Crowder hasn’t played this season after he told the Suns he wanted out of Phoenix. Crowder is in the final year of his current deal.

“According to someone who has spoken to the Heat’s front office, the Heat remains interested in Jae Crowder, but only in a buyout situation, barring Phoenix shockingly taking a bad contract off Miami’s hands,” per Jackson.

The Heat is still looking to regain the identity that helped them make a run to the 2020 NBA Finals and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance against the Boston Celtics. As of Tuesday, Miami (20-18) has the seventh-best record in the East. They could use some depth at the forward position after P.J. Tucker left for the 76ers in free agency.

The Heat have also dealt with an avalanche of injuries to their core players.

When Crowder last played, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from the three-point line. Crowder has developed a reputation as a three-and-D wing that’s value due to his playoff experience and timely shooting.

Crowder last played for Miami during their run to the 2020 NBA Finals. His familiarity with their system could help negotiations if the Suns and Heat agree on a buyout. He appeared in 20 games that season and averaged 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 44.5 percent from beyond the arc.

The post REPORT: Miami Interested in Buying Out Jae Crowder appeared first on SLAM.

So what could the answer be for this Lakers squad? Many fingers are surrounding the NBA point to Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Bogdanovic has been a huge part of this young Pistons team, as the eight-year veteran just signed a two-year extension with them. Acquiring Bogdanovic maybe a goal for the Lakers, but that doesn’t mean Detroit is willing to give him up.

According to Shams, the Pistons have “expressed — significant reluctance about moving Bogdanovic” to any of the dozen teams that have inquired about trading for the 33-year-old forward. It is also important to note that Bogdanovic is in the midst of having the best season of his career statistically. He’s averaging career highs in points per game (21.0), field goal percentage at (50.8), and 43.7 percent from 3-point range.

In addition to that, The Lakers were previously connected to potentially acquiring Bogdanovic before the 2022-2023 season started via trade with the Utah Jazz, but nothing went through.

Coming off a 38-point outing in a loss to the Lakers, where he shot 12 of 22 from the field (54.5 percent) and also buried six threes, you could really see why the Lakers have been pursuing him so favorably. However, Detroit does not seem to have any real urgency to move Bogdanovic and has actually expressed this to rival teams.

This will be an exciting development to see what takes place within the coming days as the NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching.

The post REPORT: Lakers Are Keen On Pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic At the Trade Deadline appeared first on SLAM.

The Hawks have been actively looking to shop Collins since the midway point of last season but were unsuccessful in finding any partners. Rumors indicate that the Hawks were looking for another superstar in return, but this time around, they’re reportedly willing to settle for a two-way role player like Phoenix Suns‘ Jae Crowder.

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The 19th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft has had a solid run with the Hawks, especially in his second year, where he blossomed into averaging 19.5 points per game. Not to mention the 9.8 rebounds he averaged that same 2018-2019 season, and with the pairing of him and Trae Young, it was inevitable for this team to make a deep run one day.

Sure enough, the Hawks made an improbable run as the 5th-seed in the 2021 playoffs, with the team pulling a gentleman’s sweep on the tough-minded New York Knicks. The fans of the latter were letting Young have it all series long. The vibes were similar once they went on the road to play the one-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, where they ultimately stole a Game 7 victory.

The team’s resilience showed because of the maturity Collins and Young displayed. However, it wasn’t enough that year to stop the eventual champion, Milwaukee Bucks.

Fast forward to the first 15 games of this season, and Collins hasn’t been able to prove his value as one of the elite power forwards in today’s game. This season, Collins is averaging 12.6 points per game and has struggled mightily to shoot while averaging 22.7 percent from downtown.

The team brought in Dejounte Murray this offseason in hopes of becoming serious title contenders, and so far, they’ve proven it.

The Hawks currently ride in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, and one of their notable victories was breaking the undefeated Bucks season. Though the team has taken its strides, they oddly enough feel Collins won’t be the piece to the puzzle to the franchise’s first championship.

The post REPORT: Atlanta Exploring Trade Options For John Collins appeared first on SLAM.

The team has relied on Max Strus and Duncan Robinson to handle the load at the power forward slot, but the team looks to be losing hope in their defensive powers as reports suggest the Heat are looking at trade suitors.

“Kyle Kuzma and Taj Gibson aren’t the only potential moves that the Heat have been linked to recently,” according to Heavy.com’s Thomas Darro. “Link them to PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets, as well as finalizing a reunion between Crowder and the Heat. But another has been Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons and Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz.”

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Kuzma of the Washington Wizards is off to a fantastic start to the young season as he’s averaging 19.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and a staggering shooting at 46.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc. His size and length could turn him into a problem under the talented Heat coaching staff, but Heat President Pat Riley always keeps the door open to other options.

Washington is a restricted free agent this upcoming off-season due to the inability to negotiate a contract extension. The Hornets may be focused on providing their star point guard LaMelo Ball an enormous deal for the 2024 season, leaving little cap space to work for Washington.

The Heat wouldn’t mind one-year rentals, especially when there’s a lot of talent that needs to be proven out of the group. The 24-year-old would add the floor spacing, agility, and defensive intangibles that much up well against star rivals like Jaylen Brown, Khris Middleton and Demar Derozan.

Finally, the reunion Heat fans would welcome with open arms. Not too long ago, Phoenix Suns’ Jae Crowder was part of the resilient 2020 Heat squad that, as a 5th seed, went six games against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. The chemistry on display, both offensive and defensively, is in no way bound to be lost in just the two seasons apart.

With this possibly being his 10th straight playoff appearance, a reunion with the Heat opens the door to a final run at a championship.

The post REPORT: Heat Linked to Kyle Kuzma, P.J Washington, and Jae Crowder appeared first on SLAM.

The Sun-Mavs season opener nearly brought up still-fresh and painful memories from Game 7 for Phoenix as they fell behind by 22-points in the first half. However, the Suns fought back in the second half and rallied for a monumental win to start the season on a high note.

“If you get your asses kicked, you want to get your get-back,” Devin Booker told ESPN’s Jorge Sedano while reminiscing about losing his first Game 7. “That’s just life.

“We still have 81 games to go. I said that before the game. It’s a good start. I think it’s a good start to show our team if we’re down early that, we can come back in games.”

2⃣2⃣-PT COMEBACK.

Tonight marked our largest comeback since 2017. pic.twitter.com/2oqt671FK9

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 20, 2022

Phoenix’s ability to rally and win a closeout of a tight game late in the fourth should come as no surprise when you remember why they became the overall last season. The Suns went 33-9 in clutch games, defined by the score being within five points in the final minutes.

The comeback effort can also serve as a rallying point after a dramatic offseason full of front-office chaos due to team owner Robert Sarver’s season-long suspension and decision to put the Suns and Mercury up for sale. Not to mention the tense negotiations and apparent cold feelings Deandre Ayton has towards Coach Monty Williams. The starting lineup also had some turnover after Jae Crowder decided not to play out the final season of his contract while the front office seeks a trade partner.

Powering through. pic.twitter.com/t1C1MPyFO9

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 20, 2022

All the offseason theatrics were a backdrop to the fact that NBA scheduled Phoenix and Dallas for their season-openers after the Mavericks not only embarrassed but ended the Suns’ season with a debilitating Game 7 loss for the ages.

“I think any time you win in the NBA, it’s cool,” Williams said. “But to beat the team that knocked you out, it doesn’t erase that feeling, that hurt, but it does help you grow.”

The Suns’ comeback bid began with Booker (28 points and nine assists) checking back into the game with his team down 15 points. The two-time All-Star scored seven points and handed out six dimes during the fourth quarter. However, the true hero of the game was Damion Lee, who scored 11 of his points in the final frame, including his game-winning fadeaway with 9.7 seconds left in the game.

Damion Lee!!! Tuff shot. pic.twitter.com/tUST6cKmQn

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 20, 2022

Lee, a championship veteran, was a casualty of the Warriors’ decision to invest in their future this summer. He signed a veterans minimum deal during the League’s free agency period and has immediately made an impact as a reserve guard. The 29-year-old guard more than made up for giving up a game-tying and-1 layup to Doncic by hitting his game-winner.

Lee was also given a boost of confidence by Williams during Phoenix’s ensuing timeout.

“Coach just looks at me, and he said: ‘Hey, go make a play. Go make a play,”‘ said Lee, who is now 2-of-9 on tying or go-ahead field goals in the final minute during his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. “That’s what you want — a coach that’s always going to instill that confidence in you, no matter what happens.”

The post Damion Lee’s Game-Winner Gives Phoenix Some ‘Get-Back’ Over Dallas appeared first on SLAM.

Eastern Conference contender emerges as interested suitor for Suns’ Jae Crowder: pic.twitter.com/oxw12tvnUt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 10, 2022

The former second-round draft pick has solidified himself as a premier defender that could stretch the floor offensively. Crowder is the type of modern-day 3-and-D player any team finds value in. It’s no wonder the Hawks aren’t the only team interested in the 32-year-old.

Trade rumors surrounding Crowder came after multiple reports revealed Phoenix was shopping the veteran during the offseason; Crowder went to Twitter to express how he felt.

ONE MUST SEEK WORK WHERE HE IS WANTED.. WHERE HE IS NEEDED.! I AM THANKFUL FOR WHAT THESE PAST 2 YRS HAVE TAUGHT ME.! NOW I MUST TAKE ON ANOTHER CHALLENGE WITH CONTINUED HARDWORK & DEDICATION.! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CLOSED THE DOOR ON ME…. THANK YOU! 99 BACK SOON.!

— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) September 25, 2022

He made it known that not only would he not be at training camp, but Crowder would also like to play for a team where he is wanted. Since tweeting this out, Crowder has not been seen at training camp or preseason. The organization is on the same page as the veteran as they try and find a resolution for his future.

Cam Johnson is set to replace Crowder in the Suns’ starting lineup going into the new campaign. If the trade goes through, it will be interesting to see how the veteran will fare, teaming up with the latest Big Three of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and John Collins.

The post REPORT: Hawks Emerge as Potential Suitor for Jae Crowder appeared first on SLAM.

Through 21 career playoff games,  Dončić has scored 32.5 points per game and is second only to Michael Jordan. The men tasked with guarding Dončić are Bridges, Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and Deandre Ayton, who have combined to take a 3-2 series lead while being slightly effective in slowing down Dončić. Bridges have guarded Luka Legend for 20 gametime minutes longer than any other Maverick this series.

“To play against unbelievable talent, it challenges me personally,” Bridges said after Game 1, per Sports Illustrated. “It makes me better as a player. I embrace the challenge for sure.”

In a perfect Phoenix defensive possession, Bridges would fight through a screen-and-roll, catch up with Dončić before he gets deep in the paint, giving Ayton, JaVale McGee, or Bismack Biyombo enough time to recover to whoever sets a screen to free Dončić up to score. However, Dončić is an elite scorer for a reason. Dončić is proven to be adept at scoring in the midrange and is capable of hitting stepback triples.

The preferred Phoenix has for their Dončić coverage has had to be changed from drop coverage to Phoenix deciding to switch because Dončić is so lethal with the ball in his hands. Not only is Dončić scoring at will, but Dallas has been able to space the court due to Luka Legend being able to help Dallas average 11.5 corner three-pointers per game, up from 10.1 during the regular-season.

Dallas has shot nearly 41 triples a game through four games, including 44 in their Game 4 win. This is primarily due to Dončić exploiting Phoenix’s defense to open up Dallas’ shooters around the perimeter.

“I think you put all those things into one,” Crowder said about trying to stop Dončić and his sharp-shooting teammates. “Once you get in the game, you gotta read and react. You have to truly know the rotations; you have to know what your teammates are doing. Obviously, knowing your opponent is probably the No. 1 thing, and knowing what the Mavericks are trying to do on the offensive end.

“Dončić does a great job of reading the game and knowing where all his teammates are on the court. We’re playing chess right now.”

The Phoenix-Dallas series shifts back to Dallas for Thursday’s Game 6, with Phoenix looking to close the series out. The Sun’s best chance in doing so might be to allow Dončić to play one-one while blanketing the Mavericks’ shooters and phasing their other scorers out to test Dončić’s stamina.

The post Mikal Bridges on Guarding Luka Dončić’: ‘I Embrace the Challenge For Sure’ appeared first on SLAM.

In the first round against the Pelicans, Ayton averaged 20.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game on 70.0 percent shooting from the field. A good jump from his regular season when he posted 17.2 points and 10.2 boards per game.

As the Mavericks-Suns series rolls, Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd’s use of small-ball lineups might not be as valuable against Ayton, who is athletic enough to keep up with shooters like Maxi Kleber when Kidd deploys him as small-ball 5. The Suns also have lengthy and versatile defenders like Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cam Johnson, who can chase the Mavericks’ marksman

“We have to adapt,” Kidd said per Sports Illustrated. “Our game plan against Utah is not going to work against the Suns. We’ve already changed that mindset because we’re not playing the Jazz.

Ayton will be tasked with taking advantage of the Mavs whenever he’s in a pick-and-roll situation with CP3, rim-running in transition, and bullying his matchup when he’s given the rock in the low post. Ayton is also a threat to score from deep, sinking 50 percent of his four three-point attempts so far in the playoffs.

“We understand their strength is midrange, but they hurt you with the 3 in transition, and they can hurt you in the paint with JaVale and Ayton. This isn’t Gobert or Whiteside. These guys can put the ball in the basket. So, our bigs are going to be tested.”

The post Jason Kidd on Guarding the Suns’ Big Men: ‘We Have to Adapt’ appeared first on SLAM.

One of just a couple dozen players in the G League and NBA to have played college basketball outside Division I, Demers’ mere presence in the G League cuts against conventional knowledge that the best basketball players can all be found at the top of high school recruiting lists and draft boards. He averaged 8.1 points and 1.2 assists in his first season as a pro in the G League. 

For a professional athlete, Demers is surprisingly unassuming. A 6-1 shooting guard who likes to golf and hang with his family, Demers is easy to hang with. Michael Rejniak, Demer’s coach with team We Are D3 in the TBT remembers when Demers first walked into the pre-tournament workouts. “Eric might be the last guy you pick, like, from a visual viewpoint to be the G Leaguer. But he is.”

Looking out onto the court where players he used to watch on ESPN warm up, the Gordon College alum points out that he’s “the one guy in the G League that has loans.” Division III rules do not allow schools to offer athletic scholarships, and at nearly $40,000 a year, Gordon’s tuition is nothing to scoff at. Ask him if he would change his path to the G-League, though, and Demers will tell you that he wouldn’t change a thing.

During his senior year at Gordon College, Demers led the nation in scoring with 32.4 points per game, dropping 42 against Hartford in an exhibition game, his only Division I opponent that year. Last summer, he went off for 25 points in his TBT debut for team We Are D3, off the bench. 

Rejniak proudly calls Demers “one of the best shooters I’ve had the pleasure to coach,” while Maine Celtics assistant coach Craig Luschenat, a fellow DIII alumnus, was “shocked by his quick release” when first watching Demers play. But for all the things he does well, Demers has some adjusting and learning to do since entering the G-League, and he has to overcome ageism too, all while playing against the best competition he’s ever faced.

What’s more, the G League is molded in the NBA’s image, and as such, is dominated by the pick and roll, an offensive scheme which calls for defensive assignments that Demers has never played and for a brand new offensive approach for him, too. Where in college he had the green light like Damian Lillard, in the G League he’s tasked with emulating Jae Crowder, a typical three-and-D wing.

“Coming from DIII, he’s so used to being able to kind of do whatever he wants,” Luschenat explains. At Gordon, Demers would set up shop above the break. He had the freedom to attack the rim off the dribble, shoot deep pull-up threes, and even post up on occasion, as he did in his 25-point TBT performance. But in the G League, Demers now lives in the corner, waiting for more higher-profile players to pass him the ball, rebuilding his game to fit the new level. 

“I didn’t have any scholarships coming out of high school or anything like that. I just fell in love with the process of getting better,” he explains. “I loved basketball so much, I wanted to become the best I can. And I still do. So I try not to put a ceiling on myself or a window of opportunity. I just truly want to find my potential.”

After solidifying himself as one of the top scorers in college basketball, Demers was in Los Angeles training with professional trainer Jordan Lawley—also known as JLaw, who counts Zach Lavine, Klay Thompson, and Alex Caruso among his many clients—when COVID-19 hit. An early Instagram post from 2020 shows Demers working out with a EuroLeauge ball, underlining his impression that his first gig was going to come overseas. Freshly married and coming off a successful senior season at Gordon, Demers looked to sign with an agent and begin his pro career, but he found that “meeting with agents is a lot different for Division III athletes rather than Division I athletes.” 

Conversations over Whatsapp with agents speaking broken English trying to convince Demers to play in the country where they lived proved unfruitful, and a contract to play in New Zealand fell through because “they were kind of COVID-free at the time and didn’t really want anyone coming into their country.” With just half of G League teams going to the bubble, Demers didn’t get an invite and found himself teamless for the first time in years. 

Though Demers and his wife Lauren were “100% locked in” on Demers playing professional basketball, the financial realities of starting a family set in, and Demers was forced to take a job at a mortgage company through a friend at church, working out every day in addition to his office and family duties. (Lauren and Eric welcomed their first child, Jordan, in August 2021.) Months in, Demers says there were “moments in time where I had some hard conversations with my wife, and it was like, is it time to just move on from basketball?”

Ultimately, the pair decided that they’d wait to see what professional opportunities would come his way. Six months later, Demers earned an invitation to NBA Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs. Having quit his day job and now beginning his professional journey, Demers arrived in Las Vegas, only to find more doubters.

Walking around the Summer League arenas, someone even asked him if he worked in the Spurs front office. Looking for a table at a restaurant with former teammates from Gordon College, Demers was about to be turned away from the restaurant until one of his buddies told the restaurant workers that Demers was a Summer League player. 

And yet, Demers isn’t sweating any of it. He says the story about the restaurant is one of his favorite moments since becoming a professional basketball player. For JLaw, Demers’ ability to be “able to turn off the basketball side” when he’s not on the court is what sets him apart from other players.

Luschenat and Rejniak echo JLaw’s sentiment: “He doesn’t care whether you’re 6-8, 6-7,” boasts Rejniak, “he’ll cook you.” It seems from the outside that Demers is the ever-elusive, even-keeled player, never too high and never too low. 

Demers’ coachability is reflected in the ways he challenges his teammates. Sam Hauser, a two-way player for the Boston Celtics, is Demers’ main matchup in practice, says Demers is “consistently moving and keeping the defense on edge,” a skill that wasn’t important for him in college, but is now a key facet of his game. 

In the words of  Luschenat, Demers is “always ready.” After the game against the Knicks, the pro reflects on his rookie season thus far, and how unlikely it’s all been. This is just the beginning for him; he says that he can see himself playing in the G League for “two to three years,” and then potentially taking his talents overseas. 

 “Not many rookies especially come from where I’ve come from [and] get the opportunity to impact the team the way I have.”

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Former DIII Guard Eric Demers is Ready to Tap Into His Potential in the G League appeared first on SLAM.

“It means a lot, man. I’m grateful and I thank god for this opportunity,” Paul said per the Arizona Republic.

“I say it all the time, not only to be on the team and still be in the league but to be playing. You know you don’t take that for granted. … But to be third, man, and still be playing, I’m grateful for it and still have a ways to go.”

Going into the matchup against the Pelicans, Paul was fifth all-time on the list, just six dimes behind Jackson and seven behind Nash. Paul pushed past Jackson at the end of the first quarter, giving a pass to Devin Booker, who then hit a 27-foot three-pointer.

Paul propelled past Nash with 1:34 left in the second from a dish to Jae Crowder, who scored a three-pointer from the right-wing. At 36-years-old and playing in his 16th season in the League, Paul has more time behind him than ahead. However, he has ways to go before catching up to Jason Kidd (12,091) and John Stockton (15,806) on the all-time assists list.

“When I first came into the League and I seen that John Stockton, I was like, ‘I’m gonna get it.’ That shipped sailed. That shipped sailed a while ago when I started missing all them games,” Paul told the Arizona Republic.

Still, this is just the latest milestone that CP3 has achieved so far this season. Just last month, he became the first player in NBA history to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in a win against the Lakers.

The Suns are now 3-3 and will play the Rockets on Thursday.

The post Chris Paul Passes Mark Jackson and Steve Nash For No.3 All-Time in Assists 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

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Inches away from the baseline, Paul whipped his ninth assist of the game— the 1,041st of his career—to a cutting Jae Crowder who cashed in on a midrange jumper. A nine-time All-Star, Paul would notch the milestone assist in his 125th postseason game, leaving him with a career average of 8.3 assists per game in the playoffs.

Congrats to @CP3 of the @Suns for moving up to 10th on the #NBAPlayoffs ASSISTS list! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/NVSj5HQETu

— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021

Paul, who is averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 assists in the Finals, could realistically displace Larry Bird at the seventh spot, as the Hall of Fame forward sits 21 dimes behind the two-time Finals MVP.

The Point God and his Suns squad will head to Milwaukee next to face the Bucks in Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Finals, on Sunday night.

The post CP3 Moves Up to 10th All-Time Playoff Assists, Passes Kobe Bryant appeared first on SLAM.

No. 2 Phoenix Suns 116, No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers 102

The Clippers had their backs to the wall for Game 5 after dropping a winnable Game 4 on Saturday night, but Los Angeles kept hope alive for at least one more game. Paul George played a phenomenal game dropping a game-high 41 points to go along with 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals. However, the story of the night came from the Clippers bench in DeMarcus Cousins, who played just 11 minutes and provided 15 points, three assists, and two rebounds. The Clippers also got great games from Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris, both of whom eclipsed 20 points; Jackson with 23 and Morris with 22.

The Suns fell behind quickly on Monday night, falling into an early 10 point deficit in the first quarter, and despite a strong game from Devin Booker, who had a team-high 31 points, it wasn’t enough to erase the gap. Chris Paul had a better night shooting than he did on Saturday but still left something to be desired, scoring 22 points on a below-average 8-for-19 shooting. Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges only combined for 19 total points on the night.

The Clippers still have a lot of work to do, but will have the chance to even the series 3-3 at home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

The post Post Up: Clippers Live to Fight Another Day appeared first on SLAM.

NBA team basketball executives have selected Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones as the winner of the 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award, the NBA announced today.

More https://t.co/7GYDELkuJ8 pic.twitter.com/ohf9zZ2lWy

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 20, 2021

Jones finished with 65 points, which narrowly edged second-place finisher Utah Jazz Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey’s 61 points. Both received nine of the 30 first-place votes from a panel put together by one basketball executive from each team. Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks finished in third place.

Through his leadership in the Basketball Operations department, Jones’ helped overhaul the culture of the franchise starting with the hiring of the runner-up for the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year Award in Monty Williams. Afterwards, he restructured a roster that went from a 34-39 record to the second-best record in the NBA (51-21) and the fifth-highest single-season winning percentage in two seasons. 

He did that by acquiring guard Chris Paul in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and signing forward Jae Crowder as a free agent from Miami.  Paul averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 assists this season and was an All-Star selection with fellow Suns guard Devin Booker. Crowder made a team-high 148 three-pointers this season as a solid 3 and D player.

Signing Cameron Payne, who was out of the NBA may have been Jones’ genius move of the season as the guard has exploded on the scene in the playoffs.

The award was presented to him before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Deandre Ayton was PUMPED to hear James Jones won 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year! #ThatsGame

4th quarter of Game 1 underway on ABC. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/d8XjhDuQkm

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2021

Phoenix is still competing in their NBA Playoff berth for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

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In what was an expectedly tight race, Jones received nine of 30 first place votes and 65 total points. Jones edged out Utah Jazz vice president of basketball operations, Dennis Lindsey, who followed closely with nine first place votes and 61 points. Brooklyn Nets general manager, Sean Marks, finished in third with five first place votes and 51 points.

The 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year is… James Jones of the @Suns! #NBAAwards #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/FmrpE6jgt4

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2021

After being hired in 2018, Jones has been the mastermind behind the Suns foundation for success. A former player and three-time champion who made the jump to the front office after retiring in 2017, a flurry of moves headed by Jones bolstered a young and hungry roster.

Chief among these were the hiring Monty Williams as coach prior to last season and swooping up a rugged two-way forward in Jae Crowder to pair along Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton in the frontcourt.

The most notable, and most successful, deal was the blockbuster trade in the offseason to acquire the on and off the court leadership of Chris Paul.

Just before tip-off, Jones received a standing ovation from a nearly sold out Phoenix Suns Arena.

Suns announce general manager James Jones as NBA executive of the Year pre-game. pic.twitter.com/DYXIpjQU5V

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 20, 2021

Phoenix finished with the league’s second-best record while advancing past the Los Angeles Lakers (led by four-time NBA champion LeBron James) and Denver Nuggets (led by 2020-21 NBA MVP Nikola Jokic) before taking a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The Clippers and Suns tip off for Game 2 tomorrow night in Phoenix at 9:00 p.m. EST.

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The Nuggets, running out of steam in the desert in Game 1, had the opportunity to even the series after a disappointing opening game.

Would a hobbled Michael Porter Jr. and the return of Will Barton be enough to help newly crowned MVP Nikola Jokic take control of Game 2?

No. 2 Phoenix Suns 123, No. 3 Denver Nuggets 98

PHX leads series 2-0

Early on, there was a similar feel to the Nuggets’ performance against the Suns in Game 2 after their Game 1 letdown. While they played a more competitive first half in Game 1, Denver entered halftime trailing just 10 points despite poor shooting from MPJ and Monte Morris.

However, the second half was a much different story, with the Suns jumping to a 20-point lead almost immediately. With the Nuggets’ playing passively on offense and lacking the defensive wherewithal to hold up on the other end, Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 19 points.

Quite frankly, by then it was already over.

The Suns starting lineup brought their A-game on Wednesday night, with all of them scoring in the double-digits.

“Point God” Chris Paul led the way with a 17-point, 15 assist double-double, failing to turn the ball over a single time.

Franchise pillars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton each recorded double-doubles of their own, with Booker having a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds and Ayton chipping in 15 points and 10 rebounds. 3-and-D specialists Jae Crowder (11), Mikal Bridges (16) and Torrey Craig (10) all finished with double-digit scoring numbers as well.

While Porter, who played with a back injury, had a poor game with 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting from the field, the Nuggets’ backcourt was mediocre for the second consecutive game.

Denver’s guard play has clearly been a step behind Phoenix’s, with starting point guard Facundo Campazzo tallying three points on 1-for-7 shooting, starting shooting guard Austin Rivers scoring six points on 2-for-5 shooting, backup guard Monte Morris ice cold with three points on 1-for-7 shooting and rookie guard Markus Howard scoring six points on 2-for-6 shooting.

The Nuggets’ guard rotation combined to score 18 points, as many as Booker had in the entire game for Phoenix.

The lone bright spot for Denver was the aggressive playmaking from Jokic and Barton. Jokic had a game-high 24 points to go along with 13 rebounds and six assists, while Barton (who hasn’t played since April) managed 10 points and three assists in just 16 minutes.

Now trailing 2-0, the Nuggets will have to rebound quickly as the series shifts to Denver for Game 3 on Friday, June 11. The Nuggets will need a healthy Porter and Barton to have a chance to compete on Friday.

Otherwise, it may already be too late.

The post Post Up: Suns Take Down Nuggets Thanks to Second Half Surge appeared first on SLAM.

The NBA ain’t ever seen a player like me.

Three years later, Ayton still means it. It wasn’t for clout or to make his SLAM 216 cover story sound good. He knew, even back then, that the League had never seen a player like him. When asked about it again during our interview in April, he makes it clear to everyone on the Zoom call that today he means it even more.

“I was serious. And I’m deadass. I’m serious, to the bone,” Ayton says. “I’m something the League has never seen: a 5 that can guard 1-5. A player that can anchor a defense, that can play like this every night.” 

His voice is stern and unwavering, the same way someone speaks when they’re right and they know it. “I love it,” he continues. “That’s the day and era that we’re in, where young guys like the Luka Doncics and the Trae Youngs are carrying teams, literally. But we love it. It’s who we are. It’s the life we chose. Simple as that.”

He has a point. There are a handful of players, all under the age of 25, that are helping carry their teams to potential playoff runs. Ayton is one of them, and as of writing this, he’s ranked 13th in the NBA in rebounds (10.7) this season. The Bahamian-born center is only four years younger than Clint Capela, who is leading the L. Ayton, only in his third season, turns 23 in July.

As the Suns continue to dominate the West and look to make a run in the playoffs—which would mark their first postseason appearance since 2010—DA is playing with a new type of energy and responsibility. His teammates are depending on him to grab every rebound that floats in the air, to help generate the offense by getting it done on the defensive end of the floor. It was once written that “there’s beauty in how the Suns turn Ayton rebounds into points,” but that might be too flowery. His job, he says, is to not only dominate the paint but to protect it.

“I’m a Leo, so I be roaring,” he says bluntly. “I don’t back down, I don’t do none of that. I love to compete, I love to defend. If I’m not there, people are going to see food…You might scoot by me, but I’m here. At the end of the day, you’re gonna come back down and see DA. This is basketball.”

And while many have criticized him for not shooting enough threes, Ayton knows that’s not his role on a team full of shooters. Devin Booker is averaging 25.4 points per game, and the Suns are led by the point god himself, Chris Paul, who can dish a dime to anyone on the floor at any moment in time. Ayton is expected to make things happen on the glass from anywhere on the court, to grab boards, set screens and help generate the offense, every single night.

“When I’m on the glass, I’m a presence. I don’t even call myself a big man. I never do. On my team, nobody calls me big fella. I really don’t compare myself to bigs. I can score like a big, that’s my system and that’s what’s best for my team, but I do all of that,” he says. “I know that CP and Book are depending on me to get them open, they’re expecting me to roll to create offense and generate in the middle.”

There’s a sense of pride you get when knowing that one of the best point guards in the game knows you can compete and expects it of you. Demands it. 

“CP3 is on our ass,” Ayton says about Paul. “I’m talking about he be on my ass, man. It ain’t no slip ups. I’m talking about paying attention to the details to the finest, almost perfection. He knows you’re human, but if he trusts you, when a superstar like that trusts you, you know, [it gives] superpowers almost. It’s like, You believe in me that much?”

It’s that belief, and his own self-assurance, that has added more fuel to Ayton’s fire this season. In 60 games, all of which he’s started, DA has 32 double doubles—and is on pace to have the most of his career. He’s running the floor, running pick and rolls with ease and playing with the confidence needed to get his shooters wide open. The two-man game that he plays with Paul has become one of the Suns’ most lethal weapons. And when asked about Ayton’s ceiling and potential, CP3 let us know back in February that the not-a-big-man is ready. He’s in full control now.

“I ain’t never been on this type of competitive team, to have this type of competitive spirit around you, [where] other dudes are on the same page as me. So why not? I’m cursing myself every day. Why not? I’m asking myself, knowing the answer. I just got to go out there and do it.”

DA will be the first to tell you that with everything he’s been through in his three years in the League, he’s not taking this moment for granted. But he hasn’t forgotten, either, about the moments when he and his team were doubted.

He knew the odds of the Suns dominating in the bubble: Fivethirtyeight.com projected they’d go 3-5 and had a “less than minuscule” chance of making the playoffs.

But, what the Suns did in the bubble wasn’t a fluke, and that 8-0 run wasn’t just a moment of good fortune. The numbers were wrong.

“Even going into the bubble with the -0.3 percent, all that stuff, I remember all of that,” he says. “That’s why I got this thing up in my room, you know what I’m sayin?” Ayton says, pointing to the jersey that is hung up behind him. “Like, ah, I just got to turn around sometimes, and [nods head] aight.”

Ayton then motions with his thumb to the RESPECT US jersey that’s hung up behind him on his wall, the same one he wore last season in the bubble. It’s a reminder of the journey, the process. But it’s also a demand.

“I’m from a different country and it’s hard to really adapt to new things and things that we’re not used to,” he says. “I think that’s what this world lacks a little bit and we’ve got to respect people’s ways and it’s who they are and what they do. That’s the thing, we have a hard time doing this in this world, and not only did I do that for us but for the team as well, as respect for the Suns before these wins.”

DA knows better than anyone that these wins shouldn’t be taken for granted.

He admits that the bubble, and the drug suspension he faced last season for unintentionally ingesting a diuretic, has made him who he is today. It’s made this player right now.

DA was coming off a fairly solid rookie season before his suspension. He registered a double-double in his NBA debut, making him the first player to do so in their debut game since Lew Alcindor in ’69 and Oscar Robertson in ’60—and, despite ankle injuries, he went on to break the Suns’ record for most double-doubles by a rookie (previously set by Alvan Adams in 1975-76) against the Washington Wizards in March, the same night teammate Devin Booker dropped 50.

But then, shortly after getting another double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) in the season-opener against the Kings the following year, he was suspended for 25 games for violating the League’s drug-policy.

They say the higher that you climb, the further you can fall. The unintentional mistake he made back in October of 2019 was called a “false start” for Ayton and a “disappointment” for an organization that has had “nothing but disappointment for the last decade.” The former No. 1 pick thought that everyone was done with him.

“I’m thinking everybody hates me,” Ayton admits.

Well, everyone except for Diana Taurasi.

“I would walk past her every morning, going [into the gym] early and she’d be parking her car,” he says about one of his favorite players. “She’d stop me every time and tell me to keep my head up. And I’m like, for who she is, stopping me, someone who got suspended, who is damn near is done, my name got dropped, I [was] so surprised someone was talking to me. She had faith in me and told me, Nah, everybody makes mistakes.”

The suspension, he admits, felt like another chance to do things right. He spent that time watching film and going at it in workouts. While he’d be training, everything that Taurasi had said to him would run back through his head. He felt more locked in than ever.

Yo. Just remember, every time you’re doing these little workouts or whatever, just know, it’s only really important when nobody is watching.

But second chances don’t always come easy, and oftentimes, life is the hardest teacher. He returned in December, getting another double-double against the Clippers, only to sprain his right ankle three days later against the Thunder. It felt like another harsh reality he had to face about being in the League.

“It was like, Man. This is what it’s about, this is really the NBA. You can work for something so hard and it can go away like that,” he says with the snap of his finger.

He missed five games, but returned with redemption on his mind. He dropped double-doubles for three straight games against the Lakers, Knicks and Grizzlies, and then had a monster game against New York on their home court in January. Ayton finished with 26 points and a career-high 21 rebounds against the Knicks, making him the youngest player since Amar’e Stoudemire to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds in a game for the Suns, and the youngest player ever to drop 25-plus points against the Knicks.

He was back, and so were the Suns. Looking back at that time, Ayton says he not only learned how to win, but what it felt like to win as an underdog.

“We were acting like we were winning championships in there. We were locked in. It felt like the playoffs because it was really intense and everybody was hungry, man. Every team brought it, but we was bringing it to them. We really wanted it more.” 

He’s keeping that same energy this season on a team that not only knows how to win, but expects it. And no one is more in control right now of how Deandre Ayton plays than Deandre himself.

“There’s no turning back from here,” he says. “I know what to do to prepare myself for the next level, I know what’s ahead of us. I have the guys around me to tell me what the hell I’m about to get myself into, how things are about to play. I like damn near have a chain around my neck about to pop, because I’m beyond ready for this shit. I’m just happy the front office really put some serious winners around me because now I feel it. I see the confidence certain teams get when they’re on a roll. It’s contagious throughout our whole team.”

The battle isn’t over, though, and in his own words, this the NBA, love. You can’t be content with a winning record in the NBA before the playoffs. DA is hungry for more, and his jersey from last season is a reminder to keep going. That respect has to be earned. It’s not just given.

“It’s to remind myself, Yo, we ain’t it. Only 40 wins, we ain’t got it. We ain’t there yet, it feels aight but we ain’t got it. There’s so much more. There’s so many more. I’m tryin’ to flip this city upside down. Tryin’ to have the whole roster and names on the streets, like, that’s just the energy I’m on.”

We haven’t seen the Phoenix Suns like this before. And, if we’re being real, the NBA hasn’t seen Deandre Ayton play like this before, either. Forget about stats and shooting percentages and all of that—just watch the way that he plays. His confidence is unwavering, every rebound is a testament to greatness and greatness to come.

But if we are talking numbers, then here’s one for you: 3.9 seconds. Back in April against the Jazz, per Arizonasports.com, it only took on average 3.9 seconds (give or take) for the Suns to attempt a shot on offense after Ayton secured the rebound. After grabbing a defensive board, he then hit a 15-foot jumper three seconds later. When Jae Crowder missed a three, Ayton was right there to snag the offensive rebound and dish it to Chris Paul for another shot. While the ball didn’t go through the net every time, Ayton’s 12 rebounds that night—seven of which were offensive and five defensive—helped guarantee more opportunities for the Suns. They went on to defeat Utah, who have the best record in the L and are sitting at a spot above them in the West, in overtime.

So if the Suns performance in the bubble wasn’t enough to prove to you that this team isn’t playing around, and if Ayton’s double-double performances and playmaking ability this season aren’t enough, then let these words, his own, be a final warning to dispel your lingering doubt:

“I’m ready to see it. I can already taste it. I’m craving it. I want to win every day…It’s like, why not be No. 1? Why not do certain things that people wouldn’t expect us to. We young, we’re just young and hungry. We’re competitive. We’re taking everybody. Straight up.”

And as we say on the islands, No let dat go ova yu head top. Blessings soon come.

—

Get your copy of SLAM 232 now!

Deyscha Smith is an Associate Editor for SLAM. Follow her on Instagram, @deyschasmith.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are Ascending Towards Greatness appeared first on SLAM.

Last season, Lawrence Frank of the LA Clippers won the NBA Executive of the Year Award for his ability to acquire both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in one offseason. While he certainly will be considered to win it for a second straight season after making more impactful moves in the most recent offseason, he’s got plenty of competition. There were many big moves made this offseason and even early into the 2020-21 regular season.

At the quarter mark of the 2020-21 season, we broke down our top five Executive of the Year candidates.

James Jones (Phoenix Suns)

Killing two birds with one stone, James Jones made the Suns a playoff team by acquiring Chris Paul, which in turn kept Devin Booker happy. After Phoenix had a 8-0 record in the bubble, they’ve carried that momentum with their new look team into the 2020-21 season.

Not only did he acquire Paul, but Jones made several other key moves this offseason to add depth and role players to the roster. Signing players like Jae Crowder, Frank Kaminsky and Langston Galloway have rounded out what looks like one of the better roster in the Western Conference.

Sean Marks (Brooklyn Nets)

While acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving occured two offseasons ago, this is the first seaosn they’ve played together meanin that Sean Marks deserves credit. Furthermore, he made a secondary move to acquire James Harden recently, putting together a superstar trio.

This was a string of all-in moves by Marks, who has put together one of the best trios in NBA history. If he is able to build the team back out and add depth around these three, he will only deserve this award even more.

Sam Presti (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Sam Presti had yet another successful offseason making deals with multiple teams around the league to acquire young players and draft capital. When it comes to positing a team for the perfect rebuild, Presti continues to do so.

Just one season after getting paid to take on Chris Paul, he flipped him for additional assets. Presti also got the most possible value he could out of other guys this offseason like Dennis Schroder. The Thunder are still winning games this season and staying competitive with their young roster, showing just how good this team is setting up to be.

Rob Pelinka (Los Angeles Lakers)

After the Lakers won an NBA championship last season, Rob Pelinka found a way to make the team even better. Although they were already top-heavy with talent last season, they now have much improved depth after Pelinka was able to acquire Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol this offseason.

Additionally, he was able to re-sign key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. This was all accomplished without having to lose many of their key pieces.

Travis Schlenk (Atlanta Hawks)

After several years of rebuilding, Travis Schlenk made big moves this offseason to get Atlanta over the hump and competitive enough to be a playoff contender. He was able to acquire Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo, and Kris Dunn in a two-month span to support his young core.

These acquisitions were all made while the Hawks were able to retain the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to select Onyeka Okongwu. Trae Young is already a superstar in this league, and Schlenk is taking advantag of that now.

The post NBA Award Watch: 2021 Executive of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

To sit (virtually) with the very man who founded hoop mixtapes, who shifted the culture of basketball by creating a work of art that embodied it, is an honor. Hip-hop and basketball inspire the same kid, Set Free says over Zoom. Poetry in motion, set to a snare drum. 

“The ball is the sound of a drum,” he says. “The ball is the same beat as the drum in hip-hop.”

The AND1 mixtapes were born out of Set Free’s personal connection with hip-hop. Born in the Bronx, he lived “bicoastally’’ between Philadelphia and Queens and found the best of both worlds when it came to music. NY had the MCs: LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa and Run DMC. Philly had the DJs: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, DJ Mizz. He started DJing at 14, performing around the South Bronx in the 1980s.

While buying records one day at Footworks, a record store in Philly, Peter Smalls aka Biggie, a rep for AND1, approached him to ask what he thought about their sneakers. 

“I was like, they suck,” Richardson says with a chuckle. “But if you connect them with hip-hop right now, your company could be out of here. That’s how my first introduction to AND1 came [about].”

Even then, Set Free knew there was value in attaching a brand to the hip-hop community. When AND1 sent him merch, he gave it to his friends who were rappers, like De La Soul and Black Moon. He went back to Smalls and let him know that they were all wearing AND1. Then he left Tommy Boy records in 1997 and joined AND1 shortly after, where he started working in product placement. 

During a lunch break one day, Set Free says he was approached by the Head of Marketing, Jeffrey Smith, who wanted to show him some basketball mixtapes. Unsure of what to do with them but still curious, Set Free asked to take the tapes home.

He had a music studio in his basement and a VCR player above his turntables and usually liked to turn on the TV while DJing, to have it playing in the background. He popped the tapes in, and turned the volume down low as he started scratching. The snare drum hit just as a jump shot was made, a kick hit on a dunk. Boom, boom, boom.

He went back to the AND1 office the next day and was hyped for what he’d discovered. Next thing he knew, Jeffrey Smith was sending him to Miami to get in the studio to make the video mixtape. Just as he’d done with the merch, Set Free then sent one-minute snippets of the AND1 mixtapes via FedEx to his friends, like Sway and Common, and called them up to see what they thought of it.

“Some people were like, ‘Yo, where is this at? Who are these guys? Where are they from? Where do they play like this? Can we go there? Can we go see a game like this?’”

“To know that I was responsible for putting something together that touched so many people’s lives, touched some of my favorite NBA athletes today, to be a part of so many rappers’ careers, helping them break their record, I’m not gonna say AND1 was the reason they broke the records, but it helped add to record industry record labels’ plans. It’s just overwhelming, it’s a great feeling,” he says.

AND1 stopped making mixtapes in 2008 but the legacy has lived on. The very existence of hoop mixtapes today, like an NLE Choppa track playing over a Bronny James highlight video, is influenced by those AND1 tapes. 

That’s exactly why players like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and the youngins’ like Tyler Herro and RJ Barrett mess with Set Free and his company, The Compound. They often visit his gallery and “creative hangout space” in the Bronx. 

This past NBA season, Richardson also saw an opportunity to artistically capture the movement that went on inside the NBA bubble in Orlando. Players were protesting and speaking up and the League had Black Lives Matter on the court and on the backs of jerseys. They were playing for change. 

“I wanted to create something that players would look at, see, and be like, That’s what I’m talking about,” he says. “That, for me, represents change through basketball.”

He had an idea, inspired by the image of a silhouette. Think Jerry West as The Logo and Michael Jordan as The Jumpman. He made his own silhouette of a basketball player holding a basketball, with a fist raised in the air and pitched the idea to the Players Association. 

They loved it and The Compound printed 300 shirts and sent them to different players inside the bubble—Jae Crowder, JR Smith, and Danny Green to name a few. Set Free saw his merch serving a bigger purpose.

“I created a logo and an image that wants people to stand for something and it addresses more than one issue in the world,” he says. “To be able to do it with my favorite athletes and my favorite sport in the world, it meant a lot seeing players at the podium like Jaylen Brown wearing, literally Danny Green wearing it the night of the championship. 

“To create drip with a purpose now is incredible,” he continues. “There’s not too many brands or many projects that feel like drip that means something.” 

Players like Carmelo Anthony and Kyle Lowrey all rock The Compound’s No.7 snapbacks, another product made with intention. The design is rooted in faith, as well as hip hop.

“When somebody asks me who’s my favorite artist, I say God. He created the world in 7 days. 6 days work, one day rest. That’s where it started, you know, God first is with me with everything. It’s the scripture about the whole armor of God [and] this was the physical aspect of the closest thing I could look at to create like that represents that armor of God.”

As for what’s next for Set Free, he’s moving into the production space. He’s executive producing a 30 for 30 (but can’t tell us what is yet) and is focused on continuing to tell stories and pushing The Compound beyond what people are thinking about. 

“Hey, I might do fencing and hip hop next. Ballet and fashion, who knows. It’s always the DNA of putting two things together that people won’t expect.”

The post The Man Behind The 7: Set Free Richardson Bridges The Gap Between Hoops and Hip-Hop appeared first on SLAM.

Now, with a 6-2 record that’s tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best in the Western Conference, the Suns have emerged as legitimate playoff contenders for the first time since 2010-11. They may even be seen as Conference Finals contenders if they sustain their level of play.

Phoenix has one of the most efficient offenses in the league, boasting a team field goal percentage of .471 (ranked 10th in the NBA) and a three-point percentage of .391 (ranked 6th in the NBA). However, the Suns hang their hat on their defensive play, holding opposing teams to 102.4 points per game (ranked 1st in the NBA) with a defensive rating of 105.3 (ranked 6th in the NBA).

Speaking to reporters hours before their matchup with the Toronto Raptors, Suns forward Jae Crowder says that one of Phoenix’s goals is to have the league’s best defense.

They’re already well on their way to doing that and with quite a few strong defensive players — including Paul, Crowder, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges — they should be an elite defensive team for multiple seasons.

The Suns are clearly one team that fans should keep their eye on and finally seem to be turning the corner from promise to production.

The post Suns Set Lofty Goal, Aim To Have No. 1 Defense In NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Expect Devin Booker and Chris Paul to ramp up as they acclimate to their roles alongside one another, and Phoenix’s brand new, ambitious vision.

For more information about the numbers behind our Heat Check series, hop over to our main Heat Check 2020-21 post.

Mikal Bridges	15.5p, 6.0r, 0.5a
Cameron Johnson	15.5p, 2.5r, 0.8a
Cameron Payne	9.8p, 2.8r, 5.0a
Jae Crowder	11.0p, 5.5r, 2.5a
Chris Paul	11.8p, 3.8r, 9.5a
Dario Saric	10.0p, 4.0r, 1.0a
Deandre Ayton	11.5p, 11.8r, 1.8a
Jevon Carter	1.8p, 1.3r, 0.8a
Langston Galloway	5.8p, 0.3r, 0.5a
Damian Jones	0.5p, 1.5r, 0.0a
Frank Kaminsky	4.7p, 1.7r, 0.7a
Devin Booker	19.0p, 4.8r, 3.5a
E’Twaun Moore	0.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check 2020-21: Phoenix Suns appeared first on SLAM.

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

Biggest Questions

• Can Chris Paul stay healthy? He was able to last season in Oklahoma City which was a huge reason he was able to repair his image and earn All-NBA Second Team honors. In the past, injuries have struck Paul at the worst of times, which would be devastating if that were to happen in Phoenix.
• What is the next level for Devin Booker? He’s already one of the best players in the NBA, but playing alongside Chris Paul should take his game to a place we have never seen from him.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Phoenix Suns: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

However, to return to the NBA Finals in 2021, Miami would have to get better with teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks appearing far more formidable than last season.

Heat Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Precious Achiuwa: Precious Achiuwa could have been a lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, as the combo forward is prized for his athleticism and defense. If that sounds like it’s right up Miami’s alley, it’s because it is.
• Avery Bradley: Avery Bradley continues to be one of the league’s better 3-and-D guards, and with his playoff experience, he’s going to provide a veteran presence in the Miami Heat’s locker room.

Heat Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Jae Crowder: Jae Crowder has made a name for himself as a tough and mobile combo guard who can be relied upon as a 3-and-D option. Perhaps the drafting of Precious Achiuwa made him question his future role in Miami but a $30 million contract is an incentive in and of itself.

• Derrick Jones Jr.: The high-flying Derrick Jones Jr. was a decent defender who used his athleticism to sky for rebounds and blocks when in position. Fortunately for Miami, by drafting Achiuwa, they’ll at least be able to replace what Jones provided.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Miami Heat: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

Once the dust settled, the Suns looked like a legit playoff team. Although they had to give up several key pieces of last seasons’ roster to make the moves they wanted to, it was a clear step towards wanting to win now with Devin Booker.

Suns Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Chris Paul: Acquiring Chris Paul might be one of the biggest trades in Suns history. While he is on an extremely large contract and getting up there in age, he showed last season in Oklahoma City that he can still raise the ceiling on the team he is playing for exponentially.
• Jae Crowder: Every team needs guys who are just known for being winners, and Crowder is one of those guys. He’s been to the playoffs in seven straight seasons with four different teams. His mentality and playoff experience will be key for the Suns.

Suns Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Ricky Rubio: Although he just turned 30 and will be exiting his prime shortly, Rubio was still a key piece for the Suns last season and part of their magical 8-0 record in the bubble. He did a ton for the direction of the franchise and its culture during his one year in Phoenix.
• Kelly Oubre: One of the biggest fan favorites in Phoenix, Oubre will be missed for several reasons. He is still just 24 years old and would have been a good guy to re-sign and solidify into your core for the foreseeable future. However, when you have the chance to acquire Chis Paul, moving Oubre to make that happen is a no brainer.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Phoenix Suns: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

After dealing with numerous injuries while playing on the Timberwolves, Saric was a part of a draft-day trade to the Suns in 2019, and has since then solidified himself as a solid sixth man coming off the bench. The 26-year old power forward averaged 10.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game during the 2019-20 season, shooting 35.7 percent from deep. While in the bubble, he averaged 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

The Suns have had quite the offseason for far. They are in the midst of finalizing a traded for Chris Paul, recently landed Jae Crowder, and as of yesterday, signed a three-year deal with Jevon Carter. The Suns also selected former Maryland big man Jalen Smith as the 10th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The post Dario Saric will return to the Suns, finalizing a three-year deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Suns will be Crowder’s seventh team during his nine seasons in the NBA. This summer, the 30-year-old forward started all 21 games for the Heat in the Playoffs, averaging 12.0 points (34.2 3FG%) and 5.6 boards in 31.4 minutes.

Crowder joins Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton in Phoenix as the Suns look to make the Playoffs for the first time since 2010.

The post Jae Crowder, Suns Agree To 3-Year, $30M Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Guided by one of the league’s best coaches in Erik Spoelstra and one of the most influential NBA executives in Pat Riley, the Heat have excelled in the player development department and built a gritty culture in Miami. This bodes well for the Heat entering the 2020 NBA Draft, as they hold a top-20 selection that could be as impactful as Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro have been for them.

With Goran Dragic’s future with the team unclear though, Miami may not have the luxury of missing on the pick.

Related: Full Miami Heat 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Heat Draft Needs

Miami appeared to run out of gas in the 2020 NBA Finals, raising questions about whether or not the Heat truly have enough high-level shot-creators.

Yes, Miami had seven players averaging at least 10 points last season. Yes, the injuries to Dragic and Adebayo severely hampered the offense. Yet, the Heat ranked 15th in the NBA with 112.0 points per game in the 2019-20 regular season and only averaged 104.5 points in the NBA Finals.

This could be an effect of multiple Heat players being better as an off-ball option offensively rather than making a move with the ball in their hands.

In fact, four of Miami’s rotation players — Robinson, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk — took at least 50 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Two others, Nunn and Herro, took at least 45 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range.

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 Miami Heat: 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

Projected Dead Money

Projected Renouncements/Waivers

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

• Room Exception – $4,767,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• Will the Heat stay over the cap or go under? Miami projects to get to about $22M in cap space this summer if they choose to that route. The other option is to stay over the cap and retain most of their own free agents.
• How much does planning for the 2021 offseason factor into the 2020 offseason? Miami is positioned to go big game hunting in 2021. The market will be filled with superstars and stars. Expect the Heat to be conservative this offseason, in order to retain flexibility for next year.

Projected Team Salary

$85,425,589

Expect the Heat to initially stay over the cap, but to dip under if an unexpected player or deal comes their way. Either way, look for Miami to re-sign Goran Dragic, and possibly Jae Crowder, to bigger than expected contracts, but for only one year. That way, the Heat can overpay both players as a form upfront payment now, for more team-friendly deals down the line. That will allow Miami to have them next year, while maintaining flexibility moving forward. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

$21,917,791 (4^th out of 30)

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Miami Heat: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

Green recently reflected on his draft class and who was taken above him on Bleacher Report’s new digital show that he hosts, called ‘Chips’. In his opinion, he is the fourth best player in the 2012 class and should have been taken fourth overall.

“I go back and look at our draft, and I say there are three people that would get drafted before me if our draft was re-done,” Green said.

The 2012 NBA Draft class is a pretty solid group. The best players that came out of that draft include:

• Anthony Davis
• Bradley Beal
• Damian Lillard
• Harrison Barnes
• Terrence Ross
• Andre Drummond
• Austin Rivers
• Meyers Leonard
• Jae Crowder
• Draymond Green
• Khris Middleton
• Will Barton

If Green had been taken fourth overall, he would have been a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which would have been interesting to see. Regardless, his statement about there only being three players that would be drafted over him if there was a re-draft does make sense.

When looking at the careers that his peers have had, Green has had one of the best. He’s a two-time All-NBA, three-time NBA champion, three-time NBA All-Star, and one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Those accolades alone say that he certainly should have been one of the top picks in the 2012 NBA Draft if there were to be a re-draft.

The post Draymond Green Says He Is The Fourth Best Player in the 2012 NBA Draft Class 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.

Heat NBA 2K21 Ratings

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

The post Miami Heat: NBA 2K21 Ratings appeared first on SLAM.

We weighed in on the Friday night games below.

No. 1 Bucks 100 at No. 5 Heat 115

MIA leads series 3-0

The Bucks looked poised to silence some critics with a solid lead over the Heat for the majority of their Game 3 matchup but the miracle Heat, who’ve gone unbeaten in the playoffs thus far, continued to streak. A 16-2 lead in the middle of the fourth helped Miami dig themselves out of a modest hole and into a lead of their own which they wouldn’t relinquish. Jimmy Butler led all scorers with 30 points, looking particularly unstoppable down the stretch. Giannis Antetokounmpo tweaked his ankle in the first quarter but was well enough to continue playing. He checked the All-Star late in the game but Miami’s plethora of options prevailed in the end. Butler’s teammates knocked down 16 threes on the night, five of those coming from the hands of Jae Crowder.

No. 4 Rockets 112 at No. 1 Lakers 97

HOU leads series 1-0

James Harden didn’t let a rough shooting night in Game 7 of the first round interfere with how he’d kick off the second. The guard led all scorers in the first game of the Western Conference semifinals with 36 while .600 from the field. Harden, Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon all thrived in the matchup but their defense was equally important. The ultra smallball squad with no conventional five in their rotation kept the Lakers under 100 points, limiting them to just .289 from beyond the arc. The Rockets got out in front against Los Angeles and didn’t look back.

• Sep. 2: Post Up: The Close-Out Closeout
• Sep. 1: Post Up: Nuggets Grind Through Game 7
• Aug. 31: Post Up: The Jimmy Butler Effect
• Aug. 29: Post Up: A Guard Duel For The History Books
• Aug. 24: Post Up: Thunder Rally Back
• Aug. 23: Post Up: Where Luka Happens
• Aug. 22: Post Up: Lakers Hit Next Level
• Aug. 21: Post Up: Kawhi Carries Clippers
• Aug. 20: Post Up: The Empires Strike Back
• Aug. 19: Post Up: The Cavalry Has Arrived
• Aug. 18: Post Up: Crazy Eights
• Aug. 17: Post Up: Donovan Mitchell Makes History

The post Post Up: Rockets Overpower In Second Round Debut appeared first on SLAM.

Nov. 20 Update: The Top 2020 NBA Free Agents Available, 24 Hours In

Rather than focus on specific rankings for players, a process limited by the fact that a given individual’s value fluctuates based on the needs of each team, I’ve broken down the league’s available free agents into general tiers.

Not all of the players that you see listed here will end up hitting the open market. Any team with (player) or (team) next to them has an option built into their contract. If that option is picked up, they’re immediately under contract for a pre-negotiated amount in 2020-21.

Players with (restricted) next to their names are restricted free agents, meaning the teams that they currently play for hold the right to match any contract that they’re able to draw from outside organizations.

The actual date for the start of NBA free agency is unknown but it stands to reason that the official negotiation period will fall after the now locked in Nov. 18, 2020 NBA Draft. Earlier this summer, the league had floated a potential Oct. 15 draft with free agency set three days later. The October dates are moot now but the three-day buffer could still apply.

While I stayed away from floating any potential contract figures for these pending free agents, the tiers were constructed under the assumption that the 2020-21 NBA salary cap would fall in line with what it was in 2019-20 ($109 million). Originally it was set to increase but the league’s economic forecast is less optimistic than it was pre-pandemic.

The exact cap number will impact how teams approach free agency but the value of the players available remains relative. Scroll through the complete list below but remember that different teams will prioritize different tiers depending on where they are as an organization.

The Pre-Packaged Superstar Tier

• Anthony Davis (declined PO)
• Brandon Ingram (restricted)

There are two players in this year’s free agent class that you could envision as the No. 1 option on an NBA playoff team. Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram are, all things being equal, players that a front office could legitimately plan their offseason strategy around. In reality, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Anthony Davis leaves the Los Angeles Lakers given the trouble he went through to get there, even if that means he turns down his player option and signs a new deal. Ingram bet on himself in 2019-20 and fortified his case for max money. If such a deal doesn’t come from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of free agency, it’ll certainly come via restricted free agent offer sheet, even if the 2020-21 salary cap remains right where it was this season.

The Established Star Tier

• DeMar DeRozan (exercised PO)
• Andre Drummond (exercised PO)
• Gordon Hayward (declined PO) -> Agreement with Charlotte
• Danilo Gallinari -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Mike Conley (declined ETO)

There won’t be too many teams lining up to poach an established star in or at the end of their prime this offseason, even if they come with the All-Star resumes and accolades that this lot comes with. Without question, these are the types of players that could make good teams great but that’s not much help if the price point isn’t feasible for the teams that need them. With a shortage of cap room around the league this year, expect most of the players in this group to exercise their player options. If they do end up on the market, as both DeMar DeRozan and Andre Drummond have at different times implied, their best bet may be to trade a pay cut in the short-term for a longer duration deal like Al Horford and Jonas Valanciunas did last season.

The Emerging Star Tier

• Fred VanVleet – > Back with TO
• Montrezl Harrell – Agreement with Lakers

Both Fred VanVleet and Montrezl Harrell have made their names providing immense value in supporting roles for teams with first-class championship aspirations. As a result, fans and opposing teams alike have no shortage of chances to see what they’re capable of. What nobody truly knows, however, is how either of these teams would fare as a primary or secondary option on another squad, the type of role that comes with max or near-max money. Both Toronto and Los Angeles are well positioned to give their guys a substantial pay raise and keep them in town but things could get complicated in a hurry if outside teams hungry for assets they can grow with start to court them. 

The Brimming with Potential Tier

• Davis Bertans -> Back to DC
• Christian Wood -> Agreement with Houston
• Malik Beasley (restricted) – > Back in Minny

In certain offseasons, teams flush with cap space would be happy to throw money at players who’ve shown the glimpses of high ceiling potential that this group has. This year though, with a shortage of spenders and much of the league’s financial outlook still uncertain, things are different. While all of these particular individuals had shown promising signs with other teams, it wasn’t until they landed on their current squads that they started to truly gain momentum as potential long-term building blocks. For that reason, any outside team eager to pluck one would likely need to spend more on a relatively unproven commodity than they’re comfortable with. That’s a risk that may seem especially hard to justify in 2020, leaving incumbent teams in prime position to bring them back.

The Proven Impact Player Tier

• Serge Ibaka
• Bogdan Bogdanovic (restricted) -> Offer from ATL expected
• Jordan Clarkson -> Back in Utah
• Goran Dragic -> Back in Miami
• Otto Porter Jr. (exercised PO)
• Carmelo Anthony – > Back with Portland
• Evan Fournier (exercised PO)
• Aron Baynes
• Derrick Favors -> Agreement with Utah
• Marc Gasol -> An “option” for Lakers
• Jerami Grant (declined PO) -> Agreement with Detroit

This group of starting caliber impact players can be one of the most interesting to monitor every offseason. None of the players will command max money or even a featured role in any new team’s offense but they can immediately tilt the scales for whichever franchise they land with. These players are safe, often nomadic, with a track record of performing consistently. If the fit and the price are right, it’s a perfect marriage with postseason implications.

The Elite Role Player Tier

• Tim Hardaway Jr. (exercised PO)
• Joe Harris –> Back with Nets
• Marcus Morris -> Back with Clippers
• Paul Millsap -> Back with Denver
• Kelly Olynyk (exercised PO)
• Dario Saric (restricted)
• Dwight Howard -> Agreement with Philly

While these players may not have the luxury of demanding heavy usage wherever they go, they’re capable of specifically thriving in certain ideal situations. Fit is key with these players and that can completely shift the narratives that follow them around for the rest of their career. There’s a thin line between heroic supporting veteran and onerous contract and it usually depends on how competitive the team ends up being after they’ve signed them.

The Re-Purposed Veteran Tier

• Tristan Thompson
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Isaiah Thomas
• Austin Rivers (declined PO)
• Enes Kanter (exercised PO)
• Jeff Teague
• Hassan Whiteside
• Bobby Portis (declined TO) – >Agreement with Milwaukee

This group of players with histories of featuring heavily into team rotations will always garner interest because of their track records but they may be forced to accept reduced roles if they’d like to play meaningful basketball come playoff time. Alternatively, they could opt instead for larger, albeit temporary, roles with developing programs in need of starters.

The High Ceiling Rotation Piece Tier

• De’Anthony Melton (restricted) -> Back with Memphis
• Harry Giles
• Jakob Poeltl (restricted) -> Back with Spurs
• Svi Mykhailiuk (exercised TO)

Teams looking to stockpile assets that they can grow and work with will always have an interest in this mid-level group. Inevitably, these players appeal more to teams with room and patience to focus on player development since there’s no guarantee that they’d be able to consistently excel on a team contending for a title. Not all will blossom into major rotation pieces down the road but they’re simultaneously capable contributors in the short-term and low-risk investment opportunities in the long term.

The Veteran Support Tier

• Jae Crowder -> Agreement with Phoenix
• Nerlens Noel -> Agreement with New York
• D.J. Augustin -> Agreement with Milwaukee
• Mason Plumlee – > Agreement with Detroit
• Nicolas Batum (exercised PO)
• Reggie Jackson
• Kyle Korver
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
• Avery Bradley (declined PO) -> Agreement with Miami

Teams less inclined to take on development projects may prefer mid-rotation pieces that they can plug into their lineup without stress. None of these players are going to move the needle for a team on a season-to-season basis but they can still make a difference from game to game. Given that they wouldn’t likely yield big contracts, they’re the perfect building blocks to slide into contending rosters to fortify already impressive lineups.

The Mystery Value Tier

• Rodney Hood (declined PO) -> Back in Portland
• Kenrich Williams (restricted)
• Josh Jackson -> Agreement with Detroit
• Jevon Carter (restricted)
• Juan Hernangomez (restricted)
• Mario Hezonja (exercised PO)
• Chris Boucher (restricted)
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
• Allonzo Trier
• Chandler Parsons

Whether a team is ready to compete now or still in the rebuilding phase, they’ll need to fill out the middle portion of their rotation with reliable players. This particular group would appeal more to teams still developing their core as the players within it have room to grow on a personal level. The fact that a young team could commit now and groom a potential long-term supporting cast member carries a lot of weight. The fact that they could settle on a contender and then blossom into something more is scary.

The Veteran Reinforcement Tier

• Andre Roberson
• Alec Burks -> Agreement with NY
• Langston Galloway
• JaVale McGee (exercised PO)
• Michael Carter-Williams ->. Agreement with ORlando
• Kent Bazemore
• Markieff Morris
• Matthew Dellavedova
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Maurice Harkless -> Agreement with Miami
• Pat Connaughton -> Back with Milwaukee
• Marco Belinelli
• Frank Kaminsky (declined TO)
• Meyers Leonard -> Back in Miami
• Justin Holiday -> Back with Indy

While unlikely to grab many headlines, these veterans are necessary components of the NBA workforce. Equally equipped to slot in as prominent bench players for contending teams or help guide a developing team through a rebuild in more of a leadership role, there’s an impressive amount of flexibility here. They’ll get minutes wherever they end up and can be some of the most affordable sources of value in the league.

The Low-Risk Gamble Tier

• Kris Dunn -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Rajon Rondo (declined PO) -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Evan Turner
• Torrey Craig
• Thon Maker
• Stanley Johnson (exercised PO)
• Bryn Forbes
• Jonah Bolden
• Dragan Bender

Teams don’t necessarily go looking for prominent contributors at the bottom of their rotation but these are players that could start there and work their way up. These players aren’t so much budding prospects as they’re veteran players capable of more if things break right. So long as the price is right, these are low-risk gambles with intriguing rewards.

The Dormant Game Changer Tier

• Shabazz Napier
• Cameron Payne (declined TO)
• JaKarr Sampson
• Anthony Tolliver
• Marvin Williams -> Retired
• Raul Neto -> Agreement with Washington
• Mike Muscala (exercised PO)
• Garrett Temple (declined TO) -> Agreement with Chicago
• Wesley Matthews (declined PO) -> Agreement with Lakers
• Bismack Biyombo
• Brandon Knight
• Robin Lopez (declined PO) -> Agreement with Washington
• J.J. Barea
• Iman Shumpert

It’s unrealistic to expect a deep rotation piece to be able to produce above their weight class consistently but any time a utility player can step up as an injury replacement or even just flex a unique skill set, it provides additional value for the team. These players may slide by undetected in the box score on most nights but are capable of much more.

The Depth on Depth Tier

• Gary Payton II
• Emmanuel Mudiay
• JaMychal Green (declined PO) -> Agreement with Denver
• DeMarre Carroll
• Jeff Green -> Agreement with Brooklyn
• Dwayne Bacon -> Agreement with Orlando
• Wilson Chandler
• Chris Chiozza
• Glenn Robinson III
• Derrick Jones Jr. -> Agreement with Portland
• Wes Iwundu -> Agreement with Dallas
• Treveon Graham
• David Nwaba (exercised TO)
• Wenyen Gabriel (restricted)
• C.J. Miles
• Dion Waiters
• James Johnson (exercised PO)
• E’Twaun Moore
• Solomon Hill
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Tim Frazier

What can make or break a season is the depth at the bottom of the roster. There are no shortage of quality hoopers in this world who can fill in at the end of the bench for an NBA squad but if those players have the skills, experience and gravitas to make the most of the fleeting action they do get, the sky is the limit. These players won’t demand consistent court time but they’re a luxury to have at the bottom of a rotation.

The Scrapping for Opportunities Tier

• Damyean Dotson (restricted)
• Skal Labissiere (restricted)
• DeAndre’ Bembry (restricted)
• Ian Mahinmi
• Corey Brewer
• Yogi Ferrell
• Caleb Swanigan
• Kyle O’Quinn
• Hamidou Diallo (exercised TO)
• Patrick Patterson -> Back with Clippers
• Willy Hernangomez
• Denzel Valentine (restricted)
• Shaquille Harrison
• Bruno Caboclo
• Alize Johnson (restricted)
• Noah Vonleh
• John Henson
• Frank Mason (restricted)
• Jahlil Okafor -> Agreement with Detroit
• Frank Jackson (restricted)
• Sterling Brown (restricted)
• Tyler Johnson
• Kadeem Allen

Securing a consistent job in the NBA is incredibly difficult, leaving this group the most susceptible to churn as 60 new rookies enter the league every offseason. These players will have their work cut out for them landing new roles and some could even spend time on the outside of the league looking in if they don’t find a good fit. We’ve seen time and time again examples of players that left the league only to return after a brief hiatus in the G League or overseas.

Update #1, Sep. 17, 2020: Post updated with new NBA Draft date, additional free agents added to existing tiers.

Special Offer: Click Here To Get 15% Off NBA Store With Code NBASLAM15

The post Top 2020 NBA Free Agents List appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down both Monday night games below.

No. 5 Heat 115 at No. 1 Bucks 104

MIA leads series 1-0

A late revelation that Eric Bledsoe would sit out Game 1 with a hamstring injury didn’t help Milwaukee’s chances against a disciplined, well-rounded Heat club. Jimmy Butler led Miami with a personal playoff best 40 points but he wasn’t the only one that hit the Bucks where it hurt. Goran Dragic added 27 points of his own and the supporting cast of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jae Crowder proved too much. Milwaukee stung themselves by shooting just .538 from the line but the real issue that head coach Mike Budenholzer will need to address is how the Bucks can stay competitive when Giannis Antetokounmpo looks mortal. With a healthy and hungry Butler leading the charge against them, they can’t afford to make mistakes.

No. 4 Rockets 100 at No. 5 Thunder 104

Series tied 3-3

The Rockets erased a fourth quarter deficit to hop out in front of the underdog Thunder but veteran Chris Paul wasn’t about to give up on an opportunity to play into the Western Conference semis. At a time when Houston’s well-oiled offensive machine appeared geared to pull away, Paul hit a pair of gutsy step back threes, renewing Oklahoma City’s bid to force a Game 7 late. Paul scored 28 points in sum, while Danilo Gallinari’s 25 helped make up for the fact that the other two thirds of OKC’s three-headed point guard monster struggled from the field.

• Aug. 29: Post Up: A Guard Duel For The History Books
• Aug. 24: Post Up: Thunder Rally Back
• Aug. 23: Post Up: Where Luka Happens
• Aug. 22: Post Up: Lakers Hit Next Level
• Aug. 21: Post Up: Kawhi Carries Clippers
• Aug. 20: Post Up: The Empires Strike Back
• Aug. 19: Post Up: The Cavalry Has Arrived
• Aug. 18: Post Up: Crazy Eights
• Aug. 17: Post Up: Donovan Mitchell Makes History

The post Post Up: The Jimmy Butler Effect appeared first on SLAM.

Robinson may not see quite that volume of shots in Orlando but the fact that he’s emerged as another weapon that can blow up for north of 25 points gives Erik Spoelstra some interesting depth.

When the hiatus began, Tyler Herro had just returned to action after an ankle injury. In fact, the seven minutes he saw on March 11 were his first since early February. Expect business as usual – 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game – from the rookie at Disney World.

SLAM’s Heat Check series compares each individual player’s personal production in the month of March with their production prior. The goal is to get a sense of the direction in which players were trending when the league stood still. For a more in-depth description, check out our Heat Check (Hiatus Edition) introduction.

Heat Check Miami Heat

Duncan Robinson
Andre Iguodala
Derrick Jones Jr.
Bam Adebayo	–
Jae Crowder	–
Solomon Hill
Goran Dragic
Gabe Vincent
Kelly Olynyk
Jimmy Butler
Kendrick Nunn
Chris Silva
Tyler Herro

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check (Hiatus): Miami Heat appeared first on SLAM.

“The point is we’re right there and we’re a contender, and I’m proud of that,” Riley said in a video released by the team Wednesday.

Miami compiled a 41-24 record, good for the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference, before the coronavirus global pandemic shut everything down last month.

Per The Miami Herald:

“We had a very, very good basketball team,” Riley said. “Very well-coached, and I think we proved it on the court night in and night out. We overcame some adversity, some injuries. When that happened, next man up. That’s one of [Erik Spoelstra’s] sayings. I think we were [41-24] or something along those lines and headed to home-court advantage in the playoffs. It was a great year. I’m really disappointed that we haven’t seen the finish, especially after we made the trade when we brought in Andre Iguodala, Solomon Hill and Jae Crowder. I thought that was going to give us a little bit of an edge going into the playoffs.”

The NBA playoffs were scheduled to begin April 18, with the Heat owning home-court advantage in a first-round series against the Indiana Pacers based on the current standings.

“For all of us when we started the season, we thought we had something good,” Riley said. “Especially when we had the opportunity to sign Jimmy Butler. We didn’t really know how great Tyler Herro or Kendrick Nunn or Duncan Robinson, Chris Silva at times and a lot of our young guys, Derrick Jones Jr. And having Goran [Dragic] and having Jimmy Butler and having Bam [Adebayo], who has been around three years and having Meyers Leonard and his infectious personality and Kelly Olynyk. For all intents and purposes, I’m so happy that we turned a lot of things around and we found the right players, the right mix of pick-and-roll players, guys that can post up and really found a couple of guys that can shoot the ball — really shoot the ball — so we’re happy for that and we’re really optimistic about moving forward into the future with these players.”

Whether this season is saved or not, Riley’s goal hasn’t changed. At 75 years old, he wants to build another championship team.

“I don’t have much patience. You know me,” Riley said, with the Heat set to have enough cap space to sign a max player in the summer of 2021. “I want to build another championship team and we’re close. Maybe we need another player. Maybe we need less. I don’t know. The point is we’re right there and we’re a contender, and I’m proud of that.”

Related Pat Riley: Heat Drafted Dwyane Wade after a ‘Horrible Workout’

The post Pat Riley: Miami Heat ‘Close’ to Being a Championship Team appeared first on SLAM.

Also included in the team-by-team breakdowns are all partial/non-guaranteed players for the 2020-21 season, essentially expanding the list to include any individual that could plausibly hit free agency this summer.

Related: CBA Explained – Different types of NBA free agency

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Hornets

Miami Heat

Orlando Magic

Washington Wizards

The post 2020 NBA Free Agents – Southeast Division appeared first on SLAM.

Utah took control in the second half, led by 28 points from Bojan Bogdanovic; Rudy Gobert added 20 points and 9 rebounds. Collin Sexton put up 32 points in the loss.

Rockets 123 (39-21), Knicks 125 (19-42)

Houston had a chance to tie the game with the final possession, but New York locked up on defense to shut down the Rockets’ comeback attempt. Rookie RJ Barrett tied a career high with 27 points, including the bucket that put the Knicks ahead for good. James Harden scored 35 points for Houston.

Blazers 130 (27-25), Magic 107 (27-34)

Portland overwhelmed Orlando in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Magic 38-19 to take home the win. CJ McCollum did it all for the Blazers, leading them with 41 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Magic center Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Grizzlies 127 (30-31), Hawks 88 (19-44)

Nine Memphis players hit double digits in the victory over Atlanta. Gorgui Dieng paced the Grizzlies with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Bucks 89 (52-9), Heat 105 (39-22)

Miami’s defense held the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to only 13 points as the Heat overwhelmed the Bucks. Jae Crowder and Jimmy Butler each chipped in 18 points to Miami’s winning effort.

Mavericks 107 (37-25), Bulls 109 (21-40)

Chicago outscored Dallas 33-17 in the third quarter, a turning point for the game. Six Bulls put up double-digit scoring, led by Coby White’s 19 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 26 points for Dallas.

Pacers 116 (37-24), Spurs 111 (25-34)

Indiana stormed back in the final minutes to leave San Antonio with the win. Malcolm Brogdon scored a team-high 26 points. Patty Mills contributed 24 points in 23 minutes off the bench.

The post Post Up: CJ McCollum Scores 41 Points as Blazers Snap Losing Streak appeared first on SLAM.

The Magic played incredible, with Terrence Ross recording a season-high 33 points, Nikola Vucevic having 27 points and 10 boards and Aaron Gordon enjoying his first triple-double of his career with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

D’Angelo Russell was solid for the Wolves, scoring 28 points and dishing 7 assists with a respectable +8 plus/minus on the night.

Hawks 141 (18-43), Nets 118 (32-36)

This wasn’t just a promising game for the Hawks because they won, but also due to the fact that their young core of players were the biggest contributors to their success. Trae Young dropped 22 and 14 assists. John Collins popped off for 33 and 12 boards. Kevin Huerter scored 15 on an efficient 60% from the field. The rook DeAndre Hunter had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Cam Reddish had perhaps his best game of the season with 26 points on 6-9 from deep.

As for the disappointing Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie did his best with 24 points and 13 assists, but it simply wasn’t enough.

Hornets 99 (21-38), Raptors 96 (42-17)

Well, this was a surprise.

The Raptors usually steamroll objectively inferior opponents, but not tonight, apparently. No Hornets starter even scored 20 points, but they all reached double figures. Solid performances from Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Kyle Lowry weren’t enough to offset a bench that only mustered nine points.

Despite all that, there was still a chance to win, with the game tied at 96 with about two seconds left, Hornets ball. But Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was called for an off-ball foul. Tough way to lose.

Heat 126 (37-22), Mavericks 118 (36-24)

This was a very quality win for the Heat, beating a bona-fide playoff team in the West and one of the best offenses in league history. Jimmy Butler predictable led the way in scoring with 26, but Duncan Robinson (24 points, 6-9 from deep, +24 plus/minus) and Kelly Olynyk (13 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists in only 19 minutes) were the unsung heroes.

For Dallas, despite a Seth Curry explosion of 37 points and stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis both scoring in the 20’s, Miami was too tough.

Kings 104 (25-34), Grizzlies 101 (28-31)

The Kings are closer to the 8th seed than you think. After beating the Grizzlies, a team currently above them in the chase, Sacramento is only three games out of a playoff berth. De’Aaron Fox led the way with 25 points in what was a very solid all-around team win.

The Grizzlies are crumbling right now, through no fault of their own. Young bigs Jaren Jackson Jr and Brandon Clarke are out with injuries, and they traded two reliable wings in Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill for a Justise Winslow, who is still recuperating from injury. Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 32.

Bucks 133 (51-8), Thunder 86 (37-23)

This was simply an annihilation. The scary part is OKC is a tough, gritty and respectable team with the second best record in the entire damn league since Thanksgiving. But they were no match for Milwaukee and their unskilled star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who dropped an easy 32 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in 27 measly minutes.

Pelicans 116 (26-33), Cavaliers 104 (17-42)

The Pelicans have now won six of their last 8 games thanks to a mixture of superhuman Zion Williamson efforts and excellent supporting cast members in Brandon Ingram (an All-Star!), Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball, plus a deep cadre of role players.

Ingram led the Pels with 29 points, Zion followed with 24 and Holiday had 22.

Pistons 113 (20-41), Suns 111 (24-36)

We were just treated to a throwback Derrick Rose game.

Rose dropped 31 points and the game-sealing bucket, a beautiful driving, off-balance floater. Also, shoutout to Brandon Knight, who has endured many tough injuries, for scoring 19 points in the win.

Jazz 129 (37-22), Wizards 119 (21-37)

Between a losing streak, uncharacteristic drop in efficiency and some epic role confusion over who is starting and sitting between Mike Conley, Joe Ingles and Royce O’Neale, Utah needed this. Donovan Mitchell once again put the team on his back, going for 30 points and this monster dunk on poor Rui Hachimura.

Bradley Beal can’t be happy after dropping 42 points, 5 boards, 10 assists and 2 steals and still coming away with a loss.

Clippers 132 (40-19), Nuggets 103 (40-19)

Big win for the Clips, who inch closer to the Nuggets for 2nd place in the Western Conference standings.

It was quite the balanced victory, with all ten rotation players notching between 19 and 25 minutes.

Paul George had 24 on an efficient 9-15 shooting, and Kawhi had 19 points on 50% shooting.

The post Post Up: Giannis Antetokounmpo Goes Off Against Thunder 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.

Memphis has come out of the break banged up and on a three-game losing streak. Jaren Jackson Jr. is down for at least two weeks due to a sprained knee and Brandon Clarke joined him on the shelf with a right quad bruise. Justise Winslow, who was acquired at the trade deadline for starting forward Jae Crowder, has yet to make his Grizzlies debut as he continues to deal with a back injury that has plagued him all season.

All of the injuries have left Memphis shorthanded up front and relying on backups to play key minutes.

To add to it, the Grizzlies have the NBA’s toughest closing schedule. Memphis’ opponents over their last 25 games have a combined .554 winning percentage. The stretch includes games against both the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers (the leaders of each conference), two games against the Toronto Raptors and a game each against the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.

The young Grizzlies have been a surprise to this point in the season, but to hang on and make the playoffs might be an even bigger shock at this point.

Battling it out behind Memphis is a collection of teams who have been there before and a few who haven’t sniffed the postseason in years. There are five teams between 2.5 and 4.5 games back and all of them have 24 or 25 games left to play.

Despite a slew of injuries of their own, the Portland Trail Blazers have hung around and trail the Grizzlies by 2.5 games entering play on Tuesday night. Damian Lillard is out for a few weeks, and big men Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins still don’t have return dates, but Terry Stotts has kept the Blazers afloat.

C.J. McCollum is carrying the scoring load and Carmelo Anthony’s resurgence has seen him pick up a bigger offensive role over the last couple of weeks. Hassan Whiteside continues to play well as the only healthy center on the roster, and Trevor Ariza has added a defensive element since he was acquired in late-January.

Unlike the Grizzlies, the Trail Blazers benefit from their closing schedule. They’ve got the league’s fifth-easiest batch over their final 24 games. Portland has games against Golden State, Cleveland, Minnesota (twice) and Atlanta still coming. That’s a bunch of wins the Blazers should be able to bank.

Speaking of easy schedules, the New Orleans Pelicans have gotten back in the race behind the third-easiest schedule to close the season. Cleveland, two games apiece against Atlanta and Minnesota and one game against New York are on tap for the Pels.

In addition, no team has gotten more players back from injury than New Orleans has. Their entire roster is ready to go for this stretch run, including rookie sensation Zion Williamson. And if the Pelicans can snag the eight seed, they’d likely match up with the Lakers. Who wouldn’t like to see that in the first round?

Just behind the Pelicans are the San Antonio Spurs. Why should we keep monitoring the surprisingly underwhelming Spurs? Because they’ve made the postseason for a record 23 straight times.

The challenge for Gregg Popovich in extending that streak is getting production from someone other than LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. It’s been a bit of a mixed-bag for San Antonio from night to night as to anyone showing up around two former All-Stars.

The Spurs will also benefit from an easy schedule to finish out the year as well, as they’ve got the sixth-easiest schedule. Much like their competitors for the last playoff spot in the West, San Antonio can feast on a couple of games against the Timberwolves, as well as two vs the Warriors. Unlike their peers, the Spurs have been mostly-healthy this season, so they really just need productive minutes from players who have been there, done that.

Two other teams have unexpectedly gotten themselves back in the playoff conversation: the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. The Kings recently said that they were making a playoff push. They’ve gone 6-4 over their last 10 games and also have an easy closing schedule. They’ve got the Warriors and Cavaliers two times apiece and a game against the Wolves.

Sacramento has worked around injuries all season, as they’ve rarely had their full rotation together at the same time. Luke Walton recently shuffled the lineup around by switching Buddy Hield to the sixth-man role and inserting Bogdan Bogdanovic in the starting group. That has brought some balance to both units. Bogdanovic gives the openers another player who can create offense off the bounce alongside De’Aaron Fox, while Hield is instant offense off the bench.

The Suns are no stranger to not having their full complement of players available. Monty Williams has mixed and matched around injuries and DeAndre Ayton’s 25-game suspension early in the season. Now that Phoenix is fully healthy, they’re playing some of their best ball of the year. Devin Booker has blossomed into an All-Star and Ayton’s improved defense is matching his terrific offense.

With solid veterans like Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes, the Suns have players who know what it’s like to make a playoff push. The challenge for Phoenix, like Sacramento, is making up not only the 4.5 game deficit in the standings, but also climbing several other teams.

For a while it looked like the playoff picture in both conferences was locked in, minus seeding. With the precocious Grizzlies coming back to the pack and the teams behind them benefiting from schedules and better health, we might just have a real playoff race on our hands after all.

The post No. 8 Seed In The West Open As Playoff Race Heats Up appeared first on SLAM.

Charlotte mustered up just enough offense in this low-scoring affair to come out on top. Miles Bridges (18 points) and Devonte’ Graham (14 points, 11 assists) helped lift the Hornets over Detroit.

Nets 106 (24-28), Pacers 105 (31-23)

Spencer Dinwiddie continues to step up in the clutch. His step-back with 3.8 seconds left put Brooklyn ahead for good; he finished with a team-high 21 points.

Hawks 126 (15-40), Magic 135 (23-31)

The scoring was plentiful in Orlando, with the home team securing the win. Nikola Vucevic posted a near triple-double with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. All-Star Trae Young scored 29 points for Atlanta.

Timberwolves 126 (16-36), Raptors 137 (40-14)

D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points in his Timberwolves debut, although Minnesota fell short of the win in Toronto. It was the Raptors’ 15th straight win. Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 34 points.

Kings 111 (21-32), Bucks 123 (46-7)

Without Giannis, the Bucks had no problem taking care of business. Eric Bledsoe (28 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Khris Middleton (28 points, 11 rebounds) gave Milwaukee the boost it needed with the MVP out.

Jazz 123 (35-18), Mavericks 119 (32-22)

Jordan Clarkson has been reinvigorated since arriving in Utah. Clarkson scored a team-high 25 points off the bench to help the Jazz beat Dallas. Tim Hardaway Jr. put up 33 points for the Mavs.

Spurs 120 (22-31), Nuggets 127 (38-16)

Denver didn’t hold a lead until the fourth quarter, rallying late to upset San Antonio. Jamal Murray paced the Nuggets with 26 points. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 33 points for the Spurs.

Heat 113 (35-18), Warriors 101 (12-42)

Andre Iguodala received a warm welcome and a win in his return to Golden State. Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder led the team with 21 points apiece.

Suns 100 (21-33), Lakers 125 (40-12)

Los Angeles handled the Suns easily, turning it on in the second half. Anthony Davis scored a team-high 25 points, followed by Rajon Rondo’s 23 points.

The post Post Up: Spencer Dinwiddie Hits Game-Winner to Beat Pacers appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve got an entire list of the trades that have been agreed upon in this post and have consolidated our 2020 NBA trade deadline coverage so that you can easily access the most substantial of reports that we’ve been keeping our eye on.

February 6

Reported – The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to acquire Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas in a three-team trade with the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards. A total of four players and a pick were involved. Full story.

Reported – The Orlando Magic agreed to acquire James Ennis from the Washington Wizards in exchange for a second-round pick. Full story.

Reported – The Washington Wizards agreed to trade Jordan McRae to the Denver Nuggets for Shabazz Napier. Full story.

Reported – The Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to seven-player trade built around Andre Iguodala, Justise Winslow and Gorgui Dieng. Also changing places are Dion Waiters, Jae Crowder and more. Full story.

Reported – The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for John Henson, Brandon Knight and a second. Full story.

Reported – The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to trade Skal Labissiere to the Atlanta Hawks for cash. Full story.

Reported – The Houston Rockets have agreed to deal Jordan Bell to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Brunoc Caboclo. The two teams are also exchanging future picks in the trade. Full story.

Reported – The Golden State Warriors have agreed to trade D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Andrew Wiggins. A number of players and picks are also in play. Full story.

Reported – The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade Derrick Walton Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks for cash. Full story.

February 5

Reported – The Golden State Warriors agreed to trade Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for three second-round picks. Full story.

Reported – The Sacramento Kings have agreed to send Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks for Jabari Parker and Alex Len. Full story.

February 4

Official – The Atlanta Hawks acquired Clint Capela in a four-team trade involving the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. The Rockets will bring aboard Robert Covington, the Wolves will get a look at Malik Beasley and total of 12 players will change teams. Full story.

January 24

Official – The Dallas Mavericks acquired Willie Cauley-Stein from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a second-round pick. Full story.

Official – The Dallas Mavericks acquired Justin Patton from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Isaiah Roby. Full story.

January 18

Official – The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Trevor Ariza, Caleb Swanigan and Wenyen Gabriel from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and a pair of seconds. Full story.

January 16

Official – The Atlanta Hawks traded Allen Crabbe to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Jeff Teague. Full story.

December 23

Official – The Utah Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dante Exum and a pair of second-round picks. Full story.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

At this stage in the process, talks between the Thunder and Heat have stalled, Woj notes.

Update #1, Feb 6, 11:30 am: Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill are heading to Miami. Dion Waiters to Memphis. Details in story.

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to acquire 23-year-old Justise Winslow as part of a multiplayer trade with the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The move, which brought a formal end to the Andre Iguodala Era in Tennessee evolved in stages over the course of the evening and into Thursday.

The Grizzlies had been shopping Iguodala ever since the moment they acquired him from the Warriors in an offseason salary dump. They yielded a first-round pick from Golden State in doing so because it allowed them to pull off their D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade deal.

Now that Memphis has scored another formidable asset in Winslow, the deal has to be considered a win for the rebuilding Grizzlies franchise that finds themselves battling for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference despite a young roster.

While Winslow has only played in 11 games for the Heat this season, he’s a high-upside forward with a dramatic range in skill sets that could grow with Memphis core.

Miami has utilized him previously as a playmaker and in 2018-19 he averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Winslow’s $13M falls short of the $17.2M that Iguodala earns although he comes with additional team control that the Grizzlies will appreciate.

In addition to Iguodala, the Heat will also received Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill, two veteran rotation pieces with significant contracts of their own. The inclusion of Hill and Crowder necessitate the inclusion of additional outgoing salary for Miami.

Shams Charania of The Athletic, who tweeted the Hill and Crowder inclusion also reports that Dion Waiters is on his way to Memphis.

Additional details of this trade could be contingent upon what the Heat decide to do with Danilo Gallinari, a player they’re also said to be pursuing. The trade could even evolve into a three-team affair.

Related: Iguodala has already agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Heat.

The post Justise Winslow, Andre Iguodala On The Move In Multiplayer Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Before a trade between the Grizzlies and Heat has even been finalized, Andre Iguodala has agreed to terms on a two-year, $30M team with the South Beach franchise that came out of nowhere to acquire him.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the shocking extension and Shams Charania of The Athletic chipped in, noting that the second year of the pact is expected to come with a team option.

That team option would allow the club to preserve financial flexibility in the event that they’d like to go all in on a potential free agent in the summer of 2021.

With or without the second-year option, the reported sum is a lofty price to pay for a 36-year-old that hasn’t played basketball since the NBA Finals – and never for the Miami franchise.

Then again, the former Finals MVP has made somewhat of an art of conserving himself during the regular season and then evolving into a superstar in the NBA playoffs.

The news comes on the heels of a revelation that the Heat, dead-set on making a run in the East this season, were eyeing Danilo Gallinari of the Oklahoma City Thunder as well.

Now ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Solomon Hill and Jae Crowder, two veterans with substantial enough contracts to make the possibility of a three-way swap sound ever more plausible, were late scratches from the Grizzlies game tonight.

One Memphis-bound player that we have been informed of is Justise Winslow, who, according to Woj, will be part of the package destined for Memphis.

At this stage in the process it’s unclear who else may be heading to the Grizzlies or the Thunder.

The post Andre Iguodala Agrees To Two-Year Extension With Heat appeared first on SLAM.

Rookie teammate Ja Morant loudly echoed that sentiment.

Memphis’ front-office continues to explore potential deals for the 36-year-old veteran forward with Thursday’s trade deadline looming.

Per The Commercial Appeal:

“First time I seen him was on TV talking about us,” Brooks began. “It doesn’t even matter. Andre Iguodala is a great player. I feel like he’s doing the right thing for his career, but we don’t really care.”

“It’s not a distraction at all,” he continued. “I laugh at that type of stuff. A guy that’s on our team doesn’t want to be on our team. I can’t wait til we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him what really Memphis is about.”

[Jae] Crowder embraced a leadership role with these young Grizzlies, well aware he might be traded this week. It’s to the point now that this group of 20-somethings is openly campaigning for Crowder to remain in Memphis.

“They have my back, obviously, but I’m just trying to let them know it’s a business,” Crowder said. “Don’t get too caught up in everything. This whole league is a business. Whatever happens, I hope it’s beneficial to both sides.”

Related Andre Iguodala Could Sit Out Season If Not Traded To Desired Team

The post Dillon Brooks, Ja Morant ‘Can’t Wait’ for Andre Iguodala Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Ja Morant (18 points, 10 assists) provided a spark for the Grizzlies, recording an astounding plus-minus of plus-42 in 28 minutes of work. Dillon Brooks scored a game-high 27 to lead the way offensively.

The two sides got into a scuffle after Jae Crowder was shoved by Elfrid Payton while taking a 3-pointer in the game’s final minute.

Pistons 115 (17-32), Nets 125 (20-26)

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 28 points on just 13 points off the bench to lead the Nets in an emotional home win over the Pistons. It was Dinwiddie’s first game wearing No. 26.

Kyrie Irving added 20 points for Brooklyn.

Bulls 106 (19-31), Pacers 115 (31-17)

Victor Oladipo scored nine points in his first game in over a year, hitting a game-tying 3-pointer to send the game to overtime.

TJ Warren scored a team-high 25 on 10-for-15 shooting for the Pacers.

Jazz 120 (32-15), Spurs 127 (21-26)

DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 38 on 11-for-19 shooting to lead the Spurs’ upset bid over Utah.

Rockets 112 (29-18), Trail Blazers 125 (21-27)

Damian Lillard recorded his first-ever triple-double with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 11 dimes. His point guard counterpart shined, too, as Russell Westbrook had 39 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals for Houston.

Thunder 120 (29-20), Kings 100 (17-30)

The Thunder’s starting five clamped the Kings up early, allowing just 16 first quarter points, and Dennis Schroder’s offense off the pine (team-high 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting) kept the momentum rolling the rest of the way.

The post Post Up: Victor Oladipo Hits Clutch Buzzer-Beater in Season Debut appeared first on SLAM.

Crowder drew the ire of New York’s players when he took a three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining in the Utah Jazz’s 127-106 blowout at Madison Square Garden, and was shoved into the stands by Elfrid Payton.

Both players were ejected.

Per The NY Post:

“I just had problem with the last shot,” Payton said. “It had nothing to do with how the game went. You just don’t do that. He knows better than that (to take the shot). And you know what comes with that.”

The fans chanted “Sell the team’’ as owner James Dolan left his seat as the melee ensued with [Julius] Randle and Marcus Morris also getting into the fray. Dolan could be seen shouting at security during the chants, specifically directing them to a vocal teenager.

“He’s got a lot of female tendencies on the court, flopping and throwing his head back,” Morris said of Crowder. “He’s soft, very woman-like.”

Morris added Crowder was “unprofessional” in taking the shot.

Related Marcus Morris: Knicks ‘Not Taking Any Sh*t’

The post Marcus Morris Apologizes for ‘Female Tendencies’ Insult 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 Grizzlies 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

• Ja Morant
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
• Brandon Clarke
• Dillon Brooks

How many young cores would you take over the Grizzlies’ collection of talent? Ja Morant, who is as untouchable as they come in trade talks, is the clear front-runner for the Rookie of the Year award. Jaren Jackson Jr. has the tools to become an elite big man. Brandon Clarke, who was selected with the No 21 overall pick in the 2019 draft, has been electric and Dillon Brooks has been on fire of late, showcasing his ability as a major scoring threat. With a stable of young, promising contributors, Memphis is set for years to come.

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Andre Iguodala

When the Grizzlies acquired Andre Iguodala, some expected them to buy out the veteran but Memphis’ front office was clear that they wanted an asset in exchange for the former Finals MVP. The team and Iguodala came to an agreement that he would train away from the team, staying active in preparation of a trade. Iguodala appears antsy to return to the court and a trade before Feb. 6 appears likely; the only question is which contender brings him (and his $17.2M salary) on board. 

Logical Trade Pieces

• Jae Crowder

While he hasn’t been consistent this season, Jae Crowder could help a contender solidify the back end of their rotation. He’s making $7.8M this season and will be a free agent after, so prying him from Memphis shouldn’t be difficult. Knee soreness has slowed him down lately, however.

Trades Are Possible

• Jonas Valanciunas
• Solomon Hill
• Tyus Jones
• Kyle Anderson
• Josh Jackson
• Marko Guduric
• Grayson Allen
• Bruno Caboclo
• De’Anthony Melton

In an unlikely event, Jonas Valanciunas re-signed with the Grizzlies this past summer. He’s proven to be a nice veteran contributor for this young team, leading the team in win shares. He’s under contract through the 2021-22 season. Solomon Hill is on an expiring deal worth $12.8M. If Memphis is willing to take on future salary, it’s easy to envision Hill elsewhere at the deadline. Tyus Jones came to the Grizzlies via the Mid-Level Exception. He filled in nicely when Morant was injured and missed time earlier this season. Kyle Anderson has been a nice complementary piece to this Grizzlies team.  No player on the team has a lower usage percentage than Anderson’s 13.7. Josh Jackson has seen all of his playing time this season in the G League, though he was recently recalled. Memphis hopes that they can revitalize the former No. 4 overall pick. Efficiency has been a major issue for Marko Guduric during his first season in the league. The 24-year-old Serbian-native is making just 27.7% of his looks from beyond the arc. Grayson Allen came to the team in the Mike Conley deal and has worked through bumps and bruises during his sophomore campaign. He appeared in 30 of the team’s 46 games before being ruled out indefinitely. Bruno Caboclo was once considered two years away from being two years away. In year six of his NBA career, he was a solid contributor for Memphis before a bone bruise in his knee sidelined him. De’Anthony Melton came over in the Josh Jackson trade and ranks second on the team in steals (45) despite playing just 627 minutes (10th-most of the team). If he ever gets to the point where he’s earning starter minutes, he has the potential to lead the league in the category.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Primer: Memphis Grizzlies appeared first on SLAM.

Memphis dominated the first and third quarters and shot 46.2 percent from three. The Grizzlies would lead by as much as 28 points during the fourth quarter.

Jae Crowder dropped a team-high 27 points with 8 boards, 7 dimes, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Raptors 121 (24-12), Nets 102 (16-18)

Toronto outscored the Nets by 16 points in the fourth behind Kyle Lowry’s inspired late play.

Lowry dropped 26 points with 5 dimes. Fred VanVleet added a game-high 29 points and 11 dimes.

Brooklyn has now lost 5 straight games.

Jazz 109 (23-12), Magic 96 (16-20)

Utah outscored the Magic by 12 points in the fourth quarter en route to their fifth straight win.

Donovan Mitchell dropped a game-high 32 points (14-21 FG) with 6 dimes.

Thunder 121 (20-15), Cavs 106 (10-25)

OKC took the lead late in the first quarter and wouldn’t trail for the rest of the game.

Steven Adams dropped 10 points with 16 boards. Dennis Schroder added a team-high 22 points.

OKC has now won 5 straight games.

Pacers 111 (22-14), Hawks 116 (8-28)

After blowing a 22-point lead in the first half, the Hawks regained the advantage in the fourth quarter to win the game.

After dropping 30 points in the first half, Trae Young finished with a game-high 41 points and 8 dimes.

Celtics 111 (25-8), Bulls 104 (13-23)

The Celtics saw their 16-point lead dwindle all the way to 3 late in the game, but Boston was able to hold on.

Jayson Tatum dropped a team-high 28 points (12-15 FG) with 7 boards and a dagger three.

Nuggets 114 (24-11), Wizards 128 (11-24)

Even without seemingly half of their regular rotation players (including Bradley Beal), the Wizards were able to pull away with the game in the fourth quarter.

Washington got an incredible 92 points from its bench, including a career-high 32 points from Ish Smith.

Pistons 111 (13-23), Warriors 104 (9-28)

Detroit outscored the Warriors by 10 points in the second half en route to the road win.

Andre Drummond dropped 14 points with 18 boards and 3 steals. Derrick Rose added a team-high 22 points.

Spurs 118 (14-20), Bucks 127 (32-5)

After taking the lead mid-way through the second quarter, the Bucks did not trail for the rest of the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped a game-high 32 points (7-12 FG) with 8 boards.

Milwaukee has now won 5 straight games.

Hornets 123 (15-23), Mavs 120 (22-13) (OT)

Charlotte battled back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force OT. They would then drop 20 points in the extra period to get a big road win.

Terry Rozier dropped a team-high 29 points with several clutch buckets. Devonte Graham added 27 points with 13 dimes.

Pelicans 117 (12-24), Kings 115 (13-23)

New Orleans dropped 41 points during the fourth quarter to regain the lead and gut out the road win.

Lonzo Ball dropped a team-high 24 points with 10 dimes and 6 boards. JJ Redick added 18 points, including the game-winner.

The post Post Up: Grizzlies Blow Out Clippers Behind Jae Crowder’s Career Night appeared first on SLAM.

In an update to the list we published last summer, we’ve expanded our rankings of the top available free agents and removed all of the players that have since signed contract extensions.

Not all of the players you see in this list will be available come July, many have player options or team options, but that’s part of the fun as the offseason approaches and we get a better idea of the type of market that teams and players can expect.

The post 2020 NBA Free Agents: Newswire’s Top 50 appeared first on SLAM.

Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 20 points in Brooklyn. Bam Adebayo finished with a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds).

Grizzlies 115 (6-13), Timberwolves 107 (10-9)

With Ja Morant still out, Dillion Brooks filled in the void on offense, leading all scorers with 26 points. Jae Crowder, Jaren Jackson Jr and Tyus Jones had 12 apiece. Grayson Allen had 13 off the bench.

Celtics 113 (14-5), Knicks 104 (4-16)

Jayson Tatum (30 piece) and Jaylen Brown (28 points) combined for 58 points at The Garden. Kemba Walker had 16 points and 10 dimes.

Mavericks 114 (13-6), Lakers 100 (17-3)

With Dirk courtside, the Mavs snapped the Lakers’ 10-game winning streak. Luka Doncic scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 15 points. Dallas trailed at the half, but went on a 28-5 run in the third quarter.

Don't sleep on Luka's bunnies. (via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/m3pap4wsNg

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2019

Thunder 107 (8-11), Pelicans 104 (6-14)

Four of five of OKC’s starters scored in double figures with Danilo Gallinari scoring a team-high 23 points. Dennis Schroeder had 17 points off the bench.

Pistons 132 (7-13), Spurs 98 (7-14)

Christian Wood had himself a night, scoring a career-high 28 points in 22 minutes at home. The Pistons had 75 bench points.

Raptors 130 (15-4), Jazz 110 (12-8)

Pascal Siakam put up 35 points in 35 minutes in Toronto on Sunday night. Fred Vanvleet was the team’s second-leading scorer with 21 points to give Toronto a 9-0 record at home.

Magic 100 (8-11), Warriors 96 (4-17)

Evan Fournier finished with 32 points, tying his career-high, in Orlando against the Dubs. Terrence Ross put up 19 points and Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac had 14 apiece.

Clippers (15-6) , Wizards (6-12)

Kawhi Leonard (34 points) and Paul George (31) combined for 65 points in front of their home crowd on Sunday night. Montrezl Harrell finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds off the bench.

The post Post Up: Luka Doncic & Mavericks Snap Lakers’ 10-Game Winning Streak in LA appeared first on SLAM.

OKC got its first win of the season after routing the Warriors at home. Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points as four of five of the Thunder’s starters finished in double figures. Dennis Schroeder had 22 points off the bench.

Grizzlies (1-2) 134, Nets (1-2) 133

Ja Morant scored the go-ahead bucket to tie it at 120-all and blocked Kyrie Irving’s jumper to force OT, finishing the contest with 30 points and 9 dimes. His final assist was to a trailing Jae Crowder, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer.

Timberwolves 116 (3-0), Heat 109 (2-1)

Andrew Wiggins put up 11 straight points in the money quarter to finish with 25 points as the Wolves remain undefeated. Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double (25 points, 11 rebounds) in front of the home crowd. Jeff Teague also had 21 points and 8 assists.

Trailblazers 121 (2-1), Mavericks 119 (2-1)

Damian Lillard’s layup sealed the victory on the road in Dallas. Lillard (28 points) and CJ McCollum (35 points) combined for 63 points. Rodney and Zach Collins finished in double figures with 20 and 10, respectively.

Lakers 120 (2-1), Hornets (1-2) 101

The Lakers went 2-0 this weekend after defending home court against the Jazz and Hornets. Anthony Davis had a 29-point, 14-rebound performance and LeBron James finished with a double-double (20 points, 13 assists) of his own, too. The Lakers are back at home Tuesday night against the Grizzlies.

The post Post Up: Ja Morant Drops 30 Points to Lead Grizzlies Over Nets in OT 🤫 appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a list of the contract types the Memphis Grizzlies 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.

Memphis Grizzlies

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 Memphis Grizzlies 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.

Memphis Grizzlies 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: Memphis Grizzlies appeared first on SLAM.

The 24-year-old has swingman has spent the past two seasons playing with EuroLeague squad Fenerbahce and will arrive in Memphis with two guaranteed years on his new deal.

Guduric will compete for reps on the wing with the likes of Dillon Brooks, Josh Jackson and Jae Crowder.

The post Grizzlies Sign Marko Guduric To Two-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Memphis-bound, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, are the No. 23 pick in this year’s draft and a protected future first-rounder. That future first-rounder could convey as early as next year but comes with particular protections, as Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian lays out.

The Grizzlies will get the first-rounder if it falls within the 8-14 range next year. If not, the same protection will apply in 2021. The protections decrease from there to top-6 six in 2022, top-3 in 2023 and top-1 in 2024 before converting to two second-round picks in 2025.

We wrote about the Jazz stepping up as frontrunners to land Conley earlier this week, giving them a top-rate veteran point guard as they look to compete in the Western Conference. Conley now will suit up alongside Donovan Mitchell in a dynamic backcourt.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the two clubs won’t be able to make the deal official until July 6, when the Jazz can absorb Conley’s deal with cap room. That would mean that Utah will make the No. 23 pick on behalf of Memphis tomorrow night.

Although Conley’s contributions will give the Jazz a level of depth they haven’t seen in their previous postseason runs, he does come with a substantial price tag. Conley will earn $32.5 million in 2019-20 and then $34.5 million the next.

The Grizzlies will have the chance to cut some costs by waiving Korver, something the veteran may be amenable to if he’s looking to play for a contender. According to Basketball Insiders, only $3.4 million of Korver’s $7.5 million is guaranteed and the deadline for the team to waive him by is July 7.

The post Grizzlies Trading Mike Conley To Utah For Package With Grayson Allen, Picks appeared first on SLAM.

Adam Himmeslbach of the Boston Globe reports that the C’s simply weren’t willing to risk Tatum and, in general, the bounty it would have taken to acquire the disgruntled superstar.

Per Himmelsbach, when the Celtics landed Kyrie Irving from the Cavaliers back in the summer of 2017 they knew that even if Irving left (which seems ever more likely to be the case), they wouldn’t be crippled by the amount that they had to give up for him*. That’s not the case this time around.

While small market teams may be somewhat emboldened by the success of the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George trades that ended in a title and long-term deal respectively, Davis’ agent recently made it abundantly clear that his client had zero intention of signing in Boston long-term.

“If the Celtics traded for Anthony Davis, we would go there and we would abide by our contractual [obligations] and we would go into free agency in 2020. I’ve stated that to them,” Paul said in a Sports Illustrated cover story by S.L. Price.

We’ve heard general posturing from agents and camps about players with preferred destinations before but nothing so specific and so public. That line of thinking may not convince every basketball fan with an interest in Boston’s long-term future that Danny Ainge made the right move but its an understandable one to say the least.

So what, then, is next for the Celtics?

With the possibility of Davis-Irving pairing in Boston now out of the picture, the team’s slim chances of retaining the point guard have grown even more slim. Although nothing is guaranteed, there’s a strong sense that Irving could be headed to the Nets.

That leaves the C’s with last year’s roster, minus Irving, and no hypothetical reinforcements on the way. In fact, technically speaking, they could get hammered even further before next Tuesday if veteran Al Horford chooses to pass on his 2019-20 player option.

Don’t expect the 33-year-old big man to run from the $30 million he’ll earn next season – the C’s after all remain a likely playoff team in the East with or without Irving thanks in no small part to on-call replacement Terry Rozier – and Horford is a big part of that.

In any event, the decision to hold Tatum back and come to grips with the reality that Davis wouldn’t have stayed long-term, is indicative of Ainge and the franchise’s direction heading forward. There’s value in clarity, even if it’s the Lakers who get the shiny new superstar.

With Irving out of the picture and no Davis distractions looming over head, we’ll get a good long look at Tatum in the franchise player role that so many have cast him for since his debut season.

*The biggest assets the Celtics gave up to the Cavs in 2017 were an injured Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and the pick that eventually became Collin Sexton.

The post Life In Boston After The Anthony Davis Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Mitchell’s performance ensured the Jazz would not be swept, forcing a Game 5 on Wednesday.

James Harden had 30 points and Chris Paul added 18 points and 11 assists for Houston in the loss.

Per The AP:

“My teammates have had my back with every mistake, everything I’ve done well,” Mitchell said. “When you have that support system in the locker room every day, it makes it easier when you start the game with two straight turnovers.”

Jae Crowder scored 23 points. Ricky Rubio chipped in 18 points and 11 assists and Derrick Favors finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“Of course, we wanted to end it tonight,” Harden said. “We had plenty of opportunities. They made some plays in that fourth quarter and we didn’t.”

Mitchell scored 13 points in three minutes to fuel the run after totaling just 12 points in the first three quarters. He capped off the surge with back-to-back 3-pointers, giving the Jazz a 91-80 lead with 9:02 remaining.

“We’ve had our backs against the wall plenty of times the past two years we’ve been together as a team,” Mitchell said. “This is familiar ground with us. Everybody responded the way we expect them to, but the biggest thing for us is take what we did today and multiply it.”

The post Donovan Mitchell Drops 31 on Houston to Avoid Sweep appeared first on SLAM.

Giannis Antetokounmpo ended Milwaukee’s first-round series against Detroit with an exclamation point, scoring 41 points as the Bucks completed their sweep of the 8-seed Pistons. Antetokounmpo added nine rebounds and four blocks.

A hobbled Blake Griffin left his all on the court, managing 22 points as the Pistons’ season ended.

The win marks Milwaukee’s first playoff series win since 2001, when they fielded a squad with Ray Allen and Sam Cassell.

Rockets 91, Jazz 107 (Houston leads 3-1)

A fiery Utah team fought off elimination in Game 4, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 31 points and seven rebounds, but it was the spark provided by Jae Crowder (23 points) that gave the Jazz an extra punch. James Harden scored 30 points in the loss.

The post Post Up: Giannis Scores 41 Points, Bucks Win First Playoff Series Since 2001 appeared first on SLAM.

Along with CP3, two more of the League’s superstar point guards wore notable kicks with Kyrie Irving breaking out a dope, cotton candy-like colorway of his Nike Kyrie 5 and Russell Westbrook coming through with his extra wild “What The” Jordan Why Not Zer0.2.

Make sure to check out the rest of Sunday’s NBA playoff kicks in our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Playoff Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Kyrie Irving dazzled with just seconds left, using a variety of fakes and dribble moves to free himself up for the game-winning layup. Irving finished with 30 points as Boston earned the home win over Indiana.

Both teams now share identical records in the fight for Eastern Conference playoff seeding.

Blazers 118 (48-27), Hawks 98 (27-49)

Portland pulled away in the second half as they earned their league-leading sixth straight win. Damian Lillard put in 36 points and seven assists for the Blazers. Trae Young scored 26 in the loss.

Warriors 130 (51-24), Timberwolves 131 (34-41)

Stephen Curry tied the game with just 0.5 seconds left in overtime but on the following inbounds, Kevin Durant fouled Karl-Anthony Towns, who made the game-winning free throw. Towns finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Nuggets 115 (51-24), Thunder 105 (44-32)

Jamal Murray (27 points, nine assists) and Nikola Jokic (23 points, 16 rebounds) led the way as the Nuggets earned a win over another West team fighting for playoff seeding. Russell Westbrook had a near triple-double with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

The win helped Denver tie Golden State for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 51-24 record.

Wizards 124 (31-46), Jazz 128 (46-30)

It was a battle of the shooting guards as Donovan Mitchell (35 points) and Bradley Beal (34 points) went toe-to-toe, but Mitchell’s team notched the win. Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles each added 18 points for Utah.

Hornets 115 (35-40), Lakers 129 (34-42)

LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 27 points, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 25 points and Kyle Kuzma added 20 points in the home win. Kemba Walker paced Charlotte with 24 points.

RELATED: Kyrie Irving: ‘I’ve Made A Lot of Mistakes That I Take Full Responsibility For’

The post Post Up: Kyrie Irving Drops 30 Points, Hits Game-Winner vs. Pacers appeared first on SLAM.

In Boston, the Celtics honored Isaiah Thomas with a video tribute featuring highlights from his special run with the team. On I.T.’s feet were a pair of the Nike Kobe A.D. done in Boston’s colors which he said he had been saving for the 2017 NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving, the Celtics’ current star that Thomas was ultimately traded for, wore another Oregon Ducks PE of his Nike Kyrie 5.

Quickly jumping back on the Kobe tip, Derrick Jones Jr. and Allonzo Trier both wore the Nike Zoom Kobe 6 with Jones wearing the “Rice” editions and Iso in the “Orange County” ASG model. Wayne Ellington also got into the mix with his pair of “Cool Grey” Nike Kobe A.D.s and the Kobe Sneaker King himself, DeMar DeRozan, wore a black and white team edition of the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro.

Make sure to check out these kicks and much more in our latest NBA recap.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Back in Los Angeles, Montrezl Harrell did his sneaker thing as he broke out his own pair of ‘Brons, rocking the “Pure Platinum” Xs along with the “N7” Nike KD6 in the Clippers thrilling last-second win over the Nets. Fellow sneaker titan P.J. Tucker also went the KD route as he brought out a pair of KD4s in a sample colorway made for the 2012 Finals.

Another pair of Marquette Golden Eagle PEs made waves in the NBA sneaker world as Jimmy Butler rocked a wild pair of the Jordan Supreme Elevation. As y’all might recall, fellow Marquette alumni Jae Crowder wore a pair of the Jordan Jumpman Hustle PEs which we featured here just a few nights ago.

Several other pairs will definitely catch your attention so make sure you peruse the rest of our Sunday’s NBA footwear recap below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

We start off in Indiana where Russell Westbrook channeled his inner beast and debuted an animal-themed version of his Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 which featured various prints on an upper comprised on a pony hair upper. Teammate Paul George went with a more subdued option as he brought out a OKC away colorway of his Nike PG 3.

NCAA Tournament vibes were definitely in the air as Kyrie Irving rocked an Oregon Ducks PE of his Nike Kyrie 5, and Jae Crowder showed support for his alma mater as he donned a Marquette PE of the Jordan Jumpman Hustle.

Last but not least, LeBron James’ #LeBronWatch continued with a pair of 16s that looks to have been inspired by the atmos Air Max 1s and Kawhi Leonard’s debut model with New Balance, the OMN1S, was on full display in Toronto.

For a recap for the rest of the night’s NBA kicks, peep our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Kyrie Irving is a baaaad man. Uncle Drew took over with the game on the line, hitting several clutch shots as the Celtics secured the win over the East-leading Raptors. Kyrie finished with 27 points and a career-high 18 assists.

Kyrie is a baaaaaad man (via @celtics) https://t.co/nkwL2Irmty

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 17, 2019

Magic 115 (19-25), Pistons 120 (19-24)

Blake Griffin scored 30 points in 40 minutes to help Detroit pull out the overtime win at home. Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic.

Nets 145 (23-23), Rockets 142 (25-19)

Brooklyn and Houston played an absolute nail-bitter. Spencer Dinwiddie (33 points) led his team to the win behind several clutch shots just to get the game to overtime. Meanwhile, James Harden scored 58 points — his second straight game with 50 points.

Harden gets 50 for the second straight game. Unreal. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/iRmYJxvQ0y

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 17, 2019

Bucks 111 (32-12), Grizzlies 101 (19-25)

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 27 points in just 21 minutes, adding 11 rebounds in a comfortable win over Memphis. Teammate Eric Bledsoe put in 16 points in 24 minutes.

Giannis mean mugging again (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/X1eGaJb8LZ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 17, 2019

Spurs 105 (26-20), Mavericks 101 (20-24)

San Antonio had six double-digit scorers, led by Marco Belinelli’s 17 points. Luka Doncic put in a statline of 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Cavaliers 112 (9-36), Blazers 129 (27-19)

Jusuf Nurkic posted his first career triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) and the Blazers’ first triple-double since 2014 in the win. Damian Lillard went off for 33 points as well.

Pelicans 140 (21-24), Warriors 147 (31-14)

Steph Curry went absolutely crazy from beyond the arc, hitting nine 3-pointers, including seven in the third quarter alone as he helped Golden State complete a comeback win over New Orleans. Curry finished with 41 points. Anthony Davis put in 30 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in the loss.

Each team combined for 43 made threes, a new NBA record.

GO OFF, STEPH (via @NBCSWarriors) pic.twitter.com/ZSJlqwP9Wl

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 17, 2019

Jazz 129 (25-21), Clippers 109 (24-20)

Utah captured its fifth straight win thanks to Donovan Mitchell (28 points), Rudy Gobert (23 points, 22 rebounds) and Jae Crowder (23 points). Lou Williams scored 23 points for the Clippers.

RELATED:
Kyrie Irving Vows ‘Never to Question’ Celtics Teammates Publicly Again

The post Post Up: Clutch Kyrie Lifts Celtics Over Raptors in Closing Moments appeared first on SLAM.

De’Aaron Fox hooped in the Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Fundamentals” and teammate Buddy Hield rocked the Nike Kobe 10 Elite Low “Drill Sergeant.” The most recent Kobe release, A.D. Exodus, was on the feet of several players including Furkan Kormaz, Jae Crowder and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The most hyped Kobes on the evening belonged to Montrezl Harrell who brought out both the UNDFTD x Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protro and the Nike Zoom Kobe 6 FTB.

Allonzo Trier made sure to kick off the new year with a bang as he wore the flashy NikeiD Kyrie 1 “What The” and Thabo Sefolosha brought out another gem from his  Air Max 90 collection going with a model from the NikeiD Pendleton collection.

In the day’s best performance, Kawhi Leonard hung 45 points on the Utah Jazz while rocking his trusty Air Jordan XXXII Low PEs.

Make sure to scroll through and check out rest of the NBA’s best New Year’s Day kicks.

Photos via Getty Images

The post New Year’s Day’s Best NBA Kicks appeared first on SLAM.

It was a double-overtime battle for these two teams, with top players rising to the occasion time after time. Jaren Jackson Jr. hit a 3-pointer to send the game to OT, then Mike Conley hit a floater to send it to 2OT before Memphis finally captured the win. Conley led the team with 37 points, and Jackson Jr. added 36.

JAREN JACKSON JR. CLUTCH (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/C9TG9wwizo

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Nuggets 113 (14-7), Blazers 112 (13-8)

The end of Nuggets-Blazers was a wild adventure. Jamal Murray was called out of bounds incorrectly with just under seven seconds left, but then he actually did step out of bounds when play resumed. That gave CJ McCollum a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his midrange shot didn’t fall. Paul Millsap led Denver with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

LUCKY AND GOOD

GOOD AND LUCKY https://t.co/yYzVvE00eM

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2018

Mavericks 103 (10-10), Lakers 114 (13-9)

Luka Doncic got the best of LeBron James early on with two quick blocks, but the King soon took over. James scored 28 points and added five rebounds and four assists in typical fashion. Kyle Kuzma contributed 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

LeBron pulling from wayyyyyy out there (via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/hMUV56Fac1

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Cavaliers 95 (4-17), Celtics 128 (12-10)

Boston coasted to a victory at home against Cleveland thanks to an all-around scoring effort. Every Celtic scored in the game, and seven players posted double digits. Kyrie Irving led the team with 29 points.

Kyrie got the ball on a string (via @celtics) https://t.co/j8jj9Uoifx

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Jazz 119 (11-12), Hornets 111 (11-11)

Utah led this one from start to finish, thanks to 45 percent shooting from the 3-point line. Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with 30 points, while Jae Crowder and Rudy Gobert added 24 and 20 points, respectively. Jeremy Lamb paced Charlotte with 24 points.

*Major Heart-eyes* https://t.co/DndhfUpg8f

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 1, 2018

Bulls 88 (5-18), Pistons 107 (12-7)

Detroit was led by a pair of double-doubles from their frontcourt of Blake Griffin (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Andre Drummond (19 points, 20 rebounds). Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. put in 28 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Blake getting down to business. #PistonsNow

(via @FOXSportsDet) pic.twitter.com/c89XkFzaXL

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 1, 2018

Wizards 98 (8-14), 76ers 123 (16-8)

It was a team effort for Philadelphia to get the win at home. Jumping out to a big lead allowed each player to get some run, and it kept minutes low for their starters. Joel Embiid led the team with 16 points and 15 rebounds in just 22 minutes.

Ben Simmons getting fancy with the assist to Embiid (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/DA8lUaglD1

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Pelicans 101 (11-12), Heat 106 (8-13)

Miami held a lead as large as 31 in this one before New Orleans mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans shot just 21.4 percent from 3-point land, compared to 33.3 percent for the Heat. Dwyane Wade had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds in the win.

D-Wade is just different (via @BR_NBA) pic.twitter.com/PJQlnHK3MC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Hawks 109 (5-18), Thunder 124 (14-7)

Russell Westbrook paced his team with another near triple-double, registering 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Paul George added 20 points and five rebounds. Alex Len and John Collins each had 19 for Atlanta.

Stealing
Lobbing
Scoring

It’s a @USCellular Connection Highlight pic.twitter.com/TZGreloMRM

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 1, 2018

Rockets 136 (10-11), Spurs 105 (10-12)

In another of the night’s blowouts, Houston jumped all over San Antonio from the start. The game featured Chris Paul’s return from a hamstring injury, putting in 14 points and 10 assists. Clint Capela led the team with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

This James Harden block … #Rockets pic.twitter.com/oxtoAf2eXZ

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 1, 2018

Magic 99 (11-12), Suns 85 (4-18)

Phoenix felt the absence of Devin Booker (toe injury). They only managed 85 points without their star, as Deandre Ayton led the team with 19 points. Nikola Vucevic paced Orlando with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the road win.

D.J. throws it @Double0AG throws it https://t.co/r7Y9a8bfBq

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 1, 2018

RELATED:
On The Rise: Jaren Jackson Jr is Ready to Bring Grit N Grind Back to Memphis

The post Post Up: Grizzlies-Nets, Blazers-Nuggets Clash in Nail-Biters 😬 appeared first on SLAM.

We begin in Los Angeles where Montrezl Harrell flexed in a pair of custom Air Jordan XII Retros featuring a dope Kaws themed design. Harrell followed that up with a pair of the “Golden Harvest” Air Jordan XXXII Low. Teammate Tobias Harris went with the Kobe route as he rocked the Nike Zoom Kobe 3 FTB.

NBA sneaker king P.J. Tucker went hardbody again as he brought out a pair of Penny Hardaway’s PE Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4s as well as the 2017 Nike Hyperdunk React Low PEs which were designed for last season’s NBA All-Star Weekend. Despite being sidelined with an injury, Chris Paul still managed to stunt as he rocked the “Tattoo” Air Jordan IV Retro.

On the adidas tip, Taurean Prince went retro as he rocked the adidas Crazy 2.

Last but not least, Giannis Antentokounmpo debuted a new bright orange colorway of the Nike Kobe A.D. Exodus and Jae Crowder wore another eye-catching colorway of the same silhouette. Make sure to check these kicks out and more in our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Caris LeVert is cold-blooded. The forward hit yet another game-winner, this time against the Nuggets with just 0.3 seconds remaining. LeVert took advantage of a reaching Gary Harris and threw up a perfect floater for the win. D’Angelo Russell (23 points) and Nikola Jokic (37 points) led their respective teams in scoring.

CARIS LEVERT GAME-WINNER. He's on another level this year (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/GKS6U4KGQv

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 10, 2018

Hornets 132 (6-6), 76ers 133 (8-5)

Joel Embiid put in a monster effort to pull his team to the win. Embiid registered 42 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks against the Hornets. Kemba Walker scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to bring Charlotte back, but his team fell just short in overtime.

Another 40 point performance for the big fella!@joelembiid | #HereTheyCome https://t.co/sGPBISFSid

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 10, 2018

Celtics 115 (7-5), Jazz 123 (6-6)

Gordon Hayward played against his ex-team for the first time since joining the Celtics, but the Jazz took care of business down the stretch to get the win. Joe Ingles tied his career high with 27 points, and Jae Crowder showed up with a huge 20 points off the bench. Terry Rozier filled in for the absent Kyrie Irving (personal) with 22 points.

All about Jae https://t.co/DOV1AVbGji

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 10, 2018

Wizards 108 (2-9), Magic 117 (5-7)

Washington came climbing back in the fourth quarter, getting Orlando’s lead down to one with just over two minutes left, but the Magic turned it on after that en route to the win. Nikola Vucevic led the team with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

D.J. @TFlight31

: @FOXSportsFL | #PureMagic https://t.co/NjBtXq2IIy

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 10, 2018

Pistons 124 (6-5), Hawks 109 (3-9)

Atlanta never held the lead in this one, with Detroit taking control from the jump and never letting up. Andre Drummond put in 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the win.

Not exaggerating when we say that this is ridiculous. #PistonsNow

@FOXSportsDet Plus pic.twitter.com/fseEyXS38R

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 10, 2018

Pacers 110 (8-5), Heat 102 (56)

Miami debuted their new Vice Nights “City Edition” jerseys, and an alternate court to boot, but the new digs didn’t lead to a win. Indiana finished the game on a 12-0 run to close things out. Victor Oladipo led the team with 22 points.

Turner throws it down with two hands. https://t.co/cyQ30ZVYiD

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 10, 2018

Timberwolves 110 (4-9), Kings 121 (7-5)

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 39 points in 39 minutes, but it was all for not. Minnesota threatened in the fourth quarter but Sacramento held on, led by Willie Cauley-Stein’s 25 points..

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1061126530334580737

RELATED:
Joel Embiid Says He’s in Andre Drummond’s Head

The post Post Up: Caris LeVert Hits Game-Winner; Joel Embiid Shows Out in OT Win appeared first on SLAM.

• MVP: James Harden
• People’s Champ (Best Use of Platform): LeBron James
• Most Respected: Vince Carter
• Best Side Hustle (Best Off-Court Endeavors): Russell Westbrook
• Mr. Clutch: Damian Lillard
• Sneaker Champ: PJ Tucker
• Leader of the New School (Best Rookie): Donovan Mitchell
• Locksmith (Best Defender): Rudy Gobert
• Freshest (Fit King): Russell Westbrook
• Toughest to Guard: James Harden
• X-Factor (Best Off The Bench): Lou Williams

Each team had a player voted as its “backbone,” with the results below.

• Atlanta Hawks: Kent Bazemore
• Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart
• Brooklyn Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
• Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker
• Chicago Bulls: Bobby Portis
• Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
• Dallas Mavericks: Wesley Matthews
• Denver Nuggets: Richard Jefferson
• Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
• Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
• Houston Rockets: PJ Tucker
• Indiana Pacers: Victor Oladipo
• Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Jordan
• Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle
• Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
• Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem
• Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Minnesota Timberwolves: Taj Gibson
• New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
• New York Knicks: Enes Kanter
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Nick Collison
• Orlando Magic: Marreese Speights
• Philadelphia 76ers: TJ McConnell
• Phoenix Suns: Alan Williams
• Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
• Sacramento Kings: Vince Carter
• San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge
• Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
• Utah Jazz: Jae Crowder
• Washington Wizards: John Wall

The post James Harden Wins MVP, Donovan Mitchell Takes Rookie of the Year in NBPA Awards 🏆 appeared first on SLAM.

One player colorfully told a reporter that Boston Celtics president of basketball ops Danny Ainge stole the superstar point guard.

After one brutal loss during the regular season, a Cavs player told me, "Danny Ainge is a fucking thief." How this Game 2 loss on another tough night illustrates the Cavs' season of mistakes. Final Thoughts…https://t.co/Xp0O5KSkbT

— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) May 16, 2018

In exchange for Kyrie last summer, the Cs sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the No. 8 pick in the 2018 Draft, and a 2020 second-round pick.

Per The Athletic:

The toxicity level was so high at one point during this season in Hiroshima that one Cavs player turned and looked at me after one of many particularly ugly winter losses.

“Danny Ainge is a f*cking thief,” he said. No explanation needed.

https://youtu.be/TFwd0iXKgG8

RELATED:
Ex-Cavs GM: Hayward Committed To Play With Kyrie in Cleveland

The post Cavs Player: ‘Danny Ainge is a F*cking Thief’ appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James dominating a Game 7 is nothing new. With his Cavs facing a rare first round exit, LeBron (45 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals) stepped up and led the way past a Pacers team that fought back from an early double-digit deficit and threatened to take control.

LBJ made his first seven shots as Cleveland came out of the gates playing some of its best basketball of the season. But the good times ended when LeBron’s jumpers stopped falling and the Cavs’ offense ground to a standstill. It felt like a replica of some of the other Cavs’ losses in this series: a quick start followed by a brutal collapse. When Indy outscored Cleveland 31-22 in the third quarter, you could sense the unease at Quicken Loans Arena.

LeBron ain’t coming out today. One of a kind (via @espn) pic.twitter.com/zkzZlYDHOs

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 29, 2018

Then, something weird happened. With LeBron on the bench for end of the third and start of the fourth due to a cramp — his only break of the game — the non-LeBron Cavs started to extend the lead. Kevin Love (14 points, 6 rebounds) finally some open jumpers and George Hill (11 points, 6 rebounds) got to the basket and drew some fouls. When LeBron checked back in at the 8:25 mark, Cleveland started to pull away.

Tristan been playing out of his mind (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/ZxnJb7nEZi

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 29, 2018

Tristan Thompson (15 points, 10 rebounds) was huge in his first extended action of the series, especially on the boards and on defense. His block of Darren Collison (23 points) late in regulation helped seal the deal. After a slow start, Victor Oladipo (30 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) played well but couldn’t do enough to overcome LeBron and Co. Cavs-Raptors will start Tuesday night in Toronto.

Rockets 110, Jazz 96 (Rockets lead 1-0)

With just one day off following their Game 6 win over the Thunder, the Jazz had a tough task ahead of them to take down a rested Rockets team in the opening game of the second round down in Houston. They withstood a strong first half from the Rockets — who led 64-39 at the break — and were able to cut into the deficit a bit in both the third and fourth quarter but never got within single digits.

Harden is cooking!

36 for the #Rockets All-Star #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/o8kembZ9Dk

— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018

James Harden (41 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) couldn’t be stopped all day as the Houston starters severely outplayed those of Utah. Chris Paul (17 points, 6 assists), Clint Capela (16 points, 12 rebounds) and P.J. Tucker (15 points, 6 rebounds) also had big games as the Rockets did what they do, which is score quickly and often. Donovan Mitchell and Jae Crowder (21 points each) led the way for the Jazz, who committed 18 turnovers and let Houston hit 17 threes.

These teams will get two days of rest before playing Game 2 on Wednesday night.

The post Post Up: LeBron Leads Cavaliers To Second Round, Rockets Crush Jazz appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook scored 33 of his 45 points in the second half, and finished with 15 rebounds and seven assists.

Paul George added 34 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder, who forced a Game 6 back in Salt Lake City on Friday.

Per the AP:

“It was win or go home,” Westbrook said. “Regardless of what is going on in the game, you have to give yourself a chance to win, and I thought our guys did a good job of that tonight. They did an amazing job of sticking together.”

Utah opened the second half on an 8-1 run to go up 64-42, and [Jae] Crowder’s 3-pointer made it 71-46 with 8:34 left in the third quarter.

“We just never quit,” George said. “We never quit. I can’t pinpoint one thing we did wrong. We just never got down on ourselves, regardless of the lead they built and the shots they were making. We could surge back and we did.”

The post Russell Westbrook: ‘It Was Win or Go Home’ appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James hit a three at the buzzer to break a tie and give the Cavaliers a thrilling three-point win. LeBron’s heroics — part of a 44-point scoring effort — came after a tumultuous final 30 seconds. First, he lost the ball out of bounds with the game tied, giving the Pacers a shot to win it with time running down. He responded by blocking Victor Oladipo‘s attempt at the rim:

THE SWAT! pic.twitter.com/FkVbiDxD0K

— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2018

That gave it back to Cleveland with three seconds left, and of course, James got the ball:

GAME. WINNER.  (via @Cavs) pic.twitter.com/qFXgnmCno5

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 26, 2018

Domantas Sabonis had 22 points to lead the Pacers in scoring. Indiana actually led by seven at halftime, but the Cavs came out of the locker room on fire to take an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter. Sabonis, however, scored eight in the final 12 minutes as the Pacers clawed back and eventually tied the game.

Thunder 107, Jazz 99 (Jazz lead 3-2)

This game should have been all over. The Jazz led by 25 points a few minutes into the second half and the Thunder seemed utterly lifeless. Utah was on the verge of moving on to the conference semifinals.

And then Russell Westbrook got going. It started with back-to-back threes to bring the deficit to 18. He scored eight more points and five minutes later, the Thunder were within eight. He hit back-t0-back threes again at the end of the quarter and suddenly the score was tied.

Russ kept going from there, putting his team ahead three separate times in the fourth quarter. He finished with 45 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in one of the great comebacks in playoff history. He didn’t do it alone either, as Paul George scored 34 points as well.

For the Jazz, Jae Crowder had 27 points, including six threes that helped them build that massive lead. They’ll look to rebound in Game 6 at home on Friday.

ALL. THE. WAY. BACK.
Russ ! pic.twitter.com/lT9OSTIQLV

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 26, 2018

Rockets 122, Timberwolves 104 (Rockets win series 4-1)

The Houston Rockets are moving on. The 1 seed in the West dispatched of the Timberwolves in five games, this time using a 30-15 quarter to go ahead after trailing at the half. While James Harden struggled in the early going, he found a rhythm in the second half and finished with 24 points and 12 assists. Clint Capela led Houston in the scoring column with 26 points on 12-14 shooting to go with 15 rebounds.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 23-and-14 to lead Minnesota in its final game of the season. The Rockets now await the winner of the Jazz-Thunder series in the conference semifinals.

Harden about to get going? (via @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/e30WtNHWwH

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 26, 2018

Raptors 108, Wizards 98 (Raptors lead 3-2)

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 points and 10 assists as the Raptors held off the Wizards to move within a game of advancing. In a close game down the stretch, Delon Wright scored nine of his 18 points in the final 3:38, including seven straight to give Toronto an eight-point lead with two minutes left. With the win, the Raptors have still avoided losing three straight games all season. To advance, however, they will need to win in Washington on Friday night. John Wall had 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Wizards, while Bradley Beal added 20 points.

Off and running in Game 5 (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/GWKrZrftNK

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 25, 2018

The post Post Up: LeBron Beat The Pacers At The Buzzer And Russ Led A Huge Comeback appeared first on SLAM.

In the same game, Kemba Walker went with some low-key custom “Aces” Air Jordan X Retros while while Malik Monk wore the Nike Kobe A.D. Mid.

Despite missing out on almost the entire season, Mike Conley Jr has consistently managed to flex on the sidelines. Last night, Conley wore the eye catching  Commes Des Garcons x Nike Air Max 180 collaboration while in Los Angeles, two pairs of Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier XIs and Spida Mitchell’s adidas Dame 4s managed to catch our attention.

Thomas Bryant sported a Lakes colorway of the Soldier XI while Jae Crowder donned the “Wheat” versions. On Mitchell’s feet was a sick custom pair featuring a design inspired by Marvel’s Venom.

Peep the rest of Sunday’s NBA kicks in our latest gallery.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

DeMar DeRozan rocked two pairs of Kobes, and Tobias Harris and Jae Crowder also wore some Mambas. Scroll down to see the rest of our latest kicks recap.

Images courtesy of Getty

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

As Cleveland’s front office learned more about the severity of that issue, they gained leverage in negotiations and had the opportunity to rework the initial deal, which included Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick.

According to ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin and Brian Windhorst, LeBron James was not all that impressed by how the team handled that opportunity:

It’s well known that James preferred the Cavs not trade Irving, but there was more. Sources close to James, a master of applying leverage, said he was less than impressed by how the Cavs handled reworking the Irving deal once the severity of Thomas’ injury became clear.

…

When the dust settled, the fact that Cleveland got only a second-round pick after pausing the deal — and not an additional first-rounder or young player such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown or Terry Rozier — didn’t just disappoint James as a basketball player. It disappointed him as a businessman.

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LeBron James Hopes to Play Against His Son in the NBA

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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

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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.