Category: Basketball

A day after having to leave the biggest game of his life, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared his first public comments since tearing his right Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

"Words cannot express the pain of this letdown," Haliburton wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the tendon. "The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense."

But for the majority of his five-paragraph post, which Haliburton accompanied with a photo of himself smiling and forming a heart with his hands from a hospital bed, the two-time All Star also delivered a message of optimism and determination. And he did so, in part, by quoting late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who overcame the same injury in 2013.

"I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation," Haliburton wrote. “'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.'

Read more:Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton latest to succumb to torn Achilles during NBA playoffs

"And that’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right."

Bryant's words were part of a lengthy Facebook post early in the morning on April 13, 2013, hours after tearing his left Achilles tendon while driving to the basket during a game against the Golden State Warriors the previous night. After suffering the injury, Bryant famously stayed in the game long enough to sink two free throws.

In his post, Bryant describes his raw emotions and even uncharacteristically expresses some self-doubt before his famous Mamba Mentality inevitably surfaces.

"All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times!" wrote Bryant, who was 34 at the time. "The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??

"I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not!

"Its 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and Im wide awake. Forgive my Venting but whats the purpose of social media if I wont bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in."

That's where Bryant writes the words that Haliburton quoted.

"We don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run," Bryant wrote later in the post. "We endure and conquer."

True to his word, Bryant returned to the floor with the Lakers on Dec. 8, 2013. He dealt with several other injuries — including a knee injury that ended his 2013-14 season just six games after he returned from the Achilles — before retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season, his 20th in the NBA.

More than a decade later, a 25-year-old star is using Bryant's words as inspiration, days after being unable to help his team in a 103-91 loss to the Thunder with the NBA championship on the line.

Read more:Oklahoma City defeats Indiana in Game 7 to secure franchise's second NBA title

Here is Haliburton's full post:

"Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.

"Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to 'come back stronger'. What a cliche lol, this s— sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. But what’s hurting most I think is my mind. Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through. It feels good to let this s— out without y’all seeing the kid ugly cry.

"At 25, I’ve already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player. And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special.

"Indy, I’m sorry. If any fan base doesn’t deserve this, it’s y’all. But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don’t doubt for a second that y’all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours. I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation. 'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.' And that’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right.

"My journey to get to where I am today wasn’t by happenstance, I’ve pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I’m grateful. I’m grateful for every single experience that’s led me here. I’m grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don’t 'have to' go through this, I get to go through this. I’m grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I’ll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton.

"Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.'"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Wizards acquire CJ McCollum, send Jordan Poole to Pelicans: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The NBA offseason has its second major trade in as many days.

After the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers made a deal involving Jrue Holiday and Anfernee Simons Monday night, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans followed suit.

New Orleans sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick in this year’s draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.

McCollum is a 12-year veteran who is joining his third team since 2022, with Washington bringing him in on an expiring contract that will allow for more cap space in 2026 as it continues a lengthy rebuild process. That salary cap space could be in the $100 million range, with Olynyk also on an expiring deal.

Also the National Basketball Players Association president, McCollum reacted to the news on social media:

New Orleans gets a younger guard in Poole who has an NBA championship under his belt with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. The splashy guard eventually had to be dealt to Washington after footage emerged of an altercation between him and Golden State star Draymond Green.

The Pelicans have struggled to stay healthy ever since Zion Williamson came in as the No. 1 pick, with Brandon Ingram also being dealt to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. Poole is coming off a 20.5 points-per-game season on a 43/38/88 shooting split on high volume.

Saddiq Bey, a steady double-digit scoring wing since he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons five years ago, joins a wing department that includes Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.

Wizards acquire CJ McCollum, send Jordan Poole to Pelicans: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The NBA offseason has its second major trade in as many days.

After the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers made a deal involving Jrue Holiday and Anfernee Simons Monday night, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans followed suit.

New Orleans sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick in this year’s draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.

McCollum is a 12-year veteran who is joining his third team since 2022, with Washington bringing him in on an expiring contract that will allow for more cap space in 2026 as it continues a lengthy rebuild process. That salary cap space could be in the $100 million range, with Olynyk also on an expiring deal.

Also the National Basketball Players Association president, McCollum reacted to the news on social media:

New Orleans gets a younger guard in Poole who has an NBA championship under his belt with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. The splashy guard eventually had to be dealt to Washington after footage emerged of an altercation between him and Golden State star Draymond Green.

The Pelicans have struggled to stay healthy ever since Zion Williamson came in as the No. 1 pick, with Brandon Ingram also being dealt to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. Poole is coming off a 20.5 points-per-game season on a 43/38/88 shooting split on high volume.

Saddiq Bey, a steady double-digit scoring wing since he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons five years ago, joins a wing department that includes Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.

Celtics trading Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in three-team deal: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Boston Celtics have made another significant roster move in what should be an exciting offseason for the NBA.

The Celtics are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Porzingis and a second-round draft pick will head to Atlanta in exchange for Georges Niang and a second-rounder. The Hawks sent Terance Mann and their No. 22 overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets.

The C’s entered the offseason as a second apron team. They needed to shed salary, so this trade involving Porzingis isn’t surprising. Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac. As a result of this deal and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics are now $4.5 million under the second apron.

🔊 Celtics Talk – Emergency Pod, Part 2: Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis, and which domino falls next? | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range this past season.

Porzingis’ tenure in Boston lasted just two seasons, but it did produce some memorable moments.

His apex with the Celtics was a 60-second stretch in the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks when he made a huge impact at both ends of the court. Porzingis was making his return to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.

Porzingis was unable to stay healthy for a good chunk of his career in Boston. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He played in all 11 of Boston’s 2025 playoff games but was limited in some of them due to a mystery illness. He provided an undeniable spark when on the court, however, and was a fan favorite at TD Garden.

Niang, 32, averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Massachusetts native has also had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers.

2025 NBA Mock Draft: Celtics trade back, double dip in second round originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Maybe all of us New Englanders have been scarred from years and years of watching Bill Belichick trade back in the NFL Draft. At this point, we pretty much assume every Boston general manager is going to trade out of Round 1. 

To be fair, Brad Stevens didn’t seem very eager to make a first-round pick during his first few years at the helm of the Celtics. Stevens routinely traded those picks while hunting more established talent. That helped deliver key role players who perfectly complemented the superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and delivered the Celtics to Banner 18. 

But even when Boston went on the clock at pick No. 30 last June, most of us just assumed the Celtics would be shuffling back to Round 2. Instead, Stevens made his first first-round pick while snagging Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman. 

Could Stevens reverse course and elect to trade back from No. 28 and generate a couple swings early in Round 2 of this year’s pick-a-palooza?

The case for moving back

The Celtics enter an offseason focused on shedding costs, and there are some small financial reasons to shuffle back from No. 28. First-round picks have predetermined salary slots over four NBA seasons, while second-round picks can be slightly more economical.

When every dollar matters, there’s some value in being frugal, particularly at the back end of the roster. If there isn’t a must-have option at No. 28, then moving back and trying to pick up a future asset in the process could be beneficial long term.

Teams have to trust their scouting and judge if there’s really a chasm between, say, 28 and 34. 

The case against moving back

With Jayson Tatum set to miss the start of the season, there could be more minutes than usual available to Boston’s younger players. The Celtics could prioritize NBA-level development, something that has rarely existed during the recent championship-or-bust seasons.

What’s the plan?

For the sake of our move-back draft, the Celtics believe they can find equal value early in Round 2 as they could near the end of Round 1.

Stevens engages the Charlotte Hornets and the teams swap picks 28 and 34, with Boston picking up a future second-round pick for its troubles.

The Celtics now have two swings with three picks early on Day 2. 

Projecting the first 30 picks

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
5. Utah Jazz: Kon Knueppel, Duke
6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Tre Johnson, Texas
8. Brooklyn Nets: Khaman Maluach, Duke
9. Toronto Raptors: Noa Essengue, France
10. Phoenix Suns: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
12. Chicago Bulls: Egor Demin, BYU
13. Atlanta Hawks: Derik Queen, Maryland
14. San Antonio Spurs: Nique Clifford, Colorado St.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Asa Newell, Georgia
16. Memphis Grizzlies: Carter Bryant, Arizona
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cedric Coward, Washington State
18. Washington Wizards: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
19. Brooklyn Nets: Liam McNeeley, UConn
20. Miami Heat: Danny Wolf, Michigan
21. Utah Jazz: Will Riley, Illinois 
22. Atlanta Hawks: Noah Penda, France
23. New Orleans Pelicans: Jase Richardson, Michigan State
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Joan Beringer, France
25. Orlando Magic: Hugo Gonzalez, Spain
26. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, France
27. Brooklyn Nets: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
28. Charlotte Hornets: Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
29. Phoenix Suns: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Ben Saraf, Germany

Let’s make some picks

Ideally, a big man like Raynaud or Kalkbrenner would slide to Day 2. But, even if they do, the Celtics have long prioritized potential over need. Boston won’t take a center just because of the uncertainty around the center position heading into the offseason. But let’s say size should be a tiebreaker if it’s a toss up.

Celtics’ selections in second round

32. Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s

If Fleming slides beyond Round 1, the Celtics ought to pounce. He’s got NBA size. He’s got NBA athleticism. He hits 3s. Our ears perk up when we hear the Bobby Portis comps.

Will his game translate from the Atlantic 10? There’s only one way to find out. Throw him into Boston’s developmental machine and see if you can accentuate his strengths at the pro level. 

34. Adou Thiero, Arkansas

Do we worry about a little bit of overlap with Boston’s other recent Arkansas draftee in Jordan Walsh? Absolutely. But you can never have enough long-armed wings in the NBA.

The athleticism is obvious when you watch Thiero’s highlight reel. Boston could lean into his defensive potential and hope the offense catches up. He’s still intriguing in the mid range and thrived as a finisher at the basket. 

The Nets own four first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, including the No. 8 overall pick after falling in the lottery.

It's the first time the Nets have had a lottery pick since the 2010 NBA Draft when they selected Derrick Favors at No. 3 overall.

After a 26-54 season, how will GM Sean Marks use the draft capital he's acquired to rebuild Brooklyn's roster?

Here's what the draft experts have the Nets doing in the first round on June 25...

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN

No. 8: C Khaman Maluach, Duke

Height without shoes: 7-foot 3/4

Weight: 252 pounds

Age: 18

Maluach appears firmly in consideration in New Orleans and Brooklyn, but he is also seen by some teams as the most likely among the second-tier players in the Nos. 3-8 range to experience a slight drop if a surprising prospect disrupts this part of the draft, though perhaps only a few slots down the board.

Maluach fills a clear need that many teams are looking for: He's a true center who can serve as a defensive anchor in the paint and has significant potential for growth physically and skill-wise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates because of his unique off-court intangibles.

His ability to protect the rim, cover ground in a variety of pick-and-roll schemes, and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter, while sprinting aggressively in transition, will appeal to any team seeking a center to build around in the long term. -- Givony

No. 19 (via Bucks): PF/C Asa Newell, Georgia

Height without shoes: 6-foot-9

Weight: 224 pounds

Age: 19

Newell is another player who appears to have helped himself in the predraft process, having showcased his physical tools and room for growth as a shooter, helping some teams better understand the potential versatility he could provide as a stretch-4. Still, he has a somewhat wider range on draft night, drawing consideration from teams in the back half of the lottery but with scenarios also in play where he could slip into the late teens or early 20s.

The Nets have understandably been among the busiest teams in the predraft process, holding picks in every part of the first round and five selections in the top 40. Most around the league expect Brooklyn to be active in trades this week, though it's not yet clear exactly what that will look like, the prospect of trading up from here to acquire a second lottery pick is among the scenarios the Nets could explore.

Although the team is unlikely to roster five rookies, Brooklyn has brought in the vast majority of the draft for workouts, giving it more first-hand information on the class than any other team. The Nets are also viewed as a desirable destination by many agents, due to the minutes and opportunity they have available next season. Newell's long-term upside could be appealing to them as a developmental addition here. -- Woo

No. 26 (via Knicks): PG Nolan Traore, France

Height without shoes: 6-foot-3

Weight: 175 pounds

Age: 19

With four first-round picks at their disposal, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Nets take several talent swings, hoping to uncover gems with some of their later selections.

The Nets have a void in the backcourt, depending on what they do with their first few picks, and this situation will be considered highly attractive to any of the guards slated to be picked in this range.

After starting the season projected as a top-10 pick, Traore's draft stock dropped because of inconsistent play, but there's still plenty to like with his size, ballhandling, playmaking creativity and upside, making him a worthy gamble for a team in Brooklyn's situation and at this point in the draft. -- Givony

No. 27 (via Rockets): PF Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's

Height without shoes: 6-foot-8 1/4

Weight: 232 pounds

Age: 20

As previously mentioned, these Nets picks -- particularly the pair in the 20s -- are viewed around the league as fluid, depending on what moves Brooklyn ultimately decides to pursue this week.

Fleming was not invited to the NBA draft green room, pointing to the likelihood he might fall to the back of the first round. He hasn't gathered much momentum over the past month but remains in consideration due to his physical tools and improving 3-point shooting. While not a flashy player or immensely skilled, his length, improvement track and late-blooming trajectory point to untapped potential. -- Woo

No. 8: PF Noa Essengue, France

Height: 6-foot-10

Weight: 194 pounds

Age: 18

Pro comparison:Jerami Grant, Pascal Siakam

Noa Essengue may not make it to the United States for workouts with his team now in the German BBL Finals. His physical tools, motor and improving offensive skills have played a key role in Ulm's run.

Picking up easy baskets, crashing the glass and occasionally making spot-up threes, Essengue has been a consistent contributor among pros despite being the second-youngest draft-eligible prospect.

A rebuilding team that can afford to be patient could see a strong upside bet in Essengue if his growth continues at its current rate.

No. 19 (via Bucks): PG Nolan Traore, France

Height without shoes: 6-foot-3

Weight: 175 pounds

Age: 19

Pro comparison: Lonzo Ball

Nolan Traore flew to Treviso for official measurements, and they were strong, with the 19-year-old point guard coming in at 6'3" in socks with a 6'8" wingspan.

He'll enter the draft with the highest assist percentage among first-round prospects, but he's also shown real growth as a scorer down the stretch of Saint-Quentin's season. He converted 20 of his last 53 three-point attempts and created offense with noticeably improved decisiveness.

No. 26 (via Knicks): PF Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's

Height without shoes: 6-foot-8 1/4

Weight: 232 pounds

Age: 20

Pro comparison: Taylor Hendricks

Rasheer Fleming's 7'5" wingspan measurement was eye-opening for a barefoot 6'8", 232-pound forward. That physical profile, plus a shooting stroke that connected on 62 threes (39.0 percent) will generate interest from a number of teams in the mid-to-late first round.

We've heard from scouts who think he's going to go earlier than many initially expected.

No. 27 (via Rockets): SG/SF Drake Powell, North Carolina

Height without shoes: 6-foot-5 1/4

Weight: 195 pounds

Age: 19

Pro comparison: Will Barton, Herb Jones

Teams figure to put extra stock into Drake Powell's NBA combine performance and workouts after he spent the year spotting up on 49.2 percent of North Carolina's possessions and taking just 5.7 shots per game.

Despite the lack of production, there could still be first-round interest based on his outstanding physical profile, defensive projection and 37.9 percent three-point shooting.

No. 8: G Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois

Height: 6-foot-4 3/4

Weight: 205 pounds

Age: 19

League sources have indicated that the Nets have entertained moves up and down the board. They have four first-round picks this year and as much ammunition as anyone to get the players they want.

If they stick at No. 8, a variety of players make sense. I’d be surprised if Jeremiah Fears or Ace Bailey slipped beyond this slot. More than that, if I were Sean Marks and company, I’d be looking to keep as many options as possible and not take a position-locked player at either the center or lead guard position. The Nets are rebuilding and have a lot of needs. And later in the draft, a plethora of bigs and lead guards should be available. 

I’m a big fan of players who can dribble, pass, shoot, process the game at a high level, and have good positional size. Players like this tend to have a lot of outs, to use a poker term. If Jakučionis can’t separate enough on the ball, I feel confident in his ability to play off the ball and hammer advantages created for him by high-level creative guards, because he can shoot, drive and make excellent passing reads. Jakučionis is a special passer who I hope continues to work on his craft as a ballhandler to get separation from his man consistently without turning the ball over and feeling rushed.

No. 19 (via Bucks): PG/SG Egor Demin, BYU

Height without shoes: 6-foot-9 1/4

Weight: 199 pounds

Age: 19

Demin can play the point and is the best passer in the class. His vision is sublime. But he struggled to score this year. He struggled to get paint touches because his handle is not particularly developed, and he doesn’t have the threat of the jumper to fall back on, having made under 30 percent from distance. Still, many teams think they can fix the jumper, and if so, it would open up the rest of his game as a passer and playmaker. I’m a bit lower on Demin, but evaluators who like him tend to love him. He had a strong workout in Chicago in front of NBA executives, but that steam has died down somewhat over the last month. He could go anywhere from the back half of the lottery to No. 21.

The Nets are also thought to be exploring moves consolidating this pick with some of their others to move back up into the lottery.

No. 26 (via Knicks): PG Nolan Traore, France

Height without shoes: 6-foot-3

Weight: 175 pounds

Age: 19

Traoré rebounded well from a tough start to his pro season in France. From Jan. 15 to April 6, Traoré averaged 13 points and four assists while shooting 50 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3 and 79 percent from the line. His overall numbers on the year aren’t that strong, but it’s worth remembering that he’s a teenager playing a full season of professional basketball for the first time.

It’s very possible he’ll be on the board for the Nets when they pick at No. 19. Here, they get lucky and get him all the way down at No. 26 as a value pick.

No. 27 (via Rockets): SG/SF Drake Powell, North Carolina

Height without shoes: 6-foot-5 1/4

Weight: 195 pounds

Age: 19

Powell has momentum to end up somewhere in the back half of the first round because of his defense. Nobody guarded Cooper Flagg as well as Powell did this season. He’s a long way away on offense, as he’s not that comfortable as a shooter or that capable as a ballhandler. It’s going to take him some time to play at the NBA level, even with his defensive skill.

Again, the Nets have four first-rounders, so don’t be stunned if they look to consolidate a couple of these.

Kevin Durant dispels report that Steve Kerr was reason he nixed Warriors trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kevin Durant wanted to set the record straight.

The superstar forward, who the Phoenix Suns reportedly agreed to trade to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, took to X to respond to a report by The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, formerly of NBC Sports Bay Area, who reported in his latest column that Durant’s departure from the Warriors in summer 2019 “arguably had more to do” with Golden State coach Steve Kerr than forward Draymond Green, and that Kerr was one of the reasons Durant did not want to return to Golden State in a midseason trade during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Durant criticized the report in a response to Warriors World on X, who posted a screenshot of Murdock’s story.

Murdock shared a direct and indirect NSFW response to Durant’s post.

Golden State made a strong effort to acquire Durant from Phoenix leading up to the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline before Durant essentially verbally squashed the deal by communicating he did not want to return to the Warriors, who ultimately pivoted to trading for star forward Jimmy Butler.

Durant explained shortly after the trade deadline why he did not want to return to the Warriors at that time, claiming he simply did not want to be traded midseason and that it was nothing against Golden State.

Prominent Warriors figures, such as Kerr and superstar point guard Steph Curry, understood where Durant was coming from and held no ill will toward the 15-time NBA All-Star.

Durant now will take his talents to Houston, where he will begin the next chapter of his illustrious NBA career with the Rockets.

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The summer ahead for Sixers: Draft info, key dates, team needs and more  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Night 1 of the 2025 NBA draft is truly on the horizon.

Here’s a review of the Sixers’ situation and what’s ahead: 

Key Sixers summer dates 

The first round is set to start Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and the Sixers are slated to pick early in the night at No. 3 overall. The second round is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday and the Sixers hold the 35th pick. 

The final deadline for player option decisions is Sunday. Teams can officially begin all free agent negotiations next Monday, July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Free agents can start signing contracts July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET. 

By that point, we’ll already have summer league action. The Sixers are scheduled to participate in the Salt Lake City summer league July 5-8. They’ll play in the Las Vegas summer league July 10-20. 

Who will the Sixers take at No. 3? 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will generally explore all possibilities, including trading up and trading down. It would be foolish to firmly rule anything out.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote Monday that ultra-athletic Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe “appears in pole position to hear his name called at No. 3.” Along with Edgecombe, we’ve profiled the following players who could go in the No. 3 through No. 8 range of the draft:

• Rutgers wing Ace Bailey
• Texas shooting guard Tre Johnson
• Duke wing Kon Knueppel
• Duke center Khaman Maluach

The state of the Sixers’ roster 

These Sixers are currently under contract, per Spotrac: 

• Joel Embiid
• Paul George
• Tyrese Maxey
• Jared McCain 
• Adem Bona (partially guaranteed salary)
• Ricky Council IV (non-guaranteed salary) 
• Alex Reese (two-way contract) 

The team has club options for Justin Edwards, Jared Butler and Lonnie Walker IV. Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon have player options.

Guerschon Yabusele, Kyle Lowry and Jalen Hood-Schifino are internal unrestricted free agents. Quentin Grimes and Jeff Dowtin Jr. are restricted free agents. 

Where should the Sixers focus on improving?

The simplest area is health. Embiid, George and Maxey were among the players who ended last year’s 24-58 season on the sidelines. 

Morey has said he’d like to retain Grimes and Yabusele, which makes plenty of sense. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Monday that the Spurs “are among several teams expected to have interest in Yabusele during free agency.” 

While Morey doesn’t plan to load up on veterans as he did last summer, perhaps he’ll add a couple who can help with certain deficiencies. The Sixers tended to be undersized last season, struggled on the glass and shot poorly from three-point range. And again, with Morey in charge, a surprising splash is always on the table. 

Regardless, the Sixers will emphasize youth and boost that department through the draft. 

The summer ahead for Sixers: Draft info, key dates, team needs and more  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Night 1 of the 2025 NBA draft is truly on the horizon.

Here’s a review of the Sixers’ situation and what’s ahead: 

Key Sixers summer dates 

The first round is set to start Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and the Sixers are slated to pick early in the night at No. 3 overall. The second round is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday and the Sixers hold the 35th pick. 

The final deadline for player option decisions is Sunday. Teams can officially begin all free-agent negotiations next Monday, July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Free agents can start signing contracts July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET. 

By that point, we’ll already have summer league action. The Sixers are scheduled to participate in the Salt Lake City summer league July 5-8. They’ll play in the Las Vegas summer league July 10-20. 

Who will the Sixers take at No. 3? 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will generally explore all possibilities, including trading up and trading down. It would be foolish to firmly rule anything out.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote Monday that ultra-athletic Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe “appears in pole position to hear his name called at No. 3.” Along with Edgecombe, we’ve profiled the following players who could go in the No. 3 through No. 8 range of the draft. 

• Rutgers wing Ace Bailey
• Texas shooting guard Tre Johnson
• Duke wing Kon Knueppel
• Duke center Khaman Maluach

The state of the Sixers’ roster 

These Sixers are currently under contract, per Spotrac: 

• Joel Embiid
• Paul George
• Tyrese Maxey
• Jared McCain 
• Adem Bona (partially guaranteed salary)
• Ricky Council IV (non-guaranteed salary) 
• Alex Reese (two-way contract) 

The team has club options for Justin Edwards, Jared Butler and Lonnie Walker IV. Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon have player options.

Guerschon Yabusele, Kyle Lowry and Jalen Hood-Schifino are internal unrestricted free agents. Quentin Grimes and Jeff Dowtin Jr. are restricted free agents. 

Where should the Sixers focus on improving?

The simplest area is health. Embiid, George and Maxey were among the players who ended last year’s 24-58 season on the sidelines. 

Morey has said he’d like to retain Grimes and Yabusele, which makes plenty of sense. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Monday that the Spurs “are among several teams expected to have interest in Yabusele during free agency.” 

While Morey doesn’t plan to load up on veterans as he did last summer, perhaps the team will add a couple who can help with certain deficiencies. The Sixers tended to be undersized last season, struggled on the glass and shot poorly from three-point range. And again, with Morey in charge, a surprising splash is always on the table. 

Regardless, the Sixers will emphasize youth and boost that department through the draft. 

Grant Hill added to NBC's NBA coverage team as game analyst for next season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

NBC’s broadcast team for the NBA next season continues to grow.

Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill is the latest addition as a game analyst, NBC Sports announced Tuesday.

This comes one day after Maria Taylor was revealed as the lead studio host for NBA and WNBA coverage.

Hill joins a star-studded lineup on NBC that will feature Michael Jordan (special contributor), Reggie Miller (game analyst), Jamal Crawford (game analyst), Carmelo Anthony (studio analyst), Vince Carter (studio analyst), Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Noah Eagle (play-by-play).

Over his 18-year NBA career, Hill was a seven-time All-Star with five All-NBA selections. He won a gold medal for Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and currently serves as the managing director for USA Basketball’s men’s national team.

Since retiring in 2013, Hill has served as a broadcaster Turner Sports and NBA TV, including calling NBA playoff games and March Madness.

The NBA returns to NBC this fall for the 2025-26 season as part of an 11-year agreement. NBC will air key NBA action, including opening night, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, NBA All-Star Weekend and playoff games.

History of Brad Stevens' biggest trades as Celtics exec originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Brad Stevens was a great head coach for the Boston Celtics. But you could make an argument he’s been an even better executive for the franchise.

Stevens moved from head coach to president of basketball operations in June of 2021, and he has excelled in that job, most notably putting the finishing touches on a championship roster for the 2023-24 NBA season.

After the Celtics lost at home to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, Stevens made two bold moves in the following months — acquiring point guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis.

The Porzingis deal saw fan favorite Marcus Smart depart Boston. It was a tough blow to lose Smart, but Stevens has shown an impressive ability to put emotions to the side and make the moves that are best for the team.

Both Holiday and Porzingis played key roles for the Celtics during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games to claim the franchise’s 18th championship.

But those weren’t the only major moves Stevens made that helped put together Boston’s title-winning squad.

His first major trade as a Celtics exec happened in June of 2021 when he acquired Al Horford, Moses Brown and a second-round pick for Kemba Walker, a first-round pick and a second-round pick. The C’s were able to shed Walker’s high salary and contract, and the return of Horford — who played in Boston from 2016-17 through 2018-19 — helped the team’s outside shooting, defense and leadership in a profound way.

Stevens made a surprise move at the 2022 trade deadline to acquire guard Derrick White from the San Antonio Spurs. White has become a very reliable 3-point shooter and defender. He has a great all-around skill set and has shown tremendous improvement since joining the C’s. He also was a huge factor in the Celtics’ title run in 2024.

Not every move Stevens has made could be viewed as a home run — although his batting average is pretty strong.

Trading for Malcolm Brogdon made sense in the summer of 2022, when the C’s gave up a first-round pick, Aaron Nesmith and other assets to get the veteran guard from the Indiana Pacers. Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year in his first season with the Celtics, but an injury limited his effectiveness in the 2023 playoffs. Nesmith has become a good 3-and-D wing for the Pacers, who just lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

The latest major trade Stevens has pulled off came Monday night, when he reportedly sent Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. The deal saved the C’s about $5 million as they attempt to get under the second apron of the luxury tax.

The Celtics still need to shed about $18 million in salary to get under the second apron. What other moves could Stevens make? The next few weeks could be exciting for basketball fans.

Here’s a full recap of Stevens’ most notable trades as Celtics president of basketball operations.

Former Warriors guard Jordan Poole reportedly traded by Wizards to Pelicans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Former Warriors guard Jordan Poole is on the move.

The Washington Wizards are trading Poole, forward Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans for veteran guard CJ McCollum, center Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round draft pick, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, citing sources.

Poole, a 2019 first-round draft pick by the Warriors (No. 28 overall), helped Golden State win the 2022 NBA championship over the Boston Celtics.

The Michigan star initially struggled to find his footing in the NBA his first two seasons, but broke out in 2021-22 when he averaged 18.5 points on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 36.4 percent shooting from 3-point range.

But Poole’s final season with the Warriors was overshadowed by Draymond Green punching him during a training camp practice before the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Poole averaged a then-career high 20.4 points during the 2022-23 season, but in July 2023, the Warriors dealt him to the Wizards in a deal that netted them All-Star guard Chris Paul.

In two seasons in Washington, Poole averaged 18.8 points on 35.3 percent shooting from 3-point range in 146 games.

Now, the 26-year-old Poole gets a fresh start in New Orleans alongside Zion Williamson.

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