Basketball Wiretap

Mike Brown, Kings Agree To Three-Year, $30M Extension Through 26-27

May 31, 2024 11:56 PM

Mike Brown and the Sacramento Kings have agreed to a contract extension through the 26-27 season worth $30 million over three years.

Brown was set to enter the final guaranteed season of his contract with the Kings and extension talks broke off last week.

Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in 2023, leading the Kings to the third seed in the Western Conference after the franchise had missed the playoffs in 18 straight seasons.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pistons In Serious Talks To Hire Pelicans' Michael Blackstone As No. 2 Decision-Maker

Jun 1, 2024 8:10 AM

The Detroit Pistons are in serious talks to hire Michael Blackstone as the No. 2 decision-maker of the front office under Trajan Langdon. 

Blackstone has served as the New Orleans Pelicans’ VP of basketball administration over the last several seasons where he worked alongside Langdon. Before the Pelicans, Blackstone worked as an assistant general manager with the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of basketball operations with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Pistons parted ways with Troy Weaver this week. Weaver had years remaining on his contract and was offered an off-site scouting role to remain with the franchise in a smaller capacity. 

James L. Edwards, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Nolan Traore To Sign Two-Year Contract With Saint-Quentin, Expected To Be 2025 Lottery Pick

Jun 1, 2024 8:03 AM

Nolan Traore will sign a two-year contract with Saint-Quentin in the French first division.

Traore is a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft as a 17-year-old, 6'5 playmaker. 

Traore was being recruited by Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga, and Alabama, as well as the Australian NBL and Euroleague and EuroCup teams in France and abroad. 

"It was cool to have all these programs interested in me," Traore said. "I don't take that for granted. It was a reward for all the work I've put in. I was happy to have all these options, but the possibility of staying close to my family was also important. They can visit me, and I can go home easily."

 

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin Basketball, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams

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Bulls Prepared To Drop Asking Price For Zach LaVine Trade

Jun 1, 2024 8:18 AM

The Chicago Bulls were unable to trade Zach LaVine last season before he underwent surgery on his right foot. Whatever asking price the Bulls had for LaVine at that point will likely be lower as they reengage this offseason.

"I do get the sense both sides are motivated to make something work this offseason," writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. "I don’t think the Bulls will take an awful deal if little materializes, but I do get the sense they’re open to more possibilities than before. More to the point: I’ve reported before what their asking price was---All-Star level talent, first-round picks or both---and my sense is that it has dropped significantly."

Johnson adds that "the desire from both sides to make a change has grown."

LaVine re-signed with the Bulls in 2022 on a five-year, $215 million deal. LaVine will make $43 million during the 24-25 season.

In 25 games last season, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

LaVine is represtned by Rich Paul and Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports. 

K.C. Johnson/NBC Sports Chicago

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kristaps Porzingis Fully Participates In Saturday Practice

Jun 1, 2024 5:32 PM

Kristaps Porzingis fully participated in the Boston Celtics' practice on Saturday, according to Joe Mazzulla.

Mazzulla did not reveal whether he would insert Porzingis into the starting lineup for Game 1.

"When KP's at his best, he's been tremendous for us. We expect that from him, and we know he'll give that to us. And as far as everything else, just what goes into winning is the most important thing.

"What gives us the best chance to win each particular game, each particular possession and each particular matchup," said Mazzulla.

Porzingis has missed the last 10 playoff games due to a calf strain.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals starts on June 6.

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Celtics-Pacers Series Averages 3.4 Rating, 6.31M Viewers

Jun 1, 2024 3:07 AM

The Boston Celtics' sweep of the Indiana Pacers averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.31 million viewers.

That number is down 15% in viewership from last year's Celtics-Heat series.

Game 4 finished with a 3.5 rating and a series-high 6.63 million viewers. 

The Celtics-Pacers series ranked as the fourth most-watched Eastern Conference Finals of the last nine years. 

 

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Tags: Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Pistons Part Ways With Troy Weaver As GM

May 31, 2024 6:18 PM

Troy Weaver is out as general manager of the Detroit Pistons amid a retooled front office led by Trajan Langdon, according to multiple reports Friday.

Detroit has had the NBA's worst record the past two seasons and won just 23% of its games over four years with Weaver in charge of basketball operations.

Weaver joined the Pistons after an extended tenure in the front office of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pelicans Defer First Round Pick From Lakers To 2025

May 31, 2024 9:36 PM

The New Orleans Pelicans will defer the first round pick they are owed from the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2024 draft to the 2025 edition. The Lakers own the 17th overall pick in what is widely considered a down draft, whereas the 2025 draft is expected to be strong. There are also a number of potential scenarios where the Lakers end up sending the Pelicans a higher pick in 2025.

The Lakers traded three future first round picks to the Pelicans in 2019 as part of the Anthony Davis trade.

David Griffin informed Rob Pelinka of his decision on Friday, one day ahead of the deadline.

The Pelicans own the No. 21 pick in the draft.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Kristaps Porzingis 'Getting Better' Ahead Of Finals

May 31, 2024 6:20 PM

Kristaps Porzingis participated in parts of Friday's practice -- the Boston Celtics' first since advancing to the NBA Finals earlier this week -- and coach Joe Mazzulla said he's pleased with the center's recovery from a right calf strain.

"He's getting better," Mazzulla said at the team's facility. "He's out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice. So, progressing well and kind of confident where he's at right now."

espn.com

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury

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Cavaliers Clear To Interview Johnnie Bryant, Chris Quinn

May 31, 2024 6:24 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been granted permission to interview two more head-coaching candidates in the franchise's ongoing search, including New York Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Miami Heat top assistant Chris Quinn, sources told ESPN on Friday.

The Cavaliers are searching for a new head coach to replace J.B. Bickerstaff.

Bryant previously worked with Donovan Mitchell as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavaliers Not Motivated To Trade Any Members Of Core Four

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Isaiah Hartenstein, Nic Claxton Projected To Get Between $80M-$100M On Next Contract

Jake Fischer/Yahoo! Sports

2024 NBA Playoffs Averaging 2.2 Rating, 4.1M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Michael Porter Jr.'s Injury Comeback Can Revolutionize The NBA

Dr. David Schechter, Alec Kassin

Mavs-Timberwolves Series Averages 3.4 Rating, 6.74M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Celtics Open As NBA Finals Favorites; Jayson Tatum Favored To Win Finals MVP

David Purdum/ESPN

Haywood Highsmith Expected To Receive Free Agent Interest

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Suns Hire Chaisson Allen As Assistant Coach

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Warriors Hire Jon Phelps As Cap Strategist

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Thunder Could Pursue Isaiah Hartenstein In Free Agency

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Nets Hire Steve Hetzel, Juwan Howard, Deividas Dulkys, Connor Griffin, Travis Bader As Assistants

RealGM Staff Report

Zaccharie Risacher Moves To Hawks At No. 1 In Latest ESPN Mock Draft

Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo/ESPN

Dunc'd On: DAL/MIN Game 5; Zaccharie Risacher Scouting Report

RealGM Staff Report

Timberwolves Willing To Pay Tax To Keep Team Together

Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania/The Athletic

Glen Taylor To Meet With Tim Connelly To Discuss Future

Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania/The Athletic

Drew Gordon Passes Away In Car Accident

Marc J. Spears/Andscape

Luka Doncic Receives Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Warriors Looking To Hire Big-Name Assistant Coach, Had Conversations With Darvin Ham

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Kings Offer Mike Brown Three-Year, $21M Extension

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers Prefer To Avoid Trading Austin Reaves

Jovan Buha/The Athletic