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Is Ace Bailey 'most likely to bust' among the top-5 picks in the NBA Draft? | The Kevin O'Connor Show

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

The Philadelphia 76ers own the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft after lottery luck, but what to do with it has already sparked a heated debate among the fan base. The name at the center of it? Ace Bailey, the 6-foot-9 athletic marvel with tantalizing upside but uneven production at Rutgers.

Kevin O’Connor didn’t mince words on the latest episode of "The Kevin O'Connor Show" with ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony, suggesting Bailey is “most likely to bust of the top five guys.” But Givony shot down the skepticism. “Absolutely not. I love Ace Bailey,” Givony said, even after acknowledging valid questions about Bailey’s track record. Givony stressed Bailey’s maturity, competitiveness and game-changing potential: “He’s 18 years old, doesn’t turn 19 until August. … I firmly believe Ace Bailey is going to be a star in the NBA.”

Bailey’s case feels eerily similar to past draft debates — upside versus college-winner credentials. Detractors say, “He couldn’t help Rutgers win, how is he going to help win games in the NBA?” But Givony has spent time at Rutgers, at Team USA camps and describes a player and person who checks all the right boxes for long-term success.

The Sixers’ current options at No. 3 aren’t jaw-dropping, as both host and guest agree. “VJ Edgecombe? How does that make sense with [Tyrese] Maxey and [Jared] McCain?” asks Givony. For a team that’s always looking for the next Joel Embiid running mate, Givony urges Bailey: “I’m 100% drafting him third.”

To hear the full discussion, tune into "The Kevin O'Connor Show" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

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Watch Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani strike out against Athletics position player

Watch Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani strike out against Athletics position player originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics didn’t have much to smile about in their 19-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

But Athletics catcher Jhonny Pereda gave his teammates something to be excited about in the bottom of the eighth.

Called on to pitch for the third time this season, Pereda amazingly struck out Dodgers megastar Shohei Ohtani on an 89 mph fastball.

Pereda allowed four hits, three earned runs and one walk in one inning pitched, but the strikeout of Ohtani outweighs all of that.

“I know it’s something he’ll remember for the rest of his career, for sure,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters after the game.

Long before Pereda struck out the reigning NL MVP, the Athletics jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Shea Langeliers RBI double in the first inning.

But the Dodgers pummeled Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido and reliever Jason Alexander, tagging the duo for 15 earned runs in the first four innings.

While Ohtani struck out in his final at-bat, he stole the show earlier in the game, crushing two homers and driving in six runs on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani and the Dodgers won the war, but Pereda won the battle, and the Athletics catcher never will forget the moment.

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Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. gets first hit in Double-A debut

Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. made his Double-A debut on Thursday evening and had a successful start with Somerset.

The No. 44 overall prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, went 1-for-2 with two walks against the Portland Sea Dogs. The lone hit came in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first. Leading off for the Somerset Patriots, Lombard Jr. took a 1-1 in the middle of the plate and slapped it into right field. The 19-year-old hit the ball at 103 mph off the bat.

Lombard Jr. was promoted last week after demolishing High-A pitching earlier this season. In 24 games in that level, Lombard Jr. slashed .329/.495/.488 with a .983 OPS with one home run, eight doubles and one triple. He also stole 11 bases in 13 tries.

He played one game at third base in High-A with the bulk of his starts at shortstop. That's where he played in his Double-A debut on Thursday, just in case Yankees fans are hoping a promotion to the big leagues to play third was an option this season.

Lombard Jr. was drafted in the first round (No. 26 overall) in the 2023 draft and the Yankees have high hopes for the young infielder. After playing in just nine spring training games last year, Lombard Jr. got to see the field in 14 this season. In that time, he went 6-for-26 (.231) while smashing two home runs and stealing one base in two tries.

"Great head on his shoulders; loves the game, great work ethic, smart heady player," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said when Lombard Jr was promoted to Double-A. "Over the two years, you've seen him slowly turning into a man and [a] big physical presence.

''The ease with which he can make plays and moves in the field, he's starting to impact the ball more, doing a good job so far of controlling the strike zone -- George is someone we're super excited about. ... He certainly earned that next step up to Somerset. I'm excited for him and the start he's off to. He's got special makeup."

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Eichel, Vegas Eliminated By Edmonton In Five Games

Former Sabres team captain Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in five games. 

Two years ago, former Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in the second round on their way to their first Stanley Cup championship, but history did not repeat itself in the second-round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Oilers turned the tables on Vegas and eliminated them in five games with a 1-0 overtime victory in Game 5.

Kasperi Kapanen scored at 7:19 of the extra frame to give Edmonton the win and advance them to their second straight Western Conference Final to face the winner of the Winnipeg-Dallas series, in which the Stars lead 3-1.  Eichel led the Golden Knights in scoring with 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 11 games, while ex-Sabre Victor Olofsson finished his first post-season appearance with four points (2 goals, 2 assists), and Brayden McNabb had four assists in 11 games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram

Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change

How other Sabres did in the playoffs on Wednesday:

Evander Kane (EDM) 17:22 TOI, 3 SOG, 7 Hits

Jeff Skinner(EDM) Did Not Play

Florida - 6, Buffalo - 1, Panthers lead 3-2

Sam Reinhart(FLA) 2A,+2, 17:27 TOI, 6 SOG

Evan Rodrigues(FLA) Did Not Play

Dmitri Kulikov(FLA) 1G, +2, 17:57 TOI, 2 SOG, 2 Hits

Jake McCabe(TOR) -1, 19:00 TOI, 1 SOG, 1 Hits

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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What to know for the NHL conference finals: Matchups, schedule, where to watch

What to know for the NHL conference finals: Matchups, schedule, where to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Four teams are on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers will square off in a Western Conference Final rematch in the 2025 NHL playoffs, while the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes meet in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years.

The Panthers, the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, have reached the conference final for the third straight year, with a chance to make a third straight Cup Final. Florida has kept its repeat bid alive by beating the No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning in five games and the No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games. The Panthers, who can join an exclusive group of back-to-back Cup winners, overcame a 2-0 series deficit against the Leafs and won Game 7 on the road in emphatic fashion.

The Hurricanes are looking to avoid a repeat of the 2023 conference final, when they were swept by Florida. Carolina, the Metro Division’s No. 2 seed, needed just five games to bounce both the No. 3 New Jersey Devils and the East-leading Washington Capitals. Frederik Andersen has been stellar between the pipes for Carolina, boasting a 1.36 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage in nine playoff starts.

Now, the Hurricanes need to get past the defending champs in order to reach their first Cup Final since the franchise’s lone championship triumph in 2006.

The Oilers, last year’s Stanley Cup runners-up, are also eyeing a return trip to the Cup Final in search of the franchise’s first championship since 1990. Connor McDavid and Co. dropped their first two games of this postseason, but have only suffered one loss since.

Edmonton, the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed, overcame a 2-0 first-round series deficit against the No. 2 Los Angeles Kings with four straight comeback wins before taking down the No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights in five games. McDavid and co-star Leon Draisaitl have combined for eight goals and 25 assists across 11 playoff contests.

The Stars are playing in their third straight conference final and fourth since 2020. But Dallas has been eliminated from this round the last two postseasons, most recently falling to Edmonton in six games in 2024.

Dallas, the Central Division’s No. 2 seed, first outlasted the No. 3 Colorado Avalanche in a seven-game thriller and then bounced the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets in six games. Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen has racked up a playoff-high 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) as he attempts to help deliver the Stars their first title since 1999 and second overall.

So, when will the conference finals start and who has home-ice advantage? Here’s what to know:

What are the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Final matchups?

  • Eastern Conference Final: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
  • Western Conference Final: Edmonton Oilers vs.Dallas Stars

When do the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Finals start?

The conference final round begins with Panthers-Hurricanes on Tuesday, May 20, followed by Game 1 of Oilers-Stars on Wednesday, May 21.

Who has home-ice advantage in the Eastern, Western Conference Finals?

Dallas and Carolina have home-ice advantage due to their superior regular-season records.

What is the Oilers vs. Stars Western Conference Final schedule?

  • Game 1: Oilers at Stars — Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Oilers at Stars — Friday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 3: Stars at Oilers — Sunday, May 25, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Stars at Oilers — Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Oilers at Stars — Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Stars at Oilers — Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Oilers at Stars — Monday, June 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Where to watch, stream the Oilers vs. Stars Western Conference Final

The West Final will air across ESPN and ABC, and can be streamed live on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

What is the Panthers vs. Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final schedule?

  • Game 1: Panthers at Hurricanes — Tuesday, May 20, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 2: Panthers at Hurricanes — Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 3: Hurricanes at Panthers — Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 4: Hurricanes at Panthers — Monday, May 26, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Panthers at Hurricanes — Wednesday, May 28, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Hurricanes at Panthers — Friday, May 30, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Panthers at Hurricanes — Sunday, June 1, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV

Where to watch, stream the Panthers vs. Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final

Panthers-Hurricanes games will be shown on both TNT and truTV. They can also be streamed live on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on May 15.

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What we know about the NHL conference finals so far

What we know about the NHL conference finals so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Two teams are on the doorstep of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

The Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes have advanced to the conference final round of the NHL playoffs.

The Oilers, last year’s Stanley Cup runners-up, are back in the Western Conference Final as they eye the franchise’s first championship since 1990. Connor McDavid and Co. dropped their first two games of this postseason, but have only suffered one loss since.

Edmonton, the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed, overcame a 2-0 first-round series deficit against the No. 2 Los Angeles Kings with four straight comeback wins before taking down the No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights in five games. McDavid and co-star Leon Draisaitl have combined for eight goals and 25 assists across 11 playoff contests.

The West final could be a rematch from last year, when the Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars in six games. Dallas currently holds a 3-1 second-round series lead over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are making their second Eastern Conference Final appearance in three years. Carolina, the Metro Division’s No. 2 seed, needed just five games to bounce both the No. 3 New Jersey Devils and the East-leading Washington Capitals. Frederik Andersen has been stellar between the pipes for Carolina, boasting a 1.36 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage in nine playoff starts.

Now, the Hurricanes need to get past either the defending champion Florida Panthers or the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to reach their first Cup Final since the franchise’s lone championship triumph in 2006. Florida has a 3-2 series edge over Toronto after losing the first two games.

So, when will the conference finals start and who has home-ice advantage? Here’s what to know:

When do the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Finals start?

The NHL hasn’t yet announced when the conference finals will get underway. This story will be updated as schedule details emerge.

For what it’s worth, the final second-round game that’s currently scheduled is a possible Game 7 between the Jets and Stars on Monday, May 19.

What are the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Final matchups?

  • Eastern Conference Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. winner of Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Western Conference Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. winner of Dallas Stars-Winnipeg Jets

Who has home-ice advantage in the Eastern, Western Conference Finals?

The team with the superior regular-season record gets home-ice advantage in the conference final round.

The Oilers won’t have home-ice regardless of opponent, as both the Jets and Stars finished ahead of them in the standings. The Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage if they face the Panthers, but will start the conference final on the road should they see the Leafs.

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MLS rules continue to fail Lionel Messi + Michele Giannone previews the Hudson River Derby

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to the midweek slate of MLS fixtures including another bad defensive performance from Inter Miami! Christian and Alexis then chat with MLS reporter & analyst Michele Giannone ahead of the Hudson River Derby between NYCFC and New York Red Bulls. Later, Christian and Alexis react to Ashlyn Harris’ latest podcast appearance on another edition of Run that Back.

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Jimmy Butler's performance in Warriors' Game 5 loss criticized by NBA analysts

Jimmy Butler's performance in Warriors' Game 5 loss criticized by NBA analysts originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors forward Jimmy Butler didn’t live up to his “Playoff Jimmy” moniker in Golden State’s final two losses of its Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Butler, under the weather during Games 4 and 5, attempted 20 combined shots and scored 31 total points, well below what was expected from the six-time NBA All-Star.

With Steph Curry moving closer to returning, the Warriors needed to win just one game to extend the series long enough for the 37-year-old to have a chance to play in Game 6.

But Butler wasn’t able to put the Warriors on his back. His performances on Monday and Wednesday were criticized by a pair of ESPN analysts on Thursday morning.

“You weren’t asked to win the war. You were asked to hold the damn line,” Jay Williams said on “Get Up” on Thursday. “Right? For one game. One game. Not two games. Not three games. Just one game. Give the sun in your solar system a chance to rise again for Game 6. That sun is Steph Curry. And what we came off last game, where he took nine shots, the fact that Jimmy Butler only took 11 shots when you needed him … the most in this game, it’s shocking to me. It’s shocking to me.

“It’s the biggest question I have from this series. This is a guy who is going to get paid $120 million over the next two years. $120 million. Took only 11 shots. Now, I know the game got away. But [Udonis Haslem], you’re going to swing. If you’re going to go out, you’re going to go out swinging, not taking two more shots than the nine shots you took in the game you didn’t come out for [two nights] before.”

While Stephen A. Smith believes the Warriors’ trade for Butler lived up to expectations, he echoed Williams’ sentiments, though in a more toned-down manner.

“When Butler first arrived in Golden State, a lot of us didn’t think much of it because we said, ‘How does this really pair with seeing a guy like Steph with a guy like Klay [Thompson]? How does this mesh? How does this work exactly?’ And then they were playing lights out together and so we got our hopes up. But then it came crashing down once Steph hurt his hamstring. And it is what it is.

“Here’s what makes this look bad. Butler obviously forced his way out of Miami. We know you didn’t want to be a No. 1 option. You wanted to play with someone who’s a No. 1. You didn’t mind being that ‘Robin.’ Then you go to Golden State and y’all have major success. Steph gets hurt. You got your money. And Joe Lacob and the Golden State Warriors, all they needed was one game.

“See, it ain’t like Steph went down like [Boston Celtics star Jayson] Tatum did [with a ruptured Achilles] and he’s out for the next year, at least. It’s not like that. Everybody had projected, it’s going to take about a week. Steph Curry should be back for Game 6. All you got to do, being [Game] 3, 4 or 5, give me one game and he couldn’t do it. Eleven shot attempts last night. Twenty shot attempts over the last two games.”

Butler’s arrival jump-started the Warriors’ season and helped them secure the No. 7 seed. But his last impression wasn’t good and he left himself open to sharp criticism.

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Hull sack head coach Rubén Sellés despite avoiding drop

  • Club escaped Championship relegation on final day
  • Spaniard won nine of 27 league games in charge

Hull have sacked their head coach, Rubén Sellés, after less than six months in charge.

The club escaped Championship relegation on the final day of the season on goal difference, having been bottom when Sellés was appointed in December. The 41-year-old Spaniard is the third manager sacked by the Hull owner, Acun Ilicali, in the past 12 months and the club now begin their search for a fifth permanent coach since the Turkish media executive took control in early 2022.

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Selles axed by Tigers – give us your thoughts

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[BBC]

Tigers fans, what do you make of the news that Ruben Selles has left the MKM Stadium?

Another summer, another change in the dugout. Do you think Selles would have improved City's fortunes next season, or do you think this is the right move after a season of struggle? Who would you like to see replace him?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Check back later and we'll publish a selection of views right here.

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NHL Veteran Sam Gagner Launches Next Chapter With Ottawa Senators In Player Development Role

Sam Gagner (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

The Ottawa Senators brought on veteran NHL center Sam Gagner for the next phase of his hockey career.

Gagner is now the director of player development for the Senators after a 1,043-game NHL career.

“Sam had an incredible career as a player, and we look forward to launching his next chapter,” Senators GM Steve Staios said in a news release. “A true character individual, Sam has contributed to the success of his organizations, both on and off the ice.”

Gagner recently played for the AHL’s Belleville Senators in the 2024-25 season after signing a professional tryout with the team. He made 19 appearances and recorded 10 assists for Belleville up until the NHL trade deadline.

The 35-year-old has played 1,043 games in the NHL across 17 years. He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets.

He spent most of his career with the Oilers, which selected him sixth overall in the 2007 NHL draft. He played 10 seasons with Edmonton in three different stints. Gagner’s first seven years in the NHL were with Edmonton, followed by another two seasons from 2018 to 2020. 

He also played his last NHL season with his draft team in 2023-24, featuring in 28 games, scoring five goals and 10 points.

Gagner’s career high in points came in the 2016-17 season with the Blue Jackets, when he had 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points in 81 games. He also has seven 40-point campaigns in his career.

While Gagner only appeared in 11 NHL playoff games in his career – six games with Philadelphia in 2015-16 and five with Columbus the following year – he does have some championship hardware. 

In 2012, Gagner won the Spengler Cup with Team Canada, recording three assists in four games. He was part of a star-studded Canadian squad that year during the 2012-13 NHL lockout, playing with Matt Duchene, Patrice Bergeron, John Tavares, Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin and more.

Gagner also won gold with Canada at the 2006-07 world juniors, the same season he made the CHL’s all-rookie team with 118 points in 53 games on the OHL’s London Knights.

The Senators also hired Matt Turek as the new GM for Belleville. He’s been a GM and scout in the OHL for the last decade, and he was an amateur scout for the Montreal Canadiens from 2017 to 2022.

Turek played a key role in the former Hamilton Bulldogs’ OHL championship wins in 2018 and 2022 as the director of player personnel before becoming their GM from 2022 to 2025, including during the squad’s move to Brantford.

Senators owner Michael Andlauer owned the Bulldogs up until midway through this season, when he sold the team to the family of Edmonton Oilers left winger Zach Hyman. The Bulldogs announced Thursday that Spencer Hyman will take over as GM.

“Matt has managed a successful Ontario Hockey League team, and he has gained a critical management skills and experience at that level,” Staios said. “In addition to his experience, Matt will bring passion and leadership to our organization.”

These additions come after the Senators parted ways with associate GM Ryan Bowness earlier in May.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Shaw reportedly not returning to Flyers' coaching staff

Shaw reportedly not returning to Flyers' coaching staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers will pretty much have a whole new coaching staff next season.

Brad Shaw will not be back with the Flyers, according to a report Thursday by Charlie O’Connor of PHLY Sports. Per the report, it was Shaw’s decision.

The 61-year-old was in Philadelphia for three seasons, mostly as the Flyers’ associate coach. He served as the club’s interim head coach for the final nine games of this season after John Tortorella was fired.

Shaw had an uphill battle at landing the Flyers’ full-time job. This was a huge decision for general manager Danny Briere and president of hockey operations Keith Jones. It was their first head coaching hire, one that could define their rebuild, so it felt likely that they would ultimately bring in their handpicked guy.

They did so Wednesday by landing Rick Tocchet.

The Flyers went 5-3-1 with Shaw running the bench and scored an impressive 3.89 goals per game. But they also allowed 3.56 per game.

As Tortorella’s right-hand man, Shaw was in charge of the back end and penalty kill. A number of the Flyers’ defensemen improved under Shaw’s watch, while the team’s penalty kill was a top-five unit in 2023-24 and scored an NHL-leading 16 shorthanded goals.

“He has meant so much to my game personally,” Travis Sanheim said at his end-of-the-season press conference. “I think a lot of guys on the D core could probably say the same thing. We don’t know what’s going to happen, time will tell. In saying that, I’m just super thankful for where he has taken my game and I really enjoyed my time working with him, so it would obviously be a disappointment if I didn’t get to continue that.”

A little over three weeks ago, the Flyers parted ways with three assistants, including power play coach Rocky Thompson. Goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh, who isn’t on the bench for games, was not among the subtractions.

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Warriors will be ‘incredibly aggressive' retooling roster, per Shams Charania

Warriors will be ‘incredibly aggressive' retooling roster, per Shams Charania originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry’s Grade 1 hamstring strain proved to be helpful for the Warriors.

Curry’s injury showed coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy that they need to upgrade the role players on the roster.

Without Curry, the Warriors lost four consecutive games and saw their promising 2024-25 NBA season end at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

So, what is the Warriors’ offseason plan? ESPN’s Shams Charania provided insight into Golden State’s mindset.

“The Golden State Warriors have up to four first-round picks they can trade,” Charania said on “SportsCenter” on Thursday. “They have tradeable contracts, pick swaps as well. Sources told me in the last few hours, the Warriors will be incredibly aggressive in the marketplace to go find help, to continue to retool around their big three of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

“I’m told their priority is finding a play-making wing defender or a center to add to this group. A lot of it will come down to someone that Steve Kerr and the big feel like will help this team and fits their culture and their identity.”

In addition to the assets Charania mentioned, the Warriors have 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent who they potentially could move in a sign-and-trade to acquire pieces that fit around Curry, Green and Butler.

Kuminga was in and out of Kerr’s rotation and has had an uneven four years with the Warriors, but the young forward averaged 24.3 points in the four games Curry missed against the Timberwolves

So, while Kuminga might not fit the Warriors’ roster, another team might value him and provide Golden State with the pieces it desires.

“One key player to keep an eye on on this roster right now is forward Jonathan Kuminga,” Charania said. “I’m told he’s going to have a strong sign-and-trade market coming up. He’s an exciting young wing player. Both sides are expected to have conversations commencing over the next several weeks ahead of free agency to see, is there a potential sign-and-trade landing spot that gives him a lucrative deal while also potentially bringing the Warriors some additional help for their roster so that both sides end up as winners.”

The Warriors’ window to win a title with Curry, Green and Butler is closing and the front office understands the team wasn’t good enough to win games without their two-time NBA MVP.

So, changes around the three superstars are coming this summer.

Buckle up.

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