Category: NBA

OKLAHOMA CITY — In the modern NBA, spectators put star players’ legacies on the line during the playoffs with every dribble they take.

And within a playoff series, there’s a natural comparison between star players. 

The Lakers-Thunder second-round matchup features two of the biggest names in the league despite Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) still being sidelined entering Tuesday’s Game 1 at Paycom Center. 

On the Lakers’ side, you have LeBron James, the 41-year-old, four-time league MVP who continues to redefine what the latter stages of a player’s NBA career can look like.

And on the Thunder’s side, you have the reigning and likely-to-be-two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the defending NBA champions to a league-best 64-win regular season.

With Doncic sidelined, series like Lakers-Thunder could be saddled with the “passing of the torch” narrative.
But that isn’t the case at all: Gilgeous-Alexander firmly has “the torch” in a way James hasn’t in a while. 

Gilgeous-Alexander claimed “the torch” when he led the Thunder to a franchise-best 68-win season in 2024-25 before receiving his first league MVP. 

He became the 11th player in league history and, ironically, the first since James, to win the regular season and Finals MVP in the same season (which James did in back-to-back-years in 2012-13). 

With respect to Nikola Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player in the league, with the opportunity to make even more history this postseason.

In an era defined by parity, Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to lead the Thunder past the Lakers and back to the Western Conference finals, which could make them the first defending champions to qualify for that round since the 2018-19 Warriors. 

And if Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder to becoming the first team since the 2018 Warriors to win back-to-back titles while winning regular season and Finals MVP again? He’d join James (2012-13) and Michael Jordan (1991-92) as the only players in league history to do so (it’s important to note that the Finals MVP was created in 1969, which was the final season of Bill Russell’s career). 

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He could join James, Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons.

What’s at stake for Gilgeous-Alexander is far greater than what’s at stake for James: Gilgeous-Alexander, who turns 28 in July, is in the midst of his prime. He could be putting together one of the greatest stretches by a player in consecutive seasons in league history. There should be a lot more chapters to write about his story. 

On the other hand, James’ legacy is solidified. 

Four NBA titles, and four Finals MVPs. Four regular-season MVPs. A league-record 22-time All-Star and 21-time All-NBA honoree. The league’s record holder for most points and minutes played.

But in a career that’s unprecedented, James can accomplish something that’s even rarer for a star: Snatch “the torch” back during the latter stage of his career, even for a moment, by outplaying the league’s best player in a playoff series victory.

Usually when the window for a star to be the leading man on a title-contending team closes, it remains shut. James wasn’t the best player during the regular season, with Doncic and Reaves leading the way. 

But he was during the first-round series against the Rockets with Doncic sidelined and Reaves out for four of the six games. And he still will be for the start of the series against the Thunder.

The closest comparison to what James can do is what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did in 1985, when he became the oldest player in league history to win Finals MVP (38). The Lakers beat the defending champion Celtics, who were led by the then back-to-back MVP Larry Bird. 

The stakes were obviously much higher because it was a Finals matchup between iconic rivals. 

But the situations were also much different. 

Abdul-Jabbar was just five years removed from winning his last MVP award in 1980, and only a year removed from receiving All-NBA first team honors, which he did again in 1986 for the final time. 

It’s been 13 years since James last won an MVP, and six years since he last received All-NBA first team honors. 

Abdul-Jabbar was teammates with Magic Johnson, who finished ahead of him in the 1984-85 regular season MVP voting, in the midst of his prime.

With Doncic out, James’ best teammate is Reaves, who’s coming off an injury-riddled All-Star-caliber season, with the best teammates after Reaves not being comparable to the “Showtime” Lakers roster. 

The Thunder should win this series.

The challenge in front of James is one that hasn’t been done before.

Which would make it all the more impressive if he’s able to pull off another rare feat against the league’s best.

There are so many intriguing matchups and lineup decisions we are going to see as the Detroit Pistons face off with the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. I’m not sure which is my favorite, or which one is the most important. Jarett Allen vs. Jalen Duren? We are all curious what kind of Duren we will get after his offensive no-show against the Orlando Magic. Allen, meanwhile, was the hero of Game 7 for the Cavs, but the Toronto Raptors don’t have the size Detroit can throw at him. Perhaps it is Ausar Thompson vs. James Harden (or maybe Donovant Mitchell). We know Ausar can guard anyone in the NBA, but can he stay out of foul trouble when Cleveland’s stars are forcing the issue? Conversely, what about Duncan Robinson, who I am sure Cavs’ players will be hungry to switch onto and try to hunt on defense.

Will we have some different unsung heroes for Detroit? Is this a series where Ron Holland can make a mark? How much bigger of a role will Isaiah Stewart have against Cleveland’s double-big lineup. Cleveland’s guards can’t contain Cade Cunningham, but Kenny Atkinson surely knows that as well, and is likely fully prepared to throw Dean Wade and a bunch of other looks at him. How will Cade respond? Just about everything intrigues me about this matchup, and I hope the game lives up to how interesting the unknowns are. I’ve had my fill of gross-looking slugfests, thank you.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Peacock, NBC
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (0-0)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

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The Minnesota Timberwolves found an offensive approach that worked in the fourth quarter of Game 1, gashing the San Antonio Spurs’ defense with Rudy Gobert on the bench.

This Timberwolves vs. Spurs same-game parlay expects Minnesota to double-down on that approach in Game 2 on Wednesday, May 6.

Our best Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP for Game 2

SGP leg #1: Rudy Gobert Under 11.5 Rebounds (-125)

Rudy Gobert had six rebounds in Monday’s first quarter, and he still ended with 10 boards, falling short of a prop that was set at 10.5 to start the series, albeit at plus-money. 

Gobert played an excellent 30 minutes in that tight win, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves tilt this series. Eight of those minutes came with Victor Wembanyama off the court, the San Antonio Spurs’ superstar’s only time off the court.

Minnesota is likely to focus Gobert on the chances with Wembanyama on the bench, but those are also likely to be few and far between, further limiting Gobert’s minutes.

SGP leg #2: Rudy Gobert Under 8.5 Points (-130)

Even when Gobert is on the court facing Wembanyama, Minnesota found success bringing Wemby into screen action, where he is prone to playing drop coverage despite Gobert creating separation in the on-ball defense. That allows for open 3-pointer looks for shooters like Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley and Naz Reid.

Gobert’s screen effectiveness helps the Timberwolves’ offense despite him not scoring, not to mention he managed just seven points in Game 1.

SGP leg #3: Over 215.5

Less Gobert will help both offenses. When he sat for the first 10-plus minutes of Monday’s fourth quarter, Minnesota scored 32 points. It had not yet managed more than 24 in any of the first three quarters.

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See our full Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 2 preview

Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Timberwolves vs Spurs predictions for Game 2.

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The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET tonight on NBCSN. Then the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC (WRC-TV).

Enjoy the basketball and the constant playing of John Tesh songs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in the dream position. 

He’s the reigning MVP and his Thunder are the reigning champions. He’s expected to repeat for that honor. His team is, too. 

That should’ve been Luka Doncic. 

In a cruel twist of fate, Doncic will be on the bench Tuesday night watching the superstar whose trajectory was supposed to be his as the Lakers open their second-round playoff series against the Thunder in Oklahoma City.

Doncic, who’s out indefinitely because of a strained hamstring, was supposed to be the young hotshot taking over the league.

But his mantle remains empty, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s is decorated with the league’s most prestigious trophies.

Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander were in the same 2018 draft class. Doncic was selected third by the Mavericks and Gilgeous-Alexander was picked 11th by the Hornets before being traded to the Clippers that night.  

It quickly became clear that Doncic was going to become a sensation. 

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In the NBA General Manager Survey ahead of the 2020-21 season, executives were asked if they were starting a franchise today and could sign anyone in the league who they’d pick. 

Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo tied for first place. 

But eight years after Doncic entered the league, he has yet to win a championship or an MVP Award. 

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander is atop the league. For the second straight season, he led the Thunder to the best record in the NBA. And according to a player poll by The Athletic, his peers believe he deserves to repeat as MVP this year. 

As for Doncic? 

He wasn’t even an MVP finalist this season despite leading the league in scoring (33.5 points), finishing third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6). 

Doncic had an incredible season before suffering the hamstring strain on April 2. He became the second person in NBA history to score 600-plus points in March, alongside Michael Jordan. Over that period, he led the Lakers on a 16-2 run. 

But even though Doncic is a generational talent and one of the league’s top players, his career hasn’t gone as planned so far. 

He was supposed to lead the Mavericks to a championship. He was supposed to win multiple MVPs. He wanted to retire alongside the team that drafted him. 

But while Gilgeous-Alexander’s career has been on a rocket ship’s trajectory, Doncic’s has taken a serpentine road. 

The two stars’ paths converged during the 2024 playoffs when they met in the second round. Doncic carried the Mavericks past the Thunder in six games. He went on to reach the Finals for the first and only time in his career. 

Things seemed to be going as planned for the Slovenian superstar. 

But eight months later, he was stunningly dealt to the Lakers.

He was shocked. Devastated. Disheartened. 

He was also disparaged.

Following the deal, whispers came from Dallas’ camp that they were frustrated with the superstar for a myriad of reasons, including his fitness and lack of effort on the defensive end. 

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has quietly transformed from a promising young guard into the league’s biggest superstar. 

After the Clippers traded him to the Thunder in 2019, his game flourished. And Thunder general manager Sam Presti put the perfect pieces around him, including Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. 

Last season, the Thunder took over the NBA. 

And they seem poised for another deep playoff run. They have the best defense in the league. And Gilgeous-Alexander is leading all scorers this postseason with 33.8 points a game. 

As for Doncic, this was supposed to be a revenge season for him. 

He came into training camp in arguably the best shape of his career. He carried the Lakers to fourth place in the West. 

But he was sidelined the last month, including missing the Lakers’ first-round series against the Rockets. 

Now, as he tries to work his way back from a strained hamstring to play in this series, he has to watch the guy whose trajectory should’ve been his.

Doncic was the player everyone expected to be atop the league. 

But until he leads his team to the mountaintop, the spotlight firmly belongs to Gilgeous-Alexander.

Rich Paul is adamant his agency has lost clients due to NBA players’ hatred of LeBron James.

The super agent, who founded Klutch Sports Group over a decade ago, told Max Kellerman on the twosome’s “Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul” podcast this week that his business has been impacted by the way some of James’ peers feel about the Lakers superstar.

“I’ve had NBA current players, and former players, involve themselves in a recruiting process with a kid — it’s not their son — and purposely push a kid to a different agency because of their disdain for LeBron, and I’m his guy,” Paul said. “So, I know what happens.”

Paul’s shocking revelation came as he and Kellerman were discussing the results of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and how players and media have publicly talked about it.

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Paul accused the masses of giving Nuggets center Nikola Jokic a pass for a postseason loss to the Timberwolves that they wouldn’t have given to James.

“The reason why you don’t hear a lot of conversation about Jokic is because I don’t believe people are happy to see Jokic lose,” Paul said.

“But when LeBron loses, people are happy to see him lose. Especially his peers. Guys that played in the league that have platforms today. For different reasons, it’s extra. They are happy to see him lose. For whatever reason. That’s just how I feel, and I think it’s true.”

Paul didn’t expound on exactly why he believes James is so despised by some in the Association, though he did say it’s “deeper than” them just being envious of the future Hall of Famer’s situation.

“I just think that in our community,” he said, “it makes you feel better when someone else has a thing of detriment placed upon them because of what you lack and what you always wanted.

“That’s the DNA of our communities. We’re born into that. An athlete is not an exception.”

Paul went on to say he’s all for critique, but he insisted it’s more than that when it comes to James.

“I’m telling you,” he said, “it’s a deeper thing.”

It is all pretty simple, really. 

Mike Brown is only the Knicks’ head coach because not even back-to-back 50-win regular seasons were enough to save his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, from being fired after New York stumbled in the Eastern Conference Finals last spring.

The implied word from on-high for all to see that even though Thibodeau posted a .565 winning percentage over his five years and won NBA Coach of the Year in 2021, the franchise's first trip to the doorstep of the NBA Finals in a quarter of a century was unsatisfactory. 

The perception – and possible reality, too – is that there is a mandate for the first-year man in New York: It better be a trip to the NBA Finals or bust.

“People have talked about a mandate, I'm coaching to win,” Brown said Tuesday after a dominant Game 1 win of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

“It doesn't matter what others say,” he continued. “I'm disappointed if we're not in the Finals and having a chance to win it."

Brown said he’s been “fortunate, blessed, lucky” to have made the Finals six times with three different teams during his career as a head coach and assistant, with four titles.

“It’s the best feeling in the world, and I know that’s what I do it for,” he said. 

As far as the “mandate and all that stuff,” Brown said the NBA Finals-or-bust attitude is something the head coach embraces.

“That’s what I expect, that’s what I want to do,” he said, “and hopefully it can happen, but who knows?”

Despite acknowledging at least that elephant in the room, Brown doesn't let the proverbial Sword of Damocles above his head impact his coaching.

"He doesn't listen to the outside noise and doesn't let that affect him," Josh Hart said Tuesday. "He's focused every day on how he can come in and make this team better. He listens to his coaches, and he listens to us with our feedback and what we have to say, and asks us questions and stuff like that.

"I think it's just a good line of communication with everyone within the organization, with obviously him at the helm of how we can make this team the best unit that we can be. And he's doing an amazing job."

So are the Knicks playing at a championship level in the head coach's eyes?

“We’re playing well at the right time, but I think we have room to grow,” Brown said. “We can’t give up 34 free throws like we did last night. It’s gonna be tough if you give up 34 free throws. We had 15 turnovers last night. We can’t have 15 turnovers against this team because they thrive at the free-throw line, they thrive in the steal game, they convert those turnovers into points really quickly.

“And they didn’t shoot well. We know they’re gonna shoot better. We know that [Tyrese] Maxey is gonna be more aggressive, so we have to be even more alert than what we were in our last game.”

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The Minnesota Timberwolves upset the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 thanks to an offensive outburst in the fourth quarter.

My Timberwolves vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, May 6 expect Minnesota to lean into that fourth-quarter recipe once again, which means parking Rudy Gobert on the bench.

Don't miss tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 2 prediction

Who will win Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 2?

Spurs: Factoring desperation into a betting line is a bit beyond usual algorithms, but it should absolutely be a nod in San Antonio’s direction in Game 2. Losing both home games to start this series would rightfully frighten everyone in the Spurs organization.

Timberwolves vs Spurs best bet: Rudy Gobert Under 11.5 rebounds (-130)

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the fourth quarter Monday night trailing the San Antonio Spurs by three. Rudy Gobert went to the bench for the next 10:16; when he returned, the Timberwolves led by seven.

Minnesota had scored 32 points in those 10 minutes, already eight more than it had in any previous quarter. A five-out lineup featuring Julius Randle and Naz Reid as the Timberwolves’ big men pulled Victor Wembanyama too far from the hoop to bolster his inflated blocks stats, and suddenly, Minnesota could score.

Expect more of that look in Game 2, costing Gobert minutes as the game wears on.

COVERS INTEL: The Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 45-40 in the 21:32 that both Gobert and Wembanyama were on the court in Game 1.

Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 2 same-game parlay

Fewer Rudy Gobert minutes should help both Minnesota’s and San Antonio’s offenses. In the 21:32 that Gobert faced Wembanyama, the Spurs’ offensive rating was 104.7 while the Timberwolves’ was 93. For the entirety of the game, San Antonio’s offensive rating was 106.3 while Minnesota’s was 108.3.

The math does not need to delve further than that. Gobert serves a purpose in this series, but his minutes need to be limited compared to Wembanyama’s, and that should propel both offenses.

Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP

• Rudy Gobert Under 11.5 rebounds
• Rudy Gobert Under 8.5 points
• Over 215.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Wemby's shifted focus

First of all, at least four of Wembanyama’s Game 1 blocks should have been called either goaltends or fouls. That is of note because Minnesota is absolutely going to bring that to the attention of the NBA between Games 1 and 2.

Second of all, fewer Rudy Gobert minutes will pull Wembanyama further from the hoop, and that alone should lessen his rebounding total.

Lastly, Wembanyama spent some of Monday’s postgame press conference lamenting how much energy he spent on defense, taking away from his offense. He may overcorrect in that regard, obviously only furthering Over thoughts.

Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Under 4.5 blocks
• Victor Wembanyama Under 12.5 rebounds
• Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
• Over 215.5

Timberwolves vs Spurs odds for Game 2

• Spread: Timberwolves +10 (-110) | Spurs -10 (-110)
• Moneyline: Timberwolves +350 | Spurs -450
• Over/Under: Over 213 (-110) | Under 213 (-110)

Timberwolves vs Spurs betting trend to know

After Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said his team “lied” to him all season, evidenced by their Game 1 loss at Denver, Minnesota has gone 5-1 against the spread, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 14.5 points, even when including the ATS loss. For what it’s worth, that ATS loss came by just the hook. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Spurs.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 2

Timberwolves vs Spurs latest injuries

Ayo Dosunmu is expected to suit up tonight, per reports, after missing Game 1.

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The offseason is underway for the Golden State Warriors, which seemed like a good time to answer some mailbag questions. Thanks to everyone who responded to the prompt in The Feed.

ScottWarrior:
1. who do you like for the Warriors at 11?

2. Will the Warriors trade the pick or draft a player and keep him?

3. If you had to pick a number, how many seasons away are we from Steph’s retirement?

It’s hard to answer the first question without answering the second question first; and it’s hard to answer the second question! Ultimately, I think the Warriors will try fairly hard to trade the pick, simply because they’re going to explore every possibility to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and any other All-NBA caliber talent. I expect them to fail in that endeavor, which means they’ll probably keep the pick. Given what we know of the front office’s recent frustrations, it seems very unlikely to me that they would trade a lottery pick for a role player. Everything will be on the table for a star, but nothing will be on the table for a sixth man.

As to whom they pick, assuming they stay at No. 11, that also depends on so many factors. Most importantly: is Steve Kerr the coach? If so, then I would anticipate a polished player who can slot into the rotation fairly early — partially because that’s the type of player Kerr works best with, and partially because Kerr’s return increases the odds of signing/retaining quality veterans that can make the Warriors competitive, which will further enforce the idea of chasing the current timeline, rather than the future one.

For those reasons (I expect Kerr to stay), I like Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s one of the highest-floor prospects in the draft, and, critically, fits both the offensive and defensive schemes. I will sympathize with any and all calls for the Dubs to chase a higher-ceiling player, but I’m hesitant to do that towards the end of the lottery. If they luck out and get a top-four pick, on the other hand…

As for Steph Curry’s retirement, if I absolutely had to pick a number, I would say three more seasons (but I think four is far more likely than two). Curry is aging like the quality of wine that he can afford to drink (must be nice), but I don’t see him as a player who is going to attempt to keep his career around as long as possible. He has too many interests — his family, his potential golf career, his numerous business pursuits, among others — to chase every last minute on the court. And he deals with enough injuries and ailments that I can’t imagine the reward will be worth the price of admission in a few years.

Here’s my bold prediction though: Curry and the Warriors will go the same route as Buster Posey and the San Francisco Giants, with Curry becoming a minority owner and a member of the board within a few years of his retirement (just don’t expect him to pull a Posey and try to oust Mike Dunleavy Jr.).

SantaCruz351:
1. What’s your latest take on how likely Steve Kerr is to stay?

2. If he stays, how many more seasons?

thanks

I think at this point it is extremely likely that Kerr stays, for the reasons I laid out last week. If he had wanted to leave, he likely would have chosen that already. The longer the indecision drags on, the more likely he is to return, as it points to the meetings being about the details rather than actual decisions.

It does feel to me like the goal for the Warriors is to line up Kerr’s timeline with Curry’s, and I think that will happen. My prediction is that he re-signs on a three-year deal, with Curry signing a two-year extension this summer, and everyone can target the 2028-29 season as the final run for that historic duo.

SantaCruz351:
I thought of one more.

Since your post-game player grades are so interesting, how about doing Final player grades for the entire season? Sort of a basketball final exam if you will.

thanks

I have thought about doing that and this is a good reminder. I’ll get to it this week. Thanks!

Nopelongpause:
When will the fan base stop hating on Podz? Does he need to be traded as he’s

A. One of the only players they have that other teams would want and

B. So universally hated by the fans for no reason I can tell. (Heard people hating on his hair?)

Sort of a joke question but still

The disdain for Brandin Podziemski is at times odd, but at other times kind of funny. I will say though, this is a case where the internet is not always reflective of other forms of reality. Podz gets a lot of late from the online segment of the fanbase, but he’s still a pretty popular player at the arena. I would say the average fan loves his energy and heart, his willingness to put his body on the line to make any play, and his craftiness (his unending support of the Valkyries is also great).

But the online segment of the fanbase? Sometimes they just latch on to people. Podziemski has said a few corny things in his career, and as Karl-Anthony Towns has proven, no amount of success on the court will shake that label.

JDGJDG:
How in the world can the Warriors realistically become a legit contender again?

Well, they seem to think the answer is by acquiring a superstar. Antetokounmpo or Leonard, anyone? How about LeBron James?

That would certainly help, though it’s not particularly realistic, I fear. They’ll try like hell, though, and they’ve pulled it off before.

Otherwise, the plan is simple, if not particularly easy. They need a sprinkle of more talent and a dash of updating their schemes. I’m not fully convinced that the Warriors can’t be competitive running it back (which means re-signing Kristaps Porziņģis) and getting a healthy Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody for the second half of the season. But you can’t rely on that, so they need to do something a little more substantive (I’m curious to see if Porziņģis’ second-half surge boosted his value, and if he could be a sign-and-trade piece now, though I’m doubtful).

People will be quick to point out that the Warriors can’t rely on the health of Curry and Butler, and that’s true. But here’s the reality: the Warriors days of being title favorites are gone, and they’re not coming back for many, many years. But just because you’re not title favorites doesn’t mean you can’t be contenders, and just because you’re merely a contender doesn’t mean you can’t become a champion. Exhibit A: the Golden State Warriors in 2022.

If you’re a contender, you need a little bit of luck to really compete for a title, and for the next few years, that luck will likely have to come on the injury front if the Warriors have any chance of surpassing the West’s elite in the postseason.

Onepunman:
Will Draymond exercise his player option?

Draymond Green is a hard one to figure out. We know he wants to stay with the Warriors, but as he showed a few years ago when he almost signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, he also wants to play somewhere where he is appreciated and compensated accordingly. Green has been very introspective about his current relationship with the organization, and how he doesn’t want to hang around just to hang around. But with Kerr likely coming back, it seems all but certain that Golden State will want Draymond to stick around. So my guess is that he doesn’t exercise his player option, and instead negotiates a new deal three-year deal with the Warriors for a lower annual value. That will line him up with Curry and Kerr, while also giving the Warriors more flexibility this offseason.

scizzorhands:
Draft content. Options for trading down and/or trading to get more picks in the 2026 draft.

I’d be surprised if they trade their first-round pick for anything other than a star player. It seems unlikely that they would want to trade down to get more draft picks, and put more young, raw players on the roster, though they’ll probably do something in the second round, because that’s just what they do. But with the first-round pick, they’ll want to get the best player they can, rather than multiple lesser players.

Thanks for the questions, everyone!

The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is on Mother's Day this year, with every team that didn't make the playoffs seeking the gift of the right ping-pong ball combination on Sunday, May 10. A whole batch of franchises tanked this past season just to have a better shot at securing the best choice possible in what's considered a strong draft class. So much so that NBA commissioner Adam Silver is considering radical changes to the NBA draft lottery system.

Teams have been lining up for the top of the draft board. BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Duke's Cameron Boozer and UNC freshman Caleb Wilson have largely been considered the best four prospects but in varying orders. The potential prizes extend beyond that this year, though. The latest first-round mock draft conducted by USA TODAY Sports through Microsoft Copilot's artificial intelligence chatbot shows – when compared to one done just two weeks earlier with the same team order – the perception of this draft is fluid before its exact order is known.

The top five picks remained the same, but there was plenty of movement from there. New prospects were elevated into the first round by AI or higher in the NBA draft pecking order with another two weeks of intel. Other players were dropped out of the top 30 selections. More will be decided over the next week or so, when the NBA Draft lottery and NBA Draft Scouting Combine are held in Chicago.

Here's Microsoft Copilot's latest 2026 NBA mock draft heading into the draft lottery, as curated by USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky Wildcats are nearing completion of their 2026-2027 basketball roster, with just a couple more spots to fill.

Kentucky native Malachi Moreno was expected back on the team after he tested the NBA Draft waters. However, some recent draft rankings and projections have left some wondering if he could actually stay in this year’s draft.

The Georgetown (KY) native was mocked 31st overall to the New York Knicks in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft at Bleacher Report, one spot shy of the first round. His pro comparison was former Wildcat Nick Richards, who saw great success in his junior year in Lexington.

As a few players could potentially withdraw from the draft process in the coming weeks, Wasserman believes Moreno could be a first-round pick based on his size alone.

“With NIL bringing back a handful of first round guys, Malachi Moreno has a chance to capitalize on that during the draft process,” Wasserman said. “There is already enough intrigue around a 19-year-old, 7-footer with strong shot-blocking and passing metrics, plus some touch indicators. Certain teams would prefer to gamble on a freshman with Moreno’s tools, production, impact, and historically translatable/valued archetype, rather than a projected 23-year-old rookie in a shallow draft.

“Scrimmages at the NBA combine will represent a huge opportunity for Moreno to generate more first-round interest.“

Moreno was invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago next week. This is a huge opportunity for Moreno to showcase his size and athleticism in front of NBA scouts, teams, and front offices. The scrimmages will be aired on television as BBN and Mark Pope will be keeping a close eye on the 7-footer.

From Luke Kennard’s Game 1 performance, to Marcus Smart’s offensive surge in Game 2, to Deandre Ayton’s play in Game 6, there were so many great moments for the Lakers during their series win over the Rockets.

While LA’s victory lap has to come to an end as they prepare to face the Thunder in the second round, one lasting memory that deserves an immediate look back is the string of plays LeBron James and Bronny had in Game 3.

With the Lakers looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead and needing a road win to do so, the family duo delivered.

James set a screen for Bronny and he nailed the three. On the next possession, LeBron lobbed it to Bronny, who converted a reverse layup to give LA a 12-point advantage.

LeBron piled on another five straight points, meaning the James family had scored 10 consecutive Lakers points. During Tuesday’s episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast, LeBron reflected on the iconic moment.

“We had that mini-run between the two of us, and that was just something that I will never, ever forget. Something that I’ve learned, obviously, at my elder stage and being 41 years old to kind of like appreciate the small wins in the moment. That was one of the moments where I kind of, I’ve always, like, always been locked in, and that moment right there, throwing him the lob, seeing him make the three, we kind of going back and forth, I kind of blanked out for a little bit and just really accepted and relished in that moment.

“That’s pretty cool for me as a dad. And then us as colleagues and then our whole family, like, I think I mentioned at one point, like my mom being at the game and her being able to watch her son and grandson in a postseason game at the same time. My wife was there. His sister was there. I think Bryce was back home from college. You can’t even write that script in Hollywood better than what’s going on. So just being super appreciative of it.”

After all the hoopla and screaming about nepotism and privilege, it’s great to see that Bronny has silenced those ridiculous criticisms. He stepped up for a shorthanded Lakers team and played meaningful, playoff minutes for LA during the early parts of that series.

Thanks in part to Bronny’s efforts, the Lakers survived without Austin Reaves, and now that he’s back, they’ve advanced to the next round.

LeBron should take this all in as much as he can because these moments are still amazingly cool and unique. Absolutes aren’t wise to say in any sport, but it’s unlikely we’ll ever see another father-son duo playing at that high a level in the NBA again.

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

Somehow, someway, the Pistons clawed their way back from a 3-1 series deficit to win in 7 games. They scrapped their way to a historic second-half comeback in Game 6. This team just won’t roll over, we saw that for 82 games, now we’ve seen it in the playoffs. Wes and Blake come to you just before the beginning of the Second Round of the NBA playoffs to react to the extraordinary Round 1 victory, giving specific props to the superstar that is Cade Cunningham, the leadership of Tobias Harris, and the mind of strategies from JB Bickerstaff. They then turn to the upcoming series against the Cavaliers. Do the Pistons have any advantages? Are the Cavs able to employ the same defensive strategy that the Magic did? And, ultimately, what both teams will need to do to secure a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

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Two NBA heavyweights will meet in the playoffs for the first time when Lebron James’ Lakers visit reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunders to kick off Round 2 of the playoffs.

After winning three straight against Houston in the first round, it took the Lakers until Game 6 to advance into the second round in a series that saw the return of Austin Reeves. Now, the Lakers will take on the No. 1 seed in the West.

The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced easily, sweeping the Phoenix Suns in four games. The defending NBA champs come into this series having already swept their season series against the Lakers. Of the four wins, only one was decided by less than a 29-point gap.

Both teams are heading into the second round missing key players. The Lakers are still without Luca Doncic after he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 (in a game against the Thunder), but sources told the California Post that he’s expected to miss the first two games, leaving a door open for a Game 3 return.

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams has also been out with a hamstring injury, and his status for tonight’s Game 1 is uncertain.

The next game in the Lakers-Thunder series is scheduled for Thursday night.

Lakers vs. Thunder start time:

Tonight’s (May 5) Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and OKC Thunder is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Lakers vs. Thunder for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ESPN (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

You can also stream the NBA playoffs with a subscription to Peacock, which costs $16.99/month after a seven-day free trial.

Lakers-Thunder second round playoff schedule

• Game 1: May 5 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
• Game 2: May 7 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
• Game 3: May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: May 11 (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
• Game 5: May 13*
• Game 6: May 16*
• Game 7: May 18*

* if necessary

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.