Category: Basketball

Now that the NBA season is over, we’ll recap the fantasy basketball season for the 2024-25 runners-up.

Over the last two months, we’ve provided a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the Eastern and Western Conference champions.

Today, we’re looking at a team that went on one of the greatest playoff runs ever seen.

Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 50-32 (4th, East)

Offensive Rating: 115.4 (9th)

Defensive Rating: 113.3 (14th)

Net Rating: 2.1 (T-13th)

Pace: 100.76 (7th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 54th pick

The 2024-25 campaign was perhaps the most exciting in Pacers history, and I’m including the 1999-00 championship run and the 2005 Malice at the Palace season.

For the second straight year, the Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but this year, they got over the hump. Indiana lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 of the Finals to the Thunder, but Indiana’s improbable run to the last game of the season was one of the most entertaining and unexpected in recent memory.

Superstar Tyrese Haliburton took the next step with a dazzling postseason run, but a devastating injury in Game 7 of the Finals will have a major ripple effect across the roster next season.

Let’s recap last season’s fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26.

Fantasy Standout: Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton delivered a monster season for fantasy managers, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.0 triples in 33.6 minutes across 73 games. He shot 47.3% from the floor and 85.1% from the charity stripe as he finished fifth in per-game fantasy value.

For as great of a regular season as Hali had, his postseason run was the stuff of legends. The fourth-seeded Pacers took down the Bucks in five games, and Haliburton delivered the knockout blow with a game-winning layup in Game 5.

Next up were the Cavs, who Indiana dispatched in another gentlemen’s sweep. Down two in Game 2, Hali missed a free throw with 12 seconds remaining, gathered his own rebound, dribbled out beyond the arc and coldly sank the go-ahead trey with just over a second to play.

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, Haliburton wasted no time making his mark on the series. Down two with 10 seconds to play, he drove into the lane, dribbled back and launched a shot that took a long bounce off the rim before finding daylight. Thinking he had won the game, Haliburton imitated Reggie Miller’s iconic choking gesture to the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Review showed that his foot was on the line, but Indiana wrapped the game up in OT and never looked back in the series.

In the Finals, Haliburton hit another game-winner in Game 1 to give Indiana its first and only lead of the contest.

The Pacers were massive underdogs to win the Finals against the Thunder, and they were dogs in each of the seven games of the series. Somehow, Haliburton and Co. forced a Game 7, but tragedy struck just minutes into the contest.

Haliburton sank three early triples to put the Pacers up, but as he made a move on the wing, his right Achilles visibly tore, and he went to the ground. Haliburton was immediately emotional, and he was helped off the court. Later reports confirmed the Achilles tear, and Hali

Fantasy Revelation: T.J. McConnell

McConnell finished the regular season ranked 218 in per-game fantasy value, but the revolutionary nature of his performance came in the postseason, where he became a Pacers legend.

McConnell averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 17.9 minutes across 79 games in the regular season. He shot respectably at 51.9% from the field and 74% from the charity stripe in his sixth season with Indiana, operating as a change-of-pace guard specializing as a high-energy defender and facilitator.

He came to play in the Finals, averaging 12 points, 3.6 boards, 4.3 dimes and 2.1 steals across seven games. With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled in Games 5-6 and out for most of Game 7, he stepped up in a big way.

Over the final three games of the championship series, McConnell posted 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals. He routinely made huge plays on offense, including key rebounds and microwave scoring when his team couldn’t hit shots.

With Haliburton set to miss significant time next season, McConnell has surely earned a larger role for the 2025-26 campaign, making him an intriguing late-round option in fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Disappointment: None

Indiana operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the regular season and playoffs, leaning on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to do the heavy lifting, with Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Benn Mathurin filling in the gaps. The stars shined, and the role players did what they were asked to do. There were no major surprises from a fantasy standpoint.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Myles Turner:

Turner finished his 10th season in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 swats and 2.2 triples. The big man appeared in 72 games and logged 30.2 minutes per night, shooting 48.1% from the floor and 77.3% from the charity stripe.

Turner finished inside the top 50 in per-game fantasy value thanks to his ability to block shots, grab rebounds and hit triples. His strong regular season was soured by a dismal Finals run. Across seven games against the Thunder, he averaged just 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 triples.

Indiana’s longest-tenured player has been included in many trade rumors throughout his career, but there’s no confidence that he will actually be dealt this offseason.

Set to be an unrestricted free agent, Turner could choose to test the free agent market and join a center-needy team like the Lakers. Perhaps the Pacers reconsider bringing him back after his lackluster showing on the biggest stage?

If he returns to the Pacers, expect similar numbers to the ones he posted this season, with a potential bump in scoring due to Haliburton’s absence.

Pascal Siakam:

Siakam was masterful in his first full season with Indiana, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.6 triples in 32.7 minutes across 78 appearances. The star forward shot efficiently from the floor (51.9) and knocked down 73.4% of his tries from the charity stripe.

Unsurprisingly, Siakam’s playing time and counting stats took a dip coming from Toronto to Indiana. He finished with his fewest points, rebounds and minutes in six seasons and his fewest assists in five seasons. He knocked down the second-most three-pointers of his career and recorded his sixth consecutive season averaging 20+ points.

Spicy P enjoyed a productive playoff run, leading his team in points and rebounds while making a strong impact as a facilitator and defender. He had some huge moments, including a pair of 30-balls against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semis.

Siakam could be a prime beneficiary of Haliburton’s extended absence. Expect big numbers in 2025-26.

Aaron Nesmith:

Nesmith enjoyed the most productive season of his career, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocked shots and 1.9 triples across 25 minutes per game.

Injuries limited him to just 45 games, but he made the most of his time on the court. His 43/51/91 shooting splits represent a new career-best in efficiency, and Nesmith finished just outside the top 120 in per-game fantasy hoops value in his third season with the Pacers.

Nesmith played well in the postseason, and he had a memorable performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He knocked down eight triples and finished with 30 points as the Pacers stormed back to defeat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime.

Nesmith isn’t going to wow in any category, but he doesn’t turn the ball over, he can provide respectable defensive numbers, and he can hit triples. He should take on a heftier load on offense next season with Haliburton set to miss time. A finish near the top 120 wouldn’t be surprising.

Andrew Nembhard:

Indiana will employ a platoon approach to pick up the slack for Haliburton in 2025-26, but Nembhard could perhaps see the biggest boost to his playing time, production and fantasy value.

The Gonzaga product finished the season ranked 175th in per-game fantasy hoops value behind averages of 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.8 triples with 46/79 shooting splits. He averaged nearly 29 minutes across 65 contests and set new career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Nembhard established himself as a capable playmaker and strong defender, leading the Pacers as a floor general during the regular season when Haliburton was sidelined and spending plenty of time defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Finals.

He’s worth a look in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drats.

Obi Toppin:

“Ain’t no stoppin…” In his second season with Indiana, Toppin posted averages of 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.4 triples while shooting 53.9% from the field and 78.1% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 79 games and played 19.6 minutes per contest.

Toppin set new career highs in points, rebounds, assists and triples, though his performances were hot and cold throughout the regular season and playoffs. He dropped 20 points in Game 6 of the Finals only to follow it up with a goose egg in the scoring column in Game 7.

Toppin finished just inside the top 200 in per-game fantasy hoops value. Even iif he takes on an increased role for the Pacers in 2025-26, he’ll be tough to trust as a late-round flyer in fantasy drafts.

Bennedict Mathurin:

Mathurin finished 181st in per-game fantasy value with averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.4 triples. He shot 45.8% from the floor and 83.1% from the charity stripe and logged 29.9 minutes per game across 72 contests.

His rebounds, three-pointers, FG% and FT% represent career highs, though much like Toppin, his production was up and down.

Mathurin scored 27 points in Game 3 of the Finals and finished with 17 total points across Games 4-6 before going 24/13/3/2 with a pair of triples in Game 7.

Heading into Year 4, Mathurin could take the next step forward and push to score 20 points per night. With Haliburton out, he’s the next man up after Pascal Siakam as a reliable nightly bucket-getter.

Ben Sheppard:

The man with the best moustache in the NBA finished his second professional season with averages of 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.1 triples while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 88.9% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 63 games and logged 19.5 minutes per tilt.

Sheppard logged just under 14 minutes per game in the playoffs as Indiana’s rotation tightened up, but he averaged nearly 19 minutes per game in Game 6 and 7 of the Finals with Haliburton limited and out.

Sheppard could see more run in Haliburton’s absence, though he’s not yet someone to pick up in 2025-26 fantasy drafts outside deeper leagues.

Restricted Free Agents: Quenton Jackson, Isaiah Jackson

Unrestricted Free Agents: Thomas Bryant, James Johnson, Myles Turner

Club Option: Tony Bradley

Player Option: None

Two years ago, the Basketball Gods bestowed a once-in-a-generation gift upon the San Antonio Spurs, giving them the top pick in the NBA Draft the year that Victor Wembanyama was going pro. Last season, the Spurs picked fourth and selected Stephon Castle, who went on to be the Rookie of the Year.

The Basketball Gods were not done blessing the Spurs — they landed the No. 2 pick in this year's draft and are widely expected to select Dylan Harper, the 6'6" point guard out of Rutgers. (There is a very slim chance they trade the pick, but it would need to be for an established superstar, and that does not appear close to happening.)

How will Harper fit with the Spurs? Who does his game remind scouts of? Let's break it all down.

Harper’s fit in San Antonio

Outside his camp, there was speculation that Dylan Harper was not thrilled about going to San Antonio because it already has a roster deep with quality guards. This is a team that traded for De'Aaron Fox at the last trade deadline to pair with Wembanyama, and a year ago drafted combo guard Castle to be part of their future backcourt. He went on to average 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game, winning Rookie of the Year.

When asked about it by ESPN, Harper said he was excited to play with Wembanyama and Castle.

"I mean, that would definitely be great and I would definitely be blessed to have that opportunity just because they're two young players, young stars, and the rest of the team from top to bottom is really good so when you get to play with better players and the best of the best, it just brings out your best game."

Where does Harper fit in with all that talent?

From San Antonio's perspective, this is an easy call — always take the best player on the board, and Harper is the clear second-best player in this draft. Teams that make picks based on positional need end up saying things like "We don't need Luka Doncic, we have Fox" or "We don't need Michael Jordan, we have Clyde Drexler." Take the best player, figure it out, and, if necessary, make a trade later. The Spurs are nothing if not the most patient organization in the league.

Harper is a combo guard in the Castle mold, and a lot of scouts think Harper will be better at it. Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists a game shooting an impressive 48% from the floor last season, and he demonstrated a fantastic feel for the game. Harper is not a classically explosive player, but his ability to get to the rim and finish or dish to the open man should pair beautifully with Wemby, as well as with players on the wing such as Devin Vassell. If Harper and Wembanyama start to show a real chemistry — and they are on the same age timeline — then the Spurs can lean into that and adjust as needed.

One thing to watch: None of Harper, Fox or Castle are great outside shooters. Whichever one of them develops that shot — especially a catch-and-shoot look — is going to have a huge advantage in getting minutes this season and into the future.

Dylan Harper’s NBA Comparison

Ask people around the league about Harper comparisons and two names come up.

Cade Cunningham. The Detroit Pistons' point guard, who made a leap to All-NBA this season, is another tall player for the position who is not an explosive athlete but can get to the rim and get to his spots on the floor, then knock down the shot. Some scouts made note of how Harper struggled at points at Rutgers when teams packed the paint, and think that goes away with the better floor spacing in the NBA (especially compared to Rutgers). Like Cunningham, Harper can play some off the ball and makes tough shots.

James Harden. Harper isn't as strong or quite as athletic as the former MVP, but his ability to get to his spot, make tough shots and bend the defense to his will is similar. The one thing Harper has over Harden? He tries hard defensively. Harper is no elite defender, but the effort is there and he's not an easy target on that end.

Dylan Harper’s father, brother

Dylan Harper enters the NBA with an impressive basketball pedigree. His father is Ron Harper Sr., the No. 8 pick in the 1986 NBA Draft who went on to play 15 seasons in the league and win five championships, four with the Jordan-era Chicago Bulls and one with the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. Don't forget about his mother, Maria, who played college ball at New Orleans and is a basketball coach to this day — she is the one who taught Dylan the game.

Dylan's older brother, Ron Harper Jr., also played at Rutgers and has bounced between the G-League and the NBA the past three years, playing in 11 NBA games (this past season he played a game for the Pistons). Dylan also has a younger sister, Mia, who is still in high school.

While the 2024-25 season did not officially end until Oklahoma City took care of Indiana in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, the news cycle has already moved on to the 2025-26 season. Houston acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns hours before Game 7, and there have already been three more deals in the two days since the NBA Finals concluded.

Below is a "tracker" of the trades that have occurred thus far, and given how things have gone, there will likely be more to add before the NBA Draft on Wednesday. Also, many of these deals will not become official until the new league year begins on July 6. Buckle up.

Tuesday, June 24

New Orleans acquires: Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, 40th overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Washington acquires: CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, future second-round pick

First-year Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars reportedly completed his first significant transaction on Tuesday, sending McCollum, Olynyk and the 40th overall pick to Washington. While CJ is entering the final season of his current contract, Poole has two years and nearly $66 million remaining on his deal. With Dejounte Murray still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in January, Poole should not lack opportunities to play on the ball in New Orleans. His second season in Washington was better than his first, and the hope in New Orleans is that Poole can build on that progress next season. The Bey acquisition may not impact fantasy basketball much, as he's coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season.

McCollum's addition gives the Wizards another "adult in the room" alongside Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton. All three have struggled with injuries in recent years, with none hitting the 60 games played mark in 2024-25. Heading into a contract year, McCollum can provide reliable middle-round value in standard leagues. That said, veterans don't come without risk in rebuilding situations, as some teams are all too willing to pull the plug and "tank." Olynyk's path to fantasy relevance is not as straightforward as McCollum's, but experienced managers have certainly seen him make waves, especially late in the year when playing for rebuilding teams.

Atlanta acquires: Kristaps Porzingis

Boston acquires: Georges Niang, future second-round pick

Brooklyn acquires: Terance Mann, 22nd overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Less than 24 hours after reportedly trading Holiday, the Celtics reportedly bid farewell to Porzingis as part of a three-team trade. Given that he's entering the final season of his contract, KP's exit is unsurprising. Going to Atlanta offers some intrigue, as a lineup of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu would have the length and defensive ability needed to compensate for Young's deficiencies on that end of the floor. However, Porzingis has played 60 games or more only once since tearing his ACL during the 2017-18 season. Add in the illness that limited his effectiveness down the stretch this season, and fantasy managers will have to exercise caution. Also, the Hawks still hold a trade exception worth $25 million due to the Dejounte Murray trade, so they could be extremely active this summer.

The Celtics add a solid veteran in Niang, who grew up in the Boston area and played his high school basketball at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. While his fantasy impact has been limited for most of his career, "The Minivan" may have more consistent opportunities in Boston next season, especially if Stevens isn't done making moves. The reported trades of Porzingis and Holiday have gotten the Celtics below the second apron.

As for Brooklyn, adding another first-round pick to their coffers is what sparks significant intrigue. The Nets now have five first-round picks in Wednesday's draft, which likely means that lead executive Sean Marks is not finished making moves. The draft may "begin" with Philadelphia at the third pick, but the Nets hold the cards that will significantly impact how things play out at Barclays Center. Adding Mann gives Brooklyn a versatile wing, but he's yet to pan out as a reliable fantasy option. Whether or not that changes with the Nets depends on what other moves the team makes this summer.

Monday, June 23

Portland acquires: Jrue Holiday

Boston acquires: Anfernee Simons, two second-round picks

After losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon during the second round of the playoffs and the franchise facing a hefty luxury tax bill, the Celtics have begun to break things up. How far lead executive Brad Stevens will go is unknown at this point, but he's traded two key rotation players in the two days since the season concluded. Late Monday night, it was Holiday who was on the move, with Boston sending him to Portland. Interestingly, the Trail Blazers acquired him from Milwaukee as part of the Damian Lillard trade a few years ago, ultimately moving the veteran guard to Boston.

Unlike two years ago, Holiday's fit with Portland is better now, especially after the team's improved play during the second half of the season. According to reports, the plan is to retain Holiday, as he can provide defense and steady leadership to the young group. For Portland, the trade also frees up more opportunities for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, even with Holiday expected to occupy a place in the starting lineup. It's time for Portland to truly learn what it has in Henderson and Sharpe, and whether those two can be key cogs in a rotation with playoff ambitions.

Boston's decision to trade Holiday saves the franchise some money in the short term, and there's the potential for them to save more next summer. Simons, a more than capable perimeter scorer who will fill a need in Boston with Tatum out, is heading into the final season of his current contract. The Celtics can sign him to an extension this summer, but they can also wait until 2026, just in case things don't work out. With Boston making another significant move on Tuesday, Simons should have a solid fantasy ceiling next season. The trades also increase Payton Pritchard's value, as he's coming off the best season of his NBA career.

When looking for ways to trim their payroll, Boston's ultimate goal was to find a team willing to take on Kristaps Porzingis, with all his potential and his $30.7 million contract. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.

The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a three-team trade that shakes out like this (and was broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic):

Atlanta receives: Kristaps Porzingis, a second-round pick
Brooklyn receives: Terance Mann, the No. 22 pick in this draft (the Lakers' pick, which belonged to Atlanta)
Boston receives: Georges Niang, second-round pick

Porzingis brings size, outside shooting and a defensive presence, all of which the Hawks could use — he also brings a huge injury risk. Porzingis has reached playing in 65 games once in the last 10 seasons, and his injuries often have carried over to the playoffs (he missed Finals games even during the Celtics' 2024 title run). Last season, he averaged 19.5 points a game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range, plus 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He has a game that would complement Trae Young (who is recovering from his own massive injury).

It's a roll of the dice by the Hawks, but the price was so low it was worth the risk. The more interesting question is whether the Hawks will extend Porzingis (multiple years at close to $35 million per year) or risk letting him walk after one season? The answer may reveal something
about the new front office and its plans in Atlanta.

Brooklyn now has five first-round picks (16.7% of all the first-rounders): Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27. Keep an eye on them as the Nets have been looking to trade up.

Boston saves money. A lot of money. If anyone wondered what being over the second apron looks like, it is this. Between this trade and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics have saved $180 million in salary and luxury tax payments (it's only about $27 million in actual salary, but because of the second apron and repeater tax, the savings are exponential). The Celtics are now under the dreaded second apron. Perhaps Boston would have acted differently this offseason if Jayson Tatum had not torn his Achilles and the Celtics had made a deeper playoff run, but this is the new reality for Celtics fans. Boston is also getting calls from other teams asking about Jaylen Brown.

Niang is also a solid rotational pickup, the kind of player Celtics fans will love.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The $1.5 billion sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves from Glen Taylor to an investment group led by e-commerce entrepreneur Marc Lore and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez gained NBA approval on Tuesday, finalizing a complex and contentious process more than four years after the deal was reached.

The ownership transfer that Taylor tried to stop last year received an unanimous vote from the league’s board of governors that comprises the 30 team owners. The deal, which is expected to close this week nearly 51 months and more than 1,500 days after the initial agreement, includes the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx.

The Timberwolves are planning an introductory news conference for Lore and Rodriguez next month in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League. Lore and Rodriguez will serve as co-chairmen on the board, with Lore as Timberwolves governor and Rodriguez as alternate governor, the league announced. For the Lynx, Rodriguez will serve as governor and Lore as alternate governor.

“We fully recognize the great responsibility that comes with serving as stewards of these exceptional franchises,” Lore said in a statement distributed by the organization. “We are committed to building an organization that sets the standard for excellence, is universally admired, and rooted in pride that spans generations.”

The business partners and close friends who met during the pandemic over a Zoom call have said they’re committed to keeping the teams in Minnesota.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to the world of sports, not just as a game, but as a powerful force that unites people, uplifts communities, and changes lives,” Rodriguez said. “I’m incredibly honored and energized to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I know what it takes to be a champion, and I’m ready to bring that same commitment and drive to create a winning culture in Minnesota.”

The 83-year-old Taylor, who grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm and built a fortune with a business that specialized in printing wedding invitations, bought the Timberwolves for about $88 million in 1994 to prevent them from moving after a deal between the original owners and a group in New Orleans was nixed by the NBA.

After Lore and Rodriguez were outbid for the New York Mets by hedge fund manager Steve Cohen, they turned their attention to basketball after learning Taylor was exploring a sale. The deal was arranged in phases to allow Taylor to stay as a mentor of sorts.

The value of the franchise has more than doubled since that April 10, 2021, agreement due largely to soaring NBA revenues. Forbes has estimated the Timberwolves are worth $3.1 billion. Sportico’s most recent calculations pegged the club at $3.29 billion. Both publications put them as the third-lowest in the league, playing in a midsized market in a 35-year-old arena.

The Lynx have been valued between $230 million (Forbes) and $240 million ( Sportico ), in the bottom half of the league that’s in the midst of an expansion to 16 teams by 2028.

Taylor announced on March 28, 2024, he was exercising his right to back out of the sale because Lore and Rodriguez missed the deadline to purchase a third portion of the club that would have given their group about an 80% stake.

Lore and Rodriguez were blindsided by the decision and defended their integrity, accusing Taylor of having seller’s remorse. They blamed the payment delay on the slow pace of the league’s approval process and said they submitted paperwork six days ahead of the deadline.

The dispute first went to mediation and then to arbitration, where a three-panel judge ruled in favor of Lore and Rodriguez. Their group, which includes former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Google executive Eric Schmidt, has been poised to buy Taylor and his partners completely out rather than the leave him with a 20% stake from the initial agreement.

Taylor decided in April not to appeal the arbitration decision, near the end of his 31st season controlling the team. The Timberwolves saved him the best for last, reaching the Western Conference finals for a second straight year before losing to NBA champion Oklahoma City.

Even after making the playoffs in each of Taylor’s final four seasons, the Timberwolves have the worst all-time regular season record — 1,196-1,680, a .416 winning percentage — of the league’s current 30 franchises. They’re 39-55 in playoff games, with a first-round elimination in 10 of the 13 times they qualified.

Taylor and his wife, Becky, published a farewell message in Monday’s print edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune, which Taylor bought in 2014. The Timberwolves also posted it on the front of their website.

“This marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in our lives — one filled with purpose, pride, and a deep connection. When we kept the Timberwolves from moving to New Orleans in 1994, we did so with the hope of building something that could unite people across Minnesota and beyond. And when we added the Lynx in 1998, it was driven by our belief in supporting women and fully embracing the diversity and promise of the WNBA,” the Taylors said, thanking their limited partners, the players, the staff, the community and the fans for their support.

“Though we are stepping away as owners, our love for this organization and this community remains as strong as ever. We will always be fans, cheering from our seats, celebrating your triumphs, and believing in what comes next. It has been the honor of our lives.”

Lore, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $2.9 billion, is the CEO of the New York-based meal delivery service Wonder. He has founded e-commerce companies that were previously acquired by retail giants Walmart and Amazon.

Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star who hit 696 career home runs but has fallen short of Hall of Fame induction due to his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs, built a business career around real estate investment and development. He made more than $450 million in salaries over 22 years in the major leagues.

With Dejounte Murray sidelined for a chunk of next season following an Achilles tear, the New Orleans Pelicans needed more playmaking next to Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and the rest of the roster. Jordan Poole spent most of last season in Washington playing point guard for the Wizards and had a respectable year (despite the team's struggles), showcasing improved playmaking.

That has led to a trade. The Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Wizards for Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in this year's draft, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed by other reports. The trade cannot be made official until July 6 (in the next fiscal year for the NBA), meaning the Wizards will make the No. 40 pick for the Pelicans on Thursday.

McCollum is taking being traded again in stride.

For the Pelicans, they get Poole, who averaged 20.5 points and 4.5 assists a game last season while shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc. The Pelicans will now have a core rotation that includes Poole, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy II, Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, and Bey. They also have picks 7, 25, and 40 in Wednesday's NBA Draft.

The Wizards are trying to lean into a young roster with Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and whoever they select with the No. 6 pick in this year' draft, surrounded by good veterans as mentors such as McCollum and Khris Middleton (who is picking up his $33.3 million player option for next season). With McCollum, Olynyk and Middleton in the final years of their contracts, the Wizards could have $100 million in cap space next summer to completely reshape the roster. Washington also could use those veterans as trade bait closer to the deadline if playoff teams are looking for depth.

My first time watching Cooper Flagg in person came when he was a 17-year-old member of the USA Basketball Select Team, the only player under 21 on a roster of rising NBA stars sent to Las Vegas as scrimmage fodder for the USA squad that went on to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Flagg joined a team with Brandin Podziemski (Warriors), Payton Pritchard (Celtics), Trey Murphy (Pelicans), Keegan Murray (Kings), Jalen Suggs (Magic) and Amen Thompson (Rockets).

From the first day, Flagg's motor stood out, and he made some plays. By Day 3, what stood out was how much more comfortable he got and how quickly he learned — Flagg looked like the best player on the select roster by this point. In one standout sequence, he knocked down a 3-pointer over Anthony Davis, and one possession later, out-hustled everyone to get a putback over Bam Adebayo.

Flagg will be the No. 1 pick of the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night in the 2025 NBA Draft. Let's dive into his fit in Dallas, NBA comps and more.

Flagg’s fit in Dallas

Flagg may be the most NBA-ready No. 1 pick in recent memory (including Victor Wembanyama, although Wemby's ceiling is higher). Flagg's defense and his high motor will have him standing out from the opening game of the season.

Flagg would fit anywhere — he is the kind of player teams try to fit other guys around, rather than worrying about his fit. His defense and rim protection will have coach Jason Kidd playing him critical minutes Day 1, he is at his best in transition (which will fit great with Kyrie Irving and Dallas, once Irving recovers from a torn ACL), and his ability to create his own shot and get buckets means he can play the three or slide up to the four.

Flagg also provides a critical bridge to the future in Dallas. Part of the head-scratching nature of the Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade was Dallas getting six years older with its core players, both Davis and Irving are north of 30. While there could be some concern that Davis and Flagg are both natural fours, because both can step away from the basket and hit shots, Jason Kidd should have no problem playing
them together.

In Dallas, Flagg could elevate the Mavericks to become a top-four team and a playoff threat if everything goes right. By late next season, this could be the Mavericks' starting lineup:

Guard: Kyrie Irving
Guard: Klay Thompson
Forward: Cooper Flagg
Forward: Anthony Davis
Center: Dereck Lively II
Sixth Man: P.J. Washington

"That'll be a really good spot for him right away, at least to be able to come in and contribute in a big way," fellow Duke star and projected top-five pick Kon Knueppel said, speaking to Clutch Points. "I think it'll be on a good team where it's not just like empty calories for a team that isn't really, maybe not going anywhere. But I think that will fuel his fire, you know. He wants to win."

"As far as Dallas goes, they've got a lot of really good pieces," Flagg told Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal. One of those is fellow Duke player Dereck Lively II. "To be able to learn from D-Live — that's pretty cool. So I think it would be a really cool opportunity."

Cooper Flagg’s NBA Comparison

Cooper Flagg is going to be the first Cooper Flagg in the NBA.

That said, player comparisons get made around the draft. Flagg is such a complete player that coming up with a good NBA comparison proves challenging — guys don't enter the league this well-rounded. After speaking with some scouts and front office people asking for comps, here are three names that frequently come up.

1) Kevin Garnett. A high-energy player who had a massive impact on both ends of the court. Flagg does not have KG's big personality and, while very competitive, is a more low-key about it. However, if you're talking about the impact a player had on the court, you can see how Flagg matches up with the Hall of Famer who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds through the peak of his career, while also being a defensive force and an NBA champion.

2) Jalen Johnson. Flagg could be a better version of the smooth 23-year-old Atlanta forward who can do everything well. Johnson is a plus defender who averaged 18.9 points and 10 rebounds per game last season — Flagg has a similar well-rounded game, but with better defense and a higher ceiling. Johnson has struggled to stay healthy (a labrum tear ended last season for him after 36 games) but Flagg doesn't project to have any expected health issues.

3) Andrei Kirilenko. This comp may be for the older generation, but it's one I like. AK-47 (that was his nickname) was a defensive force as a 6'9" forward — he led the league in blocked shots in 2005 and was a three-time All-Defensive team player who could handle the ball and create shots — his offensive game would fit the modern NBA better than his era. Flagg, with his 3-point shooting and handles, would be a better version of Kirilenko, but the style of play strikes me as similar.

Where did Flagg go to high school and college?

Flagg started his high school career in Maine, where he led Nokomis Regional High School to the state title as a freshman. By his sophomore year he transferred to basketball powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida, where he played on a loaded team that included fellow expected 2025 NBA Draft first-round picks Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen and Asa Newell.

Flagg committed to Duke for college and last season, where he led the team to a 35-4 record during the regular season and the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

How much NIL money did Flagg make?

How much NIL money Flagg made at Duke kind of depends on who you ask and how you want to break it down — but most of what he earned are sponsorship deals that will follow him to the NBA, not disappear because he went pro.

Flagg made $4.8 million in NIL money last season, according to On3. That was by far the most of any college basketball player and was the second most of a college athlete in any sport (Texas quarterback Arch Manning made more at $6.5 million).

However, journalist Howard Bryant stated in an interview that Flagg earned $28 million last season, thanks to sponsorship deals with New Balance, Gatorade, Fanatics, and more, all of which will carry over to the NBA. That means saying Flagg made more in college than he will in the NBA is not accurate, the vast majority of the NIL money he made at Duke will not follow him to the Dallas Mavericks.

Flagg's rookie NBA contract is estimated to pay him $13.8 million next season and be worth $62.7 million over four years. The critical part of his leaving college and getting to the NBA is to start the clock on Flagg getting to his second NBA contract — if he is anywhere near the player he is expected to be, that will be a five-year deal worth well in excess of $350 million.

After finishing the 2023-24 season as the top seed in the Western Conference, expectations were high for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25. Eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, Oklahoma City made a few key additions during the offseason, signing Isaiah Hartenstein and acquiring Alex Caruso in exchange for Josh Giddey. Even with their lack of experience, Mark Daigneault's team entered this season loaded and had the look of a potential title contender. Sure enough, Oklahoma City took a significant step forward. Once again, they finished atop the Western Conference, winning 68 games during the regular season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP award and Jalen Williams took another step forward in his development. Boasting one of the deepest squads in the NBA, Oklahoma City won its first NBA title, outlasting the Pacers in a classic, seven-game series. Given the draft capital at lead executive Sam Presti's disposal and the amount of talent that remains under contract for the foreseeable future, did a dynasty begin when Adam Silver handed Oklahoma City the Larry O'Brien trophy?

Oklahoma City Thunder 2024-2025 Season Review

Record: 68-14 (1st, West)

Offensive Rating: 119.2 (3rd)

Defensive Rating: 106.6 (1st)

Net Rating: 12.7 (1st)

Pace: 100.90 (5th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 15 (from Miami via LA Clippers), 24 (from LA Clippers), 44 (from Atlanta)

Some questioned whether or not a second-round playoff exit was enough experience for the Thunder to draw on as they looked to win an NBA title this season. However, Hartenstein made multiple playoff appearances in his prior stops, and Caruso was part of the Lakers' championship team in 2020. And while experience can be the best teacher, talent and depth are just as important, especially in an era in which seven different franchises have won the title in the last seven years.

Oklahoma City won its first seven games and never looked back. Daigneault's team would rip off a 15-game win streak in December, which did not include their loss to Milwaukee in the In-Season Tournament final (that game did not impact official records or stats). During the regular season, the Thunder enjoyed five separate win streaks of at least seven games, and they finished atop the Western Conference standings by a staggering 16 games.

After sweeping Memphis in the first round of the playoffs, Oklahoma City needed seven games to dispatch the Nuggets in the second round. Back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, the Thunder eliminated Minnesota in five games to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. While the finals shifted for good when Tyrese Haliburton suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the first quarter of Game 7, this was an elite series filled with high-level performances. Gilgeous-Alexander won series MVP, but Jalen Williams' 40-point Game 5 won't be forgotten by Thunder fans anytime soon.

From a fantasy standpoint, the Thunder roster boasts a lot of quality with SGA and J-Dub leading the way. Chet Holmgren was limited to 32 games this season due to injuries, most notably a fractured hip, but he's a safe bet to provide excellent fantasy value when available. Based on his ADP, Hartenstein exceeded expectations, as did second-year guard Cason Wallace. With the key contributors from Oklahoma City's run to the title all under contract for next season and the team holding two first-round picks in Wednesday's draft, this could be the start of a dynasty in Oklahoma City.

Fantasy Standout: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

After finishing fifth and second in the Most Valuable Player voting the prior two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander took another step forward in 2024-25. He became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to lead the league in scoring while also winning MVP and NBA Finals MVP, and those who drafted SGA certainly reaped the rewards. In 76 regular season games, he averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.1 three-pointers, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 89.8 percent from the foul line.

Gilgeous-Alexander also shot 37.5 percent from three, his highest percentage since the 2020-21 campaign (40 percent), on a career-high 5.7 attempts per game. He entered the 2024-25 season with a Yahoo! ADP of four, and that number should be higher in 2025-26. Is SGA worthy of consideration for pick 1.1 in fantasy drafts? Nikola Jokić may remain the preferred option of many, but Gilgeous-Alexander's name should come up, especially if San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama remains in the conversation despite being limited to 46 games due to injury.

Fantasy Revelation: Cason Wallace

After recording modest numbers during his rookie season, Wallace was not on the radar for many fantasy managers ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. However, Holmgren's hip injury opened the door for him to provide far greater value than many anticipated. Starting 43 of the 68 games he appeared in, Wallace averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers. He would finish the season as a top-100 player in nine-cat formats.

While Wallace was not a player who had to be rostered in standard leagues, due to Holmgren's return and Mark Daigneault's willingness to also use Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, it was easy to justify having him, especially for fantasy managers who needed defensive stats in their weekly matchups. Wallace will likely be a late-round pick in drafts in the fall due to Oklahoma City's plentiful options. But, as seen this season, he's capable of providing greater value than anticipated.

Fantasy Disappointment: Chet Holmgren

Holmgren being a fantasy disappointment has nothing to do with his production and everything to do with the availability. A fractured hip suffered during a November 10 loss to the Warriors sidelined the second-year forward/center for nearly three months. With the Thunder taking a measured approach to Holmgren's return, and rightfully so, fantasy managers had to craft their rosters with the expectation that minutes would be limited and he would not be available for both games of back-to-backs. The good news is that Chet had solid availability during the fantasy playoff weeks, especially in leagues that ran into early April.

Limited to 32 games, he averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.2 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 75.4 percent from the foul line. A top-50 player in nine-cat formats, Holmgren was a sixth-round player in eight-cat, per-game value. Unfortunately, the hip injury torpedoed his value in points leagues. Sandwiched in between a foot injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022-23 campaign and this championship season was a 2023-24 in which Holmgren played all 82 games. Fantasy managers certainly hope his availability in 2025-26 will align more with that season than the other two.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Jalen Williams

Based on his Yahoo! ADP of 36, many fantasy managers expected Williams to be a top-50 player at minimum. In nine-cat formats, he exceeded those expectations, finishing the season ranked 24th according to Basketball Monster. Williams appeared in 69 games, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.8 three-pointers while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 78.9 percent from the foul line. And J-Dub's versatility was on full display, with point guard being the only position that he was ineligible for in Yahoo! leagues. Due to the injuries suffered by Holmgren and Hartenstein, there were times when Oklahoma City employed Williams as a small-ball center, and he held his own defensively.

Williams finished the regular season with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and three-pointers, earning third-team All-NBA honors. He scored at least 30 points in seven games, headlined by a 41-point effort in a March 2 win over the Spurs. During Oklahoma City's run to the championship, Williams had three games of at least 32 points, including the 40-point night he enjoyed in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. A third-round pick in most drafts ahead of this season, Williams may not be on the board at that point going into the 2025-26 campaign.

Isaiah Hartenstein

Given the Knicks' limitations in what they could offer Hartenstein in free agency last summer, it was unsurprising that Oklahoma City swooped in to sign the 27-year-old center. While limited to 57 regular-season games due to injury, iHart enjoyed the most productive season of his NBA career to date. Making 53 starts, he averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks in nearly 28 minutes per game, shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 67.5 percent from the foul line. Hartenstein recorded career-best averages in points, rebounds and assists, providing excellent value in his first season with the Thunder. A sixth-round player in eight- and nine-cat per-game formats, iHart exceeded his Yahoo! ADP (82) by a safe distance.

A non-displaced fracture in his left hand delayed Hartenstein's official Thunder debut until November 20, and there would be a five-game absence in January due to a left soleus strain. Outside of those absences, there would not be another instance in which Hartenstein missed more than two games in a row until Oklahoma City's final three games of the regular season. During the playoffs, he would start all but the first three games of the NBA Finals, with Daigneault going back to his usual starting five ahead of Game 4. Hartenstein's ADP entering this season was fair, but he's likely to go a bit earlier in drafts after a stellar debut season in Oklahoma City.

Alex Caruso

When Caruso was acquired from the Bulls last June in exchange for Josh Giddey and a trade exception, most of the basketball world was stunned that Oklahoma City did not have to give up any of its plentiful draft capital. While injuries limited Caruso to 54 appearances during the regular season, it was evident during the postseason that the Thunder made out like bandits in the trade. The combination of athleticism, strength and toughness makes Caruso a player who can be used in a variety of roles defensively, as evidenced by him taking on the challenge of guarding Denver's Nikola Jokić during Oklahoma City's Game 7 rout in the second round.

Coming off the best offensive season of his career, Caruso's scoring dipped in 2024-25, an unsurprising development due to Oklahoma City's depth and his minutes being managed. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes, shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the foul line. That production was good for 10th-round value in nine-cat formats and 12th-round value in eight-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. Caruso did not meet or exceed his Yahoo! ADP (103), but no one would consider him a fantasy liability. Having agreed to an extension in December, he's under contract through the 2028-29 season. The key for Caruso will be to remain healthy, as he's capable of providing top-100 value when available.

Luguentz Dort

One of the NBA's best defenders, Dort has made notable strides as a perimeter shooter. This season, he shot a career-high 41.2 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game after making 39.4 percent of his attempts in 2023-24. While there can still be moments when Dort struggles, he's been far more consistent the last two years. In 71 games, all starts, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 71.7 percent from the foul line.

The improved three-point production has boosted Dort's fantasy value, as he was a 10th-round player in nine-cat formats while his eight-cat value aligned with his Yahoo! ADP of 142. In addition to the three-point production, Dort recorded a career-high average in steals. As good as he is defensively, that does not always result in steals and blocked shots, which may limit Dort's fantasy ceiling. Ahead of the 2025-26 season, he should remain a player who's targeted in the later rounds of standard league drafts.

Aaron Wiggins

In his fourth NBA season, Wiggins took a considerable leap forward in his production. Starting 26 of the 76 games he played, Wiggins averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.7 three-pointers, recording career-best marks in each of those categories. He shot 48.8 percent from the field and 83.1 percent from the foul line and was especially valuable to fantasy managers when Oklahoma City was without Holmgren.

Along with Wallace and Isaiah Joe, Wiggins was one of the options consistently considered by Daigneault to help fill the void. While this led to some maddening times for managers hoping to see one option rise above the rest, all three being capable streamers at various points was a fitting outcome for the eventual NBA champions. Like Wallace, Wiggins will likely be a player who's viewed as being worthy of a late-round roll of the dice in drafts next fall.

Isaiah Joe

Like Wallace and Wiggins, Joe also enjoyed the most productive season of his NBA career in 2024-25. In 74 appearances, 16 being starts, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.6 three-pointers in 21.7 minutes. Joe shot 41.2 percent from three on 6.3 attempts per game, and there were ten games in which he made at least five triples. Joe also recorded three 30-point games during the regular season, including a January 10 win over the Knicks in which he shot 8-of-11 from beyond the arc.

His best performance was an April 11 win over the Jazz in which he tallied 32 points, five rebounds, nine assists, two steals and 10 three-pointers, but the season was finished for most fantasy managers by that point. While Wallace and Wiggins were superior options this season, Joe was no slouch, either. Even if he is not selected in standard drafts in the fall, there will be points during the 2025-26 season when Joe will be worth picking up off the waiver wire.

Jaylin Williams

Among the players who received consistent rotation minutes during the regular season, Williams may be the lone question mark for the Thunder heading into the summer as the team holds an option on his contract. However, it's worth a little under $2.2 million, and Jay Will provides another option behind Holmgren and Hartenstein when needed, which should bode well for a return. Due to a strained hamstring, Williams did not make his season debut until just before Christmas. The good news is that he would not miss more than two games in a row again until April, when a sprained left ankle sidelined Williams for four contests.

In 47 games, he averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers, recording career-best marks in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and three-pointers. While Williams won't be worth selecting in most fantasy drafts, there should be points when he's useful as a streamer.

Restricted Free Agents: Branden Carlson, Alex Ducas, Adam Flagler

Team Option: Jaylin Williams, Ajay Mitchell