Category: NBA

NBA News

Posted on

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is voted NBA MVP

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) as guard James Harden (1) tries to help on defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled by Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) while driving between Powell and Clippers teammate James Harden (1) during a game at Intuit Dome in March. (Wally Skalij / Associated Press)

The case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was simple. He's the best player on an Oklahoma City Thunder team that had the best record this season and set a league mark for margin of victory. If that wasn't enough, he also won the scoring title.

That's an MVP season.

Gilgeous-Alexander was announced Wednesday as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, his first time winning the award. It's now seven consecutive years that a player born outside the U.S. won MVP, extending the longest such streak in league history.

“You try so hard throughout the season to like not think about it and just worry about playing basketball and getting better and trying to win games,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on TNT, when the results were unveiled. “But as a competitor and as a kid dreaming about the game, it's always in the back of your mind.”

It ultimately was a two-person race. Gilgeous-Alexander got 71 first-place votes and 29 second-place votes; Denver's Nikola Jokic got the other 29 first-place votes and the other 71 second-place votes.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo was third, getting 88 of the 100 possible third-place votes.

Gilgeous-Alexander — the No. 11 pick in the 2018 draft by the Clippers — averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and five rebounds per game this season, leading the Thunder to a 68-14 record. The Thunder outscored teams by 12.9 points per game, the biggest margin in league history.

He becomes the second Canadian to win MVP; Steve Nash won it twice.

“His value is his confidence,” Oklahoma City’s Kenrich Williams said of Gilgeous-Alexander, his Thunder teammate for the last five seasons. “His confidence that he has in himself and the confidence that he instills in every one of his teammates, including the coaches.”

Read more:Granderson: The Lakers should draft a big man who's also a grown-up

Jokic — a winner of three of the last four MVP awards — was second, despite a season for the ages. He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game, the first center to average a triple-double and the first player since all those stats were tracked to finish in the NBA’s top three in all three of those categories.

It was the sixth instance of a player finishing a season averaging a triple-double — at least 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds per game. Russell Westbrook did it four times and Oscar Robertson once, but only one of those triple-double seasons led to an MVP win.

“He’s a special player,” Jokic said of Gilgeous-Alexander earlier this week when the Thunder eliminated the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. “His shot selection, his shot capability … he’s always there. He’s a special player.”

Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. He started this run of international players winning MVP. Of Greek and Nigerian descent, he won in 2019 and 2020.

Jokic, a Serbian, won in 2021, 2022 and 2024. And Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon but since became a U.S. citizen, won the award in 2023.

Now, it's Gilgeous-Alexander — a son of Ontario, where hockey reigns — carrying the MVP flag after finishing second last year.

“There are voters every year. That will never change,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And last year, all it meant was that more people thought I shouldn't have won than should have won. This year I wanted to change the narrative and have it flipped. I think I did a good job of that.”

The MVP award, like most other NBA honors, was voted on by a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league and cast ballots shortly before the start of the playoffs.

The other awards that were part of that voting process and have already had their results unveiled: Cleveland's Kenny Atkinso, coach of the year; Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, most improved player; San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, rookie of the year, Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, defensive player of the year; New York’s Jalen Brunson, clutch player of the year; Boston’s Payton Pritchard, sixth man of the year.

Other awards announced by the league since the end of the regular season: Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Twyman-Stokes teammate of the year, Warriors teammate Draymond Green, hustle award; Oklahoma City's Sam Presti, executive of the year; Boston’s Jrue Holiday, sportsmanship award for the second time in his career as well as social justice award.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander officially named NBA MVP, his first win

This year's NBA MVP announcement was put on hold while the players who everyone knew would finish one-two in the voting — Denver's Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — went head-to-head in an epic playoff series. With that series in the rearview mirror and the Thunder moving on, the league is announcing the winner on Wednesday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP, getting 71 of the 100 first-place votes. This is Gilgeous-Alexander's first MVP award.

Jokic got 29 first-place votes and 71 second place votes — only he and Gilgeous-Alexander got top-two votes from the global panel of 100 media members who voted. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo came in third and had 80 third-place votes, while Boston's Jayson Tatum was fourth and got 84 fourth-place votes. Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell finished fifth with 60 fifth place votes. Other players to get votes included LeBron James, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry, among others.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring at 32.7 points per game and was the offensive engine of a 68-win Thunder team. He also averaged 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds a game this season.

Jokic's backers in the MVP race point to the legitimate argument of him averaging a triple-double this season of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists a game. However, the argument that he drove winning more than Gilgeous-Alexander fell flat with enough voters for two key reasons: 1) SGA is a much better defender and that is a key to winning, especially with this Thunder team; 2) To say Jokic had to do more because he had a lesser team around him is to punish Gilgeous-Alexander because his GM, Sam Presti, did a better job of roster construction than Denver’s now-fired GM Calvin Booth. It's not on the player what teammates he has around him, it's how he leads and interacts with them, and both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were brilliant on that front.

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the 11th player in NBA history to lead the NBA in scoring and be on a 60+ win team — and with SGA, 10 of them won MVP. (The one that didn't was Michael Jordan in the 1996-97 season when voters gave it to Karl Malone, a case now synonymous with voter fatigue.)

Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible to sign a four-year $293 million extension with the Thunder this offseason, but he likely waits a year because with this MVP award he becomes eligible to sign a five-year $380 million super-max extension in the summer of 2026.

Gilgeous-Alexander, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, continues the trend of foreign-born MVPs. This is the seventh year in a row a player born outside the United States has won the award (the last American to do it was James Harden in 2018).

SGA is the third Thunder player to win MVP, joining Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017). The Thunder drafted MVPs in three straight years with Durant, Westbrook and Harden (who won his with Houston).

Posted on

O'Connor: Brown, White have ‘massive' trade value if C's make a move

O'Connor: Brown, White have ‘massive' trade value if C's make a move originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A complicated financial situation could force the Boston Celtics to make difficult decisions this summer. Aside from Jayson Tatum, who will miss most of next season recovering from a ruptured Achilles, seemingly anyone on the roster could be traded to achieve financial flexibility.

Boston must shed more than $20 million in salary to avoid the restrictive penalties associated with being in the second apron of the luxury tax. That means they may have to move at least one rotation player from the championship core this offseason.

Although Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are set to be the faces of the Celtics while Tatum misses time, even they aren’t safe from being dealt. Trading either star would immediately solve Boston’s financial dilemma and would likely garner a significant haul.

Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports joined Wednesday’s Early Edition to discuss what a Brown or White trade could look like.

“I think it’s massive. I do,” O’Connor said of Brown’s trade value. “Think about Houston, for example. If they wanted to reunite Ime Udoka with Jaylen Brown and they don’t get Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Houston Rockets on draft night come calling with the No. 10 pick, Fred VanVleet’s contract, which will only have one year left after his team option kicks in, and a bunch of other high-value future picks — they have Suns future first-rounders among other teams as well — if you’re the Celtics, I would think you at least have to listen to that offer if Houston comes calling with that.”

As for White, the do-it-all guard has already been the subject of trade rumors with the Golden State Warriors as a potential suitor. O’Connor sees such a move as a real possibility if the Warriors send C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens a serious offer.

“If the Golden State Warriors, if they were to call up and offer a Mikal Bridges-esque package — four first-round draft picks — for Derrick White, you gotta listen,” O’Connor said.

“And so, those are the paths I can’t stop thinking about with the Celtics, even though the easiest thing to do is to come back, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown in the ’26-’27 season and roll it back and try to win again. That’s the easiest path for sure.”

Brown or White donning a different uniform next season would be jarring. Both have cemented themselves in Celtics lore, with Brown earning NBA Finals MVP honors and White stepping up as one of the game’s best two-way guards since joining Boston in 2022. But given the financial situation, and the uncertain state of the team following Tatum’s injury, Stevens and new team owner Bill Chisholm may have no choice but to make an uncomfortable move involving a fan favorite.

Watch the full Early Edition segment with O’Connor in the video below, or watch on YouTube:

Posted on

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wins NBA MVP

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-high 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting, adding 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks.Photograph: Nate Billings/AP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, capping a breakout year in which he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 68 wins and the franchise’s deepest playoff run since the Kevin Durant era, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old guard, who will be officially honored on Wednesday night, edged out Denver’s Nikola Jokić for the award after finishing runner-up to the Serbian star last season. Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Thunder player to win MVP since Russell Westbrook in 2017, and only the third in team history, alongside Westbrook and Durant.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the first Canadian to win the award since Steve Nash in 2006. He also continues a run of players from outside the US claiming the award. The last US-born player to win the award was James Harden in 2018. Since then Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the award twice and Serbia’s Jokić on three occasions. Joel Embiid, who represents the US at international level, but was born and raised in Cameroon, was named MVP in 2023.

Related: Nikola Jokić is putting up record numbers. So why is he unlikely to be NBA MVP?

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-high 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting, adding 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. His all-around excellence powered an Oklahoma City team that not only topped the standings but also set an NBA record with a plus-12.9 average point differential.

He joins Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 30 points on 50% shooting with five rebounds, five assists, 1.5 steals and one blocked shot in a season. It’s the third consecutive year Gilgeous-Alexander has topped 30 points per game while shooting better than 50%, a feat previously matched only by legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jordan.

His impact went beyond scoring. Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in the Thunder’s top-ranked defense, tallying 208 combined steals and blocks, third-most in the league behind Victor Wembanyama and Dyson Daniels.

With Oklahoma City squarely in title contention, Gilgeous-Alexander is also poised to become the NBA’s highest-paid player. He qualifies this summer for a four-year, $294m supermax extension – the richest annual deal in league history.

Posted on

Revisiting the Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle trade: Turns out to be win-win

Two days before training camp opened, the Knicks and Timberwolves shocked the NBA with what we were sure at the time would be the most surprising and consequential trade of the season (little did we know): Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo went to Minnesota. At the time, this only seemed like a win-win trade if you considered the Knicks' title chances and the Timberwolves' financial balance sheet (because they got off Towns' max contract, something the Knicks could afford thanks to Jalen Brunson's sacrifice).

Looking back on it with the clarity of hindsight — and with both teams in the conference finals — this turned out to be a win-win across the board.

Let's break it down by teams, but first, a reminder of the trade details:

New York received: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota received: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, No. 17 pick in 2025 draft (via Detroit, a pick that was top-13 protected)
Charlotte received: DaQuan Jeffries, other draft compensation

New York Knicks

The Knicks had to make this trade, they needed a center. The constraints of the CBA meant New York could not bring back Isaiah Hartenstein (who is thriving in Oklahoma City), while Mitchell Robinson was going to miss most of the season recovering from ankle surgery. That left Precious Achiuwa as the team's starting five, New York knew it needed another big body.

Towns provided much more than a big body, his shooting filled a specific need on a team that plays Josh Hart (33.3% from beyond the arc this season) and some inconsistent shooters big minutes. It set up a devastating pick-and-pop game with Jalen Brunson. Behind Towns' 24.4 points a game and 42% shooting from 3, New York had the fifth-ranked offense in the league.

What Towns did not provide was defense, particularly as a drop-back rim protector. What supercharged the Knicks at the tail end of the season and into the playoffs was the return of Robinson from his ankle surgery. Now the Knicks had two bigs — not unlike how Towns thrived in Minnesota playing next to Rudy Gobert — and some rim protection behind quality perimeter defenders like OG Anunoby. Since Mitchell's return, New York is 18-12 (regular season and playoffs) and has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The one concern still outstanding with this trade — the other shoe proverbially to drop — is that it shrunk the Knicks' bench. Not having DiVincenzo meant more minutes for the starters (something Tom Thibodeau is all too happy to lean into), and in an Eastern Conference Finals where games are every other day, the question becomes, will this catch up with New York?

Minnesota Timberwolves

This trade, at its core, was about saving money in Minnesota. The combination of Randle and DiVincenzo made about $9 million less than Towns, and it gave the Wolves options to reduce future salary. Randle has a player option next season at $30.9 million, one he's not expected to pick up, and the theory was if he didn't fit, then the Timberwolves could sign-and-trade him somewhere else, or just let him walk.

Except, Randle has fit in — exceptionally during the playoffs, where he has been the team's second-best player. This postseason, Randle has averaged 24.3 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds a game, shooting 39.3% from 3. He was the best Minnesota player in Game 1 against the Thunder, hitting five 3-pointers and carrying the offense in the first half.

More than just knocking down shots, Randle's decision-making has been fast and smart. It took him much of the season to get used to playing next to Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards, but when he did, the Timberwolves became a version of themselves, maybe better than a season ago.

As for saving money next season, that equation has changed because Minnesota now has to re-sign Randle. He has become too critical to their identity. That means someone else has to go. Naz Reid is expected to opt out of his $15 million contract to become a free agent, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also will be a free agent. The buzz in league circles is that Minnesota would consider trading point guard Mike Conley to save money. At least one, if not two, of those players will not be back next season. Minnesota is getting what proved to be the No. 17 pick in this draft out of this trade, which should help. The Timberwolves can draft someone such as Liam McNeeley, the UConn wing, or Michigan big man Danny Wolf, or maybe one of a number of international players expected to go around that spot. Whoever the Timberwolves pick will be asked to step up and play Day 1.

But with Randle playing well and the Minnesota back in the conference finals, this trade was a win for the Timberwolves, too.

Posted on

Knicks honored with NYC street names being temporarily co-named as players

For the first time since 2000, the Knicks are playing in the Eastern Conference Finals and the city of New York is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Across the city, street names are being temporarily co-named with the names of all 15 players on the Knicks roster. Each temporary street name also has the player's corresponding jersey number to go with it and, for the most part, each street name assigned to each player matches their number.

There's Jalen Brunson Boulevard on W 11th St., Josh Hart Street on W 3rd St., Karl-Anthony Towns Square on W 32nd St., OG Anunoby Alley on W 8th St., and many more.

"The Knicks embody the spirit of New York -- resilient, passionate, and unstoppable,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a release. "On the path to a championship, we recognize the hard work and determination that has gotten this team to the Eastern Conference Finals and we’re celebrating this team by temporarily co-naming our city streets so all New Yorkers can celebrate their Knicks pride. Nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers, and millions more, are behind the New York Knicks as they continue this incredible journey."

The temporary street signs will remain for the duration of New York's playoff run which gets going once again on Wednesday night after four days off following its defeat of the Boston Celtics in six games.

The No. 3 seeded Knicks host the No. 4 seeded Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. as they look to avenge last season's loss to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals in seven games which ended New York's season.

Posted on

Teague explains why Warriors shouldn't move on from Draymond

Teague explains why Warriors shouldn't move on from Draymond originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ second-round NBA playoff exit leaves them in a precarious position going forward.

Does Golden State run it back with their aging core? Or blow it up in search of a better squad around Steph Curry while that’s still possible?

It’s a controversial topic around the league, and former NBA guard Jeff Teague offered his take on which path the Warriors should follow.

On a recent episode of Teague’s “Club 520 Podcast,” he detailed why Golden State can’t afford to part with 35-year-old Draymond Green.

“You can’t move on from Draymond, because the moment you move on from Draymond you’re saying, ‘We’re not competing for a championship anymore,'” Teague explained.

“Nobody is going to trade for Draymond Green … you’re not going to get the same value that Draymond brings to your team. Whatever you trade for — I don’t care if you get two young, promising players. They’re not going to have the same vibe with Steph, those two young, promising players.

“So it’s going to be basically over for Steph. Once Draymond leaves, that’s when you know Steph is about to retire.”

Now a 13-year NBA veteran with four NBA championships to his name — all with Golden State — Green is under contract for the 2025-26 season plus a one-year player option after that. Would general manager Mike Dunleavy take the risk of trading away Green this summer?

Well, Teague has made his thoughts clear if he were in charge. But it remains to be seen if the Warriors choose to move in a different direction and part with one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 2 predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for May 22

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview

On May 22nd, the Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) and Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) will square off at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The Timberwolves dropped game one in Oklahoma to the Thunder. It was a brilliant second half from the Thunder, where they outscored the Timberwolves by 30 (70-40).

The Thunder were scorching hot from the field. They shot 50% from the field and 52.4% from deep.

The Timberwolves are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Thunder have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch the tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and, of course, our predictions, picks, and best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Timberwolves vs. Thunder

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Timberwolves (+250), Thunder (-313)
  • Spread:  Thunder -7.5
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Timberwolves an implied team point total of 105.93, and the Thunder 109.84.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Thursday’s Timberwolves vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Timberwolves & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Timberwolves at +7.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 214.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Timberwolves vs. Thunder on Thursday

  • The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Western Conference Northwest Division teams
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Timberwolves' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
  • The Timberwolves have covered the Spread in 10 of their 17 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams this season

The Timberwolves have covered the Spread in 10 of their 17 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Posted on

NBA Trade Rumors Roundup: Where things stand as Giannis Antetokounmpo meets with Bucks, KD talk too

With the NBA Draft next month and free agency a week after that, NBA trade rumors are starting to fly fast and furious around the league's back channels. Here are a few worth noting.

Antetokounmpo latest: To meet with Bucks, more

The decision falls to Giannis Antetokounmpo. It always has. As NBC Sports has reported from the start, the Milwaukee Bucks are not going to trade the two-time MVP unless he tells them he wants out because he is worth too much to Milwaukee on and off the court for ownership and GM Jon Horst to consider otherwise.

Antetokounmpo and Bucks brass are set to meet this week to discuss his and the team's future, reports Chris Haynes.

Antetokounmpo is at a crossroads. On one hand, he values loyalty, loves Milwaukee and its people, and would like to play his entire career for one team. On the other hand, he is as competitive a player as there is in the league, he desperately wants another championship, and that's not likely with the Bucks. Look at it this way: Despite him having a season that landed him in the top three in MVP voting, Milwaukee finished fifth in the East and was bounced in the first round, and now will have to play most (if not all) of next season without Damian Lillard after his torn Achilles. If winning another ring is what matters most to Antetokounmpo, he will ask for a trade.

Adding fuel to the fire was this: Antetokounmpo honestly answered a fan's question on X, but his answer only threw fuel on the fire.

Brooklyn’s “Plan A” for a rebuild is trading for Antetokounmpo and they have the draft picks to make an interesting trade package. As for the other New York team, if Giannis went in and told the Bucks he wants to be traded to the Knicks, the sides would talk (although the Knicks have to feel pretty good about their team as it is heading into the Eastern Conference Finals).

Durant not headed to 76ers

Coming out of the rumor mill that is the NBA Draft Combine, there was a lot of speculation that Philadelphia would be willing to trade the No. 3 pick for another win-now move — specifically, going after Kevin Durant, who will not be in Phoenix when next season starts. The idea is that the 76ers would pair Paul George and the No. 3 pick to get Durant and more out of Phoenix.

Don't bet on it, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer at The Stein Line.

"There have been no indications that they are looking to package George with the No. 3 pick or try to move him on his own. The Sixers surely understand that there is little-to-no chance they could optimize a trade return for the 35-year-old after his injury-riddled maiden season as a Sixer."

This trade made zero sense for Phoenix anyway, outside of certainly some interest in the No. 3 pick and the chance to have Ace Bailey or V.J. Edgecombe. The core issue in any George deal is that he has a virtually untradeable contract, especially considering his age and injury history. George signed a new four-year deal last summer to move to Philly and has three years, $162.4 million remaining. Why would Phoenix, a team trying to lower its tax bill, trade away the old expensive guy with one year left on his contract for the old expensive guy with three years left on his contract?

Expect the 76ers to run it back with George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and add whoever is the No. 3 pick. In what will be a down East next season (with Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard's injuries), Philadelphia can bet on health and know if things break their way, they can be in the mix to win the East. That is far, far more likely than a Durant trade.

Teams monitoring Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have new ownership and a new front office, but one thing remains the same: They have not made the playoffs for nine years.

Which is why teams are checking in just to see if they are looking to make win-now moves. Here is what Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo wrote at ESPN: "The Hornets took a patient approach at the trade deadline, and opposing teams are curious about their level of urgency this offseason."

LaMelo Ball is 23, Brandon Miller is 22, Josh Green is 24, and even their "old" veterans, Miles Bridges and Grant Williams, are just 26. That is a young team, but one too old to have won just 19 games last season.

Consider it all just something to watch.

NBA Draft Rumors

• While the expectation is ultimately that the Spurs will use the No. 2 pick to select Dylan Harper and deal with their crowded but talented backcourt later, the team will "entertain" calls about trading the pick, ESPN reports.

• Not so with Dallas at No. 1, they are not trading that pick and the rights to Cooper Flagg, league sources told NBC Sports. Nor should they. Not even for Giannis Antetokounmpo (no way the Mavericks should trade an 18-year-old potential star for a 30-year-old, no matter how good he is). Even if Nico Harrison thought about it for a moment, the backlash from fans in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade should scare him off the idea.

• Speaking of Dallas, they lack point guards on the roster with Kyrie Irving out at least to start the season (torn ACL). Well, they have Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy, but they need more. If Boston is about to move on from Jrue Holiday and maybe Derrick White, do the Mavericks want to try to jump into that bidding? I'm not sure if they have the picks and players to make it work, but Nico Harrison has to at least make the call.

• Zion Williamson representing the Pelicans at the NBA Draft Lottery should be a sign to the rest of the league that the new head honcho in New Orleans, Joe Dumars, plans to build around Zion, reports Marc Stein.

Posted on

How do second-apron penalties limit Celtics? Here's one tangible example

How do second-apron penalties limit Celtics? Here's one tangible example originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Back in March, when current Boston Celtics lead owner Wyc Grousbeck was asked about the dreaded “second apron” in the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, he noted that its biggest impact related to roster building, not money.

“It’s not the luxury tax bill, it’s the basketball penalties,” Grousbeck told WEEI at the time. “… The basketball penalties mean that it’s even more of a premium now to have your basketball general manager be brilliant and lucky.

” … I predict, for the next 40 years of the CBA, no one is going to stay in the second apron more than two years.”

So, what exactly are these penalties that led Grousbeck to make such a bold prediction? Here’s a list of the restrictions on teams that exceed the second apron of the luxury tax:

  • Teams cannot sign a waived player who had a salary of at least $14.1 million
  • Teams cannot use a trade exception generated by aggregating the salaries of multiple players
  • Teams cannot include cash in a trade
  • Teams cannot use a trade exception generated in a prior year
  • First-round picks seven years out are frozen (unable to be traded)
  • A team’s first-round pick is moved to the end of the first round if they remain in the second apron for three out of five seasons

If your eyes glazed over there, we don’t blame you. That’s a lot to digest. But the latest Celtics-related report provides a tangible example of how the second apron limits teams like Boston, which is currently $20 million over that threshold entering the offseason.

Longtime NBA journalist Marc Stein reported earlier this week that Boston may explore trading Jrue Holiday this offseason in its quest to trim salary and get under the second apron. On Wednesday, Stein’s colleague Jake Fischer noted that “multiple rival executives” believe the Celtics would need to include “some form of incentive (such as draft compensation)” in such a deal to convince a team to take on the $104 million remaining on Holiday’s contract.

For starters, second-apron restrictions prevent the Celtics from including cash in a hypothetical Holiday trade, which means they’d need to go the draft pick route. But the second apron also prevents Boston from trading its 2032 first-round pick, which would create a ripple effect that would leave Brad Stevens and Co. with very limited draft resources to trade, as CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning lays out here:

Even if the Celtics can complete a trade of Holiday using one of the picks above, their lack of future selections complicates their ability to make other deals that may require draft picks as sweeteners, such as potentially moving big man Kristaps Porzingis and his expiring contract.

The draft pick restriction of the second apron is a big reason why the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets were forced to let Paul George and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, respectively, walk in free agency for no return, and it’s possible the Celtics could meet the same fate with Porzingis if they can’t find a trade partner with their current assets.

The Holiday example underscores the importance of Boston at the very least shedding $20 million in salary this summer to ensure the team isn’t subject to the same second-apron penalties next offseason. That may require some hard decisions, but with Jayson Tatum already expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from Achilles surgery, the short-term pain may be worth the long-term gain.

Posted on

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Welcome to the MVP club, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star reportedly has won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

It marks the first for Gilgeous-Alexander, who played a leading role in the Thunder’s league-best 68-14 record that saw them top the Western Conference ladder.

Gilgeous-Alexander posted averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on a 51.9/37.5/89.8 shooting split. His points and assists averages marked career highs.

A three-time All-Star, the Kentucky product was the season’s scoring champion for the first time. Oklahoma City acquired the Toronto native after his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, with Paul George the main piece headed the other way.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, spending just one season as a Wildcat.

He edged three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who helped Denver to a 50-32 record before losing to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder in the second round. He recorded his first ever triple-double campaign, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

Only Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21) have averaged a triple double over the course of a season.

The Nuggets star won the MVP in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 before picking up his third in 2024, with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid halting Jokic’s run in 2023. He was attempting to become just the sixth player in league history to win four or more MVP awards — joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), LeBron James (4) and Wilt Chamberlain (4).

Gilgeous-Alexander placed second in the MVP voting last season, with Jokic the winner and ex-Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic rounding out the top three.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, was also an MVP finalist. Milwaukee finished 48-34, good for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Posted on

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP for 2024-25 season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Welcome to the MVP club, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star reportedly has won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

It marks the first for Gilgeous-Alexander, who played a leading role in the Thunder’s league-best 68-14 record that saw them top the Western Conference ladder.

Gilgeous-Alexander posted averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on a 51.9/37.5/89.8 shooting split. His points and assists averages marked career highs.

A three-time All-Star, the Kentucky product was the season’s scoring champion for the first time. Oklahoma City acquired the Toronto native after his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, with Paul George the main piece headed the other way.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, spending just one season as a Wildcat.

He edged three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who helped Denver to a 50-32 record before losing to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder in the second round. He recorded his first ever triple-double campaign, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

Only Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21) have averaged a triple double over the course of a season.

The Nuggets star won the MVP in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 before picking up his third in 2024, with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid halting Jokic’s run in 2023. He was attempting to become just the sixth player in league history to win four or more MVP awards — joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), LeBron James (4) and Wilt Chamberlain (4).

Gilgeous-Alexander placed second in the MVP voting last season, with Jokic the winner and ex-Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic rounding out the top three.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, was also an MVP finalist. Milwaukee finished 48-34, good for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Posted on

Dooling sees Kuminga having McGrady career path if Warriors trade him

Dooling sees Kuminga having McGrady career path if Warriors trade him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jonathan Kuminga’s NBA journey has been anything but easy.

And now more than ever, his future with the Warriors — the only NBA organization he’s known — is uncertain as he enters restricted free agency this offseason.

As the “All the Smoke” crew discussed what the future holds for the 22-year-old forward, former NBA guard Keyon Dooling explained how if Kuminga lands elsewhere next season, he could follow a similar career path as Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady.

“If you trade [Kuminga], he’ll be like how Tracy McGrady was when he got traded from the Raptors,” Dooling said. “He’ll be on the cusp, if not an All-Star. He’ll be a very, very talented, lead scorer in the NBA. He’s that talented.”

McGrady spent his first three seasons with the Toronto Raptors but his role varied. In 192 games (53 starts) over three seasons with Toronto, he averaged 11.1 points on 44.8 percent shooting, with 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks through 24.7 minutes.

After the Raptors’ first-round playoff exit, McGrady became a free agent and signed with the Orlando Magic via a sign-and-trade deal. The Magic helped unlock the best seasons of his Hall of Fame career, averaging 28.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks through 39.4 minutes in 295 games (294 starts).

He was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career with Orlando, and finished his career as a seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA member. He also won the NBA Most Improved Player during his first season with the Magic.

McGrady finished fourth in NBA MVP voting during his second and third seasons in Orlando, respectively.

All in all, the Magic helped McGrady unleash his full potential as an NBA player, while the Raptors seemingly held him back from doing so.

Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has fluctuated since being selected No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. And more recently, a series of DNPs-CD (Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision) raised several eyebrows since being left out of Steve Kerr’s rotation toward the end of the season and to start Golden State’s 2025 playoff run.

It wasn’t until Steph Curry went down with a hamstring injury that Kerr turned to Kuminga, who stepped up massively for the Warriors without their best player. Despite being thrust into the rotation during the Warriors’ second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga finished the series averaging 20.8 points on 54.3 percent shooting, with 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.4 minutes off the bench.

While Kuminga showcased his talent on the big stage ahead of a big offseason for the young forward, Matt Barnes believes it’s too late for Kerr and the Warriors to mend that relationship.

“I think the bridge has been burnt between him and Kerr,” Barnes said. “… I don’t know if there’s light at the end of the tunnel. But if he’s able to get out to a new situation and spread his wings, he’s going to be a problem. He’s a 20-plus-point-a-game scorer in this league. He’s freakishly athletic.

His talent is not in question here. It’s just his mentality.”

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

Knicks Playoff Run Reviving Local Spots Amid Tourism, Spending Slump

New York Knicks bar Stout, a three-minute walk from Madison Square Garden, is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year. Five hours before tip-off, staffers are double-checking reservations and feverishly cleaning while bartenders restock with mixers and supplies.

Cardboard cutouts of stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns overlook the bar as the two-decade-old establishment gets ready to host a crowd that will push the three-story pub to its maximum capacity of about 700. The crew will pass out vodka-based blue and orange shots if the Knicks win.

The Knicks’ first conference finals appearance since 2000 has been a boon for businesses such as Stout at a moment they need the support. Shop owners around MSG said they are trying to navigate industry-wide headwinds stemming from declining sales and higher operating costs. NYC tourism is also experiencing a slump, as the city will welcome 400,000 fewer tourists than it did last year, according to The New York Times, as the nation grapples with rising geopolitical and trade tensions stemming from Trump administration policies.

The smaller profit margins this year have placed increased pressure on owners to make ends meet.

“Our business would be very different if the [Knicks] were sitting at home,” Ian Conroy, co-owner of Mustang Harry’s, said in an interview.

Conroy and his brother, Niall, have operated the popular sports bar on 7th Avenue for 30 years—and during that span, they have witnessed some serious lows for the Knicks, including a seven-season drought without a playoff berth. Conroy said this past month has been the peak of revenue for his sports pub so far this year. The Tipperary, Ireland, native wants to make the most of this historic run that coincides with an ongoing wave of economic uncertainty.

“People that are coming out will spend less [than before] but at least they’re coming out,” he said. “The fact that the Knicks are on a playoff run, people want to be around [other] fans buzzed. It’s definitely much better than if somebody else was in their place.”

After the Knicks eliminated the defending champion Celtics last week, thousands of fans took to the streets outside of MSG to celebrate. In some cases, fans were tossing bras, flipping over garbage cans, scaling street poles and standing on top of taxis.

The Knicks have helped to add to the foot traffic and enthusiasm around the area by rolling out official viewing parties outside of MSG for the first time, which are free to attend. While the official watch party for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers will be held inside Radio City Hall, with tickets costing $10 each, the organization has partnered with several local NYC bars for fans looking for that party atmosphere.

“While we don’t measure the economic impact of sports tourism specifically, we know that major moments like the Knicks’ exciting playoff run, drives foot traffic and spending—especially near MSG,” NYC Tourism and Conventions CEO Julie Coker said in an emailed statement. “It’s clear that New York City’s home teams are not just fueling hometown pride, they’re also contributing to the vibrancy of our visitor economy.”

It’s a timely contribution. A study conducted by the NYC Hospitality Alliance shows that 72% of establishments reported lower sales last summer (from June to August), with only 5% seeing a rise in business.

Alfredo Marty, general manager at Blarney Stone on 8th Avenue, said it would be “dead” if the Knicks hadn’t played in six home playoff games, with at least two more home games at MSG starting Wednesday night. Blarney Stone has had the same operators for 22 years and keeps its doors open late for thirsty fans who are looking to celebrate and down a cold brew after a Knicks win.

“Business has been horrible, but because of the Knicks, we do well,” Marty, a Dominican who has lived in New York for over 30 years, said. “They just need to keep winning.”

Meanwhile, the Knicks’ rush has also trickled over into local pizza shops. Pizza Suprema, which has been an MSG staple for more than 60 years, has reeled in about triple the amount of normal business on playoff game days, forcing it to bring in additional staff to accommodate the traffic.

Papi’s Pasta & Pizza on 7th Avenue has been relatively slow since the holiday rush after its grand opening back in early November. But Papi’s manager Axel Foley said they experienced a significant uptick in sales after the Knicks won Game 3 over the Celtics on May 10, at times running out of soda to sell to a bevy of Knicks fans who had come through their doors for the first time.

“We just can’t wait for them to play again,” he said.

It is fitting that as Knicks look for their first Finals appearance since 1999, they butt up against one of their main foes of the ’90s in the Pacers. For longtime business owners, the surge led by superstar guard Brunson is a welcome blast from the past.

“We definitely have a team that we can get behind,” Conrad said. “And they’re getting behind us too.”

Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Posted on

All the player and team options ahead for Sixers in 2025 offseason

All the player and team options ahead for Sixers in 2025 offseason   originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

While the NBA draft and the No. 3 pick has become the hot topic of the Sixers’ offseason, there’s also plenty of other items on the agenda. 

One of those is player and team options, which have a June 29 deadline. Below is an overview for the Sixers: 

Kelly Oubre Jr. — $8.4 million player option 

Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported on May 11 that the Sixers’ “expectation” is all three of their veterans with player options will return. 

“I’m a Philadelphia 76er,” Oubre said at his exit interview. “I’m blessed to be a part of this organization. I’m here in front of you guys right now … taking it day by day. But also, this is a business. At the end of the day, I’m happy. And I feel like I like to finish what I start, and I don’t feel complete.” 

Oubre has averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals over the past two seasons. He’s remained a subpar outside shooter — 29.3 percent from three-point range last year — but Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has liked his progress as a turnover-forcing defender, athletic wing rebounder and aggressive downhill driver. 

Andre Drummond — $5 million player option 

Drummond’s 2024-25 season was derailed by a left big toe injury. He missed 42 games and couldn’t successfully grit through the problem. 

“I’ll be fine,” Drummond said. “It’s just one of those freak things that requires rest. I can’t muscle through something like that. I’ve tried, but my body was rejecting it. It’s just something you have to sit down with and allow to heal, and I’ll be fine.”

Drummond enjoyed being a mentor for rookie big man Adem Bona, who he called a “sponge.” 

He certainly envisions the Sixers winning a lot more than 24 games next year. 

“There’s more work to do,” Drummond said. “There’s stuff that’s missing that I haven’t completed here yet, which is winning at the highest level. And I still feel that way now. I think we still have the pieces to win at the highest level and think I can be a big part of that, too. 

“So my plan is to come back. Obviously, whatever happens in the offseason, happens. But my immediate plan is to be back here.”

Eric Gordon — $3.5 million player option 

Gordon had a frigid shooting start but ultimately found his form and ended the year at 40.9 percent from three-point range. He underwent right wrist surgery in late February. 

“I haven’t thought that far,” Gordon said of his minimum-salary option. “My main focus is to rehab and just make sure I get fully healthy looking forward to next season.”

Justin Edwards — $2 million team option 

Edwards got his first extended minutes in the Sixers’ rotation on Jan. 4  His rookie year became one of the best parts of the Sixers’ generally bleak season. 

The undrafted wing posted 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. 

“We don’t want to be in this situation, but you find some hidden gems and he’s a great hidden gem,” Kyle Lowry said of Edwards on April 1. “He’s really good. He’s professional, he wants to get better, he’s passionate about the game. At the end of the day, he’s just going to continue to get better with this opportunity he’s been handed.”

Edwards is working on his jumper and his body this offseason. Whatever his contract looks like, it seems safe to assume that he’ll stay a Sixer. 

Jared Butler — $2.3 million team option

Over time, Butler grew more comfortable running the shorthanded Sixers’ offense and adapting to an ever-changing cast of teammates. He averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 28 appearance after being traded to the Sixers.

Not counting any potential draft picks, the Sixers would have four guards 25 years old or younger if they keep both Butler and restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. (Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain are the other two.) 

Lonnie Walker IV — $2.9 million team option 

Walker’s NBA return hit an unfortunate speed bump when he suffered a concussion on March 12. 

To his credit, Walker finished the year quite well. He posted 22.8 points per game over the Sixers’ last five contests and scored 31 on the season’s final day.