Its name is a nod to the neighbor-y, community-driven aura it provides visitors—a time travel-like, nostalgic experience from the moment they enter. 

The Provo spot has already drawn plenty of high-profile names, including Clarkson, Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Royce O’Neale, to name a few. Clarkson randomly messaged them one day on social media and has been a loyal customer ever since. He recently scooped up a rare Jeff Hamilton All-Star Weekend jacket. 

“Thrifthood actually all happened by mistake. Myself and Alby [Alan Bostrom], the other co-owner…we were just friends who loved to get together, like, to do game night hosting, whatever, for fun with our friends,” says Krysten “Sissy” McDade of how it all originated. “And we also love fashion and somehow stumbled upon getting fits together and reselling and all these things. And it literally was just supposed to be for fun, and suddenly we’re like, Let’s just sell and see if we can make money to shoot ourselves a new pair of shoes, to whatever we wanted, really. And literally since that day in 2018 when we started, we never stopped, and so we actually sold out of a basement for seven months.”

After seven months of that basement, Thrifthood made the transition to a storefront, and like the  saying goes, the rest was indeed history. 

“The day that we opened the storefront, we had $22 in our business bank account, and we were like, This better work, let’s just make sure we can pay for rent month to month,’” says Sissy, who also credits partner Aaron and store manager Warren for the success. “And then slowly but surely our team started coming together.”   

It more than just came together; it’s now high on the to-do list of every hoops fan visiting the state this All-Star Weekend. 

Photos via Thrifthood.

The post Thrifthood is the Utah-based Vintage Store that’s Catching the Attention of Players Around the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

And… 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience.

Still there?

We’re on Lauri Markkanen time right here. 

His story is one of patience. Like, one where nothing, like, nothing really, um, even kinda, sorta happens at first. Or at second. Enough doesn’t happen that what has happened gets forgotten. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing happening. Stuff is happening. 

Patience is a test. It’s illusions and confusions. What’s real isn’t revealed for a long time. How strong is will? Patience will be the great unveil. Patience is lonely. Patience is a marathon. It’s stamina unending. How long will the run be? How far is the distance? Can the sprint continue all the way into the unknown? What if the running isn’t worth the work?

What if it is?

So…

Patience.

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience. 

Patience.

This test isn’t pass or fail. Pass or fail is a destination. Markkanen’s story is not about arriving.

It’s about becoming. He knows perseverance. 

Because even what he’s done with the Utah Jazz this season, a season where it looks like he has arrived, isn’t complete yet. Though it does look like the fury of the patient man has become a fire. The 7-foot Markkanen is looking more like the potential has been realized. He’s looking like an offensive cornerstone, a stone that had to survive unforgiving rushing rapids, a stone that’s lasted to become fully polished and shiny.

Shiny like 25 points and 9 boards a game. He’s had a 49-point outburst and he’s had six games of at least 13 rebounds. He’s had gamewinners and he’s had the firepower to ignite complete blowouts. There’s some new confidence to him out there. But it might not even be new. Patience is a test of illusions and confusions. Maybe he’s always been this all along? Has he always been this good? Statistically, no. This is his best and most impactful campaign since the Bulls selected him with the seventh pick in 2017. There’s some type of spirit in him this season, something entirely different from everything we saw during his time in Chicago and Cleveland. It just might’ve been restrained, which can be attributed to any number of reasons, from more famous names demanding more shots to less nuanced leadership not realizing how much Markkanen is capable of. So he’s been let off the leash and all of that marathon sprinting he’s been doing has led him to rove ’round the floor without any restrictions. It’s credit to first year head coach Will Hardy and even more credit to Markkanen for continuing to work in the silence of patience, when absolutely nothing was even promised. 

And with nothing promised, Markkanen improved on everything. He’s gotten better at creating his own shot and at finishing around the rim. He can roll, pop or slip from any ball-screen situation. He can post or face, dunk or shoot, draw fouls and make free throws. He’s the Jazz’s closing option because of the matchup problem that comes with a mobile and aggressive 7-footer. 

The skill set varies from moment to moment. Markkanen acts as a slasher, with his foot pressed all the way down on the accelerator to meet a lob at the rim. He goes off the bounce by himself, finishing through contact. He spots up in the corner, waiting for a pass to drill a three.

More waiting. 

More patience. Many a mind has valued patience to the utmost. 

“Genius is eternal patience,” Michelangelo, who crafted the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, once said. 

“I get you all you can eat, just have some patience with me,” Aubrey Graham, who is the voice of a generation, once said. 

Markkanen’s whole team is eating because of his patience. Behind resurgent performances from Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, Kelly Olynyk and Collin Sexton, the Jazz are right back in the playoff hunt during a season in which the bottom was outside the world’s expectations. Their best player has them just 1.5 games from fifth in the West, as we go to press. 

In fact, he and Conley have created a pick-and-roll duo that follows in the tradition of John Stockton and Karl Malone and Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Markkanen is in the 80th percentile in the League as a finisher out of PNR. Other numbers tell a similar story as he inches close to a 50-40-90 season. Right now he’s 52-42-87. It’s striking efficiency considering how a ton of the offense relies on him. 

Does high-level basketball like that only come through patience? Could he have done that at stop No. 1 or stop No. 2? Could he have been mature enough to handle so many different looks on the offensive side? 

Do any of these questions even matter? 

No, they don’t. Because we’re here now, in this moment where Lauri Markkanen should represent the Utah Jazz at the ’23 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. He’s taken the leap out of ever-waiting patience up into a consistent scoring threat from each of the three necessary levels. In a year where nobody expected anything to happen, a lot has happened. If he doesn’t make it, there will be more time for him to get there, no matter which city it’s being held in. He’s just 25 years old. We know that he has patience.

His head coach Will Hardy knows it, too. 

“I thought it was another game where Lauri seemed to kinda do a little bit of everything, made threes, got to the basket with force early in the game,” he said just a few days before we went to press. “He’s just continuing to grow before our eyes every night in terms of understanding there’s a lot of different ways to be effective on the offensive end in this League, especially when you have his combination of size, skill, and athleticism.” 

Just a little patience. 

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen is Putting the League on Notice with the Utah Jazz | SLAM appeared first on SLAM.

The only thing is, Atlanta has a STEEP asking price for Atlanta. An Eastern Conference executive reportedly told Heavy Sports that the Hawks want a “big-time return for Collins” and “something in that neighborhood” of what the Utah Jazz received when they traded their All-Star cornerstones, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, over the summer.

Gobert was traded to Minnesota for four first-round picks and one pick swap, while Mitchell was traded to Cleveland for three first-round picks and two pick swaps, Collin Sexton and All-Star candidate Lauri Markkanen.

Collins is averaging 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game during the 2022-23 campaign. His lower numbers can be attributed to a new role and adjusting to De’Andre Hunter and Dejounte Murray taking up more shots and opportunities to score. However, Collins was a major contributor to Atlanta making an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021 and certainly has All-Star talent.

It’ll be interesting to see if any team will take a significant step forward and essentially give the farm away for Collins by the time the trade deadline ticks down. The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly the main team showing interest. The Nets reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Collins during the 2022 NBA Draft and are looking to add a star or “power-forward-like player” heading into the season’s stretch run.

Atlanta will look to build a consecutive win streak when they take on the Bucks on Wednesday.

The post REPORT: Atlanta Wants John Collins Trade Package Similar to What Utah Got for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Conley will be out for at least two weeks.

Sources: Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. avoided major injury or ligament damage on the non-contact left knee injury suffered Saturday night. He has a knee strain and is expected to miss at least two weeks.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 20, 2022

If it’s one thing that the Jazz are going to miss with Conley out, it’s definitely going to be his ability to create shots for this young team.

Despite the 35-year-old nearing the end of his magnificent career, it is actually now where he is averaging a career-high in assists with 7.9 dimes a contest, along with 10.2 points. With a record of 12-6, the Jazz does not have a lot of breathing room between them and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are second in the Western Conference and are only a game behind Utah. 

The situation calls for Jazz guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton to step up. Expect the two to have more playmaking responsibilities with Conley out. Clarkson is averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds this season. As for Sexton, he’s putting up 13.1 points and 1.9 assists for the campaign.

Next up, the Jazz will be back at it again tonight at 10:30 P.M when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

The post REPORT: Mike Conley to Miss at Least Two Weeks with Leg Injury appeared first on SLAM.

They were again led by great perimeter play, Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points, and Collin Sexton kicked in 22 points from the bench. The Jazz was up by double digits early in the first half, but they blew the lead and had to rally after trailing for much of the third and fourth quarters. 

After a blistering shooting performance on Friday to take down the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz had to reach deeper to gut out last night’s win and complete the Los Angeles sweep. The Jazz turned over the ball a whopping 20 times in their victory, but they outscored the Clippers 26-17 in the fourth quarter. 

“Finding ways to win is fun,” Coach Will Hardy said following the game, per ESPN. “I’m very proud of the team to overcome 20 turnovers.” 

The Jazz is the second seed in the Western Conference despite most of the “experts” projecting them to be a bottom-tier team in the league. The Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell (Cavs) and Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves) this summer and are supposed to be starting their rebuild. The draft assets the Jazz got in return: Lauri Markanen, Sexton, Malik Beasley, Walker Kessler, and Kelly Olynk said not so fast.

“I’m starting to get more comfortable in myself,” Sexton said after the game. “Just staying ready and being present throughout the game.” 

Sexton had the game-sealing dunk when the Jazz was up by 4 with 54 seconds left. Clarkson could be seen cheering from the bench. The Jazz has surpassed all expectations of what was projected to be a down year. Whether or not they can maintain this level of play remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Utah is a lot of f****ing fun. 

The Jazz plays the Lakers on Monday at 10:15 PM EST.    

The post As They Rebuild, the Utah Jazz Are Now 8-3 and A Lot of Fun to Watch appeared first on SLAM.

Utah required the three players after trading Mitchell to Cleveland for restricted free agent Sexton, Markkanen, and Agbaji eight days ago. Sexton reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to help the Cavs finish the trade negotiations; Sexton is locked in with Utah on a four-year deal worth $72 million.

“It was clear that in order to optimize our opportunity to create a team that could truly contend and establish sustained success, we needed to transition our roster,” Jazz CEO Danny Ainge said in a statement. “In trading Rudy (Gobert) and now Donovan, it was a rare opportunity to maximize our ability to get quality talent and picks to best position us moving forward. We have a plan in place to help us assemble the championship team our fans deserve. It will take time to craft our roster. We all understand the work ahead and are committed to our vision.”

GM Justin Zanik believes Sexton, Markkanen, and Agbaji are three “exciting young players.” The endorsement from Zanik could be a sign of good fortune for the three young stars that’ll play a pivotal role in Utah’s rebuilding effort.

Sexton averaged 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field in the 11 games he played last season before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the torn meniscus he suffered in November. Markkanen averaged 14.8 points. 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the field goal.

“We believe that they fit the Jazz culture and hard-nosed, competitive brand of basketball we’ve built here in Utah,” Zanik said. “They give us versatility and athleticism on both ends of the floor as we grow toward the future. We look forward to our fans getting to know them.”

The Utah Jazz opens the 2022-23 season against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 19.

The post Jazz CEO Danny Ainge on Offseason Moves: ‘We Needed to Transition Our Roster’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022

Utah received Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks, and two picks, according to Woj. Restricted free agent Sexton reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal so the Cavs could move him to Utah.

Sexton has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join Utah, sources said.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022

According to Woj, Cavs GM Koby Altman “circled back” with Utah GM Justin Zanik on Tuesday. The two teams negotiated a deal they had discussed previously. The Knicks declined to do a trade deal on Monday night after re-signing RJ Barrett, opening the door for Cleveland to secure a deal.

https://t.co/5lqkyvBvSP

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 1, 2022

The epic trade makes Cleveland a more significant threat in the East as they form a Big 3 around Mitchell, their All-Star duo of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and their future All-Star building block in Evan Mobley.

The post REPORT: Cavaliers Acquire Donovan Mitchell in a Blockbuster Trade appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 8, 2022

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

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2022

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

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 5, 2022

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

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 5, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

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

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 4, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2022

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

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) July 4, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

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

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 1, 2022

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

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) July 1, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

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

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 30, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 30, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

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

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

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 30, 2022

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

Portis has early bird rights in Milwaukee.

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

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

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 28, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

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

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

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

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

Without further ado, here is the running NBA Trade Rumor Thread:

7/25:

Shams Charania from The Athletic reports that the Wizards, Raptors, Hornets, Kings, Heat, Hawks and the Knicks have expressed interest in Donovan Mitchell.

Per Charania, the Jazz, Knicks and Paces are also reportedly interested in Russell Westbrook and draft capital from the Lakers.

The Boston Celtics have emerged as a potential suitor for Kevin Durant, reportedly offering up Jaylen Brown as the main piece in the initial trade proposal. However, according to The Athletic, that offer was reportedly rejected. Read more here:

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly offered Collin Sexton a three year contract in the range of $13.3 million per year for three seasons. Sexton is reportedly “dismayed” with the team’s current offer.

Sexton played 11 games this year before tearing his meniscus.

“Utah had asked about a package involving Mitchell Robinson, and at least 3 first-round picks and the Knicks declined to meet that asking price”@IanBegley with the latest on the Donovan Mitchell trade front, including the Jazz asking for Quentin Grimes in a deal pic.twitter.com/4m1x30mgY5

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 15, 2022

REPORT: The Jazz-Knicks deal was “close” on Tuesday night, but the Knicks ended up declining.

The Jazz reportedly wanted Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, and 6 1st-round picks.

(via @tjonesonthenba) pic.twitter.com/KxUOdLfsZx

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 15, 2022

The Nets asked the TImberwolves for the farm after asking for Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and four draft picks in order to acquire Kevin Durant.

REPORT: The Brooklyn Nets asked the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and 4 draft-picks in exchange for Kevin Durant.

The Timberwolves declined.

(via @chrisbhaynes, @VinceGoodwill) pic.twitter.com/EUdjmDXArD

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 7, 2022

According to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, the Warriors are interested in acquiring Kevin Durant. KD won back-to-back titles in three years with the Dubs. Per multiple reports, the Nets have made it clear that their trading partner will have to give up the farm in order to complete the blockbuster trade. Those acquirements consist of an All-Star level player and multiple draft picks.

Marc J. Spears: Warriors ‘have interest’ in trading for Kevin Durant [report]https://t.co/5lar5wEukf pic.twitter.com/bXGN5CDgPk

— KNBR (@KNBR) July 3, 2022

League sources: For now, there are no plans by the Utah Jazz to trade star guard Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz are committed to building around him. The Jazz are not done in trade talks. Expect more activity

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 1, 2022

The Jazz and Timberwolves have reportedly agreed on a trade to flip Gobert for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverly, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, and multiple first-round picks, per Woj.

Utah is trading Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly shipped Kevin Huerter to Sacramento for Justin Holiday, Mo Harkless, and a 2024 lottery-protected first-round pick per Adrian Wojnarowski.

Atlanta is trading Kevin Huerter to Sacramento for Justin Holiday, Mo Harkless and a future first round pick, sources tell EPSN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Atlanta is trading Kevin Huerter to Sacramento for Justin Holiday, Mo Harkless and a future first round pick, sources tell EPSN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

After KD’s blockbuster trade request was reportedly made official, it seems as though Kyrie Irving is most likely headed out of Brooklyn too. Irving is on the last year of his current deal and listed the Lakers, Clippers, Mavs, Knicks, Heat, and 76ers as his preferred trade destinations.

The latest on Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Nets from @wojespn.

Join us now on ESPN2 for our NBA Today Free Agency special as we break it all down. pic.twitter.com/dsRBjecW8S

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) June 30, 2022

BREAKING: Kevin Durant has reportedly requested a trade away from the Brooklyn Nets, per his agent Rich Kleiman to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. Durant has targeted Phoenix and Miami as his preferred destinations, per Woj.

Durant requested a trade with the team today, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/BkNEHwkrc0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

The Jazz are reportedly trading Royce O’Neal to the Nets for a first-rounder .

Utah is trading Royce O’Neale to Brooklyn for a first-round pick, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

The Bulls are reportedly shopping Coby White, per Sam Amico of Hoopshype.

Bulls Remain Active In Trying To Trade Coby White https://t.co/QblzrfaVuW

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 30, 2022

Amico also reports that Julius Randle could be a name to watch on the trade market as the New York Knicks look to make it back to the playoffs next season.

Julius Randle is a name to watch on the trade market, per @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/Zd49mnz72R

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 30, 2022

The Wizards are reportedly exchanging Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith for Will Barton and Monte Morris. Should Smith play one game for Denver, it’ll be the record-setting 13th team he’s played for in his career.

Washington is finalizing a trade to acquire Denver’s Will Barton and Monte Morris for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

The Knicks are sending Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to the Pistons as well as some draft capital in order to free up $30 million in cap space to acquire Jalen Brunson on Thursday.

The Knicks are trading center Nerlens Noel and guard Alec Burks to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. The Knicks will unload $19M more in salary, clearing the way for cap space to try and sign free agent guard Jalen Brunson.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

The Houston Rockets have reportedly bought John Wall’s contract as of Monday night. The five-time All-Star and the Clippers are reportedly set to reach an agreement once free agency starts, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

ESPN story with @espn_macmahon on John Wall exiting the Houston Rockets with intentions to sign a free agent deal with the LA Clippers: https://t.co/IuLK7oFwP9

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

After a successful postseason run, a key piece for Miami may not come back. PJ Tucker is rumored to take a better offer from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The possibility of Kyrie Irving departing from the Brooklyn Nets gains more momentum by the day, as he has been given permission to seek a sign and trade.

John Wall hasn’t played an NBA game for the Houston Rockets since April of 2021, he is willing to agree to a buyout if it comes down to it.

The San Antonio Spurs have been receiving calls about all-star point guard DeJounte Murray, teams that are included are the Knicks, Timberwolves, Wizards, and Hawks. Murray publicly reacted to the rumor on Twitter.

The Cleveland Cavaliers sacrifice pick 49 in exchange for Sasha Vezenkov, who has been a euro-league stash after being picked in the 2017 draft.

The Pistons traded away Jerami Grant for a 2025 first round pick that belongs to the Bucks, read more here:

The Hawks are looking to level up for Trae Young byfinding him a better co-star, read more here:

After not being offered an extension, DeAndre Ayton’s future with the Phoenix Suns looks to be in doubt. Read more here:

The Dallas Mavericks are going all in for Luka Doncic’s win now window by trading for Christian Wood, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

JaMychal Green was sent from the Nuggets in exchange for the Thunder’s No. 30 pick in this upcoming draft, read more here:

The post The NBA Trade Rumor Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

Where the Cavs front office and Sexton may disagree is the amount of money Young Bull will make. According to NBA insider Michael Scott of the Hoopshype podcast, the Cavs want to retain Sexton, and Sexton will be demanding “starting guard money.”

“The Cavaliers want to retain Collin Sexton,” NBA insider Michael Scotto said on the HoopsHype podcast. “He’s going to demand starting guard money, I’m told.

“There are some teams who will be in the market for a point guard this summer, including the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, who would have to acquire Sexton in a sign-and-trade if they want to get him. Last season, no restricted free agent signed an offer sheet, and players such as Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen switched teams via sign-and-trade.”

Sexton led the Cavs in scoring in 2020-21 (24.1 points per game) and 2021-22 (16.0 points per game) before he suffered a season-ending torn meniscus in his left knee 11 games into the season.

Should Cleveland decide to extend Sexton, he will be joining a team with a new pecking order after Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen broke out and earned All-Star nominations. With Allen, Garland, and Evan Mobley as their franchise cornerstones, the Cavs (44-38) earned a spot in the Play-In Tournament thanks to their identity as a top-five ranked defense.

The Cavs also acquired Caris LeVert at the trade deadline. Both Sexton and LeVert play the same position. If Sexton returns, the Cavs will be facing a question of who starts and who comes off the bench. Both guards have experience playing a reduced role, with Sexton embracing the Cavs and asking him to take fewer shots for the team’s benefit. LeVert went from key weapon to coming off the bench to playing second-fiddle in his short time in Indiana.

The experience the two have in different roles will help make whatever transition Coach J.B. Bickerstaff will make. The main question will be if Cleveland wants to pay Sexton when they have a logjam at guard and will also need to prepare for extension talks when Garland becomes eligible in 2023. The other question will be does Cleveland believe they will repeat their success with Sexton next to Garland, LeVert, Allen, and Mobley.

Regardless, Cleveland has a bright future with Bickerstaff and GM Koby Altman at the top of the helm and Garland’s rise as the team’s face combined with the rapid development of All-Rookie center Mobley.

The post REPORT: Collin Sexton Wants ‘Starting Guard Money’ in New Cavs Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland guard Rajon Rondo will be out two weeks with a toe sprain, team says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 25, 2022

Rondo has put up 7.5 points and 5.0 assists per game in 14 appearances. The two-time champ has brought a veteran presence to a young Cavs team that has shot up the Eastern Conference playoff standings. His injury further depletes a Cavs backcourt that is missing Collin Sexton and Caris LeVert due to injury. Darius Garland is also day-to-day with a back injury.

The Cavs (35-24) have 23 games remaining on their schedule, including a matchup with the Wizards coming on Saturday.

The post Rajon Rondo Out Two Weeks With Toe Sprain Per Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

One of, if not the most important connection that resides on the court lies between the point guard and his big man down low. Being able to effectively read one another’s movements, eyes, even predicting each other’s decisions before they’re made, all heavily contribute to the depth of a team’s offensive repertoire. In Cleveland, the offensive depth between the trio of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is otherworldly. 

“I mean, they do it all for me,” Garland tells SLAM of Mobley and Allen over Zoom. “They’re setting all the screens and stuff, so [I’m] just trying to keep the connection with them going and with my teammates as well.”

The chemistry the three have built is unlike any other guard/big pairing in the League. A little under eight times per game, the 6-1 Garland will snake around a neck-jerking screen set by either the 243-pound, 7-6 wingspaned Allen, who has had beef with the rim all season, or by the mobile 6-11 newcomer Mobley, who will snatch the ball out of the air and slam it down on your head with ease. Or, you could drop down and take away both options, and leave a 37.7 percent three-point shooter open at the top of the key, waiting for the ball to drop through the net. 

It’s a pick your poison situation in Cleveland, and one of the youngest cores in the NBA is beginning to realize just how lethal of a connection they’re building. 

In his third year in the League, Garland is averaging career-highs across the board, good for 19.7 points, 8.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, as of late January. The Gary, IN, native’s ability to score with ease has been on display ever since he was picked 5th overall by the Cavs back in the 2019 Draft. His continued ability to make the players around him better has made waves across the League. 

In 10 out of 11 games played in December, Garland dropped five or more assists, gathering three double-doubles, including back-to-back 30-pieces against the Wizards and Jazz in the first week of the month. Within this world of hyper-proficiency resides the imposing forces of Mobley and Allen, who have received more than half of their buckets via Garland’s hand. DG’s assisted on 81 for Allen and 73 for Mobley. His career and team-high 8.2 assists has him on pace to rank in the League’s top 20 in assists per game for the second-straight season. 

The 22-year-old knows that as the team’s leader on the floor, he needs to make his voice heard. 

“I’m starting to become more vocal, talking to a lot of the guys and trying to put them in the
right situation where we can be successful,” he says. “So that’s just changed over my last couple of years, for sure.”

After Collin Sexton underwent left knee surgery for a torn meniscus in late November, DG took the reins of a team with a 9-8 record and whose identity was slowly being chiseled out behind head coach JB Bickerstaff. Two things were for sure, though: lobs and threes were plentiful, and Garland went to work with both, averaging two more shots from beyond the arc with defenders dropping underneath top of the key screens in order to take away easy toss ups at the rim to Mobley and Allen. 

“My teammates and coaching staff, they give me the confidence to shoot the ball. And even if I don’t shoot it, my teammates are on me, talking about, Shoot the ball, and stuff like that,” he says. “So they’ve definitely forced me to shoot it a little bit more than I want to, but as long as the teammates want me to and the coaching staff wants me to, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The ascension of DG’s control over the flow of the game, coupled with the immeasurable wingspan taking up the paint, has given way to lots of excitement for hoops fans in Northeast Ohio. Lobs, threes and blocks are bountiful and the rest of the League has been paying attention.

On November 5, with 4.8 seconds left in the game, Garland calmly walked to the stripe, down one to the Toronto Raptors. Cool, calm and collected, the former Vanderbilt guard sank both free throws, snapping the Raptors’ five-game winning streak, and scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half. In the locker room, Garland’s composure was doused by the water bottles of his teammates, as he wiped his soaked face with a towel, looked around the room and let out a series of barks, the team’s unique celebratory cheer. 

From grabbing every 50/50 ball and finishing each possession to knocking down clutch free throws down the stretch, Garland has proven this season that his continued progression and connection with the Cavs young core is built to disrupt the fabric of the League for years to come. 

The Cavs’ 102-101 November win over the Raptors may not have been the teams’ first realization of their dog mentality, but it was certainly the start of many instances in which Garland and the Cavs put everyone else on to it. 

That mentality has resided in the Cleveland organization for a minute now—a young team with a scrappy spirit and with the game to back it up. “Just being a pest, really,” Garland says of the team’s character.

“I think we’re starting to put the League on notice that we’re not just any slouch anymore. Like, you just can’t come into Cleveland and roll over us. I think we definitely deserve our respect.” 

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

Portrait by Jimmy Longo/Cleveland Cavaliers and Getty Images.

The post Darius Garland’s Elite Play Has the Cavs Ready to Disrupt the Fabric of the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve got a myth to get out of the way: NBA defense wasn’t better in the ’80s and ’90s. 

Those dudes, for the most part, just hit people. They called that defense. 

There are exceptions, of course. Scottie Pippen, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan, 
David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, John Stockton, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning were all defenders ahead of their time—mentally, physically, technically and strategically. 

But defense in this era is a different game. This isn’t just about the new glossary of fancy terms that get yelled out on courts today. This is about a total redefinition of defensive responsibilities, an intellectual overhaul that has swept across the League. 

The new standards for guarding have touched down in Cleveland, where Jarrett Allen is an all-encompassing fortress. He doesn’t just lock down the interior. What started as something of a joke has become something closer to a revelation; the 6-10 Allen has been entrusted to switch pick-and-rolls on the perimeter. 

“I don’t really know how it happened, to be honest,” Allen tells us about the decision that he’d be guarding in space this season. “But I know last year, we were joking around, saying, you know, Let’s just switch 1 through 5. Partly just joking. And then this year we ended up adding Evan [Mobley] and Lauri [Markkanen] and Isaac [Okoro], great defenders. And then DG, he’s alright,” he says with a pause to allow his point guard, Darius Garland, the proper time to react to the playful slight on the group Zoom call. 

“And then we decided, Hey, you know, we’ve got all these bigs, why not just switch 3 through 5? Nobody’s gonna be able to really score against us in the paint. You blow by Evan, then you have to go up against me and Lauri. So we decided, Hey, this just might work. We tried it, what, in like the fifth game? And it worked. So don’t change what’s working.”

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

“Working” is a humble way for the 23-year-old to talk about his breakout season.  

Allen’s numbers are career-best across the board. The 2017 draftee has never averaged more points, rebounds or assists, played as many minutes per game or had a better shooting percentage. 

If the season ended today (as of early January), Allen would finish with the seventh best single season field goal percentage in the history of the League. That’s seventh ever, throughout 75 years. 

It’s been dunks, lays, jump hooks and extensions out to the middle. And, as confirmed by the history-maker himself, a three-ball is in the works. 

“It’s just a testament to the team and how we’re playing together,” the Texas alum says. “As corny as it sounds, it’s a team game. Everybody sharing the ball, especially my point guard DG getting me open, throwing me lobs. That’s one of the main reasons that I’m doing what I’m doing. And partly to the work I put in this summer. I made a big emphasis to improve my offensive game, whether it’s passing, scoring in the post, just all of it.”

That connection with Garland has proven devastating for opponents, something the old NBA defenses would’ve needed Hakeem or one of the Georgetown boys to contain. 

“DG, he just said he’s shooting seven threes a game and he’s shooting them super efficiently,” Allen continues. “So it’s really one of those pick-your-poison things. Do you want DG to get hot on the pick-and-roll? Shoot this floater? Or do you want to get dunked on by him throwing the lob to me? It’s one of those things. It’s tough to guard because each option usually leads to a bucket.”

Allen, DG and Mobley make up the Cavs’ young core. Hitters like Markkanen, Okoro and Cedi Osman have filled in the gaps. There’s even more talent—losing Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio to unfortunate injuries until the 2022-23 campaign stings, but the rest of the active players, including NBA champion and five-time All-Star Kevin Love, have the Cavs in the hunt for home court advantage in the 2022 playoffs.  

“Kevin’s a kid at heart, to be honest,” Allen says. “He kinda fits into our group, our young guys.”

It’s a group that has started barking together. Yeah, barking. Like dogs. Literally. 

“I didn’t start it,” Allen says. “Lamar [Stevens] started it, but I kinda adopted it. I think it’s perfect for what the team is trying to achieve. And it was fun. People look at us like, Why the hell are they barking? Honestly, I don’t know why, but it gets the team going. It’s funny. It’s one of those scrappy mentalities that I think works well with us. We’re a young team, but we have the talent to back up the scrap. I think that’s a perfect mentality for this team right now.”

Team, indeed. Excluding Sexton and Rubio, who would be part of this statistical crew, there are six Cavs averaging at least 11 points per game, as we head to press. Allen, Mobley and Love combine to pull down around 26 boards a night. Over 60 percent of their buckets come from assists. And thanks to Allen, the team has the third best defensive rating in the NBA, behind just the Warriors and the Suns. 

“It’s not a fluke,” Allen says. “That’s what people need to start realizing. You see people saying, Oh, man, they got the three bigs. Oh, this was just a lucky game for them. Oh, it’s not the new Cavs. It’s just a lucky game for them.

“But I’m just gonna keep asking: How many lucky games are we gonna have in a row? How many times are we gonna have to show that we’re a tough team, [that] you’re gonna have to play us hard, before they realize that we’re actually one of the top teams now?” 

Portrait Jimmy Longo/Cleveland Cavaliers and Getty Images.

The post How Jarrett Allen Established Himself as One of the Best Defenders in the League appeared first on SLAM.

“We are very excited to add a dynamic young player of this caliber and experience,” Cavs GM Koby Altman said in a statement on Monday. “Caris LeVert fits uniquely into our culture, and his Ohio roots brings an immediate connection to our community. We look forward to seeing what type of impact he can make on this roster. We also want to send our best wishes to Ricky Rubio and his family. Ricky has been the consummate professional, and his leadership both on and off the court was invaluable, and we respect everything he brought to this franchise.”

OFFICIAL: #Cavs acquire F Caris LeVert.

DETAILS: https://t.co/AvCpnTb3av pic.twitter.com/28cLLHjmvl

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 7, 2022

LeVert will reportedly take on the off-guard spot opposite All-Star point guard Darius Garland who has been hampered by a sore lower back as of late. The acquisition of LeVert adds scoring punch to a lineup that is missing Collin Sexton since he went down for the season with a knee injury in February.

“He and Garland in the backcourt is really dynamic,” Carlisle said. “These guys have improved a great deal today.”

LeVert has been in trade rumors since December when the Pacers were rumored to be looking to trade former All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, and LeVert to help speed up their rebuilding process. When the Cavs and Pacers agreed to the exchange, it was about 90 minutes before tipoff of their game against each other on Sunday. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle confirmed the news pregame with assembled media.

News of the trade was delayed so Carlisle could notify LeVert was headed down the hall.

With the Cavs (33-21) squarely in the driver’s seat as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, LeVert can help raise the ceiling of a team that has blasted away any preseason expectations many around the League had for them. Cleveland still has time to make one more move as well. The NBA’s trade deadline isn’t until Thursday.

LeVert signed a three-year, $52 million contract with Brooklyn in 2020. Since re-signing with Brooklyn, he’s been moved to Indiana and now Cleveland. The 27-year-old guard averaged 18.7 points and 4.4 assists for the disappointing Pacers (19-36). The Cavaliers will return to action on Wednesday when they play the Spurs at home.

The post Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Ricky Rubio For Caris LeVert appeared first on SLAM.

Markannen suffered the injury to his right ankle in the first half and never returned to the game.

Lauri Markkanen went down on the court with an apparent ankle injury.

He was carried off the court by his teammates and is headed straight back to the locker room. Hope nothing’s serious.

Prayers up for Lauri. pic.twitter.com/MmoLU4wUG2

— NBA Analysis Network (@HoopAnalysisNet) January 23, 2022

The early injury report came from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. He also reported that the injury is not linked to his knee or Achilles, with more information after more tests are conducted. On Monday, Fedor reported that Markannen will miss the Cavs’ game against the Knicks.

#Cavs Lauri Markkanen is OUT tomorrow with a right ankle sprain.

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) January 23, 2022

Markkanen hurt himself landing on his right leg trying to challenge Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s driving layup. Up until that point, the 24-year-old seven-footer had a solid game scoring 9 points to go with two rebounds and one block before exiting the game.

Markannen has been one of several surprises during the Cavaliers’ resurgent 2021-2022 campaign. The Cavs are 28-17, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference playoff race as of Monday. Before suffering his ankle injury, Markkanen hit his scoring stride in the last 10 games scoring 14.3 points per game on 52.0 percent shooting from the field.

The post REPORT: Lauri Markannen Out Against the Knicks With Serious Ankle Sprain appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Cavs GM Koby Altman received an extension through the 2027-28 season and promotion to President of Basketball Operations for the franchise.

Altman was first hired by the Cavs’ front office in 2012 but didn’t get the General Manager role until 2017, before the 2017-18 NBA season.

Altman oversaw the Cavaliers’ massive rebuild following the departure of LeBron James in 2018, but this season the Cavs have been a huge surprise. Halfway through the season, Cleveland is tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers with a 23-16 record.

A lot of the success this season is due to Altman’s management, as he was responsible for bringing in the entirety of the Cavs starting lineup, drafting Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and the injured Collin Sexton, and trading for Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen. As of Wednesday, the Cavaliers rank 14th in offensive rating (109.9) and have transformed their bottom-five defense into the third-best in the League with a 105.0 defensive rating.

Garland leads the team in scoring and assists with 19.5 points and 7.3 dimes per game too. The 21-year-old guard out Vanderbilt holds a 111.7 offensive rating and 102.4 defensive rating. Even as a rookie, Mobley has been a revelation at the center position, averaging 14.8 points and 8.1 boards, and 1.8 blocks per game, good for seventh place amongst block leaders.

The Cavaliers play against the Jazz (28-13) on Wednesday.

The post REPORT: Cavaliers Extend General Manager Koby Altman appeared first on SLAM.

Sexton has been a major contributor for the Cavs to this point in the season, helping them earn a record of 9-8. However, his season will now be cut short. 

As first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Sexton will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on left meniscus tear.

This is a huge blow to Cleveland, who will be losing a dynamic scorer in the final year of his current contract. Through 11 games this season, Sexton averaged 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. 

This summer will be interesting for the 22-year-old, as he’ll ink a new contract, whether with the Cavaliers or another team. 

The post REPORT: Cavs Guard Collin Sexton to Miss Remainder of Season appeared first on SLAM.

Yet in a matchup with the now 6-4 New York Knicks that saw star guard Collin Sexton go down in the first half with a left knee injury, backup point guard Ricky Rubio took over the reins.

Rubio returned in kind, dropping a career-high 37 points off the pine, shooting a scintillating 8-9 from three and 13-19 shooting from the field, casually slicing and dicing the Knicks defense for 10 dimes.

Rubio’s 26 second-half points propelled the Cavaliers to their fourth straight win, positioning themselves in 6th in the Eastern Conference standings. According to StatMuse, Rubio became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points and 10 assists while making eight threes off the bench.

RICKY RUBIO HAS A CAREER-HIGH 37 POINTS! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Ma6XebWYXX

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 8, 2021

Rubio’s memorable night may have also overshadowed a highlight for Cavaliers fans, Evan Mobley posting possibly his best game to date. In 36 minutes of action, Mobley recorded 26 points, 9 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 11-15 from the field.

With star guard Collin Sexton being sidelined for the near future with a meniscus tear in his left knee, Rubio will have plenty more chances to lift the hearts of Cavalier fans across the nation with a Wednesday matchup against the Wizards.

The post Ricky Rubio Drops Career-High 37 in Cavaliers 126-109 Win Over the Knicks appeared first on SLAM.

Sexton went down with the knee injury during the second quarter and didn’t return. League insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that there is no immediate timetable for the Young Bull to return.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton suffered a torn meniscus to his left knee, team says. No immediate timetable on a return, more testing to come, but expect Sexton to have an extended absence from 7-4 Cavs.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 8, 2021

The 22-year-old guard has been durable in his first three seasons, missing just 12 games last season after playing every game during his first two years with the Cavs. Sexton is averaging 16.0 points, 2.1 dimes, and 3.3 boards on 45.3 percent shooting. The numbers are his lowest nearly across the board since his rookie year.

The injury comes during a contract year for Sexton, who was unable to negotiate a contract extension with the Cavs front office. However, because Sexton will be a restricted free agent, the franchise still has the right to match any offer sheet he signs during the free agency period. He was also reportedly involved in trade rumors just before the season started.

Just texted with a former #NBA executive. He had some intriguing things to say. First a note on Collin Sexton and #Cavs.

“Cleveland had multiple good offers on the table for Sexton. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of that. Around the trade deadline, I think it picks back up.” pic.twitter.com/iC7eGaMIx5

— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) October 5, 2021

On Wednesday, the Cavs return to the court, playing against the Wizards (7-3) at home.

The post Collin Sexton Out Indefinitely With a Torn Meniscus appeared first on SLAM.

There’s a new type of highlight starting to regularly circulate on social media. It’s Evan Mobley, rookie center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, contesting and altering shots. 

I know—sounds boring. The clips got lost on my Twitter timeline (which is really just an endless stream of basketball highlights) at first. But they just kept popping up. And the captions just kept getting more and more audacious. Words and phrases like “a force,” “incredibly dominant,” “generational,” and “all-defense” became increasingly harder to ignore. I clicked play on the video you see below and… wow. 

Of course, that montage includes more than just contests—monster blocks, deflections, steals and a Collin Sexton poster snuck in there. But I was also thoroughly entertained by the segments that showed Mobley, a true seven-footer, shuffling his feet to stay in front of a guard up top and then extending his never-ending arm to simply create a bad shot attempt. At one point, he is matched up against the uber-confident Reggie Jackson, who naturally tries to shake him with a couple fancy crossovers. Jackson appears to gain some separation—just a sliver of a cushion to get his shot off—but Mobley uses his 7-4 wingspan and absurd athleticism to immediately close the gap. Even for Jackson, the degree of difficulty on the eventual jumper is extremely high. I mean, how do you even see the rim when Mobley leaps like that? (Please post more clips like this.)

Cleveland took Mobley with the third overall pick back in July largely because of his potential on defense. He averaged 2.9 blocks per game and was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in his sole season at USC. His versatility on that end—being able to switch onto perimeter players seamlessly and protect the rim like a traditional big—is reminiscent of all-defensive guys like Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo. Here’s another clip from the Twitterverse, of Mobley containing the shifty Trae Young: 

For all the hype surrounding Mobley heading into the draft, he has exceeded expectations so far this season. He is doing “dominant,” “generational” things on defense—leading the entire NBA in contested shots per game (15.1) and averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals. Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been exploring different ways to take advantage of Mobley’s gifts, employing him at the top of a 3-2 zone that proved very effective in a 101-95 win over the Hawks, who shot just 32% in the second half. 

“Seeing Evan’s ability to move through that made me think of when [Kevin Garnett] was playing at the top of that zone [in Minnesota],” Bickerstaff said afterwards, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “So over the summer we went and studied it a bunch and put it in, and tonight it was really good for us.

“That position [Mobley] plays in that zone is not an easy position,” he added. “You’ve got to quarterback it from the front and also see and be aware of what’s behind you.”

Teammate Kevin Love also praised Mobley’s performance in the zone. “He’s got a huge future in front of him,” Love said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s able to do that. In my mind, he’s going to make a number of all-defensive teams in his career. So he’s just getting started. Once he really goes through the league a couple of times, like any rookie, once he figures it out, realizes how good he is, you’re going to see him make those teams.” 

Mobley has been a real factor on the other end, too. He scores within the flow of the offense—constantly moving, crashing the offensive glass for vicious putbacks (see below), setting screens and rolling to the rim for easy lobs. He’s already averaging 13.3 points (on 49% shooting from the field), and that number should only increase as he gets more comfortable and confident in his jumpshot. 

In the NBA’s annual GM survey, released at the beginning of October, not a single person predicted Mobley to win Rookie of the Year. He did, however, receive the most votes (33%) in response to the question: “Which rookie will be the best player in five years?” So GMs expected big things—just not right away. But Mobley is already contributing significantly, helping Cleveland get off to a 5-4 start and sending Twitter into a frenzy on a nightly basis. 

LeBron James probably summed it up best after his Lakers played the Cavaliers last Friday, and Mobley finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals: “He’s going to be a damn good basketball player in this League.” The King has spoken.

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Evan Mobley appeared first on SLAM.

The San Antonio Spurs’ Lonnie Walker IV is one of those players, but when talking with Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, Walker revealed he is using the negotiations as motivation.

“I ain’t worried about the contract,” he said. “I think God willingly, I’ve got good karma, good energy around me. Things will turn out the way they are supposed to.”

Walker says one way he will turn that hunger into on-court performance is by becoming more engaged on both ends of the floor.

“I think I’m more excited, more hungry. I’m starving more than ever. I’m trying to stay active offensively and defensively and do what Pop wants me to do.”

Walker is entering his fourth year in the NBA and is coming off his best season in the League, where he averaged 11.2 points per game last year, almost double his average of 6.4 points per game from the year before.

Walker has got off to a strong start in three games this year, putting up career-highs in points (15.3), rebounds (3.5) and assists (3.3) per game.

The post Lonnie Walker IV Sparks Motivation From Lack of Contract Extension appeared first on SLAM.

According to Cavaliers reporter Evan Dammarell, the Oklahoma City Thunder organization have said that the team is “intrigued” by the possibility of a backcourt featuring Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Negotiations for an extension reportedly fell through with Sexton and the Cavs, but Sexton has shown to be an exciting young guard in the League.

In just three seasons, plus one game this year, Sexton has accumulated a career average of 20.2 points and 3.4 assists per game while knocking down 38.5 percent of his career three-pointers. Sexton picked up where he left off to start this season, dropping 17 points in the Cavs season-opening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Pairing Sexton alongside Gilgeous-Alexander is an intriguing combo. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to attack the basket and create shots for his teammates could open up Sexton for more opportunities to do what he does best, shoot.

The post REPORT: Oklahoma City Thunder ‘Intrigued’ With Adding Collin Sexton appeared first on SLAM.

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.

According to Marc Stein, the Cavaliers are continuing to keep their hat in the ring to try to pry Simmons from Philadelphia. 

It’s unclear exactly what Cleveland would offer, but you’d have to assume Collin Sexton would be part of the package. Either way, the Sixers have had an extremely high asking price for Simmons to this point. 

Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. With a ton of young talent, the Cavaliers would only raise their ceiling if they were able to acquire the three-time NBA All-Star. 

While there’s a chance the Sixers carry Simmons into the start of next season, it’s likely that they’ll continue to shop him even more aggressively over the next few weeks. 

The post Cavaliers Continue To Monitor Ben Simmons Situation With Sixers appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

2021 FIRST ROUND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. NYK: Chris Duarte (6-6 G, Oregon)

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

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

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

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

BJ Boston (6-7 F, Kentucky)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Knicks’ general manager Scott Perry was offered a multi-year contract extension by the team, according to The Atheltic’s Shams Charania.

Perry was brought into the organization in 2017 and was responsible for acquiring assets like 2020-21 Most Improved Player Julius Randle and Derrick Rose. Perry was also notably on an expiring deal and needed a new deal to remain with the organization.

The Knicks made the playoffs for the first time since 2013, finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference but losing to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Perry and the Knicks are looking to have a potentially big offseason, with rumors linking them to NBA stars like Damian Lillard, Ben Simmons, and Collin Sexton.

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While he has his flaws, Simmons is still one of the most versatile player in the NBA, but may not be the best fit in Philadelphia. Either way, it appeared his name would be in headlines all summer. 

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the 76ers have opened up trade conversations surrounding Simmons and have engaged with teams, although with a high asking price.

One source told Charania that the Sixers are looking for a player of All-Star caliber in return for Simmons, who is still 25 and that level of player himself.

Last season Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. However, he continued to show a lack of aggressiveness and 3-point shot and struggled tremendously from the free throw line. 

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With that in mind, the Houston Rockets have been reported to have interest in trading up for that top pick and been extremely aggressive in their pursuit of late according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

While there are quite a few different packages the Rockets could offer, one including guard Eric Gordon has been discussed between the two teams. 

The 2021 NBA Draft is set to take place on July 29, where many NBA teams will face a pivotal night for their respective franchises. 

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Not long ago, Todd was projected as a second-round pick. Now, the 6-foot-10 forward could get selected in the lottery. 

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Todd is canceling workouts with teams owning late first-round picks, like the Utah Jazz, as he shifts his focus to just teams in the lottery.

At just 19 years old, Todd averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game off the bench against professionals in the G League last season with the Ignite. What’s most intriguing is his ability to space the floor, knocking down .362 of his 3.1 attempts from beyond the arc. 

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With a team finally capable of competing, the Knicks are reportedly looking to make a huge splash this offseason.

According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are looking to acquire a superstar this offseason, and two names that have come up are Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal.

Lillard and Beal are both locked into long-term deals with their respective teams, so the Knicks would have to make a trade. Winfield reports that the Knicks are willing to part with second-year forward RJ Barrett to get a potential deal done.

The Knicks are also “monitoring” a trio of young guards in Collin Sexton, Terry Rozier and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, according to Winfield.

Lillard is coming off his fourth first-round playoff exit in five years, and Beal has never progressed past the second round with the Washington Wizards, making them both excellent candidates for potential trades this offseason.

Barrett is coming off a much improves sophomore season that saw him average 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, which could draw the eye of a potential trade partner.

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According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Cavaliers will try to move Kevin Love in a trade this summer. He reported that potential Love suitors include the Pelicans, 76ers, Heat, Clippers and Trail Blazers.

Last season Love had the worst year of his career, averaging 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 36.5 percent from deep. 

Love will spend part of the offseason with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics as they look to win the gold medal. 

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While the future of Sexton has been a hot topic of conversation around the league recently with the idea that he could be traded, he believes his future still lies in Cleveland. 

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, sources close to Sexton “have the impression” that he “is part of the long-term plans” of the Cavaliers.

Theoretically, the Cavaliers don’t have to make the Sexton decision immediately and could wait until he enters restricted free agency in 2022. 

Last season, the former No. 8 overall pick averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per contest. 

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Sources say Scoot Henderson, 17, signed a G League Ignite deal worth $1 million. https://t.co/CZkZvB0DRd

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 21, 2021

Henderson spurned Auburn, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky and Florida State among other schools to become the first high school junior to commit to the Ignite program and the first player signed who is not NBA draft-eligible the next year.

Scoot has finished all of his schoolwork and will graduate high school a year early, a prerequisite for joining the G League Ignite. Due to his age, Henderson will not be eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and will spend two years with the Ignite program.

Henderson was Georgia’s No. 1 prospect among juniors and the No. 9 player nationally, according to 247Sports. He averaged 24.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game last season.

Henderson’s goal is to be the number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“My main goal my whole entire life has been to get to the NBA and be a household name,” Henderson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. “This puts me one step away, and it was an opportunity I just couldn’t give up.”

If successful, he’ll join the long line of recent high NBA draft picks from Georgia including Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jared Harper of the New York Knicks.

Now, he’s considered one of the youngest professional hoopers in the United States.

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According to Forty Eight Minutes’ Sam Amico, the Cavs ownership team, including Dan Gilbert, is evaluating if it’s the correct decision to retain the current front office for next season.

It’s easy to see why these conversations are being held. Since LeBron James left Cleveland for LA in 2018, the Cavs have struggled—winning only 19 games in back-to-back seasons following James’ departure. This season, they only managed to up that total to 22 wins.

The main man on the hot seat is general manager Koby Altman, who has been in charge since 2017. In that time, Altman has made some unpopular decisions, including trading for Andre Drummond and giving Kevin Love a four-year $120 million contract.

On the other hand, Altman is working with a young new core, and only time will tell if players he brought in through the draft like Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro will lead to a winning team in Cleveland.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what gives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The 2020-21 season has been so full of headlines that the extended absence of Love—who has missed 20 of Cleveland’s 22 games this season—felt like it was swept underneath the rug. However, the Cavs’ ability to put themselves in the playoff conversation without their most decorated player is yet another reason why Love’s injury has been seldom discussed.

Led by rising star Collin Sexton and a healthy Darius Garland, the Cavs’ guard-driven attack is now complemented by an athletic frontcourt that can thrive defensively. That may not have been the case with Love, who has never been known for being light on his feet.

Nonetheless, Love’s return will be quite a boost for Cleveland, as the big man is an elite rebounder that excels at stretching the floor. In fact, not only can Love score from all three levels but he’s one of the better passers among frontcourt players as well.

Simply put, Love’s addition has far more pros than cons.

Whether Love will return to his starting role when he returns is uncertain, as Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff hasn’t commented on the matter specifically as of yet. However, Love has started every game he’s played in since 2010-11, so there’s a distinct possibility that he will re-emerge as a starter at some point during his return.

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Last season, Brandon Ingram won the NBA Most Improved Player Award with his breakout year. Now, a new set of players will have the opportinty to win the award with the improvements they’ve shown from last season.

At the quarter mark of the 2020-21 season, we broke down our top five Most Improved Player candidates.

Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors)

2019-20 Stats: 6.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 BPG, .322 3P%

2020-21 Stats: 13.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.0 BPG, .432 3P%

Boucher will be in consideration for both NBA Sixth Man of the Year as well as Most Improved Player. Although he was solid over the first few years of his career, he’s made an enormous jump off the bench this season. 

Boucher has done it all for the Raptors this season, giving them a scoring punch off the bench, while also being the team’s second-best rebounder. Even at the forward position, his three-point shooting has been excellent during his early 2020-21 campaign. 

Jeremi Grant (Detroit Pistons)

2019-20 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, .750 FT%

2020-21 Stats: 23.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, .866 FT%

Grant’s evolution has been so fun to watch over the last few years, but especially so this season. Stepping into the role of being the best player on an NBA roster, he’s proven worthy. 

After earning a huge payday this summer, Grant has doubled his production in quite a few categories. In just one offseason, he’s completely changed the trajectory of his career. 

Julius Randle (New York Knicks)

2019-20 Stats: 19.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, .277 3P%

2020-21 Stats: 22.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 6.0 APG, .375 3P%

The Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season, showing how competitive they can be and proving they could make a run at the playoffs. Their best player thus far has been Randle, who has made a huge jump in both rebounding and assists this season. 

To make things even better, he’s looked like a different player when it comes to three-point shooting. This has completely opened up the rest of his game, as well as New York’s offense. 

Collin Sexton (Cleveland Cavaliers)

2019-20 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 3.0 APG, .472 FG%, .380 3P%

2020-21 Stats: 24.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, .504 FG%, 431 3P%

Sexton’s improvement this season has shown both on the stat sheet as well as the eye test. He’s had some incredible performances this season, including a 42-point performance where he scored 20 straight for the Cavs to beat the Nets. 

Additionally, he’s looked like a leader that Cleveland can lean on going forward. Sexton has emerged as an absolute star this season. 

Christian Wood (Houston Rockets)

2019-20 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 0.9 3PM

2020-21 Stats: 23.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 1.8 3PM

The Rockets took somewhat of a gamble on Wood this summer, signing him to a large contract even with a limited sample size of high-level play in his career. It’s paid off tremendously, as he’s looked like one of the best bigs in the league this season. 

In nearly every statistical category, Wood has blown away his numbers from last season. When it comes to stacking up against his teammates, he leads everyone in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. 

The post NBA Award Watch: 2021 Most Improved Player appeared first on SLAM.

Sexton, considered the crown jewel of the 2017 trade that sent Irving to the Boston Celtics, scored a game-high 42 points in 38 minutes. He scored 20 straight points for Cleveland in two overtime periods.

Whether you consider it irony, coincidence, or the melding of the past and the future, on the night when Irving—once a fan favorite in The Land—returned to Cleveland for the first time since 2017, Sexton battled Irving head-to-head while wearing a pair of Kyrie 7s and his old No. 2 jersey.

Sexton hit the threes that Irving became infamous for and, evidently, from the same spots no less. Sure, it was just a regular-season game but it felt much more significant than that.

Afterwards, the NBA world was in a uproar about what they had seen, with several players—past and present—taking to Twitter to voice their thoughts about the Young Bull’s performance.

Sexton, who missed the Cavs’ five prior games with an ankle sprain, has averaged a career-high 27.0 points per game this season.

Once perceived as not knowing how to play basketball, the praise Sexton has earned is both extraordinary and fascinating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Garland, an early candidate for Most Improved Player, has certainly raised eyebrows with an increased aggressiveness offensively and a skillset that fits perfectly with the modern era of guards. However, Sexton remains the Cavaliers’ most consistent scorer, a role that he’s held for at least the past two seasons.

The third-year guard out of Alabama is averaging a career-high 26.0 points per contest six games into the 2020-21 season after averaging 20.6 points per game in the 2019-20 season.

What’s more, Sexton is doing so with extreme efficiency, shooting .556 from the field, .550 from 3-point range and .806 from the free-throw line.

With numbers like those, it makes sense that Sexton continues to gain the respect of the league at large. Even NBA legends, like future Hall of Fame inductee Dwyane Wade have taken notice of Sexton, saying to “keep an eye on” the Young Bull.

As Wade writes, Sexton is certainly coming into his own, with the guard’s decision-making, defense and passing ability improving as well; he’s averaging a career-high 3.7 assists and career-low 1.8 turnovers per game this season as well.

The game appears to have slowed down tremendously for speedy Sexton, which has already spelled trouble for the league.

The post Dwyane Wade: ‘Keep An Eye On’ Collin Sexton appeared first on SLAM.

With this in mind, things haven’t been great when it comes to Kevin Love. Not only has his production taken a hit this season, but now he’s set to miss over a month of action with a calf injury.

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

Darius Garland	18.5p, 4.0r, 7.8a
Larry Nance Jr.	8.8p, 7.5r, 4.5a
Dante Exum	3.3p, 2.7r, 4.0a
Andre Drummond	19.8p, 15.3r, 3.5a
Collin Sexton	25.3p, 2.3r, 3.8a
Dean Wade	3.3p, 1.3r, 1.0a
JaVale McGee	10.5p, 6.0r, 0.8a
Cedi Osman	13.3p, 2.8r, 1.8a	–
Damyean Dotson	3.3p, 1.3r, 1.0a
Marques Bolden	1.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a
Thon Maker	2.0p, 2.0r, 0.0a
Kevin Love	9.5p, 6.0r, 2.5a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check 2020-21: Cleveland Cavaliers appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, this trend is going to continue into the 2020-21 season, as Love is set to miss 3-4 weeks with a calf strain.

The Cavaliers are off to a hot 3-1 start to their season behind their dynamic guard duo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. Will they be able to maintain this without a veteran like Love on the floor? 

Through the two games in which Love played this season prior to his injury, he averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per contest.

The post Kevin Love Set To Miss 3-4 Weeks With Calf Strain appeared first on SLAM.

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

Biggest Questions

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

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

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

This is an underrated signing, as Dellavedova will continue to have the opportunity to mentor Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and the other young guards on the roster.

The Australian point guard just turned 30, but can still be a solid reserve for the Cavs, even outside of being a leader and mentor in the locker room. Last season, he produced 3.1 points and 3.2 assists per game.

The post Cavaliers to Re-Sign Veteran Guard Matthew Dellavedova appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Cavaliers Draft Needs

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

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

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

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

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist

What The Mocks Are Saying

Projected Roster

Team-by-Team NBA Draft Guides

More: SLAM’s 2020 NBA Draft Preview

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

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

Projected Roster Players

Projected Free Agents

Dead Money

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

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

Key Offseason Decisions

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

Projected Team Salary

$169,407,868

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

Cap Space Forecast

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

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

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

Since the Cleveland Cavaliers season ended back in March, Collin Sexton has been working on his body and is now “looking monstrous” and “huge” as the Cavs have begun their team activities, Spencer Davies of Basketball News reports.

Sexton, now 21 years old, is listed at six-foot-one and 190 pounds, so his improved physical size will be beneficial for him going forward as an otherwise undersized guard in the modern NBA.

A source within the Cavs’ organization spoke with Davies about Sexton’s future with and importance to the team.

“He’s our cultural backbone and what we want to be about. He just puts his head down and goes. He got left off the initial team for Rising Stars, which is insane. He’s an incredible kid in that way [that he keeps working].”

This is promising news for Cleveland, as Sexton was arguably the best player on their roster in the 2019-20 season, leading the team with 20.8 points per game. He also contributed 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest on .380 shooting from beyond the arc.

As the Cavaliers continue to build their young roster, Sexton will continue to be one of their key pieces and leaders for the foreseeable future. If he truly has made a leap physically, Collin Sexton could be a breakout candidate for next season.

The post Collin Sexton Emerges as ‘Cultural Backbone’ of Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

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

Cavs NBA 2K21 Ratings

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

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

Each member of the SLAM Fam was assigned a team to pick for. Below are the results + explanations.

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

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1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Anthony Edwards (6-5 Guard, Georgia)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 40% shooting from the field

First things first: The Golden State Warriors are not about to draft a third Splash Brother. Anthony Edwards may not be a great three-point shooter, but that’s arguably the only thing he doesn’t already do at an elite level. As he showed pretty much every night during an SEC Freshman of the Year campaign at Georgia—and as comparisons to Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo, and even Dwyane Wade make clear—the 6-5, 225-pound combo guard has all the tools necessary to be a difference maker in the NBA. With Steph and Klay both in their 30s and coming off major injuries, the Dubs need to be thinking about the backcourt of the future. Edwards could be their next All-Star SG. — Ryan Jones

2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: LaMelo Ball (6-8 Guard, Illawarra Hawks of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals, shooting 38% from the field

I’m gonna ignore that this pick adds a third point guard to a young team and just roll with the kid that I think is an incredible talent that any team would be lucky to have. Last we saw of LaMelo, he was a 6-7 point guard who can shoot from deep, put the ball on the floor and make the smart pass. Now I hear he’s sprouted to 6-8, grown into his lanky frame and become a more confident playmaker. That’s tough to pass on, regardless when the pick is being made. I realize this would create a logjam at the PG spot—LaMelo, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland seem unlikely to successfully share the ball—but it gives Cleveland a hell of a group of young players to develop and/or trade for other guys as the next season nears (or in the distant future). — Adam Figman

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: James Wiseman (7-1 Center, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS (three games): 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, shooting 77% from the field

Karl-Anthony Towns’ capacity to match imposing physical size with guard-like quickness has proven to be the quality that separates him from many of the League’s bigs. James Wiseman has a skill-set, frame and athletic ability that almost mirrors that of Towns. Wiseman, who left Memphis after just three games, has consistent 20-point, 10-rebound potential written all over him. Pairing a forceful yet talented big man duo with D’Angelo Russell could be the right way to finally bring the Wolves back to the hunt. — Max Resetar

4. ATLANTA HAWKS: Obi Toppin (6-9 Forward, Dayton)

CLASS: Sophomore (22 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, shooting 63% from the field and 39% from three

The 6-9 redshirt sophomore became a SportsCenter regular thanks to his high-flying finishes, but overall was a super-efficient scorer despite a high usage. Prior to the NCAA suspending all remaining games, the Brooklyn native had positioned Dayton as a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Flyers held a 29-2 record—easily the best season in school history.  He was already named National POY by USA Today, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and The Athletic, and is widely considered the front-runner for the prestigious Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year award. Additionally, Toppin was the only unanimous selection for the AP All-America teams. While the Hawks already have John Collins and Clint Capella in the paint, Toppin’s resume is worthy of serious consideration. — Franklyn Calle

5. DETROIT PISTONS: Deni Avdija (6-9 Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, shooting 51% from the field (19.8 mpg)

Four of the highest ceiling prospects have already come off the board, but the Detroit Pistons can still pocket a valuable building block with this No. 5 pick as they turn to the future. Despite the fact that they already have ambiguously tantalizing combo forward Sekou Doumbouya and breakout stretch Christian Wood, the Pistons should take a long look at 19-year-old utility forward Deni Avdija. Avdija has impressed as a transition quarterback in the Israeli Premier League and looks comfortable enough handling the ball and pulling up from beyond the arc to project as an intriguing offensive option at the next level. Defensively, his length and discipline should help him at least make an impact, but if he’s going to see time at the three, or even at the four, in today’s small ball era, he’ll need to show that he can match NBA speed and athleticism.  — Austin Kent

6. NEW YORK KNICKS: Cole Anthony (6-3 Guard, North Carolina)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, shooting 38% from the field and 35% from three

This just makes sense for so many reasons. 1) The Knicks continue to search for a consistent playmaker at the point guard position. Cole uses his explosive athleticism to get to the paint and put constant pressure on the defense. Which brings us to 2) The Knicks offense currently ranks 29th in the NBA and they desperately covet scoring. Cole averaged just under 20 points per game for the Tar Heels and, while a solid facilitator, is more aggressive than passive. Right now, the Garden needs that. And, of course, there’s 3) Cole grew up in New York City and his father, Greg Anthony, was a PG for the Knicks from 1991-95, when the team was making deep playoff runs. As long as Cole takes care of the ball and RJ Barrett improves his perimeter shooting, the two could form the backcourt that turns things around for a franchise that hasn’t finished over .500 since 2012-13. — Alex Squadron

7. CHICAGO BULLS: Tyrese Haliburton (6-5 Guard, Iowa State)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three

The underachieving Bulls showed that they need help in several areas—shooting and defense in particular. Iowa State sophomore point guard Tyrese Haliburton excels in those domains, and then some. Haliburton, who just turned 20, averaged 15.2 points (on 50/42/82 shooting splits), 6.5 dimes, 5.9 boards and 2.5 steals this season. A pass-first playmaker, he would fit perfectly alongside scorers Coby White and Zach LaVine. Standing 6-5 with a crazy wingspan, Haliburton could easily guard positions 1-3, giving Chicago more switch-ability on the perimeter. And not to be overlooked, Haliburton brings great character to a team—lauded by Iowa State coach Steve Prohm for his “winning demeanor.” — Ryne Nelson

8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: RJ Hampton (6-5 Guard, New Zealand Breakers of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, shooting 40% from the field

RJ Hampton, a 6-5, 185-pound point guard would be a nice, perhaps long-term fit for the Charlotte Hornets. The 19-year-old, who skipped college and took his talents to Australia, would have an uphill battle for minutes in a backcourt featuring Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. Hampton is an elite ball-handler—able to break down defenses with dribble penetration—and has plenty of athletic ability. Unlike most of his peers in the 2020 NBA Draft, RJ had a taste of the fierce competition that awaits him in the League. His New Zealand Breakers faced both the OKC Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies in a pair of exhibition games last October, and though his jumper struggled, Hampton knows he’s well on his way: “I’m having a lot of fun.” — Marcel Mutoni

9. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Onyeka Okongwu (6-9 Forward, USC)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.2 steals, shooting 62% from the field

If you’d heard of Onyeka Okongwu before 2018, it was probably as a footnote in a story about his world-famous high school teammates. Okongwu played at Chino Hills with the Ball brothers, where he spent his early years in anonymity before LaMelo left California for Lithuania. Thrust into a leading role, Big O led Chino to a state title, and added a 35-point, 14-rebound, five-block performance against Zion Williamson at the 2018 Hoophall Classic along the way. In one season at USC, the crazy athletic 6-9 big showed enough potential to warrant top-5 pick consideration. Okongwu’s NBA comparisons range everywhere from Montrezl Harrell to Bam Adebayo—at minimum, he’s a versatile defender who can step in right away and protect the rim for a Washington team sorely lacking in that area. Projecting him alongside a healthy Wall, Beal, Hachimura and (maybe) Bertans in 2020-21 would certainly have Wizards fans eyeing a return to the postseason. — Abe Schwadron

10. PHOENIX SUNS: Nico Mannion (6-3 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, shooting 39% from the field

Nico Mannion is one of the smoothest and most skilled point guards in this year’s draft. His father, Pace Mannion, played in the NBA and finished his career in Italy, where Nico was born. Once they moved back to the states, Nico played in Phoenix at Pinnacle High School and then for the Arizona Wildcats. At 6-3, he has great pace and court vision. He’s smooth off the bounce and can create for himself and his teammates. He’s a shot maker and has all the tools to be an elite guard at the pro level. Phoenix is a good fit for Mannion, as he can learn alongside Rubio in the city where he’s been playing for years. — Bryan LaRussa

11. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Jaden McDaniels (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three

I’m well aware of what happened in his lone season at Washington and what scouts and analysts have said regarding a player that they feel teams should take caution with. I know about the benchings at UW, critiques of his decision-making on the court and the other asterisks that might have been attached to his name. But the Spurs’ culture—and everything they stand for—couldn’t be a better place for McDaniels to start his NBA career. There are valuable OGs on that roster—Patty Mills, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and LaMarcus Aldridge—and another Washington guy in Dejounte Murray that could take the incoming rook under their wings. And did I mention being in the same vicinity and learning from a HOFer in Tim Duncan? The Spurs have a “we-over-me” ethos and a track record that speaks for itself. San Antonio is a perfect destination for someone with Jaden’s stature and skill set. — Drew Ruiz

12. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Isaac Okoro (6-6 Forward, Auburn)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, shooting 51% from the field

A year ago, you might not have known the name Isaac Okoro. Coming out of McEachern High School in Atlanta, GA, Okoro was a four-star recruit who didn’t have the hype he likely warranted. That changed quickly, though. The 6-6 freshman was surrounded by seniors in the starting lineup at Auburn and still separated himself. With his versatility and explosiveness, Okoro climbed the ranks and shouldn’t fall past this spot in the 2020 Draft. Isaac is a lockdown defender who can score in a variety of ways but doesn’t demand the ball offensively. He’ll have no problem letting guards De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovich (should they all return) run the show, sliding in seamlessly right away and hopefully helping the Kings level up after a disappointing 2019-20 season. — Alex Squadron

13. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Precious Achiuwa (6-9 Forward, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, shooting 49% from the field

First off, this pick is for Queens, NY, being that I can’t remember the last time the borough had an NBA lottery pick. Coming off an eventful freshman season, Precious Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game before the sports world was put on freeze. Achiuwa should be a major addition to the young highlight reel Pelicans. The 6-9, 225-pound forward has all the tools to make an impact right away. With Lonzo Ball coming off his best NBA season and Zion’s short, but dominant, run, the Pelicans should look to add another forward with their star Brandon Ingram possibly testing the FA market this summer. Regardless, Precious will bring more athleticism and explosiveness to a budding roster. — Nick Torres

14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Devin Vassell (6-6 Guard, Florida State)

CLASS: Sophomore (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three

With the Blazers set to enter the 2020-21 season at nearly full strength after an injury-filled 2019-20 campaign, the team needs reinforcements to shore up its roster and make a run at the Western Conference’s best. A rookie that could step in and provide shooting and defense on the wing would help strengthen the team’s supporting cast around the Lillard-McCollum-Nurkic core. Enter Devin Vassell. The 6-6 guard from Florida State evolved into the team’s leading scorer (12.7 PPG) after averaging under five points in his freshman season. He showed off his range with the Seminoles, shooting at or above 41.5% from deep in each of his two seasons. Vassell also brings value on the defensive end, with averages of 1 block and 1.4 steals per game. The forward is the essential 3-and-D complement that Portland has lacked in recent years. He projects as an instant contributor with the potential to take over the wing from the Blazers’ older forwards. — Isaiah De Los Santos

15. ORLANDO MAGIC: Theo Maledon (6-4 Guard, ASVEL of the EuroLeague)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.4 points, 3.1 assists, shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three

There are a lot of good guards on the the board that are excellent talents, but from the standpoint of trying to find a solid backcourt mate for Markelle Fultz, the Magic should consider Theo Maledon. Highlights are obviously skewed, but his decision making as a playmaker seems to be there, both in transition and half-court play. He plays with a patience that is rare to see in an 18-year-old in the EuroLeague. This past season for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, he shot 37% from beyond the arc. If he wants to maintain a spot in the NBA, he’ll need to maintain that shooting percentage as his three point attempts go up. — Arvind Pitchai

16. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (VIA BROOKLYN): Tyrese Maxey (6-3 Guard, Kentucky)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, shooting 43% from the field

Earlier in this mock, the Wolves snagged James Wiseman with the No. 3 pick, pairing him with star Karl-Anthony Towns to give them a massively talented frontcourt for the foreseeable future. With the recently acquired D’Angelo Russell reliably running point, the Wolves still need a wing who can get buckets. Maxey is super shifty and already sports an impressive floater package. He has a strong handle and can effectively slash into the teeth of the defense. He’s also a fantastic on-ball defender. And while his three-point percentages are subpar, his feathery floater touch and excellent free throw percentage (83% on the season) suggest he will be just fine. His 6-3 frame may be on the small side for a SG, but his tremendous strength compensates for the slight height disadvantage. Maxey is young and has tons of room to grow. The Wolves should take a shot on a kid with huge upside who could transform into a perennial 20-point per game scorer. — Isaiah Freedman

17. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MEMPHIS): Josh Green (6-6 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The Celtics are locked in for the future. They have an All-NBA point guard in Kemba Walker, budding superstars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a lockdown perimeter defender in Marcus Smart, and the perfect complementary pieces to round out the roster. This gives them the flexibility to take the best, most talented player available—Arizona freshman Josh Green. One of the top defenders in the draft, the shooting guard can cover 1-4 with his 6-6, 210-pound frame and 6-10 wingspan. Offensively, he is an elite athlete who can handle the ball and hit open shots, as he knocked down 39.5% of his three-point attempts in the second half of the season. He fits with what the Celtics continue to stockpile—competitive, versatile wings who can cover and play multiple positions. Green is just 19 years old, but can contribute right away as a role player for a Celtics team that has current championship aspirations. — Ben Simon

18. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Isaiah Stewart (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, shooting 57% from the field

Sitting right on the verge of serious contention, the Mavericks will be looking for a player who provides reliable depth and immediate contribution. Washington big man Isaiah Stewart fits that mold. As a freshman, Stewart was a model of consistency for the Huskies. A 250-pound forward with a 7-4 wingspan, Stewart combines impressive athleticism and mobility with a polished finishing ability, making him a perfect fit in a pick-and-roll with Luka Doncic. He shot 77% from the FT line and showed a solid midrange touch. Stewart’s biggest strength, however, is that few, if any players in the draft play with a higher motor. While his back-to-the-basket offensive game may not translate to the next level, his energy and physicality will certainly make him effective as a rim protector and a rebounder on both ends. With Dwight Powell recovering from a ruptured achilles, Stewart can provide immediate depth at the 4 or 5 for a Mavericks team looking to win now. — Sam Squadron

19. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (VIA INDIANA): Vernon Carey Jr. (6-10 Center, Duke)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, shooting 58% from the field

There’s a reason why Vernon Carey Jr. was voted ACC Freshman of the Year in his lone season at Duke. The 6-10 lefty has an efficient offensive game and can score in a multitude of ways. Vernon has a quick first step and is extremely tough to guard within five feet of the basket. He’ll be joining a team already poised to make a deep playoff run, so there will be little to no pressure for the rook to carry a large load. However, if there’s anything we learned from Vernon Carey Jr in college, it’s that he shows up when it matters most. — Theus McBee

20. BROOKLYN NETS (VIA PHILADELPHIA): Saddiq Bey (6-8 Forward, Villanova)

CLASS: Sophomore (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, shooting 48% from the field and 45% from three

Bey is an athletic forward standing at 6-8, 216 pounds that has levels to his game, but the biggest draw is that he’s a knockdown shooter. He shot 45% from beyond the arc in his sophomore year at Villanova, up from 37% in his first year. The Julius Erving award winner could be a perfect fit for the Nets, who are currently the fifth worst three-point shooting squad in the League based on percentage. Brooklyn will be getting back major offensive pieces next year in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but with the contract of Joe Harris in question, Bey could be a strong addition should the Nets need to fill that role. — Camille Buxeda

21. DENVER NUGGETS (VIA HOUSTON): Jalen Smith (6-10 Forward, Maryland)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 54% from the field and 37% from three

Jalen Smith is a rim-running, athletic big with great hands. He’s also a willing and gifted post player who can step out and shoot the three. The 6-10 power forward has a high motor—Smith can bring chasedown blocks, offensive rebounds, and defensive toughness to the Pepsi Center. For good measure, he’s got the lateral speed and shiftiness necessary to defend at the next level. The Baltimore native is fresh off a stellar sophomore season, in which he led Maryland to a 24-7 record and a Big Ten title. Stix was the best player on a Terps team on pace for a 3-seed and poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, and Smith would pair well with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in Mike Malone’s system. Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant are all free agents this summer. Smith fits Denver’s position need, and he projects to be the kind of player most GMs are looking for in 2020: a stretch-four who defends. — Eli Schwadron

22. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (VIA OKLAHOMA CITY): Aaron Nesmith (6-6 Forward, Vanderbilt)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 23.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 51% from the field and 52% from three

When JJ Redick fled from the City of Brotherly Love on the first day of free agency last summer, the Sixers’ long-range marksmanship took an immediate hit. Through 65 games, Philadelphia ranked 14th in three-point field goal accuracy (32.6%), down from eighth the season before. The solution? Enter Aaron Nesmith, the best pure shooter in this year’s draft. Vandy’s 6-6 sophomore slinger averaged 23 points and 4.9 rebounds over 14 games while shooting 52% from deep, before a season-ending stress fracture in his right foot. Nesmith was the fifth-leading scorer in the nation and was on pace to have one of the best three-point shooting seasons in college basketball history. Possessing a combination of size, strength, and deadeye shot-making ability, Nesmith’s game is tailor-made for the modern NBA and fills a much-needed void in Philly. — Peter Robert Casey

23. MIAMI HEAT: Killian Hayes (6-5 Guard, ratiopharm Ulm of Basketball Bundesliga)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three

Already an Eastern Conference playoff contender, Pat Riley will search for the final pieces of the puzzle starting in the 2020 Draft. As Goran Dragic enters unrestricted free agency, the Heat will likely target youth to take over the reigns. Although he’s only 18, Killian Hayes boasts the experience and toughness it takes to make an impact in the NBA immediately. Originally born in Lakeland, FL, before moving to France due to his father’s pro career, Hayes has used basketball to bridge the gap between both countries. After playing against older opponents his entire childhood in Europe, Hayes turned professional in France at the age of only 16. During his career with Cholet, Killian also represented the French National team. Now a 6-5 PG with a tight handle, sharp vision and the ability to finish at the rim, he holds all the intangibles NBA scouts seek. The Lakeland native took the opposite journey to the League, and the risk may be worth the reward. Once idolizing Dwyane Wade, Hayes now has the chance to honor Flash as he returns to his home state and aims to ignite South Beach once again. — Daren Scarberry

24. UTAH JAZZ: Aleksej Pokusevski (7-0 Forward, Olympiacos B of the Greek A2 Basket League)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 32% from three

It’s time to meet your future favorite player, and he goes by the name of Poku. Joining the storied lineage of Serbians (Vlade, Peja, Nikola) in the NBA, Aleksej Pokusevski is the youngest prospect in this year’s draft, not turning 19 until the day after Christmas. And while his 7-0 frame has caused folks that have never heard of him or seen him play to make assumptions, don’t get it twisted—Poku is a point guard trapped in a center’s body. Just like KD (6-10), Giannis (6-11), Jokić (7-0), and Porzingis (7-3), he’s a vertically inclined man with playmaking ability and perimeter skills. Unfortunately, he’s barely seen any EuroLeague action for Olympiacos since joining the club at the age of 13, but he’s had the privilege of learning from legendary Greek teammates Vassilis Spanoulis and Georgios Printezis, along with former head coach David Blatt. While this season he was assigned to play with the development team, Olympiacos B, his time spent with the Serbian national squad has been fruitful and excited NBA scouts. Last July, he opened the FIBA U18 European Championship with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a win against Germany. If Poku somehow slips this far to Utah, a team who flew to Athens to see him play in November, they’re in for a treat. — Aron Phillips

25. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (VIA DENVER): Jahmi’us Ramsey (6-4 Guard, Texas Tech)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 43% from three

Jahmi’us Ramsey, the highest ranked recruit to ever attend Texas Tech, finished off the 2019-20 regular season as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He’s an explosive combo guard with a great jump shot who can create space, elevate and finish with authority at the rim. Put simply, Ramsey gets buckets. Ramsey would slot right into an Oklahoma City Thunder backcourt that has thrived under the guidance of head coach Billy Donovan and veteran point god Chris Paul. Integrated into a system with a strong track record of player development, Ramsey could carve out a role as a long-term rotation piece in OKC. — Dave Schnur

26. BOSTON CELTICS: Zeke Nnaji (6-11 Forward, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, shooting 57% from the field

Two Celtics picks and two Arizona Wildcats. After choosing Josh Green at 17, the Celtics can afford to take a shot on a sleeper. That comes in the form of Zeke Nnaji. I say sleeper, but he was actually much more productive than Green in their one season of college. The Minnesota native averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds (including 3.1 offensive boards, giving him the highest total in the Pac 12), while shooting 57% from the field, second best in the conference. The Celtics’ roster is filled out, but they do have one glaring need: a big man who can run the floor and play above the rim. Nnaji can do just that… and then some. He’s an elite finisher who even showed an ability to knock down jump shots. The building blocks are there for him to be an efficient three-point shooter. Nnaji still has glaring struggles on the defensive end, but with Daniel Theis, Vincent Poirier, and Robert Williams under contract next season (Enes Kanter is under a player option), there’s time for him to develop. It’s a low risk, high reward pick that could hopefully fill one of the Celtics’ few holes. Oh, and if you’re short on a pregame National Anthem performer, Zeke Nnaji can do that too.  — Ben Simon

27. NEW YORK KNICKS (VIA CLIPPERS): Jordan Nwora (6-7 Forward, Louisville)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, shooting 44% from the field and 40% from three

During the past two seasons, Jordan Nwora established himself as the go-to guy for the Louisville Cardinals and deserves to be taken in the first round of the upcoming NBA draft. At 6-7, he’s extremely versatile and has a well-rounded offensive game. Nwora led the Cards in scoring for the second straight year, averaging 18 points on 44% shooting from the field and 40% from deep. He can spread the floor and create spacing for a Knicks team that ranked dead last in total threes in 2019-20. If the Knicks take Cole Anthony at the No. 6 spot to pair with RJ Barrett, they’re going to be searching for reliable prospects like Nwora—athletic forwards who can run in transition, knock down jumpers consistently and don’t clog the paint. — Alex Squadron

28. TORONTO RAPTORS: Yves Pons (6-6 Guard, Tennessee)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 35% from three

While the SEC’s DPOY doesn’t boast the numbers of other first round picks, he has elite athleticism that allows him to guard positions 1-4. Pons is another skilled defensive player, similar to OG Anunoby, who will help the Raptors in an Eastern Conference that is deep at the G/F position. At 6-6, Pons averaged 2.4 blocks per game last season. He will fit right in to Toronto’s talented bench squad. Although his defensive prowess is what will get him drafted, Pons shot 35% from the three-point line in his last season as a Volunteer. This makes him an intriguing possible deep threat, and given the Raptors’ track record of developing talent (Siakam, VanVleet, Powell), he will have a great opportunity to develop his offensive game further. — Greg Cohen

29. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Tyrell Terry (6-1 Guard, Stanford)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 41% from three

LeBron loves a point guard that can shoot, and Terry does just that. He’s a score-first PG who also possesses impressive passing ability. Terry is a three-level scorer and a particularly elite three-point shooter. This past season, he shot 48% on catch and shoot threes and is also capable of knocking down jumpers off the dribble. He has a very good feel for the game, knowing when to pass and when to look for his own offense. Tyrell can operate out of the pick-and-roll and moves very well off the ball, similar to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Overall, he’s a playmaker that will develop into a premier guard in the League. — Christian Quezada

30. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MILWAUKEE): Tre Jones (6-3 Guard, Duke)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The oldest position on the Celtics? Point guard. Although Kemba Walker is still earning All-Star appearances, he is less than a month away from being 30. Brad Wanamaker, despite just two years in the NBA, is already 30. Carsen Edwards provides some youth, but might be better served as an off-ball gunner. The Celtics are young and talented at pretty much every other position (center was solved with our last pick). Increased PG depth could provide a nice cushion. Tre Jones brings just that. But the 6-3, 185-pound guard is more than the prototypical backup point guard. Sure, he has a high floor. That happens when you receive ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Not only can he contribute right away, but he has the chance to grow into a legitimate NBA starter. After shooting just 26% from three during his freshman season, he bumped his average up to 36% this year. He’s a mature, smart guard who can complement the Celtics’ stars by playing defense, facilitating, hitting open threes, and scoring when needed. With Jones and Marcus Smart, they could have one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA. He’s already a great backup option right now, but as Walker climbs into his 30s, Jones has a chance to be the Celtics’ point guard of the future. — Ben Simon

The post SLAM’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored a team-high 24 points in Brooklyn, including two clutch free throws down the stretch. Joe Harris and Caris LeVert each had 23 apiece.

Pelicans 120 (28-36), Timberwolves (19-44)

Jrue Holiday (37 points) was one rebound and two assists away from a triple-double. Zion Williamson was the Pels’ second-leading scorer with 23 points and had a MEAN windmill dunk the fourth quarter.

Lakers 112 (49-13), Clippers 103 (43-20)

LeBron James (30 points) and Anthony Davis (28 points) combined for 58 points in Sunday’s matinee against the Clippers. Avery Bradley was the other starter who finished in double digits, scoring 24 points.

Suns 140 (26-38), Bucks 131 (53-11)

All five Suns starters finished in double digits – Devin Booker (36 points), Ricky Rubio (25), Aron Baynes (24), Mikal Bridges (24) and Dario Saric (11).

Thunder 105 (40-24), Celtics 104 (42-21)

Dennis Schroder made the game-winning layup after stripping the ball from Jayson Tatum with 8.5 seconds in the 4th quarter. The Thunder overcame a 18-point deficit due to the stellar play of Schroder (27 points) and Chris Paul (28 points).

Heat 100 (41-23), Wizards 89 (23-40)

Bam Adebayo finished with a double-double (27 points and 14 rebounds) in the Nation’s Capitol. Ducan Robinson caught fire from deep, knocking down six 3-pointers, en route to a 23-point performance.

Pacers 112 (39-25), Mavericks 109 (39-26)

Victor Oladpio scored the final six points to give Indiana the W in Dallas. Domantas Sabonis finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, TJ Warren and Myles Turner had 16 apiece.

Magic 126 (29-35), Rockets 106 (39-24)

Orlando’s bench came up huge in H-Town – D.J. Augustin scored a team-high 24 points, and Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross each had 16. Aaron Gordon finished with 19 points.

Knicks 96 (20-44), Pistons 84 (20-45)

New York pulled away in the fourth to get the win at The Garden. Julius Randle had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Elfird Payton finished 16 points and RJ Barrett added 12.

Queensbridge’s finest. (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/BTUvAOyhTd

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 9, 2020

Cavaliers 132 (19-45), Spurs 129 (26-36)

After Rudy Gay hit a jumper to force OT, Kevin Love’s late-game 3-pointer gave the Cavs the lead. Love finished with 14 points, Andre Drummond had 28 points and 12 rebounds and Collin Sexton finished with 26.

Raptors 118 (45-18), Kings 113 (28-36)

Both teams went back and forth, but Pascal Siakam made some huge plays to give Toronto the edge on the road. Siakam finished with 23 points. Norman Powell finished with 31 points and Kyle Lowry had 30 points.

The post Post Up: LeBron & AD Combine for 58 Points in Battle for LA appeared first on SLAM.

Charlotte led the entire game en route to defeating the Russell Westbrook-less Rockets.

Terry Rozier dropped a team-high 24 points with 6 dimes. Devonte Graham added 23 points and 6 dimes.

Jazz 111 (41-22), Pistons 105 (20-44)

Utah blew a 16-point third quarter lead, but battled back to win their fifth straight game.

Rudy Gobert double-doubled with 10 points, 12 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Bojan Bogdanovic added a game-high 32 points.

Nuggets 102 (42-21), Cavs 104 (18-45)

Cleveland battled back from a double-digit second quarter deficit to snap a 4-game losing streak.

Kevin Love dropped a game-high 27 points with 6 boards. Collin Sexton dropped 25 points with 6 boards and 5 dimes. Filling in for injured Darius Garland, Matthew Dellavedova dropped a career-high 14 dimes.

Hawks 101 (19-46), Grizzlies 118 (32-32)

Memphis completely dominated the game from start to finish.

Ja Morant dropped 24 points (4-4 3FG) with 6 dimes. Jonas Valanciunas added a game-high 27 points with 17 boards.

Sixers 114 (38-26), Warriors 118 (15-49)

With Stephen Curry sitting out with the flu (the ordinary illness), Golden State outscored the Sixers by 12 in the fourth quarter for the comeback victory.

Damion Lee dropped a game-high 24 points on 10-17 shooting. Marquese Chriss dropped 13 points with 10 boards, 8 dimes and 1 clutch block.

Kings 123 (28-35), Blazers 111 (28-37)

In a game with major playoff implications, Sacramento thoroughly dominated from start to finish—leading by as much as 26 points during the fourth.

Bogdan Bogdanovic dropped a game-high 27 points with 8 dimes. De’Aaron Fox added 15 points with 11 dimes.

The post Post Up: Warriors Rally To Defeat Sixers Without Stephen Curry appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlotte’s backcourt duo of Terry Rozier (26 points) and Devonte Graham (21 points, 5 assists) led the way as Charlotte picked up a home victory.

Alonzo Trier scored 15 points in just 16 minutes of action off the pine for New York.

76ers 94 (36-23), Cavaliers 108 (17-41)

Joel Embiid joined Ben Simmons on the injury report after logging just 8 minutes for the shorthanded Sixers.

Collin Sexton scored 28 points to lead the Cavs to their second straight win.

Nets 106 (26-31), Wizards 110 (21-36)

Jerome Robinson hit the game-winning 3-pointer for the struggling Wizards in just his seventh game with the squad.

Bradley Beal’s hot streak continued as he poured in 30 points.

Magic 130 (26-32), Hawks 120 (17-43)

Trae Young dropped 37, but the Magic’s one-two punch of Aaron Gordon (25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks) and Evan Fournier (28 points on 11-for-18 shooting) was too much to overcome.

Timberwolves 129 (17-40), Heat 126 (36-22)

The Timberwolves overcame a 12-point deficit with under 5 minutes to go as D’Angelo Russell (27 points, 6 assists, 3 steals) made a clutch block on a driving Jimmy Butler in the game’s closing seconds.

Grizzlies 112 (28-30), Rockets 140 (38-20)

Russell Westbrook was a team-best plus-37 in 34 minutes of action as he stuffed the stat sheet with 33 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. James Harden added 30 and Austin Rivers chipped in 23 off the pine.

Once in the clear driver’s seat at the No. 8 spot, the Grizzlies are feeling the pressure after dropping their fourth straight contest.

Mavericks 109 (36-23), Spurs 103 (24-33)

Kristaps Porzingis (28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Luka Doncic (26 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists) put up big numbers as Dallas ran out to a 16-point first quarter lead and held on the rest of the way.

Clippers 102 (39-19), Suns 92 (24-35)

Kawhi Leonard made his impact felt on the box score, racking up 24 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals as the Clippers picked up a needed victory.

DeAndre Ayton had 25 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks for Phoenix.

The post Post Up: D’Angelo Russell hits Seven 3’s, Leads Comeback in Miami appeared first on SLAM.

According to a report out of The Athletic, it wasn’t long after Drummond’s arrival in Cleveland that he told a teammate that the situation with the Cavs appeared to be worse than the one he left behind.

A key component of the trade that sent Drummond from the Detroit Pistons to Cleveland was his 2020-21 player option worth $28.8M and the growing belief that the big man could exercise that option as opposed to testing free agency.

While Drummond initially said that he would turn down the player option to test the market, Sam Amico of Sports Illustrated reported shortly after the trade that the big man viewed the Cavs as a potential long-term landing spot and that he was expected to pick up the option.

The Athletic report, from less than two weeks after the trade deadline, implies that the presence of Beilein could impact that decision. With Beilein now out of the picture, perhaps it’s more likely that the 26-year-old stays in town to round out a young core with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.

While there are a number of reasons why the Beilein era in Cleveland represents cultural issues that the franchise needs to overcome, all expertly detailed by the three writers behind the aforementioned piece out of The Athletic, it’s hard to view Beilein’s exit as anything but a good thing for the developing young team heading forward.

J.B. Bickerstaff will take the reins of the team when the second half of the 2019-20 campaign unfolds and while the team may be a lost cause in the win column, all eyes will be on whether or not the team can gain some semblance of forward momentum down the stretch.

If they do, they could have Drummond back in town when they embark upon a fresh start.

The post John Beilein Exit Could Impact Andre Drummond’s Future appeared first on SLAM.

Heading to Detroit in the swap, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, is Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick.

The relatively light return for Detroit could be a sign of just how much the dwindling available cap space for the summer of 2020 has had on pending free agents.

For months, Drummond had made it clear that he would opt out of his player option for next year and test free agency. With projected space on the decline – both the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks punted theirs in deadline deals – one has to wonder if Drummond’s camp would reconsider the option.

Eager to part ways with Drummond and embark on a comprehensive rebuild, the Pistons have sent the old school big man to a division rival. Drummond will suit up alongside Collin Sexton and Darius Garland with the Cavaliers this year and general manager Koby Altman will get the opportunity to gauge his long-term fit.

Both Henson and Knight are on expiring contracts so there’s no change that Detroit would have financial obligations to have either beyond this season.

More to come.

The post Cavaliers Finalizing Andre Drummond Trade appeared first on SLAM.

The Raptors’ win streak seemed to be in jeopardy after they entered the half trailing 63-48, but a second half charge secured a franchise-record 12th straight win for Toronto. The win put the Raptors one game ahead of where they were through 51 games a season ago.

Pascal Siakam had 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, Kyle Lowry had 32 points and 10 assists and Serge Ibaka scored 30. Ibaka’s clutch 3 sealed the win.

Nuggets 98 (36-16), Jazz 95 (32-18)

The Jazz looked ready to cruise to victory, but they were only able to muster up five points in the final six minutes of the third quarter as the short-handed Nuggets clawed their way back in to the game.

Nikola Jokic put the team on his back, racking up 30 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals. The Nuggets were only able to dress seven players due to injuries and a pending trade.

Heat 111 (34-16), Clippers 128 (36-15)

The Clippers’ stars carried them to victory as Kawhi Leonard recorded a +24 plus-minus in 31 minutes and Paul George notched a +22 in 26 minutes. The Clippers hit 24 threes — a franchise-record.

Landry Shamet and George each scored 23 points to lead the Clippers and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 25 off the bench for Miami.

Suns 108 (20-31), Pistons 116 (19-34)

The Suns’ young core of Devin Booker (22 points, 7 assists), Kelly Oubre Jr. (30 points) and DeAdnre Ayton (26 points, 12 rebounds) showed up, but 21 team turnovers plagued Phoenix.

Despite allowing the Suns to shoot 54.5 percent from the field, the Pistons were able to take care of business thanks to 31 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals from Andre Drummond. The Pistons also had 14 offensive rebounds as a unit.

Magic 100 (22-29), Celtics 116 (35-15)

Jayson Tatum did a little bit of everything as he picked up 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks to accompany his 33 points on the stat sheet.

Warriors 88 (12-40), Nets 129 (23-27)

D’Angelo Russell (17 points) received a warm welcome in his return to Brooklyn, but his new squad suffered the largest loss in Barclays Center history as six Nets players scored at least 10 points. Caris LeVert’s 23 points and 8 assists led the way for Brooklyn.

Hawks 127 (14-38), Timberwolves 120 (15-35)

The Timberwolves dropped their 13th straight game as Vince Carter hit a game-clinching 3 for the Hawks on the 22nd anniversary of his NBA debut.

Trae Young had 38 points and 11 dimes for Atlanta.

Cavaliers 103 (13-39), Thunder 109 (31-20)

The Cavaliers had a well-balanced offensive attack with seven players scoring double-digit points (Kevin Love’s 20 and Collin Sexton’s 23 led the way), but they couldn’t stop Oklahoma City’s bench.

Dennis Schroder was a team-best +13 as he scored 30 points and dished out 6 dimes off the pine. No Thunder bench player had a negative plus-minus.

Grizzlies 121 (26-25), Mavericks 107 (31-20)

Memphis’ offense was nearly flawless, shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep while turning the ball over just 10 times.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (19 points, 4 threes), Ja Morant (21 points on 10-for-12 shooting), Brandon Clarke (18 points on 7-for-10 shooting) and Tyus Jones (19 points on 8-for-8 shooting) pushed the Grizzlies’ scoring effort.

Kristaps Porzingis had 32 points, 11 rebuonds, 2 steals and a block in just 29 minutes for Dallas.

The post Post Up: Raptors Win Franchise-Record 12th Straight after 19-Point Comeback appeared first on SLAM.

The Clippers were fully healthy for the first time in a while, and they made quick work of the struggling Wolves. Kawhi Leonard was his usual brutally efficient self, scoring 31 points in only 24 minutes of action. Paul George also enjoyed a complete game, pouring in 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals on 9-18 shooting.

Leading the bench, once again, were Lou Will (17 points) and Montrezl Harrell (16 points).

Karl Towns had 32 points and 12 rebounds, but nobody else on the team could muster a quality performance.

Heat 102 (33-15), Magic 89 (21-28)

Miami keeps plugging alone, and this time it was rookie Tyler Herro draining six 3-pointers off the bench, while Myers Leonard notched 18 points and 14 rebounds. Jimmy Butler led the way with 24 points.

Knicks 92 (14-36), Pacers 85 (31-18)

Good for the Knicks.

beating a respectable Pacers team while on the road deserves praise, even if Indiana is adjusting to their star player Victor Oladipo coming back. Marcus Morris Sr. led the way with 28 points and 6 rebounds, while Julius Randle contributed a beefy double-double of 16 points and 19 boards.

Warriors 131 (11-39), Cavaliers 112 (13-37)

Remember when this was a finals matchup for four straight years?

In the present day, we were treated to a strong D’Angelo Russell game, as he scored 19 points, grabbed 7 boards and dished 8 assists. Draymond Green also had a whopping 16 assists.

For the Cavs, Colin Sexton had a respectable 23 points and 3 steals.

Wizards 113 (17-31), Nets 107 (21-27)

Bradley Beal is aware he was not voted to the All-Star team.

So what does he do tonight? Well, go off for 34 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks, of course.

The Nets lost again, and while Spencer Dinwiddie was a bright spot once again off the bench, Kyrie Irving exited the game late with a sprained knee and will undergo an MRI on Sunday, according to Woj. Let’s hope everything is ok.

Mavericks 123 (30-19), Hawks 100 (13-37)

No Luka Doncic and no Kristaps Porzingis?

Didn’t matter, as the Mavericks, behind 27 points and 8 assists from Jalen Brunson, took care of the Hawks.

John Collins (26 points, 11 boards), got his numbers, but Trae Young struggled before exiting with an ankle injury. At least we were treated to this high-arching beauty:

Celtics 116 (33-15), 76ers 95 (31-19)

Even without star guard Kemba Walker, the Celtics got a statement win over their rival 76ers. Jaylen Brown stepped up to the plate, with 32 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals, as well as a beautiful handles display.

The 76ers had one of their puzzling night where they simply do not play to their full potential. Joel Embiid shot a surprising 1-11, Al Horford shot 4-11 and Tobias Harris shot 4-12.

Spurs 114 (22-26), Hornets 90 (16-33)

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points and added 6 assists as the Spurs inch another game closer to the 8th seed in the West.

For Charlotte, Miles Bridges had 25 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, but 90 points as a team isn’t going to cut it.

Lakers 129 (37-11), Kings 111 (18-31)

At this point, it would have been understandable if the Lakers followed up last night’s close and emotional loss with another one, as they are still grieving as a collective unit. But they came out strong, scoring 81 points in the first half alone.

LeBron had a triple-double, with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, as well as this gorgeous pass to Avery Bradley:

Portland 124 (23-27), Utah 107 (32-17)

Damian Lillard is simply not of this world right now.

Even before tonight, Lillard’s last five scoring outputs were as followed: 61, 47, 50, 36 and 48 points.

Tonight, he added to his growing legend by dropping 51 points and 12 assists to lay waste to the Jazz.

The post Post Up: Lakers Defeat Kings Following Emotional Friday Night appeared first on SLAM.

The World

Team USA

Feb. 11: Collin Sexton replaces Tyler Herro on Team USA.

Notable

• Two players from this year’s Rising Stars game, Trae Young and Luka Doncic, have already been voted in as All-Star Game starters.
• Zion Williamson gets the nod despite having played in just four regular season contests. He’s technically a replacement player for Wendell Carter Jr.
• Shail Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are cousins from Canada. They’re joined by Brandon Clarke and RJ Barrett, making it a total of four Canadian players on The World squad.
• The Charlotte Hornets have three representatives in the game (Miles Bridges, DeVonte’ Graham and P.J. Washington). Two of those players are sophomores (Graham and Bridges) that didn’t qualify for the game last year when it was hosted in Charlotte.

Related: Check out the recently named All-Star Reserves

The post 2020 NBA Rising Stars Roster appeared first on SLAM.

Toronto held off a Cleveland rally late to hold on to the road win. Serge Ibaka led the team with 26 points, while Kyle Lowry added 23 points. Collin Sexton and Kevin Love each scored 23 points for the Cavs.

Hornets 107 (16-32), Wizards 121 (16-31)

Bradley Beal was fed up with his All-Star snub. The Washington guard went out and let his game do the talking, posting a near triple-double of 34 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.

76ers 117 (31-18), Hawks 127 (13-36)

Trae Young had a career night and earned the victory to boot. Young posted 39 points, 18 assists (a career high) and 6 rebounds to beat Philadelphia. Ben Simmons led the 76ers with 31 points.

Warriors 104 (10-39), Celtics 119 (32-15)

Boston took control after the first quarter, growing their lead to as large as 19 while they coasted to a win. Three Celtics hit 20+ points: Gordon Hayward (25), Marcus Smart (21) and new All-Star Jayson Tatum (20).

Jazz 100 (32-16), Nuggets 106 (33-15)

The Nuggets outscored the Jazz by eight in the second half, which was enough to lift them over Utah. Nikola Jokic put up a double-double of 28 points and 10 assists. Jordan Clarkson went off for 37 points for Utah.

Kings 124 (18-30), Clippers 103 (33-15)

Sacramento blazed the Clippers from beyond the arc, setting a franchise record with 21 made threes in the win. De’Aaron Fox also registered a career-high 34 points.

The post Post Up: Bradley Beal Nears Triple-Double in Win After All-Star Snub appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bradley Beal (36 points) and Collin Sexton (29 points) dueled in Cleveland, but the Wizards came out victorious. Washington also enjoyed 17 points apiece from Davis Bertans and Ish Smith. Larry Nance Jr. put up a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Lakers 128 (36-9), Nets 113 (18-25)

Both teams played a tightly contested game, yet L.A. pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn the road win. LeBron James, fresh off being named All-Star captain, posted a triple-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving scored 20 points in the loss.

Mavericks 133 (28-16), Blazers 125 (19-27)

Dallas proved to have too much offensive firepower for Portland to overcome. Seven Mavericks scored in double-digits, led by Luka Doncic’s 27 points. Damian Lillard had another heroic effort with 47 points, but his team fell short of the win.

The post Post Up: LeBron, Lakers Win Battle With Nets in Brooklyn appeared first on SLAM.

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

Players Unlikely To Be Traded

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

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

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

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Kevin Love

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

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

Logical Trade Pieces

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

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

Trades Are Possible

• Ante Zizic
• Dylan Windler
• Kevin Porter Jr.

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

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

The Jazz continued their impressive play, defeating the Nets on the road to win their 10th in a row. Joe Ingles led the way with 27 points on 10-14 shooting and 6-8 from three. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 22 points and 18 rebounds. For Brooklyn, Kyrie Irving dropped 32 points to go along with 11 assists in his second game back from injury.

Hawks 123 (9-32), Suns 110 (16-24)

Trae Young was cooking in Atlanta, finishing with 36 points and 10 assists in the Hawks win. Kevin Huerter stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists, and John Collins added 22 points on 10-16 shooting and 10 rebounds. For Phoenix, Devin Booker continued his red-hot scoring, finishing with a game-high 39 points in the loss. DeAndre Ayton added 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Grizzlies 121 (19-22), Rockets 110 (26-13)

Ja Morant put on an absolute show in Memphis, leading the Grizzlies to their 6th win in a row. Morant finished with 26 points and 8 assists on 10-11 shooting, including a handful of show-stopping highlight plays. The rookie is turning into a star right before our eyes.

For Houston, James Harden dropped 41 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss.

Bucks 128 (36-6), Knicks 102 (11-30)

The Greek Freak completely dominated the Knicks, scoring 37 points in just 21 minutes. Khris Middleton added 17 points in the Bucks blowout win. The Knicks were lead by Julius Randle, who had 25 points and 15 rebounds, and RJ Barrett, who dropped 22 points in the loss.

Clippers 128 (28-13), Cavaliers 103 (12-29)

Kawhi went off for 43 points on 14-22 shooting and 6-10 from three to lead the Clippers to the blowout win. Lou Will added 24 points off the bench. Cleveland was lead by Collin Sexton, who dropped 25 in the loss.

Mavericks 124 (25-15), Warriors 97 (9-32)

The Mavericks dominated the Warriors throughout to secure their 25th win of the season. Dallas was lead by Dwight Powell, who dropped 21 points on 9-9 shooting, and Luka Doncic, who added 20 points.

The post Post Up: Ja Morant Puts On a Show in Grizzlies Win over Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

Houston won in a blowout despite 11 TOs from James Harden. The Rockets outscored the Wolves by 14 in the second quarter to take a 16-point lead into halftime, and led by as much as 41 during the fourth.

James Harden dropped a game-high 32 points with 12 boards and 8 dimes. Russell Westbrook added 30 points and 10 dimes.

Pelicans 105 (14-26, Celtics 140 (26-11)

Boston dominated from the first quarter, taking a 17-point lead into the second. The Celtics would grow the lead to as much as 37 points during the third quarter.

Jayson Tatum need just three quarters to drop a career-high 41 points on 16-22 shooting.

Bulls 108 (14-26), Pistons 99 (14-26)

After taking the lead with 4:36 left in the first quarter, Chicago wouldn’t trail for the rest of the game, eventually snapping a 6-game losing streak.

Zach LaVine dropped a game-high 25 points with 6 dimes.

Lakers 125 (32-7), Thunder 110 (22-17)

No LeBron, AD and Danny Green, no problem. The Lakers led the entire game, and by as much as 32 points during the third quarter.

Kyle Kuzma dropped a game-high 36 points with 7 boards. Rajon Rondo added 21 points with 12 boards and 8 dimes.

The Lakers have won 8 straight games.

Sixers 91 (25-15), Mavs 109 (24-15)

Dallas outscored the Joel Embiid-less Sixers by 27 points during the second half.

Luka Doncic dropped a team-high 19 points with 12 dimes and 8 boards. Dwight Powell added 19 points with 12 boards.

Cavs 111 (12-27), Nuggets 103 (26-12)

Cleveland blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead, but was able to hold on when it mattered most.

Kevin Love dropped 19 points with 15 boards. Collin Sexton added a game-high 25 points.

Bucks 122 (35-6), Blazers 101 (16-24)

Milwaukee took the lead with 6:25 left in the first quarter, and did not trail for the rest of the game. The Bucks would go up by as much as 25 points during the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped a game-high 32 points with 17 boards and 6 dimes. Khris Middleton added 30 points on 11-17 shooting.

The post Post Up: Lakers Rout Thunder Without LeBron, Anthony Davis appeared first on SLAM.

The Celtics lead from start to finish and cruised to an easy win on the road. Boston was lead by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds, and Gordon Hayward, who stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Kemba Walker added 22 points and 7 assists.

Pacers 115 (22-12), 76ers 97 (23-13)

Indiana outscored Philly 38-16 in the second quarter and held on to the large lead for the remainder of the game, securing an easy win at home. Domantas Sabonis continued his impressive play, finishing with 23 points (10-16 FG), 10 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the Pacers. T.J. Warren added 21 points on 9-11 shooting. Josh Richardson led the 76ers with 20 points, and Ben Simmons added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Clippers 105 (24-11), Kings 87 (12-22)

The Clippers secured their 10th road win of the season in convincing fashion. LA was lead by Kawhi, who finished with 24 points and 7 assists, and PG, who dropped 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Richaun Holmes finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Buddy Hield added 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss.

Raptors 117 (23-11), Cavs 97 (10-23)

The defending champions closed out 2019 with an easy win at home. Kyle Lowry finished with 24 points and 8 assists to lead the Raptors, and Serge Ibaka added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Collin Sexton dropped a team-high 22 points in the loss for Cleveland.

Rockets 130 (23-11), Nuggets 104 (23-10)

The Rockets dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 38-15 to get the win at home. Russell Westbrook and James Harden showed out in their last game of the decade. The Beard finished with 35 points on 10-17 shooting, and The Brodie added 28 points and 8 assists. Clint Capela returned from injury and dropped 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 21 points in the loss.

Spurs 117 (14-8), Warriors 113 (9-26)

The Spurs outlasted the Dubs in an overtime thriller, outscoring Golden State 17-13 in the extra period. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with a team high 24 points on 11-18 shooting, and Patty Mills added 18 off the bench. For the Warriors, Alec Burks finished with 28 points, and Glenn Robinson III dropped 25 on 10-17 shooting in the loss.

Thunder 106 (18-15), Mavericks 101 (21-12)

The last game of 2019 was a great one, as the Thunder outscored the Mavs 29-23 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win at home. Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder both dropped a team-high 20 points, and Chris Paul added 17 points (including 13 in the fourth), 8 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Thunder. For the Mavs, Luka Doncic finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in the loss.

The post Post Up: Harden and Westbrook Combine for 63 in Rockets Win appeared first on SLAM.

Denver led the entire game, and mostly by double-digits.

Nikola Jokic dropped a game-high 31 points with 10 boards and 10 dimes.

Raptors 113 (22-10), Celtics 97 (22-8)

Toronto successfully countered every Boston run to snap the Celtics’ 5-game win streak.

Kyle Lowry dropped a game-high 30 points with 7 dimes.

Pacers 98 (21-12), Pelicans 120 (10-23)

New Orleans outscored the Pacers by a combined 31 points in the second and third quarters.

Brandon Ingram dropped a team-high 24 points with 7 dimes.

Jrue, Aaron and Justin Holiday became the first trio of brothers to play in the same game.

Hawks 81 (6-27), Bulls 116 (13-20)

Chicago controlled the entire game against the Trae Young-less Hawks.

Zach LaVine dropped 19 points with 7 boards. Lauri Markkanen added a team-high 25 points.

Atlanta has now lost an abysmal 10 straight games.

Cavs 94 (10-22), Wolves 88 (11-20)

Cleveland led for the majority of the game against the Wolves, who were without Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

Tristan Thompson dropped 12 points with 15 boards. Collin Sexton added a game-high 18 points.

Knicks 107 (9-24), Wizards 100 (9-22)

New York built a few double-digit leads only to see them disappear to the Bradley Beal-less Wizards. But they held on to the lead when it mattered the most during crunch time.

Julius Randle continued his strong play, dropping a game-high 30 points with 16 boards and 6 dimes.

Sixers 116 (23-12), Heat 117 (24-8) (OT)

Miami battled back from a 5-point deficit with 1 minute to play to take the lead on a clutch three-pointer by Tyler Herro. But the Heat fouled Josh Richardson with less than a second left. J-Rich intentionally missed his second free-throw and Ben Simmons got a putback to send the game to OT.

The Heat would hold on to improve to an incredible 6-0 in OT this season.

Jimmy Butler dropped a team-high 25 points with 9 dimes and 9 boards. Herro added 17 points (4-8 3FG) off the bench.

Miami has now won 5 straight.

Nets 98 (16-15), Rockets 108 (22-10)

Brooklyn battled back to take the lead in the fourth quarter after falling down by 18 points in the third. But the Rockets would pull away during the final minutes of the game.

James Harden dropped a game-high 44 points with 10 boards and 6 dimes.

Pistons 109 (12-21), Spurs 136 (13-18)

San Antonio would outscore the Pistons by 17 points in the third quarter and go up by as much as 29 points during the fourth.

LaMarcus Aldridge dropped 25 points (5-6 3FG) with 12 boards. DeMar DeRozan added a game-high 29 points.

Mavs 141 (21-10), Warriors 121 (9-25)

After going off for 30 points in the first half, D’Angelo Russell went down with a scary-looking shoulder injury with 5:20 left in the third quarter—and the Mavericks proceeded to blow open the game.

Luka Doncic dropped a team-high 31 points with 15 dimes and 12 boards as Dallas snapped the Warriors’ 4-game winning streak.

Magic 100 (14-18), Bucks 111 (29-5)

Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) missing his second straight game, Milwaukee jumped out to a 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

Ersan Ilyasova dropped 17 points with 14 boards and 5 dimes. Khris Middleton added a team-high 21 points.

Suns 112 (12-20), Kings 110 (12-20)

Phoenix blew a 14-point third quarter lead but held on to snap an 8-game losing streak.

Devin Booker dropped a game-high 32 points with 10 dimes.

Sacramento has now lost 6 straight.

Lakers 128 (25-7), Blazers 120 (14-19)

The Lakers looked sharp after their Christmas Day loss to the Clippers, snapping their 4-game losing streak.

LeBron James dropped 21 points with 16 dimes and just 1 TO. Kyle Kuzma added a team-high 24 points.

Jazz 120 (20-12), Clippers 107 (23-11)

Utah outscored the Clippers by 12 points during the fourth quarter to pick up a big road win.

Donovan Mitchell dropped a game-high 30 points with 9 dimes and 7 boards.

The post Post Up: Heat Defeat Sixers Behind Tyler Herro’s Clutch Heroics appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland has popped off three straight wins. The Cavs’ backcourt duo of Collin Sexton (25 points) and Darius Garland (21 points) stepped up to provide the scoring. Trae Young put up 30 points for the Hawks.

76ers 125 (22-10), Pistons 109 (11-20)

Ben Simmons dropped a career-high 17 assists to top off his triple-double; he also contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds. Philadelphia enjoyed a team-high 35 points from Tobias Harris.

Raptors 115 (21-9), Pacers 120 (21-10)

Indiana prevailed in overtime to secure the home win. The Pacers were led by 24 points apiece from Myles Turner and TJ Warren. Kyle Lowry scored 30 points in the loss.

Wizards 121 (9-20), Knicks 115 (7-24)

Bradley Beal (30 points) and Troy Brown Jr. (26 points) helped propel Washington to a road victory. Julius Randle put up 35 points for the Knicks.

Bulls 95 (12-20), Magic 103 (13-17)

Jonathan Isaac registered an all-around game, notching 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Terrence Ross led the team with 26 points and six made 3-pointers.

Jazz 104 (18-12), Heat 107 (22-8)

The Heat pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Utah 31-23. Miami had six players in double-digits, led by Jimmy Butler’s 20 points. Joe Ingles paced the Jazz with 27 points.

Spurs 145 (12-17), Grizzlies 115 (11-20)

The scoring came in bunches for San Antonio. LaMarcus Aldridge put up a monster night of 40 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. DeMar DeRozan added 26 points and 10 assists.

Nuggets 113 (21-8), Suns 111 (11-19)

Denver and Phoenix were tied late until Jamal Murray sunk a dagger into the Suns. Murray, who scored a game-high 28 points, found room with two seconds left to hit the step-back game-winner. Teammate Nikola Jokic contributed a double-double of 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Pelicans 102 (8-23), Blazers 94 (14-17)

Portland wasn’t able to overcome a poor shooting night, going just 4-29 from deep. On the other side, five Pelicans hit double-digit scoring, led by Jrue Holiday (21 points).

Rockets 113 (21-9), Kings 104 (12-18)

James Harden (34 points) and Russell Westbrook (28 points) helped Houston fend off the Kings. De’Aaron Fox scored a season-high 31 points in the loss.

Timberwolves 104 (10-19), Warriors 113 (7-24)

D’Angelo Russell and Alec Burks combined for 55 points as Golden State held onto its lead late. Andrew Wiggins put up 22 points for Minnesota.

The post Post Up: Jamal Murray Drops 28 Points, Hits Game-Winner appeared first on SLAM.

A standout game from Collin Sexton (23 points on 10-14 shooting) helped Cleveland secure the home win. Terry Rozier’s 35 points for Charlotte came up just short.

Raptors 112 (19-8), Pistons 99 (11-17)

Toronto enjoyed impressive scoring nights from their trio of Pascal Siakam (26 points), Serge Ibaka (25 points) and Kyle Lowry (20 points). Andre Drummond put up 22 points and 18 rebounds in the loss.

Bulls 110 (11-19), Wizards 109 (8-18)

Bradley Beal’s go-ahead jumper with 0.5 seconds left looked like the nail in the coffin. Then Zach LaVine hit two free throws and the Bulls prevailed in overtime. Lauri Markkanen led Chicago with 31 points and 9 rebounds.

Heat 108 (20-8), 76ers 104 (20-9)

The Heat are no joke. Rookie Kendrick Nunn led the team with 26 points in 41 minutes, while Bam Adebayo added 23 points to the winning effort. Joel Embiid contributed a double-double of 22 points and 19 rebounds.

Pelicans 107 (7-22), Timberwolves 99 (10-16)

Brandon Ingram continues to impress in a breakout year. The forward finished with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Wolves.

Grizzlies 122 (10-18), Thunder 126 (13-14)

At one point OKC trailed by 24, but the Thunder came roaring back to get the home win. Dennis Schroder led the way with 31 points and 7 assists. Grizzlies rookie Brandon Clarke paced the team with 27 points.

Magic 104 (12-16), Nuggets 113 (18-8)

Denver was led by its dynamic duo of Jamal Murray (33 points) and Nikola Jokic (18 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds). Nikola Vucevic put up 20 points for the Magic.

Celtics 109 (18-7), Mavericks 103 (18-9)

Boston had the offensive firepower with Kemba Walker (32 points), Jaylen Brown (26 points) and Jayson Tatum (24 points) pouring in buckets. Kristaps Porzingis registered a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Warriors 112 (5-24), Blazers 122 (12-16)

Portland closed out Golden State thanks to big nights from Damian Lillard (30 points, 13 assists) and Hassan Whiteside (16 points, 23 rebounds). D’Angelo Russell scored 26 points for the Warriors.

The post Post Up: Kendrick Nunn and the Heat Hand 76ers First Home Loss appeared first on SLAM.

He worried that Collin was training too hard and didn’t want him going to the gym.

“He was never a kid that you needed to push,” Darnell explains. “He was always the kid that you would say, Hey dude, can you rest?”

The answer was always no, and so dad looked for other ways to slow Collin down. But none of those worked either.

“He would actually take one of the bikes and go to the area parks,” Darnell recalls with a chuckle. “I couldn’t stop him. I just couldn’t stop him.”

Now in his second year with the Cavaliers, Collin still won’t stop. He’s gotten off to an impressive start, averaging 17.8 points on 44 percent shooting as of this writing.

After last season, Sexton re-watched tape of all 82 games from beginning to end. Then he watched them again. He took notes on what he did well and what needed to be improved. He got frustrated seeing all his mistakes, whether it was unnecessary turnovers or botched layups. He studied his tendencies on defense and how they could be adjusted. Everything was recorded and stored away to be addressed in the ensuing months.

He would get up at 6:30 each morning, eat breakfast and head straight to the gym to hoop. From there, he’d hit the weights and transition into some agility stuff. At night, he’d always return to shoot more.

“I had to make sure that I was polished,” Sexton says. “I had to correct the things that I needed to.”

That doesn’t just apply to the summer. During the season, Collin routinely works out after games. He’ll make sure he does recovery and then gets back on the court around midnight or 1:00 am to refine the things he struggled with earlier that evening. In Cleveland, these sessions take place at the team’s practice facility. On the road, it can be a little trickier. Darnell will help reach out to local gyms to see what’s available in the cities the Cavs travel to. If nothing’s free, Collin will make the best of the fitness center at the hotel.

“Maybe I missed a few easy bunnies or floaters so I just come in and shoot about 100 floaters or something like that,” Sexton describes. “I just try to make sure everything is polished and the things that I need to correct, I make sure I do it right then and there because when it’s fresh on your mind, it’s hard to stop thinking about it.”

This level of commitment isn’t new, of course. It’s what got Collin here in the first place.

“As much as I told him, as much as I taught him, as much as we were in the gym, he still wanted more,” Darnell says. “For me, I used that as fuel for different things. Let’s take school as an example. Doing well in school would reward him more gym time. Making sure you’re doing the dishes and taking the trash out. Just your everyday things that you would normally take for granted, but he would actually put his all into everything that he did just because he knew that he would get more gym time.”

Growing up in Marietta, GA, Collin was the kid jumping out of bed at 6:00 am with no alarm clock. No one forced, or even pressured, him to do so. Before school started, he’d get in a full workout, running on the treadmill, doing ball dexterity drills and skills training. 

“He was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen in any sport,” says Sexton’s high school coach, George Washington. “Get up at the break of dawn. Work out again at lunch time. Work out again in the evening. His work ethic was unreal.”

When Sexton was training for U17 USA Basketball tryouts, Washington feared that work ethic might have finally gone too far. Wearing a mask, Collin was sprinting around the track in the blistering afternoon sun to prepare for the altitude of Colorado Springs—the site of the camp. Suddenly, he collapsed to the ground.

“He was out cold,” Washington remembers. “We were extremely nervous. Like, we said, Oh, God, we done killed this kid out here trying to get him ready for USA Basketball [laughs].”

Sexton recovered, made the USA squad and won MVP at the FIBA U17 World Championships, averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals off the bench. Over the course of that summer, he went from being unranked to a five-star prospect entering his senior year.

At Pebblebrook High School, Sexton shared the court with Jared Harper, who signed a contract with the Suns in July. Practice would wrap at 7:45 pm, but the two would always hang back to play one-on-one. Those games would go on for hours, often concluding past midnight.

“We couldn’t leave without winning,” Sexton explains. “So sometimes it was like, Alright, let’s play to 10 maybe three dribbles. Let’s play to 10 maybe two dribbles. Let’s play to 10 with unlimited dribbles or one dribble. So we just kept playing.”

“Man, we would go to KFC and order out some food and they’re still in there battling one-on-one and it’s 12 or 1 o’clock at night,” Darnell says. “We’re like, ‘Wash, when are we gonna stop them?’ He said, ‘We’re not, we’re just gonna try to let them get tired.’ It was always just them getting that work in and understanding that iron sharpens iron.”

Collin had a similar mindset when it came to school. He only got one B during his time at Pebblebrook. Everything else was an A.

“He’s like that in the classroom,” Washington reaffirms. “The thing I tell people like, we’re getting ready to fly to City of Palms, which is a big high school basketball event, and we’re about to be late because he’s trying to get his pre-calculus teacher a Christmas gift.”

In his one year at the University of Alabama, Sexton had a 4.0 GPA. He somehow managed to juggle that and maintain his insane basketball regimen. Security would call coach Avery Johnson close to 3:30 am some nights because Collin was still in the facility shooting. Johnson would tell them to just cut the lights out. Sometimes Collin stayed and did homework by his phone until they came back on.

He’s fueled by a love for the sport and a relentless competitiveness. Both stem from his family, particularly the latter. Game nights at the Sexton household were out of control. They’d usually have guests and get multiple boards going.

“Connect 4 was crazy in our house,” Darnell says with a laugh. “One Saturday morning, I noticed that the poster had been taken down in the garage of who was the leader in the family. Boy, let me tell you, that whole day was a mess. Who took it down? Who took it down? It had to be the last person who just lost. That’s the competitive nature. Always wanting to see who was on the leaderboard.”

Until he reached the ninth grade, Collin would play one-on-one against his older brother Jordan. They had to stop because every game started turning into a fist fight. Darnell shut it down.

Coach Washington used to give him technical fouls in practice. He’d also ask a random person in the crowd at Pebblebrook’s games to tell Collin that he sucked.

“As soon as that person told him that, it’s a little switch in his head that would click and he’d go to another level,” says Washington. “He’d go off. He’d go bananas. He thrived on people telling him he couldn’t do it.” 

His intensity on the floor—Collin often talks to himself for motivation (“Come on, Collin. You got to go.”)—earned him the nickname “Young Bull.” It fits perfectly.

Fear of failure has always kept the Young Bull driven. Collin used to break down and cry after regular season losses in HS. During shootaround prior to a matchup against powerhouse Montverde his senior year, Sexton couldn’t hit anything. He got so angry that he ripped off his shirt like the Incredible Hulk before stringing together 20-30 consecutive makes.

That kind of stuff led outsiders to believe Collin had a bad attitude and wouldn’t make it very far.

“It was just passion,” Sexton says. 

“I figured out how to channel it and use it in the right direction. I was just like, I’m gonna prove everybody wrong. All those people who doubted me. I’m gonna show them what I can do.” 

Only a few years later, Collin has asserted himself as one of the bright young guards in the NBA. He made the 2018-19 All-Rookie Second Team and is taking steps forward in his sophomore campaign. He dropped 28 points on 10/19 from the field in a recent OT win over San Antonio. Back in November, he notched a career-high 31 points against the Knicks at MSG.

One of the biggest challenges has been coping with defeat (the Cavaliers are 6-19) and focusing on being more patient. He understands that the journey is long and it’s not always going to be smooth sailing.

But Collin isn’t exactly known for taking things slow. He won’t break down after losses or rip his jersey amid difficult outings, but he won’t stop grinding either. Following most games, win or lose, you can find him in a gym somewhere, polishing the things that have to be polished. He got here that way and he’s going to get to the next level that way.

“He knew in order for him to be great, he had to do the extra. He had to go the extra mile,” says Darnell. “He needed to do the things that no one else was doing. We always say, Move with a purpose. That was one thing our family has always said. Any time you do anything, you move with a purpose. It stuck with him and he took it to heart.”

“A lot of players play basketball because they just like playing basketball,” Washington adds. “But for Collin, playing basketball is everything.”

—

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

Photos via Getty.

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GOIN’ UP. HEAT WAVE. THE COLDEST

SLAM 225 highlights rising stars at every level of basketball. The issue has features on three ridiculous high school hoopers pushing the culture forward (Sharife Cooper/Josh Christopher/Jalen Green), a certified bucket out in Atlanta (Trae Young), Miami’s new fire squad (Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro), a future UConn Huskie with the swaggiest game in the country (Paige Bueckers), two young ascending NBA guards (Devonte’ Graham and Collin Sexton) and much more. Pull out posters of Luka Doncic and Elene Delle Donne included. COP UP!

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Kemba Walker made his return to the court following a neck sprain sustained last week and he delivered. Walker registered a season-high 39 points as he scorched the Nets’ defense. Kyrie Irving was inactive for his return to Boston.

Pistons 101 (6-12), Hornets 102 (7-12)

Detroit failed to get a shot off as the buzzer sounded, losing this game by just one point. Charlotte meanwhile boasted six double-digit scorers, led by Bismack Biyombo (19 points). Blake Griffin put up 26 in the loss.

Magic 116 (7-10), Cavaliers 104 (5-13)

Orlando dominated in the second half to get win No. 7 this season. Evan Fournier led the team with 30 points. Collin Sexton scored 20 points for Cleveland.

Jazz 102 (11-7), Pacers 121 (11-6)

Indiana continues to turn heads as they keep the wins coming. The Pacers received big scoring nights from Domantas Sabonis (23 points), TJ Warren (23 points) and Malcolm Brogdon (22 points). Bojan Bogdanovic notched 30 points against his former team.

Kings 91 (7-10), 76ers 97 (12-6)

Despite the close score, Philly was in control throughout. Joel Embiid put up 33 points one game after going scoreless.

Knicks 98 (4-14), Raptors 126 (13-4)

Toronto scored 37 points in both the second and fourth quarters as they pulled away. Pascal Siakam scored 31 points in 30 minutes of action.

Heat 108 (12-5), Rockets 117 (12-6)

James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 61 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in the win. Heat rookie Tyler Herro contributed 22 points.

Clippers 121 (14-5), Grizzlies 119 (5-12)

Montrezl Harrell hit the game-winning tip-in layup with 2.3 seconds left to break the tie. Harrell co-led the team in scoring (along with Lou Williams) with 24 points.

Hawks 102 (4-14), Bucks 111 (15-3)

Giannis Antetokounmpo recored a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds in Milwaukee’s home win. Jabari Parker put up an impressive 33 points against his former team.

Timberwolves 113 (10-8), Spurs 101 (6-13)

The duo of Andrew Wiggins (26 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points) helped pace Minnesota’s scoring as they outlasted San Antonio. LaMarcus Aldridge notched 22 points in the loss.

Wizards 140 (6-10), Suns 132 (8-9)

Washington had the scoring edge thanks to Bradley Beal (35 points), Thomas Bryant (23 points) and Ish Smith (21 points). Devin Booker scored 27 points to lead the Suns.

Lakers 114 (16-2), Pelicans 110 (6-12)

Anthony Davis came up clutch in the final seconds, knocking down three free throws to steal the win in New Orleans. Davis finished with a monstrous 41 points against his former team. LeBron James made history as the fourth player ever to reach 33,000 points.

Thunder 119 (6-11), Blazers 136 (7-12)

Portland continues to click on all cylinders, getting their second win in a row. Damian Lillard led the team with 27 points, while the team also got key contributions from CJ McCollum (22 points), Hassan Whiteside (21 points) and Carmelo Anthony (19 points).

Bulls 90 (6-13), Warriors 104 (4-15)

Warriors rookie Eric Paschall gave the team a spark with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Zach LaVine scored 36 points for the Bulls.

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Late in OT, Nikola Jokic hit the game-winning bucket over Karl-Anthony Towns to give the Nuggets the win on the road. Jokic had a team-high 20 points to go with 7 dimes and 6 rebounds.

Pacers 109 (6-4), Magic 102 (3-7)

Domantas Sabonis put up a double-double (21 points, 16 rebounds) to give Indiana its third-straight win. T.J. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon had 19 apiece, while Doug McDermott had 18 off the bench.

Sixers 114 (6-3), Hornets 106 (4-6)

Four of Philly’s starters scored in double figures – Joel Embiid (18 points), Al Horford (15 points), Tobias Harris (14 points) and Josh Richardson (11 points).

Bucks 117 (7-3) , Thunder 114 (4-6)

Tied 114-all with under a minute, Brook Lopez knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Bucks the W. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another monster performance, finishing with 35 points and 16 rebounds.

Cavaliers 108 (4-5), Knicks 87 (2-8)

Collin Sexton finished with 21 points at The Garden. Kevin Love was the second-leading scorer with 17 points.

Suns 138 (6-3), Nets 112 (4-5)

All five Suns starters finished in double figures as Devin Booker led the team with 27 points. Ricky Rubio had 22 points and 12 dimes; Kelly Oubre also had 18.

Trailblazers 124 (4-6), Hawks 113 (3-6)

Damian Lillard and Kevin Huerter traded back-to-back buckets to force it to overtime, but the Blazers prevailed at home. Lillard (30 points) and CJ McCollum (23 points) combined for 53 points, and Anfernee Simons finished with 20 points off the bench.

Raptors 113 (6-2), Lakers 104 (7-1)

Toronto extended the lead to 10 in the 4Q and closed it off when the Lakers started to make their run. Last season’s MIP finished with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. Fred VanVleet also had 21 points in the win to snap the Lakers’ 7-game wining streak.

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The Celtics won their 5th straight behind a monster night from Gordon Hayward, who finished with a career-high 39 points (17-20 FG), 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. Kemba Walker added 25 points for the C’s. Collin Sexton dropped 21 points in the loss.

Hornets 122 (4-3), Pacers 120 (3-4)

Devonte’ Graham went off for a career-high 35 points off the bench, including the two go-ahead free throws in the final seconds that gave the Hornets the overtime win. TJ Warren lead the Pacers with 33 points on 15-18 shooting.

Hawks 108 (3-3), Spurs 100 (4-3)

Trae Young returned after missing one game with a sprained ankle, leading the Hawks with 29 points and 13 assists. Demar DeRozan finished with 22 points on 10-16 shooting for San Antonio.

Lakers 118 (6-1), Bulls 112 (2-6)

The Lakers trailed by 13 heading into the fourth but outscored the Bulls 38-19 in the quarter to secure their 6th straight win. The King notched his third straight triple-double, finishing with 30 points (10-16 FG), 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points, 7 boards, and 7 assists in the loss.

Thunder 102 (3-4), Magic 94 (2-5)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a game-high 24 points and CP3 added 20 to lead the Thunder to their third win of the season. The Magic had five players score in double figures, lead by 15 from Aaron Gordon.

Nuggets 109 (5-2), Heat 89 (5-2)

The Nuggets cruised to a road win over the Heat, snapping Miami’s 3-game win streak. Denver was led by Jamal Murray, who finished with 21 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists. Jimmy Buckets dropped a team-high 16 points to go along with 7 rebounds in the loss.

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Orlando was powered to the win thanks to performances from Nikola Vucevic (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Aaron Gordon (15 points, 11 rebounds). Julis Randle led the Knicks in scoring with 16 points.

Bulls 111 (1-4), Cavaliers 117 (2-2)

Chicago led coming into the fourth quarter, but Cleveland outscored them 37-29 in the final frame to steal the home win. Kevin Love put up 17 points and 20 rebounds. Collin Sexton (18 points) sealed the game with an exclamation point.

Timberwolves 95 (3-1), 76ers 117 (4-0)

This game was interrupted in the third quarter as Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns were both ejected for fighting. Both teams had to step in and break it up.

Philly cruised to the win behind six double-digit scorers, led by Embiid’s 19 points in 20 minutes.

Bucks 105 (2-2), Celtics 116 (3-1)

The Celtics erupted with 38 points in the third quarter to get back in the game before closing it out in the fourth. Kemba Walker (32 points) and Jayson Tatum (25 points) fueled Boston’s offensive attack.

Pacers 118 (1-3), Nets 108 (1-3)

Indiana lost big man Myles Turner to a right ankle sprain early, but gutted out the win in his absence. Domantas Sabonis dominated with 29 points. Kyrie Irving finished with 28 points for Brooklyn.

Pistons 113 (2-3), Raptors 125 (4-1)

Toronto rode hot shooting from the field (59%) and from deep (48%) to earn their fourth win in five games to start the season. Pascal Siakam continues to shine; he put in 30 points in 30 minutes to lead the Raptors in scoring.

Rockets 159 (3-1), Wizards 159 (1-3)

James Harden and the Rockets took home the win in this high-scoring affair thanks to a last-second free throw made by Harden. The former MVP finished with 59 points. Bradley Beal notched 46 points in the heartbreaking loss.

Blazers 102 (3-2), Thunder 99 (1-4)

Damian Lillard (23 points, 13 rebounds, seven rebounds) helped rally his team in the fourth quarter to finish their road trip with a win. Chris Paul registered 21 points in the loss.

Clippers 96 (3-2), Jazz 110 (4-1)

Utah took control in the second half against the Kawhi-less Clippers. Mike Conley set the scoring tempo for the Jazz with 29 points, leading all scorers. Lou Williams popped off for 24 points as a starter.

Hornets 118 (2-3), Kings 111 (0-5)

Hornets rookie PJ Washington impressed with a team-high 23 points on 10-13 shooting from the field. Buddy Hield scored 23 points for Sacramento.

Suns 121 (3-2), Warriors 110 (1-3)

An already rough game for Golden State got infinitely worse when Stephen Curry left the game with what’s now been as a broken left hand. The injury is just another blow to the defending champs, who are also without Klay Thompson.

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Taurasi had her own kicks back in 2006. The Nike Shox DT came and went quickly and it’s already, unfortunately, been forgotten. It was a funky-looking silhouette built on Nike’s patented Shox technology. The cushioning was mixed with Zoom Air and it trailed up to a big overlay that covered the midfoot and eventually wrapped around the collar. Taurasi only played in them for one season. She’s been playing in LeBron PEs ever since.

Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champ and four-time Olympic gold medalist, is the last woman sponsored by Nike to get a signature sneaker. The last woman to get a signature in the WNBA is Parker, who has two WNBA MVP trophies, two gold medals and a WNBA title. She’s consistently been laced in the latest adidas options ever since the early 2000s and adidas hooked her up with three of her own pairs, the last of which was in 2012 when the Ace3 came out.

It’s a stark, stark contrast from when women’s basketball exploded into the mainstream in the mid-’90s. Chamique Holdsclaw, Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Rebecca Lobo and Nicki McCray were all given their own kicks by Nike, adidas, Reebok and Fila back in the day.

And then there was Sheryl Swoopes, a pioneer in basketball sneakers. Nike made seven different signature sneakers for Swoopes and she wore them as she was winning four consecutive WNBA titles with the Houston Comets and three Olympic gold medals. The impact of the first Air Swoopes still moves the Hall of Famer.

“I remember going to Portland, walking in the room and just seeing all of the stuff,” Swoopes told SLAM at the 2019 WNBA Draft about the first time she saw her signature sneaker. “It seemed so surreal to me at the moment. To walk in and, not only see any shoe, but to see my shoe, with my name on it, and to know that there were gonna be little girls out there, and hopefully little boys too, that have an opportunity to wear a women’s basketball shoe… I love Michael Jordan, but you don’t have to go and buy the Air Jordans anymore. You can go and buy the Air Swoopes. Even today, to say that, I’m like, ‘Wow that really did happen.’ I still get emotional to this day when I think about it.”

But there hasn’t been another player able to feel that type of emotion in nearly 10 years. Even as the talent level has soared across the W and players have taken strong stances against political and racial injustices, developing rock-solid personal brands, no company has stepped up with a sneaker.

The most that the brands do is give a select few players their own team-specific colorways. Parker is always playing in purple and gold kicks, Bird has been given the reigns to the Kyrie line and Taurasi has gotten Phoenix Mercury-themed LeBrons ever since Nike did away with her sneaker. Some of the league’s best young players get featured in marketing campaigns by Nike and adidas, where the spotlight shines on them briefly. But it’s not enough for Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike, two former MVPs, to get a couple of seconds of airtime in a branded Instagram video that also shows men with their own kicks.

If the high level of skill and the social awareness weren’t enough, the W is filled with huge sneakerheads, now more than ever. There will be old pairs of Kobes, the newest adidas and a wild custom pair on any given night during the summertime. Sneakers matter to them and to their fans.

“I remember in middle school I had Cynthia Cooper’s sneaker,” the W’s Sneaker Queen, Tamera Young, says. “Our team, actually, had it. It’s something for the kids as well that looks up to us. If you had WNBA players that have sneakers, it’s something that little girls could look up to.”

“It would just be an inspiration to young players to be able to wear shoes of their favorite women’s player,” the Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields says. “Visibility is key. I believe this would help promote that and ultimately contribute to the common goal of growing the league as a whole.”

The 24-year-old DeShields debuted the “Chicago” Air Fear of God 1 recently, a move co-signed by the sneaker’s designer, Jerry Lorenzo. He personally thanked DeShields in an Instagram post that went out to his one million-plus followers.

“It’s all a part of the evolution of the sport,” DeShields says about a woman having her own sneaker. “At what point is it gonna become normalized for women to share the same platform and opportunities as men? ‘Never’ won’t last in regard to this question so why not now?”

Like DeShields, a few women have been able to show off high-profile pairs. The Aces have a heavy-hitting duo in Wilson and Kayla McBride, both in terms of bucket-getting and sneaker-wearing. Wilson is the first WNBA player to get player exclusive Adapt BB colorways. She first rocked her personal colorway of the auto-lacing sneaker at NBA All-Star Weekend and then went on to debut the “Air MAG” Adapt BBs. And McBride was the first to launch the “NASA 50” colorway of the PG3. Tina Charles and Odyssey Sims got to break out the “SpongeBob” and “Patrick” Kyrie 5s. And the first player to wear the Nike Freak 1 on-court wasn’t Giannis Antetokounmpo or one of his brothers—it was Dallas Wings rookie Arike Ogunbowale.

“We’re at a time where we deserve our own signature shoe,” Wilson says. “It would help the WNBA’s evolution because that’s just a huge step of getting us out there as players. That is a big step. Of course, my favorite Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes, they had their shoes but we need to bring that back. It brings a lot more coverage to our game and notice to our game. That’ll just help our game evolve.

Go down the line and look at the rest of the league and you’ll find ‘heads on every team, players that not only mess with sneakers but that can also truly hoop. Jewell Loyd, Elena Delle Donne, Chiney Ogwumike, Kia Nurse and Seimone Augustus are a few of the best players in the WNBA and a few of its biggest sneakerheads too.

Augustus, a future Hall of Famer that has four rings with the Minnesota Lynx, has been wearing customs for the last two seasons thanks to Salvatore Marcum. Marcum runs Mpls Customs and, in addition to working with Augustus, has also worked with Collin Sexton, Langston Galloway, Josh Okogie and a handful of NFL players.

“These women work harder than anyone I know,” Marcum says. “The passion is there, the love for the sport is there and the signature shoes would be a great step in the right direction for them as a whole to reach the publicity they deserve.

“Seimone’s a player I personally look up to,” Marcum continues. “We’ve done a lot of shoes together to bring awareness to things, such as the ‘Care Bear’ shoes for Pride Month and the native shoes for Native American Heritage Night.”

As Marcum notes, Augustus is one of the players that uses her platform to highlight what’s most important on a personal level. Los Angeles Sparks rookie Marina Mabrey recently did that too, when she used her platform to go after the incessant trolls that constantly leave sexist comments on social media. Mabrey rolled up to a game wearing a shirt with an image of a basketball court that read, “This is my Kitchen.”

“Sneakers are a symbol of a favorite player no different than a jersey,” Mabrey, a collegiate national champion at Notre Dame, says. “The more involved the fans are, the better the league will be. The evolution of basketball begins with participation of the fans. When young girls express their love of the game, we want them to want to be WNBA players.”

Mabrey agrees that a WNBA player with a signature sneaker would help to grow the women’s game and showcase all the skill that doesn’t get highlighted enough. DeShields seconds that.

“It would just help create more iconic players in the league,” DeShields says. “The biggest stars of the NBA have their own shoe, so I think creating that hierarchy within the W would only elevate the popularity of the game as a whole.”

It would also celebrate this group of the world’s best basketball players. It would be definitive recognition of the work they’ve put in and the respect they deserve. In basketball, the sneaker is a status symbol, a marker of the elite. It doesn’t get more elite in women’s basketball than the WNBA.

“It’s super important for us, as women, to have a signature shoe,” the Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner says. Griner’s list of accomplishments runs deep. She’s got a WNBA title, an Olympic gold medal and two DPOY trophies. Plus, when she was drafted in 2013 as the No. 1 overall pick, she was signed by Nike as part of a trio with Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins. It was a big signing at the time but all Griner has to show for it is a couple of PEs through the years.

“With our league being around 20-plus years now and all the hype behind us, women’s sports across the board, from Serena [Williams] in tennis to Megan [Rapinoe] kicking ass at soccer, it’s really time,” she continues. “Everybody always asks, ‘Where’s the shoes?’ It’s not just girls asking. Guys are asking. It’s time to test the waters. Not a shoe where we already had it and we throw a name on it. Actually sit down with the player, let them design the whole shoe and get it out there. Across the board, all brands, everybody. Everybody needs to start doing it. It’s time.”

—

Max Resetar is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Additional reporting by Camille Buxeda.

The post No More Waiting: Give the WNBA Its Own Signature Sneakers appeared first on SLAM.

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

Cleveland Cavaliers

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

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

Cleveland Cavaliers NBA 2K20 Ratings

This table is updated as of Nov. 22, 2019

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

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Check out this mix we compiled of the trio before they share the court next season.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers thought that they might be able to dangle J.R. Smith’s expiring, non-guaranteed contract and buy their way back into the first-round of the 2019 NBA Draft, Joe Vardon of The Athletic writes, but the franchise didn’t end up finding a taker.

Smith’s contract is an intriguing one and a tool that a team looking to lower their payroll would be happy to use. On paper, Smith is owed $15.7 million for 2019-20 but only $3.9 million of that deal would be guaranteed if Smith is released prior to June 30.

Cavs general manager Koby Altman intends to investigate every possible opportunity to unload the contract while netting an asset but Vardon writes that teams have requested that Cleveland take back a contract, something that isn’t possible given that the Cavs are flirting with the luxury tax on their own.

Without taking into consideration the cap hit of incoming lottery pick Darius Garland, the Cavs already have enough in guaranteed money to approach next year’s luxury tax line.

Though rostered and employed, Smith hasn’t actually been with the Cavs since November.

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In the deal the Hawks will absorb the $13.3 million owed to Solomon Hill and also take New Orleans’ No. 57 pick and a future second-round pick.

The Pelicans, in addition to the three picks above, will also nab a heavily protected first-rounder from the Cavs in 2020, Wojnarowski adds.

With Atlanta now sitting in the No. 4 spot of the draft, pundits looking to project the order have to figure out what to do about Darius Garland. Given that the Hawks are already set at point guard, it’s suddenly more likely that Garland slips to No. 5.

Instead of Garland, the Hawks may target another common No. 4 prospect on big boards like Jarrett Culver or zero in on another player that will fit their system. Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets that the Hawks have been targeting De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, while Wojnarowski separately adds that Atlanta is pursuing Hunter.

With Garland now available at No. 5, the Cavaliers will have to think long and hard about how the point guard would fit into new head coach John Belein’s system alongside 2018 lottery pick point guard Collin Sexton.

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

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

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

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

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

So what, then, is next for the Celtics?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Doncic lived up to the hype during his first year in the league, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game for the Mavericks, establishing himself as a gutsy, clutch-time player that opposing teams will have to deal with for a long time coming.

Young quickly put to rest any concerns after a slow start and showed that his lights out college game translated to the NBA level. Young dropped 19.1 points and 8.1 assists per game as a rookie.

Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marvin Bagley III joined Doncic and Young on the first team. Ayton received 95 of a possible 100 first-team votes after posting an impressive, if overshadowed, 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

The All-Rookie second team was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Collin Sexton, with Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Huerter joining them on the list.

NBA All-Rookie First Team
Luka Doncic, DAL
Trae Young, ATL
Deandre Ayton, PHO
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
Marvin Bagley III, SAC

NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC
Collin Sexton, CLE
Landry Shamet, LAC
Mitchell Robinson, NYK
Kevin Huerter, ATL

Other notable players to earn votes include Mikal Bridges and Kevin Knox, the two players with the next most votes, as well as Josh Okogie and Miles Bridges who earned first-team votes despite falling short of either team.

For a complete list of the voting breakdown, check out the league’s press release.

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Beilein is a decorated NCAA coach with a pair of Final Four appearances and four Big Ten titles on his resume. He’ll arrive in Cleveland hopeful to build a culture within the organization similar to what he helped build in Ann Arbor.

The Cavaliers struggled mightily last season as they acclimated themselves to life without LeBron James. Their dismal 19-63 finish, however, has granted them a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick in June and 14% chance of first overall.

Beilein, 66, will take the reins of the roster from interim-turned-head coach Larry Drew who coached the majority of 2018-19 after Tyronn Lue was dismissed in October.

As far as returning talent goes, Beilein will have a relatively young core of Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman to work with out of the gates. Veterans Kevin Love, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. will be back with the Cavs as well.

Although this will be Beilein’s NBA debut, this isn’t the first time he’s contemplated a jump to the professional ranks. Previously Beilein had considered coaching vacancies with the Pistons and Magic but opted to return to campus.

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During Drew’s stint as head coach, the Cavaliers went 19-57. Prior to his promotion, the 61-year-old had served as an assistant coach dating back to 2014, even spelling Lue on the bench for nine games during March 2018.

Without a doubt, the 2018-19 season was a tough campaign for the Cavaliers on the heels of a four-year championship run with LeBron James on the roster, but Drew settled into the new reality and did an admirable job assisting the development of the team’s young players.

As Drew told Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com earlier this week, the franchise had a mandate to let young players play and learn from their mistakes. Lottery pick Collin Sexton is a shining example of progress made over the course of a trying campaign.

Drew had been initially reluctant to expect the head coaching gig without an appropriate bump in salary. In November the two parties signed a new contract for 2018-19 with a partially guaranteed option in 2019-20.

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When the 76ers needed a bucket, Jimmy Butler rose to the occasion. After fending off tough defense from Kyrie Irving, Butler planted his feet and hit the dagger to ensure the win for his team. Butler finished with 22 points, while Joel Embiid put in a monstrous effort of 37 points and 22 rebounds.

Raptors 123 (51-21), Thunder 114 (42-30)

Russell Westbrook went coast-to-coast to tie the game at the end of regulation, but with Paul George fouling out also at the end of regulation, OKC fell short in OT. Pascal Siakam put in 33 points for the Raptors.

Bucks 102 (52-18), Cavaliers 107 (17-53)

The Bucks lacked a spark on offense with Giannis Antetokounmpo out, losing on the road to Cleveland. Collin Sexton hit several clutch buckets down the stretch to lead his team to the win; he scored 25 points.

Pelicans 96 (30-42), Magic 119 (33-38)

Orlando scored 39 points in the opening frame to grab the lead and never looked back, leading the entire game. They enjoyed scoring from the trio of Evan Fournier (22 points), Aaron Gordon (20 points) and Terrence Ross (19 points).

Jazz 137 (40-29), Knicks 116 (14-56)

Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points in just 28 minutes as the Jazz cruised to a win. Teammates Joe Ingles and Rudy Gobert each added 18 points. Knicks rookie Kevin Knox scored 27 points.

Wizards 120 (30-40), Bulls 126 (19-52)

Bradley Beal hit a clutch bucket to force the game into overtime, but Chicago pulled it out at home. They were led by Lauri Markkanen’s 32 points, while Kris Dunn added 26 points.

Rockets 125 (44-26), Grizzlies 126 (28-42)

James Harden scored eight straight points in overtime and dropped 57 points, but Houston fell on a last-second free throw by Jonas Valanciunas. Mike Conley and Valanciunas combined for 68 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists.

Heat 110 (33-36), Spurs 105 (41-29)

Miami had just enough offensive gas to push them ahead on the road. Goran Dragic led the team with 22 points in 22 minutes. Dwyane Wade, who finished with 11 points in his final game in San Antonio, hit a ridiculous shot down the stretch to hold off the Spurs.

Mavericks 118 (28-43), Blazers 126 (44-27)

Three Blazers notched double-doubles in their win: Damian Lillard (33 points, 12 assists), Enes Kanter (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Jusuf Nurkic (13 points, 10 rebounds). Luka Doncic led Dallas in scoring with 24 points.

RELATED: Jimmy Butler Plans To Retire by Age 35

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Isaiah Thomas got the win in his return to Boston as Denver pulled ahead in the final period.

Nikola Jokic stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks. Kyrie Irving had game-highs in points (30) and steals (four).

Pistons 119 (36-34), Cavaliers 126 (18-53)

The Pistons weren’t able to get the job done without Blake Griffin as the Cavs scored 39 points in the fourth quarter. Cleveland shot a blistering 58.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep — Collin Sexton spearheaded the offense, scoring a game-high 27 on 10-for 16 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 on 3’s.

Warriors 105 (47-22), Spurs 111 (42-29)

Gregg Popovich and the Spurs clinched their 22nd straight winning season as they took advantage of uncharacteristically poor shooting nights from Steph Curry (9-for-25) and Klay Thompson (5-for-18).

Andrew Bogut had seven points and seven boards in 19 minutes as a starter in his return to the Warriors.

DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 23 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks to lead San Antonio.

Jazz 116 (41-29), Wizards 95 (30-41)

No Utah player scored more than 20 points, but a 53.8 percent shooting night as a unit was more than enough to get the job done as the Jazz blew out the Wizards.

Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 19 and Joe Ingles added 16 on 4-for-8 shooting from behind the arc.

Pelicans 129 (31-42), Mavericks 125 (28-42)

Anthony Davis only played 21 minutes of the 53-minute overtime game, but he made the most of that time, racking up 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. His frontcourt mate, Julius Randle, took care of business down the stretch with 30 points, nine boards and four dimes of his own.

Luka Doncic finished the night with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 dimes and Dirk Nowitzki moved pass Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard.

Knicks 92 (14-57), Raptors 128 (50-21)

Jeremy Lin stepped up off the bench with a team-high 20 points as he played extra minutes due to an ankle injury that took Kyle Lowry out for the night.

Eight different Raptors scored at least 10 points.

Allonzo Trier scored 22 points for New York.

Heat 116 (34-36), Thunder 107 (42-29)

The Heat improved to 7-2 in their last nine as Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic combined to score 51 points off the pine.

The Thunder dropped its third game in a row despite 31 points from Paul George.

Pacers 98 (44-27), Trail Blazers 106 (43-27)

The Pacers led at the end of the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers built a lead that went as high as 21 in the fourth quarter to put the game to bed.

Damian Lillard was the star of the show as he had 30 points, 15 assists and three steals. His plus-minus of +17 was at least 12 points higher than every other Portland starter.

Bulls 116 (20-52), Suns 101 (17-55)

Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton combined for 50 points, but the Suns struggled without the services of Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Bulls’ big men showed up as Lauri Markkanen (17 points, nine boards, two blocks) and Robin Lopez (24 points, seven rebounds) took care of business.

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Wes Matthews tipped in an offensive board with less than two seconds to give the Pacers a much-needed win to move into third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to scoring the game-winner, Matthews locked up a red-hot Paul George in the final minute of action.

Bojan Bogdanovic led Indiana with 23 points.

Russell Westbrook recorded another triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, 11 dimes and four steals and George dropped a game-high 36 points.

Mavericks 99 (27-41), Nuggets 100 (45-22)

Denver moved just a game out of first place in the Western Conference thanks to Nikola Jokic’s third winning shot of 2019. Before Jokic’s floater won the game, Luka Doncic (24 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, two steals) threw down a dunk in traffic with 5.8 seconds to go on what looked like a potential winner.

Dirk Nowitzki knocked down three 3’s for Dallas.

Cavaliers 91 (17-52), Magic 120 (32-38)

The Cavaliers never stood a chance as the Magic ran out to a 16-point first quarter lead and never looked back.

Aaron Gordon, DJ Augustin and Nikola Vucevic combined for 60 points to lead Orlando.

Collin Sexton was a bright spot for Cleveland, scoring 23 points — his plus-minus of -17 was the best of all the Cavs’ starters.

Kings 120 (33-34), Celtics 126 (42-27)

Buddy Hield’s game-high 34 points wasn’t enough as Kyrie Irving racked up his second career triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 12 dimes.

The Kings started off strong, leading 38-25 at the end of the first quarter, but 70 second half points from the Celtics spearheaded the comeback.

Lakers 98 (31-37), Raptors 111 (49-20)

Kawhi Leonard hit five 3’s en route to a team-high 25 points as the Raptors cruised to their ninth straight win against the Lakers.

Los Angeles, who has lost six of its last seven, scored only 14 points in the final quarter. LeBron James finished the night with 29 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Timberwolves 100 (32-37), Jazz 120 (39-29)

Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 24 points as the Jazz held onto the six-seed in the Western Conference. Three different Timberwolves dished out at least six dimes (Joe Ingles: 6, Mitchell: 6, Ricky Rubio: 8).

Karl-Anthony Towns had a game-high 26 points.

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Kawhi Leonard scored 25, but the Raptors’ supporting cast couldn’t get the job done as six Cavs scored at least 12 points with Collin Sexton’s 28 leading the way.

Serge Ibaka and Marquese Chriss were both ejected have exchanging #ThemHands.

Celtics 115 (41-27), Clippers 140 (39-29)

Lou Williams surpassed Dell Curry’s career points of the bench record (11,147) as he dropped 34 points in just 23 minutes of work against the Celtics. His bench-mate, Montrezl Harrell, added 20 points in 21 minutes on 8-for-12 shooting from the field as the Clippers blew out the Celtics at home.

Kings 115 (33-33), Wizards 121 (28-39)

The Kings fell four games behind the Jazz for the 8-seed in the Western Conference as Bradley Beal’s 27 points pushed Washington to a W.

Pistons 75 (34-32), Nets 103 (36-33)

Spencer Dinwiddie scored a game-high 19 points off the bench for the Nets as the Pistons struggled to get going on offense, shooting just 27.8 percent from the field as a unit.

Thunder 98 (41-26), Jazz 89 (37-29)

Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Donovan Mitchell scored 25 as the Thunder took care of business in Salt Lake City.

There was an altercation between Westbrook and a fan after the fan said to “Get down on your knees like you’re used to.”

Hornets 106 (30-37), Rockets 118 (42-25)

The Rockets came out rolling on all cylinders as they ran out to a 71-44 halftime lead. Kemba Walker’s 40-point outburst helped cut the deficit back down to a little as 10 points, but the Rockets were able to hold on in the fourth quarter.

James Harden had 28 points, 10 assists and three steals while Clint Capela added 19 points and 15 boards.

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Klay Thompson came out firing for the Warriors, knocking down nine 3-pointers en route to a 39-point performance and a win. Kevin Durant added 26 points as well.

It was a statement game for the Warriors by flexing their muscles against the team that’s on their heels for the No. 1 seed in the West.

76ers 91 (41-24), Rockets 107 (39-25)

Houston continued their ascent up the Western Conference playoff standings with a win over Philadelphia at home. James Harden almost notched a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Rockets have now won seven games in a row.

Wizards 111 (27-38), Hornets 112 (30-35)

Marvin Williams paced Charlotte with a season-high 30 points (7-for-10 on 3-pointers) in the home win. Bobby Portis led Washington in scoring with 23 points.

Mavericks 106 (27-38), Magic 111 (31-36)

Orlando captured an important home win as they continue to try and catch Miami for the eighth seed. Six Magic players scored in double digits, led by Terrence Ross (22 points) and Nikola Vucevic (20 points).

Cavaliers 110 (16-49), Heat 126 (30-34)

Miami enjoyed an all-around scoring effort with eight players (including four off the bench) scoring at least 11 points, led by Josh Richardson’s 20 points. Collin Sexton put in 27 points and six assists for the Cavs.

Pistons 112 (33-31), Bulls 104 (19-48)

Detroit entered the fourth quarter trailing Chicago, but they erupted for 43 points in the final frame to push them past the Bulls. They were led by the scoring trio of Blake Griffin (27 points), Reggie Jackson (21 points) and Andre Drummond (20 points).

Jazz 104 (37-28), Grizzlies 114 (27-40)

Memphis is proving to be a pesky team for playoff hopefuls. After beating the Blazers earlier this week, the Grizzlies claimed a home win over Utah on Friday night. Mike Conley and Jonas Valanciunas paced the team with 28 and 27 points, respectively.

Raptors 127 (47-19), Pelicans 104 (30-38)

It was all Toronto in the second half as the Raptors handled New Orleans easily on the road. Kawhi Leonard led the team in scoring with 31 points.

Thunder 110 (40-26), Clippers 118 (38-29)

Lou Williams went off for 40 points while adding seven rebounds, five assists and four steals as the Clippers prevailed in the final minutes. Danilo Gallinari added 34 points to the winning effort.

RELATED: Steve Kerr: Lakers Fans ‘Should Want’ Klay Thompson

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Landry Shamet had the hot hand early in the Sunday matinee win, scoring 18 of his 21 points in the first 12 minutes. Shamet’s seven 3-pointers were the most by any rookie in a quarter since 2002-03. Danilo Gallinari was the second-leading scorer with 20 points.

Trailblazers 118 (39-24), Hornets 108 (29-34)

Rodney Hood looked like the player NBA fans used to see during his days in Utah. He had a season-high 27 points in the second half. In his last five games, Hood was 7-of-32 from the field and 1-of-10 from behind the arc. Jusuf Nurkic had 26 points and 15 rebounds.

Cavaliers 107 (16-48), Magic 93 (30-35)

Four of five of the Cavs’ starters finished in double digits in the home win. Collin Sexton put up 17 points and Kevin Love had 16 points and 14 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points off the bench.

Hawks 123 (22-42), Bulls 118 (18-46)

Trae Young and Kris Dunn were jawing (and even shoved) back and forth, which resulted in Young getting ejected in the second half after hitting a deep 3-pointer and taunting Dunn. Young, who was thrown out in the third quarter, finished with 18 points. Alex Len was Atlanta’s leading scorer with 28 points.

Wizards 135 (26-37), Timberwolves 121 (29-34)

Bobby Portis had a team-high 26 points and 12 rebounds for Washington, which had lost its last five of six games. Bradley Beal and Jabari Parker had 22 apiece.

Pistons 112 (31-31), Raptors 107 (46-18)

Blake Griffin (27 points) protected his home court in overtime against the visiting Raptors. Reggie Jackson finished with 19 points, Andre Drummond had another double-double (15 points, 17 rebounds) and Wayne Ellington had 11 points. Despite the loss, Kyle Lowry had a season-high 35 points.

Thunder 99 (38-24), Grizzlies 95 (25-39)

Trailing three down the stretch, Russell Westbrook (22 points) knocked down a 3-pointer to tie it at 93 followed by a mid-range jumper to take the two-point lead. Paul George (right shoulder soreness) cheered from the sidelines, as Abdul Nader scored 15 points off the bench. Jerami Grant and Steven Adams had 13 points apiece.

Rockets 115 (38-25), Celtics 104 (38-26)

Harden put up 42 points against the C’s at TD Garden, scoring 40 or more points for the 24th time this season, as Houston has won the last five games. Eric Gordon had 32 points (eight 3s), and Chris Paul posted a double-double (15 points, 12 assists).

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The Warriors dropped their second straight game as the Magic outscored the defending champs 33-15 in the final period of play. Aaron Gordon had 22 points and 15 boards and Terrence Ross scored 16 off the bench. Ross’ plus-minus of +17 in 27 minutes led all players.

Steph Curry scored 33 points, but he shot just 12-for-33 from the field.

Cavaliers 125 (15-47), Knicks 118 (13-49)

Four Cavaliers (Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson) scored at least 20 points as Love led the way with 26 in just 28 minutes of work. Cleveland outscored New York 40-21 in the fourth quarter.

Alonzo Trier led the Knicks with 22 off the pine.

Heat 118 (27-34), Rockets 121 (37-25)

Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade met for the 22nd and final time as Paul improved his career record to 15-7 against one of his closet friends.

James Harden went off for 58 points — his sixth game with at least 50 points this season — 10 dimes, seven rebounds and four steals.