SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 04: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs defends Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They predicted a firm Los Angeles Lakers loss to the Houston Rockets in the First Round of this year’s NBA playoffs. Without two of their three best players (Austin Reaves, out with an oblique injury and Luka Doncic, out with a hamstring strain), they had no chance against the talented young Rockets, most media members in an ESPN survey said.
Actually, 15 of 16 believed that Houston would win comfortably.
— Mette L. Robertson (@M_Robertson100) May 6, 2026
And you can’t really blame them. Statistically, their chances of winning was 14 percent, according to Polymarket. That equates to “no chance”, according to Legion Hoops.
JUST IN: The Rockets have an 86% chance to eliminate the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs
But the Lakers still won the series – and pretty convincingly at that – getting up 3-0, which is basically unbeatable historically.
That begs the question of how much attention we should give numbers and stats, especially in the playoffs.
Here’s why.
Numbers are great at calculating how to get the most efficient shots, finding weak points and so much more. But they can’t stand alone. They can’t tell you about chemistry and they can’t predict the big moments of a playoff series. In order to get a full picture of a player, a team, a series, you have to look up from the stats sheet.
Momentum, the intangibles in between possessions, rivalries, chemistry between certain players, trust in each other – and the opposite – overall team connection, leadership, mental toughness – no one can measure these things.
But it is, however, right here that the real story of a game takes place. The story of winning – or losing – of personalities and the biggest moments.
Most things worth experiencing are not quantifiable. It is in between all the numbers we track that the greatness of basketball is found.
Right there, when numbers just won’t cut it anymore, we have only emotions left. In those cracks and in between our logic and reasoning, basketball forces us to feel. The good, the bad, the sad, the disappointment, and the elation.
All of those feelings which we often are afraid to feel in our normal lives, because it would mean we lose control. But when we watch basketball, all of these feelings are acceptable, even applauded. And in that, basketball becomes a vent for all of our big feelings, which most people spend so much energy bottling up to get through the day.
According to a Freudian psychoanalytic perspective on fandom, sports provide a rare, socially acceptable place for behavior that would otherwise be unacceptable. Fans can be loud, boo and scream, and be hostile towards the opponent. That leaves a place to get the aggressive, primal urges of the id (from Freud’s theory) out in a way that’s acceptable by our social norms and the superego, in which our moralistic nature resides. The id’s raw energy is channeled into a civilized activity that we like to call fandom. Sports help us get an emotional release for pent-up tension. And basically, that’s why it feels so important – and gratifying – to be a sports fan.
That leads us to the future of the NBA, and a pretty good representation of the next generation generally, it seems: Victor Wembanyama from another playoff contender, the San Antonio Spurs. Just last week, Wemby talked about how he isn’t interested in trying to hide his emotions or consider it a weakness, which has been the predominant culture in the sports world, and generally, up until now. But that may be about to change.
“I refuse to carry the burden of having to hide my emotions,” he said in an answer to a question about whether being emotional is weakness.
Wemby is unapologetic about not trying to hide his emotions 💪❤️
If sports, fandom and basketball help us cope with life, find balance and release pent-up feelings of the past, that is a powerful conclusion and a meaningful purpose.
This piece started as a reminder to look up from the stats sheet – and perhaps your phone, as well – and how basketball is less about numbers and more about moments and all that comes in between. But as it turns out, it’s a lot about feelings, too.
Sure, for some, it’s about money mostly, but for fans, players and people around the teams, who put so much time and effort into this sport, it comes down to feelings.
Like someone used to say all the time (it was me), basketball is all about feelings. And maybe I was right. One thing I know, though, is that numbers can’t predict heart – so look up, or you might miss it.
The Los Angeles Lakers will try to rebound from their Game 1 loss and even their Western Conference semifinals series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder won the opener 108-90. Oklahoma City is heavily favored with a 15.5-point spread with an over/under of 209.5. The Lakers will again be without Luka Dončić, who has not yet been cleared for contact.
How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder -935 (86.6%) / Los Angeles Lakers +616 (13.4%)
Over/Under: 209.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Thunder 108, Lakers 90 Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (Thursday May 7, 9:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (Saturday May 9, 8:30 ET, ABC) Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (Monday May 11, 10:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (Wednesday May 13)* Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (Saturday May 16)* Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (Monday May 18)*
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics celebrates scoring a three-point-basket with Luka Garza #52 and Hugo Gonzalez #28 in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on November 09, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — For 82 games, the Celtics’ depth — particularly at the wing position — was one of its biggest strengths.
“We just have 15, 16 guys that can impact winning,” Joe Mazzulla said before the playoffs. “At any point in time, people can help us win.”
When Mazzulla made that comment, it resonated. We’d seen it all year, after all.
Jordan Walsh started 25 games and showed flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball, demonstrating an ability to shut down some of the best scorers in the league.
Baylor Scheierman started 20 games and emerged as the perfect complementary role player who had a penchant for winning plays.
At just 19 years old, Hugo Gonzalez started three games, but made his mark in plenty more, drawing charges, diving for loose balls, and becoming one of the league’s top plus-minus guys.
Even Ron Harper Jr., who began the season on an Exhibit-10 contract, got three starts and helped swing several games, outplaying Kevin Durant on the second night of a back-to-back in Houston.
Depth, however you wanted to look at it, was an undeniably positive storyline. All four backup wings came into the season unproven, and all four finished it with big-time performances under their belt and undeniable potential.
But, while that player development was part of what made the 2025-2026 regular season special, the Celtics couldn’t sufficiently leverage it when it mattered most.
Walsh played the most substantial backup wing role, in large part due to his ability to guard Tyrese Maxey, but he played just 5 minutes in Game 7. Gonzalez didn’t play rotational minutes until Game 7, and though he helped key a critical first-half run, all in all, he played just 19 postseason minutes.
Harper Jr. played 21 minutes across the first six games, got an unexpected Game 7 start, and then went on to only record 4 minutes in that game, despite tallying two quick steals.
Throughout the series, fans clamored for more minutes for each of their favorite back-ups: more Scheierman minutes, Walsh in the starting lineup, any sign of life from Gonzalez.
Before Game 7, I posted a thread on X asking fans what they would change; most of the 500+ respondents urged for more minutes from one of the team’s young wings.
The reality, however, is that playoff rotations usually tighten up. By late March, Jayson Tatum was back playing (very effective) heavy minutes, and Sam Hauser had established himself as the team’s fifth starter.
Mazzulla’s rotation conundrum was not made easier by the fact that none of the young guys on the roster separated themselves from one another — while different players stepped up in different moments, there was no clear hierarchy going into the playoffs.
“It was an unusual roster in that we had a lot of unproven young players that had really not contributed at a meaningful level yet in their careers, and [they] really showed themselves capable of that,” Brad Stevens said at his end-of-season press conference. “Oftentimes, as a coach and as a staff, it’s a lot easier if some do and some don’t, because then there’s a clear demarcation line. But that’s a good problem to have.”
In this series, however, the Celtics didn’t really benefit from the fact that there was no set rotation the way they did all season. In the decisive Game 7, Gonzalez, Scheierman, Harper, and Walsh all went scoreless on 10 combined field goal attempts. None of the four players was able to develop an offensive rhythm against Philadelphia.
It’s easy to say that Mazzulla should have played Scheierman, given that he broke through as an all-around player shortly after the trade deadline. But one could also make the case that Gonzalez, who probably brings the most to the table from an athleticism standpoint, should have seen opportunities before Game 7.
But the reality is that there is limited on-court time, and it’s hard to blame Mazzulla for those decisions, considering there was no clear pecking order among the backups going into the playoffs.
Stevens emphasized that it is not the front office’s job to make rotational decisions: “The role questions, and when people play, and how many people play, that’s what a coach has to do — and it’s really hard when, again, there’s not a clear separation.”
At his end-of-year press conference, Stevens was specifically asked about Gonzalez’s growth and, in turn, he praised his rookie season. The 2025 No. 28 pick averaged 14.6 minutes across 74 games, shot 36.2% from three, and was one of the NBA’s plus-minus leaders.
“Hugo had a great rookie year, and is, I think, a critical part of us moving forward because his athleticism can meet the moment in the big games,” he said. “That’s a real thing. You can see it. You know it. His strength is off the charts. He’s probably the strongest — he’s one of the strongest guys on our team right now, pound-for-pound, as a 20-year-old. So, he’s got a bright future.”
Still, Stevens explained that Gonzalez hadn’t done enough during the season to clearly demand postseason minutes.
“That said, he didn’t separate himself from those other guys,” he said. “And so, as a front-office person, I can’t sit here and say that one person should have been playing over another, should have been playing over another. There wasn’t enough separation.”
It’d be hard to argue with that.
Gonzalez had great moments, but he also made rookie mistakes, couldn’t create as much offensively, and didn’t space the floor as well as someone like Hauser, who has been on the Celtics for five seasons and was in the rotation for the 2024 title run.
Now that the 3-1 series lead has been blown, it’s easy to play Monday Morning Quarterback and say this guy should have played, or this guy should have played, but the real challenge lies in the fact that all four wings — who had taken turns being so important during the regular season — came into the playoffs on relatively equal footing.
Mazzulla, for his part, denied that making those rotational decisions was difficult.
“It wasn’t,” Mazzulla said. “I think too many times, pushing the right button gets linked to a positive result. At the end of the day, it’s about pushing the right button [toward the] process of putting us in a position to win. And that’s always the goal. And the locker room, whoever is out there puts us in position to win.”
That’s Mazzulla’s perspective, and it’s obviously a valid one. Still, watching the Celtics-76ers series unfold, it became increasingly clear that the team’s regular-season depth and rotational unpredictability were no longer the asset it was in the regular season.
In Game 7, only five players scored — three of the team’s starters (Harper Jr., Luka Garza, and Scheierman) went scoreless. Walsh was effective in slowing down Maxey in stretches, but none of the other bench guys consistently left their imprint on the game.
That’s, in part, the result of a roster that hadn’t been there before. Nearly half of the rotation — Neemias Queta, Walsh, Gonzalez, Scheierman, Harper Jr., and Garza — had never before logged postseason action.
“There’s positives in that, because these are experiences that will then add up for these guys to take advantage of in the future,” he said. “But when you’re in the midst of it, and you have a chance, you wish you would still be playing.”
Gonzalez ($2.9 million), Garza ($2.8 million), and Scheierman ($2.7 million) are all under contract next season. Harper Jr. ($2.6 million) and Walsh ($2.4 million) have team options. It seems unlikely that all five guys will be back in green next season — and if they are, it seems even likely that, with another year under their belt, there will be a pecking order established earlier in the season.
During the 2024 title run, Mazzulla didn’t have to make these decisions. Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford were all going to see significant minutes. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser were on the edges of the rotation. Everyone who played had been there before, and the guys who didn’t hadn’t meaningfully contributed throughout the year.
A lot of that, to put it plainly, is just roster construction.
“As I look back, we didn’t have a team that was as experienced or as, certainly, as ready for that moment as you know we’ve had in the past,” Stevens said.
At the same time, in hindsight, it’s clear that one of the Celtics’ biggest regular-season strengths became a challenge when it came to the postseason. The 2025-2026 season was formative for so many players — that’s part of why Jaylen Brown has dubbed it his favorite-ever season.
But when it mattered most, that depth became a challenge.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to even their second-round NBA playoff series against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2. The Pistons fought off the Cavs for a 111-101 victory in Game 1. Detroit is favored by 3.5 points in Game 2 with an over/under of 215.5.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -160 (59.1%) / Cleveland Cavaliers +135 (40.9%)
Over/Under: 215.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101 Game 2: Cleveland at Detroit (Thursday May 7, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video) Game 3: Detroit at Cleveland (Saturday May 9, 3 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland (Monday May 11, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit (Wednesday May 13)* Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland (Friday May 15)* Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit (Sunday May 17)*
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a take this inflammatory, we must all operate with the same basic assumptions. Here are mine: The Boston Celtics probably do not want to trade Jaylen Brown. He is eligible for a two-year, $141.9 million extension in July, and I expect they will offer it to him. I have no idea if Brown wants to sign said extension, and if he doesn’t, they will trade him. That is, as we say in the biz, that.
Because of the contract situation, we really don’t have to speculate much on if he willbe traded or not; the fountain pen and the expensive piece of paper will do the talking. But we can certainly wonder if Boston should proactively move past the Jaylen Brown era (short answer: no) or if Brown himself is starting to think past his time as a Celtic (short answer: probably, but everyone thinks about their future).
But then there’s the keystone question, one that is the genesis of this whole discussion and the reason I’m writing this at all: should Jaylen Brown want a trade now, and could that ultimately be good for Boston? (short answer: I think so)
Should the Celtics want to trade Jaylen?
If I’m Brad Stevens and Boston’s front office, I’m not getting in the habit of proactively trading All-NBA players who won a championship and Finals MVP for your franchise. The Celtics are no longer in dire financial straits, and it would be pretty cold to say “thanks for your service Jaylen, peace out!” without having your hand forced. Jaylen isn’t even 30 yet, just had the best season of his career and has the two best abilities a superstar can have: durability and availability. Boston would be stupid to throw that away.
But Brown is not just a contract or a stat sheet; he’s a guy with personal and professional priorities. I don’t know if those are still best served in Boston, and Brown and I might be on the same page.
Brown’s reaction to their recent first-round series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers hasn’t exactly been gracious, and he even said that this season was his “favorite year” of his career. Not crazy because it was easily Brown’s best statistical season, but also not really a team-first view either, given that they won the NBA Finals in 2024, this was the first time the Celtics had missed the second round of the playoffs since 2021 and this was Brown’s first major stretch of his career without Jayson Tatum since he was a rookie.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” is not true whatsoever (ever heard of a smoke machine?) but I don’t think Jaylen is saying this stuff just… cuz. It feels like a soft launch of a trade request, or at the very least, a cup of coffee with one. And I wouldn’t blame him, given we all just saw the best Jaylen Brown ever is one without Jayson Tatum on the floor. If you were Jaylen, you’d at least be wondering what life would be like if that were all the time, right?
Brown is not going to find that arrangement in Boston. Put simply, Tatum is a significantly better player than Brown and one the Celtics are more financially tied to. He will be healthy next season and regain his status as the primary creator and ball handler. Does Brown actually want to return to his old role?
How Jayson and Jaylen work in 2026 and beyond
The “Can Tatum and Brown win together?”debate… thing that dominated Celtics circles for over half a decade was finally put to rest when they, ya know, did. But personally, I always found both sides of the argument profoundly stupid. For one, it implied that this was an equal partnership, which it basically never was; Tatum’s dribble advantage always ensured he would dominate the ball. For another, it had this weird, New England Puritanical determinism bent to it; it was like you had to decide if you were committing your whole heart and soul to this core or if you were 100 percent out. God had already decided whether this was the right path, so you were either on the bus to salvation or nowhere near it.
I, conversely, always felt that trading Brown would make sense if I could be sure the Celtics would get better. Some Kevin Durant smoke back in 2021 piqued my interest, as did some 2019 Anthony Davis packages. For who those guys were at the time, Jaylen included, we were just talking about a categorical upgrade for Boston. It was always a question of how valuable Brown was to Boston versus how valuable he was to other teams.
And it’s the same deal now. Before the Celtics won it all in 2024, Brown’s value as an asset never exceeded his impact as a player. But it’s a brave new world in Boston, and Jaylen’s ability to be an elite first option may entice some interested teams to part with some serious beans to give Brown what he will never have on the Celtics: his own show, with all the trappings of superstardom and franchise control. How could he possibly avoid thinking about this?
Brown and Tatum have been extremely productive colleagues, but any suggestion from the Tatum-Brown Eternal Cult that they are blood brothers who never want to be separated ignores plenty of counter evidence. Logan Murdock’s excellent profile of Brown for The Ringer in 2023 explored the two’s relationship at length, and while the crux was basically “there has never been any conflict between them and that they’re good friends,” it also wasn’t “this guy is my ride or die forever, and I couldn’t imagine playing basketball without him.” Nor did Brown say much this year about how much he missed the then-injured Tatum on the court and how excited they all were to have him back. Calling this his “favorite year” isn’t super endearing either.
It was never a personal conflict, and I will resist to no end any notion that it was, but there has been obvious basketball friction between the two; they never ran much of a two-man game like some sort of Nikola Jokic/Jamal Murray duo, and both are most comfortable with the ball in their hands. Then again, find me a pair of superstars in NBA history that have been completely, 100 percent without a basketball conflict. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen? Absolutely not. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook? Nope. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant? Are you kidding me?
I think Pippen/Jordan is very instructive, as while Pippen was better than Brown is now, and Jordan was uh, better than Tatum, you have to wonder if Jaylen knows the first word everyone thinks of when they think Scottie Pippen: sidekick. It wasn’t until Jordan retired that Pippen left the Chicago Bulls, and, already past his prime, his production plummeted. Does Brown really want to be remembered as a sidekick? Or does he want a fabulous second act to his career? Personally, I would want the second act.
What does Jaylen Brown want?
As I said before, Brown can force Boston’s hand by refusing to sign the extension they will offer him. That will speed things along, and then Boston will try to get the best deal they can; you’ll notice I avoided speculating about Giannis Antetokounmpo or any of the other packages thrown out on social media because they would have distracted from the crux of the issue: should Jaylen Brown actually want this, but an Antetokounmpo swap with Boston attaching a pick or two would probably be good for both parties. I wonder if Milwaukee would actually trade Giannis to Boston of all places — that would be a Category 5 betrayal of their fans — but Brown is probably by far the best player they could get back. Meanwhile, Tatum-Giannis-Derrick White is another category upgrade. His media circus and durability would make me nervous as a Celtics fan, but this is Giannis Antetokounmpo we’re talking about — still a business you want to be in.
But again, this really will be Brown’s decision, and I am essentially at peace with the fact that the right one for him might be to take his talents someplace else. He spent nine years in Boston blowing through every expectation and ceiling ever put on him, by me and many others, and I would be happy for him to be here another nine as a Celtic. But I also want him to be happy as Jaylen Brown; if it is no longer in Boston, that is, as we have said, that.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 6: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks took a 2-0 series lead Wednesday night, grinding out a 108-102 victory over the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. New York trailed after the first quarter, 33-31, and stayed close through three, tied at 89 heading into the fourth. The relentless Knicks defense gradually wore down Tyrese Maxey (47 MIN, 26 PTS) and Paul George (43 MIN, 19 PTS)—and maybe both sides were a little gassed. Philly managed just 12 points in the final frame, and each team squeaked out just three points in the final three minutes. This wasn’t the blowout that we’ve become accustomed to, and the offense faltered at times (7-of-26 3PT), but the paint dominance (56 points), a 20-10-7 line from KAT, and Anunoby’s two-way bullying were enough to claim the victory.
Brunson was the engine, as usual, but it wasn’t easy. Kelly Oubre, Jr. and VJ Edgecombe took turns harassing JB through most of the first quarter, and he worked hard just to make 9-of-21 from the floor. He made up for it at the free throw line, where he converted 7-of-8. Those trips to the stripe were crucial in the fourth quarter when Philly was clinging to their lead. Given how well he was guarded, a 6:3 assist-to-turnover ratio ain’t too shabby. Cap still found his spots, still made the right reads, and outdueled Maxey yet again. Grade: B+
This was a KAT performance that reminds you of what he can do when he’s aggressive. He shot 75% from the field, drew eight fouls, and dished seven dimes. The double-double was almost a footnote given how efficient he was. Without Joel Embiid (ankle/hip), Philly had no answer for Karl inside or as a passer at the elbow. His free throw trips kept the Sixers in foul trouble all night. Three turnovers and that silly foul right after halftime keep the grade from climbing higher. Grade: A-
Best player on the floor last night? Quite possibly. OG logged four steals, zero turnovers, and 24 points on clean, efficient shotmaking. He generated 11 points off turnovers by himself and added six fast-break points, turning defense into offense while demoralizing Philly. Add to that a perfect 4-for-4 from the stripe. The three-point shooting was a little off, but who cares when he’s so active and impactful everywhere else? The Knicks needed a difference maker in a close game, and OG answered the call. The only dark cloud? Late in the game, he tweaked something in his leg and exited. Say your prayers it’s merely something minor. Grade: A
A quietly terrific game. ’Kal shot 69 percent from the field, did his damage in the mid-range and at the rim (with very encouraging aggression). Crashing the glass and running hard, he hustled to score four second-chance points and four fast-break points. The threes weren’t falling, but he wasn’t the only one with that problem last night. Defensively, he was excellent, with more of an impact than his one steal and one block suggest. Consistent, efficient, low-noise production. Two more points and the Knicks would have had four starters with 20 or more. Grade: A-
The stat line is a tale of two halves. The good: seven boards, six assists, three steals, a +5. The bad: four turnovers, a tech foul, and 2-of-6 shooting. Hart’s energy is essential to the team’s success, and his playmaking and defensive activity were genuine contributions. One of the game’s biggest moments came when, after jamming his thumb in the third quarter, he returned in the fourth to make a back-breaking triple. The turnovers were costly, though, and the shooting kept him from having a complete game. By our count, Josh must have a splint on two of his 10 digits—and the series is still young. Grade: B-
The tall sophomore’s main crime was the foul trouble. With Mitchell Robinson sidelined by illness, and two first-quarter fouls on Towns, coach Mike Brown needed a clean game from his back-up center. Instead, Huk (who played very well in Game One) registered four personal fouls that limited his impact and shortened his stint. He grabbed three boards and had a second-chance bucket, but he fell short of expectation. Grade: C+
Defense was Deuce’s saving grace yesterday. He had a rough shooting night, making 1-of-5 from the field. One turnover, one assist, and a -2 in his stint. Sure, he canned a timely triple in the fourth, but he wasn’t a factor on offense otherwise. He’ll need to be more of a threat from deep as the playoffs continue, and if Anunoby misses any time, expect Deuce to play bigger minutes. Grade: B-
Shamet’s night was the definition of “cardio” in the box score, but don’t be fooled. That +6 in his eight minutes of action tells a truer tale. While Landry didn’t record a single counting stat, the Knicks went on one of their better mini-runs while he was on the floor. he functioned purely as a floor spacer tonight, and supplied some solid defense on the other end. Nothing memorable, but sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed. All those blanks bring down his mark. Grade: C+
A mixed bag. Clarkson went 2-of-4 from the field and grabbed five boards (three offensive), which is the hustle we like to see from him. The -6 in his minutes was a bummer. Grade: C
Bench / Rotation Notes
Jose Alvarado chipped in three points on 1-of-2 shooting, with one assist and one turnover in a seven-minute cameo. Overall, six NY reserves combined for 15 points and 52 minutes. Conversely, Nick Nurse played just three bench guys, who also scored 15 points. So far, New York’s depth is fine against Philly. It might prove less so in other rounds. Grade: C+
Coach Mike Brown
Battling poor officiating in addition to a well-coached opponent, Brown made the right adjustments heading into the fourth. The Knicks allowed 13 triples on 34 attempts, which is a bit concerning, but the overall defensive structure was sound, and New York outscored the Phillies 19-12 in the fourth to close it out. Up 2-0, no complaints. Grade: B+
The Knicks are in the driver’s seat heading to Philadelphia. Game Two was less pretty than Game One, but not unexpected. We figured the Sixers would come back with a strong counterpunch—and maybe play better without Embiid sucking up so much oxygen, frankly. Games Three and Four will be played in a tougher environment, but despite Philly’s attempts to block their attendance, Knicks fans should be present and vocal. Let’s hope the ‘Bockers give them something to cheer about.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were messy in the series opener versus the Detroit Pistons.
Think “James Harden’s beard after eating ribs” kind of messy.
Game 2 of this Eastern Conference semifinal tips off tonight, and my Cavaliers vs. Pistons props expect a cleaner effort from Cleveland and more halfcourt action because of it.
That boils down to my best NBA picks for Game 2 on Thursday, May 7.
Best Cavaliers vs Pistons props for Game 2
Player
Pick
James Harden
Over 6.5 assists
-112
Jalen Duren
Over 15.5 points
+100
Donovan Mitchell
Over 2.5 threes
-115
Game 2 Prop #1: James Harden Over 6.5 assists
-112 at bet365
James Harden pointed the finger at himself following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 1. The Cavs guard had seven turnovers to seven assists in the opener. Yuck.
Those miscues combined with cold shooting from Cleveland left Harden’s 14 potential assists to shrivel up and die. And losing Jarrett Allen to foul trouble early also threw a wrench in the Cavaliers’ schemes.
Game 2 could see a shake up in the starting lineup, with Max Strus replacing Dean Wade and giving Cleveland more spot-up threats for Harden to find in drive-and-kick sets. If Allen can stay on the floor, he also benefits from the point guard’s playmaking.
Projections for Harden aren’t bullish on his assist output but do lean toward seven or more dimes in Game 2, with forecasts ranging from 6.1 to 7.3 assists. With fewer wasted possessions and improved fluidity on offense, Harden tops his passing prop.
Game 2 Prop #2: Jalen Duren Over 15.5 points
+100 at bet365
Jalen Duren’s box score from Game 1 doesn’t exactly tell you how troublesome the Pistons’ beefy forward is for the Cavaliers.
Duren got Allen into early foul trouble and dominated the glass with 12 rebounds. Offensively, he finished just 4-for-11 from the field for 11 points, staying below his closing point total of 16.5 O/U. He's gone Under in that prop market in seven of his first eight postseason outings.
While Duren has underperformed in the playoffs, Tuesday’s output was a byproduct of Detroit scoring a ton of points off turnovers and transition. Game 2 will be cleaner with more halfcourt action, which is where Duren throws his weight around.
Tonight’s game projections are positive, as most models sit around 17 points with a ceiling flirting with 20 points from Duren. My number comes out just north of 17 points in Game 2. His scoring total is bouncing between 14.5 and 15.5 O/U, depending on the book.
Game 2 Prop #3: Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 threes
-115 at bet365
Detroit didn’t have to worry about protecting the perimeter against Orlando’s lack of outside threats in Round 1. Cleveland, on the other hand, has Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell hit 4 of 10 shots from beyond the arc in Game 1 and has hit three or more triples in five of his eight playoff outings so far. All 10 of those 3PAs in Tuesday’s loss were graded as either “open” or “wide open,” meaning there were no defenders within at least four feet of Mitchell.
Game 1’s offense flowed like a backed-up crapper and Mitchell found it tough cracking the Piston’s stingy interior defense, even complaining about the physicality when attempting to drive to the basket.
With Detroit pushing him out the perimeter and game script calling for Cleveland to claw from behind, Mitchell will continue to take and make shots from downtown. His Game 2 forecasts all sit beyond three 3-pointers tonight.
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Devin Vassell isn’t the first name you think about when it comes to NBA sharpshooters, nor is he the guy you’d expect to hit circus shot in the playoffs — but here we are.
Everything has been going right for the Spurs this season with the Victor Wembanyama-led team quickly becoming a force in the Western Conference. It’s not just Wemby who is coming through for San Antonio, but role players who has ascended above their potentials to turn into assassins when the moment calls.
It’s difficult to know if Vassell’s three was more based on pure instinct or awareness. The shot clock was about to expire, he was the target of a desperation pass — and without thinking he jumped, took the pass in the air, and drained the corner three in one fluid motion. It was simply sensational.
A lot of players would have tried to set their feet and watch as time expired, but I love Vassell just going for it here. It’s a small moment in the scheme of things, but one that definitely highlights how the Spurs have zero quit — even when they’re up by a huge margin, they’re looking to make shots like this and keep the scoreboard ticking.
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens are both denying any rift between the two.
In fact, Brown says that if it were up to him, he'd be happy playing in Boston "for the next 10 years."
The status of the team's relationship with its leading scorer this season was called into question after Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady recently said on his podcast that Brown has a frustration that "lies deeply within the organization."
Brown hasn't been shy about expressing his frustrations publicly. He was fined $50,000 by the NBA earlier this week for comments he made about the officiating after the Celtics' season ended with a Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Stevens on Wednesday, May 6, refuted McGrady's allegations, saying the last conversation he had with Brown two days earlier was "nothing but positive."
Later that day, Brown echoed Stevens' remarks on his Twitch stream.
"I hate that our president of basketball operations even had to respond to this," he said. "Me and Brad have a great relationship. I love Boston. And if it was up to me I could play in Boston for the next 10 years."
The Celtics posted the second-best record in the East during the regular season, despite playing for an extended period without star guard Jayson Tatum, who was recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Brown led the team in scoring with a career-high 28.7 points per game.
"Obviously, we're not satisfied with the result," the five-time All-Star said. "If it sounds like an excuse, it's not. But to fight and maneuver through adversity and grow, and galvanize with a bunch of guys and to have that mindset and approach, this was my favorite year."
After four consecutive easy playoff wins, the Knicks needed some extra work to put away the Philadelphia 76ers in a 108-102 victory Game 2 victory on Wednesday night.
Playing without star center Joel Embiid, the 76ers gave the Knicks a battle.
New York withstood the absence of big man Mitchell Robinson, a weak three-point shooting night and foul trouble for Karl-Anthony Towns to pick up the win. A combined 70 points from Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby was a deciding factor in the victory, which gives the Knicks a 2-0 series lead.
Now, the series scene shifts to Philadelphia.
Let’s navigate through some keys ahead of the game on Friday night's Game 3.
Paint production
Through two games, the Knicks have dominated in close, outscoring Philadelphia 114-62 in the paint.
Interior points were a huge factor on Wednesday night.
New York won the paint scoring battle by a massive 56-30 margin, which helped make up for a cold shooting night. The Knicks shot 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) as a team from the three-point line. On nights when the three-ball isn't falling, dominating the paint can make up for it.
It was remarkable this happened even with Robinson out due to illness, and the Knicks only having nine offensive rebounds against the 76ers.
One main reason for finding easy scores around the basket is Towns. Having him operate as a playmaker out on the perimeter has opened up the paint for cutters. Towns had seven assists in Game 2, and has recorded at least six assists in each of the last five games.
If the Knicks can keep a healthy edge in interior scoring, it gives them a chance to win every game.
Pivotal injuries
While the Xs and Os are important, it’s the Jims and Joes on the floor who matter. Injuries will loom large in deciding how this series goes for both teams. Late in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Anunoby came up hobbling, and he was not available for the last two minutes and 30 seconds due to what seemed like a leg injury.
Postgame, Knicks head coach Mike Browndid not have an update on Anunoby’s status. It’s a gloomy ending to what was another marvelous night from Anunoby, who recorded 24 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Anunoby has been New York’s most consistent player during these eight playoff games and has made a great impact on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds during the postseason. It’s safe to say if he misses any time, that will have a significant effect on New York’s hopes to make a deep playoff run.
As mentioned before, Robinson missed the game with an illness. With Towns and Ariel Hukporti both picking up several fouls, the Knicks missed their rebounding center.
For Philadelphia, Embiid’s injury seems to be day-to-day, as he was ruled out earlier in the day before Game 2 with both hip and ankle injuries. Though he had trouble defending in Game 1, Embiid’s offense is valuable. The 76ers missed the big man’s ability to score and create offense in the half-court, especially during the fourth quarter, when they scored just 12 points on 4-for-19 from the floor.
Back in rhythm
If Anunoby is unavailable for the next game, the Knicks will need a group effort to replace his production. One player who could fill some of the void is Mikal Bridges. He’s averaged 19.7 points on 74 percent from the field over the last three games, including an effective 19 points and five rebounds in Game 2.
Bridges has also had the unenviable task of checking 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey. He and the Knicks as a team did a solid job on Maxey in Game 2, holding him to just 9-for-23 shooting.
Bridges had been maligned for uneven play throughout his two seasons with the Knicks, and his disappointing first few games of this year’s postseason run, but it seems like he has pulled himself of the rut he was in.
Now, the Knicks will likely need Bridges to contribute even more on both ends.
Draymond Green, who typically jumps on “Inside the NBA” as a guest analyst when his Warriors season is over, took a low blow at NBA legend Charles Barkley on Wednesday night.
“Sports are for young people. You hope to have a great, long career, but nobody wins when they’re 37, 38,” Barkley said on the ESPN show.
Aside from the fact that this is awful, awkward television, it’s also just ahistorical.
In his 4 years in Houston, Chuck averaged 16-12-4, including averaging 18 & 12 during a run to the Western Conference Finals.
“I think the goal is just to not look like you in the Houston Rockets uniform,” Green replied.
Barkley spent the final four seasons his Hall of Fame career with the Rockets from 1996-2000, battling injuries while not scoring like had in the past.
When co-analyst Kenny Smith asked what that meant, Green doubled down on the statement.
“Did you see it? I saw it,” Green said.
Fox Sports television host Nick Wright detested the segment.
“Aside from the fact that this is awful, awkward television, it’s also just ahistorical,” Wright said before crushing Green’s argument.
Draymond Green took a serious low blow at Charles Barkley. ESPN Inside the NBA
The Rockets went 57-25 in Barkley’s first season, grabbed the second seed in the Western Conference and were eliminated by the Jazz in six games in the conference finals, though many think they would have advanced to the NBA Finals had Barkley not been injured at the end of that series.
Injuries began to pile up on Barkley from there, as he played just 62 of a possible 164 games in his final two years in the league in his age-36 and age-37 seasons, respectively.
He still averaged a double-double in each season, averaging 16.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, although his points average marked Barkley’ lowest output with any of his three teams.
Even in Barkley’s toughest season in Houston, though, he averaged 14.5 points and 10.5 points per game, which clears Green’s career-highs for any season.
Charles Barkley’s career fizzled out with the Rockets from 1996 to 2000. Sporting News via Getty Images
“Draymond continues to recreate history,” Wright said.
Green, 36, was between the ages of six-year-old and 10-year-old when Barkley played the backend of his career with a Rockets team that included aging Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
The Warriors forward, a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Michigan State, where he also played some college football, has previously said that Steve Kerr didn’t make his career, as many think.
“As much as he’s done for me in basketball, a part of me thinks he’s hindered me in my career and what I could have become,” Green said.
Rivers clapped back at him, saying that he was “disrespectful” to Kerr and his situation.
“You were the luckiest basketball player, I think I’ve ever seen,” Rivers said. “You were drafted to a franchise with a Hall of Fame front office, Hall of Fame coach, the greatest shooter of all time and perhaps a top-five player of all time. Not to mention one of the most lethal scorers of all time and arguably a top-10 player of all time, Kevin Durant — the same guy you chased off because you talk too much. Steve Kerr made your career. How dare you?”
When looking forward to next season, Green added that Jimmy Butler was going to miss a big chunk of the campaign, as will Moses Moody, which represents $75 million of their payroll.
“The goal is always to compete at a championship standard … as you get older, you have to redefine what success is,” Green concluded. “Still the most sellouts in the NBA. Still, the most nationally televised games in the NBA. And you just want to give yourself a chance.
“Success might not be, at this point, a championship. That’s the way it goes.”
During Tuesday's installment of the "Show Me Something" podcast, Cunningham reacted to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese's "NBA Playoffs love triangle"
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has entered the chat.
During Tuesday’s installment of the “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham reacted to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese’s “NBA playoffs love triangle,” as Reese’s boyfriend, the Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr., and her ex, the Pistons’ Jalen Duren, clashed and guarded each other in the first-round playoff series.
Reese previously reshared videos of Carter dunking on Duren to her Instagram Story, which sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy.
Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream poses for a portrait during WNBA Media Day at Gateway Center Arena on May 4, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
“Something had to have happened for [Reese] to keep, I don’t know, wanting to embarrass him in some way,” Cunningham said.
“Or nothing happened,” said West Wilson, who is Cunningham’s co-host and “Summer House” star in the middle of a public cheating scandal.
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., right, beats Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) to a rebound during the first half in Game 7 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Detroit. APDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles the ball against Orlando Magic center-forward Wendell Carter Jr. (34) in the second quarter during Game 6 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center on May 1. Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
“Then move on, worry about current boyfriend,” Cunningham replied.
Wilson added that Duren, whose production dipped in the series, is “in his head.”
The Pistons center averaged 19.5 points in the regular season but that has dipped to 10.6 points over eight postseason games.
Detroit advanced after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit.
Reese and Carter tend to keep their relationship private.
Duren and Reese were a rumored couple in the summer of 2024, when the pair shared videos on social media from what seemed to be a similar vacation setting.
They never confirmed the relationship publIcly.
“A messy NBA storyline involving Angel Reese and her ex, the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren vs. current boyfriend, the Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr., … while they’re literally guarding each other in a playoff series,” the description of the “Show Me Something” video read.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 30: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggetsin Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a helluva run. Five first-round exits, two semi-finals defeats, a conference finals heartbreak, and, right in the middle of it all, ultimate glory. Nine years of playoff basketball. 47 wins and 42 losses—more than a season’s worth of postseason action.
Now, for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are on the outside looking in. But that doesn’t mean they should switch off. If anything, they should be paying even closer attention, using these playoffs to determine what holds up under the bright lights—and what direction their off-season should take.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
What happened?
As expected, the Thunder wrapped up this series quickly, winning all four games by an average of 17.3 PPG even with Jalen Williams playing just two games. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the rout with 33.8 PPG and 8.0 APG on 55% shooting, while Dillon Brooks led the Suns, averaging 26.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG (shooting .459/.438/1.00).
What matters?
Despite the loss, which again was expected—not every team can be stacked with first-round studs—it’s the Suns that offer Milwaukee guidance. And it’s for two primary reasons. One, coaching matters. After an unsuccessful year under Mike Budenholzer in 2024-25 where the Suns went 36-46, rookie head coach Jordon Ott was instrumental in the Suns winning nine more games and moving from 11th to 7th in the Western Conference standings despite the roster having arguably less talent. With the Bucks having already signed Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach, that box seems to be checked. Two, the right veterans can make all the difference. For all his perceived warts, Brooks was phenomenal for the Suns this year, leading a culture shift that helped transform Phoenix from the 27th ranked defence to the 9th. What does this mean for the Bucks? It’s not always the big names that make the most difference. Castoffs, malcontents—take a look at them. Hard.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers
What happened?
The Spurs took care of the Blazers in a gentleman’s sweep. Wemby averaged 21.0 PPG on 58.3% from the field and a shocking 53.8% from deep; dude is a real-life cheat code. The Blazers were led by Deni Avdija and, somewhat surprisingly, Scoot Henderson, with both combining to average nearly 40 PPG over the five-game series.
What matters?
Although the series ended in five games, many of the games themselves were much more competitive than people would have thought. Portland’s size appeared to be the factor that kept them in most of the games. At 6’3” (but 207 lbs), Scoot Henderson was really the smallest player the Blazers played. Of course, they also had Jrue at the other guard spot, but their wing group of Camara, Avdija, Grant, and Sharpe, along with Clingan in the middle, was a real headache for the Spurs at times. The key takeaway here is that, well, size matters…
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
What happened?
After going up 3-0 without the services of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (until Game 5), the Lakers let the Rockets back into the series by winning two straight games, but finished the job in Game 6. The series was closer than that, though, with the Rockets pulling off the choke of all chokes in Game 3, up six with about 30 seconds left, and turning it over twice to allow the Lakers to tie the game. In the end, Houston, like so many teams before them, got LeBron’d; the 41-year-old (!) averaged 23.2 PPG, 8.3 APG, and 7.2 RPG over the series. Remarkable.
What matters?
The main takeaway from this series is that balance is key. I think during the regular season, people (including me) can be led to believe that if you build an elite defence, offence can be secondary, and you can still go far in the playoffs. But when the playoffs roll around, we always learn how much half-court creation still matters. Could you imagine if the Rockets had an Austin Reaves-type during that series? It would have helped greatly. But they were stuck with a fleet of defense-first guys and forced to play the 6’1” Reed Sheppard (a second-year guy) into the ground each game to grease their clogged-toilet offence.
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
What happened?
What a series! If you didn’t see unfold in real time, do yourself a favour and watch the tape. After holding serve in the opening game, Denver lost home court thanks to an all-around team effort by Minnesota in Game 2, with ex-Buck Donte DiVincenzo perhaps the biggest difference maker with momentum-shifting play after play (and 16 points, seven boards, six assists, and a team-high +20). Of course, he’d go on to tear his Achilles in the opening minutes of Game 4, a game in which Anthony Edwards also played his last minutes of the series—and Ayo Dosunmu officially arrived (43 points), giving the Wolves a 3-1 lead.
But when the Nuggets won Game 5 and Dosunmu played his last minutes of the series, a comeback seemed inevitable. Jaden McDaniels, however, would have none of it. The six-year pro put up a career-high 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds—while seat-belting Jamal Murray to just 4/17 shooting—Rudy Gobert continued to earn some much-deserved respect back, and Terrence Shannon Jr. came out of nowhere (24 points and six rebounds) to send the Nuggets home.
What matters?
Having beaten the Nuggets in two out of three recent playoff series, including the last two, the Wolves demonstrated that building a roster to “beat the best” works. Dig deeper and it’s apparent just how valuable two way wings with length are. Not only was McDaniels the MVP of this series, he also averaged 22.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.0 stocks per game (with zero turnovers and 75% shooting) to close out the Nuggets in Games 6 and 7 of their 2024 Conference Semi Finals win. In fact, the only time this iteration of the Nuggets have beaten the Wolves in the playoffs was in 2022-23 when McDaniels didn’t play due to injury.
Now, the Bucks aren’t going to suddenly luck into McDaniels in the offseason, but they do have a similarly-built Ousmane Dieng—both are listed as 6’9”, 185 lbs—and absolutely should force-feed him all of McDaniels’ tape. At just 22 years old and having only played 166 career games, Dieng is certainly still mouldable. Plus, it’s not as if he hasn’t shown some defensive chops (see his blanketing of Devin Booker in March). The other takeaways? It’s time to get back to the gritty defensive team the Bucks used to be and make opponents feel them. And belief is perpetually underrated. Instil those and you’ve got a shot.
Do you agree with our assessments, or is there something we missed? Add your two cents in the comments.
On April 27, the NBA announced its list of early entrants for June’s 2026 draft. Only that list was much smaller than in years past.
The total number announced in April sat at 71 players. That’s 33% lower than the 106 who filed last year — and nearly 80% lower than the all-time high of 353, set just five years ago in 2021.
The figure is so low that you have to go back to 2012 to find a year with fewer early entrants. In 2012, the NBA announced a list of 66 players. Since then, it never dipped below 75.
Until this year.
The drop is hardly unexplained. In July 2021, the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era began, which allowed college players to earn money in amounts previously impossible.
Since then, the number of entrants into the NBA draft has steadily dwindled — every year since 2021 has seen the early entry list drop by at least 14%.
It’s also worth noting that a 2016 rule change by the NCAA allowed players to sign up for the draft, and then later withdraw and keep college eligibility. After that change, the number of early entrants rose sharply in the next five years to the 2021 figure of 353 players.
However, the NIL era has meant that some players can earn more by staying in school than they might as a late draft pick, two-way player or undrafted pro.
“For a lot of these players, it’s more money than they could make. Way more money than making a G League roster,” Brian Meehan, an economics professor at Berry College with a research interest in the economics behind NIL’s effects on draft prospects, told USA TODAY Sports. “Even if they’re on a two-way contract, staying in school and playing for a team with lots of collective money is more lucrative.”
A paper which Meehan co-authored, published in 2025 in the Journal of Sports Economics, found that 81% of draft-eligible prospects in The Athletic’s top 100 prospects list entered the draft in 2021, the final year before NIL deals took shape. By 2022, right after the start of the NIL era, the share dropped to 52%.
“If you forgo the eligibility and you go into the NBA draft and you’re undrafted, you don’t make a roster, or you’re a late second-round pick, and you don’t have a guaranteed contract. That’s a risky place to be for a person who maybe just completed a first or second year in a college program,” Meehan added.
The 2026 NBA draft will be held on June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. If a player wants to retain their college eligibility, they’ll need to withdraw from the draft by May 27.
The uncertainty surrounding two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee should be resolved within the next month.
At an introductory news conference Wednesday for new head coach Taylor Jenkins, Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the issue hanging over the franchise's head this offseason: Trade the 10-time All-Star or try to re-sign him to a new deal?
"I just think before the draft is a natural time," Haslam told reporters. "Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's (GM Jon Horst) job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently."
Antetokounmpo has expressed a desire to remain in Milwaukee, even though he could become a free agent next summer. However, he's stated his preference is to play for a team that's committed to winning a title. That doesn't describe the Bucks last season, who went 32-50 as their star forward battled injuries and frustration with his playing time.
The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million contract extension in October. However, if he doesn't sign, free agency looms at the end of the season.
"We never had any problem communicating directly with Giannis – at all – and always knew where he stood," Haslam said. "And I think he always knew where we stood. We've had those kind of conversations since the season was over.
"So sometime over the next six or seven weeks, we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us, or he's going to play somewhere else."
James Harden
Jalen Duren
