Basketball legend Bill Walton, who led the UCLA Bruins to two national titles before winning two championships during his NBA career, has died at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Walton died Monday while surrounded by his loved ones, his family said in a statement released by the NBA.

"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II was cleared of having a serious neck injury, after leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals early. Lively's status for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday is unclear at this point.

Lively was injured during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns in the first half of Game 3. Towns' knee hit Lively in the back of the head, after the rookie center had fallen to the floor.

Lively has been a key member of the Mavericks rotation all season. In 15 playoff games, the Duke product has averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game off the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks took a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Dallas has a chance to close out the series at home on Tuesday.

DJ Wagner has chosen to follow John Calipari to Arkansas. Wagner, who entered the transfer portal when Calipari left Kentucky, will now follow suit.

A former top-five recruit, Wagner is one of three former Wildcats to join Calipari on the Razorbacks. Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic are also headed to Arkansas. Calipari also got recruits Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond to flip to Arkansas too.

In addition to the above, the Razorbacks are adding transfers Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic and Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee.

JJ Redick would target Sam Cassell, James Borrego, and Jared Dudley as his assistants should he be named the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Borrego is currently with the Pelicans, with Cassell with the Celtics. Dudley is an assistant with the Mavs.

Cassell is also reportedly being targeted as an assistant for Doc Rivers' staff with the Bucks.

The Lakers are said to be "infatuated" with the idea of hiring Redick. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in Terry Stotts for their vacant head coach role, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kenny Atkinson remains the favorite for the job. 

Dave Joerger, James Borrego, and Johnnie Bryant are also candidates for the role.

The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The Warriors currently have until June 28 to guarantee Paul's $30 million contract for next season.

Paul and the Warriors have discussed moving back the deadline with the possibility of using his salary in a trade.

Russell Westbrook also has until June 29 to decide his $4 million player option with the Clippers for next year.

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

The Boston Celtics will have to attempt to close out their third consecutive series without their starting center. Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a strained right calf.

The Celtics lead the Indiana Pacers 3-0, which means Boston can afford to play it safe with Porzingis. He's been out since getting injured in Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat on April 29.

If Boston closes out Indiana in Game 4, their next game won't be until Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6. If the Pacers win, the series shifts back to Boston and Porzingis could play in Game 5 on Wednesday, May 29.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton is dealing with a sore left hamstring. The re-injury occurred in the third quarter of Game 2. Haliburton missed Game 3 due to the injury.

It's been reported that Haliburton is unlikely to play in Game 4. The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the series.

The New Orleans Pelicans had trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks for both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young ahead of the trade deadline. Those talks are expected to resume this summer.

While New Orleans has interest in both Hawks point guards, sources indicate that the Pelicans prefer to swing a deal for Murray. Murray has a more team-friendly contract, and he's a better defender than Young is.

Some have suggested that New Orleans star Zion Williamson would like to play with Young. The star guard's father even went on social media making a similar suggest that Young and Williamson would like to play together.