Sexton, whose name was swirling heavily in the rumor mill earlier this offseason with reports that the Cavs were looking to trade him, has had a roller coaster ride in his time in Cleveland. As a rookie, his teammates were reportedly frustrated with his play and, though some of the criticism was indeed valid, Sexton has steadily improved while becoming the team’s most consistent volume scorer since being drafted.

In fact, Sexton’s career scoring average (20.2) ranks third in his draft class (2018), only behind star guards Luka Doncic and Trae Young. His career 3-point percentage (38.5) ranks fifth in his draft class.

That being said, Sexton’s problem areas (passing and defense) have been a thorn in the side of Cleveland, a franchise already lacking consistent playmaking and perimeter defense.

Though Sexton’s work ethic and improvement to this point could make nearly anyone believe in him, from purely a business perspective, finding the exact amount that Sexton should be paid could come down to what they see from him during their 2021-22 campaign.

Fortunately for Sexton, players like Michael Porter Jr.—another player valued for his offensive contributions with work to put forth in other areas of the game—have received max contracts that should give him a reasonable case to expect the same.

If Sexton has improved as a ball-mover and savvy defender, chances are that he’ll command top dollar regardless.

The post REPORT: Collin Sexton Fails to Reach Extension with Cavs, Will Become RFA in 2022 appeared first on SLAM.

Perhaps just as importantly, ESPN salary cap expert Bobby Marks notes that due to the length of Brogdon’s contract following the extension, Brogdon is unable to be traded this season. This part is especially important as it was a commonly held belief that the Pacers would have to surrender Brogdon in their pursuit of embattled Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons.

Brogdon, who entered the league at 24-years-old after being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round, had a career season in 2021-22.

Averaging 21.2 points, 5.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game while posting a true shooting percentage of 56.1, Brogdon’s on-court production and leadership (both in the locker room and in the community) have made him a key part of the Pacers’ organization. Frankly, Brogdon’s such a savvy and professional figure to help lead the franchise that it’s reasonable to assume Indiana’s price for the Georgia native also sought to cover his intangible benefits.

In addition, for a franchise always looking to remain competitive, ensuring that Brogdon remains in a Pacers uniform not only allow the team to continue building continuity but it keeps arguably their best scorer lighting it up for their side.

The post REPORT: Malcolm Brogdon Signs Extension, Cannot be Traded in 2021-22 appeared first on SLAM.

Huerter, now 23-years-old, was the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Since coming into the league, Huerter has displayed his playmaking chops in secondary and tertiary roles while earning a respectable reputation on the defensive end. However, with a career 3-point percentage of 37.6 (with a career average of 11.2 points per game), Huerter’s most consistent and prized ability is his outside shooting.

On a team led by a dominant playmaker like Trae Young, Huerter’s skillset compliments what the team needs whether he’s in a starting role or in the second unit. To that point, Huerter has remained professional throughout frequent role changes, and has endeared himself to the Hawks fan base with his passionate play.

Preparing to enter his third season, Huerter’s original contract was set to expire in 2022.

The post REPORT: Hawks, Kevin Huerter Agree to Four-Year, $65 Million Extension appeared first on SLAM.

For three-time All-Star Ben Simmons—a franchise pillar for a perennial playoff contender and one of the most consistent players in the league—the latter scenario has led to him all but demanding a trade from Philadelphia.

This despite signing a five-year, $167 million max contract extension with the Sixers in 2019.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul told the Sixers that Simmons was “mentally exhausted” after four seasons with the team.

Pompey adds that Philadelphia may have disregarded Simmons’ “state of mind” because of the “four years remaining on his contract.”

Ever since the Sixers’ stunning elimination in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, one in which a passive moment by Simmons became arguably the most discussed play in the sporting world, Simmons has received a sizable amount of negative publicity with many questioning his hit beside franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid.

Those questions are legitimate considering Simmons’ inclination—if not outright need—to score in the paint and Embiid’s proficiency scoring inside the arc. However, the way the Sixers—namely Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers—went about questioning Simmons in the public eye only serves to highlight an unhealthy locker room environment.

Though Simmons is accountable for his mental lapse in the postseason and only incremental offensive development since entering the league, the discourse about him as a player has discounted that he’s an elite defender (Defensive Player of the Year runner-up last season) and facilitator (he holds the Sixers’ highest assist per game average all-time) who is brilliant on the fast break.

Being pegged as the source of the Sixers’ issues, particularly by those within the organization, would have to be exhausting indeed.

The post Ben Simmons Has Been ‘Mentally Exhausted’ in Philly appeared first on SLAM.

McMillan relayed to reporters that Young was held out of practice on Tuesday due to swelling.

Although the Hawks now have enough talent to survive brief periods without their superstar-in-the-making, any length of time without the playmaking savant on the court handicaps a team that’s now being taken seriously in the public eye after Nate McMillan’s takeover as head coach.

That being said, McMillan plans to be cautious with Young’s rehabilitation, and understandably so.

Spencer also reports that Atlanta is considering sitting Young for the Hawks’ preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, after Young sustained a right knee contusion while playing against the Miami Heat in their 2021-22 preseason opener.

With the unprecedented number of injuries in the 2020-21 season seeming to be a byproduct of a short offseason turnaround, it’ll be worth monitoring the notoriously hard-working Young’s quad pain persists. Particularly with the high usage role that he has for an Atlanta team looking to return to the playoffs in a tougher Eastern Conference.

The post REPORT: Hawks Star Trae Young Suffers Quad Contusion appeared first on SLAM.

On Friday, the Warriors would make a solid decision in their quest to keep their championship window open, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater announced that they reached a contract agreement with veteran guard Avery Bradley.

Bradley, 30-years-old, became a popular player throughout the league while with the Boston Celtics. Heralded for his defensive play in combination with respectable offensive contributions, Bradley stuck with the Celtics for seven seasons before being traded to the Detroit Pistons.

However, since then, Bradley’s dealt with myriad injuries and played for half a dozen teams while never quite recapturing the magic of his youth. Fortunately for Bradley, his journey resulted in him winning a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, a season in which he started 44 of 49 contests and shot 36.4 percent from 3-point range.

Now a role player, Bradley’s addition to the Warriors primarily allows Golden State to breathe more freely while they wait for Klay Thompson to return from his latest injury. He, along with Moses Moody, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins, will be tasked with providing the perimeter shooting and defense that the team has long missed in Thompson’s absence.

In addition, Bradley’s playoff experience and locker room character track well with the type of veteran that contending teams find invaluable during high-pressure moments that come both during the regular season and postseason.

Averaging 6.4 points per game last season, Bradley’s impact on the scoreboard may not reflect his overall contributions to a team. Nonetheless, as a player who has started 538 out of 637 career games, make no mistakes that the Warriors understand his value.

The post REPORT: Avery Bradley Reaches Contract Agreement with Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Gordon was traded to the Nuggets ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline, promptly finding a fit with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic the Western Conference contenders after spending the beginning of his career as the face of the Orlando Magic.

The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and three-time Slam Dunk Contest participant, Gordon has become more known for his high-wire act than his proficiency as a basketball player.

However, Gordon’s defensive pressure and his diverse offensive skillset allow him to be a significant piece of the Nuggets’ rotation, as evidenced by the team winning their first seven games with him on the roster and 12 out their first 15.

Gordon has also struck up a close friendship with Denver’s youngest star, Michael Porter Jr., another player deemed to be key to the Nuggets’ championship hopes. While less of a factor than his overall fit with the club, this also likely played a part in Denver’s decision to extend Gordon’s contract, particularly with them currently working on a contract extension for MPJ.

Now approaching his eighth season in the NBA, Gordon holds career averages of 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

The post REPORT: Aaron Gordon Agrees to Four-Year, $92 Million Extension with Nuggets appeared first on SLAM.

In a subsequent move, the Cavs are waiving guard Damyean Dotson, per The Athletic’s Kelsey Russo.

Valentine, selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has had an up-and-down career filled with highs like a 34-point outing (against the Cavaliers) and lows like major surgeries to his left knee and left ankle.

Perhaps Valentine trying to get back into rhythm following surgeries and in pandemic-shortened seasons (as well as offseasons) is what’s led to his regression as a perimeter shooter since the 2017-18 season, when he shot a career-high 38.6 percent from 3-point range. He’s only shot 33.2 percent from 3-point range since then.

However, playing beside savvy playmakers like Darius Garland, Ricky Rubio, Evan Mobley and Kevin Love could provide Valentine with the type of clean looks he needs while players like Mobley, Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens have the potential to take the pressure off of him defensively.

He’ll also reunite with sharpshooting power forward Lauri Markkanen, who the Cavs recently acquired in a sign-and-trade.

Meanwhile, Dotson’s release will come as a surprise to many.

Although he shot a career-low 28.9 percent from 3-point range in 2020-21 (while shooting a combined 36.6 percent from deep in the two previous seasons), he was miscast in a combo guard role.

Just 27-years-old himself, Dotson’s playing career is far from over.

The post REPORT: Cavs Sign Denzel Valentine to Two-Year Deal, Waive Damyean Dotson appeared first on SLAM.

However, the former second-round pick will likely see his NBA career end soon, as the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly traded Gasol, a 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to Wang Zhelin, a second-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Gasol played for the Grizzlies from the 2008-09 to the 2018-19 season.

Following the trade, Gasol and the Grizzlies “will work together on waiver and release to allow him to remain in Spain,” per Wojnarowski.

The 36-year-old Gasol, whose family also lives in Spain, was born in Barcelona.

The writing may have been on the wall for Gasol after the Lakers opted to minimize his playing time prior to the 2021 NBA Playoffs with the signing of Andre Drummond. Though Drummond has since signed with the Sixers, the Lakers signed DeAndre Jordan this week while Dwight Howard returned this offseason as well.

With the Lakers planning to play Anthony Davis more at center more this center, the squeeze of minutes made it a near-certainty that Gasol’s days in the City of Angels were numbered.

The post REPORT: Marc Gasol Traded to Grizzlies, Expected to be Released appeared first on SLAM.

The hesitance behind offering Fall, who is 7’5″ and 311 pounds, anything outside of a training camp deal at this point is understandable given his relative lack of NBA experience.

Over the past two seasons, Fall has only logged 169 total minutes in the regular season, spending the majority of his time developing with the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate (the Maine Red Claws).

With the Red Claws, who opted out of the 2020-21 G League season, Fall has played a grand total of 677 minutes in 29 games (including 11 starts). In that time, the Senegal native averaged 12.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in just 23.3 minutes per game, a testament to his dominance.

Not the most lithe or explosive athlete, Fall nonetheless knows how to use his physical advantages on both ends to make his impact felt. Fall, whose size obviously makes him an easy target for inside passes, also possesses decent footwork and touch on the outside. As determined a rebounder as he is a shot-blocker, Fall may be quite useful for the Cavs.

Although Cleveland already has Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley ready to play minutes at center, and players like Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen capable of playing the position, Allen is the team’s only true center; while Mobley and Markkanen lack the strength, Love lacks the length at 6’8.”

That’s Fall’s in, along with his intangibles, as he quickly endeared himself to the Celtics fan base with his relatability and innocent demeanor. On a young team sure to have it’s share of growing pains in a tough season, having players who aren’t just beneficial to the team on the court but in the locker room as well is important.

The post REPORT: Cavs Sign Center Tacko Fall to 1-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Cleveland will send prized forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Blazers in return, while the Portland Trail Blazers will send forward Derrick Jones Jr., a protected first-round pick and a protected 2023 second-round pick (via the Denver Nuggets) to Chicago.

With the Cavs the stars of the show in this deal, it makes sense to focus on what the trade means for them, particularly with Markkanen’s contract indicating a significant role in Cleveland’s rotation.

Nance provided the Cavs with a defensive-minded forward who could wreak havoc in passing lanes with his length but found himself at a physical disadvantage against larger players at 6’7.”

Despite this, Nance was also developing on the offensive end. Already a sound decision-maker as a passer and an excellent leaper who routinely made above-the-rim highlight plays, Nance was making strides as an outside shooter (36.0 percent from 3-point range last season) and ball-handler, often playing a quasi-point-forward role with Cleveland.

He’ll now bring those skills to the Blazers, who finished 29th in defensive rating last season (116.0).

Jones will join the Bulls as a defensive-minded forward, although his shooting development is behind the latter’s (31.6 percent from 3-point range last season). The Bulls, who traded versatile veteran forward Thaddeus Young to the San Antonio Spurs this offseason and will need to a player with a similar skillset to help compensate for Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan’s defensive limitations.

To that point, Markannen’s defensive reputation isn’t stellar. That matters less so on the Cavs, who have an above-average defensive frontcourt with Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen starting, and second-year forward Lamar Stevens likely to receive minutes with the second unit as well.

However, what will make all the difference for the Cavs is Markkanen’s combination of height (7’0″), shooting ability (36.6 percent from three for his career) and guard skill, as he compliments a frontcourt lacking dependable shooting outside of Dean Wade and Kevin Love (a buyout candidate).

The post Cavs Complete Sign-and-Trade for Lauri Markkanen with Bulls, Blazers appeared first on SLAM.

Dudley will be a front of the bench assistant under Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, who was hired earlier in the summer due to the departure of Rick Carlisle (now the head coach of the Indiana Pacers).

Last week, the Mavericks hired former WNBA star Kristi Tolliver as an assistant coach, where she and former Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov (said to have a strong relationship with Mavs star Luka Doncic) will headline the bench.

Strategist Greg St. Jean, a former assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers (where Dudley played for the past two seasons) and Sean Sweeney (who served under Kidd at two stops previously) are also newcomers to Dallas’ coaching staff.

With Tolliver, Kokoskov, St. Jean and Sweeney each bringing a wealth of coaching experience, albeit in various roles, Dudley could hardly ask for a better constructed staff to surround him at the beginning of his new journey.

The post Jared Dudley Agrees to Assistant Coach Role with Mavs After 14 NBA Seasons appeared first on SLAM.

Richardson was originally due $11.6 million on the remaining season of his contract.

When looking at Boston’s roster, the presence of Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart (who also recently agreed to an extension), Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford makes it clear that Richardson won’t be guaranteed on minutes on the wing. While Brown and Smart are mainstays, valued for their seismic contributions to the Celtics’ offense and defense, Nesmith and Langford are two promising wings who started to come on strong for Boston late last season and continued to shine in Summer League play.

Meanwhile, Richardson is coming off of a tough two-year stretch offensively that’s seen him playing for a new team each season. His veteran experience, gritty mindset and defensive ability remains unquestioned but his consistency as an outside shooter (33.5 percent shooting from 3-point range over the past two seasons) has been.

For the Celtics, who failed to bring back sharpshooter Evan Fournier this offseason (as he signed with the New York Knicks), the wing who shoots the best could become the most valuable player they have off the bench. Particularly if they have the length and defensive chops to defend multiple positions, as Richardson does.

Viewed from that lens, should Boston feel comfortable with Richardson’s 3-point shooting, locking a player with his potential impact in for an additional season should seen as a shrewd move.

The post Celtics, Josh Richardson Agree to One-Year Extension appeared first on SLAM.

As the Clips took on Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks, Donovan Mitchell’s Utah Jazz and Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns, Jackson improved every series, stepping up whenever his team needed him most.

Jackson’s playoff performance didn’t just make sure that the Clippers would want to re-sign him, but it allowed him to command a significant raise as well.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Jackson signed a two-year, $22 million deal to return to the Clippers, the maximum the team could pay him under current CBA rules.

Jackson made the minimum, $1.6 million, last season.

After averaging 10.7 points per game in the regular season, he averaged 17.8 points per game in the 2021 NBA Playoffs (while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from 3-point range), taking the challenge on both ends.

The post REPORT: Reggie Jackson Signs Two-Year, $22 Million Deal to Stay with Clippers appeared first on SLAM.

Early Friday morning, The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania would report that the free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to sign a two-year, $26 million-plus contract with the Hornets.

Oubre, 25-years-old, averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game while playing for the Golden State Warriors last season.

The athletic Oubre has developed a reputation as a strong defender and offensive threat over the course of his career, even posting career-highs of 18.7 points, 1.3 steals and a true shooting percentage of 56.0 while playing for the Phoenix Suns in 2019-20.

With Charlotte adding rookies James Bouknight, Kai Jones and J.T. Thor in the 2021 NBA Draft (though replacing backup guard Devonte’ Graham with Ish Smith), adding a player with Oubre’s scoring potential gives the Hornets a strong and balanced second unit that can mix-and-match perfectly with the starters.

As of today, the projected depth chart features Ball, Oubre, Bouknight, Jones, Smith, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington in the team’s regular rotation.

While Smith takes over for Graham, Bouknight replaces Malik Monk (who signed with Los Angeles Lakers), Jones likely supplants Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee is a more dynamic version of Cody Zeller (who signed with the Portland Trail Blazers).

Oubre, meanwhile, is simply an addition; an added dynamics.

After going 33-39 last season, the Hornets have a legitimate opportunity to improve upon their 2020-21 campaign, particularly if they remain healthy.

The post REPORT: Kelly Oubre Jr. Agrees to Two-Year, $26 Million Contract with Hornets appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds that the Wizards will trade forward Chandler Hutchinson and a 2022 second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs as the sign-and-trade expands to include the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Washington’s decision to trade for Dinwiddie comes on the heels of a blockbuster trade that saw them deal All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers late last week.

Dinwiddie, who averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game in his last fully healthy season, is a steady and efficient playmaker who may not put up the gaudy stat lines Westbrook has become known for but is more than capable of being the Wizards’ second option behind Bradley Beal.

And, in regards to Beal—who was said to be weighing his future with the franchise prior to the 2021 NBA Draft—Washington’s aggressive pursuit of one of the better point guards indicates their desire to keep the rising star in D.C.

After going clawing their way into the 2021 NBA Playoffs behind a 34-38 record and a career season from Beal, the Wizards have once again given themselves a chance to make a run to the postseason.

The post REPORT: Spencer Dinwiddie Acquired by Wizards in 5-Team Sign-and-Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Paschall, who finished sixth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting in 2019-20 (above third overall pick R.J. Barrett), has career averages 12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23.5 minutes per game (on 49.7 percent shooting from the field).

For the Jazz, who have signed veteran forward Rudy Gay and re-signed All-Star guard Mike Conley while acquiring the rights to rookie guard Jared Butler in the 2021 NBA Draft, the addition of Paschall furthers the team’s efforts to be a formidable offensive team.

Already boasting one of the league preeminent perimeter talents in Donovan Mitchell and a bevy of excellent outside shooters, players like Paschall not only provides the second unit with useful offensive talent on the surface but another player that can create their own scoring opportunities when defenses tighten in the playoffs.

Paschall is also considered a respectable man-on-man defender, which likely appeals to Jazz head coach Quin Snyder and a front office that have built a daunting defense anchored by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

The post Warriors Trade Eric Paschall to Jazz for Second-Round Pick appeared first on SLAM.

Walker will subsequently sign a contract with the New York Knicks as a free agent.

These past three seasons have been a roller coaster for star guard Walker, who went from the face of the Charlotte Hornets to a vital piece of the Boston Celtics future to a Celtics castaway in a relatively short period of time.

Upon being acquired by the Thunder, it was always presumed his time with the rebuilding franchise would be short-lived due to his age (31-years-old) and his desire to play for a contender.

The Knicks, having reached the postseason for the first time in seven seasons thanks to a 41-31 record in 2020-21, are seen as one of the league’s up-and-coming teams. Despite a disappointing showing against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, that remains the case.

Adding a point guard of Walker’s caliber has long been seen as one of the Knicks’ main priorities and, though injuries and shifting roles have led to uncharacteristically substandard performances by Kemba, he’ll play a vital role for New York going forward.

The four-time All-Star averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists per game last season, while shooting 42.0 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from 3-point range.

He was due $73.6 million over the next two seasons.

The post Kemba Walker Finalizing Contract Buyout with Thunder, Will Sign with Knicks appeared first on SLAM.

A restricted free agent, Collins has long since expressed a desire to remain with the Hawks when his rookie contract expired but reportedly believed his play was deserving of a maximum salary contract, which he was holding out for (h/t The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania).

Collins’ athleticism, shooting range and hustle had made him all but a franchise cornerstone in Atlanta but now he has the contract to confirm his status.

A player who produced consistently every season, Collins’ 2020-21 campaign was an extension of his near All-Star-worthy 2019-20 season, as he finished the year with averages of 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game (with a true shooting percentage of 64.5) despite sharing the frontcourt with Clint Capela (14.3 rebounds per game) and Danilo Gallinari (13.3 points per game).

After the first playoff run of his career, John The Baptist only increased the likelihood he would be resigned, not only crashing the glass and doing the dirty work but taking it to his opponent’s without fear.

With Collins locked in for the foreseeable future, the Hawks will look continue to developing internally, banking on the combination of their young core—led by superstar Trae Young—and veteran additions to lift them to the top of the Eastern Conference.

The post REPORT: John Collins Agrees to Five-Year, $125 Million Contract with Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

In what was a highly anticipated move, the Lakers will now have an offensive-minded forward more than capable of replacing the production Kyle Kuzma brought to the second unit.

Both on the scoreboard and the backboard, as Anthony averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Portland Trail Blazers over the past two seasons (all while shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range).

Anthony, who was selected two picks after LeBron in the historic 2003 NBA Draft class, is a 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection who has become one of the league’s most beloved figures over the past two decades.

With Russell Westbrook also joining the Lakers this offseason, Los Angeles will have as legitimate a chance as any to win the champion next season.

The post REPORT: Carmelo Anthony Joins Lakers on 1-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Young has not only been responsible for revitalizing the Hawks franchise with his exceptional displays of talent, craftiness, showmanship but he’s embraced the culture and city of Atlanta like few before him have been able to do. Indeed, at this juncture, Young all but encapsulates what the Hawks hope to convey when they step on the floor.

Hard work and humility balanced by unflappable confidence.

After averaging 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game on a true shooting percentage of 58.9 in the 2020-21 regular season, Young led the Hawks on a surprising run through the Eastern Conference Playoffs that saw them fall just two wins short of making a NBA Finals appearance.

Though Atlanta’s young core was perfectly supplemented by veterans on the roster and coaching staff by the time the postseason began, it was still Young’s heroics that allowed them to repeatedly exceed expectations.

Averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the postseason, Young left the court to many a standing ovation, with eight games of at least 30 points (including dropping 48 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals).

Suffice it to say, Young is a preeminent talent for the Hawks; his max rookie extension was less a question of “if he would receive it” and more of “how soon could he sign his name on the dotted line?”

The post Trae Young Agrees to Five-Year, $207 Million Max Rookie Extension with Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks paid top dollar to retain a veteran wing who fits that exact mold: Tim Hardaway Jr.

According to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania, Hardaway agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with Dallas. Hardaway was just coming off of a four-year, $71 million deal that he signed with the New York Knicks in 2017.

He’s averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 36.4 percent from 3-point range in that time. Perhaps most impressive for Hardaway is him improving his 3-point stroke exponentially; from 2017-18 to 2018-19, Hardaway shot just 32.9 percent from long distance, compared to 39.4 percent from 2019-20 to last season.

Currently 29-years-old, Hardaway is still young enough to play at his highest level throughout the length of his new deal.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr. Agrees to Four-Year, $72 Million Contract to Stay with Mavs appeared first on SLAM.

Butler has been the heart, soul and engine of multiple franchises and his grit, work ethic and development have all been recognized over the past few seasons as he’s been named as a multi-time All-Star and All-NBA selection.

Now 31-years-old, the tough-nailed forward has been stamped as the face of the Heat, who traded for the veteran in July 2019 after his brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ultimately, although the Sixers would retain their dominant standing in the Eastern Conference, Butler’s play would make the Heat a noteworthy opponent—one even capable of making it to the NBA Finals in 2020.

Universally regarded as one of the league’s best two-way forces, Butler averaged 21.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and a league-high 2.1 steals per game last season while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.

The post REPORT: Jimmy Butler Expected to Sign Max Extension with Heat appeared first on SLAM.

While the length of the contract has caused reasonable concern due to Paul’s age (36), FS1’s Ric Bucher reports that the third season of Paul’s contract is partially guaranteed while the final year is non-guaranteed.

One of the most decorated players of all-time, Paul’s trade to the Suns last season was seen as the primary catalyst for the team’s impressive run to the 2021 NBA Finals. Though Paul, Devin Booker and the Suns would eventually fall to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, Phoenix proved themselves to be a formidable opponent from the start of the 2020-21 season to the finish.

The Suns obviously hope to recreate that magic by bringing back a point guard with a reputation for being as tough as he is intelligent, and as talented a player as he is dedicated to being a leader.

Paul averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from 3-point range. In the postseason, Paul would average 19.2 points, 8.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from deep.

The post REPORT: Chris Paul Returns to Phoenix with Lucrative Four-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Allen, 23-years-old, was acquired by the Cavs in January as part of a four-team trade headlined by the Houston Rockets and All-NBA guard James Harden.

In the deal, Cleveland only had to surrender guard Dante Exum, a 2022 first-round pick (to the Rockets) and a 2024 second-round pick (to the Brooklyn Nets) while acquiring Allen and forward Taurean Prince (since traded in a package for veteran playmaker Ricky Rubio).

Last season, Allen continued to emerge as one of the league’s better shot-blockers after posting at least three blocks in 10 games and at least one block in 51 contests. By the end of his 2020-21 campaign, Allen amassed career-highs of 12.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game (while averaging 1.0 block per game as well).

Allen’s chemistry with Cavs fan favorite Darius Garland is also likely another reason for his return, as the duo managed to establish a consistent and impressive connection in their short time together.

The post REPORT: Jarrett Allen Agrees to Five-Year, $100 Contract with Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

Per Wojnarowski, Lowry’s contract with Miami will be a three-year deal.

Although the details of the transaction have not been confirmed, Miami’s decision to pick up the $19.4 million player option on point guard Goran Dragic was considered a potential precursor to a sign-and-trade involving Lowry.

Dragic, second-year big man Precious Achiuwa and a second-round pick are reportedly headed to the Raptors in the deal, per Christian Hernandez of Miami Heat Beat.

Lowry’s addition to the Heat’s roster is indicative of a familiar competitive spirit boasted by Miami, with the gritty playmaker averaging 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game in the 2020-21 season (while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range) and boasting extensive postseason experience.

Although the savvy Dragic and athletic Achiuwa—a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft—were valued by Miami, Achiuwa’s relative lack of scoring impact (5.0 points per game in 2020-21) and Dragic’s defensive shortcomings appear to have made the Heat comfortable trading them in their efforts to acquire Lowry, long-known as an impactful two-way player.

The post REPORT: Kyle Lowry Heads to Heat in Sign-and-Trade with Raptors appeared first on SLAM.

Fournier, a renowned sharpshooter with a career 3-point percentage of 37.9, has seven seasons shooting at least 37.0 percent from three.

Last season, Fournier found himself shipped to the Boston Celtics as the Orlando Magic stripped their team of veterans while embracing a rebuild and he fit in rather nicely in Beantown, leading to interest from the Celtics in bringing him back.

However, currently participating in the Tokyo Olympics as part of France’s men’s national basketball team, Fournier received a list of offers from his agent and quickly settled on Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks.

Fournier will bring his sharpshooting and scoring punch to a Knicks team that ranked 26th in points per game (107.0), 23rd in offensive rating (110.6) and 27th in 3-point attempts last season (30.0).

Those numbers alone underscore Fournier’s fit but when assessing New York’s wing group, it’s clear that—aside from R.J. Barrett—it’s the team’s weakest unit.

That should no longer be the case with Fournier joining Immanuel Quickley, along with rookies Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride, in a group that should shape up to be one of the Knicks’ most competitive.

The post REPORT: Evan Fournier Agrees to 4-Year Contract with Knicks Worth up to $78 Million appeared first on SLAM.

In the deal, Chicago will send veteran guards Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple to New Orleans, who have been linked to a number of point guards in their quest to have a different dynamic at the position.

The Bulls and Ball’s mutual interest is unsurprising, as previous reports have linked the two parties.

Ball, a lengthy defender with a high basketball IQ and passing acumen, provides an element that Chicago has been lacking with the offensive-minded Zach LaVine. The fourth-year pro’s abilities as a perimeter defender and offensive initiator not only complement LaVine but alleviates him from the most tasking defensive responsibilities.

In 2020-21, Ball averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range.

The post REPORT: Bulls Complete Sign-and-Trade with Pelicans for Lonzo Ball appeared first on SLAM.

First it was supplanting former president of basketball operations Danny Ainge with Brad Stevens after the former stepped down in June. Stevens would then hire 43-year-old former NBA forward Ime Udoka to succeed him as head coach.

Soon thereafter, the decision was made to trade All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for big men Al Horford and Moses Brown.

After an uneventful draft night that saw them make only one selection (45th overall pick Juhann Begarin), Boston’s efforts to right the ship continued on Friday as they shipped out veteran center Tristan Thompson in a three-team trade that resulted in their acquisitions of point guard Kris Dunn and forward-center Bruno Fernando (in addition to a 2023 second-round pick and $9.2 million trade exception).

Following the move, the Celtics acquired shooting guard Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

Richardson, 28-years-old, was once regarded as one of the league’s better 3-and-D wings but has been off of his game during his stints with the Mavs and Philadelphia 76ers.

That said, Richardson still is a consistent tertiary scorer who put up 12.1 points per game last season while playing high-level defense thanks to his combination of athleticism, versatility, gritty play and instincts.

His addition to the Celtics underscores the team’s desire to improve defensively over the offseason after falling out of the top-10 in both defensive rating and opponent’s points per game for the first time since 2016-17, a primary reason why Boston recorded the second-fewest wins (36) of Stevens’ coaching tenure in the 2020-21 season.

[Editor update: The Celtics have traded center Moses Brown to the Mavericks to complete the deal for Richardson, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.]

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It’s a move that looks like it will benefit all parties as Atlanta receives a solid backup guard in Wright who averages 10.2 points, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season while shooting .372 percent from 3-point range.

Although the Hawks selected talented point guard Sharife Cooper in the 2021 NBA Draft, having Wright onboard not only prevents Atlanta to work the rookie point guard in a rotation before he’s ready and being over-reliant on the elite Trae Young because they lack enough production from their backup point guard.

In return, the Hawks only had to surrender Dunn, who missed all but four games last season due to injury. At 27-years-old, the former fifth overall pick has not lived up to his billing out of Providence but a return to the New England area and playing for a competitive team that prides itself of defense (Dunn’s specialty) may see him providing valuable minutes for the re-tooling Celtics.

If nothing else, Dunn is great value as depth. The same could be said for Fernando, a skilled big man whose role was frequently diminished in Atlanta due to the arrivals of Clint Capela and the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Onyeka Okongwu.

As for the Kings, having a blue-collar worker on the court like Thompson will fit the mold of their offseason thus far after they selected Davion Mitchell and Neemias Queta in Thursday’s draft.

While it lessens the likelihood that shot-blocking big man Richaun Holmes is re-signed, another benefit of adding Thompson is the latter’s prowess at creating screen assists, which will be quite beneficial to Sacramento’s projected three-guard starting lineup.

Thompson, who would likely prefer playing on a bonafide playoff contender, could also eventually be re-routed by the Kings. Though it appeared that the big man had found a home in Boston, the Celtics at least appear to be all-in on Robert “Time Lord” Williams III, as well as recently acquired bigs Al Horford and Moses Brown.

The post Hawks, Kings, Celtics Reportedly Agree to Three-Team Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Up-and-coming players such as Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Devin Booker, and Nikola Jokic have continued to shine brightly, thriving in what have been perceived to be less glamorous NBA markets, while the parity amongst teams provided the thrillingly unpredictable season that fans have been clamoring for.

On top of all that, as the league’s collection of stars continues to grow, the pantheon of current all-time greats does as well. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have been joined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in recent years.

With that said, although today’s fans have a natural inclination to try to establish who the best player in the NBA is (perhaps due to what will be a never-ending ‘GOAT’ debate), what’s become clear is that the days when that was possible—if there even has been in the post-Michael Jordan era—is gone.

There’s no sole Wilt Chamberlain that’s performing athletic feats that lead to astronomical numbers that don’t look real on paper. There’s no, as previously mentioned, sole player reminiscent of a matured Jordan whose playmaking was as masterful as his aggressive play style was menacing.

These days are a lot like the ones is Jordan’s early years, where he, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Larry Bird could have been considered equal. Or like James’ early years, with he, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan vying for the title of best player in the world.

There’s no longer one king of the court, and perhaps there may not need to be.

Instead of one face of the NBA, there are now several players deserving of the title:

King James, commander of the 10th Legion (pointed Julius Caesar reference).

King KD, basketball savant (and renowned tweeter).

King Curry of the Bay, master archer (and golfer).

King Giannis the Humble, of Greece and Nigeria.

King Kawhi, the second cyborg on this list.

The five players with a right to claim the title as best player in the league due to the combination of their abilities, impact and accomplishments.

This coregency is routinely noted by fans that would rather rank players by tiers but the idea hasn’t gained enough traction among mainstream analysts and media. If it had, the mystifying debates about the best player in the league would have given way to discourse about how this quintet has succeeded in very different ways and the different groups of people each represent.

One last thing: the Hardens, Jokics and Westbrooks also deserve praise as recent MVPs. Their crowning—their coronation as kings—occurred during their award ceremony.

Without multiple championships or MVP awards (either in the Finals or regular season), they won’t be seen in the same light as the aforementioned players.

Even still, in an empire, there are multiple kings.

[Editor’s note: In this metaphor, one may still wind up wondering who the emperor—the king of kings—is (if anybody, it would likely be LeBron, who’s also known as “the Little Emperor” in China).]

The post State of the NBA: There’s No Longer, and No Need For, One King appeared first on SLAM.

McMillan had been Atlanta’s interim head coach since March 1, when the Hawks decided to part ways with current Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce after two-plus seasons with the team.

A head coach for the Pacers prior to joining Atlanta’s staff last November, McMillan’s extensive experience both as a player and coach allowed him to right a sinking ship in the Southeast.

Under McMillan, the Hawks went 27-11 in the regular season (after a 14-20 start), winning 71.1 percent of their contests after he took the reigns.

While the Hawks’ Cinderella run was the first time McMillan had reached the Conference Finals as a coach, McMillan’s structured approach was undoubtedly a catalyst for one of the East’s deepest teams achieving their success.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, McMillan’s deal with Atlanta is for four years, with the franchise agreeing to promote the former NBA guard after the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

The success that the Phoenix Suns are currently having may not be all too far away for the Hawks, let alone far-fetched. That’s why, with a long-term contract for one of the game’s best head coaches, Atlanta has already gotten the jump on being one of the NBA’s teams to beat.

With the Hawks rolling but still having plenty of room to improve, the sky is the limit for an emerging league power.

The post Hawks, HC Nate McMillan Agree to Four-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Harris, who was the 59th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Nevada, averaged 7.4 points per game on .500 percent shooting from the field and .472 percent from 3-point range in 13 games last season.

Per Charania, the 22-year-old Harris will be able to apply for reinstatement in one year.

O.J. Mayo (2016), who currently plays for the Liaoning Flying Leopards, and Tyreke Evans (2019) were the last two players who the NBA suspended for violating the anti-drug policy. Though neither player has been reinstated as of today, Evans is eligible to reapply following the 2020-21 season.

The post Jalen Harris Disqualified from NBA for Violating Anti-Drug Program appeared first on SLAM.

The 32-year-old Beasley is an 11-year veteran who has spent time with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers over the court of his career.

Widely known as one of the most talented players to have entered the NBA due to his scoring ability, Beasley lacked the consistency that NBA teams coveted from such highly drafted and highly-touted star. Undisciplined defensively, and with a string of marijuana-related off-court incidents surfacing throughout his career, Beasley’s last season playing in the NBA was during the 2018-19 campaign.

Briefly signed by the Brooklyn Nets as a replacement player for Spencer Dinwiddie during the 2020-21 season, Beasley’s contract was voided after he tested positive for COVID-19.

With a number of Portland’s frontcourt players (including power forwards Zach Collins and Carmelo Anthony), set to hit free agency in the offseason, taking a look at Beasley—particularly in a Summer League setting—is an easy way to assess hit potential fit. Particularly in a league with rules favoring offensive players and a style of play that emphasizes spacing and positional versatility.

Because the competition won’t be as stiff as that he would face in the regular season, Beasley could possibly shine in Summer League.

Only time will tell, but the NBA may soon have one of it’s most notorious ballers back in the fray.

The post Michael Beasley to Attempt NBA Comeback with Blazers in Summer League appeared first on SLAM.

Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft, Desmond Bane stuck out like a sore thumb.

In an era where highly-touted high school recruits are unlikely to spend more than a year in college, if they even opt to go the collegiate route, Bane was an unranked recruit out of Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, IN. What’s more, while he would help turn the basketball program into a formidable Big 12 power, Bane played four seasons at Texas Christian University (TCU).

Projected to be a 22-year-old rookie, Bane would have no choice but to fight against the typical refrains.

Questions about his potential and his value when he would be three or four years older than many prospects.

However, seen as one of the most NBA-ready prospects entering the draft due to his intangibles and ability to shoot from distance, Bane fit a valuable 3-and-D wing archetype and was ultimately selected in the first round.

As he was surrounded by family and friends, the Memphis Grizzlies unearthed the hidden gem with the 30th overall pick, and Bane’s journey would take an unforgettable turn.

[Editor’s note: This interview has been condensed for clarity]

Q: What was your experience like jumping from college to the pros? What did you think heading into the draft and how was that situation for you? Especially with it being draft season, what do you think the prospects are doing with their families and trainers?

Bane: It was a stressful time. The draft kept getting pushed back and back. They kept saying we might have a Combine, we may not have a Combine. So it really was just, you know, no certainty throughout the whole process—us as prospects were kind of left in the dark on what was going on.

So I’m just trying to lock in. Stay focused. Keep controlling the stuff that I can control and working on the things that I can do to put myself in the best position whenever that time comes.

But it was crazy. It was crazy.

I lost a loved one through that time as well, so it was a really tough time for me going through that draft process. But, you know, for the guys this year, I’m happy that they’re able to get a true process. They get trainers, they get to do all those things at the Combine, get in front of teams at workouts and things like that. I’m glad they get a true draft process.

Q: When you were leaving TCU that you thought or that your coaches pointed out to you specifically—whether it was intangibles or on-the-court stuff—that would would be best as far as translating to the NBA, besides the shooting?

Bane: I mean, shooting was the main thing and my build, you know, my size. They thought that I was an NBA-ready guard given my size and my strength. But my shooting, yeah, they definitely thought that was something that would carry over to the next level.

Q: So did you expect to have so much success early? There was a time when rookies weren’t getting to much playing time—and you got drafted into a good situation where you’re on a young team—but did you expect to become such a fixture in the rotation and for it to come together so quickly?

Bane: I mean, I didn’t know!

I didn’t know what the draft was going to look like—it was about two weeks before training camp, so I knew I wasn’t going to get a real training camp and opportunity to really showcase what we could do, necessarily. So I didn’t know what to expect.

We had a few injuries early on so I ended up getting an opportunity pretty quickly, right out the gate and I just sort of ran with it.

Q: Did you have a welcome to the NBA moment? Like your first moment when you were like, “OK, this is a little bit different than college.”

Bane: Right! Bron! For sure! Bron!

I mean the first time that we played the Lakers. We played the Lakers about, I would say, five games, six games into the season, so it was still early on, I’m getting a feel for things. And we had played I think maybe one playoff team—one or two playoff teams—and, you know, they were coming off a championship and being hungry for another one.

I think that that was my real “Welcome to the NBA” moment.

There was stretches when I guarding LeBron and I was like man, “this dude is so damn big. Shit crazy.”

But yeah, you know, it was cool. It was cool.

Q: Speaking of LeBron, plenty of guys in your generation look up to Bron but who were the guys you were looking up to when you were growing up watching—whether they’re growing up or retired? Who were your idols as far as basketball—or even other sports?

Bane: Nah, I was a big D-Wade fan. I was an Indiana kid so Reggie Miller. Kobe [Bryant], of course. Like I said, Bron. But those were all the guys.

You know, Reggie was when I just a real little kid, real little kid. I remember all the good Pacers teams with him, Jamaal Tinsley, all and them dudes. Those are probably the dudes I looked up to the most.

Q: Is you being a shooter something about being Reggie Miller fan?

Bane: You know what I’m saying? It makes sense [laughs].

That was my young idol, you know what I’m saying? I’ll go out in the driveway and I’m either saying “Kobe!” or “Reggie!”

One of the two, you know what I’m saying? So it probably did have a little correlation.

Q: What’s it like playing in Memphis, as far as the city? I’ve been up to Tennessee a few times—Memphis a few times but what do you like about the area?

Bane: Bro! So the season was so crazy, I mean I haven’t even really got a chance to get out and about too much. You know, with us playing in the second half of the season, the longest break that we had in between games was one day.

So we’re either playing every other day or it’s a back-to-back. So you know when I was home, I was really at home. You know, just chillin’ and relaxin’ and trying to recover my body.

So now that the summer’s come along and it’s the offseason, I’m excited to get out there and out and about.

Memphis got some good food spots, now I can tell you that. They got some good food spots, they’re big into music out here and stuff like that but I’m a fan. I’m a fan.

You know, I come from a small town—not saying Memphis is a small town but where I live it’s kind of got that slow feel to it. So I’m kind of—I’m chillin’ in my backyard for real.

Just sitting in the backyard relaxing, enjoying the nice weather, watching my dogs run around. That’s my vibe.

Q: Have you been able to have that bonding experience with your teammates with you having so little time between games?

Bane: Of course, and I almost think that it helped, you know? The fact that we was together so much made us even closer ’cause that’s pretty much all we had from December ’til the beginning of June. So I think that made us really close and, I mean, they were already a close group before the rooks had got there but I think we gelled in real nicely.

Q: What’s the dynamic in the locker room like? Who was your vet in your rookie season?

Bane: Man, we had a few!

It was kind of weird because we don’t really have no just old, old dude that’s been around for a long time, you know what I’m saying? So it’s been a little bit of everybody I would say.

You know, Dillon Brooks is a guy that I look up to and talk to the most probably, but there was a few guys.

Ja, of course. Tim Frazier came along at the end, You know, a few guys.

Q: What is it about Dillon Brooks that made you click with him so much?

Bane: I mean, he’s a hard worker. He work hard. That’s what he do.

He was a second round pick and he made a name for himself and I think that means a lot to me coming from a place there was only 20 kids in my high school class and being underrecruited.

I think that’s where it comes from. That bond. Just being overlooked and proving the doubters wrong.

Q: What’s your relationship like with Ja then, ’cause I know he’s another guy with an underdog mentality coming from a mid-major?

Bane: That’s my dawg. That’s my dawg.

Me and him are real close being backcourt partners and it’s obviously extremely important for our camaraderie but having a guy like that, being able to grow with, who’s around the same age as me is huge for us on and off the court.

Fast-forward seven months from the 2020 NBA Draft and Bane has been named to the All-Rookie Second team, ranking first in 3-point percentage (among rookies to average at least 10.0 minutes per game); fifth in made threes (117); eighth in minutes played (1,519); ninth in draft class in total points (625), and in the top-15 of total rebounds (210) and assists (118), and steals (41).

For a small town kids with big dreams—for the underdog who feels overlooked—Bane’s story is an inspiration.

And there’s no person better suited to be a role model than a young man as dauntless as he is compassionate. As humble as he is driven,

“I want people to just understand who I am. Understand who I am not only as a player but, you know, as a person. I really want to be able to do events and things to give to people in the community. I also want to do things for people that are less fortunate.

As far as Nike deals and all that stuff, that stuff comes. It’s what you do on the basketball court. But the stuff that’s important to me is the stuff that I can reach out and do personally—and do hands-on—throughout the community and throughout different places around the country.”

While a deal with Playmaker, sports media and management company, helps Bane to amplify his voice but it’s his message that’s what’s most important.

“I was raised by my great-grandparents (Fabbie and Bob),” says Bane.

“So I want to say that I’m, you know, an old soul in that regard. And all the time, that’s all they really talked about—they preached to me early as a kid that it doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO or you’re the janitor, treat everybody with the same respect. And I think that’s huge to me.

Sometimes people are looked down upon because they don’t have such things in this messed up society, so, I want them to know that I notice them and they’re just as good as everybody else walking this earth.”

[Bane’s great-grandfather, Bob, passed away last July after contracting COVID-19.]

As his aunt, Nsisong Bimpeh, controls his marketing opportunities, setting up community efforts and organizing his day-to-day schedule, Bane has continued finding balance between being a family-oriented man of faith, a pillar of his communities and a professional athlete.

Preparing to suit up for the Nigerian national team this summer as they prepare for Olympic and FIBA play, Bane is busy. Nonetheless, that hasn’t deterred him from hosting basketball camps and community days this summer for underprivileged youth in Memphis and Richmond.

“It was a big emphasis of mine to be able to get in touch with the community this summer just because of COVID and everything throughout the year really hindered us from doing those things. Now that people are getting vaccinated and are able to get out and do some things now, I really want Memphis to know me and I want to get to know Memphis.”

The post Looking in the Rearview: Desmond Bane Talks NBA Draft, Rookie Season appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Adrian’s Wojnarowski, the Celtics have agreed to trade Kemba Walker, the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and a 2025 second-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick.

Walker, a four-time All-Star who’ll be heading into his 11th season in the NBA in 2021-22, has had a trying time in Boston.

Despite both he and the Celtics’ obvious desires to succeed together, Walker’s on the court production has been substandard when compared to the eye-opening performances he put up with the Charlotte Hornets in recent seasons.

Add on top of that an uncharacteristic stroke of misfortune in regards to injuries (Walker’s missed 56 games since joining the Celtics), and one can say that moving on from the promising partnership is best for both parties.

That said, the Thunder in rebuild mode, as they continue to stockpile picks. Interestingly enough, many of the prospects projected to go in the range of the 16th overall pick play in the backcourt.

The 31-year-old veteran may desire to explore his options—whether it be a trade, an eventual buyout, or playing out the remainder of the season before making a decision on his 2022-23 player option—with Oklahoma City, as Wojnarowski notes Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Al Horford had.

While uncharacteristically streaky, Walker still averaged 18.6 points and 4.9 assists per game while playing next to a pair of volume-scoring wings in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. He could turn a season with nice numbers on an intriguing team into a longer-term deal, should he stay with the Thunder.

Meanwhile, Boston’s decision to trade Walker signals a strong inclination to bring back guard Evan Fournier, who they acquired at the trade deadline from the Orlando Magic. After reclaiming his starting role, Fournier played quite well for the Celtics, including a postseason performance that saw him averaging 15.4 points and 1.2 steals per game while shooting .433 percent form 3-point range.

Their acquisitions of Horford and Brown also have significant implications, as Tristan Thompson (who they signed in the 2020 offseason) could lose his starting role to either of the two.

Horford, who played for Boston from the 2016-17 to 2018-19 season, became a fan and organizational favorite in his time there. On the court, his versatile skillset—primarily his combination of floor-spacing and playmaking—could open up an offense that struggled with ball-movement last season.

The 7’2″ Brown could provide the second unit with a strong interior presence on the interior for the Celtics after averaging 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.4 points per game for the Thunder last season (with 32 starts), opening the door for a potential Thompson trade.

The post Celtics Trade Kemba Walker, 16th Pick to Thunder for Al Horford, Moses Brown appeared first on SLAM.

He leaves the Mavericks with a regular season record of 555-478 and a postseason record of 33-38, which includes nine playoff appearances and a championship (2011).

In a statement to ESPN, Carlisle would write:

“After a number of in-person conversations with Mark Cuban over the last week, today I informed him that I will not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. This was solely my decision.”

Carlisle’s decision comes a day after former Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson stepped down from the role after 24 years with the organization, a byproduct of Bob Voulgaris, Dallas’ director of quantitative research and development.

With Carlisle’s decision to leave the Mavericks franchise, many questions loom and most center on the playing future of superstar point guard Luka Doncic.

Doncic, currently in Slovenia with his national team, would say that Nelson’s decision was “tough for [him] seeing that.”

As the 22-year-old reportedly has a strained relationship with Voulgaris, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Dallas’ inability to retain Nelson or Carlisle could either generate or expedite a trade request.

Doncic is one of the league’s preeminent talents and will be on the final season of his rookie contract in 2021-22 should he choose not to sign a supermax extension with the Mavericks. However, as of now, all signs point to Doncic signing the supermax.

In addition, Doncic’s relationship with Carlisle appeared lukewarm at best. It’s possible that his decision to leave the Mavericks organization could help soothe potential tensions with the face of the franchise.

For Carlisle, his search for a new home couldn’t have come at a better time with six other franchises looking for a new head coach to prowl the sidelines: the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans.

While the Celtics are focused on hiring a Black coaching candidate, per Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Carlisle may feel at home with another potential playoff contender, such as the Washington Wizards or Portland Trail Blazers.

The post Rick Carlisle Leaving Dallas Mavericks After 13 Seasons appeared first on SLAM.

People think like, y’all gotta understand, it was five of us like 20 and under. So everybody is literally—we all at the starting point. We all right here. We at the starting point for the race of our careers. So everybody tryna get out the blocks, you feel me?“

In 2000, the Los Angeles Clippers made a landmark decision by drafting East St. Louis High School forward Darius Miles with the third overall pick in the draft. In a trend that had become increasingly popular after the success of players like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady, Miles became the highest-drafted high school player in NBA history.

Fifteen picks later, the Clippers would take DePaul wing Quentin Richardson, setting themselves up with a young and dynamic roster that also featured Lamar Odom (the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft) and former 13th overall pick Corey Maggette.

Once Elton Brand entered the fold, the Clippers looked to be a team on the rise, built for sustainable success.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, Los Angeles and the NBA, a front office led by the late Elgin Baylor opted to trade Miles and Odom before the young team could dig in and reach their full potential, prompting Richardson’s own early exit.

While the eventual addition of players like Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman allowed the Clippers to briefly regain their footing, it wouldn’t be until nearly 10 years after they lost the promising Miles and Richardson that they regained their footing.

Cognizant of the reputation that follows the franchise and the duo’s short-lived era with them, Q-Rich and D-Miles got up with us to look back. In an interview with SLAM, the lifelong friends discuss their time with the Clippers, the current NBA landscape, and how their time in the NBA transformed them off-the-court.

SLAM: What do you think about the less high-profile teams showing out—guys like Trae Young getting to show what they got on the national stage?

DM: I think it’s the generation change. It’s time for a new generation, you got a new generation of superstars. Like, people forget LeBron James is 36. He just went to the Finals for a decade! You gotta, you know—he got bout two-to-three more years left—so now we gotta see some more faces in those positions and that’s what we’re seeing in Trae Young and Devin Booker and all these other teams that’s in it.

I think it’s just the generation change. We’re in a new era.

SLAM: I just read something where Q-Rich was talking when y’all guys came into the league with the Clippers, y’all felt like y’all had to represent for the youth, to be that new generation. So do you see anything in any of these young guys that reminds you of yourselves in any way?

DM: Kinda all of ’em ’cause all of ’em are young. All of ’em young like us. We was the only ones; we were sort of the only ones. We was the only team that had five-to-six guys that’s under 21-years-old. You know what I’m saying? Like, this has never been done before. So we were the first of the era. But looking at the era now, you got guys that’s 23 and under and they All-Stars.

QR: Everywhere!

DM: [Laughing] They the top scorers in the league. They the top rebounders. Like these guys are young and it’s looking like us. So everybody look like they kiddish, you know? They celebrating. They play a lot. Like, everybody kinds look like us ’cause they a bunch of young guys.

QR: The two—the teams—I would agree with what D is sayin’ as far as across the league, it’s so many young players is just doing it big and killin’ and, like he said, being All-Stars and borderline superstars and superstars. But the team that I looked at and when I look at them and say man they kind of remind me of us as a young team—even though they had more success than us—I kind of look at the Memphis Grizzlies.

They got a real young core. It’s not like—even though there’s young guys sprinkled across—it’s not really a team. Maybe them and Sacramento. Sacramento a little bit too with their youth and the way they got a bunch of young guys that’s like—even though they haven’t yielded the total success—they have really exciting players and they play hard and they go out there and do their thing as young guys.

SLAM: Speaking of the Clippers still—y’all had [Corey] Maggette, [Elton] Brand—y’all had, you know, talented guys. What do you think contributed to you guys not being able to be a playoff team like the Hawks or the Grizzlies?

QR: Just us not staying together. Like, we didn’t keep the core together. We succeeded. What people don’t realize—they be like man, we got killed—that really ain’t the story. Like, when we got there they won 17 out of 82 before we got there. So our first year we won 31 games. Then our next year we won 39 games. We was two games out the playoffs our second year. Then our third year, I left. Lamar [Odom] left. They kind of blew up the whole team.

So we had success. It was on our way to success but we ain’t get a chance to really kind of stick together and get a good three—like a good four years—of it. I don’t think people realize really how that was. People think like, y’all gotta understand, it was five of us like 20 and under. So everybody is literally at the—we all at the starting point—we all right here. We at the starting point for the race of our careers. So everybody tryna get out the blocks, you feel me?

So it wasn’t like—as much as we was homies, all friends, all bros, and we grown and we still got those relationships—man those first 1-2 years were some of the most competitive years you would have ever saw because we didn’t all get to play. That’s why people used to see us get in in garbage time—whenever, it didn’t matter—it was time to do yo’ shit. You know what I’m sayin’? That was it, point blank because we didn’t know. We was all at the starting point, so we looking at—maybe D-Miles getting all the success right now—we all looking like, “man we want to play, we want to play.”

So we totally support him—you see it in the clips, any time he do anything, all us jumping up and down and vice versa. If any of us do anything, they all—we all—cheer for each other. But it was like, at that time, [Alvin] Gentry wasn’t playing us and I talked to Coach about this like once I played for him in the future and all of that and I know him. It was like, he wasn’t playing all of us.

He had made a decision that, “well, okay, if Q plays, Corey can’t play.”

“If Corey play, Q can’t play.”

You know what I’m saying? D-Miles is playing just because he was in that Sixth Man role and he can play damn near any position. But then Keyon [Dooling] might not play because J-Mac (Jeff McInnis) playing.

DM: Yeah, Earl Boykins played sometimes.

QR: So it was like when we got out there it didn’t matter how much time was left, it didn’t matter what was going on. We had to show our worth. So that’s why you saw what you saw.

You saw boys going out there going crazy hard, trying to dunk on people, D-Miles crossin’ people, Keyon “Smitty”-ing people, you seeing everybody’s specialty moves because that’s what you say:

“Aye when you get out there, do your special move.”

DM: Do your special move. Do what you do.

Like I said, people at it and look back on it and you gotta really dialogue it and see, we had success… We just got on a team that was at the bottom of the barrel. Like, you know what I’m saying? We won 15 extra games than what they did when they had veterans.

Because they had [Maurice] Traylor on this team. They had Lamar on this team. They had all these guys—these veteran guys on this team—and they came in brought basically a high school and college kids on this team and we win 15 more games than what they won last year. We add another eight games we won the previous [year] and we was two games out the playoffs.

So the next year, it was etched in stone that we were finna do it. Like the second year we put Elton in the All-Star Game, you know what I’m saying? We was comin’!

QR: Everybody got paid from that court too.

DM: Yeah. We was comin’ but we only played two years together but everybody thinks we played a whole decade or half a decade or something like that.

SLAM: Was there a feeling beforehand, like some of these guys aren’t gonna be here three or four years down the line?

QR and DM: Noo!

DM: It was a blindside because I was the first to leave. Like, during the summertime, I got traded. And that was a culture shock to everyone because they were looking like, “Oh, he’s the one on commercials, [that] they puttin’ on the billboard.”

The last person that’s probably going to get traded is D-Miles or Lamar. And D-Miles and Lamar was the two that was out of there that summer. You know what I’m saying? It was a culture shock for everybody. It threw us off. It showed us the business. Because once I got to Cleveland, I realized how good I actually had it.

‘Cause when I got to Cleveland it was like starting over all over again. They was a young team, they bringing these high school cats in, they doin’ all this stuff, but it wasn’t the same. We wasn’t a team environment. We used to be together every single day [with the Clippers]. Like six, seven of us. Like we together.

QR: Foreal.

DM: I’m talking Thanksgivings. Christmases. My mama cookin’ at the crib. Like we together all the time. On the road we eatin’ together: “What we finna do?” Go to the movies and eat.

SLAM: So you feel like it was a different vibe in Cleveland, like with the teammates?

DM: Yeah, it was ’cause I didn’t know them as well. Like I knew the guys. I knew DeSagana Diop. I knew Dajuan Wagner. I knew Ricky Davis. I knew a few of these guys but we wasn’t as close as I am with Q and Keyon and Corey. You know what I’m saying? Me and Q and Corey, we from the same state. We grew up, basically, with each other.

QR: AAU.

DM: Then addin’ Keyon onto it. Then, you know, we used to play against Elton and Lamar during AAU. Corey played with Elton. It was like a whole connection. We was already connected already.

But when I got to Cleveland, it was just, a different environment. It wasn’t the same. It wasn’t team-oriented. I was still team-oriented because I made sure every team I went to I took time out the year to go and go over all my teammates houses, or create an environment like that, because the best environment for teams is when you bond together.

You know what I’m saying? You build some type of trust. And I tried that with every other team but it wasn’t the same as I had with the Clippers.

SLAM: They say the relationships you build inside the facility are different than the ones you build outside of it.

D-Miles: And sometimes it be just one year. One year everybody the best of friends. We together this whole year, it’s like a whole bonding journey and then the next year we might not even talk to each other. You need that bond or that year to get the on and off-court chemistry. Like Q had it in Phoenix, you know?

SLAM: Q, how did you feel about that? Because it was one year but y’all won 62 games.

QR: 62-20. That was, I mean, I was just in the studio in Atlanta doing NBA TV the other day and Jim Jackson and we was talking about it then because Jim Jack got brought in later in the [2004-05] season.

But he was speaking on how our team was such a family environment and we just embraced him as a brother, it was like, seamless. Because that was like one of the most—probably the most—special years I had in the NBA as far as team success and it was because of the way we were from Day 1.

[Note: Prior to signing with the Suns, Steve Nash took a pay cut to make sure the Suns could sign Richardson in July 2014]

We signed and we got in town like mid to end of August when most teams get in town like sometime mid-September, some after Labor Day and all of that. We were all in town. The main pieces were all in town. Really not just the main pieces, we were all in town. Working out at the facility, playing pickup, getting to know each other like literally every day.

That’s when I got a relationship with Joe Johnson ’cause him and his boys, we all around the same age. We would get through working out, hooping, practicing, then we’ll all go—I’ll go to his house…be playing Madden, video games, whoopty-whoop whatever, just kickin’ it. Then we go out to eat. Steve, me, Amar’e [Stoudemire]. Everybody. It was like it became a thing.

Currently co-hosting the popular Knuckleheads podcast, Richardson and Miles have used the connections they’ve forged throughout their playing careers for more than just post-NBA opportunities, but the pair recognizes their status as members of the NBA fraternity and utilize it to grow their audience and guest list.

Q-Rich and D-Miles have become known for making their guests comfortable simply through being themselves and holding casual conversations. The sixth installment of their season will be entirely virtual, with high-profile names like Ray Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Dr. J, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Mullin and Bradley Beal set to join the show.

Even Miles’ former teammate, Dajuan Wagner, will be on the show.

“That’s our ‘Sucker Free’ episode,” Miles says. “I’m glad I got an opportunity to represent him and let people hear his story.”

The post Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson Talk Shop: The Clippers That Could Have Been appeared first on SLAM.

Jokic, now in his sixth season after being selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, becomes the lowest draft pick in NBA history to win the MVP award.

Jokic, oftentimes compared to a modern-day Larry Bird due to his dynamic abilities on the court (and an appearance that screams “average Joe” rather than basketball prodigy), had a career season in 2020-21 with averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game.

Despite being an aggressive high-volume scorer, Joker also managed to shoot 56.6 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from 3-point range and 86.8 percent from the free-throw line; good for a career-high true shooting percentage of 64.7. Looking at other numbers, such as win shares per 48 minutes (.301), box plus-minus (8.7) and total RAPTOR (+9.3), Jokic’s contributions to the 47-25 Denver Nuggets’ success are startling.

Games like a 50-point, 12-rebounds affair against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 6, an 18-assist triple-double against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 28 or a seven-steal performance against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 12 help highlight Jokic’s dominance this season, with Jokic powering the Nuggets through injuries, COVID-related absences and a Western Conference stacked with as much talent as ever.

Jokic, currently averaging 31.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 block and 0.7 steals per game in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, is as deserving of the award as any player in recent seasons.

The Serbian warrior, blessed with soft touch, nifty footwork, preternatural passing ability, an elite basketball IQ and a bevy of unique moves to get his shot off, should become a household name after being named the 2021 NBA MVP.

Jokic will formally be announced as the 2021 NBA MVP Award winner during TNT’s pregame show, which begins at 7:30 (EST) on June 8, per the Denver Post’s Mike Singer.

The post Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Named 2020-21 NBA MVP appeared first on SLAM.

The Sixers’ franchise pillar, who is already listed as out for Wednesday night’s first-round matchup against the Washington Wizards, will be day-to-day.

Wojnarowski adds that “managing potential swelling and pain on the knee will play a significant part in how soon Embiid returns,” and that “the injury will be managed with a physical therapy and treatment program.”

Embiid, who has been stellar thus far in his third career playoff series, is no stranger to knee injuries after having missed several games with meniscus tear during his rookie season and missing multiple games this season after hyperextending his knee.

That said, there’s no reason to believe that Embiid won’t continue to dominate upon his return, as the five-year pro is one of the most talented big men of his generation.

The post Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid Diagnosed with Meniscus Tear, Day-To-Day appeared first on SLAM.

Embiid, who only played 11 minutes before falling on his right knee and leaving the game afterwards, was averaging 29.3 points (on 67.4 percent shooting) in just 28 minutes per game prior to Game 4. The superstar center had been having his way with the Wizards and leading Philadelphia to what looked as if it would be a sweep, with the 76ers holding a 3-0 lead over Washington entering Monday’s game.

Philadelphia went 10-10 without Embiid this season, so even if The Process doesn’t suit up for the 76ers’ next game, they may still be able to close their series against Washington.

The drop-off in talent level between the four-time All-Star and Mike Scott, a rotational big man, is steep. However, with a long and suffocating defense, Philadelphia could bottle up a squad that’s heavily reliant on their star-studded backcourt with defensive studs like Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle.

The post Joel Embiid Undergoes MRI for Knee Injury, Doubtful for Game 5 appeared first on SLAM.

After teammate Jamal Murray suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury back in April, Porter—outspoken, confident and arguably the team’s most naturally gifted talent—knew he needed to step up. He was expected to.

And, as we’ve seen over the past few months, when the moment has called upon MPJ to help lead his team, he’s answered right back.

“At first, I was playing more off-ball. Playing off of Jamal and [Nikola] Jokic on the weak side, getting wide-open threes and driving closeouts,” Porter tells SLAM. “But when Jamal went down, more was expected of me and my role expanded.”

Was it difficult, I wondered, for Porter to compensate for Murray’s absence when given more opportunities within the offense?

“To be honest,” Porter says, “it wasn’t difficult because it’s something I’ve done my whole life.”

That being said, despite his confident nature weathering stormy stretches over the past two seasons, it does appear that Malone’s holistic and structuralist philosophies have rubbed off of Porter.

“It’s about roles,” Porter would insist when asked about a heftier workload being placed on his shoulders. “I’m still playing plenty off-ball.”

However, while his role as a secondary scorer or rebounder may be the first thought many have when assessing Porter’s performance as of late, it appears that it’s actually the intangibles that have been at the forefront of Porter’s mind during Murray’s absence.

“When Jamal went down, my mentality had to switch to more of a leadership role. Being a consistent leader with my energy and my consistency.”

In that aspect, Porter has learned plenty from Jokic. While some may scoff at the notion of the understated Jokic being a leader, Porter has developed plenty of respect for the face of the Nuggets, paying close to attention to how the MVP candidate improves every day.

“First off, Joker’s not even from here. So he’s not going to be the most vocal. But you don’t have to preach and tell people what to do to be a leader; you can lead by example.”

Jokic’s leadership, “his consistency [and] how he takes care of his body,” haven’t just rubbed off on Porter though. They’ve become formulas for him to be just as successful as the Serbian center, both individually and for the Nuggets.

In a similar vain, Porter can also reflect on conversations he’s had with veteran guard Austin Rivers, invaluable lessons from a player who went from a lottery pick to almost out of the league in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Rivers, who signed a rest-of-the-season contract with Denver on April 30, is a player Porter has long been fond of.

“He has one of the best high school mixtapes ever,” Porter exclaims. “But even though you want to be this—you want to be an All-Star—it’s about what’s best for the team.

“It’s about roles,” Porter says.

While Jokic and Rivers have all played the part of the veteran mentor, Porter really has to look no further than close friend Aaron Gordon for an example of why roles may be the most important factor in a players success.

Gordon, whom Porter calls “one of the coolest people that he’s met in the NBA” because of how well they click off the court and their similar interests, was acquired by the Nuggets back in March while they looked to shore up their frontcourt defense.

The former fourth overall pick had been miscast in a two-way role in Orlando that did a disservice to his elite athleticism and defensive versatility. Finally, after seven-plus seasons with the Magic, the 25-year-old requested a trade that eventually led him to Denver.

No longer tasked with being a go-to scorer, Gordon hasn’t looked back, reveling in his role as a defensive specialist while the Nuggets have looked the part of a legitimate championship-contender ever since.

The same level of peace appears to be on the horizon for Porter, whose desire to develop to be a complete player doesn’t have to come with the same level of burden that was cast upon Gordon.

All because Porter has bought into a role and because his organization understands the importance of them.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who has had somewhat of a contentious relationship with Porter at times, has probably been the largest catalyst for MPJ’s shift in mindset though.

Discussing his coach’s approach and the growth in their relationship following a record-setting victory over the Toronto Raptors on April 30, Porter candidly notes how “growing up you play for certain coaches that literally let you do whatever and you develop bad habits.

“I was lucky enough to have some coaches that didn’t do that. They knew my potential, so they were super hard on me. Coach Malone is no different.”

A five-star recruit who played under former NBA star Brandon Roy at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Porter is still only a few years removed from leading his teams to state championships (2016, 2017), being named the McDonald’s All-American MVP (2017), or being named as the National High School Player of the Year (2017).

In fact, considering that his rookie season in the NBA is the only time in his basketball career that Porter wasn’t looked at as a go-to player, it shouldn’t be surprising that he needed time to adjust to a tertiary role.

A role that he excelled in but one that truly has expanded over the past couple of months.

The numbers themselves only tell part of the story, with Porter averaging 23.5 points per game on a blistering hot .560 percent shooting from the field and .489 percent from 3-point range since April 14.

A three-level scorer who can make tough shots look like run-of-the-mill acrobatics, Porter operates as pressure relief valve for Jokic and the Nuggets, especially when he’s dotting i’s from behind the 3-point line.

Blessed with as pure a shooting stroke as you’ll find, Porter’s 6-10 frame and shooting touch have all but prevented Denver from missing a beat, with the Nuggets going 13-5 (in the regular season) following Murray’s injury.

Still, for a player who once made headlines by suggesting that he—then a rookie—needed more touches for his team to play up to its potential, Porter’s elevated mindset can only be attributed to the leadership found in the Mile High.

Not that Porter wasn’t on the money when he advocated for greater ball-movement and a few more touches during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. His soundbite simply led many to wonder—and not quietly—whether MPJ was a team player.

Yet here Porter is, reveling in the fact that he’s part of a system rather than the face of it. In a year’s time, that type of evolution isn’t unprecedented, but it’s certainly fascinating. The evolution has even been televised.

With the Nuggets set to embark on their most promising postseason journey since 2009, facing the Portland Trail Blazers (and former franchise cornerstone Carmelo Anthony) in the first round will be a test that determines the true identity of the Nuggets.

Regardless of their showing in these following weeks, Porter’s transformation into a sagacious sharpshooter appears to have the same level of solidity as Jokic’s standing as an elite player.

The show has already started, but the best has yet to come.

—

Photos via Getty Images.

The post It’s Showtime: The Evolution of Michael Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

Oladipo, who will have the surgery on Thursday in New York, has no timetable for his return.

Having originally suffered a torn right quadriceps tendon in the 2018-19 season, he’s played in just 88 regular season games since what has been the only major injury of his career.

That being said, Oladipo’s impending free agency will likely play as big a factor in his approach to recovery as any, with the star having been one of the league’s most well-paid players since 2017. In addition, as Oladipo has been traded twice this season and already suited up for five franchises, a long-term home could be a priority for the two-time All-Star.

Oladipo has averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season, while shooting .408 percent from the field and .326 percent from 3-point range.

The post Heat Announce Victor Oladipo to Have Season-Ending Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

On Monday, the adage had a chance to be manifested once again, as Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reports that rap star J. Cole is signing a contract with the newly-formed Basketball Africa League. Cole with play three to six games for the Rwanda Patriots, with the first contest set for Sunday against Nigeria.

Cole, whose songs and projects feature prominent references to sports and his own athletic ability, is listed as 6’2.” He starred for Sanford High School in North Carolina and was briefly a walk-on at St. John’s University before turning his attention to his music career.

This effectively makes Cole—born Jermaine Lamarr Cole—the first American rap star to sign a professional contract with an NBA property since retired rapper Master P signed contracts with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors to play for them in the 1998 and 1999 preseasons.

In fact, Master P told XXL Magazine’s C. Vernon Coleman II that Cole told him that he was trying to make a jump to the NBA back in 2020.

This will be an interesting venture for the rapper but it should also draw a healthy amount of attention to the Basketball Africa League.

The NBA is using the Basketball Africa League as a means of developing basketball players from economically-challenged environments, exposing African youth and the continent’s domestic talent to both the resources and opportunities that they didn’t previously have.

The post J. Cole to Sign Deal with Basketball Africa League’s Rwanda Patriots appeared first on SLAM.

While three of the seasons of Vildoza’s contract are non-guaranteed, the MVP of the 2020 Spanish ACB Finals has legitimate chance to stick with the Knicks. Guards Elfrid Payton, Alec Burks, Frank Ntilikina and Derrick Rose on the final seasons of their contracts with New York and the savvy playmaker may be able to replace one of them in the rotation moving forward.

Particularly when, despite being in a league where the majority of guards are threats to score, the Knicks rely heavily on a guard with a more defensive-lean in Payton.

Payton, who has started all 57 games he’s played for New York this season, has averaged 11.0 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting .295 percent from 3-point range, .333 percent from the midrange and .364 percent on jump shots, in general (per NBA Advanced Stats).

Vildoza, may be able replace either Rose —who continues to defy Father Time— or Burks as a second unit scorer in future seasons. The 25-year-old averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 assists in 24.5 minutes per game for Baskonia this season, shooting .376 percent from 3-point range.

The post Knicks Agree to Sign Luca Vildoza to 4-Year, $13.6 Million Contract appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what gives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And, while young stars like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton deserve their flowers for their performances this season, the Suns rise out West starts and ends with their captain: 15-year NBA veteran Chris Paul.

Paul, who was traded to Phoenix last November with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to rebuild, has been one of the league’s most polarizing figures. Often criticized for his ball-domineering ways and tenuous relationships with the stars on his teams, Paul is — and has always been — one of the league’s most intelligent players.

An extension of the coach when he’s on the floor, Paul’s pitbull-like demeanor in combination with his understanding of the game allows him to be the type of floor general that’s become rare in the modern NBA. Where most guards’ biggest threat today is their ability to score, Paul is a throwback that reminds of us point guards like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and John Stockton.

That may be a long-winded way to explain what Paul brings to every team he plays for but it’s useful in understanding why the Suns, with 10 players holding no more than five seasons of experience, needed Paul.

Why they needed their second high-level facilitator of the Booker Era.

While alleviating Booker from a substantial portion of his playmaking responsibilities, Paul has become an excellent pick-and-roll partner with Ayton, thanks to the threat of his 3-pointer and floater. In fact, with Paul’s basketball IQ, passing ability and improved spacing, even players like Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are finding it easier to score around the rim.

The identification and simplification of everyone’s roles, quite simply, has allowed everyone to play to their strengths without overthinking.

Averages of 16.2 points, 8.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game (on a true shooting percentage of .594) may not jump off of the page when assessing MVP candidates. Especially when compared with the volume scoring of players like Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid or New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle.

Further, when assessing the roles of each player on their respective team, Jokic’s playmaking for the Nuggets is as essential as Paul’s is for the Suns.

Still, there’s something to be said for a team that’s at the top of the Western Conference standings when they were the 10th seed just a season ago. When they hadn’t won more than 25 games in any season of the Booker Era before 2019-20.

Certainly, the improvement of their defense has been particularly important, and Paul’s ability to generate turnovers has always been a key part of his game. However, the steal numbers for Rubio and Paul were identical from their time with the Suns and though Paul has a better defensive rating (107.9 compared to 108.4), the difference is negligible.

That said, this is where the defensive-minded wings and forwards that Phoenix possesses have been important.

Johnson, now in his second season, has improved his defensive rating from 108.3 to 105.9 with increased familiarity and play recognition. Craig, who Phoenix signed in the offseason, has held opponents to .444 percent shooting from the field and .353 percent from 3-point range.

Moving Dario Saric to the second unit, in favor of third-year forward Mikal Bridges, has been what’s the biggest boost for Phoenix’s defense. With a bench role and less defensive responsibility, his defensive rating has improved the most, going from a 112.0 in 2019-20 to 102.6 in 2020-21.

In a nutshell, Paul’s biggest contribution to the Suns isn’t to their defense. Nonetheless, while he’s helped enhance their offense, it’s difficult to say he’s the most essential piece of it. Especially as Booker perhaps, who averages 25.6 points per game, brings the Suns’ offensive rating all the way up to 120.2 when he’s on the court (versus 111.3 when he’s off the court).

Paul’s biggest contribution is intangible: it’s his leadership, his ability to get his troops focused and his ability to make the game easier for his teammates.

“He watches so much basketball,” Bridges says of Paul on The Ringer’s ‘Real Ones’ podcast. “He tells you so much about the opponent… he kind of mentally gets you locked in before the game even starts, before we even know our opponent yet.”

CP3’s key to unlocking Phoenix’s potential is, quite simply, being the player he’s always been.

Is that deserving of an MVP award this season? Likely not.

However, entertaining the conversation creates a deeper appreciation for the future Hall of Famer and what he’s meant to one of the league’s most adored franchises.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Michael Shapiro:

“Chris’s mindset is just different. It rubs off on all of us,” Johnson says. “He’s always a couple of steps ahead of the game, he’s always teaching. … He’s pulling us aside, telling us things to pick up, when to roll, when to pop, where to rotate. He really seems to see everything out there.”

The post Chris Paul’s Case for Laying Claim to 2021 NBA MVP Award appeared first on SLAM.

In 2018-19, a groin injury managed to keep the Chosen One out for 17 games, as his streak of reaching eight straight NBA Finals came to an end. This season, a high ankle sprain had kept James out of the lineup since March 20, a 20-game stretch in which his Lakers went 8-12 while trying to keep their ship afloat.

On Friday, James would step foot on the hardwood, and this time it wasn’t just to grace the court with his presence.

Operating off intel from basketball insiders like ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, fans were prepared for James’ long-awaited return, with the Lakers set to match up against the Sacramento Kings.

However, it wasn’t until Los Angeles would warm-up that James was officially declared as active for the contest, much to the imprimatur of fans league-wide.

Playing 32 minutes in the contest, James tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block against five turnovers, while shooting 6-12 from the field, 1-5 from 3-point range and 3-5 from the free-throw line.

While James would likely benefit from regaining his midseason rhythm and conditioning, Friday’s matchup — which resulted in a 110-106 loss for Los Angeles — was undoubtedly a positive step forward.

With the Lakers getting fully healthy just some of their biggest competition loses key players, the stars may be aligning for James to embark on yet another celestial climb.

Despite being all but out of the running for his fifth regular season MVP award, James and the Lakers are one of the favorites to win the 2021 NBA Finals, which would net LeBron his fifth championship and edge him even closer to Michael Jordan’s famed six championships.

The post LeBron James Makes Long-Awaited Return from Ankle Injury appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor adds that the Cavs plan to apply for a hardship exception in order to execute the transaction; teams are able to apply for the exception if they have four players who have missed at least three games due to injury or illness.

Currently, the Cavs have wings Taurean Prince and Dylan Windler shelved for the remainder of the season following successful surgeries. Fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova, who has battled injuries all year, is currently out with a neck strain and likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, rotation mainstay Larry Nance Jr. is recovering from a fractured thumb while a pair of backend rotation players in Isaiah Hartenstein and Lamar Stevens are recouping from concussions.

Should the Cavs be out of running for the play-in tournament, Nance will likely be out for the season, creating the avenue to sign Varejao to a 10-day contract and give him a ceremonial send-off.

Varejao, now 38-years-old, spent the first 12-plus seasons of his career playing for Cleveland.

One utilized as a spark plug off the bench, where he earned the nicknames ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Sideshow Bob,’ Varejao developed into a skilled big men in the league by the time the traded to the Golden State Warriors in the infamous deal that landed them sharpshooter Channing Frye.

Unfortunately, a bit of love seemed to be lost between Andy V and the Cavs following the deal, with the former second-round pick refusing to accept a championship ring from Cleveland following the trade. Signing with the Warriors for one more season, Varejao hasn’t played professionally since 2018-19, when he was suiting up for the Brazilian NBB’s Flamengo.

Among the leaders in Cavs franchise history, Varejao ranks eighth in career games (591); sixth in career rebounds (4,434); eighth in career steals (529); and is tied for eighth in career blocks (397) with five-time All-Star Brad Daugherty.

The post Cavs Plan to Sign Fan Favorite Anderson Varejao for Ceremonial Send-off appeared first on SLAM.

So, when the Los Angeles Clippers decided to sign Ferrell to a two-year contract, it was easy to see what appealed to a team full of players with chips on their shoulders.

[Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ferrell’s deal is non-guaranteed for the 2021-22 season]

Ferrell is now playing on his fifth team after going undrafted in 2016 but has only been able to suit up for more than 10 games with two franchises in his short career: the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks.

Of course, given these two teams’ experiences with point guards Isaiah Thomas and J.J. Barea, respectively, there’s no question of why they were able to feel comfortable with a point guard of Ferrell’s stature playing heavy minutes. However, with the limitations provided by his physical profile, it’s been an uphill battle for the Indianapolis native

Playing in a bit role for the Clippers, Ferrell has averaged 4.7 points and 3.3 assists in 9.7 minutes per game (17.4 points and 12.4 assists per 36 minutes) while shooting .500 percent from 3-point range.

With starting guard Patrick Beverley out indefinitely due to a fractured left hand, expect Ferrell to continue to get minutes in the former’s absence. Especially with the age and injury history of backup guard Rajon Rondo, whom the Clippers acquired for shortly before the trade deadline.

The post Clippers Opt to Offer Two-Year Deal to Yogi Ferrell appeared first on SLAM.

Currently 42-21, the Nuggets have won eight of their last nine contests, all of which came after Murray tore his left ACL in mid-April.

While the production of Jokic and Porter has allowed Denver to dominate, it’s been the performances of their recent signings that’s prevented the injuries of players like Murray, Will Barton and Monte Morris from being bigger obstacles to their success.

This includes veteran guard Austin Rivers, who the Nuggets signed to a 10-day contract shortly after Murray’s diagnosis.

Rivers, 28-years-old, has averaged 5.2 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.2 minutes per game while playing for Denver.

Most notably, Rivers has been playing strong defense, holding opponents to .313 percent shooting from 3-point range (per NBA’s Advanced Stats) while with the Nuggets have allowed opponents to shoot .361 percent from 3-point range throughout the season.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver is now planning to sign Rivers for the remainder of the season.

The Nuggets are the sixth franchise that Rivers has played for and, while he has appeared to enjoy his time in the Mile High, minutes would be scarce for the heady guard with a fully healthy roster.

That being said, with Denver set to embark on yet another trek through the Western Conference Playoffs, having Rivers on board can only help the Nuggets reach their ultimate goal.

The post Nuggets Plan to Sign Austin Rivers for Remainder of 2020-21 Season appeared first on SLAM.

The 19-year-old suffered fatal injuries from the collision, passing away on his way to Northridge Hospital Medical.

Per the Associated Press, Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant John Matassa reports that Clarke was the sole occupant in the vehicle when it ran a red light going “at a very high rate of speed” at approximately 2:10 p.m. PDT.

Surveillance video showed Clarke colliding with another vehicle, which was preparing to turn left, before hitting a street light pole and then a block wall. Clarke was not wearing his seatbelt during the crash.

In a statement released by Kentucky’s athletics department, a distressed John Calipari says that he’s “absolutely gutted and sick” regarding the news of Clarke’s passing.

“A young person who we all love has just lost his life too soon, one with all of his dreams and hopes ahead of him. Terrence Clarke was a beautiful kid, someone who owned the room with his personality, smile and joy. People gravitated to him, and to hear we have lost him is just hard for all of us to comprehend right now. We are all in shock.”

 “Terrence’s teammates and brothers loved him and are absolutely devastated. They know we are here for them for whatever they need.
 
“I am on my way to Los Angeles to be with his mother and his brother to help wherever I can.  This will be a difficult period for all those who know and love Terrence, and I would ask that everyone take a moment tonight to say a prayer for Terrence and his family. May he rest in peace.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Clarke’s mother, Osmine, was at his side when he passed.

Considered a potential first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the former five-star high school recruit’s NBA future appeared bright, with him even signing with powerhouse agency Klutch Sports.

Players around the NBA reacted to the news of Clarke’s passing, with Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown even suggesting that Clarke be selected during the upcoming draft, a move that would provide financial security for his family while honoring the beloved young man’s dreams.

Clarke is survived by his parents, Osmine Clarke and Adrian Briggs, and his three siblings, Tatyana Gray, Gavin Clarke and Madison Adrianne.

The post Former Kentucky Guard Terrence Clarke Passes Away After Car Crash appeared first on SLAM.

Per the Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania, the Knicks have signed Pelle to a multi-year deal following a pair of two-way contracts.

Per the New York Post’s Marc Berman:

“Norvel was terrific,” Thibodeau said. “He’s been putting in a lot of extra work. He’s still finding his way, learning the system. But his length, shot blocking, the rim protection, is huge for us.”

Pelle is 6’11” with a 7’3″ wingspan and and 32.5″ max vertical.

A West Indian center who immigrated to the U.S. in his childhood, his unconventional story includes not only a blue collar working family but three different high schools, academic issues and extensive experience playing internationally and in the NBA G League.

Now 28-years-old, Pelle is set to play his first career games under a standard NBA contract.

The post Knicks Sign Center Norvel Pelle to Multiyear Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Martin, 24-years-old, was a standout at the University of Memphis while playing under Tubby Smith and Penny Hardaway.

Leaving the AAC conference ranked in the top-10 in career field goals, free-throws, points, assists and steals, he also left Memphis ranked in the top-10 in career points, assists, steals, free-throws and 3-point field goals of the school’s history.

Having played nine games with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019-20 on a two-way contract, Martin showed his ability to score can translate with averages of 7.1 points and 2.0 assists in 11.0 minutes per game (23.3 points and 6.5 assists per 36 minutes).

He even tallied a career-high 24 points (in 26 minutes) against the Orlando Magic during bubble play in August, in what would be his eighth career game. For comparison, Cavs fan favorite Darius Garland didn’t score at least 25 points in a contest until his 77th career game.

This season, “Peso” has been suiting up for the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets, averaging 18.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game on .474 percent shooting from the field and .229 percent shooting from 3-point range.

While Martin may not play a major role for Cleveland moving forward, he’ll certainly be a name to watch as the Cavs continue to rebuild in their post-LeBron years.

The post Cavs Sign Former Memphis Standout Jeremiah Martin to Two-Way Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Brissett joined the Pacers on a pair of 10-day contracts this April after being waived by the Toronto Raptors prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.

Considered an active defender with solid instincts and off-ball movement, Brissett has averaged 4.8 points per game this season while shooting .688 percent from the field and .571 percent from 3-point range.

With frontcourt pillars T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner all currently sidelined, Brissett has a chance to play ample minutes for Indiana in the meantime. Brissett played a career-high 24 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, tallying 13 points and six rebounds while starting in place of Sabonis.

The post Pacers Sign Second-Year Pro Oshae Brissett to Three-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Rivers had been connected to the Nuggets for weeks, with Denver looking to add a shooting guard even before star guard Jamal Murray went out with a torn ACL. In fact, on April 14, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Nuggets were in advanced talks to sign the 28-year-old.

Rivers, whose physical similarities to Murray at 6’4″ and 200 pounds are as striking as his determination to create separation off-the-dribble, has a career scoring average of 9.1 points per game.

However, Denver would likely want to see if Rivers can return to his 2017-18 form, when he averaged a career-high 15.1 points per game for the Los Angeles Clippers while starting in 59 contests.

In addition, with a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, Rivers is a high IQ basketball player who knows how to find his teammates.

With the Nuggets playing six games within next 10 days, both sides will have ample opportunity to assess the fit. Nonetheless, with the 2021 NBA Playoffs starting in May, time is of the essence for a team considered to be a championship-contender just a week ago.

The post Nuggets Sign Veteran Guard Austin Rivers to 10-Day Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Chris Sheridan of Basketballnews.com would confirm the report.

James had been suspended from CSKA Moscow since March, following his decision to leave during a game that he had bench in, per EuroHoops’ Stefan Djordjevic. It was his second suspension from CSKA Moscow, as James had been reprimanded in January following a locker room incident.

The 27-year-old has played internationally since the 2014-15 season, suiting up for various clubs in the EuroLeague, Liga ACB, Greek Basketball League and other leagues. He’s averaged 14.9 points, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steal in 25.0 minutes per game since 2014-15, shooting .438 percent from the field and .341 percent from 3-point range.

A crafty ball-handler with a soft touch and a penchant for making tough shots, James is an intriguing pickup for a Brooklyn squad with thin depth.

The Nets have had, perhaps, the most interesting season of any team.

After losing sixth man Spencer Dinwiddie to a torn ACL in December, the Nets acquired superstar guard James Harden soon after and became the favorites to reach the NBA Finals out of the Western Conference.

Led by two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant and seven-time All-Star Kyrie Irving prior to trading for Harden, Brooklyn continued to add to their star-laden roster, signing Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge this year after they reached contract buyouts with their former teams.

That said, injuries have been the bane of Brooklyn’s title hopes this season.

Durant has been out for 33 games with various maladies; Harden has missed a career-high 22 games; and Irving has missed 16 games. To add onto that, Aldridge announced his retirement from the NBA due to health concerns last week.

James’ role with the Nets could be menial, if not nonexistent. However, with Brooklyn’s concerns with perimeter depth and injuries, he could find himself playing significant minutes sooner rather than later.

The post Nets to Sign Mike James for Remainder of 2020-21 Season appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN’s Olgun Unc and Andrew Lopez report that Louzada, the 35th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, will be signing a multi-year contract.

Louzada has spent the last two seasons in the NBL, averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.7 steals in 23.5 minutes per game. He also played for New Orleans during the 2019-20 preseason, averaging 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game (4 games) while shooting .439 percent from the field and .444 percent from 3-point range (on 4.4. attempts per game).

Athletic, with a nice handle and potential as an outside threat and a facilitator, the young wing has a chance to prove he can be more than just a depth piece for the up-and-coming Pelicans. His most reliable skill is currently his perimeter defense, where a lean and muscular frame accentuates his high motor.

The 21-year-old Louzada joins LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks), R.J. Hampton (New Zealand Breakers) and Brian Bowen (Sydney Kings) as NBL Next Stars alumni who have made it to the Association. Josh Giddey, a lottery prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft, is also part of the NBL Next Stars program.

The post Pelicans Finalizing Multi-Year Contract with Didi Louzada appeared first on SLAM.

Although the terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, per team policy, Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports that the contract will last through at least the 2021-22 season.

Watanabe, 26-years-old, was previously signed to a two-way contract with the Raptors after his deal was converted from an Exhibit 10 contract in December. After going undrafted out of George Washington in 2018, he spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract.

A valuable defensive player that provides a spark off of Toronto’s bench, Watanabe has shot a career-high .400 percent from 3-point range this season. Averaging 3.3 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game, the third-year pro also provides a strong presence on the glass for the Raptors.

The second Japanese-born player in the NBA (along with Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura), Watanabe the first player with an exclusively Japanese ancestry, as Hachimura’s father is Beninese.

The post Raptors Announce Signing of Japanese Forward Yuta Watanabe appeared first on SLAM.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Mitchell’s MRI revealed no structural damage, but he’s “expected to miss several games before he’s cleared to return.”

The injury came in the final seconds of the third quarter, as Pacers forward Edmond Sumner initiated what appeared to be incidental contact with Mitchell as he fell.

Mitchell averaging a career-highs of 26.4 points and 5.2 assists per game, while knocking down the sixth-most 3-pointers (178) of any player this season.

The Jazz, with a league-leading 42-14 record, have 16 games remaining on their schedule. With Mitchell’s anticipated absence, the Phoenix Suns (just 1.0 game back from Utah at 40-15), will have a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Western Conference standings prior to the start of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

The post Donovan Mitchell to Miss Multiple Games Following Ankle Sprain appeared first on SLAM.

Wiseman, the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season and his progress will be updated in September.

In what’s been a trying season for the Warriors collectively, Wiseman has had perhaps the toughest luck of any player aside from sidelined Splash Brother, Klay Thompson.

Wiseman has had an up-and-down rookie season, facing plenty of criticism while looking both uncertain and ineffective on either end. In addition, Wiseman missed all but four games in March with a wrist injury, bringing his durability into question. Skilled and athletic though Wiseman may be, his raw talent appeared to be a forced fit in Golden State’s system.

All that said, averaging 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this season, Wiseman’s baseline—both in skillset and production—is higher than many players’.

With the 20-year-old Tennessee native now able to continue his development out of the public eye, his play in 2021-22 could be the talk of the Bay.

The post James Wiseman Out for Remainder of Season Following Knee Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

That age-old adage has never been more true than when assessing the surprising announcement from LaMarcus Aldridge, who decided to retire today after 15 seasons in the NBA. Aldridge, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets this spring in pursuit of his first championship, had earned a starting role with Brooklyn after being bought out by the San Antonio Spurs.

In a letter posted to Twitter, the 35-year-old Aldridge admits that in his last game (Apr. 10 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers), he “played while dealing with an irregular heartbeat. Later on that night, my rhythm got even worse which worried me even more.”

“For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first,” Aldridge writes, “And now, it is time to put my health and family first.”

“You never know when something will come to an end, so make sure you enjoy it everyday. I can truly say I did just that.”

Entering the league in 2006 as the second overall pick, the Texas product quickly made a name for himself as one of the most skilled big men in the league.

Prior to Aldridge being, the Portland Trail Blazers went 21-61 in the 2005-06 season. However, with Aldridge becoming a full-time starter by the end of his rookie season, the Blazers would go on to win 32 games in 2006-07, 41 games in 2007-08, and 54 games in 2008-09 as he turned Portland into a perennial playoff contender.

Aldridge is so important to the Blazers franchise that he’s fifth in franchise history in career games played (648), first in career rebounds (5,434), third in career points (12,562) and fourth in career blocks (658).

Aside from being one of the key players in Blazers’ franchise history, Aldridge is also Hall of Fame bound, with seven All-Star and five All-NBA selections over the course of his impressive career, which also saw him spend six seasons with the illustrious Spurs franchise.

The post LaMarcus Aldridge Announces Retirement from NBA After 15 Seasons appeared first on SLAM.

Known as “Iso Joe” for his ability to score on his man, the Bucks are looking at Johnson as a situational scorer and locker room leader for their impending playoff run.

Johnson last suited up for an NBA team in 2019-20 after signing with the Detroit Pistons in training camp, averaging 3.8 points in 14.8 minutes per game.

Averaging 11.1 points per 36 minutes in 2017-18 while playing for the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets (the last regular season he was a part of), Johnson has played 120 playoff games over the course of his 17-year career.

The post Veteran Forward Joe Johnson Has Workout Scheduled with Bucks appeared first on SLAM.

Pacers owners, Herb Simon, Steve Simon, and the Simon Family, would release a statement following Tuesday’s news:

“Pacers fans will remember Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard as the spirit of our franchise. With a charisma, intensity, and wit to match his nickname, Slick made us champions. He was our biggest fan and our most loving critic, and he personified Pacers basketball for generations of Hoosier families. Most importantly, though, Slick and Nancy are our family, and his passing leaves an unfillable void in the hearts of everyone associated with this organization. We keep the entire Leonard family in our prayers, and we recognize and honor Slick for what he meant to our state both on and off the court.”

Leonard, who spent seven seasons in the NBA, is the Pacers’ winningest head coach with 529 career victories and three ABA championships. The ABA’s All-Time Coach, Leonard would spend 50 total seasons with the Pacers’ organization in multiple capacities, including 36 seasons as a broadcaster.

The Indiana native is considered one of the state’s “50 Greatest Players,” having been the first player enshrined in the Indiana University Sports Hall of Fame and eventually being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

A banner with his name on it and “529” hangs in the rafters at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, with Leonard having been an affable man and a father figure in his time with the organization.

He and his wife, Nancy, have five children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The post Hall of Fame Head Coach, Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard, Passes Away at 88 appeared first on SLAM.

Murray, a fifth-year guard who has become one of the league’s most popular players due to his scoring abilities, sustained the injury on Monday night while driving to the rim late in a contest against the 10th-seed Golden State Warriors.

The Ontario native’s knee would buckle as he crumpled, yelling and in obvious pain.

Murray has been having a career season, averaging 21.2 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting .477 percent from the field and .408 percent from 3-point range. An exciting shot-creator, Murray’s injury is both a blow to both the NBA as a whole and the Nuggets, who had emerged as one of the truly elite teams in the West following their trade deadline acquisition of forward Aaron Gordon.

Now, the Nuggets’ must find a way to manage without Murray for what will likely be months, considering the time it typically takes to recover from a torn ACL.

Denver is currently 34-20, 4th in the Western Conference Standings.

The post Nuggets Star Jamal Murray Tears Left ACL, Out Indefinitely appeared first on SLAM.

In the NBA’s continued efforts to raise awareness of social justice issues and advocate for justice and peace, “conversations are ongoing about the possible postponement” of tonight’s matchup between the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews and Adrian Wojnarowski. The MLB’s Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox have already postponed.

ESPN reporting with @wojespn: In the aftermath of a police shooting that’s caused unrest in Minneapolis, conversations are ongoing about the possible postponement of the Nets-Timberwolves game tonight. The Twins-Red Sox game has been postponed. Decision expected this afternoon.

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) April 12, 2021

Last fall, players and teams from the WNBA, NBA and MLB would all take a similar measure after the tragic death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man whose death sparked outrage and protests.

Update: The NBA has announced that the Nets-Timberwolves game has been rescheduled for today, at 4 PM EST.

The NBA announces that Nets at Timberwolves, postponed Monday, will take place today at 4 PM ET at Target Center: pic.twitter.com/MZejGRcUE2

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 13, 2021

The post Nets-Timberwolves Game May Be Postponed in Protest to Daunte Wright Tragedy appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dedmon, 31-years-old, will be set to begin his eighth season after entering the NBA as an undrafted rookie in 2013. His most recent stop was in Atlanta with Trae Young’s Hawks, where he averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steal per game after being traded by the Sacramento Kings.

An athletic big man who has become known as a shot-blocker, rim-runner and floor spacer (he’s made .333 percent of his 3-point attempts since 2017-18), Dedmon’s skillset could prove valuable in the postseason. While he may only be used sparingly unless there’s an injury, his abilities on both ends will help Miami mitigate the loss of center Kelly Olynyk.

The Heat, 26-25, traded Olynyk to the Houston Rockets as part of their package for star guard Victor Oladipo.

The post Heat, Dewayne Dedmon to Agree to Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Bucks traded for Holiday last November in a blockbuster move, sending guard Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and an extraordinary amount of draft compensation to the New Orleans Pelicans in an effort to enhance their playmaking.

Particularly important for the Bucks was what Holiday could provide for them in the playoffs, with the veteran averaging 17.0 points per game in the postseason over the course of his career and 23.7 points per game in his last playoff appearance.

This season, Holiday has averaged 17.0 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and a league-high 1.8 steals per game, while shooting .509 percent from the field and .390 percent from 3-point range.

Milwaukee is currently 32-17, third in the Eastern Conference standings.

The post Bucks, Jrue Holiday Agree to Four-Year Extension Worth Up to $160 Million appeared first on SLAM.

The Los Angeles Clippers plan to sign center DeMarcus Cousins, pending clearance of NBA health and safety protocols, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2021

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the deal could be a 10-day contract but a decision isn’t expected until next week.

Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers are discussing a 10-day contract, but no decision is expected until next week, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2021

Cousins is one of the League’s most popular players, and despite having dealt with injuries, still plays with physicality and strength. He has a technically-sound post-up game, passing ability and shooting touch that extends well beyond the 3-point range, and has managed to post decent numbers.

This season, Cousins was averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game—albeit on a worrisome .511 true shooting percentage—before being released by a Houston Rockets team that desired to play smaller. Notably, in 11 starts, Cousins averaged 13.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, while posting a .547 true shooting percentage.

Further details about the four-time All-Star’s potential deal will be provided as they come.

The post DeMarcus Cousins to Sign Contract with Clippers appeared first on SLAM.

An expansion of the league’s popular Basketball Without Borders program, the BAL is the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.

“We are thrilled that the inaugural Basketball Africa League season will take place at the world-class Kigali Arena,” said BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall. “Through the BAL, we will provide a platform for elite players from across the continent to showcase their talent and inspire fans of all ages, use basketball as an economic growth engine across Africa, and shine a light on Africa’s vibrant sporting culture.”

Featuring a FIBA-like format, the BAL begins with an 18-game group phase (with the 12 teams divided into three groups of four). During the group phase, each team will face the three other teams in its group once.

The top eight teams from the group phase will qualify for a single-elimination three-round playoff, with the first BAL Finals set to be held on May 30.

The 12 teams that will compose the BAL are: Algeria’s GSP (Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers); Angola’s Petro de Luanda (Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda); Cameroon’s FAP (Forces Armées et Police Basketball); Egypt’s Zamalek; Madagascar’s GNBC (Gendarmerie Nationale Basketball Club); Mali’s AS Police (Association Sportive de la Police Nationale); Morocco’s AS Salé (Association Sportive de Salé); Mozambique’s Ferroviàrio de Maputo; Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers BC; Rwanda’s Patriots BC; Senegal’s AS Douanes (Association Sportive des Douanes); and Tunisia’s US Monastir (Union Sportive Monastirienne).

All 26 games in the BAL schedule will take place at Kigali Arena in Rwanda.

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Teague, 32-years-old, signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics prior to the 2020-21 season but the emergence of rookie point guard Payton Pritchard made him an expendable commodity near the trade deadline.

The Bucks, who were tied to recently waived guard Austin Rivers and fellow guard Brandon Knight prior to Wojnarowski’s report, have long been looking to add a steady lead guard off the bench behind Jrue Holiday. Capable of facilitating and scoring at a high level, Teague’s pick-and-roll play off the bench for the Bucks can’t be overlooked, particularly with the 2021 NBA Playoffs edging ever closer.

Sitting at 29-16, third in the Eastern Conference standings, Milwaukee remains team to be reckoned with but faces a daunting task in trying to overcome squads like the Brooklyn Nets. Attempting to rectify last season’s disappointing 1-4 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, adding a player of Teague’s pedigree is a small but significant step in improving their ability to reach the NBA Finals.

After having his best game of the season last week against the Memphis Grizzlies with 26 points (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and six assists, Teague is averaging 6.9 points and 2.1 assists per game in 2020-21, shooting .415 percent from the field, .464 percent from 3-point range and .836 percent from the free-throw line.

The post Jeff Teague to Sign Contract with Bucks appeared first on SLAM.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Drummond “intends to sign” with the Lakers once he clears waivers on Sunday evening, a team that has been the perceived favorite of Drummond’s for weeks.

On the court, Drummond’s decision makes plenty of sense, particularly as the two-time All-Star can play a large role on offense in the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Even when the duo returns, Los Angeles has been looking to upgrade their play at the pivot throughout the season, with 36-year-old Marc Gasol averaging career-lows of 4.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game, with the bulk of his scoring contributions coming from behind the line. A more domineering interior presence than any the Lakers currently have, Drummond should be able to flourish in LA, particularly after James and Davis return.

The post Andre Drummond Intends to Sign with Lakers After Clearing Waivers appeared first on SLAM.

The veteran center is averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this season, while shooting .464 percent from the field and .330 percent from 3-point range.

Aldridge reached a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs shortly after the trade deadline, giving back $7.25 million dollars while being due $24 million, with the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat among the teams favored to sign him in free agency.

A highly skilled and experienced big man with experience carrying a franchise as star player with the Blazers and as core piece of the Spurs’ roster, the Nets are making arguably be the biggest move that any contender has this week.

With centers DeAndre Jordan and Nicolas Claxton are receiving significant rotation minutes, Aldridge (and recently signed forward Blake Griffin) will give Brooklyn a deep and versatile frontcourt that can matchup well against virtually any team.

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Ball — though seeking a second opinion — would be ruled out for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign, leaving the NBA world disappointed that the young star’s showmanship would have to be shelved until next season.

Fortunately, both the fans and Ball himself have a legitimate chance to be spared from such a future, as the fracture was less severe than the team originally thought.

Per The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell:

Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said Ball’s wrist fracture could heal in time for him to play again in this chase of a playoff spot. However, Kupchak cautioned that the Hornets wouldn’t do anything in managing Ball that could put him at risk.

“We don’t know if LaMelo is out for the season or not,” Kupchak said in a conference call with Charlotte media Friday morning. “There is a possibility (of Ball playing again), just based on other players who have had this injury, that maybe he does come back for some portion of the year.”

Charlotte is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings at 22-21, so the hope would be for the Hornets’ season to last long enough for Ball’s chances of returning to continue rising, even if the Hornets reach the postseason before he does.

That being said, Ball is set to be re-evaluated four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his wrist on Mar. 23, with the final game of Charlotte’s regular season is May 16.

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However, last weekend, James’ indestructability was put to the test when he suffered a high ankle sprain while playing against the Atlanta Hawks; an injury that arguably looked worse than any he’s sustained before.

According to Stadium’s Shams Charania, James had a 4-to-6 week recovery period that started on Mar. 20. With that in mind, James could be out from anywhere from three to five more weeks.

As the Lakers’ final game of the regular season is in mid-May, James should have at least a couple of weeks to get back in rhythm before the Western Conference Playoffs, if not an entire month. While that may damage LeBron’s chances of winning a fifth MVP award, a healthy and rested James will be a formidable foe in the postseason, especially with the 36-year-old seeking his fifth NBA championship.

That being said, look for Los Angeles to play at least their next dozen games without their team leader.

The post LeBron James Out Multiple Weeks with High Ankle Sprain appeared first on SLAM.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports adds that Drummond will listen to the pitches from the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Charlotte Hornets as he decides on his playing future.

While the Knicks and Hornets will be able to give Drummond the highest-paying contract, the Lakers and Clippers are legitimate Finals contenders that could entice Drummond to sign with them in hopes of securing a title.

It’s worth noting that Drummond, born in New York, is quite familiar with the New England area having been raised in Connecticut. In addition to Drummond is known to be close friends with Lakers star Anthony Davis and to view potential teammate LeBron James as the best player of all-time.

Per an official press release from Cleveland, Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff would compliment Drummond’s professionality and camaraderie despite not playing since Feb. 12, as well as his ability to keep the team afloat with a high level of play.

A four-time rebounding champion and two-time All-Star, Drummond has averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists. 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season but shot a career-low .474 percent from the field thanks to a subpar shooting percentage of .519 inside of the restricted area and .437 in the paint (non-restricted area), per NBA.com.

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Williams, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, has averaged 12.1 points and 3.4 assists per game this season, shooting .378 percent from 3-point range. With the Hawks’ trouble generating consistent offense from the perimeter without Young, Williams helps alleviate responsibilities while improving the productivity of the second unit offense.

The Clippers are also sure to be thrilled with their addition, as the Rondo is a two-time champion praised for his leadership, intelligence, experience and toughness. Rondo has averaged career-lows of 3.9 points and 3.5 assists per game this season, shooting .400 percent from the field and .378 percent from 3-point range.

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Powell, an emerging young wing, has averaged 17.6 points on .419 percent shooting from 3-point range this season. With a player option on his contract for the 2021-22 season, the Raptors were able to capitalize of his rising trade value and retain their salary cap flexibility by not having to sign the six-year veteran to a costly contract.

Powell may come off the bench for the Blazers with guard C.J. McCollum returning from his early-season injury. However, with a 6’11” wingspan, he’s a feasible option beside both McCollum and All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard in the frontcourt despite being listed at 6’3.”

For the Raptors, Trent can fit the three-and-D archetype while excelling in what’s been a career season for him as well. The son of former NBA big man Gary Trent, the third-year pro is averaging 15.0 points per game while shooting .397 percent from deep (on 7.4 3-point attempts per game).

Hood’s once promising career has taken a less-than-stellar turn as he overcomes myriad injuries but the lefty is still a savvy veteran who can stretch the floor with a career 3-point percentage of .368.

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The Nuggets will send the Magic shooting guard Gary Harris, point guard R.J. Hampton and a top-5 protected 2025 first-round pick (per ESPN’s Zach Lowe), while Orlando will also send forward Gary Clark as part of the deal.

This trade is perfect for both teams, with Orlando acquiring two young players that excel defensively while rebuilding under head coach Steve Clifford.

Hampton, a charismatic rookie selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has length and athleticism that allows him to play both guard and wing spots. He’ll join a fresh and promising backcourt in Orlando that already has Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony.

Harris, a seven-year veteran, has a chance to re-establish himself as an offensive threat in Orlando. However, while injury-prone, Harris is already one of the league’s most notable perimeter defenders.

Denver, whose defensive deficiencies have been a talking point for the better part of the season, cures their ailment with the addition of a versatile and explosive athlete in Gordon.

Gordon is averaging 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 0.8 blocks per game this season, shooting .437 percent from the field and .375 percent from 3-point range.

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Orlando also traded All-Star center Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu on Thursday morning, signaling a rebuild.

Fournier provides the Celtics with a strong shooter who will help them rectify their bench woes. Currently averaging career-highs of 19.7 points and 3.7 assists per game, Fournier has shot .388 percent from 3-point range this season (.376 percent for his career).

Boston’s bench is averaging 32.3 points per game this season, ranked 26th in the NBA. With a rotation already full of strong scorers, Fournier is expected to come off the bench for the first time since 2015-16.

Per The Athletic’s Josh Robbins and Jared Weiss, the Magic will also receive veteran guard Jeff Teague as part of the Fournier deal.

A 12-year veteran, Teague will be waived by the Magic.

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Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Orlando Magic have traded All-Star center Nikola Vucevic and forward Al-Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center Wendell Carter Jr., forward Otto Porter, a 2021 first-round pick and a 2023 first-round pick.

At 15-29 (14th in the Eastern Conference standings), the Magic’s decision to trade Vucevic signals the end of an era, with teammates Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier long-rumored to be on the trading block. That being said, replacing Vooch with Carter not only improves Orlando’s defensive potential but gives them another versatile center that can grow into a role similar to the one Vucevic held.

Porter, 27-years-old, could begin displaying the potential he showed while with the Washington Wizards while in a new environment. A multi-dimensional forward with a defensive lean, Magic head coach Steve Clifford could become of his biggest fans.

Wojnarowski adds that Chicago’s leadership — executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas, general manager Marc Eversley and head coach Billy Donovan — wanted a “productive, serious-minded veteran player to be a cornerstone” for the Bulls.

30-years-old and in his 10th season, Vucevic is a playmaking center who’s averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season, numbers that all match or exceed his previous career-highs.

Aminu, 30-years-old and in his 11th season, is a defensive-minded player who has averaged 5.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 2020-21 (17 games).

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Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor clarifies that the draft compensation the Cavs will receive are a (top-46) protected 2023 second-round pick and an unprotected 2027 second-round pick.

For the Nuggets, McGee provides Denver with an athletic rim-protector that they desperately needs due to their woes defending along the perimeter. A three-time NBA champion with 58 playoff games under his belt, McGee will can supplant the void left by center Mason Plumlee last offseason.

The 33-year-old also has previous experience playing with the franchise (though not it’s current roster) after playing for the Nuggets from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Hartenstein, raw and skilled at 22-years-old, is in his 3rd NBA season.

With the Nuggets, his developmental curve was stunted by playing behind All-NBA center Nikola Jokic and on a contending team where he would be afforded little time to correct mistakes. Now in Cleveland, currently 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings at 17-27, he’ll get a chance to audition for a future with the Cavs.

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Wright and Joseph were teammates with the Toronto Raptors in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 season.

In his sixth NBA season at 28-years-old, Wright will now be traded to his fifth team since the 2018-19 season. The playmaker has averaged 10.4 points and 5.0 assists per game this season (both career-highs) while shooting .464 percent from the field but has shot just .348 percent from 3-point range.

Joseph, in his 10th NBA season at 29-years-old, has been a steady backup point guard for the majority of his career. He’s averaging modest numbers of 6.6 points, 2.5 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting .444 percent from the field and .330 percent from 3-point range.

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The third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball would fracture his wrist while going up for a layup in a loss against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 28.6 minutes per game this season, shooting .451 percent from the field and .375 percent from 3-point range.

According to ESPN’s Stats and Info, Ball’s numbers are comparable to Hall of Fame point guard Oscar Robertson’s rookie season when extrapolated to their per 36 minute counterparts.

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Gordon, 25-years-old, is averaging 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per game this season while shooting a career-high .368 percent from 3-point range. The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, his current contract is set to expire after the 2021-22 season.

Denver has interest in Orlando forward Aaron Gordon ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline, league sources told The Denver Post, and the Nuggets need to assess on-court fit and whether he’s a player capable of vaulting them past some of the other Western Conference powers.

Singer adds that the Nuggets completing a trade for Gordon is unlikely given that the deadline is just around the corner. That being said, teams looking to add Gordon are expected to surrender at least young one player and a draft pick.

If it was March Madness, the Nuggets would have been one of the Cinderella teams of the 2020 NBA Playoffs with their historical comeback performances against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in consecutive rounds.

This season, the Nuggets’ have achieved national relevance only to get off to a slow start that highlighted their offseason loss of forward Jerami Grant while putting their burgeoning Big Three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. in the spotlight.

Now 24-16, tied for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, Denver has caught it’s stride in recent weeks thanks to the improved play of Murray and Porter. Adding Gordon, who could replicate Grant’s 2019-20 role as a tertiary scorer and versatile defender, may be what puts the Nuggets over the top during the second half of 2020-21.

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Following a Thursday night victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, the MVP gauntlet wasn’t quite the topic of conversation after James impressed with a stat line of 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists but another, well-discussed discourse was.

Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma would say that while “NBA MVP is a very political award,” James “should have been the MVP eight, nine, 10 times.”

A sentiment shared by Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, once a constant opponent of James as head coach of the Indiana Pacers.

“It’s a mistake on the voters’ part to go season after season without voting the best player in the league MVP,” Vogel said. “You know what I mean? That’s the simplest way to put it. There’s been other players that have been deserving, but he’s been the best player in the league for as long as I can remember.”

James is known to have dismissed the relative importance of the award as it relates to his goal of winning championships and performing well in the postseason as he gets older.

However, not having won a regular season MVP award since 2013 (when he was 29-years-old) despite being considered as the best player in the NBA for much of the time since does raise questions about how James doesn’t have more hardware to add to his trophy collection.

In James’ opinion, he “should have more than four.”

“But … I don’t sit around thinking about it or crying about it, or whatever the case may be. I just try to come in the next season and be the MVP and be talked about [for] it again. I bet a lot of the greatest that played this game feel like they should have more as well, if you ask any one of those guys.”

While it’s difficult to make an argument for James from 2016 to 2019, with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo deserving in each of those season, the surrounding seasons have presented more favorable MVP arguments for the Chosen One.

Now in his 18th season, James is averaging 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting .514 percent from the field and .367 percent from 3-point range. As he continues to be the league’s standard bearer for excellence, t he future Hall of Famer may finally capture what’s been an incredibly elusive fifth MVP award.

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Ball, who has been heavily to the New York Knicks in recent weeks, is averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game this season, while adding 5.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

As noted by Stein, the idea that the Clippers need to upgrade their playmaking in the backcourt has been explored extensively.

Patrick Beverly and Reggie Jackson, the team’s primary point guards, are defensive-minded players with specialist roles on offense. Where Jackson takes .455 percent of his shots from 3-point range, Beverley sees .657 coming from behind-the-arc. However, the issue comes in where they are as facilitators, which is far below the level of most starting point guards.

That’s where Ball comes is, as the fourth-year pro has been heralded for his basketball IQ and passing ability since his days at Chino Hills.

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The 30-year-old Craig, who’s in his fourth NBA season, signed a one-year minimum deal with the Bucks in November after a successful three-season stint with the Denver Nuggets.

A defensive-minded wing, Craig only appeared in 18 games for Milwaukee, playing a career-low 11.2 minutes per game.

While the Bucks already have their replacement for Craig in Tucker, the Suns make an under-the-radar move that should only help their vaunted defense. Set to make their first playoff appearance since 2009-10, Craig’s combination of toughness and postseason experience will also be invaluable for a young team that will be met with a type of adversity they’ve yet to encounter.

In the short-term, Craig can help Phoenix manage without defensive standout Cam Johnson, who has been out since Mar. 2 due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

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

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

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

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

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

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21-years-old, the Montreal native went undrafted out of Arizona State in 2019 after playing just one season with the Sun Devils.

However, the 2018-19 Pac-12 Rookie of the Year (and 2018-19 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection) would impress enough to sign a two-way contract with the Thunder that he parlayed into a four-year, $5.4 million deal last June.

In what could be considered a related move, Oklahoma City traded away veteran wing Trevor Ariza on Wednesday, acquiring center Meyers Leonard — who is expected to be waived — in return.

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Reports that the Heat and Thunder were discussing a deal centered around Ariza, who has yet to play this season, first began on Tuesday.

The trade comes just a week after Leonard publicly made an anti-Semitic slur that caused a fallout with NBA fans, which questions raining down about his character from all. A nine-year pro, Leonard wound up being fined $50,000 for his remarks, banned from team facilities for a week and ordered to attend a cultural diversity program.

That being said, while Wojnarowski reports that Leonard isn’t expected to be a part of the Thunder moving forward, ESPN’s Royce Young corroborates the report that Leonard won’t be joining Oklahoma City.

Leonard, 29-years-old, has a team option on his contract for the 2021-22 season that would pay him $10.2 million if exercised.

Ariza, who has yet to suit up this season, is on the final season of a two-year, $25 million deal he signed with the Sacramento Kings.

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Though the trade parameters haven’t been detailed, O’Connor also notes that Oklahoma City is looking for a second-round pick in an Ariza trade as they attempt to grow their already substantial stockpile of draft picks. As is customary during trade season, numerous playoff-contending teams are interested in acquiring the veteran wing.

Ariza, 35-years-old, has yet to suit up for the Thunder this season after playing 53 games (21 starts) in the 2019-20 season.

However, this isn’t due to injury or a spat with the Oklahoma City franchise.

Prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, The Oklahoman’s Joe Mussatto reported that Ariza would be away from the Thunder indefinitely in order to deal with the same family matter — a custody battle for his young son —that prevented him from joining the Portland Trail Blazers in the bubble.

That decision has been supported and known by Oklahoma City since they acquired him in a three-team trade on Nov. 21.

Widely regarded as one of the better 3-and-D wings in the league, Ariza would be quite the pickup for a tough Miami squad ahead of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. A 16-year veteran, Ariza averaged 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 28.2 minutes per game last season, while shooting .372 percent from 3-point range.

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That puts Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman directly in the spotlight, with both having an up-and-down seasons that have paled in comparison to LaMelo’s.

For Edwards at least, the conversation is less of a question about his potential than where the two players are at in their respective careers.

Already a starter, Edwards has averaged 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.9 steal per game while demonstrating an elite level of athleticism and downhill explosion that’s eerily reminiscent of future Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade.

However, Edwards has had a rough go of it as a jump shooter, knocking down just .381 percent of his shots from the floor and .315 percent of his 3-point attempts.

For those wondering, Timberwolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns — the face of the franchise and a player known to be both candid and outspoken — is of the mindset that Edwards being selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft was “the right decision for [Minnesota] as a franchise.”

While Edwards seems to take offense to the ongoing debate, KAT’s support of his young teammate speaks volumes about himself, Edwards and the Timberwolves franchise as a whole.

In addition, while Ball has played the best of all rookies in his class, Edwards was the most natural fit (of he, Ball and Wiseman) for a Minnesota team that already had Towns at center and prized facilitator in Ricky Rubio. As guard Malik Beasley’s future with Minnesota was in question in the offseason before signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Timberwolves, Edwards provided them with a safety net as well.

All in all, it’s difficult to say that Edwards wasn’t the right pick for Minnesota, no matter how well Ball is playing for Charlotte.

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On Sunday, Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic would earn that high praise, as Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reflected on the 10-year veteran’s growth since being drafted with the 16th overall pick in 2011.

“He’s gotten so much better over the years,” Spoelstra starts. “This is a career-best year. He’s been great for several years… but this year it’s even different.”

“It feels like you’re looking at the modern-day Dirk Nowitzki out there,” he surmises, as an incredulous reporters laughs in the background.

Vucevic, who made his second career All-Star Game appearance last week, has averaged 25.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game this season while shooting .490 percent from the field and a career-high .416 percent from 3-point range.

Numbers aside, Spoelstra has come away most impressed with Vooch’s awareness and basketball IQ, two intangibles that helped Nowitzki build a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Mavericks.

“He knows how to go early before you can get your coverage to him.”

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Wojnarowski adds that the Pistons see Diallo, who will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, as a core player for their franchise.

In the case of Oklahoma City, the rise of defensive standout Luguentz Dort made Diallo an expendable commodity that will allow the Thunder to add to their sizable horde of draft assets.

Diallo, now 22-years-old, was the 45th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of the NCAA powerhouse University of Kentucky.

Listed at 6’5″ and 202 pounds with a 6’10” wingspan, Diallo is a long and explosive athlete on the wing. The 2019 Slam Dunk Champion has been having the best season of his career with averages of 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting .481 percent from the field and .293 percent from 3-point range.

Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, who appears to be a fan of long and athletic players, was vice president of the Thunder when they made a draft night trade for Diallo.

Mykhailiuk, now in his third season, is widely regarded as a 3-point specialist. Shooting .333 percent from 3-point range on 4.8 attempts per game this season, the Ukraine native converted .404 percent of his 3-point attempts on 5.1 attempts per game in 2019-20.

Oklahoma City, who ranks 27th in the NBA with a team 3-point percentage of .344, will hope that Mykhailiuk can play much more like he did last season.

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Ilyasova averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game for the Milwaukee Bucks last season while shooting .466 from the field and .365 from 3-point range.

Though lacking in foot speed and agility, Ilyasova fits the Jazz’s mold of intelligent defenders and skilled shooters.

With the Jazz holding a league-leading 27-9 record, Ilyasova should be able to help Utah sustain their defensive prowess (108.2 defensive rating; fourth in the NBA); dominance on the boards (48.0 rebounds per game; second in the NBA) and their excellence from 3-point range (.398 percent shooting; third in the NBA) for the second half of 2020-21 the season.

His experience, which includes seven postseason berths and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance with the Bucks in 2019, is also sure to be a boon for a savvy squad looking to make a deep playoff run.

The 36th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Ilyasova will wear no. 77 for the Jazz.

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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds that San Antonio has been working on trade scenarios with Aldridge and there’s “a level of confidence that a trade partner will be found” for him. That being said, there’s been no effort towards reaching a contract buyout at this point.

35-years-old, Aldridge has played in 21 games for the Spurs this season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game. Once heralded for his precision from the midrange, Aldridge has developed into a reliable outside shooter, knocking down .379 percent of his 3-point attempts over the last two seasons.

It was reported that San Antonio was listening to offers for Aldridge and other veterans, including DeMar DeRozan, last week.

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Haynes, who reports that the Brooklyn Nets also have interest in signing Drummond, would note the Lakers’ interest in fellow Cavs center JaVale McGee as well.

For either the Lakers or Nets, signing Drummond would be a splash move that sees them add a dominant rebounder with great size at 6’10” and 279 pounds. An athletic center with a smooth gait getting up and down, Drummond also possesses decent guard skills with his ball-handling and passing ability.

While the Lakers are optimistic that Drummond will sign with their squad if he and Cleveland reach a number they’re comfortable with for a buyout, the New York Times’ Marc Stein reports that the Cavs still prefer trading the big man.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, though indirectly, would corroborate Stein’s report.

According to Windhorst, Cleveland is “playing hardball” with Drummond. While “they’ve had legitimate offers,” they’re looking for a trade package that will allow them add to their stash of draft assets or stable of young talent.

“The Cavs have told teams that have called that they’re not giving him away,.”

Consequently, while there’s a chance that Drummond will be bought out, it’s more likely that the four-time rebounding champion will be traded. Nonetheless, with Drummond and the Cavs opting for him to sit until Cleveland finds a trade partner, the Big Penguin’s days in The Land appear to be coming to a close regardless.

Drummond is in the final season of a five-year, $127.2 million contract he signed with the Detroit Pistons in 2016. He’s averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season while shooting a career-low .474 percent from the field.

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However, while the King retained his crown, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo earned All-Star Game MVP honors and winning The Kobe Bryant Trophy (the official name for the All-Star Game MVP Award).

Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, had a perfect outing during the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. The Greek Freak shot a record 16-16 from the field (including 3-3 from 3-point range) and dominating the interior on his way to 35 points and the first perfect shooting night in the All-Star Game’s 70-year history.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, Antetokounmpo’s teammate on the LeBron James-led All-Star team, also had a terrific night as he lit up Team Durant from behind the arc with 8-16 shooting from deep. Portland Trail Blazers leader Damian Lillard would match Curry’s output from beyond the arc, going 8-16 from long-distance himself and scoring 32 points to Curry’s 28.

Though Antetokounmpo may have been the most dominant player on Sunday night, Lillard had the two biggest shots of the night.

The first? A 3-point bomb from beyond halfcourt.

The second? A 3-point shot from just past halfcourt to seal the victory for Team LeBron.

Phoenix Suns veteran point guard Chris Paul, who dished out 16 assists, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown (who scored 22 points in 26 minutes) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (who knocked down five 3-pointers) also played well for Team LeBron.

Meanwhile, James would only play 12 minutes, tallying four points and four assists.

For Team Durant, who would play without one-third of the Brooklyn Nets’ superstar trio, Nets guard Kyrie Irving delivered the best performance with 24 points and 12 assists.

Irving made it look easy as he carved up defenses on his way to the rim, teammates James Harden and Bradley Beal couldn’t be stopped from beyond the arc, knocking down 13 combined 3-pointers. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum would join Irving, Harden and Beal as the only players on Team Durant to score at least 20 points.

Following their victory, spirits were high for the winning team and the mutual respect was flowing.

James shouted out MVP-winner Antetokounmpo (prompting the Greek Freak to applaud James’ roster-building skills), called his on-court pairing with Curry “well overdue” and continued to display his fondness for Lillard.

Antetokounmpo, in a lighthearted mood, would say that he and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic need their own show.

Antetokounmpo would also speak on winning the Kobe Bryant MVP award, saying that “having an award named after Kobe Bryant in my house is a great feeling… I know he would be happy.”

As part of the 2021 NBA All-Star Game’s charity efforts, Team LeBron earned a grand total $1.25 million for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund while Team Durant earned $500,000 for the United Negro College Fund.

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