Kyrie Irving ready to leave turbulent times in Brooklyn behind and focus on future in Dallas
Kyrie Irving is ready to move on from his time in Brooklyn and focus on his future in Dallas.
Irving spoke about his desire to have conversations that weren't had before the trade deadline and his need for peace of mind in a drama-free environment. [ more ]
Kyrie Irving Takes Shot At NYC Mayor Eric Adams During Mavs-Nets Game
Kyrie Irving scored 36 points against his former team, the Nets, and took a jab at NYC Mayor Eric Adams during the game.
Irving's comment was referring to Adams' COVID-19 vaccine mandate policy, which prevented Irving from playing in home games or games in New York since he chose not to get vaccinated. [ more ]
Bruce Brown Praises James Harden, Calls Him 'One of the Best Teammates I've Ever Had'
Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images The Brooklyn Nets' short-lived experiment with James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn't end well, with all three eventually parting ways and getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, respectively.But Bruce Brown said Harden was an excellent teammate, on and off the floor.
Long before we had the current iteration of the Knicks, one with draft picks and young assets, New York often preferred to take the approach of star hunting, even when they were well past their prime or were plagued with injuries, in hopes that it would lead to instant success.That strategy lead to multiple head-scratching contracts, losing picks, and ignoring the development of what young players they did have, and as it so often has for other franchises, it failed the Knicks and set them back multiple years.
How the Nets can build a contender ahead of 2023 NBA Draft
The Nets could have up to 11 first-round draft picks over the next seven summers.They can also create upwards of $100 million in outgoing salary this offseason alone while keeping their newfound core together.That's a whole lot of capital to use in trade negotiations as general manager Sean Marks looks to rebuild his team following the mass exodus of superstars from Brooklyn.
While the Miami Heat ultimately came up short in their heroic bid to land the franchise's fourth NBA title against the Denver Nuggets, they can still confidently look back at this season as a relative success all things considered.That being said, extending their championship window will require a lot of front office gymnastics to improve the roster.
When the Lakers selected Max Christie 35th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, he was reportedly a no-brainer unanimous pick by the scouting department spearheaded by assistant general manager and co-owner Jesse Buss.The Michigan State product was on Buss' radar as early as 2016 as he felt that Christie embodied the skillset that would thrive in the NBA today.
Predicting the contract of Raptors PG Fred VanVleet in free agency
The Toronto Raptors have some big questions to answer in the offseason, with Fred VanVleet's status on the team chief among them.Will the Raptors choose to bring him back, or will he end up signing elsewhere and calling time on one of the best careers in Raptors history?VanVleet is projected to opt out of the final year of his contract and cash in on one last big payday.
The Lakers signing Tristan Thompson heading into the postseason was a move done largely for his off-court contributions.The on-court production he provided in Game 4 vs.Denver in the Western Conference Finals was an added bonus but also typified the mindset Thompson brought to the team.For a franchise that has been substandard for large parts of the last two seasons, Thompson's approach was a welcome sight.
When does NBA Free Agency begin for the Chicago Bulls?
While the Chicago Bulls made several splashy moves in 2021 by adding DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso to this team's core, the Bulls were incredibly quiet in last year's free agency period.After making no moves in three straight transaction cycles, there's mounting pressure on the front office to make the most of this 2023 free agent class.
When does NBA Free Agency start for the Toronto Raptors?
The Toronto Raptors are just a few weeks away from what promises to be one of the most impactful offseasons in team history, as they have multiple big names hitting the market and a ton of fairly obvious needs the team needs to get ironed out relatively soon.After last season, where the Raptors signed Otto Porter Jr. and called it a day, more impactful additions and retentions are needed.
Mikal Bridges Rumors: 'Nets Aren't Interested' in Blazers Trade After Draft Lottery
Sarah Stier/Getty Images The Portland Trail Blazers may want to get help for Damian Lillard this offseason, but it doesn't seem like a Mikal Bridges trade is going to be an option for them.Per The Athletic's Alex Schiffer, the Nets "aren't interested" in dealing Bridges to Portland even after the results of the 2023 NBA draft lottery.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA.Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Los Angeles Lakers fans and fans across the country.Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.As more days pass since LeBron James' comments about retirement, the more they feel like less of a serious proposition and the more they feel like the ponderings of a player who just ended a long, exhausting season.
What does the offseason hold for the Lakers and LeBron James?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA.Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Los Angeles Lakers fans and fans across the country.Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.There is no such thing as a quiet offseason for the Lakers but even by those standards, the swiftness with which the upcoming one became abnormal was jarring.
Lakers have reportedly had 'internal discussions' about trading for Trae Young
Any thoughts of rest for the weary were pretty quickly tossed out the window barely hours after the conclusion of the Lakers loss in Game 4 to the Nuggets on Monday.LeBron James was responsible for that as anyone with discussion of a potential retirement, immediately tossing a level of uncertainty into the team's offseason plans.
Plaschke: No shame in this sweep. Lakers battle to final seconds of inspirational season
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
LeBron James had the season on his hands, the series in his legs, the beginnings of a miracle within his reach.Yet, in the end, he just couldn't get high enough.In a play that typified the Lakers uphill battle of a season, James' potential score-tying jumper was blocked by Denver's Aaron Gordon in the final seconds Monday to cement the Nuggets' 113-111 victory and a four-game sweep of the Western Conference Finals.
Report: Lakers are no longer interested in signing Kyrie Irving
For a number of reasons, the Lakers avoided a potentially messy offseason with their rout of the Grizzlies in Game 6 on Friday.On top of the avalanche of noise that would have come from multiple directions had they failed to close out the Grizzlies, a certain courtside visitor for the contest would have certainly been a talking point throughout the summer once again.
Rob Pelinka says Lakers intend to 'keep young core together'
In the relatively short term between LeBron James' postgame press conference after the Lakers Game 4 loss on Monday to the Nuggets and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka's exit interview on Tuesday, quite a lot transpired.For the first time in his career, LeBron tossed out the idea of retirement.
1. Playoff games in the National Basketball Association provide a unique opportunity to witness the intensity of competition between some of the best players in the world. 2. The atmosphere in the arena during the playoffs is electric, with fans and players alike feeling the gravity of the moment. 3. The uncertainty
Celebrity sightings at the 2023 NBA and NHL playoffs
Is it just us or have these playoffs been more star-studded than normal?Aaron Rodgers becoming a Madison Square Garden fixture.Sauce Gardner not realizing he was sitting right next to Jessica Alba.Even Los Angeles Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson making his triumphant Crypto.comArena return for the first time in years.
The 8 best free agents for the Washington Wizards to pursue this year
Following a disappointing season, the Washington Wizards may be looking to make some big moves this offseason.With no trade assets and what will likely end up being a late lottery pick, it seems like one of the better areas to do so would be free agency.Currently, the Wizards are set to extend Kristaps Porzingis and re-sign Kyle Kuzma each to deals upwards of $20 million per year.