Category: Basketball

According to Jeremy Woo, the Utah Jazz have reached out to the Washington Wizards … about potentially trading up…

From Marc J. Spears article, where he credits Jeremy Woo:

Dybantsa is the top prospect in the draft, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. The Jazz have reached out to the Washington Wizards, who have the No. 1 pick, about potentially trading up to land the former BYU standout, a source said.

This could mean a wide range of things. Most likely, though, the Jazz are doing their due diligence. If the Jazz didn’t at least call the Wizards to talk, it would be negligent. For Utah, they appear to be fine with where they’re at in the draft, but if the Wizards want a certain player between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, and can get something from the Jazz and still draft them, it makes sense. The same goes for the Jazz. If they can get a trade done with the Wizards that doesn’t cost them much, then it’s worth doing. Don’t forget, Utah made trade calls about Mikail Bridges and other players that were known to be on the trade market. It didn’t materialize, but at least Utah was able to determine the cost.

That said, there is a scenario where it might mean more. Maybe this is a plot twist, and the Jazz want to move up for a player we don’t expect. What would happen if Utah trades up, but it’s for Darryn Peterson?

More change is awaiting Karl-Anthony Towns. 

He’s already experienced significant change this postseason in his role in the offense.

In the Eastern Conference finals, there will be notable change in his matchup, regardless of whether it’s the Cavaliers — who are up 3-2 with the series heading back to Cleveland — or the Pistons. 

Towns primarily had the smaller Onyeka Okongwu guarding him in the first round and the hobbled Joel Embiid guarding him in the second round.

When it wasn’t Embiid, it was the past-his-prime Andre Drummond. 

There will be more talented defenders for Towns to deal with as the Knicks look to make their first finals appearance since 1999.

The Cavaliers and Pistons present different challenges. 

If it’s the Cavaliers, who are now favored to win their series, they have more finesse options in Evan Mobley — the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year — and Jarrett Allen.

Both are lengthy and strong shot-blockers — they are second and third, respectively, in blocks per game (behind Victor Wembanyama) in the postseason.

Allen is at 2.0 blocks per game, while Mobley is at 1.8.

In the final regular-season matchup — an ugly 109-94 Knicks loss in February for which the Cavaliers had their current roster (with James Harden) — Towns was uninvolved in the offense.

He took just five shots and only recorded two assists.

He had five turnovers.

It came at a time when Towns’ usage — or lack thereof — was a central storyline. 

“No matter what we did, we either turned the ball over or we had a tough shot,” Brown said at the time regarding how to get Towns more involved. “We made some play calls [for Towns] tonight, but we didn’t generate anything from the calls that we made.”

That feels like a completely different universe. 

Now, the Knicks don’t have to call plays for Towns as they are running their offense through him.

Their adjustment midway through the first round has been well documented — letting Towns facilitate from the elbow and having the four other players, notably Jalen Brunson, cut and set screens around him.

It’s been the biggest factor in unlocking the best version of the Knicks offense. 

In the regular season, Towns shot just 3-for-11 from the field with three turnovers when Mobley guarded him, per the NBA’s tracking stats.

When it was Allen, he went 5-for-10 with five turnovers.

They did a solid job of disrupting him and limiting his impact. 

But that was in the old system, when the ball was largely in Brunson’s hands and Towns had to wait for scoring opportunities.

The new system should help him better handle the defense of Mobley and Allen. 

They are excellent shot-blockers and rim protectors, but Towns will still have a height advantage on both. His ability to see and pass over his defender at the elbows is critical to this newfound system.

Towns is not asked to post up as much as he was, which allowed Mobley and Allen to use their shot-blocking acumen. 

And Mobley and Allen are wiry and not particularly strong.

Two years ago in the first round, their lack of strength allowed the Knicks to torment them on the glass.

Jalen Duren, if it’s the Pistons, would be a whole different story.

He certainly isn’t finesse.

He would represent the brawn side of the spectrum. 

He is not the level of shot-blocker Mobley and Allen are.

But he is much stronger and denser.

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

He tries to bully opponents and make them feel his physicality.

He was a first-time All-Star and the anchor of what was an imposing defense in the regular season. 

But Duren has had a nightmarish postseason, potentially costing himself millions in the process.

In Game 5, he was benched for the entirety of the fourth quarter and overtime.

Paul Reed and Isaiah Stewart, his backups, are similar in their bruising style.

That physicality was a big problem for Towns and the Knicks, who lost all three regular-season matchups in decisive fashion. After the second loss, Brown said, “They kicked our behind.” 

Towns, however, won’t be asked to overpower Duren — or Stewart or Reed — in the post, like in the regular season.

He will be dragging them out of their comfort zone, closer to the perimeter.

Mobley’s and Allen’s shot-blocking ability and Duren’s strength mean they are all best in the paint.

And since this Knicks offense took off, Towns has been primarily operating at the elbows and on the perimeter. 

They’ll present different types of challenges from what Towns experienced in the first two rounds.

They had success against Towns in the regular season.  

But that was the old Towns.

The new Towns is better positioned to win that battle. 

It’s become obvious just how important that is to the Knicks.

It’s been a tumultuous few days for the Sixers’ organization.

Then again, those days all ended in “y.”

Two days after the ownership group made the decision to part ways with Daryl Morey after six seasons, managing partner Josh Harris and HBSE president of sports and former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers spoke to reporters.

The pair spoke about what the franchise is looking for in its next lead executive, what Myers’ role looks like moving forward and the fallout of the Jared McCain trade. Here are five takeaways from the availability.

Where do they go from here?

If you were hoping for answers as far as the direction the team is going, you didn’t get much. Several questions were asked about the futures of Joel Embiid and Paul George, and how those older veterans mesh with the young backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Myers didn’t divulge much, basically insinuating the new executive the team hires will have major input. He acknowledged how early it is in the process and how there’s still much fact-finding to be done and people within the organization to speak to about what went wrong this season.

Harris was asked specifically about Embiid and his future. Take his answer how you will.

“I think that he’s an important player on our roster,” Harris said, “and he’s a warrior. … some of the things that you said are also true [about his injury history]. So, I think we’re looking forward to welcoming him back on our team.”

If you were looking for a ringing endorsement for Embiid, it wasn’t provided. Nor was there any clear indication of how the team views the plausibility of its current dual timeline.

But Myers’ answer to Derek Bodner’s question about the viability of the three-star model in today’s CBA was interesting.

“Well, we didn’t get it done this year with three guys, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. … I think it’s a smart question in that, ‘what’s the modern roster supposed to look like with the second apron, really? Which oftentimes operates as kind of a hard cap. The truth is, depth may be more important than it’s ever been. Maybe that’s the pace of play. Maybe that’s what we require of our players more. Not to say that this model doesn’t work, but we have to look at what happened this year and be honest about it. We got to be honest about can this model work, right? And that’s really the question, and also understanding the depth is key, and you only have certain amount of resources to spend. So that’s all part of the questions. It’s all part of what we need to figure out going forward.”

For what it’s worth, it didn’t seem like Myers was being evasive in the availability. Morey was just let go on Tuesday and Myers’ search hasn’t even really begun. Perhaps when the draft comes around, those answers will start to materialize.

This answer from Myers was another interesting one, though:

“It was fascinating to hear from the current staff that I saw yesterday in Chicago, what was said at the exit interviews. I find that very impactful. I’m not going to tell you [what was said] — that’s not fair. All of it matters, all these conversations, all the things you learn about an organization when the game is over and you go in the locker room and you talk to the players, you talk to the coach, talk to the training staff, what happened this season, and until we get all of that, I’m not going to say we’ve got the answers to that question, but I do know this: we have to get better.”

Myers’ role moving forward

When Morey was let go, folks wondered if Myers would simply take on the role of president of basketball operations. That does not appear to be the case.

However, some eyebrows were raised when ESPN’s Shams Charania said Myers would “partner” with the team’s next lead executive. Given Myers’ success as an NBA exec, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll have a bit more say with the Sixers than, say, the New Jersey Devils or Washington Commanders, HBSE’s other franchises.

While the person the team hires will be in charge of day-to-day operations, it certainly sounds like Myers will weigh in on the franchise’s bigger decisions.

“They’ll have a lot of authority here, which they should,” Myers said. “What they’re going to get, and our fans are going to get, is them, plus me. I won’t be on a day-to-day level, but on the high-level decision-making, which is being here at the draft, being here leading up to the trade deadline, being available for free-agency discussions, free-agency meetings, things like that. I’m going to be involved at that level, and I can tell you that I imagine — and I’m not saying this lightly — I’ll be communicating with that person daily, if not five out of seven days a week.”

Could Myers one day go full Pat Riley mode and take things over? Who knows?

A comfort to Sixers fans concerned about the draft is that Myers is hoping to have someone in place by then and is allowing a front office group that’s drafted quite well to do its thing.

“… the goal would be to have someone in place for the draft to get acclimated with the new group. But by the way, the group is working now, and whoever we hire, not sure who that will be, will likely, possibly already be evaluating the draft, where they’re coming from. So that’s a benefit, in some ways, but, yeah, I’d like to, and I hope to, but it’ll be as much time as required to get the best person. Because again, sure, have someone by the draft, but the goal would be to have someone that’s the right person for a long amount of time after.”

On his draft philosophy:

“This group’s done a pretty good job drafting, to be honest. I don’t want to come in and run over anybody in this existing group, including Daryl. He’s drafted some good players — Maxey, VJ, good examples of very successful players that were picked. So I’m not an expert in that. I’ll give my opinion. I want to meet with the group, hear what they say. Each year is a little bit different as to what you’re looking for, see who might be available at that pick and partner with new leadership and see what their philosophies are on the whole thing.”

The Jared McCain trade

There was no way this one wasn’t coming up.

Myers was asked about it first. His answer was diplomatic, praising Morey in general, while saying the true analysis of trades for the organization doesn’t happen until we see all the results.

Harris confirmed the ownership group — including Myers — gave the OK on the deal.

“So, the way these things work generally with something like that is the front office makes a recommendation,” Harris said, “and then ownership, which included Bob at that point, and we OK’d it. So, I think we were involved in it. It was part of a bigger plan. … As Bob said, we don’t know the outcome of that trade right now. We are sitting here with the 22nd pick, but I understand what you’re saying, and I understand the question, and …obviously, I understand the view of it here.”

Well, here’s hoping they nail pick No. 22.

What are they looking for?

Myers was asked right off the bat what he’s looking for in an executive.

“I’m a big believer in character and leadership, and I’m looking for a person that embodies those things. But there’s many characteristics under that that I believe kind of qualify in making a modern GM a success. There’s front-facing responsibilities, there’s responsibilities of managing star players, there’s responsibilities of managing up to ownership, there’s contract negotiations, there’s draft process, there’s evaluating analytics, there’s medical staff.

“You go down the line, and these jobs have an enormity to them, so I’m looking to find someone that can check as many of those boxes as possible, but also raise their hand and say, ‘You know what? I’m actually not good in this space. I’m going to need some support.’ Because the misnomer about these jobs is … I had some success in my previous job, but it wasn’t me by myself. There are teams of people that make a team and organization successful, so making sure we have the right person to lead them, but also the right people underneath them, which is important.”

Harris faces tough questions

It goes without saying the Sixers fan base isn’t pleased with Harris and the organization. A decent example of that is how New York Knicks fans were able to take over Xfinity Mobile Arena last week. There is also a growing contingent of the fanbase who’d like Harris to sell the team, noting how his other teams are direct competitors with Philadelphia franchises.

Despite being asked a question about him not addressing “off-court things,” Harris kept his answers strictly to basketball and the Sixers.

“I think I’m very focused on setting up the team and the club to push through the second round and go to the NBA championship, achieve our goals,” Harris said. “I care deeply for the team. No one’s more frustrated than I am. I understand people’s frustration. And … going out and getting someone as talented as Bob to kind of help Philly achieve its goals — this is the next step and our evolution.”

Interesting nugget to add: Harris was asked directly if the front office is under a directive to stay below the luxury tax. Harris said no, and that the ownership group is investing in a new arena, which will cost much more than any tax penalties, and has signed multiple max players, at times going over the tax in the past.

The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.

Ever since his arrival, Collin Gillespie has taken the Valley by storm and shown he’s a piece of this future. Last year, when he took off on his two-way venture, many did not know his name, but he sure changed that sentiment real fast. After the Suns had seen some injuries (per usual), he was thrust into the rotation and made a name for himself.

That small sample size gave the Suns’ front office confidence to bring him back on a one-year deal. One that Gillespie wanted, as he knew his role would increase, and he could earn a hefty payday. This was deemed the right decision, as the guard exploded onto the scene and fans around the league started to realize he had some potential.

The guard had an electric year, not only showing up on the stat sheet but also breaking a franchise record in his first full year with the team. Gillespie doubled his minutes, now seeing almost 29 per game, and posted 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks while shooting 42/40/87 on the season. He also broke the Suns’ three-point record for most in a season, breaking Quentin Richardson’s record. Gillespie finished the year with 232 makes, which was an incredible feat to witness.

Add this to his great playmaking and recognition to run an offense, and it was beneficial for the team. Whether it was the starting unit with Jalen Green out or the bench unit when everyone was healthy, he was one of the true initiators on this team. He also grew a nice connection with big man Oso Ighodaro, one that seemed to flourish when they were together.

All of this discussion surrounding him and how he found this path on the Suns should prompt the Suns to re-sign the guard. The question, though, remains: how much would it cost?

Even if he did run into a shooting slump late in the year, I think the best version of Gillespie on a healthy team will resemble his start of the year. In a role where he can come off the bench and be that true six-man and even close out games if he is hot offensively, is where he will thrive.

With the Suns having early-bird rights on his contract, they can go over the salary cap to bring him back. This will be a big factor in the ability to keep him, as opposing franchises could outprice the Suns if they want to sign him.

Finding a contract that reflects his play and his value to the franchise can be hard, but a happy medium of around 11-13M annually seems like a good price to meet. On a three-to four-year extension that would resemble some other solid backup point guard contracts.

With him making just over 2M this season, this will be a huge payday for the guard, who I believe would be more than happy to continue his journey here in Phoenix. This is the team that allowed him to get into the spotlight, and they should not let that talent walk out the door.

The Suns want to stay competitive and keep building on this successful season. Re-signing Gillespie lets you do that while keeping the fans happy. That being said, I think the Suns should bring him back at any cost.

It's the offseason for most teams around the NBA and squads are meeting with draft prospects at the combine in Chicago.

While some teams are weighing their options, others are considering whether they will use their pick and select a draftee or trade the pick for other assets.

That was one question looming around the Golden State Warriors once the No. 11 pick was conveyed to them in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft (June 23 and 24).

The Warriors have been linked to multiple teams in potential trades for star players to pair with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. Some of the names that have surfaced as potential targets are the Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Warriors are going after those guys, or players of their caliber. Golden State wants to bring in another star ... but not at the expense of their No. 11 pick. The team has no plans to part ways with their draft pick, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears.

"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people, the Warriors like to keep that pick," Spears said during a May 14 appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today."

The NBA league office declared that officials were right to withold their whistles in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s Cavaliers-Pistons Game 5 in Detroit, won by Cleveland, 117-113, in OT . 

In a tie game with about a second left in regulation, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen appeared to step on and trip Detroit’s Ausar Thompson as the latter went for the loose ball. 

Rather than call a foul and send Thompson to the line, the referees let play go on, sending the game to overtime. 

Foul.

Ausar should be shooting free throws.

Game should be over. pic.twitter.com/B0VzEtJGeo

— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) May 14, 2026

The Pistons were incensed after the game at the no-call. 

“[Jarrett Allen] fouled Ausar,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said during the postgame press conference. “It’s clear. He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.”

“That’s a foul,” the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham said. “It’s been a foul the whole game — wasn’t a foul at that time.”

“We, the Pistons, we know it was a foul,” Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins added. “But we don’t expect that.”

According to the league’s Last Two Minutes Report, Allen’s contact did not warrant a whistle.

“Allen and Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact,” the report read. 

The league’s ruling echoes what crew chief Tony Brothers told a pool reporter after the game. 

“During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball,” Brothers said.

With the win, the Cavaliers will have a chance to close out the series in Cleveland on Friday, with the Knicks waiting in the Eastern Conference finals.

Austin Reaves taking a leap this season was not new to his career. He’s made a habit of steady improvement throughout his career.

What was different about this season was that it came in a contract year. On the brink of his next big payday, Reaves played at an All-Star level. An untimely injury kept him out of the mid-February exhibition game, but it did not change his level of production.

For the fifth straight season, Reaves saw his scoring increase, this year jumping up to 23.3 points per game. And as a result, he’s set to rake in a whole lot of cash this summer. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the expectation around the league is that Reaves will get a contract around $40 million per year.

While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere. Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime.

While that number seems high, in the new NBA, it’s going to become far more standard to see deals this big. On the flip side, a number that big is going to limit the teams that could even offer him that in free agency. Woike also detailed the teams that could target Reaves.

At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.

Having said all that, there have been no indications that Reaves is going to leave for another team. Luka Dončić has campaigned for him, Austin has made it clear he wants to return and the Lakers want him back.

The other good news is that his big deal won’t stop LA from making deals this summer. His cap hold will be about half of that expected $40 million salary. As our own Bryan Toporek previously wrote, his low cap hold will be the key to the team’s free agency plans.

Since Reaves is an undrafted free agent rather than a first-round pick, he’ll have a relatively modest free-agent cap hold. As long as his 2025-26 salary ($13.9 million) is above the league’s average salary, his cap hold will be only 150% of his previous salary, or $20.9 million…The salary cap is projected to be north of $170 million in 2026-27, so Reaves would be eligible for a maximum starting salary of $42.5 million as a free agent.

Fortunately for the Lakers and Reaves, they should be able to have their cake and eat it, too. They can make free agent moves and then give Reaves the payday he has earned.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to advance out of the second round for the first time since 2018. We’ll see if they have what it takes against a Detroit Pistons team that’s used to having their backs against the wall.

After falling down 0-2 in the series, the Cavs have strung together three straight wins thanks to exceptional play from their entire core four. This included overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat the Pistons on the road in Game 5

Getting the last game could be the hardest.

“I’ve been in this position before, and have lost this next Game 6, then that puts a lot of pressure on you in Game 7, especially if you have to go on the road,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said immediately after Wednesday’s win. “It’s a must-win game for us in terms of if we want to move forward.”

Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!

Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) vs. Detroit Pistons (2-3)

Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH

When: Fri., May 15 at 7 PM

TV: Prime Video

Point spread: Cavs -3.5

Cavs injury report: None

Pistons injury report: Duncan Robinson – QUESTIONABLE (back), Kevin Huerter – QUESTIONABLE (abductor strain), Caris LeVert – QUESTIONABLE (heel)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Pistons expected starting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Previous matchup: The Cavaliers overcame a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes to steal Game 5.

Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

The Spurs have outscored the Timberwolves by 67 total points this series. Do you think that if the Wembanyama ejection hadn’t happened, the series would be over?

Marilyn Dubinski: It’s certainly possible.  It’s also possible it would be over if either Wemby or De’Aaron Fox showed up offensively in Game 1, but neither is a sure thing.  That being said, as long as this doesn’t stretch to Game 7 and/or fatigue doesn’t become a factor in the Western Conference Finals (*mandatory “assuming they get there” to avoid any jinxes), I’m actually not upset with this series going as it has (as long as it’s over tomorrow).  It has been quite the learning experience for the young Spurs, both mentally and physically, and while you can’t claim a defending champion who went to Game 7 in the Finals is not battle tested, you can tell the Thunder have been coasting through the first two rounds against possibly the easiest schedule ever (at least in the West), winning but not dominating.  Is it possible the Spurs will be the more-ready team thanks to this match-up? Time will tell.

Mark Barrington: Probably, but I feel like if the Night of the Flying Elbow was a turning point, not just for the series, but for the future of the franchise, as they learned that playing superior basketball on the court wasn’t enough to make a serious run at a championship, but they also had to sharpen their mental and emotional skills to overcome teams already hardened in the pressure of playoff basketball. Every team at this level is talented, and teams will do anything to get even the smallest mental edge, and the Spurs found out how to deal with that and react the right way. Getting that experience was much more valuable than a routine win, which was the likely outcome if Wemby kept his cool. Wembanyama took his game to another level in Game 5, and we’ll see if that’s sustainable in Game 6 and in the Conference Championship round, if they advance.

Devon Birdsong: It’s hard to say due to the degree of physicality that was being allowed in that game, and I think it would have been a very close game due to that, but I’m leaning toward a ‘no’ because I think the Wolves would have come out firing in Game 6, and (whether you were in favor of it or not) the attention that Wemby’s elbow and ejection brought to the officiating of the series might have continued unabated. Even before the series, I told myself it would be 6-7 games if Edwards was healthy enough to play well, and for the most part, he has been. 

Jeje Gomez: It feels very likely. When nothing strange has happened after shaking off the cobwebs on Game 1, the Spurs have looked like the better team against a Timberwolves squad that can’t rely on Anthony Edwards as much as it normally would. But there’s nothing wrong with going to six or seven games with a veteran contender that has been to the Conference Finals twice in a row, and could have pulled off the win even with Wembanyama on the floor.

Who or what has been the X Factor for either team so far, and do you expect it to be a major factor in Game 6?

Dubinski: There are several X factors for the Wolves (Edwards’ knees, Julius “The Wild Card” Randle), but I’ll go with a more subtle one who isn’t there: Donte DiVincenzo. Without him, they have almost no outside shooting beyond Edwards, and that has been huge in allowing the Spurs to outscore them so badly in this series.  To that extent, three-point shooting could also be considered an X factor for the Spurs.  Interestingly, while neither team is shooting great, with both sitting at about 33% for the series, the Spurs – and especially Julian Champagnie – have been vastly superior in their wins vs. losses.  This series doesn’t necessarily hinge on three-point shooting, but it has certainly been a factor that has helped the Spurs.

Barrington: The Timberwolves live or die by how well Anthony Edwards plays. He’s been slowed by injuries in this series, but he’s still been playing great, especially when Wembanyama is out of the game and he can drive without worrying about the big guy’s rim presence. Ant seemed oddly passive in Game 5, and if that passivity continues in Game 6, Minnesota’s season is over. To extend their playoffs, he has to have another 30+ point game and bring his teammates with him. Julius Randle isn’t having a good series, but he could bust out at any time. Hopefully it won’t be Saturday.

Birdsong: The Spurs hitting their threes has been the difference between blowouts and close games/losses, but if we’re going with a player, I’d have to go with Keldon. Every time he’s had a good game (offensively or defensively) the Spurs have crushed it. If he’s off, things get a little tighter. The same is true of Harper, but he’s a little more consistent on the scoring end, and he pretty much runs the offense for the second unit even if he’s off. Getting 10+ points from Keldon in conjunction with solid defense usually gives the team separation. 15+ points, even if everyone else is having an average game, pretty much clinches it for them most of the time. He was a very deserving 6th man because against good teams he is very often the difference. 

Gomez: Double-teaming and trapping Anthony Edwards is not necessarily a new strategy, as many have tried it in the past, but the Spurs have been using it well, and it has limited what the superstar guard and the Timberwolves’ offense can do. Not only has San Antonio made Ant have to play off the ball more than he’d preferred, but it has put pressure on others to make plays, and few have been able to answer the call. Whether the Wolves can find that secondary scorer to carry the offense for a while and whether the shooters connect on some of the open looks the strategy inevitably concedes could determine whether the series ends or goes to a Game 7.

Do you think the Spurs will close it out in Minnesota in Game 6, or are we heading for a Game 7? 

Dubinski: Without any drastic occurrences (another unexpected ejection, injury, someone besides Edwards going supernova, etc.), I think the Spurs know what it takes to beat this team and will close things out.  The scenario I foresee is the Wolves come out hot, giving it all they have early and take a decent but not insurmountable lead. Then, the Spurs inevitably regain their composure, be it in the second quarter or at halftime, surge back, and that’s that, since the Wolves have nothing left in the tank and no new wrinkles to throw out there.  Or it could be a wire-to-wire Spurs win.  Or it could be a loss and we’re back here on Sunday. Who knows with this series.

Barrington: The Spurs will close it out in Game 6, unless Ant has a 50-piece and drags at least one teammate with him. I’m expecting a huge effort from Edwards in a close loss as Rudy Gobert gets played off the court due to his inability to get a hoop or even catch a pass, which frees up the paint for Wembanyama to punish the Wolves relentlessly. Julius Randle will contribute his usual dozen points or so, and Naz Reid will make an impact off the bench, but it won’t be enough as they go fishin’ before the weekend starts.

Birdsong: Barring officiating shenanigans or a team-wide shooting drought, I think they know they have Minnesota’s number. They looked incredibly confident by the 4th quarter of the last game, to the point that they let up just a little for a minute or two. They’ll need to approach Minnesota like a wounded/cornered animal in Game 6, but as long as they do that, I think they have it. Talk to me again once I see the officiating assignments for Friday, though, because I’m not 100% sure that the shenanigans are over. 

Gomez: I think the Spurs will be eager to close it out and should be able to, as long as they keep Edwards under control and no one else from the Wolves has a career game. As mentioned, they have looked like the better team in general. Wembanyama has dominated inside, the guards have provided scoring, and the perimeter defense has been tenacious. The Timberwolves are a tough opponent and no one would be shocked if they force a Game 7 and end up winning the series, but I think the most likely scenario is a Game 6 win for San Antonio.

Steve Kerr summed up the Golden State Warriors’ current state in two sentences.

“What we had is gone, but we’re trying to hang on to it,” Kerr told ESPN’s Wright Thompson. “I don’t know if anybody really knows if it exists anymore.”

That’s where the Warriors are in an uncertain 2026 offseason. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are still around, but in older, slower, more injury-prone versions of themselves. The team can’t stop trying to compete while they still have the greatest player in franchise history, and Kerr himself worries he “can’t walk away.”

Kerr resigned with the team on a two-year contract that may well align him with the last years of Curry, if not also Green. The deal came nearly a month after the Warriors’ season ended with a play-in game loss, a sign of Kerr’s deep ambivalence about returning to what he called a “fading dynasty,” though he insists there’s “beauty in the struggle” of “trying to fight until the last breath.”

It’s an interesting intellectual approach for a team that’s clearly a level below the best teams in the Western Conference. They’re raging against the dying of the light with the odds and the actuarial tables against them. It’s kind of like when Curry would read critical tweets about him during halftime, only this time the primary hater is Father Time.

The marketing department asked Kerr to stop talking about this concept while they were trying to push season-ticket renewals, because apparently “dying” is not a word that gets fans excited to spend money.

“Dying Dynasty” isn’t quite as compelling as “The Last Dance,” the name for the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, who had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, coach Phil Jackson, and a guy named Steve Kerr all on expiring deals. That team was united to win a final championship and also stick it to the team and its management that seemed insistent on breaking them up. (R.I.P. Jerry “Crumbs” Krause)

However, it seems to be the way everyone is going forward, at least for the next two seasons. Owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy seem excited about the plan, and still believe that as long as they have Curry, they can beat anyone. Maybe not for four straight series, or even a full seven-game series — the Warriors would have rested Curry, Green, and Al Horford for the first game of the playoffs had they gotten past the Phoenix Suns — but they can still be competitive.

That seems to be what’s keeping Kerr going. Realistically, it’s not about winning a fourth title. It’s about remaining competitive and having nights like the play-in win against the Los Angeles Clippers. And it seems to be about coaching Steph Curry for as long as he can and probably Draymond, too.

Given his comments about wanting to give the franchise a “clean start” after Curry is done, it sounds like Kerr is committed to being there for the messy ending. The dynasty might be dying, but Kerr is there to go down with the ship.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It’s do-or-die time for the Detroit Pistons, who will have to win on the road in Game 6 to keep their season alive. The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to close out the series at home and advance to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2018.

After a heartbreaking loss in Game 5, Detroit is reeling, and my Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions expect Cleveland to get the job done and win the series handily at home.

Here are my best NBA picks for Friday, May 15. 

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6 prediction

Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: Cavaliers -3.5 (-120)

The Detroit Pistons have to be heading into Rocket Arena completely demoralized after blowing a nine-point lead late in Game 5 and ultimately losing at home in overtime.

As a result, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gone from down 2-0 in this series to being one win away from the Conference Finals.

The Cavaliers rank in the Top 3 in points, 3-pointers, efficiency, offensive rating, and fewest turnovers at home, and they're a perfect 6-0 at Rocket Arena in the playoffs.

Evan Mobley’s emergence as a facilitator and his work in containing Jalen Duren have been instrumental in Cleveland’s success, and Donovan Mitchell — who has been much better offensively at home — should bounce back after a relatively quiet Game 5.

COVERS INTEL: Although Detroit averaged the eighth-most points per game in the regular season (117.8), Cleveland has held the Pistons to fewer than 110 points in all three head-to-head matchups at Rocket Arena in 2026.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6 same-game parlay

Cleveland’s 120.4 offensive rating at home is third-best in the playoffs, and its 118.0 points per game at Rocket Arena ranks second. Cleveland has scored 107 points or more in all six of its home playoff matches, and I expect that trend to continue in Game 6.

Mitchell has averaged 30.2 points on 50.8% shooting at home compared to just 22.3 points on 40.2% shooting on the road this postseason. He’s scored 27+ in four of six games at Rocket Arena, and he’s reached that mark in three of five in the Eastern Conference semis.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

• Cavaliers -3.5
• Cavaliers team total Over 106.5
• Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points

Pistons vs Cavaliers odds for Game 6

• Spread: Pistons +3.5 (+100) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-120)
• Moneyline: Pistons +145 | Cavaliers -170
• Over/Under: Over 209 (-110) | Under 209 (-110)

Pistons vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

Cleveland is 5-1 ATS at home in the 2026 postseason. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6

Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr decided to continue his tenure with the organization on a multi-year deal to keep him as the NBA's highest-paid coach.

But that almost didn't happen. He seriously contemplated retirement, according to ESPN.

Although he never went through with the decision, there have been multiple instances where retirement has crossed his mind, per ESPN.

ESPN says he discussed retirement for the first time in June 2025, about a month after the Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals in five games, losing star Stephen Curry to injury in the process.

"My wife and I have been talking about it a lot," Kerr told ESPN's Wright Thompson then. "I have a year left on my contract. Maybe one more season. Maybe two. When Steph Curry and Draymond Green leave, the franchise deserves a clean start. We are one injury from completely falling apart."

That's nearly what happened during the 2025-26 campaign. The huge blow was losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL in January, especially as the team was starting to roll.

Even before then, retirement had crossed Kerr's mind. The Warriors lost an overtime game to the Toronto Raptors, a contest they led for most of the game. The loss didn't sit well with Kerr.

"I think things have run out here," he said. "It's just time to move on. For me and for them. I'm probably being too emotional after yet another close loss, but it's probably true. ... We will commiserate and drink beer and watch the game on our computers and complain about all the dumb plays we made."

That loss was in late December. Golden State turned into one of the better teams through January until Butler got hurt. About a week and a half later, they lost Curry for 27 straight games to runner's knee.

The battered Warriors scraped their way to the 10th seed, somehow finding themselves still in NBA Play-In contention, as the season drew to a close. Even then, Kerr said he had his mind made up on calling it quits after the season, before the Warriors played a March 25 game against the Nets.

He told ESPN's Thompson that he spoke with his wife, Margot, at the time and they both agreed that the 2025-26 season would be his last. All Kerr wanted was a classy ending.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr says he’s “excited to keep competing” after the team makes his return official via a press release on Tuesday.
• ESPN’s Wright Thompson shared the full details behind Steve Kerr’s decision to return to the Warriors.
• Cavaliers beat the Pistons, 117-113, in Game 5 Wednesday night to take a 3-2 series lead.

The Golden State Warriors made it official on Tuesday, announcing the return of head coach Steve Kerr after the two sides agreed to terms on a multi-year contract. In a press release posted by the team, Kerr expressed his gratitude to the organization and said he is “excited to keep competing” with the Warriors once again.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching this team,” Kerr said via the team’s press release. “This organization has meant so much to me for the last 12 years — from ownership to our players, our staff and our fans — and it’s an incredible privilege to be a part of something so special. I’m excited to keep competing with this group.”

Kerr’s return brings stability to a Warriors organization entering a pivotal offseason after finishing the 2025-26 season with a 37-45 record and missing the playoffs. Despite the disappointing finish, Golden State is clearly still placing its trust in the coach who helped lead the franchise to four NBA championships and help build one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties.

So with Kerr now officially back in the fold, attention quickly shifts to the Warriors’ offseason plans and how the front office decides to build around Steph Curry for what could be one final run at another championship.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, May 14th:

Warriors News:

Why Steve Kerr stayed with the Warriors | ESPN

STEVE KERR WALKED into the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire with a secret. Win or lose, he’d decided to retire as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. It was a Tuesday morning in mid-April, the day before the team’s first postseason play-in game in Los Angeles. When this season ended, his 12-year run with the Golden State Warriors would end, too. In the airy hotel restaurant behind the concierge desk, Kerr gave his name and room number, 516 — “Johnny Bench Joe Montana” — and a hostess showed us to a table by the window. He looked around and lowered his voice.

“I think it’s over,” he said, almost mouthing the words.

The latest NBA Intel … most notably the view from Chicago on where Philadelphia goes from here | The Stein Line

It was stressed to me Tuesday night that Myers — although he is scheduled to arrive soon in Chicago to dive into his various pressing tasks — will step back into an advisory role once Morey’s successor is named.

I’m also told Myers will interview candidates internally as well as externally to take over … but also that it’s far too early to name any possible favorites for the role.

One item, however, that has been spelled out rather definitively: For all the recent rumblings about Myers’ affinity for former Golden State Finals MVP Andre Iguodala, I’m told Philadelphia does not plan to consider the ex-Sixer and current executive director of the NBA Players Association as a potential candidate for its new front office.

Draymond Green talks Clippers following the results of the NBA Draft Lottery: “Are they gonna move Kawhi Leonard?”

NBA News:

4 takeaways: Cavaliers earn overtime victory and 3-2 edge over Pistons | NBA

The Cleveland Cavaliers won a road playoff game and did so despite shaky shooting from Donovan Mitchell.

It’s hard to tell which one was more disbelieving, but both happened in the swing game of their semifinal series, and because of that, the Cavs can close out the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Cleveland on Friday.

The Cavs, who won on the road for the first time in these playoffs, had most of the answers in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime. They were scrappy, determined, unbothered by their previous mistakes.

Baylor’s Cameron Carr among standouts in NBA Draft combine scrimmage

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors had a lot of ‘Giannis conversations’ at draft lottery

But the Warriors also don’t have a lot of options better than taking a home-run swing on Antetokounmpo if they want to maximize the rest of Steph Curry’s career, and trading for Antetokounmpo is probably more likely than convincing LeBron James to take a substantial pay cut to relocated 350 miles north.

It’s still quite early to be making moves, but as a wise man from Tupelo, Mississippi, the Warriors need a little less conversation, and a little more action.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

Here are the NBA playoff games for Thursday, May 14, 2026:

• New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers — 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
• San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves — 9:30 PM ET (ESPN)

Enjoy the hoops tonight!