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Butler defiantly responds to claim he should shoot more 3-pointers

Butler defiantly responds to claim he should shoot more 3-pointers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jimmy Butler shot 2-for-4 on 3-point shots en route to a 38-point outing in the Warriors’ 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA play-in tournament on Tuesday at Chase Center.

But the career 32.8-percent 3-point shooter made it clear that his game against Memphis was an anomaly shooting-wise, and that no one should expect the Golden State forward to be a routine deep-range shooter – at least like his teammate Steph Curry.

“I can shoot, I just choose not to shoot threes,” Butler told reporters after Tuesday’s win (h/t ClutchPoints’ Kenzo Fukuda). “I’d rather drive into the paint and get a layup or pass the ball to someone on my team who’s probably a better shooter than I am. I think you and everybody else want me to shoot more threes, but I like shooting layups.”

Butler shot 10-for-16 inside the arc and sank 12 of 18 free throws against the Grizzlies. Those stats are more Butler’s speed.

After all, the six-time NBA All-Star averaged just 0.6 triples per game during the 2024-25 NBA season, and his career-high is only 1.7, which he averaged in 2018-19 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Butler is glad to play “Robin” to the greatest shooter ever in Curry, but their play styles remain vastly distinct.

“It’s always, ‘Play basketball the right way; shoot the ball when you’re open; attack into the paint, get to the free throw line and pass it to the open guy.’ I feel like I have the opportunity [in Golden State] to pick my spots incredibly well,” Butler said. “And they are always looking to get me the ball in my spots where I can be aggressive and put the ball in the basket, or make the right play for the next individual. 

“We ran a couple of sets for me to do that [against Memphis], and Steph did all the other stuff.”

The Warriors have a first-round playoff date with the Houston Rockets largely because of Butler’s impact after he was traded to Golden State from the Miami Heat on Feb. 5. His approach to basketball often has rubbed people the wrong way throughout his 14-year career, but his prideful stubbornness has led to promising results in the Bay thus far.

Butler is a scorer, but not a shooter. The same as he has always been.

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Golden Knights Set For First Round Matchup Against Wild

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jon Merrill (4) and Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) compete for the puck during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights will face the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2024-25 playoffs.

The Golden Knights have finished the season as the second seed in the Western Conference, giving them home-ice advantage against every team but the Winnipeg Jets. 

The Wild and the St. Louis Blues have been going back and forth, each team taking and losing the first wild card spot. Both teams played their final games of the season last night and after the Wild defeated the Anaheim Ducks in overtime, they clinched the higher seed.

The Golden Knights and the Wild have played one another three times this season, with the Golden Knights claiming victory each time. The first meeting, dating back to Dec. 15, saw the Golden Knights defeat the Wild 3-2 thanks to a third-period goal by Victor Olofsson.

The next two contests were won in a more dominant fashion. Without Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild couldn't generate enough offence to keep up with the Golden Knights, resulting in 4-1 and 5-1 wins. 

Kaprizov's return to the lineup will pose a difficult challenge for the Golden Knights. In the 3-2 win, Kaprizov scored both of the Wild's goals, and he finished the season with 25 goals and 56 points in 41 games, ranking fifth in points per game. Slowing him down will be challenging but vital to their success. 

The playoff schedule has not been released the beginning of the playoffs are expected to start on Saturday, Apr. 19 or Sunday, Apr. 20.

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

A Glance Into The Possibilities For The Golden Knights' First Round Opponent In The PostseasonA Glance Into The Possibilities For The Golden Knights' First Round Opponent In The PostseasonLAS VEGAS -- The Vegas Golden Knights are back in the postseason, a place they've become all too familiar with since arriving in the NHL eight years ago.
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Braves activate Spencer Strider off IL to start vs. Blue Jays

TORONTO — Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will return to the mound against the Blue Jays, his first big league start since an April 2024 surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

The Braves activated Strider off the injured list and optioned right-handed reliever Zach Thompson to Triple-A.

The Braves are off to a slow start, and the return of Strider could provide a big lift. He went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 2023, finishing with a major league-best 281 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings and placing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Strider struck out 13 in 5 1/3 innings in a dominant rehab start at Triple-A, allowing one run and three hits. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes, and reached 97 mph with his fastball.

Strider, 26, last appeared in the majors on April 5, 2024, against the Diamondbacks in Atlanta.

Right-hander Chris Bassitt starts for the Blue Jays in the rubber match against the Braves.

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Ivan Demidov's NHL Debut Unearthed Questions on Ducks Approach at the 2024 Draft

Apr 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) plays the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov made his NHL debut, potentially the most highly anticipated debut in 2024-25, on Monday in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored a goal and notched an assist in his first period of NHL hockey, causing many to question how he slipped to the Habs at five, similar to questions many had in June of 2024.

Konnor Smith Signs ELC With Anaheim, Will Report to Gulls

Demidov (19) was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft despite consensus suggesting he was the number two prospect behind San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini. Demidov scored 60 points (23-37=60) in 30 MHL (Russia’s top junior league) regular season games in the 2023-24 season and added 28 points (11-17=28) in 17 playoff games.

Demidov’s draft profile radiated talent but came with significant question marks, as did every draft-eligible player outside of Celebrini. He had creativity dripping from his pores while displaying elite puck skills, manipulation skills, and hockey IQ.

The downside was the perceived questionable translatability of his skating and production, as he had only ever played before Russian eyes, in Russia, and had played all but six games in the MHL, a league he was clearly too advanced for.

Following Celebrini’s selection at first overall and ahead of Demidov’s fifth, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Artyom Levshunov second, the Ducks selected Beckett Sennecke third, and the Blue Jackets selected Cayden Lindstrom fourth.

In 2024-25, Demidov played 65 regular season games for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, scoring 49 points (19-30=49) in limited minutes. He added five points (3-2=5) in six playoff games. His season quelled practically all concerns regarding his translatability as he was now producing and positively impacting games in one of the world’s top professional leagues.

Demidov’s NHL debut on Monday captured the attention of the hockey world. He instantly met and exceeded expectations, electrifying fans with a couple of highlight-reel plays, resulting in his two-point night.

He made one critical error on Chicago’s game-tying goal in the third period with a pitiful backchecking effort that ended up costing Montreal the extra point.

The good far outweighed the bad and the conversation within the Ducks sphere centered again around why and how the Ducks passed on who most considered the second-best prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Ducks director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager Martin Madden met with local media ahead of the 2024 Draft to discuss his team’s approach.

“It’s not about what they look like today, it’s what they’re going to look like five years from now and the impact they’re going to have on our team five years from now,” Madden said when asked about his approach at the draft.

“We’re going to go with the old boring way and say that we’re going to go with the best player available according to our opinion and projection,” he continued.

It’s clear that translatability is a considerable factor for Madden and the Ducks at the draft. There’s also always the perceived “Russian Factor” when it comes to players under contract with KHL clubs. Teams don’t have access to the development of those players as they do with prospects in other leagues around the world.

Madden stated the Ducks did meet with Demidov at the Gold Star pre-draft combine, a camp put on by Demidov’s agency.

“Five years ago, I would have said not at all,” Madden said when asked if he was comfortable drafting a Russian player at the top of the draft. “By now, we are comfortable with the process (of assessing players strictly on video). We’ve had enough live viewings of these players through Konstantin Krylov, our Russian scout.

“For me, it’s nice to have been able to get a live look in terms of Ivan Demidov. He’s still hurt, so he didn’t get on the ice. But to talk to him and so on and so forth. To answer your question, we are comfortable. It’s not a big deal.”

Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beckett Sennecke is selected with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Ducks ended up selecting exceptionally skilled winger Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick. He was the draft’s “late riser,” solidifying his draft profile with a spectacular final string of regular season and playoff games.

If Madden is to be taken at his word, at the time of the draft, the Ducks viewed Sennecke as the highest projectable player available to them with the number three pick.

Sennecke (19) has dazzled in the 2024-25 season, scoring 86 points (36-50=86) in 56 regular season games for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, and has added 10 points (4-6=10) in six playoff games.

Sennecke remains a justifiable selection by Anaheim regardless of how Demidov arrived in the NHL. Like Madden had said nearly a year ago, “It’s not about what they look like today, it’s about what they’re going to look like five years from now.”

The Ducks' decisions at the 2024 draft shouldn’t be evaluated less than a year from conclusion, but several years down the road.

Radko Gudas Selected as Ducks’ King Clancy Memorial Trophy Nominee

Tim Washe Signs ELC With Anaheim, Will Make NHL Debut Against Minnesota

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Brewers call up Logan Henderson as they seek reinforcements for injury-riddled pitching staff

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers recalled Logan Henderson from Triple-A Nashville, bolstering a pitching staff dealing with multiple injuries.

Before its 5-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee owned a 4.93 ERA that ranked 28th in the majors, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (4.99) and Washington Nationals (5.50).

“We need help,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We need all the help we can. All hands on deck. Whether or not he ends up staying for an extended period of time or not will depend on him and other people’s health and that type of thing. We’re excited to have him.”

The Brewers made room for Henderson by sending right-hander Elvin Rodríguez to Nashville. Rodríguez had an 0-2 record and a 7.53 ERA in four appearances, though he had allowed only one run over five innings of relief in a 9-1 loss to the Tigers.

Henderson was 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three games with Nashville this season while striking out 24 and walking 10 over 14 innings.

He gave up five runs in his first start of the season but has thrown 10 shutout innings since. In his last appearance, he struck out eight while allowing no hits and two walks in five innings.

“The first couple of starts, I had a hard time filling up the strike zone,” Henderson said. “The last start was really good for me, heading into the right direction. I like where I’m at right now.”

Henderson went a combined 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings for four different minor league teams last season. The Brewers selected him out of McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, in the fourth round of the 2021 amateur draft.

Murphy said he likes the variety in Henderson’s arsenal.

“In today’s game, there’s more chuckers and heavers than there are pitchers,” Murphy said. “I think this is a time when you’ve got to have kind of a combination of both in your repertoire. He’s starting to throw the ball really well, command it and have a variety, so we’re excited to have him.”

Henderson will try to boost a pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries. The list of Brewers pitchers on the injured list includes Aaron Ashby (right oblique), Aaron Civale (left hamstring), Nestor Cortes (left elbow), Robert Gasser (left elbow), DL Hall (left lat), Tobias Myers (left oblique), Connor Thomas (left elbow) and Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder).

Milwaukee would love for Henderson to make the same kind of impact that Quinn Priester has produced since he was acquired in a trade with Boston. Priester carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and combined with four relievers on a one-hitter.

In two starts with the Brewers, Priester has allowed one run over 10 innings. He was pitching with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate before joining the Brewers.

It was the Brewers’ fourth shutout win of the season. But they also have allowed at least nine runs in four different games already.

Part of the problem is that all those injuries have taxed a bullpen that was one of Milwaukee’s greatest strengths last year, when the Brewers won a second straight NL Central title.

The Brewers have a bullpen ERA of 5.94 that ranked 28th in the majors, ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels (6.29) and Washington (6.91). Last year, Milwaukee’s 3.11 bullpen ERA ranked second, behind only the Cleveland Guardians’ 2.57.

That bullpen has shown signs of life lately, though. In the Brewers’ last two games, their relievers have allowed just one run over nine innings.

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Draymond confident Kuminga will contribute in Warriors-Rockets series

Draymond confident Kuminga will contribute in Warriors-Rockets series originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jonathan Kuminga didn’t play a second in the Warriors’ regular-season finale loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, nor in Golden State’s 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA play-in tournament on Tuesday.

While coach Steve Kerr’s rotation changes often, not many expected the 22-year-old to register consecutive DNPs during the most crucial points of the 2024-25 NBA season.

So the question now is: Will Kuminga play during the Warriors’ first-round Western Conference playoff series against the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets? Draymond Green certainly believes so.

“He’ll contribute,” Green told reporters postgame on Tuesday about Kuminga. “He’s getting his work in. That’s all you can do in that situation, get your work in. He’ll be meaningful for us in that series. I have zero doubt about that. I think the challenge for him is to stay mentally engaged, as is for anyone in that situation. But I have zero doubt in my mind that he’s going to help us in this series – he will, 1,000 percent.”

Kuminga, even through his growing pains, seemingly brings great value to Golden State on any given night and would appear to be a key piece against Houston.

He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists during his fourth Warriors campaign, and in four games against the Rockets this season, Kuminga averaged an impressive 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Kerr said Kuminga has been “pretty impactful” for the Warriors after the loss to the Clippers but proceeded to not play him Tuesday night. Green expects Kuminga to have a big role against the Rockets, but the rotation ultimately will be decided by Kerr.

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Orioles GM says he doesn’t see panic but team has plenty of concerns amid slow start

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles and general manager Mike Elias could have used a fast start this year.

Instead, most of their biggest offseason questions are still pertinent.

The Orioles are 6-10 after a 6-3 loss to Cleveland. That’s after some second-half struggles in 2024 and a first-round loss to Kansas City in the playoffs. Baltimore still has plenty of talent, but also some real issues — perhaps more than seemed likely after the Orioles won 101 games in 2023 and had a farm system still churning out standout prospects.

“I certainly haven’t seen any signs of panic, and we’re continuing to retain the same approach on a night-to-night basis. I try not to get too high when things are going great, and try not to get down when we’re losing,” Elias said. “That’s how you have to approach baseball.”

The Orioles lost Corbin Burnes in free agency, and the three main starters they added were all older players on one-year contracts. So there was some skepticism about whether the rotation would hold up.

And that was before the injury bug went to work. Grayson Rodriguez hasn’t pitched at all this season, Zach Eflin went on the injured list, and Albert Suárez will miss significant time. Plus, neither Kyle Bradish nor Tyler Wells has returned from elbow surgery.

So the new arrivals — Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton — have needed to perform, and it hasn’t gone great. They were a combined 1-5 with a 6.68 ERA following Morton’s start against Cleveland.

“I feel like we’ve already tapped into, basically, the depth,” Elias said. “To say that on April 15 was not the plan. Obviously, we knew Bradish was going to be out. But to have Grayson and Eflin on the shelf simultaneously this quickly into the season, at no point were we forecasting that, or expecting that. And that’s just the truth.”

Kyle Gibson, the third significant starter added, signed in late March and is in the minors. He’s expected back with the Orioles by May. As for Baltimore’s brigade of injured pitchers, Elias said Eflin will start playing catch in a few days, Rodriguez has thrown a couple bullpens, and Bradish threw a bullpen recently. Wells is expected to start his mound progression in the next two weeks.

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Cubs option Matt Shaw to Triple-A after disappointing start to third baseman’s career

SAN DIEGO — The Chicago Cubs have optioned top prospect Matt Shaw to Triple-A Iowa after a disappointing start to the rookie third baseman’s career.

Shaw, the No. 13 pick in the 2023 amateur draft, is just 10 for 58 with one homer and three RBIs. He has 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances.

“We want to get a productive player back,” manager Craig Counsell said before the Cubs played the San Diego Padres. “Sometimes you have to take a step back to do that. At this level it’s production and the point we’re at, obviously you give guys time to work through it but we just thought we saw enough where we kind of needed to take a break from this level and get some at-bats at Triple-A.”

Counsell, a former major league infielder, said it’s normal for young hitters to struggle.

“He’s just been up against it a little bit to start the year,” he said. “Sometimes it is just some success that kind of reframes it some and gets you good feelings back and good vibes back and gets you back to being that offensive threat.”

The Cubs also placed right-hander Eli Morgan on the 15-day injured list because of an elbow impingement. Infielder Vidal Bruján was reinstated from the 10-day IL, and right-hander Nate Pearson was optioned to Iowa.

Left-hander Luke Little and right-hander Daniel Palencia were recalled from Triple-A before the Cubs’ game at San Diego.

Counsell said Morgan felt something in his elbow when he got two outs in a 10-4 loss. The team will figure out what’s next when it returns to Chicago..

Morgan, acquired from Cleveland in November, has a 12.27 ERA in seven appearances. He went 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 32 appearances last season for the AL Central champion Guardians, who had the best bullpen in the majors in 2024.

The Cubs were leading the NL Central at 11-8 entering their game against the Padres. They lost ace Justin Steele to a season-ending left elbow injury.

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Pirates place Endy Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list with a lacerated right index finger

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez on the 10-injured list with a lacerated right index finger.

Rodriguez was catching when he got hurt during a 10-3 victory over Washington. He was hit on the hand by a pitch in the dirt by Paul Skenes, and the injury required five stitches.

The Pirates recalled right-hander Chase Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Rodriguez has made nine starts at first base and five at catcher this season, hitting .178 with two RBIs.

The injury leaves the Pirates thin at two positions.

Henry Davis is their only healthy catcher, with Joey Bart missing his fourth straight game because of lower back soreness. Catcher Abrahan Gutierrez joined the team from Indianapolis but was not immediately added to the active roster.

Primarily a catcher, Rodriguez had been playing first base while Spencer Horwitz recovers from right hand surgery. Utility player Enmanuel Valdez started at first base for a second straight night.

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NBA admits refs missed four calls late in Warriors-Grizzlies game

NBA admits refs missed four calls late in Warriors-Grizzlies game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Both the Warriors and Grizzlies benefited from missed calls late in Golden State’s 121-116 NBA play-in tournament win over Memphis on Tuesday at Chase Center.

However, one of the calls, had it been correctly assessed, could have greatly benefited the Grizzlies in the game’s final seconds.

Chronologically, here are the four incorrect calls in the game:

  • Draymond Green should have been called for a shooting foul on Scottie Pippen Jr. after making contact with the Grizzlies guard’s wrist on a play with 1:29 remaining in the game.
Q401:29.3Foul: ShootingDraymond GreenScotty Pippen Jr.INCVideo 
Comment:Green (GSW) reaches in and makes illegal contact with Pippen Jr.’s (MEM) wrist after his gather during the driving shot attempt.
  • Zach Edey should have been called for offensive goaltending on a Warriors’ possession with 1:28 remaining in the game.
Q401:28.2Turnover: Offensive GoaltendingZach EdeyWarriorsINCVideo 
Comment:Edey (MEM) makes contact with the ball while it is in the imaginary cylinder above the rim.
  • One call that had Warriors fans upset, was Brandin Podziemski being called for a foul on his block attempt on Pippen Jr. with 37 seconds remaining in the game. The NBA stated that was an incorrect call.
Q400:37.0Foul: ShootingBrandin PodziemskiScotty Pippen Jr.ICVideo 
Comment:Podziemski (GSW) makes contact with the ball during Pippen Jr.’s (MEM) shot attempt near the basket and any ensuing contact once the ball becomes loose is considered incidental.
  • Perhaps the most notable missed call of the game, was the Warriors’ inbound pass to Steph Curry with 10.5 seconds remaining. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant initially appeared to knock the ball out of Curry’s hands, but the NBA stated the ball actually touched Curry’s hand last before it went out of bounds and possession should have been awarded to Memphis with 7.3 seconds remaining.
Q400:07.3Stoppage: Out-of-BoundsJa MorantStephen CurryICVideo 
Comment:After Morant (MEM) reaches in and makes contact with the ball, it touches Curry’s (GSW) hand last before going out of bounds. Possession is awarded to Golden State, but should have been awarded to Memphis.

Another controversial moment in the game was Kevon Looney being called for a loose ball foul on Edey under the rim with 14.3 seconds remaining. That, according to the NBA, was correctly called.

While there were missed calls that went against both teams, the Grizzlies certainly wish at least one, in particular, was called correctly.

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NBA Playoff Notes: How high are the stakes for Knicks' Tom Thibodeau?

There is plenty at stake in New York and around the NBA as the playoffs start. Here’s a look at the ramifications for some playoff teams: 

KNICKS: As noted on this week’s Putback, the stakes are high for Tom Thibodeau entering the playoffs. If the Knicks beat Detroit and are competitive in the second round against Boston, I’d assume Thibodeau will be fine. Given Thibodeau’s success in New York, this is the most likely scenario.

But if the Knicks struggle against Detroit or are noncompetitive in the second round against Boston, there will be tough conversations about the franchise’s next steps.

The post-mortem analysis will include an assessment of Thibodeau. Would the Knicks head coach survive a subpar playoff performance?

It all depends on how team president Leon Rose and owner James Dolan view the season.

Thibodeau has been on shaky ground in the past and survived. Rose made the decision to stick with Thibodeau amid past uncertainty. In hindsight, keeping Thibodeau was the best decision Rose could have made.

The head coach has helped guide the Knicks to their best three-year run since the late 1990s.

He is also under contract for four more seasons. Earlier in the season, I thought Thibodeau would survive any playoff shortcomings and be back next season. But that’s not the case anymore. I think anything is on the table if the Knicks struggle in the playoffs, including a coaching change.

No matter what happens this spring, the Knicks will have to decide on Mikal Bridges’ extension. Bridges is eligible for a four-year, $156 million deal on July 1. The Knicks gave up five first-round picks in order to acquire Bridges. So it would be surprising if they didn’t secure him long-term to an extension if everything goes well in the playoffs. If things go sideways, New York could include Bridges in a deal for a significant return. 

OTHER EASTERN CONFERENCE RAMIFICATIONS

PACERS: The Pacers want to retain 2025 free agent Myles Turner. But the team also reportedly wants to remain below the luxury tax. In order to achieve both of those goals, the Pacers may have to shed salary via trade.

They have several options if they want to go this route, including Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Aaron Nesmith. The club’s playoff performance – and the performances of its role players – will likely factor in to any roster decisions made around Turner.

BUCKS: The Nets aren’t the only NBA team keeping a close eye on the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Several teams operated at the NBA trade deadline with a potential run at Antetokounmpo in mind. Why would teams see an Antetokounmpo trade as a remote possibility? That belief stems – in part – on Antetokounmpo’s own stance. He has said in the past that his top priority is to win. In acquiring Damian Lillard and Kyle Kuzma via trade and making high-stakes coaching changes, Milwaukee has operated like a team desperate to win. But the results haven’t been great. Will another subpar playoff performance cause Antetokounmpo to request a trade? That’s part of what is at stake for Milwaukee this spring. The Nets, it should be noted, have a bevy of assets to offer in a trade for Antetokounmpo – or another star. Brooklyn owns four first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft and has 13 tradeable first-round picks in the next seven drafts.

HAWKS: After losing to Orlando on Tuesday, the Hawks face an uphill climb to qualify for the playoffs. Whether their season ends later this week or after a first-round loss to Cleveland, the Hawks will have a significant decision to make with Trae Young. Young has a player option in 2026 and is eligible for a four-year, $230 million extension in the offseason.

Do the Hawks want to make that financial commitment to Young while building around Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and, presumably, rookie Zaccharie Risacher? That’s a big question for Landry Fields & Co entering the offseason.

WESTERN CONFERENCE RAMIFICATIONS

TIMBERWOLVES: The most pressing issue for the Timberwolves is stopping Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Lakers. The big picture facing the Wolves: how much is ownership willing to spend on the roster? Naz Reid could test free agency. He has a $15 million player option for next season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be an unrestricted free agent. Julius Randle has a $30 million player option. The Timberwolves are facing a significant tax bill. It would be extremely challenging to keep all three of Randle, Alexander-Walker, and Reid.

Worth noting on Randle: the Heat have had interest in him at different points over the past few seasons. Randle could exercise his player option and be traded. The Nets, Bulls, and Pistons are among a small group of teams projected to have cap space this offseason. On the other side of Timberwolves-Lakers, James has a player option for 2025-26.

ROCKETS: The Rockets are in an enviable position. They won 52 games in the regular season and have a bevy of assets to swing a trade this offseason. Houston can acquire five additional first-round picks over the next five drafts and has several players – Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Dillon Brooks, Fred Van Vleet- who would draw interest in the trade market.

Houston’s performance in the postseason will impact their approach in the offseason. The No. 1 question for Houston this summer: what would you trade for Kevin Durant? Durant will be available via trade and will presumably be moved to one of his preferred destinations. It’s well known that he and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka have a strong connection. The Rockets obviously would have competition for Durant. The Mavericks are among the teams who pursued him aggressively at the trade deadline. They continued to search for ways to land Durant even after he made it clear through back-channels that he didn’t want to be traded. So Dallas will almost assuredly explore the Durant market again this summer. Will Houston be in an as well? On the other side of the Warriors-Rockets series, Golden State will have a decision to make on restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga was not in the Warriors’ rotation during their play-in win over Memphis on Tuesday.

KINGS: Sacramento has been underwhelming this season after firing head coach Mike Brown, trading De'Aaron Fox and acquiring Zach LaVine.

With Brown out, the Kings front office is under the microscope. Owner Vivek Ranadive is expected to take a hard look at the front office in the offseason. Obviously, a strong playoff run would factor in to any decision Ranadive makes on Monte McNair and his group. Other teams viewed Wes Wilcox’s move from the Kings to the University of Utah as a sign of uncertainty in Sacramento. The Kings face the Mavericks in the Play-In tournament on Wednesday night.