Category: Basketball

Seven teams involved in Kevin Durant trade to Rockets, sets NBA record originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Kevin Durant’s trade to the Houston Rockets is official and officially record-setting.

The deal got approved by the NBA on Sunday as part of a seven-team transaction, one in which a slew of other trade agreements got folded into one massive package.

“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. “We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”

Involved in the deal: Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Minnesota, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers. It includes a total of 13 players — the headline moves include Durant going to Houston from Phoenix, the Rockets sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Suns, and the Rockets acquiring Clint Capela from the Hawks.

The seven-team involvement in the Durant trade tops the previous record, a six-team transaction last summer that most notably sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. Golden State — Thompson’s former team — obviously was another part of that trade, as were Charlotte, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Denver on varying levels.

“One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community,” Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said of Durant. “As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.”

There will be at least five second-round draft picks in the deal before all terms are satisfied, the potential for another second-round pick swap and the Hawks and Timberwolves both had to receive some cash considerations to make all the math work. And some of those draft picks won’t actually be made until 2032, which raises the serious possibility that some players who will go down in history as being part of the trade haven’t reached high school yet.

Durant averaged 26.6 points last season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.

The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his only year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.

Houston becomes his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men’s player to be part of four gold-medal teams.

Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time Finals MVP and one of eight players in NBA history with more than 30,000 career points.

“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”

Houston sent Green and Brooks to Phoenix, along with the rights to Khaman Maluach from last month’s draft, a second-round pick in 2026 and another second-rounder in 2032. The Hawks got David Roddy, cash and a 2031 second-round pick swap from the Rockets. Brooklyn gets a 2026 second-round pick and another in 2030 from the Rockets, and the Warriors received the rights to Jahmai Mashack from last month’s draft.

Kevon Looney called Steph Curry, Draymond Green before Warriors departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kevon Looney’s heartfelt Warriors goodbye surely left many a teary eye in Dub Nation.

On June 30, the Bay Area fan favorite reportedly agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency.

After 10 seasons and three NBA titles with Golden State, the veteran big man shared how he broke the news to longtime teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green in a Players’ Tribune article published Sunday.

10 years in the Bay changed my life. Thank you, Dub Nation. @PlayersTribunehttps://t.co/Zc4oBxV7Pt

— LOONEY (@Loon_Rebel5) July 6, 2025

And though Looney clearly means this as a happy goodbye, it’s hard not to get emotional reading this conclusion to his open letter:

And so, with that, I’ll leave you with what me, Steph, and Draymond said to each other when I called them last week to break the news, Looney wrote.

Those were my first two calls. Those guys, they’ve been my big brothers for the past 10 years — showing me the ropes, guiding me, helping me to grow up. I relied on those two so much throughout my time as a Warrior. And especially when I first came into the league, I needed that guidance, that wisdom, the friendship. I’m not a big crier, but calling to tell them I’m heading somewhere else was pretty emotional for me, just to be real with you. It was like, I don’t know … I felt those conversations in my heart.   

Since being selected No. 30 overall out of UCLA in the 2016 NBA Draft, Looney has been a model of consistency in Golden State, highlighted by his streak of 290 consecutive games played from 2021-24.

I hope they know how grateful I am. How thankful.  

I hope you all know. Truly. Everyone in the Bay, and Warriors fans around the world.  

Because these past 10 years have been more than I ever could have dreamed of. 

So, yeah, before we hung up those phones, it was like…. 

“What a journey we all went on together!” 

“Ten amazing years.”

“It’s been one hell of a ride!”

Not every ending has gotta be a sad ending. 

I’m leaving the Bay with a huge smile on my face. 

Thank you for the ride.

Of course, Dub Nation is just as thankful for the contributions of the ever-underrated Looney, who, despite not putting up extraordinary numbers throughout his tenure, undoubtedly was a vital piece of the Warriors dynasty.

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Who Warriors received in historic NBA seven-team blockbuster Kevin Durant trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors finalized a blockbuster trade involving Kevin Durant.

Yes, it’s true. No, they’re not getting Durant.

Golden State played a small part in a historic seven-team trade centered around the Houston Rockets acquiring the 15-time NBA All-Star from the Phoenix Suns.

The Warriors received the draft rights to Australian forward Alex Toohey, whom they selected with pick No. 52 after a draft-night trade with Phoenix, and Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack, who, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, will be re-routed to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of their second draft-night trade to acquire the rights to guard Will Richard, whom they selected with the No. 56 pick.

Full clarification after talking with some people: As part of today’s 7-team trade, the Warriors added Alex Toohey and Jahmai Mashack. Toohey stays, but Mashack will be sent to the Grizzlies so the Warriors can acquire the draft rights to Will Richard @NBCSWarriors

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) July 6, 2025

ESPN’s Shams Charania outlined the full seven-team trade:

PHX: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden, 2nd

HOU: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela

BKN: 2 2nds

GSW: Alex Toohey, Jahmai Mashack

ATL: 2nd swap, David Roddy, cash

LAL: Adou Thiero

MIN: Rocco Zikarsky, 2 2nds, cash

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2025

The complex trade is the first in NBA history to include seven teams, beating the then-record-setting blockbuster that sent Warriors icon Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal last summer.

Unlike that trade, where the Warriors acquired proven veteran players Kyle Anderson from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Buddy Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State, eventually, only received two draft prospects in this blockbuster.

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Kevon Looney hilariously recalls favorite memory from Warriors' 2022 title run originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kevon Looney experienced a lot during his 10-year Warriors career, but one memory, in particular, will stick with him the rest of his life.

The longtime Golden State center, who reportedly agreed to sign a two-year, $16 million free-agent contact with the New Orleans Pelicans, penned a heartwarming letter to the Warriors and Dub Nation in a Players’ Tribune article posted on Sunday.

In his letter, Looney discussed his role during the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship run and why he is most proud of his accomplishments that season.

“On the court, though, when it’s all said and done, I’m pretty sure that 2022 title run will be the season I’ll remember the most from my NBA career,” Looney wrote. “Playing all 82 games. No nights off. Eighty starts. And now I’m doing it as one of the guys we really depended on. 

“Most people … I’m pretty sure what they’re gonna remember about me from that playoff run is all the rebounds. Game 6 in Memphis, 22 boards or whatever. Another 18 to close out the [Mavericks] in the conference finals. Just keeping plays alive whenever I could. Scrapping and grinding to get us an extra shot every possession. That’s probably my legacy from 2022.”

In Golden State’s Western Conference finals series against Dallas that year, Looney averaged 10.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 70.6-percent shooting from the field in five games, including a monstrous 21-point, 12-rebound performance in the Warriors’ 126-117 Game 2 win over the Mavericks.

Looney’s performance was so electrifying, that he even received “MVP” chants from the Chase Center crowd, which he recalled fondly in his Players’ Tribune article:

But, I’m not gonna lie, you know what I’ll remember most?

Game 2 against Dallas, at home in Chase Center. Third quarter. I’m at the line shooting free throws, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, down from the rafters, here it comes….

The moment Loon received MVP chants in Chase Center 👏 pic.twitter.com/kdyB0sTdus

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 21, 2022

As that’s happening, no lie, I’m basically like … I’m confused.

I’d heard MVP chants from crowds a ton over the years. For Steph [Curry], or Klay [Thompson], or [Kevin Durant], for a lot of different players. I’ve always had real MVP-type guys on my team. So I knew what I was hearing immediately. But I didn’t understand why the crowd was yelling it.

In my head I’m like: Is Steph about to check into the game? What’s going on?I definitely didn’t think it was for me. Like, seriously, that’s the kind of thing I dreamed of as a kid. It couldn’t be for me. But….

It was!

And when I realized it? I mean … that was an incredible moment right there. I’d gotten LOOOOOON chants before, which I absolutely loved. But MVP? For me? Come on now. 

That’s a moment I’ll never forget as long as I live. 

Thank God I sank the free throw, right?

Curry ultimately won Western Conference finals MVP that year. Because, of course. However, there certainly was an argument to be made that Looney was, at least, one of the three most-deserving players in that series.

He would have to settle for just another championship ring. His third with the Warriors.

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The Lakers dropped their first game of the California Classic at Chase Center to the Golden State Warriors 89-84 on Saturday after leading by double digits in the first half.

The Lakers struggled defensively in the second half, giving up 30 points in the third quarter, when they trailed for the first time.

Bronny James traveled with the team but did not suit up.

Darius Bazley was the Lakers' only constant on defense, switching on the perimeter while contesting shots at the rim. Perimeter defense was a clear struggle for L.A., forcing late challenges by bigs leading to 25 free throws.

Read more:Bronny James, Dalton Knecht ready for second summer with Lakers

Cole Swider was a bright spot all game for the Lakers, using his ability to shoot from deep to tally a game-high 24 points on seven-for-10 shooting, including, six of eight from three. Swider, entering his fifth year in the NBA, played seven games for the Lakers his rookie season.

DJ Steward also stood out, scoring 20 points on seven-for-10 shooting. Steward’s ability to get to the rim and draw fouls allowed for catch-and-shoot threes for teammates.

“This is a good opportunity to be myself," Steward said. "There’s a lot of things [the coaching staff] wants me to hone in on, controlling the controllables, picking up 94 feet, communicating, and getting guys involved.”

In his fifth summer league appearance, Steward was the game's second-leading scorer and assist co-leader with six.

Read more:Lakers announce Summer League roster, schedule

Steward said he will push for a win when the Lakers play their next game on Sunday.

“We got to get the guys together to go out there and play harder than we did today," Steward said. "We have to make sure we're picking up 94 feet and being more physical.”

The Lakers' first round draft pick last season, Dalton Knecht, looked a bit rusty scoring only 10 points on three-for-13 shooting, missing all six shots from deep. Knecht is coming off a season for the Lakers where he averaged 9.1 points on 46.1 % shooting in 78 games.

“It took a while for me to get going; I didn’t get going at all,” Knecht said reflecting on his performance. “I just have to come out ready to play better tomorrow and shake off the rust. My teammates were great, they came out competing, picking up full court, rebounding and crashing the glass, so I’m proud of my team.”

The California Classic will continue tomorrow when the Lakers take on the Miami Heat. Tip off will be at 1:30 p.m.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

3 observations after Edgecombe scores 28 in Sixers' summer league opener  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VJ Edgecombe was ready to roll for his summer league debut.

The No. 3 overall pick was outstanding Saturday night in the Sixers’ opening game at the Salt Lake City summer league, a 93-89 loss to the Jazz.

He posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. 

Kyle Filipowski led Utah with 22 points. No. 5 pick Ace Bailey had seven points on 3-for-13 shooting and seven rebounds. 

Sixers rookie two-way contract player Hunter Sallis sat with a sprained ankle and is day to day, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones.

The summer Sixers will face the Thunder on Monday night. Here are observations on their opener: 

Broome-Bona frontcourt 

Adem Bona threw home the night’s first hoop with an emphatic dunk out of the pick-and-roll. Next time down, rookie Johni Broome sunk a pick-and-pop three-pointer assisted by Edgecombe. 

Adem Bona slams are back. 👏 pic.twitter.com/CDBC9lHHFH

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 6, 2025

Both Broome and Bona were looking forward to playing in a double-big lineup. 

“He’s a great teammate,” Broome said Wednesday of Bona at the Sixers’ summer league minicamp. “He talks, he leads by example, he’s a willing worker. He’s going to put the extra work in. Super athletic, super bouncy. It’s going to be really fun to play with him.”

The Sixers later used Broome at center with Bona on the bench. 

Broome’s lack of vertical pop was evident on a few occasions. Adama Sanogo swatted one of his layups. However, the 22-year-old showed his physical strength and knowhow inside. Broome recognized his chances to get deep catches and score on smaller players, tallied three offensive rebounds and drew five free throws (3 for 5). He finished with 13 points in 24 minutes.

Bona played with his typical energy and explosiveness in a 16-point, eight-rebound outing.

Edgecombe dangerous in transition 

The Sixers’ starting five was Jalen Hood-Schifino, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Broome and Bona.

Hood-Schifino served as the starting point guard and Edgecombe received plenty of on-ball reps in the second half. Just about every perimeter player brought the ball up at times in the Sixers’ transition-heavy offense. 

Edgecombe thrived in the open floor. He scored his first basket on a tricky scoop shot that evaded Jazz big man Filipowski. The Baylor product added another fast-break highlight in the second quarter when he grabbed a defensive rebound and then glided past everyone on his way to a coast-to-coast slam. 

Though he didn’t have a good long-distance shooting night (1 for 7 from three-point range), Edgecombe swished a fluid baseline pull-up jumper late in the first quarter and generally appeared quite comfortable in the mid-range. He had no hesitation about firing up open shots both off the catch and off the dribble. 

smooth as butter. 🧈 pic.twitter.com/qoLAf6U3cb

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 6, 2025

Edgecombe’s work on the boards was also a bright spot. He displayed the traits that made him a strong guard rebounder in college and, thanks largely to hustle and athleticism, wound up leading the Sixers in that category. 

Sixers’ effort not an issue

The Sixers struggled to run productive half-court offense and shot 4 for 22 beyond the arc. Edwards began 2 for 10 from the floor. Mark Armstrong went 0 for 7.

Despite those shooting woes, the Sixers scrapped back into the game late in the third quarter. Backup point guard Judah Mintz played some pesky defense and was the Sixers’ best bench player. Edgecombe dished to Bona for a dunk that tied the contest up at 66-all early in the fourth. 

While effort level tends to understandably fluctuate at summer league, Edgecombe’s approach sure wasn’t casual. Seconds after a chase-down block on former Sixers first-round pick Jaden Springer, Edgecombe converted an and-one layup.

defense into offense. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QnuMfr83bg

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 6, 2025

Utah’s execution was ultimately a bit better down the stretch.

Edwards stepped on the sideline with 12.9 seconds left, Edgecombe missed a tightly contested, game-tying jumper attempt, and the Jazz notched a home win.

Jackson Rowe fuels Warriors' summer league win in absence of 2025 draft picks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors fans will have to wait to watch the team’s two picks from last month’s NBA draft in action for the first time. 

Alex Toohey and Will Richard did not play in Saturday’s California Classic summer league game at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, they couldn’t. 

The Warriors went into the second round of the draft with one pick at No. 41 overall. Before the round even began, they traded the pick to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 52 and No. 59 overall picks. Toohey was taken at No. 52, but the Warriors weren’t done wheeling and dealing. They then moved up from No. 59 to No. 56 in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to select Richard. 

Neither trade has been made official, which is why Toohey and Richard couldn’t suit up Saturday, NBC Sports Bay Area was told. Sunday at 9 a.m. PT marks the first day of the new league year. The hope is that Toohey and Richard can play Sunday, if the trade is made official before the Warriors’ 3:30 p.m. PT tipoff against the San Antonio Spurs. 

In their absence, the Warriors started off slow and sloppy but came out roaring in the second half under Lainn Wilson in his head coaching debut to beat the Lakers, 89-84. 

“Our intensity level as a team really raised up after halftime,” Wilson said. “Their pressure, I think, threw us off a little bit in that first period. We struggled to make some open shots, but they did a really good job of speeding us up. They were a really physical team, so our guys after halftime really took it up a notch with their intensity as well and kind of exceeding that and broke the game open.” 

The Warriors trailed 19-11 after the first quarter as the Lakers pressured them all over the court. Slowly but surely, adjustments were made. Upping the ante themselves, the Warriors outscored the Lakers 28-24 in the second quarter to go into halftime down 43-39. 

At the half, the Lakers were whistled for 14 fouls while the Warriors totaled nine. The way the Lakers were hounding the Warriors defensively, however, led to eight turnovers – five in the first quarter and three in the second. 

Wilson’s halftime message was to not back down and use spacing to their advantage. Message received. 

“I think we were getting used to the 10-foul rule,” Jackson Rowe said. “Everybody kind of didn’t want to get fouled, and then we realized we got 10 to give.” 

Summer league rules are different from standard NBA rules, including how many fouls a player can have and remain in the game. Instead of fouling out at six fouls, players are can hack away until they’re called for 10 fouls, resulting in a different product much of the time. 

After adjusting to the style of play, the Warriors needed only one minute in the third quarter to regain their first lead since it was 2-0 in their favor. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 30-17 in the third quarter and held on in the fourth to come out with a win. Rowe was a major reason why. 

As the most experienced player on the Warriors’ summer league roster, Rowe is taking on a leadership role and put the team on his back down the stretch. He led the Warriors in points (13), rebounds (eight) and blocked shots (two), also adding two assists and two steals as a game-high plus-13. Rowe scored nine points in the second half, including six in the fourth quarter. 

He proved to be a big-time scorer in the G League last season for the Santa Cruz Warriors, twice scoring at least 30 points, and exceeding 20 points seven times. It was the other side of the ball he was most proud of Saturday. 

“My favorite plays were the defensive plays,” Rowe said. “Getting some blocks and trying to change the momentum of the game.” 

What a rejection by Rowe 🚫 pic.twitter.com/4HSLBCr9Q7

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 6, 2025

The Warriors signed Rowe, 28, to a two-way contract on Jan. 28. He remains two-way eligible this season, and is well aware his calling card isn’t going to be trying to take over offensively. Rowe says he has gained 15 pounds of muscle already this offseason with an emphasis on getting his body right to be relied on more defensively as someone who can do all the dirty work for Golden State. 

Like Juan Toscano-Anderson years ago, Rowe’s journey with the Warriors began at a tryout. Rowe even admitted he never expected to be in the position he is today. The Warriors saw his talent, and as his game has grown, so has his mindset. 

“If you want to make the NBA, oftentimes you’re not going to be the guy taking 30 shots a game,” Rowe explained. “You’re going to be the guy getting rebounds, playing defense and helping those main guys score. If you just watch what I’m doing, I think it’s a good example of how you can play in the NBA, or at least get as close as possible.” 

After earning his two-way contract last season, Rowe played six games for the Warriors, seeing the floor for a total of 52 minutes. He tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals in that span. Though he wasn’t on the active roster for the playoffs, he remained with the team and continued to absorb every ounce of knowledge. 

Now, he’s the one encouraging summer league teammates for boxing out strong, running the floor and making the extra pass. Of course he’d love to drop 30 like he’s in Santa Cruz. He’d love to start the season with at least one of the Warriors’ three two-way contracts even more. 

“You’re not going to replace Stephen Curry,” Rowe said. “It’s like, big surprise, you’re not going to fill that guy’s shoes ever. You gotta think, how can you impact the game in other ways? They’ve taught me how to do that.” 

Playing and leading like Rowe did to open his summer league campaign will earn him the right to have plenty of space for his own shoes inside the Warriors’ locker room next season.

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The Nets were extremely active during the 2025 NBA Draft, as they became the first team in league history to use all five of their first-round picks last month. And in a matter of days, the newest group of rookies will get its first taste of pro competition.

With annual Summer League action scheduled to tip-off late next week in Las Vegas, the Nets announced their roster for the showcase on Saturday. The 16-player roster will be headlined by guards Egor Dëmin (selected No. 8 overall) and Nolan Traore (No. 19 overall), and their three additional first-rounders -- forward Drake Powell, guard Ben Saraf, and forward Danny Wolf -- are making the trip as well.

The Nets are also sending a few non-rookies to the Vegas courts, as center Drew Timme, forward Tosan Evbuomwan, and guard Tyson Etienne are featured on the roster. All three players logged minutes for the Nets last season, and two are currently signed to two-way contracts.

Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel will lead the team for a second straight summer. They're slated to play at least four games, with their first coming next Thursday, July 10, against the reigning champion Thunder (5:30 p.m.). The Nets will also battle the Wizards on July 13, the crosstown rival Knicks on July 15, and the Magic on July 16.

The Nets' entire 2025 Summer League roster can be found below.

summer squad ☀️🏀😎 pic.twitter.com/TE0KIW84IC

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 5, 2025

Earlier this week, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks selected head coach Mike Brown as the successor to Tom Thibodeau, who was relieved days after the team’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in a quarter century. Both the firing and hiring have drawn natural anxiety from the fanbase, given Thibodeau’s historically successful tenure at The Garden and Brown’s mixed resume.

But placing aside the benefit of the doubt that team president Leon Rose has earned, this was an objectively smart hire for the Knicks as they look to take the next step forward and win a championship.

Assuming that moving on from Thibodeau was completely necessary -- despite what the national talking heads spewed -- the Knicks ran a strong and competent search to seek out Brown. It was a multi-week process that began with, as comical as it may have seemed, the savvy move of trying to poach the NBA's best employed coaches. 

In the meantime, the Knicks interviewed multiple coaches from different levels for multiple rounds, eventually leading to Brown. And of all the available coaches, there’s an easy argument to make for Brown being the best of the bunch.

Brown has coached in the NBA for 28 years, assisting under names like Rick Carlisle, Gregg Popovich, and Steve Kerr. He was at the helm for LeBron James' first tenure with the Cavaliers. He had some spotty followups with the Steve Nash-Dwight Howard Lakers, and then a return go-around in Cleveland. He also won his second Coach of the Year award with the Kings in 2023-24 before being fired last winter.

Around the league, Brown is known for being a creative schemer and strong connector to his players. Given the franchises and rosters involved, there’s plenty of gray surrounding all four of his firings.

The Knicks interviewed some other recent head coaches in James Borrego and Taylor Jenkins, but they lack Brown’s experience. Other accomplished retreads like Terry Stotts, Mike Malone, and Mark Jackson were floated by the public, but they too have their respective flaws and concerns.

The Knicks could've gambled on an untried assistant, but given the stage, expectations, and starpower surrounding the team, it may have been too big of an ask. It’s certainly possible they missed out on the next Ime Udoka or Mark Daigneault, but it's equally understandable why they didn't test this route.

Sometimes the correct answer is the simplest one -- replace the coach you fired with the best replacement available. Even if one argues that Brown wasn’t the No. 1 option, he checks plenty of other boxes as well.

As much as Thibodeau’s results spoke for themselves, they clearly didn't meet the front office’s standards, and the processes behind them left much to be desired from management, the players, and fanbase.

Few in-season practices, late to adjust, failure to experiment with schemes, and the popular minutes concern are just a few of the key weaknesses of the Thibodeau-era that led to this moment.

Naturally, in seeking out his replacement, the Knicks wanted a coach that would address these specific flaws. Reports suggested that they wanted a more collaborative coach, both with management and assistants. One with a more dynamic approach to schemes that would look to utilize the full roster, rather than rely strictly on key players.

For the most part, the Knicks got their man. If one wants to contend that Thibodeau is the better overall coach, by all means. But Brown is a different one, and different just might be what this Knicks team needs.

Brown implements motion offenses that emphasizes player and ball movement, while his defenses have featured lots of aggressive and creative coverages to make up for weak defenders. We saw the latter work to the Knicks' advantage deep in the playoffs with surprising effectiveness, given they spent little time with these schemes during the season. 

Their offense never felt truly maximized, given the personnel and individual production levels, and the unit was at its poorest in the playoffs. Perhaps Brown’s less-sticky approach to schemes and rotations can untap that potential... or will it merely expose the roster as more flawed on that end than anticipated?

Ultimately, it’s easy to see why the Knicks find the upside here. Given the roster, is what they need an effort-maximizing coach that's set in his systems, or a malleable, more strategic coach that's still extremely player-first?

Obviously, in covering up these issues, Brown’s own unique deficiencies will come out and bring their own set of problems. We’ll see how they’re addressed throughout the season and how damaging they still are in the playoffs. But the front office is betting on the team climbing higher under Brown.

The Knicks entered free agency with limited avenues to improve the roster. But even with meager resources, they made two deals on the margins to add offensive versatility to their lineup.

New York agreed to a deal with guard Jordan Clarkson on the first day, and Day 2 saw the club agree on a two-year, $12 million contract with Guerschon Yabusele with a player option in the final year. The Knicks now have more shot creation and can trot out lineups with more perimeter shooting that defenses have to respect.

The two free-agent additions add scoring punch and depth to what was a limited Knicks bench. Last season, they were dead last in bench points per game (21.7) and second-to-last in the category during the playoffs.

Clarkson’s never been an uber-efficient scorer, but he’s been a consistent shot creator over 11 NBA seasons. A former Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson has never averaged fewer than 15.0 points in the last seven seasons, despite being a full-time starter in just one of those years.

Clarkson is comfortable with the ball in his hands. He shot 36 percent on 114 pull-up three-point attempts last season, per NBA Stats. As we saw during the playoffs, the Knicks lacked perimeter shot creation outside of Jalen Brunson. The 33-year-old Clarkson is capable of being a consistent pick-and-roll ball-handler that the Knicks can go to when Brunson sits.

He’s not a very good finisher at the rim -- shooting just 58.4 percent in the restricted area over the last two seasons, according to NBA Stats -- but Clarkson’s able to get into the paint, which could provide good returns for New York’s other players.

Clarkson has also improved as a passer. He’s not a natural point guard by any stretch, but he’s averaged 4.5 assists over the last three seasons after not having averaged more than 3.5 assists in any of his first eight seasons.

Shooting upgrade

Yabusele is essentially taking Precious Achiuwa’s place on the Knicks' roster. At 6-foot-8, Achiuwa was often too small to play center, but it was also difficult to play him as a power forward, as he shot just 27.8 percent on 36 three-point attempts last season.

Yabusele’s ability to stretch the floor is one of his standout skills. The fourth-year forward connected on 104 of 274 three-pointers (38 percent) with the 76ers last season. As a stretch four, Yabusele will allow the Knicks to have size in the frontcourt, while simultaneously being able to field five-out lineups with shooters at every position.

That would be useful for Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who both saw crowds of defenders in the paint. But Yabusele’s more than just a spot-up shooter -- the Frenchman shot 71 percent in the restricted area last year.

Despite carrying a 260-pound frame, Yabusele is like a freight train, attacking on drives. He also runs the floor very well. With a full head of steam, there are not many players willing to get in front of Yabusele.

Defense second

Adding both players will not improve New York’s defense. In Clarkson’s case, the defensive end will be a concern. Much like Brunson, teams will look to force him to switch on to their best offensive players. However, the Knicks have to live with Clarkson’s weaknesses at that price point.

Defense is not Yabusele’s best skill either. With 76ers centers Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond out for large portions of last season, Yabusele was forced to play more center than expected. With the Knicks, expect him to man the four position almost exclusively. That should mitigate Yabusele’s limitations as a rim protector or a lateral defender.

Neither of these signings broke the bank or were home runs, but it was important for the Knicks to find a way to add depth. For large chunks of the playoffs, they fully trusted only seven players in the rotation. Now, new head coach Mike Brown will have more options and versatility to mix and match different lineups throughout the regular season and playoffs.

NBA rumors: Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors, other teams to meet in Las Vegas originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The waiting game with Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors could extend into mid-July.

With no solution in the early hours of Day 5 of NBA free agency, Kuminga and the Warriors are planning to meet during the annual NBA Summer League showcase in Las Vegas if the situation remains unresolved by next week, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Thursday, citing league sources.

Kuminga, his agent Aaron Turner, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and Warriors coach Steve Kerr are the ones scheduled to meet and discuss a possible path forward, Slater added, with Kuminga’s return to Golden State still “very much on the table.”

However, if a decision isn’t made by next week, Slater writes that Kuminga and his camp also plan to hold face-to-face meetings with other potential suitors in Las Vegas.

Thus far, various teams have shown some level of interest in the 22-year-old athletic forward, including the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and, a potentially new emerging suitor per Slater, the Washington Wizards.

Summer league action in Las Vegas begins next Thursday, July 10, at the Thomas & Mack Center & Pavilion.

Should the situation prolong another week, Kuminga and the Warriors’ highly anticipated decision could be made in Sin City.

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