helped lead Gonzaga to the national championship game—with the No. 5 pick. Wagner, a 6-10 forward out of Michigan, was taken three spots later. Much of the excitement in Orlando, thus, centered on Suggs. But Wagner quickly asserted himself. He started from day one, impressing the coaching staff with his versatility and high basketball IQ, as Mosley referenced. “He’s a very smart player,” teammate Robin Lopez reaffirmed in an interview with NBA.com. “He’s extremely versatile. I like the mentality he’s got to top that all off. He’s relentless out there. He doesn’t get easily discouraged.”

If you watched the video above, you don’t need me to tell you that Wagner has elite athleticism and great size for a wing. He helps out on the boards (averaging 4.4 rpg so far) and defends multiple positions effectively. As of this writing, he’s matched up with guards such as Trae Young and James Harden, bigs such as Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon and unicorns such as Kevin Durant.

On the other side, Wagner uses his physical tools and a solid handle to navigate to the paint. He’s under control attacking the rim—sometimes elevating for huge dunks (see another below); sometimes stopping short for little floaters or soft layups off the glass; sometimes euro-stepping around defenders. There were concerns about his ability to spread the floor after he shot just 34 percent from deep last year, but Wagner has upped his efficiency in the NBA (38 percent) and currently ranks third among rookies in three-pointers made. Overall, he’s scoring 13.8 points per game, the second highest mark on the Magic.

With Suggs sidelined by injury, Wagner has been handling the ball more and initiating actions. His playmaking in pick-and-roll situations has really stood out for a 20-year-old still adjusting to the League. Over his last eight, Wagner is averaging 4.6 assists while continuing to limit his turnovers. As both Mosley and Lopez alluded to, the former Wolverine just has an outstanding feel for the game.

Do yourself a favor and watch the highlight mix below. Wagner scores in pretty much every way possible and shows incredible poise orchestrating the offense—making the right decisions out of pick-and-rolls, from the mid-post and in transition. He finished with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, joining Cole Anthony, Victor Oladipo, Jameer Nelson, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal as the only Magic rookies ever with a 25/5/5 line.

Afterwards, a reporter asked Wagner whether the game was beginning to slow down for him at this point in the season.

“At times,” he responded. “I think there are still a couple moments in the game where I wish I would take it a little slower for myself and give [myself] more time to read what’s out there, but there’s definitely a couple situations where I’m making reads that I definitely didn’t see earlier in the season.”

Only 26 games in and Wagner is already seeing reads he wasn’t before. As he continues to progress, expect more playmaking, more all-around performances, and, of course, a lot more IG-worthy posters.

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Franz Wagner appeared first on SLAM.

The two-time All-Star recently opened up about his weight and conditioning.

“I had a long summer,” said Doncic. “I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.”

Doncic’s weight was a frequent subject during the Mavs’ primetime matchup against the Brooklyn Nets (17-7). NBA on TNT analyst Reggie Miller criticized Doncic for his weight, saying he was “plodding up and down the court” and “has got to trim down.

Luka Doncic addressed the ongoing talk about his weight and conditioning with reporters after the Mavs loss to the Nets saying:

“I had a long summer. I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.” #MFFL pic.twitter.com/1K9BsYvL3e

— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) December 8, 2021

Furthermore, according to Tim McMahon of ESPN, Doncic came into Mavericks training camp 30 pounds overweight at 260, more than his listed weight of 230 pounds on NBA.com. 

Doncic’s efforts to improve his conditioning have recently been interrupted by multiple injuries, including a sprained left knee and ankle, which caused him to miss three games. The Mavericks are currently 0-4 without Doncic.

Though Doncic weight has been a problem, Doncic is still performing at a high level averaging 25.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists for the 11-12 Mavs. 

The post Luka Doncic on His Conditioning: ‘I Gotta Be Better’ appeared first on SLAM.

In two seasons since being traded to the Rockets from the Cavs last season, Porter has suited up for 32 games with 29 starts and is averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 boards in that time.

The talented guard averaged 16.6 points, 6.3 dimes, and 3.8 rebounds in his second year in the League. In a game against the Bucks, he became the fifth-youngest player to score 50-plus points and the youngest to ever do so with 10 assists under his belt. The previous youngest was LeBron James, who reached the 50 and 10 mark at 23-years-old. So far in the 2021-2022 campaign, Porter Jr. has put up 12.5 points, 5.0 dimes, and 4.2 boards per game.

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The post Rockets Exercise 2022-23 Contract Option on Kevin Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

The SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight is a weekly series covering the 2021 Draft Class. Every Friday, we’ll shine the spotlight on a different rookie who is making an impact, showing their potential or flying under the radar. Follow along throughout the 2021-22 season.

—

I first saw Jalen Green play basketball during the inaugural SLAM Summer Classic—an exhibition game featuring the best high school prospects from around the country—on August 18, 2018. Well, to be even more exact, I first saw him in our dunk contest a few days earlier, when he and Cassius Stanley put on a show better than most pros do during All-Star Weekend (see below). I knew it then—we all did, really—that the skinny kid from California was bound to be a lottery pick one day. It was only a matter of time.

A year later, Green was back in NYC for Vol. 2 of the Summer Classic. By then, he was a full-blown, undeniable 17-year-old superstar. He had global recognition—especially in the Philippines, as SLAM’s Franklyn Calle writes about here—and more followers on Instagram than the majority of NBA players. He was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2020 with seemingly unlimited potential. We had seen enough. Along with two other promising young guards—Sharife Cooper and Josh Christopher—Green was chosen to be on the cover of the ensuing issue of SLAM. I was there that day in 2019, when the photo here was snapped, and Cooper (now on the Atlanta Hawks) told me this about Green: “Jalen’s somebody that really has a pro body, but a pro skill [level], too. I ain’t really seen too many people like him. Super athletic, bouncy, can shoot. He really got the whole package.” 

About a year and a half after that, Green was at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida, shooting for his first solo SLAM cover (check that out here). By then, he was blazing a new, groundbreaking path to the NBA. He had decided to join the G League Ignite—a first-of-its-kind select team—and firmly established himself as one of the top prospects in the 2021 Draft.

Okay, before we continue, I probably should’ve led with this—since the regular season started three days ago, and most rookies have played just sparing minutes of meaningful NBA basketball, this week’s spotlight is focused far more on the overall journey than any recent happenings or developments (we didn’t have much to work with for our power rankings). And while it’s only been three years since that unforgettable dunk contest at the Lifetime Fitness on the West Side of Manhattan, it seems like we’ve been covering Jalen Green for a decade now. Even calling him a “rookie” feels weird. Nonetheless, after being drafted with the No. 2 pick in July, Green just made his NBA debut for the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, finally fulfilling his lifelong dream. And we couldn’t be more excited for him. 

Also, we’re expecting big things this season. All that experience—from high school showcases to All-Star Games like the SLAM Summer Classic to his stint in the G League—looks to have prepared Green very, very well for the transition to the NBA.

Earlier this year, we asked him what he had learned from participating in the G League, where he battled against grown men instead of teenagers. 

“You gotta have a pace in the game or it’s gonna be so hard for you,” he told us. “In high school, I used to get away with just coming down court, being faster than everybody, being stronger, and now you’re on the court with people who are just as strong as you, or even stronger, or faster than you. So you gotta be smarter about what you’re about to do.

“Just slow down,” he added. “The game is fast, like, on TV, it may not look fast, but when you’re on that court, it’s super-fast and it just happens like that. So it’s just about slowing down. Not even just stopping and going, it’s more like slowing, stopping, seeing what you have, you got 24 seconds, use that 24 seconds.”

Watch Green today and the game does appear to have slowed down for him. His movements come across almost effortless. His skill set, as Cooper alluded to back in 2019, is extensive and extremely polished. At 6-4, Green has the athleticism to blow by guards up top and rise over big men at the rim. He is shifty enough and crafty enough to create space against anyone. He can, and will, pull up from basically anywhere.

Scoring has always come easy for Green—he averaged 17.9 points in the G League and 20.3 points in the Summer League, both with high efficiency—and the opportunities will definitely be there right away in Houston. He and Kevin Porter Jr. comprise the backcourt and will be orchestrating the offense much of the time. With the load he’ll be carrying, and the attention he’ll be attracting from opposing defenses nightly, the scoring won’t come as easily as it has in the past. But if our constant coverage has taught us anything, it’s that Green will figure it out eventually.

During our 2021 photo shoot in Bay Lake, we invited Green to peer into the future—to ponder and ultimately predict what lay ahead for him. How were the next chapters of his story going to unfold? 

“The Jalen Green story? Well, hopefully I would have accomplished a lot of accolades in the League,” he said. “Being known as a GOAT or something. Top-three for sure.”

I imagine we’ll revisit that quote sometime down the road. Now, it serves as an important reminder that while we’ve been following Green for what feels like forever, the journey is truly just beginning. 

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Jalen Green appeared first on SLAM.

Yet, the shining moments of last nights win weren’t the 25 points he poured in from all angles on the court.

Neither were the four rebounds and five assists he tacked on.

It was the subtle mental switch Porter hit that turned him from scoring guard to instructor; from a hooper to a floor general.

Solid night for KPJ.

25PTS 5AST 4RBS pic.twitter.com/UrvD1CeNLL

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 6, 2021

It was visible in his increased vocality with his team, motioning players around in the offense as he envisioned a mismatch for himself or his star forward Christian Wood. The force with which he pounded the rock into the hardwood as he brought the ball into the halfcourt was different, perpetuating his dominance on the court.

I feel like just being the point guard and having the ball in my hands as much as I do is just being vocal,” Porter said to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko postgame. “Because the point guards are the most vocal, if not the second most behind the big man or center. But you have to be a leader out there. You got to keep your guys right, you got to keep the frequency level and energy right and the tempo runs off for you. You always got to have your mind level so you can get back and do what you got to do for yourself and your team.

When Porter was extracted from the Cleveland Cavaliers over a year ago, the Rockets had already created a regimen for who they believed to be their next star guard, sending him to play with the G League affiliate RVG Vipers so that Porter could become acclimated with the system of head coach Stephen Silas.

Coupled with a full training camp with the team along with the dedication and hunger of a determined 21-year-old, Porter says he is trying to find the balance between being aggressive for his shot and dishing it out to the corner three.

The Seattle-based guard knows he can go out and drop 50, but the next step in his journey is developing into a true playmaker that the Rocket’s have been afforded the luxury of over the past few seasons.

That’s kind of the help of my guys out there,” Porter said to Iko. “They don’t like me passive at all. They like me kind of aggressive because it opens up shots for them as well as myself. That’s just how I got to play from now on, just keep being aggressive, keep looking for my shot, which is gonna open up for everyone else.

The post Kevin Porter Jr. Turning the Page as Rockets’ Next Floor General appeared first on SLAM.

As Houston prioritizes developing their prospects, there are several guys in their thirties that are better fit in other situations around the league. One of those players is John Wall, who will only take playing time away from guys like Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green in the backcourt. 

As first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Wall and the Rockets met and have mutually agreed to work together on finding a new home for the veteran guard. As of now, the plan is for Wall to attend training camp, but he won’t play in Rockets games this season.

Wall still has roughly $91.7 million remaining on his contract over the next two years, but there’s no interest in a buyout at this time according to Charania. 

It appears as of now, Wall won’t be playing in an NBA game this season until it’s in another team’s jersey. Last season with the Rockets, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 31.7 percent from deep. 

The post Rockets, John Wall Mutually Agree To Work Towards Finding Trade Partner appeared first on SLAM.

There are a lot of mock drafts out there, but it’s never too late to hit you with a new perspective. Members of the SLAM Fam were assigned a team to pick for, and here are the results and explanations for who they’ve selected.

We’d also like to extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Terrence Clarke, who tragically passed away in April. Tonight would have been a special moment for him. Rest in Peace.

2021 FIRST ROUND

1. DETROIT PISTONS: Jalen Green (6-6 G, G League Ignite)

Jalen Green is a really, really, really good basketball player. He’s so good that it doesn’t look like he’s trying, for real, for real. But that’s foolish. Underneath the air that he occupies on his ever-elevating jump shots and on his albatross-like soaring dunks is a foundation of respect for the game and what it takes to be a really, really, really great basketball player. He’s a student of high-level basketball, rapidly consuming both mental and physical knowledge. That desire has separated him from his peers and will separate him from the League at some point. His computational capacity moves so swiftly that it doesn’t look like he’s trying, for real, for real. But that’s foolish. He is. And he is numero uno. — Max Resetar 

2. HOUSTON ROCKETS – Cade Cunningham (6-8 G, Oklahoma State)

Whether you’re interested in basketball players versus hoopers, or players with understated skill versus “a bag,” Cade Cunningham is the player for you.

At 6’8” and 220 pounds, Cunningham is a dynamic point-forward prospect that any team could realistically slot into their starting lineup at the 1, 2, or 3, and that’s perfect for a Rockets team with a veteran point guard on a rebuilding team (John Wall), a promising backcourt talent without a true position (Kevin Porter Jr.) and small forwards that are specialists, not polished two-way playmakers with an arsenal of scoring moves (including a stepback game that’s eerily reminiscent of the sensational Luka Doncic) that’s buoyed by his footwork, balance, body control, and ball-handling abilities. — Quenton Albertie

3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS – Evan Mobley (7-0 C, University of Southern California)

Can’t count out Jalen Suggs here, especially if the Cavs end up moving Collin Sexton—which is a rumor that some reporters have been kicking around. All signs, though, point to Evan Mobley getting the call here. ESPN draft insider Chard Ford said this a couple of days ago: “I had a scout tell me the other night that Mobley is Chris Bosh on offense and Anthony Davis on defense. That’s an NBA superstar. That’s crazy.” If this forecast is accurate, the Cavs would be crazy not to take him.  — Franklyn Calle

4. TORONTO RAPTORS – Jalen Suggs (6-5 G, Gonzaga)

With Kyle Lowry’s likely departure ending an era he defined with professionalism, leadership, and grit, the Raptors can draft someone to continue that high standard. Suggs chose Gonzaga for the accountability and hard coaching, so he’ll embrace a similar situation in Ontario. A rotation of Fred Van Vleet, Suggs, and Malachi Flynn flexes versatility and hustle, while Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Chris Boucher uphold defensive tradition. Toronto won’t rely on Jalen’s on-court abilities immediately, but his leadership should convey from day one. In high school, Jalen was required to carry in two sports. He delivered state championships. At Gonzaga, he needed to be a do-it-all superstar. He delivered an unforgettable run. I don’t know what expectations are in Toronto, but I bet he’ll deliver. — Thilo Latrell Widder

5. ORLANDO MAGIC – Scottie Barnes (6-9 F, Florida State)

Now that the sexy picks are off the board, Scottie Barnes has the best potential that is not in the NBA Draft spotlight. Barnes made himself a top-five prospect dominating the pre-draft process. Teams were impressed with his incredible physical profile, wingspan, a strong bulky frame combined with a quickness.

He’s the perfect player to help set the defensive tone for Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley’s culture. However, his offensive game is limited due to his stiff shooting mechanics and confidence at times. Best case scenario, if he can combine his high energy, versatile defense with a reliable jumper, Scottie Barnes could have All-Star potential. Worst case, he could be a very capable All-NBA defender.  — Ronald Agers

6. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER – James Bouknight (6-5 G, Connecticut)

While the Thunder are looking to do everything they can to move into the top-five, Bouknight is still a great pick if they’re unable to. One of the most dominant scorers in this class, Oklahoma City would instantly have one of the most intriguing young backcourts in the league with him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His assist and turnover numbers are certainly something to worry about, but Bouknight essentially had to carry the offense in college. At the next level, with more spacing and talent, he could look like a completely different player. While he hasn’t been a dominant defender to this point, he’s got the tools to develop into a solid perimeter defender. — Nick Crain

7. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS – Jonathan Kuminga (6-8 F, G League Ignite)

Jonathan Kuminga is tuff. That’s all that needs to be said. – Theus McBee

8. ORLANDO MAGIC: Kai Jones (6-11 F, Texas)

Since Jonathan Kuminga was snatched up, Orlando will use their second lottery pick on Kai Jones, a raw athlete that fits the mold of a rim running, lob-catching threat. The Magic will continue their defensive theme in the lottery by drafting a player who shows potential with mobile defense with the ability to switch multiple positions. Offensively, he is a project with inconsistent shooting mechanics and no reliable post moves. Assuming Orlando drafts him at the 8th spot, they will need to have patience with him. They’ve done it before with another Texas Longhorn, Mo Bamba. If the Magic passes on Jones, look for a drop near the 20th selection. — Ronald Agers

9. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Franz Wagner (6-9 G/F, Michigan)

The needs of the Sacramento Kings this offseason are clear, they need help on the defensive end. Statistically, Sacramento had the worst defense in the NBA last year, clocking in with a defensive rating of 117.2, dead last in the league. Franz Wagner, a sophomore out of the University of Michigan, is a 6-foot-9 wing who showed the ability to defend multiple positions both on and off-ball at a high level in his two years with the Wolverines. Wagner’s versatile defensive abilities, along with improved jump shooting and playmaking on offense in his sophomore year, make him a great fit for the Kings at ninth overall. — Zach Dupont

10. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Josh Giddey (6-8 G, Adelaide 36ers (NBL)

 Josh Giddey’s game speaks itself, but if we are gonna dive into what makes him such a standout, our editorial intern, Jared, described him best: He’s a gifted passer who thrives in transition with an advanced ability to find the descending big man in pick and roll scenarios. Armed with a bounty of knowledge and experience from mentors, a year playing professionally and a playmaking bag rivaled by the League’s top guards, Josh Giddey is ready for what he’s been waiting for. 

Giddey is already a pro who dominated in the NBL and finished the season with 13 double-doubles, and three triple-doubles. His playmaking ability will only add to the Grizzlies’ roster offensively, especially when he’s alongside a bucket like Ja. – Deyscha “Sway” Smith

11. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Alperen Sengun (6’9 C, Besiktas (Turkey))

Traded to Washington for the No. 15 pick and Thomas Bryant

Beal. Westbrook. Hachimura. Bertans. Avdija. The core of an exciting playoff team is here, so moving up in the draft makes sense for Washington to grab Turkish big man Alperen Sengun. The MVP of the Turkish Super League last season–who just turned 19 on Sunday–averaged 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in under 30 minutes per game. Last season’s emergence of Daniel Gafford made us feel comfortable moving Thomas Bryant and his expiring contract to clear some cap space since both Alex Len and Robin Lopez are also free agents. Sengun, who models his game after reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and MVP runner-up Joel Embiid, should be ready to contribute right away. – Aron Phillips

12. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Davion Mitchell (6-2 G,  Baylor)

Mitchell is quite possibly the most capable player in the draft to step in and be a major contributor to whichever team drafts him. The Spurs selecting him at 12 is a fantastic fit for an organization known to garner the most out of their young draft talent. Mitchell’s size at 6’3 and age of 23 by the time the 2021 season tips off doesn’t necessarily scream lottery material, yet when you turn on the tape of Mitchell in this past year’s Final Four, those concerns seem to evaporate. — Josh Frohlinger

13. INDIANA PACERS: Corey Kispert (6-7 SG, Gonzaga)

Standing at 6-7 this wing is a walking bucket. I’m talking about a three-point sniper deemed one of the best all-around shooters in the draft. Once he’s hot this kid poses as a true threat from downtown. He may very well be the missing piece that Naptown needs. — Charlie Desadier

14. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Josh Christopher (6-5 G, Arizona State)

With Klay Thompson back in the mix this coming season, the Warriors are gearing up for yet another championship run. With two lottery picks in this draft, the Warriors have the ability to take a bit more of a gamble at 14 as opposed to 7; and that’s what they do snagging Arizona State’s Christopher higher than most mock boards have projected. As a 6’5 shooter with confidence and elite athleticism, Christopher already displays an NBA-ready frame with suburb transition finishing.

15. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (via Washington): Quentin Grimes (6-6 G, Houston)

Just one game away from the 8-seed a year ago, Charlotte is on the cusp of being a regular playoff contender. I tried to keep the team young while also adding guys who can contribute on day one. We moved back a few picks and added Thomas Bryant via the Wizards, who will fight for the starting center job should Cody Zeller take his talents elsewhere. After moving down to 15, adding Quentin Grimes was an easy choice. The Houston shooting guard is uber-efficient as a scorer and showed he can run an offense while at the NBA Combine. He’s a perfect fit to replace Devonte Graham in the Hornets’ guard rotation feat. LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, and can play alongside either, or on his own. — Ian Pierno

16. OKC THUNDER: Moses Moody (6-6 G, Arkansas)

There’s a real chance that Moody is taken in the top ten on Thursday, so the Thunder getting him at sixteen would be a pleasant surprise. Although OKC is looking to package No. 16 and No. 18 to move up and grab another lottery pick, they certainly wouldn’t be upset with a lottery talent like Moody falling to them here. While he may not have the ceiling of others in this class, his floor feels high. At a minimum, he projects to be a solid 3-and-D player at the next level. With a long frame and smooth stroke, Moody is a safe pick for a team that’s looking for a solid NBA player. — Nick Crain 

17. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Cam Thomas (6-4 G, LSU)

An instant-offense bucket-getter who, when he’s hot, cannot be left open under any circumstance. In other words, the perfect guy to stretch the floor alongside Zion Williamson. Done deal. — Adam Figman

18. OKC THUNDER: Jalen Johnson (6-9 G/F, Duke)

If it weren’t for his off-the-court issues, we could be talking about Johnson going just outside the top five of this draft. One of the most gifted prospects in this class, he’s an absolute force in transition. Johnson has the build of the perfect modern NBA forward and can do a little bit of everything. With their third pick in the top-20, OKC has the ability to take a gamble here, with Johnson being one of the highest risks in the draft but having the potential to be the biggest steal at the same time. — Nick Crain

19. NEW YORK KNICKS: Keon Johnson (6-5 G, Tennessee)

There’s no need to mince words. Keon Johnson is explosive. Watching him is almost akin to watching a bull in a china shop; he drives into the paint with the fury of a battering ram, unconcerned, and largely unbothered, by the less-athletic defender in front of him. The Knicks at No. 19 are a perfect landing spot for Johnson; while he still needs to address some major mechanical issues in his game—including tightening up his shot-motion and handle—his developmental upside will be cultivated and fostered by Tom Thibodeau and a potential rotation of him, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett long term could end up putting the League on notice. — Jackson Wald

20. ATLANTA HAWKS: Sharife Cooper (6-1 G, Auburn)

Rife is Trae 2.0. Put these two together and you got the new Mobb Deep. Both are small guards, but ready to make any play turn into a highlight reel. Sharife’s short college season left an imprint around the country of his game not slowing down due to all the allegations he faced his freshman year. The Hawks had an incredible season/playoff run making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Adding Cooper can only elevate their motion offense and create even more three-point possessions. In all honesty, Cooper’s a dawg, and I wish the Knicks were getting him next pick! — Nick Torres

21. NYK: Chris Duarte (6-6 G, Oregon)

Duarte is a proven commodity; he is a plus-defender, a reliable three-pointer shooter (he shot 42 percent last season at Oregon), and someone who will fit seamlessly in the Knicks’ new age grit-and-grind culture. Duarte has arguably the safety floor of any prospect selected after pick twenty. Also, as we saw with Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder in the NBA Finals, it never hurts to have a solid core of 3-and-D wings. — Jackson Wald

22. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Tre Mann (6-5 PG, Florida)

You know those players that make you feel like you’re getting punched in the gut every time they make a three against you? Tre’Shaun Mann is one of them. All you have to do is turn on the tape for a couple of minutes and you’ll see not many people in the world possess his combination of size, athleticism, and scoring creativity. It may or may not happen right away, but when Tre gets comfortable in the League he’s going to be one of the most dynamic guards. — Christian Quezada 

*We’re breaking a few rules here and adding another name to this list, too.

BJ Boston (6-7 F, Kentucky)

Say what you want about his performance last season at Kentucky, but BJ Boston says he’s improved his game “tremendously” since his college days. Word is he even recently had a “great” pre-draft workout with the Lakers and dominated their “Mentality Drill.” 

Anyone who has been following BJ’s trajectory will tell you that he’s been ready for the bright lights since the start. He knows how to navigate a spotlight, and how to power through negativity while focusing on his game and the things only he can control. If the Lakers don’t draft Mann, then it sounds like BJ could fit in on a star-studded roster led by the King.  — Sway

23. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Usman Garuba (6-8 PF, Real Madrid (Spain))

After selecting Cunningham second overall, the Rockets’ focus now shifts to their center position. Enter Usman Garuba, a Nigerian-Spanish big man with extensive experience in international competition and a few awards in his trophy case to boot.

At 6’8” and 230 pounds (with a 7’3” wingspan), Garuba is already a high-energy defensive force thanks to an exceptional feel of how to disrupt passing lanes and shot attempts, as well as enough agility and fluidity to guard out on the perimeter or in space. Combined with his abilities as a passer and potential as an outside threat, there are many who see him in the Draymond Green mold.

With a bevy of offensive talents, players willing and capable of thriving without the ball in their hands (and who can be a defensive menace in the same breath) are invaluable. — Quenton Albertie

24. ROCKETS: Josh Primo (6-6 G, Alabama)

The Rockets, all-in on their rebuild, select another of the 2021 NBA Draft’s youngest players: 18-year-old Josh Primo, a one-and-done at the University of Alabama.

Primo’s most NBA-ready skill at this point is his outside shooting, as he knocked down 38.1 percent of his 3-point attempts at Alabama with his 3-point attempts amounting to 57.9 percent of his overall shot attempts. With that said, not only does Primo’s selection fit the Rockets’ current timeline but it addresses the team’s mediocre outside shooting as well.

Due to his youth and need to develop his other guard skills, Primo may not get minutes early on, at least outside of the G League. But he’ll grow alongside Houston’s vibrant young core until his number is called, and likely hit at least one three by the time he leaves the game, no matter how small the role. — Quenton Albertie

25. LA CLIPPERS: Jared Butler (6-3 G, Baylor)

LA is known for helping young guards develop into immediate NBA talent (just look at what Terance Mann was able to do in the playoffs this year)  and Jared Butler is next up for the Clippers. A smooth, consistent guard for the national champion Baylor Bulldogs, Butler’s veteran mindset and consistent shooting will likely make him an immediate rotation staple on the Clippers. — Camille Buxeda

26. DENVER NUGGETS: Ayo Dosunmu (6-5 G, Illinois)

Ayo Dosunmu was, for the large majority of last year’s college basketball season, the best player on the best team in the nation. Dosunmu is an all-around ballplayer; need him to lock down the opponent’s best player? He’s on it. Need him to get you some buckets? He’ll drop twenty-plus. He’ll face a pretty serious adjustment coming into the league, where he will likely never be the main ball-handler or facilitator, but Ayo has the experience and drive to make it in the league for a long time. — Saheem Anthony

27. BROOKLYN NETS: Jaden Springer (6-4 SG, Tennessee)

After declining his player option, Spencer Dinwiddie and the Brooklyn Nets will most likely be parting ways this offseason, which leaves the Nets with a major need for defensive prowess and playmaking. While he needs to fine-tune his shot creation abilities, Tennessee’s Jaden Springer is a great grab for the Nets at 27. Springer could serve as the next young developmental guard in the rotation amidst a roster that has a plethora of shot creation abilities. An energizer on both ends of the floor, Springer averaged 12.5 points a game in his lone season with the Volunteers and is a tenacious on-ball defender. He’s a perfect fit alongside the likes of Bruce Brown for Steve Nash’s small-ball lineup that lacked the ability to effectively defend ball screens and switches this past season. — Jared Ebanks

28. PHILADELPHIA SIXERS: Ziaire Williams (6-8 F, Stanford)

Although Williams had a somewhat underwhelming freshman year at Stanford, he’s still the same Ziaire. Looking past the pressure of being an incoming Top 10 player in the country, Williams showed flashes of high-level scoring mixed with impressive athleticism. Going to the cup more could do him wonders and he simply has too much potential to slip past the first round. At a lengthy 6’8 185, he fits the modern-day NBA’s positionless basketball scheme to a tee. His shooting needs to improve if he wants to get big minutes, but Williams can definitely lighten the scoring load off the bench for Philly in the 2021-22 season. — Caleb Gagne

29. PHOENIX SUNS: Isaiah Jackson (6-10, F, Kentucky)

Although there were hints of returning to Kentucky, Jackson is taking his talents to the NBA. Jackson is an all-around hooper who can get it done on both ends of the floor. He averaged 2.6 blocks per game and was selected to the SEC All-Defense team. Jackson is a versatile player who can do it all for a big man. His playmaking ability stood out as he is able to put the ball on the floor and advance the ball. The Suns could use a player to develop behind star center Deandre Ayton, giving them the bench support they can use in the frontcourt. — Kobe Blackwell

30. UTAH JAZZ: Kessler Edwards (6-8 F, Pepperdine)

Did I just take someone out of Pepperdine in the first round? It’s a hard sell considering just two Waves —Doug Christie and the oft underrated Dennis Johnson— have had a five or more year career in the NBA. How’s that for trivia? I believe Kessler Edwards could become the third. The Jazz could trade out to dump contracts, but after a failed move with Charlotte, I decided to examine team needs. Joe Ingles is getting older and slipping on defense and the loss to the Clippers exposed Utah’s need for perimeter stoppers. Edwards shot 38% from deep on 119 attempts and with a nearly 7-foot wingspan and strong fundamentals, he’s a prototypical 3-and-D wing. — Thilo Latrell Widder

The post SLAM’s Official 2021 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down both of Sunday’s games here.

No. 2 Nets 96, No. 3 Bucks 107

Series tied 2-2

The one thing that could hold the talented Brooklyn Nets down in the postseason was injuries. After losing James Harden early in this series, Kyrie Irving’s status is now in question after leaving Game 4 with an ankle injury. The Milwaukee Bucks have taken full advantage, winning their last two games against the Nets and tying the series after being down 2-0 last week. 

Kevin Durant struggled from the field (9-for-25) but still finished with a team-high 28 points. Irving, who played just 17 minutes, was the only other member of the Nets to score in double digits. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee with 34 points and 12 rebounds while Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for 33 points and 17 assists in the win. With the series tied up, anything could happen with the Nets facing major injuries. 

No. 2 Suns 125, No. 3 Nuggets 118

PHX wins series 4-0

After making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, the Phoenix Suns have now made their way to the Western Conference Finals. After taking down the Los Angeles Lakers with ease in the first round, they swept the Denver Nuggets in round two. Behind brilliant performances from Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns made a statement to the rest of the NBA on Sunday night in the sweep. 

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Cameron Payne in the third quarter, leaving Denver without their League MVP down the stretch of Game 4. Will Barton led the Nuggets with 25 points while Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris scored 20 and 19 respectively. Booker and Paul combined for 71 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

The post Post Up: Bucks Top Injured Nets and Suns Complete Sweep appeared first on SLAM.

The early evening game saw a chance for the Milwaukee Bucks to rebound after a disappointing loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1, while the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns kicked off their first game of their semifinals series to end the night.

No. 2 Brooklyn Nets 125, No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks 86

BKN leads series 2-0

Milwaukee struggled to deal with the Nets’ offensive weapons in Game 1 but longtime head coach Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks looked no more prepared in Game 2.

By the end of the first quarter, Brooklyn had already jumped to a 36-19 lead, and at no point for the rest of the game did the Bucks ever look like they had a chance. The ever-lethal Kevin Durant was automatic for Brooklyn, scoring 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting while chipping in six assists. Kyrie Irving ended the night with 22 points (on 9-17 shooting) and six assists, and fellow starters Joe Harris and Bruce Brown each had 13 points apiece.

The Nets also get big minutes from their second unit, getting 38 points from seven different players on their bench (including 23 combined points from Landry Shamet, Nic Claxton and Mike James).

Despite Brooklyn not having All-NBA guard James Harden, Milwaukee still couldn’t find an answer on either end of the floor. No Bucks player scored at least 20 points, and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished his night with a team-high 18 points (on 8-15 shooting).

Though the Greek Freak was efficient, Milwaukee had another poor shooting night from distance, knocking down just 29.6 percent of their 3-point attempts in the game. All-Star forward Khris Middleton struggled the most, going 7-20 from the field and committing a game-high five turnovers.

The Nets, on the other hand, lit it up, going 21-for-41 from deep and took care of the ball, with just eight team turnovers to the Bucks’ 16.

Now down 2-0 against a team looking like the favorites to come out of the East, Milwaukee will have to find a way to close the gap before heading back home for Game 3 on Thursday night.

No. 2 Phoenix Suns 122, No. 3 Denver Nuggets 105

PHX leads series 1-0

The Nuggets and Suns kicked off their first game of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, and though the Nuggets did lose by a double-digit deficit, it was a closer game than its predecessor for the majority of the contest.

In fact, Denver entered the half with a 58-57 lead over the Suns but Phoenix shut down the Nuggets’ star frontcourt in the second half, allowing just 47 points over the last two quarters. Four players finished with at least 20 points for the Suns in Mikal Bridges (23), Chris Paul (21), Devin Booker (21) and Deandre Ayton (20) as Phoenix picked apart Denver’s defensive strategy.

The Nuggets got uncharacteristically poor shooting nights from their two stars; Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.

Jokic had a team-high 22 points but got there on 10-for-23 shooting, including 3-12 shooting in the second half. Porter, who would leave the game with a back injury, had 15 points on 6-for-13 from the field but shot just 1-5 from the field in the second half.

Monte Morris had a solid series against the Portland Trail Blazers but it would be a game to forget for the Nuggets fan favorite, who played 23 minutes and scored two points on 1-for-10 from the field. A 47.9 percent shooter for his career, Denver will certainly be looking for more from Morris and company with a chance to even the series on Wednesday night.

The post Post Up: Are the Playoff Nightmares Back for the Bucks? appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of the Tuesday’s matchups below.

No. 2 Nets 123, No. 7 Celtics 109

BKN wins series 3-1

While it wasn’t surprising, the Brooklyn Nets were able to finish the Boston Celtics off on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the series. Without a handful of key pieces, the Celtics were just no match for the most talented team in the NBA.

Jayson Tatum continued his hot scoring streak with 32 points on the night, but was matched by James Harden who put in 34 points of his own. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant also combined for 49 points to help the Nets move to the second round with ease.

No. 3 Nuggets 147, No. 6 Trail Blazers 140

DEN leads series 3-2

In a contest that went into double overtime, Game 5 of Nuggets/Blazers was the game of the night without a doubt. In fact, it might go down as the best game of the entire first round. Damian Lillard went off for 55 points and ten assists, including two shots that sent the game into the first and second overtime periods respectively.

Nikola Jokic continued to impress and led the Nuggets with 38 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists while Monte Morris had a huge night with 28 points, 23 of which came in the second half. Michael Porter Jr. knocked down a huge three in the second overtime and finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Lillard broke the NBA playoff record for most threes made in the game with 12, but it wasn’t enough in this instant classic.

No. 2 Suns 115, No. 7 Lakers 85

PHX leads series 3-2

Without Anthony Davis on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers looked lost. LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers struggled tremendously and were out of the game early on. Down by 30 points at half, Los Angeles only scored ten points in the second quarter and never recovered.

LeBron James finished with only 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Kyle Kuzma was the only other Laker who showed up offensively, finishing with 15 points. Phoenix looked excellent, with Devin Booker leading the charge offensively with 30 points. Cameron Payne continues to be a huge spark plug off the bench, finishing with 16 to lead the reserves. If we learned anything as the Suns took the series lead, it’s that the Lakers need Anthony Davis back as soon as possible.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have internal frustrations regarding young guard Collin Sexton, who many believe would be best in a bench role.

This is the latest report to come out of the Cavs camp (per Joe Vardon of The Athletic), following a string of eyebrow-raising events surrounding veteran big man Kevin Love, whose frustrations with being on a non-contending team have boiled over on multiple occasions.

Avoiding discourse about the timing of these reports, and inferences drawn by ‘connecting the dots,’ it’s clear that there’s a disconnect between the team Cleveland wants to put on the court and the direction they’re currently headed.

Sexton, averaging career-highs of 24.4 points and 4.1 assists per game on .483 percent shooting from the field and .378 percent shooting from 3-point range, has been the team’s most productive player throughout the season. Despite a long-standing reputation as an offensive blackhole and low-IQ player, Sexton’s demonstrated a steady growth in both his court vision and willingness to pass.

Indeed, when considering the lack of offensive options the Cavs have possessed outside of Sexton, the desire to pigeonhole him in the role of a Sixth Man seems less profound than out-of-touch.

Certainly, a traditionalist would see Sexton’s quick-hitting, score-first style and compare it to the sixth man archetype. Rightly so, I may add.

However, such a viewpoint fails to take into account Sexton’s growth as a facilitator, as well as the role he’s needed to play.

To the latter point, one key example of the importance of the Young Bull’s scoring is seen in the difference between how much he’s scored in wins (29.0 points per game) versus losses (22.2 points per game). There’s not a Sixth Man whose scoring has been as crucial to a win as Sexton’s; not because of his style but because those teams had other high-level scoring options.

It becomes an almost chicken-and-egg issue until you assess Sexton’s growth as a passer and scoring in multiple ways off-ball.

As a passer, Sexton currently has 20 games with at least five assists this season after having just 11 in the 2019-20 season and 12 in the 2018-19 season. Numbers aside, Sexton’s decision-making and court manipulation have improved, with him seeking out an open teammate after getting a step on his man or working his man open with his speed, or the threat of it.

So what gives?

On the one hand, there are clearly times when Sexton calls his own number instead of his teammates, and whether or not it leads to a made shot matters less than that they feel less involved than they want to be.

In some ways, that would seem to be a problem that falls on the coaching staff but they already run a healthy dose of plays that get Sexton off-ball and gets everyone touches. In reality, the onus falls on Sexton to be a bit more willing of a passer; while his shot may give the team the best shot to win, building good habits like heavy ball-movement makes the game more fun for and easier for all.

That being said, it’s an issue that’s largely overblown in the case of Sexton but highlights a larger problem in Cleveland: the reek of egos and poor chemistry. An environment that’s eerily reminiscent of the the days the Cavs had Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters in uniform, and in a power struggle.

Not only is it a terrible show of camaraderie to leak an anonymous and critical report to the media, rather than addressing their teammate directly, but it shows a stunning lack of self-awareness by the Cavs.

After trading away their most skilled perimeter player in Kevin Porter Jr., the Cavs were bound to rely on a young backcourt with inherent flaws and no true way to escape the tension between the two for the remainder of the season.

A tension that may not have been purposely created but was born from the negative media cycle surrounding Sexton since his early days in The Land, in contrast to the tone taken when discussing Darius Garland.

While Porter could very well have emerged as an eventual starter, his skillset complimented both Garland and Sexton equally. Porter may have even been able to start alongside Garland and Sexton, giving Cleveland a three-headed beast on offense.

Without KPJ in-tow and with all of the other problems presented by the Cavs’ lack of overall talent and durability, Sexton has been made to be a scapegoat when his efforts to put Cleveland in playoff contention should be celebrated.

Just a few months ago, Sexton was considered a pillar of the franchise and their cultural backbone.

Now, with the end of their 2020-21 season likely just a couple of weeks away, one has to wonder if Cleveland still views the tough-skinned young guard in the same way.

The post Is Collin Sexton a Starter, a Sixth Man, or a Scapegoat? appeared first on SLAM.

Porter Jr. rewrote the record books replacing LeBron James as the youngest player to score 50 points while attaining double figures in assists. His career night helped the Houston Rockets snap a five-game losing streak, upsetting the playoff-bound Milwaukee Bucks 143-136.

50 PTS (career high)
11 AST
9 3PM (career high)
@HoustonRockets W@Kevinporterjr had himself a night! pic.twitter.com/l0kMbPNNuJ

— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2021

The 20-year-old Porter passed his original career-best of 30 points in the second half (32), while carrying the offensive load with 17 in the fourth quarter. KPJ joined a very short list consisting of Brandon Jennings, Devin Booker and James as the only players to score at least 50 points in an NBA game before the age of 21.

Porter Jr. talked about his night after the game:

“After I saw the third 3 go down, I knew it was going to be a special night,” Porter says, per ESPN. “It was all up to me. I just stayed aggressive, and it was a good night.”

The historical performance followed a $50,000 fine a day prior by the NBA for violating its COVID-19 health and safety protocols for attending a club on April 19th with teammate Sterling Brown.

The NBA’s rules state that NBA players cannot attend indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people in bars or similar establishments. Porter was placed in NBA’s Health and Safety protocol causing him to miss three games.

The post Kevin Porter Jr. Passes LeBron As Youngest To Score 50 Points, 10 Assists appeared first on SLAM.

Per Charania, the deal was relayed by McLemore’s agency (Klutch Sports), which represents several Lakers players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Talen Horton-Tucker.

McLemore, 28-years-old, has underwhelmed this season after having a career year in 2019-20. Entering the league as a guard praised for his athleticism and shooting potential, McLemore was shooting .353 percent from 3-point range for his career until last season, his first with the Houston Rockets.

However, after a vital self-assessment, McLemore realized that he needed get back to the drawing board after years of building bad habits with struggling franchises.

While showing growth as a finisher and defender, McLemore’s most marked improvement would come as a shooter, as he would knock down a stellar .400 percent of his 3-point attempts (on 6.4 attempts per game) in 2019-20 while averaging 10.1 points per game.

Unfortunately, with James Harden and Russell Westbrook being replaced by Kevin Porter Jr. and John Wall this season, the looks that McLemore are getting aren’t as clean or open. Subsequently, McLemore has shot just .331 percent from 3-point range this season.

Nonetheless, now that he’s with the Lakers, the passing clinics put on by a point-forward in James and the attention that will be given to Davis should afford him easier opportunities from outside. Teaming up with an otherworldly basketball mind and a longtime friend in James should only help McLemore play up to his potential as well.

The post Lakers Sign Ben McLemore for Remainder of 2020-21 Season appeared first on SLAM.

The Rockets will receive point guard D.J. Augustin, forward D.J. Wilson and an unprotected 2023 first-round pick, as well as the rights to swap picks with the Bucks in the upcoming draft (barring it being a selection in the top-9).

Tucker, 35-years-old, is a versatile defender who Milwaukee has had their eye on for months as they look to improve the personnel for a defensive scheme that requires a lot of switching. Already a legitimate NBA Finals contender while led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, this move by the Bucks is a small but smart move on their pursuit of an NBA championship.

With Houston expected to make plenty of moves ahead of next week’s trade deadline, Augustin and Wilson may eventually be re-routed to another franchise.

However, should they remain with the Rockets, the 33-year-old Augustin is a savvy veteran that can produce as well as help an emerging talent in Kevin Porter Jr., who is learning the point guard position after starting his career on the wing.

Wilson, a first-round pick in 2017, is an athletic and skilled frontcourt player but unproven in the NBA. With the rebuilding Rockets, Wilson could get an opportunity to display the same dominance as he has at the G League level.

The post Rockets Trade P.J. Tucker to Bucks for D.J. Augustin, D.J. Wilson appeared first on SLAM.

As first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Houston recalled Porter Jr. at the close of the G League regular season. In 15 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, he averaged 24.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game and was one of the most impressive players in the entire bubble.

Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone told Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston and other members of the media that this was always the plan for Porter Jr. upon acquiring him.

“When we acquired him we laid out that we wanted him to play through the break, which he’s done. We had very specific goals in mind for how we wanted him to play, what we wanted him to try and achieve. We’re extraordinarily happy with him. He did all of that. Part of the plan was for him to rejoin the team post break. We’re going to be able to have one practice. Practice time in the NBA is extraordinarily limited. So he’ll be able to practice with the team and join us. He’s a very young player. He’s a very talented player and hopefully he can contribute.”

The Houston Rockets have lost 13 straight games prior to the NBA All-Star break. With Christian Wood set to return in the near future as well as Kevin Porter Jr. expected to join the team this week, the Rockets will look to get things back on track for the second half of the season.

The post Kevin Porter Jr. Recalled From G League By Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

After a surprisingly hot start, an injury bug that left them down three starters has completely slowed their momentum. With leading scorer Collin Sexton nearing his return and freshly acquired center Jarrett Allen looking like their center of the future, the Cavs were preparing to turn the corner and re-right the ship.

There was even news that fan favorite Kevin Porter Jr.—who ran into legal issues during the offseason—was being reintegrated into team activities.

However, the excitement that was brimming in Cleveland has dampened considerably in just the last 24 hours, with multiple outlets reporting that the Cavs now plan to trade or release Porter.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd and Joe Vardon, Porter grew incensed that his locker had been moved with the end-of-the-bench players in favor of Taurean Prince (who was acquired in the trade that brought Allen to the Cavaliers).

Porter then began to throw food and confront Cavs general manager Koby Altman in a heated argument; the latter of which ultimately led to the team’s decision to trade or release him.

Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Porter has been told to clean out his locker and the Cavs’ players were informed that he would no longer be on the team.

The post Report: Cavs Plan to Trade or Release Kevin Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

Source: NBA considering a 7 to 14 day pause amidst the growing rate of positive cases within the league. The NBA brass & GMs will meet virtually today or tomorrow to reconsider safety protocols. The league wants to avoid a pause but it is on the table. @kron4news

— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) January 11, 2021

NBA spokesman Mike Bass commented on the situation, stating that: “[they] anticipated that there would be game postponements this season and planned the schedule accordingly. There are no plans to pause the season, and we will continue to be guided by our medical experts…”

It should be noted that Bass’ insistence that there are no plans to pause the season doesn’t contradict Dumas’ assertion that a plan to halt play is on the table. However, considering that the League indeed opted to release the schedule in two parts, it’s clear that the NBA was prepared for the possibility that COVID-19 cases would increase at some point; especially with games no longer being held in a bubble.

More than 117 players have contracted COVID-19, per NBC Sports’ Dan Feldman, including marquee players such as Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant.

Miami Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Denver Nuggets rising star Michael Porter Jr. are among the players who have been listed out due to the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.

The NBA announced that 48 of 546 players have tested positive “since testing resumed last week.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the “NBA and NBPA are currently working through a minimum two-week window of protocol tightening,” such as enforcing coaches and players on the bench to wear masks and restricting social-interaction and hugging amongst players during games.

Also, sources say: More enforcement of mask-wearing, including coaches during games and players on bench. https://t.co/HgcEghtIYQ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2021

The post NBA To Consider Halting Play For 7-14 Days Due To Number Of COVID-19 Cases appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down the Cavaliers’ depth chart for the 2020-21 season below. We’ve also previously published a summary of the Cavaliers’ offseason.

Biggest Questions

• Is this finally the season in which Kevin Love is traded? It feels like we’ve been waiting for that to happen for a few years now. With the young talent on this roster, perhaps making that move will clear minutes for the young guys to pave the way for the franchise going forward.
• Could Isaac Okoro be the face of the franchise? Sure, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are great, but Okoro looked incredible in preseason. He’s got an extremely high defensive ceiling but does he have the offensive ability to become a superstar?

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Cleveland Cavaliers: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland can’t be faulted for lack of trying but a lot of their moves, up to this point, have felt lateral. Bringing in Larry Nance Jr., Collin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr. has provided the Cavs a nice element of youth and talent to surround veteran big man Kevin Love but Cleveland is longing for a homerun pick.

Like many other teams, the Cavs’ have key free agents to consider bringing back like Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova. Andre Drummond is still undecided on his future with the team after being dealt to the Cleveland at the trade deadline.

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Cavaliers Draft Needs

Whether or not they can find that future franchise cornerstone with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Cavs are in desperate need of a defensive improvement. Cleveland’s only two options with their lottery pick are to find a star player or to pinpoint the prospect that will help transform a pitiful defense into a feared one.

In their draft range, there’s a chance that the can get one or the other. They may even be able to get both.

However, there’s a question of fit, as plenty of the top prospects are backcourt players. That’s not to say that point guard Darius Garland, last year’s fifth overall pick, is a sure thing. Just that he deserves at least one more season to prove himself as the player the Cavs thought he could be.

Cleveland, not wanting to waste an asset and being one of the least attractive free agent destinations, may try to go for the safest pick rather than one with too much boom-or-bust potential. Especially as they only have one pick in the entire draft.

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist

What The Mocks Are Saying

Projected Roster

Team-by-Team NBA Draft Guides

More: SLAM’s 2020 NBA Draft Preview

The post Cleveland Cavaliers: 2020 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on SLAM.

In addition to a summary for each of the 30 teams (accessible in the link grid below), we’ve also tiered the top NBA free agents league-wide and published a general comparison of all teams’ cap space. Follow @SLAMnewswire on Twitter for constant offseason updates as we head into free agency.

Projected Roster Players

Projected Free Agents

Dead Money

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

• Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception – $9,258,000
• Bi-Annual Exception – $3,623,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• Does Andre Drummond stick to the plan of opting in? When the NBA was on hiatus, Drummond read the uncertain market and said he was going to opt in. That still remains the most likely course of action.
• Will Jordan Bell or Dean Wade stick? When the NBA resumed operations following the pause, the Cavs first moves were to sign Bell and Wade to non-guaranteed deals. Both were future-looking moves, so expect them both to go to camp with Cleveland.

Projected Team Salary

$169,407,868

If Andre Drummond opts out, the Cavaliers could get to about $21.6M in cap space. However, it looks like Drummond will play it safe and opt in. That means Cleveland is likely to bring all their non-guaranteed players back and to retain their rights for their free agents. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

-$60,267,868 (28^th out of 30). $26,772,037 under the Luxury Tax.

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Cleveland Cavaliers: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve listed the entire roster with comparisons to last year’s launch rating below. We’ve also identified some general NBA 2K21 ratings trends for the league as a whole.

Cavs NBA 2K21 Ratings

View the NBA 2K21 player ratings for other teams below.

The post Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA 2K21 Ratings appeared first on SLAM.

Part and parcel with the league’s restart plan is the fact that players can opt out of the Disney World games without breaching their contract, but whether or not players will forfeit a prorated share of their contract when they opt out or not depends on whether they’re formally excused or not due to a medical issue.

Many of the players who will forego suiting up for the squads when the league resumes are facing the same injuries that they faced prior to the shutdown, most notably the likes of Kevin Durant and John Wall, who were expected to be out for the season regardless and will not alter those plans to take part in the unprecedented campaign extension.

Other players that have already revealed that they won’t participate at Disney did not appear on injury reports prior to the shutdown.

In addition to players who will sit out due to recent positive COVID-19 diagnoses – like DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie – there are players like Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo who will take the opportunity to sit despite being active in mid-March.

To get a sense of where player’s stood when the league shut down in March, I’ve combed through the league’s final injury reports from prior to the shutdown, noting any instances where players were formally listed as “out”.

A total of 19 of the 22 Disney-bound teams had at least one such player in their most recent injury report prior to the shutdown. All told, 49 NBA players from those teams were listed as “out” on their team’s last injury report before the league ground to a halt on the night of March 11.

At least 11 of those players that were listed as “out” in March are not expected to play at Disney World. Many of the rest have long returned to health and will be active in Orlando later this month.

Out Then; Out Now

Of the 11 players that are expected to be out of action when the Disney World games tip off, three had missed the entire 2019-20 campaign. Not all players that spent the first seven months of the season on the sidelines will forego the return, however.

Jusuf Nurkic of the Portland Trail Blazers has been sidelined since breaking his leg in March of 2019 but has been cleared to suit up for his squad after the extended layoff.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson is another example of a player that could make his season debut at Disney. Roberson has been on the sidelines since January, 2018.

A grand total of 30 players that were “out” the day the league stood still are now at least reasonably expected to be back at full health on July 30.

Out Then; Available Now

Naturally, there are a number of cases where availability isn’t known or at least hasn’t been verified. This list could grow with confirmations that players like Nigel Williams-Goss or Justin James are deemed eligible.

In addition to those less documented cases, there’s no consensus yet that a player like Malcolm Brogdon, who has recovered from his right quad injury but now faces recovery from COVID-19, will actually suit up at Disney World, or if a late signee like Jontay Porter, who inked a deal mid-rehabilitation on March 10, will make his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Other players like Memphis’ Grayson Allen and NOLA’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, much like Roberson, could potentially be capable of returning but don’t yet have a formally revealed clean bill of health.

Additionally, not all players that were available in March are expected to suit up for their teams during the restart. I’ve published a dynamic list of NBA players who’ve voluntarily opted out of the Disney World games but these aren’t the players that I’m concerned about here.

Below is a list of the additional players that won’t play for medical reasons. For several of these players, the hiatus represented an opportunity to undergo surgery to treat nagging injuries. LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs and Bojan Bogdanovic of the Utah Jazz elected to go this route.

Other players will sit out of the restart after testing positive for the coronavirus during the shut down. A trio of Brooklyn Nets players, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince, have done exactly that and this list may grow if more players see positive diagnoses closer to the July 30 tip off.

Available Then; Out Now

The post List of Injury Updates Ahead of NBA Restart appeared first on SLAM.

Last Week’s Notebooks: East || West

• Atlanta Hawks – With Dewayne Dedmon out and Clint Capela yet to make his Hawks’ debut, Atlanta has gone to some minutes with their “core five” as a lineup. In 181 minutes over 20 games, the Hawks are +25 with Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish on the floor together. That might not sound like a lot, but considering Atlanta is -8.1 points per game on the season it’s meaningful. Those five are the Hawks building blocks, so it’s good to see them able to share the floor together.
• Boston Celtics – Boston was expected to struggle with interior defense after losing Al Horford in the offseason. Instead, the Celtics rank fifth in the NBA in blocks per 100 possessions. Some of that is long wings like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown blocking jumpers, but most of it comes at the rim. Boston actually ranks ahead of much bigger Philadelphia in blocks/100, which is one of the surprises of the season.

• Brooklyn Nets – Kyrie Irving underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder impingement. As expected, Irving will join Kevin Durant on the sidelines for the rest of this season. The Nets are hanging in there without Irving though, as Caris LeVert exploded for 51 points in an upset win over the Celtics in Boston. LeVert scored 37 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He went for 26 in the fourth and then scored all 11 of the Nets points in overtime.

• Charlotte Hornets – With the focus on youth, the Hornets are giving almost all their minutes to players who are 26 years old and under. That’s given increased opportunities to rookies Cody and Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels. Those three combined with PJ. Washington and Mile Bridges give Charlotte a really interesting group of forwards. None of the five can really play up and defend the five, and only Cody Martin has shown the ability to play down and defend the two. That makes it a challenge for James Borrego and Mitch Kupchak to figure out how they call fit, but that’s what rebuilding seasons are for.
• Chicago Bulls – Last week we wrote about how banged up the Bulls were. Well, they’re finally getting healthy! Zach LaVine went down with a quad injury, but it’s not expected to be a long-term thing. Otto Porter Jr. returned to the lineup for the first time since early-November. Lauri Markkanen got back after missing over a month. And Wendell Carter Jr. is back as well. That’s important as Chicago can use the last month of the season to see exactly who fits together and how. Look for Coby White to possibly take over as the starting point guard, as it’s getting harder for Jim Boylen to keep White on the bench. White has averaged 28 points per game on 51/49/95 shooting splits over his last six games.
• Cleveland Cavaliers – Cleveland is a mess with injuries. Andre Drummond (calf), Darius Garland (groin), Tristan Thompson (knee) and Dante Exum (ankle) are all out. Drummond, Garland and Thompson aren’t expected to be down long-term, but the Cavs also lost Kevin Porter Jr. to a head injury against Boston on Wednesday night. This point in the year should be about evaluation and development and injuries are robbing Cleveland of that.
• Detroit Pistons – How much are the Pistons hurting for guard depth? Jordan McRae was claimed off waivers on Wednesday afternoon and then played 25 minutes on Wednesday night. McRae did what he does and scored 15 points, but that says a lot about where things are at for the Pistons. Also, keep an eye on Christian Wood. He scored 29 points on Wednesday, bringing his average to 20.1 points per game since the start of February.

• Indiana Pacers – The Pacers lost Jeremy Lamb last week and now Victor Oladipo is back on the shelf with right knee soreness. Indiana knew that they’d have to deal with that as Oladipo works his way back from last season’s knee injury. What the Pacers weren’t expecting is for Malcolm Brogdon to continue to get nicked up. Brogdon left Wednesday’s loss against his former team in Milwaukee with a sore left hip. Injuries to their top three guards have Indiana relying heavily on Aaron and Justin Holiday and T.J. McConnell in the backcourt.
• Miami Heat – The Heat got back home after a tough road trip and ripped off a four-game win streak. That improved their record to 27-4 in Miami. More importantly, the Heat now have a three-game lead over both the Pacers and 76ers in the race for homecourt advantage. And Miami is quietly only 2.5 games behind Boston for the third seed.
• Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks actually lost a game in the last week! They were handled fairly easily by the Heat in Miami. But it doesn’t really matter. Milwaukee is 12-2 in their last 14 games. And if you’re looking for a weakness on the road, it doesn’t really exist. The Bucks and Lakers are tied at an NBA-best 25-6 away from home. By any measure, Milwaukee is dominant.
• New York Knicks – RJ Barrett played one of the best games of his career this week as the Knicks upset the Rockets in New York. Barrett scored 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Overall, Barrett has scored 14 or more points in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 16.8 points per game during that stretch. It’s incremental, but signs of improvement are there for the Knicks young wing.

• Orlando Magic – Just when things were looking up for Orlando, they dropped three straight games to fall back behind Brooklyn in the standings. The Magic still have a healthy 4.5 game lead over the Wizards for the eighth spot in the East, but could be on a collision course with the Bucks in the first round. That’d be bad news for Orlando, as they are 0-3 against Milwaukee and have lost by an average of 19.6 points per game in those three losses.
• Philadelphia 76ers – Shake Milton stepped up on Sunday with a career game. He scored 39 points, which topped his previous career-high of 27. And Milton sent an NBA record with 14 consecutive made three-pointers over a two-game stretch. Philadelphia’s roster is expensive and will only get more expensive down the line. Milton on a minimum contract through 2022-23 is huge for helping to keep a mounting tax bill down.
• Toronto Raptors – One man in, one man out for the Raptors. Toronto got Norman Powell back, but lost Serge Ibaka. Without Ibaka and Marc Gasol, the Raps have gone small with Pascal Siakam and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson starting at the five. They’ve also given increased minutes to Chris Boucher. He responded with 19 points and 15 rebounds in Tuesday’s win at Phoenix. That play has helped keep Toronto just ahead of Boston in the race for the second seed in the East. And despite it all, Toronto can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Thursday at the Golden State Warriors.
• Washington Wizards – The Wizards are clinging to life in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They’ve dropped 4.5 games behind Orlando and a full five games behind Brooklyn. Injuries continue to be a challenge for Washington, as Thomas Bryant can’t play back-to-backs due to foot soreness and Ish Smith went down with hamstring soreness. Once Washington falls out of the race fully, look for the team to actively sit some of their veterans and focus on the younger players the rest of the way.

The post Newswire Notebook: Caris LeVert Goes Off and More appeared first on SLAM.

• Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks are going to be shorthanded at the center spot once again. Dewayne Dedmon had a non-surgical procedure to help alleviate some right elbow pain. Dedmon is expected to miss at least three games and will be re-evaluated after that. With Clint Capela still out for at least another week due to an injured heel, Atlanta will lean on rookie Bruno Fernando and Damian Jones for minutes at the five.
• Boston Celtics – The Celtics return home to Boston off a 3-1 trip to west coast. All four of those games were played without Kemba Walker. You probably know all about how Jayson Tatum went off, and you might be aware that Jaylen Brown had a big trip as well. But did you know that Daniel Theis averaged 16.8 PPG on 64.1% shooting and 10.3 RPG out west?

• Charlotte Hornets – Charlotte has begun to focus on their future, as the 2020 playoffs have slipped out of reach. Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington will all be in the starting five, while rookies Cody Martin, Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels are now rotation fixtures. That means veterans like Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo and Nic Batum will likely see sporadic minutes the rest of the way.
• Chicago Bulls – There might not be an NBA team more banged-up than Chicago. The Bulls are already without starting big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen and now their backup Luke Kornet is joining them on the shelf. Kornet has a severely sprained ankle and a fracture in his foot and will likely miss the rest of the season. The wing group is also struggling, as Kris Dunn is likely out for the year and Chandler Hutchison and Denzel Valentine haven’t been able to stay healthy. On the plus side, Otto Porter Jr. recently returned to practice, so he could come back soon on a limited basis.
• Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavs are finishing the season in a bit of a weird spot. They’ve got older players in the frontcourt and mostly young players in the backcourt and on the wing. Collin Sexton and rookies Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. have all had flashes. Porter dropped 30 points this week in a win over the Miami Heat. Look for new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to emphasize the team’s youth the rest of this season.

• Detroit Pistons – Reports surfaced this week that Detroit will not attempt to work a buyout agreement with Derrick Rose. The Pistons like Rose’s fit with their team and he’s signed for a reasonable salary for next season. With Reggie Jackson out of the mix, Rose has taken over as the starting point guard for Detroit. He’s expected to hold that role for the rest of the season.
• Indiana Pacers – Indiana lost Jeremy Lamb this week to a torn ACL, torn meniscus and a fracture in his left knee. Lamb had started for the Pacers while Victor Oladipo rehabbed during the first half of the season, and went to the bench when Oladipo re-assumed his starting two-guard role. Now, instead of having a double-digit scorer off the bench, Indiana will ask more of Justin and Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell on their second unit.
• Miami Heat – The Heat’s road woes continued this week, as they dropped their sixth-straight game away from South Beach. Miami was also upset at home by the Minnesota Timberwolves. With key rotation players Tyler Herro and Meyers Leonard out, the Heat’s depth has been tested. Erik Spoelstra is also dealing with the task of trying to work Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder into his rotation. All of that has added up to Miami slipping five games behind Boston in the race to stay out of Milwaukee’s half of the Eastern Conference bracket.
• Milwaukee Bucks – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Bucks are on a win streak. This time around it’s “only” four games (and counting!). The most recent of those games was a victory on the road against the Toronto Raptors. Giannis Antetokounmpo said that last year’s playoff loss to Toronto was on his mind entering that game and a motivating factor to come away with a win. The Bucks also became the earliest playoff-clinching team, when they locked up a postseason spot this week.
• New York Knicks – The Knicks continue to have flux at the point guard position. This week Frank Ntilikina went down with a groin injury. This time around Ntilikina will likely be out for a couple of weeks according to head coach Mike Miller. As Ntilikina went out, Elfrid Payton returned from a sore right ankle. Payton immediately reassumed his starting spot, which sent Dennis Smith Jr. back to the bench. The point guard revolving door continues in the Big Apple.
• Orlando Magic – The Magic have inserted trade deadline addition James Ennis III into the starting lineup. Ennis’ presence as a starter gives Orlando another shooter on the floor. While Ennis’ stats aren’t great, it seems to have opened things up for Aaron Gordon. In the month of February, Gordon is averaging 19.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG. That’s helped Orlando climb to within half a game of Brooklyn for the seventh seed in the East.

• Philadelphia 76ers – Philadelphia is going to be down both of their All-Stars for at least a little while, as Joel Embiid hurt his left shoulder on Wednesday. Embiid will join Ben Simmons on the sidelines, as Simmons’ return from an impingement in his back is still unclear. Philadelphia went back to Al Horford in the starting lineup with Simmons out, and Horford will remain a starter for however long Embiid is shelved.
• Toronto Raptors – The Raptors dropped a game to the Bucks, but have won 17-of-19 games, including a 15-game win streak. Toronto is getting a little bit healthier too, as they’re now down just Marc Gasol and Norman Powell from their regular rotation. Powell’s return is imminent, as he returned to full practice this week. Gasol will be a little bit longer, as he just started light practice, but the Raps are almost back to full strength in time for the stretch run.
• Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal is playing out of his mind right now. Beal has scored at least 26 points in 14 straight games. This week, he went supernova, as he scored 53, 55 and 30 points. That scoring binge has helped the Wizards cling to playoff life, as they’re 4.5 games behind Orlando for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

The post Newswire Notebook: Brad Beal’s Scoring Spree and More appeared first on SLAM.

Cavs rookie Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 30 points to help Cleveland upset the Heat. Bam Adebayo almost finished with a triple-double, registering 22 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.

Hawks 112 (17-42), 76ers 129 (36-22)

Joel Embiid showed out against the Hawks, dropping a new career-high of 49 points to secure the home win. Trae Young scored 28 points in the loss.

Bucks 137 (49-8), Wizards 134 (20-36)

Bradley Beal did everything he could to drag his team to the win, putting up his second 50-point game in as many nights, but the Wizards fell at home in overtime. Khris Middleton was the standout for Milwaukee, leading the team with 40 points.

Magic 115 (25-32), Nets 113 (26-30)

Aaron Gordon came up with a clutch block in the final seconds that sealed the road win for Orlando; Gordon finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 24 points for the Nets.

Knicks 112 (17-40), Rockets 123 (37-20)

Houston had no problems in the second half as they coasted to a home win against New York. James Harden scored a team-high 37 points and added 9 assists. Knicks rookie RJ Barrett put up 21 points to lead the team.

Timberwolves 123 (16-40), Mavericks 139 (35-32)

Dallas led from start to finish in their victory against the Wolves. Tim Hardaway Jr. (23 points) and Luka Doncic (20 points) gave the Mavs the scoring edge. D’Angelo Russell scored 29 points for Minnesota.

Suns 131 (24-34), Jazz 111 (36-21)

Ricky Rubio helped his new team beat his ex-team by contributing 22 points and 11 assists in the Suns’ win; his teammate Devin Booker added his own double-double of 24 points and 10 assists. Donovan Mitchell popped off for 38 points in the loss.

Grizzlies 97 (28-28), Clippers 124 (37-19)

LA took a 40-14 lead after the first quarter, a sign of how this game would go. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 25 points.

The post Post Up: Joel Embiid Drops Career-High 49 Points in Win vs. Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

Terry Rozier led a second half comeback for the Hornets, finishing with a game-high 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds. For the Knicks, Julius Randle dropped 24 points and Marcus Morris Sr. added 23 points in the loss. In honor of Kobe, the Hornets wore special arm sleeves that had 8 and 24 written in purple and gold.

Bucks 151 (41-6), Wizards 131 (15-31)

Without Giannis, the Bucks still took care of business easily at home. Khris Middleton went crazy for 51 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists on 16-26 shooting. Eric Bledsoe added 34 points and 10 assists in the blowout win. Despite the loss, Bradley Beal showed out, leading Washington with 47 points and 6 assists in the loss.

76ers 115 (31-17), Warriors 104 (10-38)

It was an emotional night in Kobe’s hometown of Philadelphia, where the Sixers took the floor in number 8 and number 24 jerseys for pregame warmups. Still wearing number 24 in honor of Mamba, Joel Embiid finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the 76ers to the win at home. Embiid even scored his 24th point on a textbook, Kobe-like fadeaway from the corner. For the Warriors, DeAngelo Russell dropped 28 points and 7 assists in the loss.

Pelicans 125 (19-29), Cavaliers 111 (13-35)

The Pelicans built off a 40-point first quarter to pick up the win on the road in Cleveland. New Orleans was led by Jrue Holiday, who finished with 28 points and 8 assists, and Brandon Ingram, who scored 24 in the win. Zion Williamson added 14 points and 9 rebounds on 7-13 shooting. Collin Sexton finished with a team-high 24 points for the Cavs, and Kevin Porter Jr. added 21 off the bench.

Raptors 130 (33-14), Hawks 114 (12-36)

Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka led the way for Toronto, both finishing with 24 points. This win marked the Raptors 8th in a row, and they are now in sole possession of second place in the East. For Atlanta, John Collins had a big night, finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds on 11-14 shooting.

Grizzlies 104 (23-24), Nuggets 96 (32-15)

The Grizzlies continued their impressive play, picking up a win over one of the top teams in the West. Dillon Brooks dropped 24 points to lead the way for Memphis, and Jonas Valanciunas added 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies improved to 8-2 in their last 10. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokic, who finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss.

Celtics 109 (31-15), Heat 101 (32-15)

The Celtics picked up an impressive win on the road against the Heat, who had won 14 straight home games against Eastern Conference opponents. Gordan Hayward dropped a team-high 29 points to go along with 9 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown added 25 points on 10-16 shooting. The Heat were led by Goran Dragic, who dropped 23 off the bench in the loss.

Suns 133 (20-27), Mavericks 104 (29-18)

Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton proved to be a dominant duo, leading the Suns to an impressive road victory over Dallas. Booker finished with 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, and Ayton dropped 31 points on 13-15 shooting. Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 21 points .

The post Post Up: Middleton Drops 51 in Bucks Win Over Wizards appeared first on SLAM.

In this post, just one of a series of 30, we’ll break down the reports that have started to trickle out about Cavs players that may or may not be on the move. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to a league as wild as the modern NBA, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near.

Players Unlikely To Be Traded

• Dante Exum
• Darius Garland
• Collin Sexton
• Cedi Osman

The Cavaliers selected Darius Garland with the intention of playing him alongside Collin Sexton and that’s exactly what they have done. The duo has played 838 minutes together, the fourth-most out of any two-man combo on the team, and while their -13.0 net rating leaves much to be desired, any trade that parts with either guard isn’t likely to occur before this year’s trade deadline.

Cedi Osman, who inked a veteran extension with the team prior to the season, is not eligible to be traded and Dante Exum, who came to the Cavs in the Jordan Clarkson deal in late December, is unlikely to be dealt. If Exum is dealt, the team can’t aggregate his salary with another in order to take back a higher-priced player.

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Kevin Love

Ever since the team traded for Kevin Love, the big man has been the subject of trade speculation in Cleveland, though this feels like the year that he actually dons another uniform. Love had an altercation with general manager Koby Altman earlier in the month, showcasing his frustration with the franchise. Love reportedly berated Altman in front of coaches and players and after Altman threatened to fine Love, the former All-Star responded with “go ahead. I have plenty of money,” per Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Love will continue to get plenty of money. The big man is making $28.9M this season and is owed roughly $90M over the ensuing three seasons. The Cavaliers would like to net a first-round pick in a Love deal, though that contract will give teams pause. Evan Dammarell of Forbes.com hears that the Nuggets and Suns are among the teams to have expressed interest in Love.

Logical Trade Pieces

• Tristan Thompson
• Brandon Knight
• John Henson
• Matthew Dellevedova

It’s no secret that Cleveland is in the midst of a rebuild and the franchise has a desire to trade away its veterans. Tristan Thompson, who is in the final year of his five-year, $80M contract, has played well this season and could help a contender in need. Brandon Knight ($15.6M), John Henson ($9.7M), and Matthew Dellevedova ($9.6M) will all be harder sells due to each player’s price tag.

Trades Are Possible

• Ante Zizic
• Dylan Windler
• Kevin Porter Jr.

Ante Zizic, who has appeared in 16 games for Cleveland this year, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, as the team turned down his fourth-year option. Dylan Windler’s rookie season was cut short thanks to ongoing symptoms related to a lower leg stress reaction. The 2019 No. 26 overall pick hasn’t had a chance to suit up for the Cavs this season. No. 30 overall pick Kevin Porter Jr. appeared in 34 games for Cleveland before going down with a knee injury. He’s expected back later this season.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Primer: Cleveland Cavaliers appeared first on SLAM.

While the non-contact injury conjured memories of debilitating long-term injuries sustained by players around the league in the past, the Cavs have said that they’ll re-evaluate the 19-year-old in a period of two weeks.

Porter Jr. has been a solid addition for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 11.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in a slightly larger December workload.

Porter Jr., selected with the final pick of the first round last June, is one of several young building blocks that John Beilein and Koby Altman have at their disposal as the franchise embarks on an ambitious rebuild.

The post Kevin Porter Jr. Out Two Weeks After Knee Scare appeared first on SLAM.

The Warriors came back from a 22-point deficit as D’Angelo Russell (32 points, six assists) hit a game-tying 3 with seconds to go in regulation, but it wasn’t enough.

The Knicks, led by Marcus Morris Sr.’s 36 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, came back strong in overtime — keeping a red-hot Russell scoreless after the period’s first possession.

Clippers 112 (19-7), Raptors 92 (16-8)

Kawhi Leonard (23 points) received a standing ovation as he was introduced in Toronto for the first time since the 2019 NBA Finals.

His new squad owned the night; however, bouncing back from a five-point first quarter deficit to blow out the Raptors.

Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 24 points and also blocked three shots.

Grizzlies 115 (8-16), Suns 108 (11-13)

Ja Morant (13 points, six assists) caught a body I won’t forget for a long, long time.

Rockets 116 (16-8), Cavaliers 110 (5-19)

It’s going to be hard for naysayers to declare James Harden can only score because of how often he gets to the free throw line now: the Beard led Houston’s comeback charge in Cleveland, scoring 55 points on 20-for-34 shooting while taking just five free throws. He also tied a career-best with 10 3-point attempts made.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 24 points in 29 minutes of work for Cleveland.

Lakers 96 (22-3), Magic 87 (11-13)

The Lakers held the Magic to a measly nine points in the first period and rode that momentum for the rest of the night.

LeBron James finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Hornets 113 (11-16), Nets 108 (13-11)

Devonte Graham is the real deal.

The Carolina-native scored a career-high 40 points and scored Charlotte’s go-ahead bucket to close out the night.

Celtics 117 (17-6), Pacers 122 (16-9)

Kemba Walker took over with 44 points, but five Pacers scoring at least 14 points was too much for Boston to overcome.

Malcolm Brodgon hit all 15 of his free throw attempts en route to a team-high 29 for Indiana.

Thunder 93 (11-13), Kings 94 (11-13)

Bogdan Bogdanovic is making a name for himself as one of the league’s premier crunch time shooters after adding another game-winning shot to his resume.

Pelicans 112 (6-19), Bucks 127 (22-3)

No Giannis? No problem.

The Bucks ran out to 24-point halftime lead despite a DNP from the reigning MVP due to injury.

Eric Bledsoe (29 points) and Khris Middleton (24) held it down in his absence as Milwaukee won its 16th straight. JJ Redick scored a game-high 31 for New Orleans.

Jazz 127 (14-11), Timberwolves 116 (10-14)

Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles combined for 73 points as the Jazz shot 56.6 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from deep as a unit.

The post Post Up: Kawhi Leonard Receives Warm Welcome, Picks Up W in Return to Toronto appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a list of the contract types the Cleveland Cavaliers have heading into training camp. This resource will be updated as players are signed and waived. Check back often to see if your team’s roster configuration has changed.

Cleveland Cavaliers

For a complete list of all the NBA teams and links to each team’s roster breakdown, check out our 2019 NBA Training Camp Index. Follow the curators of this database, Chris Crouse and Austin Kent, on Twitter.

More NBA Training Camp Rosters

The post Cleveland Cavaliers Roster Count: 2019 Training Camp appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down the overall ratings for each player and sorted them by team so that you can see how your squad stacks up against the rest of the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers NBA 2K20 Ratings

This table is updated as of Nov. 22, 2019

Can’t get enough 2K? SLAM’s dedicated gaming channel, @SLAMftw, is blowing up. Hit us with your best uploads and watch our streams!

More NBA 2K20 Ratings

The post NBA 2K20 Ratings: Cleveland Cavaliers appeared first on SLAM.

Starting in the 1995 season, the NBA implemented the rookie salary scale that limits the amount first-round picks can make during their initial contract in the league.

Gone are the days where a rookie Chris Webber could sign a 15-year, $74 million deal with opt-outs or Patrick Ewing could receive a $5 million interest-free loan outside of his multi-million dollar rookie contract.

Today, teams typically sign their prospects to 120% of the rookie scale, though they have the ability to go as a low as 80% of it, which happened with the Cavaliers and Kevin Porter Jr. this year. Players rarely get below the maximum 120% allowed.

Some players have yet to sign their deals in 2019 because of various circumstances (waiting on official draft night trades to be completed for the most part). Below is the amount that each first-round rookie will take home during the 2019-20 season and which players have officially signed:

*Took 80% of the rookie-scale

The post 2019 Rookie Scale Salaries For First-Round Picks appeared first on SLAM.

These are the deals executed after the end of the 2018-19 regular season but before the 2019-20 season that led to players wearing official draft caps of teams that everybody in the building knows that they won’t play for.

Here are those deals in order of pick, with details about who changed hands and what the teams buying up in the draft ended up taking with the pick.

First Round: No. 4 Pick (De’Andre Hunter)
Hawks Get: No. 4, No. 57, Solomon Hill
Pelicans Get: No. 8, No. 17, No. 35

First Round: No. 6 Pick (Cam Johnson)
Wolves Get: No. 6
Suns Get: No. 11, Dario Saric

First Round: No. 17 Pick (flipped)
Hawks Get: No. 17, Allen Crabbe, 2020 1st
Nets Get: Taurean Prince

First Round: No. 20 Pick (Matisse Thybulle)
Celtics Get: No. 20
Sixers Get: No. 24, No. 33

First Round: No. 21 Pick (Brandon Clarke)
Grizzlies Get: No. 21
Thunder Get: No. 23, 2024 2nd

First Round: No. 24 Pick (Ty Jerome)
Suns Get: No. 24, Aron Baynes
Celtics Get: 2020 1st (MIL)

First-Round: No. 27 Pick (Mfiondu Kabengele)
Clippers Get: No. 27
Nets Get: No. 56, 2020 1st (PHI)

First Round: No. 30 Pick (flipped)
Pistons Get: No. 30, Tony Snell
Bucks Get: Jon Leuer

First Round: No. 30 Pick (Kevin Porter Jr.)
Cavs Get: No. 30
Pistons Get: 2020 2nd (UTA), 2021 2nd (POR), 2023 2nd (POR), 2024 2nd (MIA), Cash ($5M)

Second Round: No. 32 Pick (flipped)
Pacers Get: No. 32, T.J. Warren
Suns Get: Cash

Second Round: No. 32 Pick (KZ Okpala)
Heat Get: No. 32
Pacers Get: Future 2nd, Future 2nd, Future 2nd

Second Round: No. 34 Pick (Bruno Fernando)
Hawks Get: No. 34
Sixers Get: No. 57, 2020 2nd, 2023 2nd

Second Round: No. 37 Pick (Deividas Sirvydas)
Pistons Get: No. 37
Mavs Get: No. 45, 2023 2nd (POR), 2024 2nd (MIA)

Second Round: No. 39 Pick (Alen Smailagic)
Warriors Get: No. 39
Pelicans Get: 2021 2nd (GSW), 2023 2nd (GSW), Cash ($1M)

Second Round: No. 41 Pick (Eric Paschall)
Warriors Get: No. 41
Hawks Get: 2024 2nd, Cash ($1.3M)

Second Round: No. 42 Pick (Admiral Schofield)
Wizards Get: No. 42, Jonathon Simmons
Sixers Get: Cash ($2M)

Second Round: No. 44 Pick (flipped)
Heat Get: No. 44
Hawks Get: 2024 2nd, Cash

Second Round: No. 44 Pick (Bol Bol)
Nuggets Get: No. 44
Heat Get: 2022 2nd (DEN/PHI), Cash ($1.2M)

Second Round: No. 46 Pick (Talen Horton-Tucker)
Lakers Get: No. 46
Magic Get: 2020 2nd (LAL), Cash ($2.2M)

Second Round: No. 47 Pick (Ignas Brazdeikis)
Knicks Get: No. 47
Kings Get: No. 55, Cash

Second Round: No. 50 (Jarrell Brantley)
Jazz Get: No. 50
Pacers Get: 2021 2nd (UTA), Cash ($1M)

Second Round: No. 57 (Jordan Bone)
Pistons Get: No. 57
Sixers Get: 2024 2nd (MIL), Cash ($2M)

Second Round: No. 58 (Miye Oni)
Jazz Get: No. 58
Warriors Get: Cash ($2M)

The post Every Pick Trade In The 2019 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

On this fine evening, the night of the 2019 NBA Draft we’ve already seen a plethora of draft trades and you know as well as I do that Woj is just getting warmed up.

Below is a list of the draft results as we get them. We’ll be updating this list as journalists break the news, so don’t be alarmed if we end up getting a bit ahead of the live broadcast.

Peep the list, refresh the list, love the list, we’ll make sure to include any relevant reading or viewing material with the picks as we get them.

RELEVANT: Hit up SLAM Newswire’s running repository of NBA Draft content.

First Round

No. 1: New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson
Must Watch: Zion Williamson is going to shock the world

No. 2: Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant
Must Watch: Ja Morant got it out the mud

No. 3: New York Knicks – R.J. Barrett
Must Read: R.J. Barrett is the most decorated prospect since LeBron James

No. 4: Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter
–The Hawks acquired this from the Pels in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).
–Previously the Pelicans acquired this from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade (story).
–Must Read: De’Andre Hunter has more to prove

No. 5: Cleveland Cavaliers – Darius Garland
–Must Watch: From injury to lottery pick

No. 6: Minnesota Timberwolves – Jarrett Culver
–The Wolves acquired this from the Suns in the Dario Saric trade prior to the draft (story).
–Must Watch: From slept on recruit to lottery pick

No. 7: Chicago Bulls – Coby White

No. 8: New Orleans Pelicans – Jaxson Hayes
–The Pels acquired this pick from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).

No. 9: Washington Wizards – Rui Hachimura
–Must Read: Gonzaga star about to make history

No. 10: Atlanta Hawks – Cam Reddish
–Must Read: Don’t sleep on killa Cam Reddish

No. 11: Phoenix Suns – Cam Johnson
-The Suns acquired this from the Wolves in the Dario Saric trade prior to the draft (story).

No. 12: Charlotte Hornets – P.J. Washington

No. 13: Miami Heat – Tyler Herro

No. 14: Boston Celtics – Romeo Langford

No. 15: Detroit Pistons – Sekou Doumbouya
–Must Read: Europe’s next elite NBA prospect

No. 16: Orlando Magic – Chuma Okeke

No. 17: New Orleans Pelicans – Nickeil Alexander-Walker
-The Pels acquired this from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).
–Previously the Hawks acquired this pick from the Nets in the Allen Crabbe trade (story).

No. 18: Indiana Pacers – Goga Bitadze

No. 19: San Antonio Spurs – Luka Samanic

No. 20: Philadelphia 76ers – Matisse Thybulle
-This Sixers acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 21: Memphis Grizzlies – Brandon Clarke
-The Grizzlies acquired this from the Thunder in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 22: Boston Celtics – Grant Williams

No. 23: Oklahoma City Thunder – Darius Bazley
-The Thunder acquired this from the Grizzlies in a pick swap during the draft (story).
–Must Read: From high school to the G League, Bazley is riding his own wave

No. 24: Phoenix Suns – Ty Jerome
-The Suns acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story).
–Previously the Celtics acquired this from the Sixers in another pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 25: Portland Trail Blazers – Nassir Little
–Must Read: Continuing Carolina’s championship legacy

No. 26: Cleveland Cavaliers – Dylan Windler

No. 27: Los Angeles Clippers – Mfiondu Kabengele
–The Clippers acquired this from the Nets in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 28: Golden State Warriors – Jordan Poole

No. 29: San Antonio Spurs – Keldon Johnson

No. 30: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kevin Porter Jr.
–The Cavaliers acquired this from the Pistons in a pick swap during the draft (story).

Second Round

No. 31: Brooklyn Nets – Nicolas Claxton

No. 32: Miami Heat – KZ Okpala
-The Heat acquired this from the Pacers in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 33: Philadelphia 76ers – Carsen Edwards
-The Sixers acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story)

No. 34: Atlanta Hawks – Bruno Fernando
-The Hawks acquired this from the Sixers in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 35: New Orleans Pelicans – Marcos Louzada Silva
–The Pels acquired this from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).

No. 36: Charlotte Hornets – Cody Martin

No. 37: Detroit PIstons – Deividas Sirvydis
–The Pistons acquired this from the Mavs in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 38: Chicago Bulls – Daniel Gafford

No. 39: Golden State Warriors – Alen Smailagic
-The Warriors acquired this from the Pelicans during the draft (story) .

No. 40: Sacramento Kings – Justin James

No. 41: Golden State Warriors – Eric Paschall

No. 42: Philadelphia 76ers – Admiral Schofield

No. 43: Minnesota Timberwolves – Jaylen Nowell

No. 44: Denver Nuggets – Bol Bol
-The Nuggets acquired this from the Heat during the draft (story).

No. 45: Dallas Mavericks – Isaiah Roby
–The Mavs acquired this from the Pistons in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 46: Los Angeles Lakers – Talen Horton-Tucker
-The Lakers acquired this from the Magic in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 47: New York Knicks – Ignas Brazdeikis
-The Knicks acquired this from the Kings in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 48: Los Angeles Clippers – Terence Mann

No. 49: San Antonio Spurs – Quinndary Weatherspoon

No. 50: Utah Jazz – Jarrell Brantley
-The Jazz acquired this from the Pacers during the draft (story).

No. 51: Boston Celtics – Tremont Waters

No. 52: Charlotte Hornets – Jalen McDaniels

No. 53: Utah Jazz – Justin Wright-Foreman

No. 54: Philadelphia 76ers – Marial Shayok

No. 55: Sacramento Kings – Kyle Guy
-The Kings acquired this from the Knicks during the draft (story).

No. 56: Brooklyn Nets – Jaylen Hands
–The Nets acquired this from the Clippers during the draft (story)

No. 57: Detroit Pistons – Jordan Bone
-The Pistons acquired this from Philly during the draft (story).
–Previously Philly acquired the pick from Atlanta during the draft (story).

No. 58: Utah Jazz – Miye Onei
-The Jazz acquired this from Golden State during the draft (story).

No. 59: Toronto Raptors – Dewan Hernandez

No. 60: Sacramento Kings – Vanja Marinkovic

The post 2019 NBA Draft Results: Your Pick-By-Pick Guide appeared first on SLAM.

Given that we know where the second-round picks in the Kevin Porter Jr. trade initiated, we can infer that the Mavs will pick up the 2023 second-round pick that originally belonged to Portland and the 2024 pick that originally belonged to Miami.

With the 37th pick, the Pistons picked 19-year-old Deividas Sirvydis who, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press initially figured would be a draft-and-stash prospect. International basketball reporter Donatas Urbonas, however, has suggested that Sirvydis may be available to join the Pistons right away.

The post Pistons Acquire No. 37 From Mavs For No. 45, Future Second appeared first on SLAM.

Headed to Detroit will be four second-round picks and some cash*, Shams Charania of The Athletic writes. The news of the trade comes one day after the Pistons acquired that No. 30 pick. We wrote about Detroit adding Tony Snell and his $11.4 million contract.

All told, the Pistons managed to acquire a potential rotation piece wing and add a pile of second-round picks just by taking on the three years left on Snell’s deal.

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the four second-rounders heading to Detroit will come in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor added additional clarity specifying that the 2021 and 2023 picks were originally Portland’s, while the 2020 pick is Utah’s and the 2024 pick is Miami’s. Hat tip Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

*Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that the Cavs paid $5 million in this trade.

The post Cavaliers Trade With Pistons For No. 30 Pick. appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a break down of our 2019 NBA Draft content thus far, all the trades and all the analysis. We’ll update this page throughout the day as an index of what’s going on around the league.

Resources
Pick-by-pick 2019 NBA Draft results
Team-by-team Breakdown of the 2019 NBA Draft
Draft power rankings, pick allocation ahead of 2019 NBA Draft
The financial impact of lottery picks
The final list of green room invites

Trades
The Jazz acquire No. 58 from Warriors (Oni Miye)
The Warriors acquire No. 39 from Pelicans (Alen Smailagic)
The Pistons acquire No. 57 from Sixers (Jordan Bone)
The Jazz acquire No. 50 from the Pacers (Jarrell Brantley)
The Knicks acquire No. 47 from Kings (Ignas Brazdeikis)
The Nuggets acquire No. 44 from Heat (Bol Bol)
The Lakers acquire No. 46 from Magic (Talen Horton-Tucker)
The Pistons acquire No. 37 from Mavs (Deividas Sirvydis)
The Hawks acquire No. 34 from Sixers (Bruno Fernando)
The Heat acquire No. 32 from Pacers (KZ Okpala)
The Wizards acquire No. 42 (and Jonathon Simmons) from Sixers (Admiral Schofield)
The Warriors acquire No. 30 from Pistons (Kevin Porter Jr.)
The Clippers acquire No. 27 from Nets (Mfiondu Kabengele)
The Suns acquire No. 24 (and Aron Baynes) from Celtics (Ty Jerome)
The Grizzlies acquire No. 21 from Thunder (Brandon Clarke)
The Sixers acquire No. 20 from Celtics (Matisse Thybulle)
The Wolves acquire No. 6 from Suns (Cam Johnson)
The Hawks acquire No. 4 from Pelicans (De’Andre Hunter)
The Pacers acquire No. 32 (and T.J. Warren) from Suns (flipped)
The Warriors acquire No. 41 from Hawks (Eric Paschall)
The Pistons acquire No. 30 (and Tony Snell) from Bucks (flipped)
The Heat acquire No. 44 from Hawks (flipped)
The Hawks acquire No. 17 from Nets (flipped)

Noyz
Recapping all the reports of teams looking to move up
Darius Garland a ‘strong consideration’ to go No. 3
The Hawks are looking to move No. 8 and No. 10 to trade up

The post SLAM Newswire’s 2019 NBA Draft Content appeared first on SLAM.

Update #1, 4:40 pm: Jonathan Givony of ESPN writes that Bol Bol has received the 20th and final green room invite.

The NBA continues to progress toward a list of 20 green room invites ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft. Most recently, Jonathan Givony of ESPN reports, the league has extended offers to Georgian center Goga Bitadze, Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Virginia Tech.

Bitadze is the No. 2-ranked center on the board behind Jaxson Hayes while Johnson and Alexander-Walker are swingmen projected to land in the 15-25 range.

Of course the additions of those three players to the list of 16 players that we already know have received invites leaves one more vacancy.

Givony speculates that Bol Bol, Cam Johnson, Mfiondu Kabengele and KZ Okpala would be the most likely candidates.

Other potential fits for that last invite could be Grant Williams or Kevin Porter Jr.

Here’s a complete list of the players that we know have received invites…

2019 NBA Draft Green Room Invites
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
R.J. Barrett
Goga Bitadze
Bol Bol
Brandon Clarke
Nic Claxton
Jarrett Culver
Sekou Doumbouya
Darius Garland
Rui Hachimura
Jaxson Hayes
Tyler Herro
De’Andre Hunter
Keldon Johnson
Mfiondu Kabengele
Romeo Langford
Nassir Little
Ja Morant
Kevin Porter Jr.
Cam Reddish
P.J. Washington
Coby White
Zion Williamson

The post NBA Extends Green Room Invites To 23 Players appeared first on SLAM.

Late last month, the league revealed a list of 89 NCAA players who withdrew their name from the early entrant pool after getting a feel for their draft stock throughout the month of May. By withdrawing prior to that initial NCAA deadline on May 29, those players retained NCAA eligibility.

As outlined in the press release with the confirmed entrants, an additional 47 international players withdrew before Monday’s NBA deadline. In neither batch of withdrawals were there any notable surprises.

All told, of the 233 players that initially declared as early entry candidates in April, 145 of them have opted out of the process.

Related: Romeo Langford, Nassir Little and Tyler Herro are the latest to receive NBA Draft green room invites

The List
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
RJ Barrett
Tyus Battle
Darius Bazley
Bol Bol
Marques Bolden
Jordan Bone
Ky Bowman
Ignas Brazdeikis
Oshae Brissett
Armoni Brooks
Charlie Brown Jr.
Moses Brown
Brandon Clarke
Nicolas Claxton
Amir Coffey
Tyler Cook
Jarrett Culver
Aubrey Dawkins
Luguentz Dort
Jason Draggs
Carsen Edwards
Bruno Fernando
Daniel Gafford
Darius Garland
Kyle Guy
Rui Hachimura
Jaylen Hands
Jared Harper
Jaxson Hayes
Dewan Hernandez
Tyler Herro
Amir Hinton
Jaylen Hoard
Daulton Hommes
Talen Horton-Tucker
De’Andre Hunter
Ty Jerome
Keldon Johnson
Mfiondu Kabengele
Louis King
V.J. King
Sagaba Konate
Martin Krampelj
Romeo Langford
Cameron Lard
Dedric Lawson
Jalen Lecque
Jacob Ledoux
Nassir Little
Trevor Manuel
Charles Matthews
Jalen McDaniels
Ja Morant
Zach Norvell Jr.
Jaylen Nowell
Chuma Okeke
KZ Okpala
Miye Oni
Lamar Peters
Shamorie Ponds
Jordan Poole
Jontay Porter
Kevin Porter Jr.
Brandon Randolph
Cam Reddish
Isaiah Reese
Naz Reid
Austin Robinson
Isaiah Roby
Ayinde Russell
Samir Sehic
Simisola Shittu
Justin Simon
D’Marcus Simonds
Jalen Sykes
Rayjon Tucker
Nick Ward
PJ Washington Jr.
Tremont Waters
Coby White
Lindell Wigginton
Kris Wilkes
Grant Williams
Zion Williamson
Kenny Wooten

Goga Bitadze
Yago Dos Santos
Sekou Doumbouya
Matas Jogela
Marcos Louzada Silva
William McDowell-White
Adam Mokoka
Joshua Obiesie
David Okeke
Luka Samanic
Deividas Sirvydis
Yovel Zoosman

The post After Withdrawals, 98 Early Entry Draft Candidates Remain appeared first on SLAM.

Players who declared in time will be free to participate in NBA workouts and even perform at next month’s NBA Combine if invited, all while retaining the option to return to their NCAA club so long as they withdraw their name by May 29th.

Early entrants not concerned with their NCAA eligibility will have until June 10 to remove their name from the list of draftable candidates.

Below are some of the highest profile names to make themselves available as early entry draft candidates, a group headlined by unprecedented physical force Zion Williamson and mid-major point guard superstar Ja Morant.

Below is Tankathon’s current NBA Draft Big Board with links to SLAM Newswire posts that take a deeper look at the prospects and what they might be able to expect come June.

1. Zion Williamson
2. Ja Morant
3. Jarrett Culver
4. Brandon Clarke
5. R.J. Barrett
6. Cam Reddish
7. Jaxson Hayes
8. De’Andre Hunter
9. Bol Bol
10. Sekou Doumbouya
11. Coby White
12. Darius Garland
13. Bruno Fernando
14. Tyler Herro
15. Goga Bitadze
16. Romeo Langford
17. Grant Williams
18. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
19. P.J. Washington
20. Rui Hachimura
21. Nassir Little
22. Kevin Porter Jr.
23. Jontay Porter
24. Matisse Thybulle (senior, no need to declare)
25. Cameron Johnson (senior, no need to declare)
26. Talen Horton-Tucker
27. Keldon Johnson
28. Chuma Okeke
29. Shamorie Ponds
30. Ty Jerome

Related: Tie-breakers broken ahead of NBA Lottery

The post Early Entry Candidates For 2019 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

While injury woes limited his 2018-19 impact, Porter Jr. is an athletic wing that could prove to be one of this class’ most potent offensive threats if he lands in the right situation.

Porter Jr. sits in the No. 22 spot on Tankathon’s NBA Draft Big Board after starting just four games for the Trojans but oozes potential that could give a team willing to take a gamble on him one of the bargains of the draft.

Porter Jr. missed a substantial chunk of the season with a thigh injury and then two more games with a team suspension.

The post USC Guard Kevin Porter To Declare For Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Tobias Harris continued to shine for his new team, scoring 25 points on 9-f0r-14 shooting. His plus-minus of plus-27 was a team-best.

Kevin Knox threw down a thunderous poster over Ben Simmons to ease the pain of New York’s franchise-worst 18th straight loss.

KEVIN KNOX JUST CAUGHT A BODY (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/f2ZSQdnvwa

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Heat 112 (26-30), Mavericks 101 (26-31)

Dwyane Wade poured in 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting in just 22 minutes of work to defeat Dirk Nowitzki in their 34th and final NBA game against each other. Dirk had 12 points off the pine for Dallas.

The win for Wade means the two will retire with 17-17 records against each other — 11-11 in the regular season and 6-6 in the NBA Finals.

Dwyane and Dirk taking turns serving up fadeaway buckets has got me emotional… (via @bleacherreport) pic.twitter.com/P9AjQmrVAv

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Dwyane and Dirk exchange jerseys bc legend recognizes legend. (via @dallasmavs) https://t.co/VoRxpnKhmh

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Nets 148 (30-29), Cavs 139 (12-46)

Former teammates D’Angelo Russell (36 points, seven rebounds, eight assists) and Jordan Clarkson (42 points, eight rebounds, five assists) went the distance in an epic 3OT duel.

I’d trust a D’Lo shot in crunch time with my life (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/IIMeh97IVK

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Sometimes new beginnings mean everything.

Former teammates D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson combined for 7⃣8⃣ points in an epic 3OT duel tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZlXLftFPNA

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Jordan Clarkson had 42 points, eight rebounds, and five assists tonight, joining Allen Iverson (2002) and Nate Robinson (2010) as the only players over the last 35 years with at least 40 points, five rebounds, and five assists off the bench in a game. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/iRxf8OOJYh

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) February 14, 2019

Bucks 106 (43-14), Pacers 97 (38-20)

Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed all over the hardwood with 33 points, 19 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and a block as the Bucks took care of business heading into the All-Star Break.

Kings 118 (30-27), Nuggets 120 (39-18)

The Nuggets got off to a sloppy start as the Kings scored 41 first quarter points, but they were able to claw their way back in thanks to 20 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists by Nikola Jokic and 25 points and 13 boards from Paul Millsap.

Isaiah Thomas had eight points and two dimes in 13 minutes of work in his first game in 11 months.

Jokic’s tip-in with 0.3 seconds to go gave the big man his second game-winner of 2019.

De’Aaron Fox got that Reggie Bush first step (via @SacramentoKings) https://t.co/qUftt9Junl

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

IT’s jumper is still (via @nbatv) pic.twitter.com/Im2I6owgIk

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

JOKIC CALLED GAME. (via @espnnba) pic.twitter.com/H20vI3L2I9

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Pistons 110 (26-30), Celtics 118 (37-21)

The Celtics took care of business without the services of Kyrie Irving or Terry Rozier has seven players chipped in at least nine points, with Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward all scoring 16 or more.

Blake Griffin scored a game-high 32 for the Pistons and Andre Drummond had 21 points, 17 rebounds and four steals.

Wizards 120 (24-34), Raptors 129 (43-16)

Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 44 points and grabbed 10 boards as the Raptors took care of business at home. Jeremy Lin had eight points, five boards and five assists in 25 minutes during his Toronto debut.

How good does this one feel tonight, @pskills43? pic.twitter.com/OvNRv7a5P9

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 14, 2019

Grizzlies 110 (23-36), Bulls 122 (14-44)

Otto Porter Jr. scored 37 points on a blazing 16-for-20 shooting night as the Bulls started off strong with 67 first half points. Lauri Marrkanen added 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Suns 107 (11-48), Clippers 134 (32-27)

Lou Williams dropped 30 points off the pine as the Clippers dominated the Suns from start to finish. Montrezl Harrell added 19 off the bench, too.

Kelly Oubre Jr. led the Suns with 28 points.

KELLY OUBRE JUST CAUGHT A BODY (via @suns) pic.twitter.com/w9toSJ7mPj

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Rockets 111 (33-24), Timberwolves 121 (27-30)

James Harden scored 42 as he kept his 30-point game streak alive, but it wasn’t enough to overcome seven Timberwolves scoring double-digit points. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jeff Teague combined for 52 to lead Minnesota.

Derrick Rose still got that turbo (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/dlY0p8nwo5

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

JOSH OKOGIE JUST STUFFED THE BEARD (via @nbatv) pic.twitter.com/APHA10mq1X

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Warriors 107 (41-16), Trail Blazers 129 (34-23)

Kevin Durant and Steph Curry each dropped 32 points, but eight Trail Blazers scoring at least 10 enough to down the defending champs.

Portland outscored Golden State 35-12 in the final period as Jake Layman took over with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Damian Lillard had a team-high 29.

Seth just gave Steph a lil work (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/hocjGpKHb4

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

Jake Layman out here hitting the Warriors with the MJ shrug. 2019 wild lmao. (via @nbatv) pic.twitter.com/LqBT6pzmtG

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 14, 2019

The post Post Up: D’Angelo Russell Goes OFF in 3OT, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade Meet for Final Time appeared first on SLAM.

Even NBA stars Allen Iverson, Jamal Crawford and Damian Lillard rave about his game.

RELATED:
Kevin Porter Jr Impresses Damian Lillard at Nike Hoop Summit Scrimmage

The post USC’s Kevin Porter Jr Is No Longer Under-the-Radar! 👀 appeared first on SLAM.

Porter adds that his game also contains a little Tracy McGrady.

Here’s what Michael Porter Jr. told me about how he views himself in the NBA (@MPJr): pic.twitter.com/Qvh39yDsbz

— Damon Amendolara (@DAonCBS) June 18, 2018

The 19-year-old’s back problems led to surgery, cutting short his lone college season at Missouri to just three games.

Per the AP:

“I’m feeling great,” Porter Jr. said.

He believes he’s the best player. But with every indication that Deandre Ayton will go No. 1 to Phoenix, the intrigue starts at No. 2 and Porter is surely getting a real long look from the franchises that have the other top-10 spots, those being in order Sacramento, Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, Orlando, Chicago, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia.

“I just feel like in today’s game, there’s guys that can do anything on the floor,” Porter Jr. said. “And that’s how I kind of view myself.”

The post Michael Porter Jr: ‘I’m a Mix of Giannis and KD’ appeared first on SLAM.

“That’s what the first practice was,” Kevin Garnett tells SLAM.

He was 19 years old, only a few months removed from his high school graduation. As the first player to make the leap from the preps to the pros in two decades, he made for an easy target. Even teammates wanted to send a message.

This is the NBA. Let’s see if you truly belong here.

They hit the rook with hard, illegal screens. They were extra physical on the low post. They blew him up on box outs.

Garnett wasn’t going to let that “dumb sh*t” fly. He was involved in four different fist fights on that first day alone.

“I don’t know what [my teammates] thought,” he says. “I wasn’t going to back down. I wanted everybody to know that I was there and I wasn’t going anywhere. If I had to fight everybody in the room, coaches included, I wanted everybody to make a line right here, and one at a time, step up. That’s what I was on”

When it came time for sprints, Garnett outran everyone, even the guards. It was his way of setting the tone.

“That was the only option,” he maintains.

The practice ended with KG sprawled out on the court, gasping for air. Minnesota would be back at the facility in a few hours for another practice.

“He was laying on the ground. He had given everything,” Kevin McHale, the general manager for the Wolves back then, remembers. “He’s laying down, he’s just breathing heavy. I go, you know we go again at five. He says, I know, I know, I know. I’m thinking, OK, there’s no way this kid is going to be able to put that much energy into tonight’s practice.”

But McHale didn’t know Garnett. Not yet.

“He did the same exact thing that night – Laying on the ground after that practice. He did the same thing the next morning, and the next night while we had two-a-days,” McHale recalls. “I’ve seen guys work really hard, I’ve never seen anybody work harder.”

I ask Garnett today: What kept you going? How did you do it?

There’s a brief pause.

And then his voice excitedly rises.

“F*cking pride.”

—

23 years later, Garnett is focused on helping the next generation prepare for their first taste of the NBA. He has been training top prospects Mo Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr as part of a new Players Only Film series called NEXT UP, modeled after Area 21, developed by NBA Digital and produced exclusively for Facebook Watch by Turner and the NBA. Two episodes – one on Mo and one on Jaren – are airing this week.

Garnett knows firsthand how difficult the transition to the League can be. When he traveled to Toronto for the 1995 Draft, it was a whole different world.

“Can you imagine coming from the West side of Chicago straight to Toronto, Canada?” he laughs.  “It felt like I was in France or something, I didn’t know what the hell was going on.”

Soon the teen phenom was walking across the stage to shake the commissioner’s hand and off to begin a completely new life in Minnesota. At 19, he had to learn about managing time and money, maintaining structure amid a grueling travel schedule, and fulfilling all the duties — small and large — involved with being a rook. Not to mention meeting the challenge on the floor.

“This ain’t something where someone just comes up to you and gives you a speech or someone drops off a box or someone gives you a folder and papers and says, Hey, this is how you do it in the League. It’s not like that,” he explains.

KG attacked this unfamiliar experience the only way he knew how — by going harder than everyone else and committing himself to the game. He kept up the intensity in the gym and constantly soaked up tips from the veterans around him – guys like Sam Mitchell, Terry Porter, and Isaiah Rider.

It’s the same “OG” relationship, as he calls it, that Garnett is trying to establish with Bamba and Jackson Jr. He believes it to be a lost art in today’s NBA.

Designing and handling their workouts, Garnett’s approach has been to keep things positive.

“The workouts are to build you, not to demean you or destroy you,” he explains. “I’m hard on you, but I’m also pushing you to be the best you can be during the 45 minutes.”

Skill work is pointed and meticulous. Bamba, a seven-foot center out of Texas with an unreal 7-10 wingspan, has been concentrated on honing his offensive abilities. Jackson Jr., a 6-11 versatile forward from Michigan State, wants to strengthen his defense in preparation for a league that increasingly leans towards “small ball.”

“It’s been crazy [working with KG]. He’s The Ticket,” says Jackson, smiling. “At first you’re like, Oh my god, that’s KG, that’s the dude I looked up to.

“His intensity is unreal. He explains everything in full detail. He wants you to understand what he’s saying, and really grasp it.”

For Garnett, the process has been rewarding, seeing in both players the same ambition he had upon entering the NBA. KG takes care to also mentor the guys on what it’s like to be a rookie, how to interact with your teammates, how to adjust to the lifestyle and more.

Most of all, of course, Garnett has tried to pass on the attitude.

The one that left him collapsed on the floor every day after practice. The one that sparked four early fist fights. The one that had him working while others were out having fun. The one that brought him an MVP trophy and an NBA title.

You know, this one:

“My advice to those guys was be who you are. Don’t be afraid to learn something, don’t be afraid to mess up,” he says. “If you mess up, it’s okay. Mess up with passion, though. Mess up doing it as hard as you can do it. Let these motherfu**ers know your name. You got a chance to dunk, dunk on his ass! F*ck him! Step on this motherfu**er. F*ck that. F*ck him. That’s the attitude I’m giving them… When we hit this floor, and this ball is dribbling, f*ck you. That’s the way you got to play. If not, you’re the one being stepped on.”

And that doesn’t fly with Garnett. Never did.

Additional episodes of “Next Up” will be centered on Thursday’s Draft and the NBA Summer League. 

—

Alex Squadron is an Associate News Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @asquad510.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Kevin Garnett is Guiding the Next Generation of the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Among the known invitations: Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton, Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr., Texas’ Mo Bamba, Alabama’s Collin Sexton, Oklahoma’s Trae Young, Duke’s Wendell Carter Jr., Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr., Villanova’s Mikal Bridges, Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, Kentucky’s Kevin Knox, Texas A&M’s Robert Williams, Miami’s Lonnie Walker, Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo, Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith, Boston College’s Jerome Robinson, Boise State’s Chandler Hutchison and UCLA’s Aaron Holiday.

No non-collegiate prospect made the cut this year, as projected top pick Luka Doncic won’t be in attendance due to his Real Madrid season.

The green room is a staging area near the podium where players wait with their families to be selected.

RELATED
Collin Sexton is Bringing Old School Attitude Back To The NBA

The post Peep the Invite List for the 2018 NBA Draft Green Room 👀 appeared first on SLAM.

There’s a very real chance the Kings would take Michael Porter Jr. at No. 2, but it’s unclear how the canceling of the Friday workout in Chicago might impact the process. They want more intel on medical and another look. Teams are being told that the workout will be rescheduled.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 14, 2018

Kings appear to be pondering Porter Jr., Doncic and Bagley more than the rest, with the assumption that Phoenix takes Ayton No. 1 https://t.co/CO2DvAAWXs

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 14, 2018

Porter Jr, a 6-10 versatile forward, was scheduled to have a workout in Chicago on Friday but canceled at the last minute due to hip spasms, as The Ringer‘s Kevin O’Connor and Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charnia report:

Michael Porter Jr.’s group canceled a workout scheduled on Friday, per league sources. The Knicks, Suns, Kings and other lottery teams had planned to attend in Chicago.@ringer‘s mock draft is updated to reflect the latest intel, including Porter rising: https://t.co/0PYq9NNvWx

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 14, 2018

Sources: NBA Draft lottery teams were informed Wednesday that Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr., a projected high-lottery draft pick, canceled second Pro Day workout Friday because of hip spasms and would undergo tests.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 14, 2018

Despite the hip spasms, Porter Jr has continued to rise up draft boards.

RELATED
Report: Teams Gauging Knicks’ Interest in Trading up to Draft Michael Porter Jr

The post Report: ‘Very Real Chance’ Kings Draft Michael Porter Jr at No. 2 appeared first on SLAM.

The offseason hot stove is already burning up just three days after the Warriors’ win. The Kings and Mavericks are open to moving down in the draft, according to multiple league front-office executives. Sacramento is in the asset-stacking business, while Dallas is trying to compete for the playoffs next season.

O’Connor further reports that the Clippers (No. 12 and No. 13) are one team interested in moving up:

The Clippers, who have the no. 12 and no. 13 picks, are one team pushing to move up, as I previously reported, and have interest in both [EuroLeague star] Luka Doncic and [Missouri forward] Michael Porter Jr. 

Most mocks project the Suns to select DeAndre Ayton with the first overall pick. After his workout in Phoenix concluded, Ayton told the media: “I know I’m going No. 1.”

It was previously reported that both the Kings and Hawks (No. 3) will likely pass on Doncic — a player that other teams, like the Clips, seem to value highly.

The draft is Thursday, June 21 at the Barclays Center.

RELATED
Report: Luka Doncic to Remain in the 2018 NBA Draft

The post Report: Kings and Mavericks Open To Moving Down in 2018 Draft appeared first on SLAM.

O’Connor noted that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is a Seattle-resident who’s familiar with Porter from his playing days at Nathan Hale High School — a member school of Ballmer’s son’s league. Ballmer reportedly paused his own interview during the NBA Draft Combine to check in on Porter’s.

Porter only played three games in college with Mizzou due to a lower back injury in the Tigers’ season opener that required surgery, but ended his high school career as the top-ranked player in the class of 2018.

The post Report: Clippers Considering Trading Up In Draft For Michael Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

Notable prospects not attending include DeAndre Ayton and Luka Doncic, who are both vying to be the No. 1 overall pick, as well as Texas A&M center Robert Williams. Doncic is currently playing in the EuroLeague playoffs.

The combine will be held in Chicago from May 16-20.

Here’s the complete list, via Yahoo:

Rawle Alkins

Grayson Allen

Kostas Antetokounmpo

Udoka Azubuike

Marvin Bagley III

Mohamed Bamba

Jaylen Barford

Keita Bates-Diop

Tyus Battle

Brian Bowen II

Mikal Bridges

Miles Bridges

Bruce Brown Jr.

Troy Brown Jr.

Jalen Brunson

Tony Carr

Jevon Carter

Wendell Carter

Hamidou Diallo

Donte DiVincenzo

Trevon Duval

Jacob Evans

Bruno Fernando

Melvin Frazier Jr.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Devonte Graham

Devon Hall

Jaylen Hands

Kevin Hervey

Aaron Holiday

Kevin Huerter

Chandler Hutchison

Jaren Jackson Jr.

Justin Jackson

Alize Johnson

George King

Kevin Knox

Sagaba Konate

Caleb Martin

Cody Martin

Yante Maten

Brandon McCoy

De’Anthony Melton

Chimezie Metu

Shake Milton

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk

Malik Newman

Josh Okogie

Jontay Porter

Michael Porter Jr.

Billy Preston

Jerome Robinson

Mitchell Robinson

Collin Sexton

Landry Shamet

Anfernee Simons

Zhaire Smith

Omari Spellman

Khyri Thomas

Gary Trent Jr.

Allonzo Trier

Jarred Vanderbilt

Moritz Wagner

Lonnie Walker

PJ Washington

Austin Wiley

Kris Wilkes

Kenrich Williams

Trae Young

RELATED
NBA Exec: Bamba May Have Higher Upside Than Ayton

The post The Full 2018 NBA Draft Combine List 👀 appeared first on SLAM.

The group – which included Mac McClung, Shareef O’Neal, Kevin Porter Jr., and more – sat down at a roundtable at the event banquet and debated the all-time NBA greats. Peep the conversation above.

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Michael Jordan Needled Allen Iverson Over Legendary Crossover

The post Allen Iverson Talks NBA With Top High School Seniors appeared first on SLAM.

Ben Simmons didn’t record another triple-double, but he was nonetheless phenomenal as the Sixers won their 10th game in a row. The rookie finished with 20 points and 15 assists, helping Philly record at least 30 assists for a team-record ninth-straight game. A 14-0 run from the Sixers in the third quarter, which came right after the Hornets momentarily grabbed the lead, put the game away. Marco Belinelli led all scorers with 22 points, and Malik Monk and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist each had 16 to lead the Hornets.

Ben Simmons put on a show in the first half (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/rXKETkkM78

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Bulls 113 (26-51), Wizards 94 (42-35)

Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points on 5-8 shooting from three as the Bulls handed the Wizards their third-straight road loss. As a team, the Bulls were on fire from deep, making 18 of 34 three-point attempts. Bobby Portis went 4-5 from three off the bench and scored 18 points. The Wizards, a day after wrapping up a playoff spot, turned the ball over 16 times, but got 17 points from Otto Porter Jr.

Give it to the big man (via @chicagobulls) pic.twitter.com/VdKkOTnULS

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Pacers 111 (46-31), Clippers 104 (41-36)

Victor Oladipo filled the stat sheet with 30 points, 12 assists, five steals, and four rebounds to lead the Pacers on the road. Indiana earned its 12th win in 16 games thanks to Oladipo’s heroics, a 35-26 fourth quarter, and 24 points from Myles Turner. Tobias Harris had 21 and Lou Williams scored 20 to lead the Clippers, who are now two games out of the 8 spot in the West with five remaining.

Why you hustle back (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/463sYaRRuU

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Spurs 100 (45-32), Rockets 83 (62-15)

The Rockets still have the best record in the NBA, but the Spurs held them to their lowest point total of the season on Sunday. Houston shot just 34 percent overall and went 7-31 from three. On the other end, LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Spurs, while Rudy Gay added 21. James Harden had 25 points and eight assists for Houston.

on one end
on the other

Rudy Gay is on a mission today. (via @spurs) pic.twitter.com/FkfZzd3Ct6

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Hawks 94 (22-55), Magic 88 (22-54)

Back-to-back buckets from Tyler Dorsey with under two minutes to go gave the Hawks all the breathing room they needed to hold off the Magic in a back-and-forth game. Dorsey scored a team-high 19 off the bench on 8-11 shooting, including three from long distance. D.J. Augustin had 20 to lead the Magic.

I mean…

That’s a good way to end a quarter. pic.twitter.com/9KMkbm5hnt

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 1, 2018

Pistons 108 (37-40), Nets 96 (25-52)

Playing without Blake Griffin once again, the Pistons earned their fifth win in a row, this one behind 29 points from Reggie Jackson. Detroit is still alive in the playoff hunt, albeit just barely, at four games out of the 8 seed with five remaining. Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris each scored 15 points for the Nets.

JARRETT ALLEN TAKES FLIGHT! (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/hk7xftFM68

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Cavaliers 98 (47-30), Mavericks 87 (23-54)

LeBron James endured a rough day offensively and still somehow managed a triple-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. That pretty much says it all about LeBron. Cleveland has won eight out of nine as it tries to wrap up the 3 seed in the East. Harrison Barnes had 30 for the Mavericks, but only one other Dallas player scored more then nine.

This dish from @JmCalderon to @KingJames is [insert adjective here]!#CavsMavs on FSO & FOX Sports GO: https://t.co/cAF8QeAZBW pic.twitter.com/SkW8oT5CNH

— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) April 1, 2018

Thunder 109 (45-33), Pelicans 104 (43-34)

Russell Westbrook’s triple-double (26 points, 15 rebounds, 13 assists) and Paul George’s 19 first-half points lifted the Thunder in a close game over the Pelicans. They stayed within reach of the 4 seed, or even the 3 with some luck, while New Orleans’ path to wrapping up a playoff spot narrowed a little bit. Anthony Davis had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Pelicans.

Pass + Finish (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/zKNxhMUiUR

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Jazz 121 (44-33), Timberwolves 97 (44-34)

The Jazz shot a season-best 60.5 percent from the field to blow out the Timberwolves and improve to 25-5 over their last 30 games. Some of the shooting numbers were outrageous. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points on 10-15 shooting. Ricky Rubio had 23 and shot 9-14. He also went 5-6 from three. Andrew Wiggins had 23 and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 for the Timberwolves, but it wasn’t close to enough.

Jazz. Basketball. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/rBgZl6OTjg

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 2, 2018

Warriors 117 (56-21), Suns 107 (19-59)

The Warriors didn’t look like themselves for the first half of this one, but came alive with a 36-18 third quarter to beat the Suns. Kevin Durant led the way with a near triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists), and Draymond Green had 13 points and 12 assists. Marquese Chriss and Josh Jackson each had 22 for the Suns who, somehow, have lost 25 out of 26.

Give him the bucket and the assist. (via @Suns) pic.twitter.com/utlfTeNda3

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 2, 2018

Nuggets 128 (42-35), Bucks 125 (OT) (41-36)

The Nuggets trailed by eight in the final minute of regulation but rallied to force overtime on three Jamal Murray free throws with 2.8 seconds left. Denver never trailed in overtime as Jabari Parker missed what would have been the game-tying three in the final seconds. Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul Millsap added 26 and 13 of his own. Parker had 35 for the Bucks.

t o u c h pic.twitter.com/YmSxDShATx

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 2, 2018

Trail Blazers 113 (48-29), Grizzlies 98 (21-56)

The Blazers clinched a playoff spot behind 27 points from Damian Lillard and 20 from CJ McCollum. Portland led by as many as 23 but had to fend off a late rally from Memphis to hold on. Dillon Brooks had 28 to lead the Grizzlies. While it took until Sunday for the Blazers to officially clinch the playoffs thanks to a crowded middle of the field, they’re in good shape for the 3 seed and home court in the first round.

Dillon Brooks hit one from Eugene! (via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/jzy7rXfq5W

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 2, 2018

Kings 84 (25-53), Lakers 83 (33-43)

Buddy Held broke an 80-80 tie on a dunk with 37 seconds left and De’Aaron Fox made what proved to be the game winner 26 seconds later to hand the Lakers their third loss in four games. Hield led the Kings with 19 points and Julius Randle matched him to lead the Lakers. Neither team shot well for the game as the two combined to go 14-56 from three 23-39 from the line.

When Trill jumps, you better look up pic.twitter.com/GcQeEUe28o

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 2, 2018

The post Post Up: Sixers Win 10th Straight And Spurs Knock Off Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

John Wall returned for his first game in two months and made an impact right away with 15 points and 14 assists to lead the Wizards to a win and, officially, a spot in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Otto Porter Jr. had 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Bradley Beal scored 22 more. The Hornets were led by Dwight Howard, who scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds, while newly crowned franchise scoring leader Kemba Walker struggled with just seven points, two assists, and four turnovers.

Marcin with the (via @WashWizards) pic.twitter.com/ErsRAYJoXd

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 31, 2018

Pistons 115 (36-40), Knicks 109 (27-50)

The Pistons are almost certainly not headed toward the playoffs, but they stayed alive mathematically with their fourth straight win on Saturday, this one coming in New York. Andre Drummond had 22 points and 17 rebounds to lead the way as all five Pistons starters scored in double figures and all 10 who played scored. Michael Beasley had 32 for a Knicks team that has now lost three in a row and five out of six. Blake Griffin once again sat out with a bone bruise that figures to keep him sidelined for at least a week.

BEASLEY WITH THE POSTER! (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/KFDdMqR7wT

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 31, 2018

Celtics 110 (53-23), Raptors 99 (55-21)

The Celtics pulled to within two games of the Raptors for the top seed in the East with six games remaining thanks to 25 points from Marcus Morris and 24 from Jayson Tatum. The two teams will play again Wednesday, this time in Toronto. The Celtics trailed by two going into the fourth quarter and the game was tied with 5:26 to play before Boston went on a 10-0 run to put the game away. DeMar DeRozan had 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in the loss.

Baynes Jaylen pic.twitter.com/otVXTGJ9LB

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 1, 2018

Nets 110 (25-51), Heat 109 (OT) (41-36)

Dwyane Wade missed what would have been the game-winner — a layup that seemingly hung on the rim for minutes — as the Nets escaped with a road win in overtime. Wade thought he got fouled on the play and Hassan Whiteside complained after the game about how little he played down the stretch. All in all, it was an ugly evening for a Heat team that missed an opportunity to wrap up a playoff spot. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 20 to lead seven Nets players in double figures.

WOW @CARISLEVERT pic.twitter.com/xpn6QoM5KX

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 1, 2018

Warriors 112 (55-21), Kings 96 (24-53)

Kevin Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Klay Thompson scored 25 in his return to the lineup to lead the Warriors over the Kings. But while Golden State got Thompson back, it lost Patrick McCaw in a scary moment late in the third quarter. After converting on a layup, McCaw appeared to be undercut by Vince Carter. McCaw stayed on the ground for several minutes and needed to leave on a stretcher. He is headed to the hospital for further evaluation, according to the team. Buddy Hield led the Kings with 19 points.

JaVale! (@NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/pYtnPQn1dJ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 1, 2018

The post Post Up: John Wall Returns As Wizards Clinch Playoff Berth appeared first on SLAM.

New story: After the Cavs' 3rd loss in their last 4 games, LeBron admitted the obvious — they miss Kevin Love https://t.co/5YuliYHnkB

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 16, 2018

James last hooped without an active All-Star by his side during the 2009-10 campaign, which ended with him infamously bolting to South Beach.

Love fractured his left hand against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30—the Cavs have gone 10-10 since—and recently told reporters that he expects to suit up again next week.

Per ESPN:

“It’s been a long time since I haven’t played with another All-Star on my team,” James said. “So, having Kev out has been very challenging for all of us. Kev has a big usage rate on our team. He’ll get the ball when things get tight, chaotic; we can throw it to him in the low post and get some things going.”

Yet, Love’s absence isn’t the only reason James is shouldering so much of the load for the Cavs. Larry Nance Jr. sat out Thursday with a pulled right hamstring. Rodney Hood returned from a lower back injury only to aggravate it again and be limited to 19 minutes. Tristan Thompson continues to miss time with a right ankle sprain. Rookie Cedi Osman is out with a hip flexor injury.

“It’s not just Kev,” James said. “We’re missing Double T as well. Rodney went back out again. So, obviously, you want to win every game, but my approach doesn’t change.

“[It] has always stayed the same: Just continue to attack, attack defenses, and if I attract two to the ball, give my guys opportunities. Rebound the ball. Defend. There’s a lot of energy that’s used with that, but that’s fine as well.”

The post LeBron James: ‘Very Challenging’ Playing Without Kevin Love appeared first on SLAM.

The Knicks got 26 points out of Tim Hardaway Jr. and 18 off the bench from newly-signed Troy Williams, but it wasn’t enough as the Giannis Antetokounmpo notched 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Khris Middleton scored a game-high 30.

Eric Bledsoe is really out here doing push-ups with possession of the ball (via @DefPenHoops) pic.twitter.com/jheGzO1soE

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Bulls 83 (22-43), Pistons 99 (30-36)

The Bulls offense sputtered all night, shooting just 35.5 percent from the field and 29 percent from behind the arc. Blake Griffin recorded 25 points to go along with his eight assists and eight rebounds, Reggie Bullock added 21 and Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 17 boards.

Hawks 87 (20-46), Pacers 112 (38-28)

Darren Collison quietly inched closer to the 50-40-90 club as he scored 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field and 2-for-2 from behind the arc, bringing his season splits to 49.5 percent, 43.2 percent and 89.7 percent. Bojan Bogdanovic led all players with 21 points.

VICTOR OLADIPO GOT THAT BOUNCE (via @pacers) https://t.co/V9oqypZOl2

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Rockets (51-14), Raptors 108 (48-17)

If Drake putting the Raptors on the spot during pregame gets the job done, then it may be in Toronto’s best interests to have the 6 God make bold predictions before every game.

Drake: “By the looks of it, this win streak is over.”

Rockets: 105, Raptors: 108

6⃣ God knew… (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/Xyt6k5nt0k

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

The Raptors snapped the Rockets’ league-best 17-game winning streak as Kyle Lowry went 7-for-9 from behind the arc en route to a 30-point night. The other half of Toronto’s dynamic duo, DeMar DeRozan, scored 23.

James Harden led all players with 40 points.

Jazz 95 (36-30), Grizzlies 78 (18-47)

The Jazz continued its run as road warriors, earning its 10th straight consecutive road win as Jae Crowder caught fire off the bench, scoring a team-high 22 points. Rudy Gobert had 15 points, 10 rebounds and even dished out five dimes.

Rookie Dillon Brooks scored 18 for the Grizzlies, who have lost 16 games in a row.

Donovan Mitchell got a HANDLE (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/Mmz1NjRMIz

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Wizards 116 (38-28), Pelicans 97 (38-27)

The Pelicans became the second team of the night to lose their win streak as the Wizards’ starters–Bradley Beal, Tomas Satoransky, Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris all have plus-minuses of at least +17–dominated.

New Orleans struggled without Anthony Davis as Rajon Rondo was the only starter to score double-digit points with 11.

Lakers 116 (29-36), Nuggets 125 (36-30)

Lonzo Ball stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 22-point outing from fellow young stud Jamal Murray as the Nuggets outscored the Lakers 31-20 in the final period of play. Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap each scored 21 points and grabbed six boards.

Lonzo in his (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/cVVidryxPN

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Warriors 108 (51-15), Trail Blazers 125 (40-26)

Kevin Durant scored 40 points, but a strong fourth quarter from the Trail Blazers’ duo of Dame Lillard (28 points, eight assists) and C.J. McCollum (30 points) kept Golden State at bay. The Trail Blazers won their ninth game in a row, their first time hitting that mark since 2014.

Steph Curry didn’t make the trip to Portland due to an ankle injury.

Magic 88 (20-46), Kings 94 (21-45)

The heroics of Garett Temple (23 points on 7-for-10 shooting) gave the Kings the victory in the win column but a disadvantage for lottery balls. Jonathon Simmons led all players with 25 points for Orlando.

Major tankathon implications on the line tonight in Sacramento as the Kings host the Magic.

Both teams enter the night 20-45 tied for third-best lottery odds in the league. pic.twitter.com/HCP8kboFGJ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Cavaliers 102 (38-27), Clippers 116 (35-29)

LeBron James had 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks but still didn’t manage to have the line of the night as DeAndre Jordan scored 20 points and grabbed an astonishing 23 rebounds.

New addition Tobias Harris led the Clippers with 23 points.

JR SMITH BREAKIN’ ANKLES (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/brj30nLQuF

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

Man @TeamJuJu was LIT when he got dapped up by @KingJames pic.twitter.com/aeTE5gFnTV

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 10, 2018

The post Post Up: Raptors Snap Rockets’ 17-Game Win Streak on ‘Drake Night’ appeared first on SLAM.

The final score only tells part of the story. Sure, the Jazz picked up a huge win at home over the Timberwolves, but that came with a bevy of technicals and ejections along the way. First it was Karl-Anthony Towns, who was ejected in the first half. Then in the fourth, Jeff Teague chased down and hip-checked Ricky Rubio. Teague was tossed, and moments later, Tom Thibodeau and Jae Crowder each received technicals, then a few minutes after that, Crowder was T’d up again and ejected. Andrew Wiggins was able to stay on the court and scored 27 points to lead Minnesota. Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell each had 26 for the Jazz.

Jeff Teague gets ejected after hip-checking Ricky Rubio. pic.twitter.com/z0ClZn1eya

— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2018

Magic 115 (19-43), Pistons 106 (29-33) (OT)

The Magic finally ended their seven-game skid as Aaron Gordon scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. After an Evan Fournier jumper put the Magic up a pair in the final seconds of regulation, James Ennis tied it up on a dunk with 7.2 seconds left. The Magic quickly turned it over, and the Pistons had a chance to win but could not get a shot off. Fournier then scored six in the overtime to lift Orlando. Ennis and Reggie Bullock each scored 21 for Detroit.Fournier had six in overtime to lead Orlando.

RK making plays in his return. pic.twitter.com/wWSLwEhU0t

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 3, 2018

76ers 110 (34-27), Hornets 99 (28-35)

The Sixers outscored the Hornets by 17 in the fourth quarter to come back and win despite brilliant performances from Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. Walker scored 31 points, while Batum had 14 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. But Joel Embiid led five Philadelphia players in double figures with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Ben Simmons had 15, eight, and seven. The Sixers have now won nine of their last 11 games.

H A M M E R T I M E pic.twitter.com/TVWUhzDpDn

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 3, 2018

Warriors 114 (49-14), Hawks 109 (19-44)

Steph Curry scored 28 points but left due to an ankle injury in the third quarter. Steve Kerr said after the game that it was only precautionary, and with the Warriors rolling right now, there was no need to risk anything. Kevin Durant stepped in and matched Curry with 28 of his own, while Kent Bazemore led all scorers with 29 points.

Through the legs (@NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/UhGdjwBnC1

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 3, 2018

Raptors 102 (44-17), Wizards 95 (36-27)

The Raptors improved to 10-1 in their last 11 games behind 23 points from DeMar DeRozan and 20 more from C.J. Miles. Otto Porter Jr. had 24 to lead the Wizards, who also committed 17 turnovers in the game, including six from Tomas Satoransky. Washington has now dropped two straight at home.

That boy clutch. pic.twitter.com/W520WS5Dui

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 3, 2018

Bulls 108 (21-41), Mavericks 100 (19-44)

Bobby Portis scored 22 points and keyed a fourth-quarter run to lead the Bulls to a come-from-behind win at home. Portis scored 16 in the second half and was helped by Kris Dunn (18 points) and Lauri Markkanen (17 points, 12 rebounds). As for the Mavericks, Harrison Barnes had 26 and Dennis Smith Jr. scored 25. The team was also t’d up in the third for only putting four players on the court.

Dunn & LaVine on the run pic.twitter.com/XqduF1VThX

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 3, 2018

Nuggets 108 (34-28), Grizzlies 102 (18-43)

The Nuggets turned the ball over 22 times and shot just 6-22 from three, but got just enough from Gary Harris (26 points) and Will Barton (24 points) to outlast the Grizzlies. The two of them shot 21-32 from the field and Denver was 54 percent from the field for the game. Marc Gasol had 22 to lead the Grizzlies, who have still not won since Jan. 29.

.








pic.twitter.com/rVoxD2KOrj

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 3, 2018

Pacers 103 (35-27), Bucks 96 (33-29)

The Pacers withstood a late run from the Bucks in a game that was heated from the start — the officials handed out five technicals in the first quarter alone. Victor Oladipo had 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to lead the way, as Indiana held Milwaukee to just 38 percent shooting. Khris Middleton scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24-and-10 for Milwaukee.

Vic’s night:
21 points
7 rebounds
6 assists
2 steals
1 block pic.twitter.com/pG2qNzSwWS

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 3, 2018

Thunder 124 (37-27), Suns 116 (19-45)

Russell Westbrook and Devin Booker‘s duel in the desert was worth the price of admission alone. Ultimately, though, Westbrook did a little bit more as OKC was able to pull away late. He finished just shy of a triple-double with 43 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. He also hit the go-ahead three with under a minute to go that put the Thunder up for good. Booker had 39 points and eight assists himself.

Can’t him. pic.twitter.com/hDd7jHBzcx

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 3, 2018

Clippers 128 (33-28), Knicks 105 (24-39)

The Clippers took control in the third quarter, starting the period on a 28-8 run and outscoring the Knicks 35-18, to cruise to victory. DeAndre Jordan led the way with 19 points and 20 rebounds, while Lou Williams added 21 more points. Enes Kanter had 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Knicks.

.@DeAndre Wrecking the Rim, The Trilogy

#PrimeTicket pic.twitter.com/lBRAVwF2HA

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 3, 2018

The post Post Up: Tempers Flare appeared first on SLAM.

The Rockets beat the Clippers to finish a perfect February and win their 14th in a row. But what fans will really remember was a play in the first quarter when James Harden pulled off one of the most disrespectful moves you’ll ever see.

JAMES HARDEN. This is legendary. (via @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/KVo9iIlqtE

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

A closer look:

Just look at this. pic.twitter.com/6PvsrOMgkx

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

That shouldn’t be allowed. The Rockets jumped all over the Clippers early, and while L.A. was able to cut the deficit to a respectable margin in the second half, Houston was never truly threatened. Harden had 25 to lead the way and Tobias Harris had 24 for the Clippers.

Pistons 110 (29-32), Bucks 87 (33-28)

Andre Drummond had 15 points and 16 rebounds as the Pistons dominated the Bucks inside en route to a 23-point victory. Overall, Detroit out-rebounded Milwaukee 57-35 and outscored the Bucks 56-34 in the paint. Eric Bledsoe and Stanley Johnson each had 19 points to lead all scorers.

There aren’t many who are more fun to watch than Giannis (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/yTttJkmNCk

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

Raptors 117 (43-17), Magic 104 (18-43)

Toronto’s red-hot stretch continued as DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points to lead the Raptors to their 11th win in 13 games. Kyle Lowry had 17 more on 4-8 shooting from three and Toronto shot 54 percent from the field overall. In a game that was close most of the way, the Raptors closed on a 20-8 run. Evan Fournier and Mario Hezonja each had 17 to lead the Magic.

Mario! (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/nKUQDgtUry

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

Hawks 107 (19-43), Pacers 102 (34-27)

After the Hawks mascot and Victor Oladipo engaged in a heated game of rock, paper, scissors, Atlanta pulled off a close win in a game that left Pacers coach Nate McMillan frustrated. McMillan said the Pacers got outworked, and to make matters worse, they committed 24 turnovers. Bojan Bogdanovic had 26 to lead the Pacers and John Collins had 16 for Atlanta.

Celtics 134 (44-19), Hornets 106 (28-34)

Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker dueled in the first half, each putting up more than 20 points, but Irving and the Celtics got the better of Charlotte in the second half. The Celtics outscored the Hornets 36-20 in the third quarter to take control and they never looked back. Irving had 34 points on 13-18 shooting and Walker finished with 23. The Celtics are now 4-0 since the All-Star Break.

Kyrie. Stop. (via @celtics) pic.twitter.com/vhuz7G6OKk

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

Warriors 109 (48-14), Wizards 101 (36-26)

Kevin Durant had 32 points in a homecoming game in DC to help the Warriors hold off the Wizards. Otto Porter Jr. had 29 to lead Washington, but as a team, the Wizards shot just 40 percent. Golden State has now won four in a row and seven out of eight.

Steph KD (via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/4R350gc4r6

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

Suns 110 (19-44), Grizzlies 102 (18-42)

It took until the last day of the month, but the Suns finally won a game in February. They snapped their 10-game losing streak behind 34 points from Devin Booker and 29 from Josh Jackson. On the other side, the Grizzlies have now lost 11 in a row and went 0-for-February. They were led by Marc Gasol, who had 22 points and 13 rebounds.

If Books hands were an emoji…

pic.twitter.com/IvGBqvH5fb

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 1, 2018

Thunder 111 (36-27), Mavericks 110 (OT) (19-43)

Dwight Powell sent the game to overtime on a put-back at the buzzer, but Russell Westbrook won it for the Thunder in the extra session on a three-point play. Westbrook finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Powell had a career-high 21 points and Harrison Barnes led Dallas with 26. Dirk Nowitzki had 12 more and became the sixth player in NBA history to surpass 31,000 points in his career.

Dwight Powell. Third chance. At the buzzer. (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/fxeUgzvQQO

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 1, 2018

Pelicans 121 (35-26), Spurs 116 (36-26)

The Pelicans trailed by as many as 15, but outscored the Spurs 34-21 in the fourth quarter to come back and win. Even worse for the already-short-handed Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge went down with an ankle injury in the first half and did not return. Anthony Davis had 26 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Pelicans, who have now won seven in a row. Rudy Gay had 19 for the Spurs.

Finish strong #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/dX76qh9xVi

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 1, 2018

The post Post Up: Blatant Disrespect appeared first on SLAM.

Kyrie Irving hit three critical free throws in the closing seconds of regulation to tie the game and force overtime en route to a game-high 28 points. Irving scored 12 of the Celtics’ final 17 points of the game, helping his team hold off a late Wizards comeback and earn its Eastern Conference-best 40th win. With John Wall hurt, Otto Porter led the Wizards with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Bradley Beal had 18 of his own, but did so on 7-27 shooting.

Let Kyrie go to work (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/J9JOdG94Ni

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 9, 2018

Trail Blazers 109 (30-25), Hornets 103 (23-31) (OT)

Newly minted All-Star Kemba Walker scored 17 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets stage a late comeback, but the Blazers scored seven of the final 10 points in overtime to come away with the win. Walker led all scorers, and Jusuf Nurkic had 24 points (10-14) and 14 rebounds to lead Portland. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Blazers after they went 0-for-their Eastern Conference road trip.

Some classic Kemba (via @hornets) pic.twitter.com/97PnlIPTQo

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 9, 2018

Magic 100 (18-36), Hawks 98 (17-38)

Evan Fournier scored 22 points to lead the Magic to their third straight win — their first such streak since the second week of the season. D.J. Augustin helped out with 16 points and nine assists after being thrust into the starting point guard role with Elfrid Payton’s trade earlier in the day. As for the Hawks, Taurean Prince and Dennis Schroder each scored 19.

So this is how we’re starting the night? (via @OrlandoMagic) pic.twitter.com/mSwbVSdDB1

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 9, 2018

Raptors 113 (38-16), Knicks 88 (23-33)

Playing their first game since Kristaps Porzingis’s ACL injury, the Knicks simply didn’t have the firepower to keep up with the 38-win Raptors. Toronto won every quarter, methodically building its way to a 25-point victory. Seven Raptors players scored in double figures — five of them coming off the bench — with Jonas Valanciunas leading the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Beasley had 21 points and seven boards to lead the Knicks.

Jakob Poeltl (via @Raptors) pic.twitter.com/3ab14GRX1C

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 9, 2018

Warriors 121 (42-13), Mavericks 103 (17-38)

The Warriors had to battle, but they finally gained some separation in the fourth quarter and pulled away from the last-place Mavericks. Kevin Durant had 24 points to lead the way and Steph Curry added 20 with four made threes. Dennis Smith Jr. led the Mavericks with 22 points.

Steph KD (via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/dLkHRGGOya

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 9, 2018

Lakers 106 (23-31), Thunder 81 (31-25)

With Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony both sitting out with injuries, the short-handed Thunder faded late in Los Angeles. Paul George did his part, scoring 29 points and even earning some “we want Paul” chants from the L.A. crowd. But OKC also shot just 36 percent for the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers and Brandon Ingram had 19 more. The Lakers have now won four in a row.

Zubac rolls off the screen and slams it home #LakeShow (: TNT) pic.twitter.com/Sih9PgQaJq

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2018

The post Post Up: Working Overtime appeared first on SLAM.

It may be time to panic in Cleveland. With Thursday’s trade deadline creeping up and the Cavs continuing to struggle mightily — they were outscored 65-31 in the second half and scored just nine points in the final frame — GM Koby Altman might have to make a big move this week, and you definitely can’t blame him for wanting to do so.

MAGIC WIN @ThaRealJsimms erupted for a career-high 34 points as Orlando rallied back from a 21-point deficit to beat the Cavs, 116-98! pic.twitter.com/QuRw5qtVqt

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 7, 2018

LeBron led Cleveland with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but no other Cavalier scored more than 12. After a hot start, Isaiah Thomas (11 points and 8 assists on 3-of-13 shooting) struggled as the Cavs’ offense grinded to a halt after a solid 24 minutes of play. Orlando was led by Jonathon Simmons (34 points on 17 shots) and shot nearly 53 percent from the field as a team, despite Aaron Gordon being sidelined due to injury. That’s three losses in four games for the Cavaliers.

Raptors 111 (37-16), Celtics 91 (39-16)

The NBA’s best home team just keeps on going. The Raptors moved to within just one game of the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics with the W tonight, getting 23 points and 8 rebounds from Kyle Lowry and 20 points from C.J. Miles off the bench. Toronto went 17-for-36 from three and held Boston below 40 percent shooting in Kyrie Irving‘s (17 points in 21 minutes) return to the floor.

Practicing for the #JBL3pt contest. pic.twitter.com/yUQfNczQwx

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 7, 2018

Brad Stevens’ squad snapped a four-game winning streak with the loss. The Celtics have slowly ceded ground to the Raptors for the past couple of weeks with Toronto hitting a stride, so the divisional race is as close right now as it has been in awhile and probably will come right down to the end of the season.

Hawks 108 (17-37), Grizzlies 82 (18-35)

Anytime a team commits 25 turnovers, it makes winning in the NBA a pretty tough task. That was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome down in Atlanta, as they went down by 16 at the break and weren’t able to recover. Scoring has been an issue for Memphis all year — even when Mike Conley was healthy — and the struggles have continued. The Grizzlies made just 4 three-pointers all night and were led by reserves Mario Chalmers (13 points) and Ivan Raab (10 points, 11 rebounds).

The Hawks took full advantage of Memphis’ miscues. Dennis Schroder had 22 points on 15 shots while rookie John Collins (15 points, 10 rebounds) made a difference off the bench. Both teams could look different after the deadline, as Tyreke Evans and Marco Belinelli both sat out to stay healthy for potential trades.

Rockets 123 (39-13), Nets 113 (19-36)

It was another one of those games for Chris Paul and James Harden. The Rockets’ stars combined to score 61 points on 20-of-38 shooting to bury a Nets team that hung around for over three quarters before Houston pulled away. Clint Capela (18 points, 11 rebounds) also played well around the rim.

Casual 36 points in 34 minutes for Beard (via @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/t4K9tXzUH3

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

CP3 and Beard both got whatever they wanted offensively. The problem, for awhile, was that was also the case for Brooklyn which got 21 points from trade candidate (and former Rocket) DeMarre Carroll as well as 18 points and 9 assists from Spencer Dinwiddie. Jarrett Allen continued his strong play, posting 16 points. But when the Nets needed stops to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, they just couldn’t get them.

Bucks 103 (30-23), Knicks 89 (23-32)

The awesome matchup of Kristaps Porzingis and Giannis got off to a fun start, as expected, but the excitement was cut short when KP fell awkwardly in the second quarter after throwing down a dunk. He suffered a left knee injury and had to be helped off the floor. A postgame MRI confirmed a torn left ACL, which means KP is done for the rest of the season.

Obviously, that put a damper on the game a bit, at least until Giannis went full Greek Freak on Tim Hardaway Jr. in the second half with possibly the biggest poster of the season. It’s incredible what that dude can do on the floor.

SHEESH (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/LGAIYdeSNA

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

He wound up with 23 points, 11 boards and 6 assists. Eric Bledsoe (23 points, 8 assists) and Khris Middleton (20 points) chipped in. Enes Kanter‘s 19 points and 16 rebounds paced a Knicks team that has lost four in a row and might be without its best player for awhile.

76ers 115 (26-25), Wizards 102 (31-23)

The inconsistent Wizards struck again on Tuesday, as their five-game winning streak was basically ended in the first quarter. Philadelphia exploded to build a 37-20 lead in the opening frame and never looked back, even as Washington threatened to make a move toward the end of regulation.

Bradley Beal‘s 30 points wasn’t enough for the Wizards, who have played well without John Wall but need both Otto Porter (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Kelly Oubre (10 points on 4-of-13 shooting) to step up in his absence for them to tread water in the East.

Washington had no answer for Joel Embiid (27 points, 12 rebounds) or, for that matter, the rest of the 76ers. Philly shot over 55 percent from the field and was 14-for-28 from three with contributions coming from up and down the entire roster. Dario Saric (20 points, 7 rebounds) had a big game.

Lakers 112 (22-31), Suns 93 (18-37)

Don’t look now, but the Lakers are starting to play some pretty good basketball. That’s three straight wins for LA and seven wins in their last nine games, all with Lonzo Ball sidelined. Brandon Ingram (26 points on 12 shots) and Julius Randle (21 points, 8 rebounds) were great again, as was Josh Hart (15 points, 11 rebounds). The youth movement has sparked the winning, which only makes what the Lakers do this summer — when Randle is a restricted free agent — all the more interesting.

Julius finds Ingram to start off the second half #LakeShow (: @SpectrumSN & @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/MWJKnGtyct

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 7, 2018

Phoenix had no trouble scoring in the first half, even with Devin Booker on the bench, but the shots stopped falling after the break as things slowly slipped away from the Suns. TJ Warren had 24 points in the loss.

Thunder 125 (31-24), Warriors 105 (41-13)

The Russell Westbrook revenge tour continues. A few months after the Thunder crushed the Warriors down in Oklahoma City, the same thing happened in Oakland as the combo of Russ (34 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists) and Paul George (38 points) was way too much for Golden State. OKC roared out of the gates, scoring 41 first quarter points — 21 of which were from Russ — and the Dubs never really responded.

Man, OKC is out for blood! (via @okcthunder) pic.twitter.com/QsSzL3Q0QR

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

OKC was like a team possessed at Oracle Arena and — on both ends of the floor — completed dominated play. Kevin Durant got his 33 points and Steph Curry scored 21 in the Thunder’s first win at Golden State since 2013.

The post Post Up: Rivalry Time appeared first on SLAM.

It started off as your typical “James Harden is having himself a night” performance. His 24 points in the first half were impressive, and on a night when the Rockets were without Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza, they were downright necessary. Houston also lost Eric Gordon in the second quarter to an injury, meaning Harden would have to carry his team to victory. He did that and more. By the fourth quarter, his game had gone from memorable to historic. His four-point play in the final minute was not only a dagger, but it gave him a franchise-record 60 points, A few seconds later, he became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double.

James Harden’s night in a nutshell (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/pWAFP8fYkI

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) January 31, 2018

Wizards 102 (28-22), Thunder 96 (30-21)

Playing without John Wall, who is sidelined with a knee injury, the Wizards held on to win a close one at home. Otto Porter Jr. (25 points) and Bradley Beal (21 points, nine assists) did their parts to make up for Wall’s absence on a night in which both teams struggled offensively. The Thunder committed 20 turnovers and shot 38 percent from the field, but Paul George led all scorers with 28 points.

KEEF. #WizThunder #TheDistrict pic.twitter.com/WfnZ7VI2lA

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 31, 2018

Knicks 111 (23-28), Nets 95 (18-33)

Enes Kanter had 20 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists as the Knicks jumped on their crosstown rivals early and never looked back. Kristaps Porzingis helped out with 28 more in the Knicks’ return home after their longest road trip of the year. DeMarre Carroll had 13 points and seven rebounds to lead a balanced Nets attack. Brooklyn has now lost four in a row.

Nope. pic.twitter.com/pJSyCtmH33

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 31, 2018

Raptors 109 (34-15), Timberwolves 104 (32-22)

DeMar DeRozan scored eight points in the fourth quarter and 23 overall to lead the Raptors to their third win in four games. DeRozan went 10-11 from the line and also handed out eight assists. Every Minnesota starter scored in double figures and Jimmy Butler scored 25 to lead the way.

Authority pic.twitter.com/LsZ09MS47A

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 31, 2018

Pistons 125 (23-26), Cavaliers 114 (29-20)

The Pistons’ 11-point win is the sidebar to this game. More importantly for Cleveland, Kevin Love went down with a broken bone in his left hand and is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. The injury came as he tried to catch a pass from Tristan Thompson and got tangled up with Anthony Tolliver. This adds to the Cavs’ recent struggles — though Cleveland had won two in a row, it has now dropped 12 out of its last 18. Newly minted All-Star Andre Drummond had 21 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Pistons.

Kings 114 (16-34), Pelicans 103 (27-23)

The Pelicans dropped to 0-2 without DeMarcus Cousins as Zach Randolph went to work for the Kings to the tune of 26 points and 12 rebounds. Kosta Koufos had 17-and-17 as well. For the Pelicans, three players scored 20-or-more points, led by 23 from Anthony Davis, but it was not enough as Sacramento outscored New Orleans by six in each of the final two quarters to pull out the win.

threaded the needle to JJacks in our @ChickfilA play of the game! pic.twitter.com/FaHJyITwj5

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 31, 2018

Spurs 106 (34-19), Nuggets 104 (26-25)

Will Barton missed a three in the final seconds that would have given Denver the win, allowing the Spurs to escape at home. LaMarcus Aldridge had a game-high 30 points for the Spurs and Jamal Murray led Denver with 18.

Oh, and Manu did this:

Different angle but we’re still wondering HOW?! #ManuGonnaManu pic.twitter.com/UfR7Lk8xIQ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 31, 2018

Jazz 129 (22-28), Warriors 99 (40-11)

Ricky Rubio led the way with 23 points and 11 assists to help the Jazz hand the Warriors their biggest blowout loss of the season. Utah outscored Golden State by at least five in every quarter, leaving little intrigue despite 27 points from Klay Thompson. Steph Curry scored just 14 and was an uncharacteristic 1-7 from three. Joe Ingles was the opposite, knocking down six of his eight attempts and scoring 20 points.

That’s 16 points in 18 minutes.

Is that good? We hear that’s good. pic.twitter.com/3klydaVjR1

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2018

Trail Blazers 104 (28-22), Clippers 96 (25-25)

Damian Lillard hit five threes and went a perfect 11-11 from the line, scoring 28 points and leading the Trail Blazers over the now-Blake-Griffin-less Clippers. Jusuf Nurkic added 14 points and 20 rebounds, while Lou Williams had 20 off the bench to lead the Clippers.

Aminu-one pic.twitter.com/iiwuZQmUsU

— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 31, 2018

The post Post Up: Harden Hits 60 appeared first on SLAM.

Russell Westbrook notched another triple-double as he amassed 31 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Carmelo Anthony made history when he hit a free throw that gave him 25,000 career points, making him the 25th player to join that club.

Ish Smith had 15 points and nine assists off the bench.

Pacers (27-23), Magic (14-34)

Myles Turner made his return to the Pacers’ lineup as Indiana squeaked out a win over the Magic on the back of Lance Stephenson’s 21 points off the bench.

Aaron Gordon had 22 points and a jaw-dropping dunk for Orlando.

Wizards 129 (27-22), Hawks 104 (14-35)

The Wizards were without John Wall due to knee issues but Washington’s supporting cast stepped up as Markieff Morris (23), Bradley Beal (18), Otto Porter Jr. (18), Kelly Oubre Jr. (15), Tomas Satoransky (11) and Mike Scott (19) scored in double figures.

Hornets 91 (20-28), Heat 95 (28-21)

Kemba Walker and Dwight Howard combined for 50 points, but it wasn’t enough as Wayne Ellington hit a dagger 3-pointer with less than five seconds to go in regulation.

Celtics 105 (35-15), Warriors 109 (40-10)

Stephen Curry (49 points) and Kyrie Irving (37 points) shut it down as the entire basketball Twittersphere, including LeBron James, tuned in to watch. The duo combined for 86 points on just 42 field goal attempts. Jaylen Brown and Kevin Durant each scored 20.

8⃣6⃣ combined points. Absolutely sensational. pic.twitter.com/N05HB65gdB

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 28, 2018

Timberwolves 111 (32-20), Nets 97 (18-32)

Karl-Anthony Towns dominated every phase of the game with 16 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks. Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins each scored 21 to lead the Timberwolves’ offense.

Jahlil Okafor scored 21 for the Nets in just 24 minutes off the bench.

Mavericks (16-34), Nuggets (26-23)

The Mavericks got 22 points out of Harrison Barnes, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an 11-point, 16-rebound and 11-assist triple-double from Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets put the locks on in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 25-15.

The post Post Up: Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving Combine for 86 in Thriller appeared first on SLAM.

This game had everything, including some controversy to finish things off. After Russell Westbrook hit a long three to tie the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked on Russ just before time expired to win it. But replay showed that the Greek Freak stepped out of bounds on his drive to the basket. The violation was neither called nor reviewed, allowing Milwaukee to escape. Russ had 40 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Thunder. Giannis went for 23-and-12 for the Bucks.

“The rim is crying!” (via @okcthunder) pic.twitter.com/28jlWRijqY

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

Wizards 121 (20-16), Rockets 103 (25-9)

The Rockets now have nine losses on the season and five of them have come during this losing streak. This time, it was Otto Porter who did Houston in. He scored 26 points and hit seven of his 11 three-point attempts. Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre each had 21 as well. James Harden had 20 to lead the Rockets, who will try to get back on track New Year’s Eve against the Lakers at home.

The pass:
The finish:
(via @nba) pic.twitter.com/XqjF9Ouwcg

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

Nets 111 (13-22), Heat 87 (18-17)

The final margin was 24 points, but the game wasn’t even that close. The Heat scored the first eight points of the game, but Brooklyn took over from there, going ahead by four after the first quarter and 20 by halftime. Joe Harris led seven Nets players in double figures with 21 points, while Josh Richardson had 19 for Miami. As a team, the Heat shot just 34 percent and went 3-26 from three.

#FroDown after #FroDown

Jarrett Allen #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/3Udt9uIfRf

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 30, 2017

Raptors 111 (24-10), Hawks 98 (9-26)

The Raptors won their 11th straight at home behind 25 points from DeMar DeRozan. Jonas Valanciunas and Delon Wright each had 13 as well. The Hawks were led by Taurean Prince, who had 30 points (12-16 FG) and 10 rebounds.

OG showing off! (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/EUHmWBtuKK

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

Bulls 119 (13-22), Pacers 107 (19-17)

If you haven’t heard, this Lauri Markkanen guy is pretty good. The rookie had a career-high 32 points, including five threes, to lead the streaking Bulls to yet another win. Chicago has now won three straight and 10 out of 12 games after a dreadful 3-20 start to the season. Darren Collison had 30 to lead the Pacers.

Gotta find him! (via @chicagobulls) pic.twitter.com/wHecpqtMmE

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

Mavericks 128 (12-25), Pelicans 120 (18-17)

The Mavericks had a red-hot start and held on to beat the Pelicans. Dallas scored 77 points in the first half on 69 percent shooting from the field, taking a 17-point lead into halftime. Dennis Smith Jr. notched a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Mavericks. Anthony Davis had 33 and DeMarcus Cousins had 32-and-20 for the Pelicans.

WATCH OUT FOR @BOOGIECOUSINS. #DoItBig #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/H94QuS1omd

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 30, 2017

Suns 111 (14-23), Kings 101 (12-23)

The Suns closed the game on a 13-2 run to put away a game that was in question until the end. TJ Warren and Devin Booker each had 26 points to lead Phoenix to its third win in four games. The Kings lost their third out of four behind a balanced scoring effort — everyone to play for Sacramento had at least seven points, led by 14 from Zach Randolph.

QUESE WANTS IT ALL TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/vsDSfwjt9c

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 30, 2017

Hornets 111 (13-22), Warriors 100 (28-8)

The surprising result of the night came out west where Dwight Howard led the Hornets to a win at Golden State. Dwight had 29 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. The Warriors, who committed 17 turnovers, were led by Kevin Durant‘s 27 points. Don’t worry, Warriors fans — Steph is coming back soon.

Dwight getting fancy (via @hornets) pic.twitter.com/W45MBvWkji

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

Clippers 121 (15-19), Lakers 106 (11-23)

Blake Griffin had 24 points and Lou Williams had 23 more as the Clippers beat the Lakers in a battle of L.A. teams. The Lakers, still without Lonzo Ball, got 20 points and eight assists from Jordan Clarkson off the bench. They have now lost eight of their last nine games.

DeAndre Jordan gets wayyyyy up for this one (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/wg0ap9aB9B

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) December 30, 2017

The post Post Up: Watch Your Step appeared first on SLAM.

While they’re mostly offense-heavy and predicated on giving fans a chance to see stars up close, that doesn’t mean the guys playing in them don’t want to win badly. As you can see in the video above, J Crossver’s latest game got a little chippy after the NBA vet got frustrated after he was on the receiving end of an especially hard foul.

Not too much happens after Crawford gets knocked to the ground at around the :45 mark, but it’s cool nonetheless to see an exhibition game with some real juice to it. As you’d expect, the new Minnesota Timberwolves guard took over in the second half to lead his team—which also had former NBAer Terrence Williams—to a W.

In the second game, Mason Plumlee made his Crawsover League debut alongside Seattle natives Spencer Hawes and Martell Webster as well as top Class of 2018 recruit Kevin Porter Jr., who’s committed to USC. Plumlee threw down some of his trademark reverse jams—one off a nifty give-and-go with Hawes—while Webster drilled a bunch of threes and Porter showed off the athleticism that made him a top-100 prospect.

Related
Nahziah Carter, Jay-Z’s Nephew, Dominates At Crawsover League
Michael Porter Jr. Drops 47 at Jamal Crawford’s Crawsover League
Jamal Crawford Goes Off At Crawsover League After Signing With Timberwolves

Video courtesy of Ballislife

The post Jamal Crawford Gets Buckets And Gets Heated In Crawsover League Game appeared first on SLAM.

After Game 3, Kevin Durant emphasized that the Warriors’ job was not done. “Closeout games are always the toughest,” he said. That proved true Friday night.

It was clear from opening tip that the Cavs did not want to see the Larry O’Brien handed to another team at the Q. They made a big statement in the opening quarter, erupting for an NBA Finals record 49 points. Everyone showed up to play, including big man Tristan Thompson, who was nowhere to be found through the first three contests. “He’s a big piece of our puzzle,” LeBron said of TT afterwards.

By halftime, Cleveland had tallied an equally insane 86 POINTS (also a record) and extended their advantage to 18. Kyrie had already scored 28 on 11/14 and LeBron’s stat line looked like a typo: 22 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds. As a team, the Cavs shot 61% from the field and 59% from deep. Yes, you read all of that correctly.

JR…from the logo on #NBAonABC! pic.twitter.com/LVhAPz6SVD

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2017

Kyrie has a game high 25p, LeBron is on #TripleDoubleWatch (15/7/5).@cavs lead @warriors 73-55 with 3:26 to play in the half on #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/vIbghZhQT8

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2017

Things got weird in the third quarter. Really weird. LeBron and KD exchanged words. Draymond appeared to get ejected after picking up his 2nd technical, which we soon found out was only his 1st. There were multiple flagrant foul call reviews and an OFF-THE-BACKBOARD Tracy McGrady-esque self alley-oop. It was as eventful a quarter as we’ve seen this postseason, but the lead barely changed. Cleveland was up 115-96 heading into the 4th.

Can’t stop watching this. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/qfR8u6ApKe

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2017

Every time Golden State threatened to make it interesting, LeBron and Kyrie responded. The King notched yet another triple-double (31p, 11a, 10r), passing Magic Johnson for the most in Finals history (9), while Uncle Drew dropped a cool 40 points. “Every game is do or die and we understand that,” Irving stated, “We’re ready to live in it.”

“We got some championship DNA,” James added.

Oh yeah, and the Cavs broke another Finals record – the most three-pointers in a single game (24).

The @cavs set a #NBAFinals record with 20 made 3s in one game. pic.twitter.com/apumK14EQ9

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 10, 2017

KD (35 points) was the primary guy for the Dubs, who lost their first game in the 2017 playoffs. Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters what he thought was the major difference in this one: “I think the biggest thing is they brought a level of physicality that we did not match…and we have to do a better job with that.”

After hearing “Draymond sucks” chants during the game, Green bashed the entire city of Cleveland: “I don’t pay much attention to anybody in Cleveland, honestly. They don’t seem to be the sharpest people around.” Ouch.

Curry and Thompson combined for just 27 points on 8/24. “I want to play better and will play better,” Steph remarked later. Commenting on the team as a whole, he pointed out that they’ve “done a good job of bouncing back and being resilient all year.”

In the end, we should be thankful. Cleveland has given us fans the greatest gift in the world – more basketball.

“Our mindset is to go up there [to Oakland] and get one,” LeBron said.

See you Monday.

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The USA Junior National Select Team for the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit will be led by 11 players who have won at least one gold medal in international competition and three athletes who have earned two international gold medals.

 

The 2017 USA Junior National Select Team, which features U.S. high school senior boys, will take on a World Select Team that is comprised of top international players who are 19 years old or younger in the 20th annual Nike Hoop Summit at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

 

Named to the USA Nike Hoop Summit Team were Wendell Carter Jr. (Pace Academy/Fairburn, Ga.), Kevin Knox II (Tampa Catholic H.S./Riverview, Fla.) and Gary Trent Jr. (Prolific Prep Academy, Calif./Burnsville, Minn.), who teamed up to capture gold medals at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship.

 

Also selected to the team after collecting gold medals at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship were: Troy Brown Jr. (Centennial H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.), Jaren Jackson Jr. (La Lumiere School/Carmel, Ind.) and Collin Sexton (Pebblebrook H.S./Mableton, Ga.); while Jarred Vanderbilt (Victory Prep Academy/Houston, Texas) collected gold at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

 

Further rounding out the USA team and its gold medalists are Mohamed Bamba (Westtown School, Pa./New York, N.Y.), Quade Green (Neumann-Goretti H.S./Philadelphia, Pa.), Michael Porter Jr. (Nathan Hale H.S./Seattle, Wash.) and M.J. Walker (Jonesboro H.S./Riverdale, Ga.), who helped lead the USA to a first-place finish at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and a berth into the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship.

 

The 12-man roster is finalized with the selection of Trevon Duval (IMG Academy, Fla./New Castle, Del.), a three-time USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team October minicamp participant.

The post Team USA Roster for 2017 Nike Hoop Summit Revealed appeared first on SLAM.

The Cavs hit 19 three-pointers and dished out 29 assists to route the Suns. Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 26 and LeBron James had 21 points, 15 assists and 9 boards, too. Kevin Love sat with a sore back.

Double-clutch reverse from @KingJames. Damn. pic.twitter.com/RvBFEuK8cI

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2017

Heat 99 (13-30), Mavs 95 (14-28)

The Mavs came into this one winners of three straight, their longest streak of the season. They traded blows with the Heat, with the lead changing hands four times and the score being tied eight times. Goran Dragic’s 32 points was eventually too much for Dallas to overcome. The Dragon shot 11-15 from the field and got help from Tyler Johnson, who had 23 points off the bench.

Wizards 113 (23-19), Knicks 110 (19-25)

The Wizards jumped out to a 38-point first quarter, but the Knicks dropped 40 in the second to take a 67-66 lead at halftime. Carmelo Anthony exploded for 25 in that second quarter, bullying and shaking defenders. Then Washington stole the lead back, up 100-86 going into in the fourth quarter. The Knicks stormed back behind big plays from Anthony, Derrick Rose and Kristaps Porzingis.

New York led 110-109 with 48 seconds. Wall then made a pair of free throws and silenced the crowd with a stellar behind-the-back move and dunk. The Wizards led by three with 13.7 second left and the Knicks had the ball. They couldn’t even get a shot up, though. Wall stole the ball as Brandon Jennings tried to tie the game.

Wall finished with 29 points, 13 assists and 3 steals. Otto Porter Jr. made 6 three’s on his way to 23 points. Four other Wizards scored in double-figures. They had 29 assists on 44 field goals.

Melo finished with 34 points, Rose had 20 and KP had 15, but the Knicks have now won only three games in 2017.

That's how you seal a game. @JohnWall finishes with 29 points and 13 assists in the Wizards' 113-110 win. pic.twitter.com/61ZpNtvLcL

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2017

Spurs 118 (33-9), Nuggets 104 (17-24)

The Spurs used a 15-0 run to open the third quarter to take a commanding lead. Kawhi Leonard had 34 points for his fifth consecutive game of at least 30 points. Nikola Jokic went off for a career-high 35.

Kawhi pulls out a Kobe move. pic.twitter.com/5xj5Sq1zgD

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2017

Wolves 104 (15-28), Clippers 101 (29-15)

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Wolves back from a 12-point deficit in Los Angeles. Towns had 37, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the game, beating DeAndre Jordan’s 29 points (career-high) and 16 rebounds.

Gotta box out @KarlTowns. pic.twitter.com/sXMkTMPwLg

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2017

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A ridiculous first quarter from Klay Thompson sent the Warriors on their way to victory over the scuffling Trail Blazers. Draymond Green continues to produce triple-doubles in seemingly every outing; the former Spartan posted 11 points with 13 boards and 10 dimes, while Stephen Curry added 26 points of his own. The Trail Blazers wasted a brilliant 40-point effort from Damian Lillard, while C.J. McCollum (who’s on the team’s active roster once again) scored 17 points.

Thunder 117 (26-11), Lakers 113 (8-30)

Louis Williams used his free-shooting approach to score a career-high 44 points, going a perfect 15-for-15 from the charity stripe. While the Lakers received solid scoring efforts from Kobe Bryant (19 points) and Jordan Clarkson (17 points), OKC emerged victorious thanks to a 50.6 combined percentage from the field. After catching some attention with his pre-game outfit, Russell Westbrook scored 36 points with 12 boards, and Kevin Durant added 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

Raptors 97 (23-15), Wizards 88 (15-19)

DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 35 points, and Kyle Lowry posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 dimes en route to the team’s second straight victory. John Wall shouldered the offensive load for Washington with 21 points — and Otto Porter Jr. pitched in with 16 points and five boards — but it’s been difficult for the Wizards to compete without Bradley Beal in the lineup.

Magic 83 (20-17), Nets 77 (10-26)

Victor Oladipo (6-8 from downtown) and Nikola Vucevic posted 20 points each in a low-scoring affair; both Orlando and Brooklyn shot under 40 percent from the field. Featuring a veteran-heavy starting five, the Nets fell to their ninth-consecutive home loss with Friday’s defeat.

Nuggets 84 (13-24), Grizzlies 91 (20-18)

Zach Randolph came up big off the bench, scoring 24 points with six boards. Denver received 29 points from Danilo Gallinari on 8-of-18 shooting, but erratic ball-handling and a 36.8 field goal percentage led to defeat. Frustration boiled over late for the Nuggets, as big man Jusuf Nurkic got into it with the considerably-smaller Mario Chalmers.

VIDEO: Jusuf Nurkic and Mario Chalmers getting heated in a close game https://t.co/Hty3j3HDhr #Nuggets #Grizzlies

— An Nguyen (@The_NGUYENNER) January 9, 2016

Cavaliers 125 (25-9), Timberwolves 99 (12-25)

J.R. Smith led the way with 27 points, and Iman Shumpert added 23 off the bench as the Cavs took a lopsided victory over the T’Wolves. LeBron James may have only scored 13 points in this match-up, but he scored two of them in style: slamming home this windmill jam before raising the roof. Andrew Wiggins was a game competitor, scoring a career-high 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Despite exiting in the first half with an injury, Kevin Love would return to the game to score 20 points while securing nine rebounds.

Pacers 91 (21-15), Pelicans 86 (11-24)

Pelicans star Anthony Davis departed Friday’s game after just three minutes, suffering a bruised back while diving after a loose ball.

NEWS: Anthony Davis is in the Pelicans locker room after diving for a ball. He was grabbing his back. #INDatNOP pic.twitter.com/rPRIDhZWCR

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 9, 2016

The Pelicans received offense from secondary sources — Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans each posted at least 20 points — but are waiting for injury updates on Davis with bated breath. The Pacers took care of business against their short-handed opponents, receiving a double-double from Ian Mahinmi and 15 points from C.J. Miles.

Mavericks 95 (21-16), Bucks 96 (15-23)

Khris Middleton scored 27 points and banked home a lay-up toward the end of regulation to hand Dallas a stunning road defeat. Devin Harris scored a season-high 19 points for the Mavs, and Dirk Nowitzki added 20, but the team couldn’t compensate for 16 turnovers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8yn3qwxhXo&ab_channel=MilwaukeeBucks

Knicks 99 (18-20), Spurs 100 (32-6)

The Knicks’ three-game winning streak came to an end in frustrating fashion, as Jose Calderon missed a three-point attempt (requiring just two points for victory) to end a back-and-forth contest. Kawhi Leonard poured n 19 points with 12 rebounds, Manu Ginobili scored 16 off the bench, and Boris Diaw celebrated the team’s undefeated record at home with an espresso.

Heat 103 (21-14), Suns 95 (13-25)

Dwyane Wade continued his string of incredible performances, as the 34-year-old has now averaged 24 points over his last three games. The high-flying Gerald Green contributed 21 points off the bench, and Goran Dragic added 22 to punctuate Miami’s sharp shooting from the field. The perennially underrated Brandon Knight scored 26 points, and Devin Booker went on an 11-0 run at one point, but the Suns weren’t able to turn their second-half run into a victory.

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Ayton didn’t begin playing until late May at the third and final UAA session in New York, where he put up 15 and 15, 28 and 13, and 18 and 19 in three of his four outings.

Right behind him is Wendell Carter, who enjoyed an impressive run with the Georgia Stars in the prestigious Nike EYBL circuit, where he averaged 12.3 points and 8.1 rebounds before winning the 17U championship after defeating the St. Louis Eagles in thePeach Jam title game.

All in all, this class features a nice mix of inside and outside talent. We’ll update the list twice more throughout the season and expand it to 50 by the spring.