The Athletic: The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to “aggressively pursue” a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, with their eyes set on Scoot Henderson. @Shams Charania
Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania
In the first major domino of free agency, Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Fred VanVleet has declined his $22.8 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent in July, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
Dan Issel went to the NBA Western Conference finals twice as a member of the Nuggets, but never the NBA Finals. He also has no problem saying that Nikola Jokić, a two-time NBA MVP, is already “the best player in franchise history.” Issel believes that Jokić and the Nuggets will be 2023 NBA champions. “People say, ‘How do you stop him?’ ” Issel said. “I said, ‘Darned if I know.’ He’s got to be the most unselfish superstar in the league … He’s doing things where he is on lists with Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson, for crying out loud. Читать дальше...
Along with Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin was invited to the 2023 Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, to share his knowledge with young prospects worldwide.
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Adrian Wojnarowski: Miami’s Tyler Herro — who was upgraded to questionable — is expected to suit up for Game 5 and attempt a return tonight, sources tell ESPN.
Source: Twitter @wojespn
Tim Reynolds: Tyler Herro has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 tonight.
Source: Twitter @ByTimReynolds
That doesn’t mean Poole is safe. That doesn’t mean anyone besides Curry is safe. The Warriors intend to explore various avenues to restructure the roster this summer, both small and large in scope. That could mean Poole is part of a trade if the return package appeals. But Poole is not actively being shopped, there is no edict to cut salary and his side has been given no current indication that his future will be elsewhere.
Source: Anthony Slater @ The Athletic
Darren Wolfson on a potential Karl-Anthony Towns trade: “I’m not ruling it out. But what I can tell you in real time is I’ve checked with two team’s front office executives very high up, two teams that make logical sense if the Wolves were to trade Karl-Anthony Towns. If they let the league know, ‘Hey, we’re interested in trading Karl-Anthony Towns’, these two teams undoubtedly would at least inquire… Well, these two executives told me so far crickets. They have not had any trade dialogue with the Wolves. Читать дальше...
Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: LeBron James told @BallySports why he never wanted to participate in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest: FULL QUOTE: “I don’t think it was something I wanted to accomplish in my career; it’s not a goal of mine and it never was coming into the NBA to be a part of the Dunk Contest, you know? Making the NBA All-Star Team was, being the league MVP, winning Defensive Player of the Year, winning NBA Championships…? THOSE were some goals of mine. The NBA Dunk Contest was NEVER a goal of mine so... Читать дальше...
Regular season success doesn’t always result in deep playoff runs, and playoff victories don’t necessarily ensure championship rings. The players on this list understand this reality all too well; despite numerous playoff wins, they’ve never won a championship ring.
Entering this offseason, Kyrie Irving was the biggest basketball free agent and sneaker free agent. However, it appears that Irving has found his next sneaker sponsor. Irving wore the Anta Shock Wave Pro 5 basketball shoes at his annual summer basketball camp. Anta is a Chinese sports equipment company founded in 1991. The brand currently sponsors seven athletes in the NBA. Most notably, Klay Thompson and Gordon Hayward, who both have signature sneakers with the brand. While no official announcement has been made... Читать дальше...
That was a resurgence from his darkest days as a professional, when he contemplated retirement during a period that should’ve been Jackson at his height, where all the gifts, the sacrifice and the work were supposed to come together. “No, I can’t believe I’m here now,” he said. “Especially after Detroit, I wasn’t sure I wanted to play anymore and then being resurrected in LA [with the Clippers]. The build-up there, the fun there. Then being traded, it’s coming full circle.”
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Ira Winderman: Tyler Herro (hand) again formally listed as out for Monday’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Victor Oladipo (knee) also out. Only other listings are available status of Gabe Vincent (ankle), Bam Adebayo (shoulder) and Cody Zeller (nasal fracture).
Source: Twitter @IraHeatBeat
Law Murray: Kyrie Irving is expected to make his Drew League debut next month with Nation Wide Souljas
Source: Twitter @LawMurrayTheNU
Clutch Points: Erik Spoelstra on Jamal Crawford’s comments asying Nikola Jokic is ‘so good, he’s not even playing against the Miami Heat players. He’s playing against Spoelstra.’ “Look at me, I look ridiculous. I’m not out there playing. He’s not playing against me. That’s absurd … No.” (via… pic.twitter.com/YxLB0pNPqz
Source: Twitter @ClutchPointsApp
There have been many reports that James Harden is thinking of signing with the Rockets this offseason. What do you make of that? Jabari Smith: That’d be great. The team would want a Hall of Famer. It’s promising, but we’re not just banking on that. We’re still focused on us and how we can improve as a team. What would be your pitch to Harden for him to join Houston again? Jabari Smith: Come back home. He did so much for that city; there’s still so much love for him in Houston. It would definitely feel like home for him if he came back. Читать дальше...
Jabari Smith has been among several NBA players in attendance for the Adidas Eurocamp 2023 in Treviso, Italy, the only officially sanctioned NBA pre-draft camp outside the United States.
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