The Detroit Pistons were the best team in the Eastern Conference all throughout the regular season. Their 60-22 record was the franchise's best mark since 2005-06 and was four games better than the 2-seed Boston Celtics this year. But they came up short in the postseason, getting knocked off in 7 games by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The missing ingredient? Potentially an elite playmaker and scorer to take some of the ball-handling and offensive pressure off superstar Cad...
The Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to reload this summer for another chance to get back to the NBA Finals. Sure, they'll have to figure out a way to get past Victor Wembanyama, but in the meantime, they're looking to alleviate themselves from the impending handcuffs of the NBA's dreaded second apron, per Ben Golliver of ESPN . To that end, Golliver has proposed a deal that would "rebalance the Thunder's books", while hypothetically retaining the scoring skill they'll need to stay at the...
Aside from the potential coronation of Victor Wembanyama as the NBA's new king of the hill, the biggest thing to watch in the weeks ahead is the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. And while there's been all sorts of buzz about big-market like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, we're now getting word from plugged-in insider Marc Stein that two teams are actually at the top of the chase, and one of them will shock you. More and more, with sources saying Miami (Heat) ...
It was a tough-fought seven-game series, but the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder have been dethroned, not only as NBA champs, but also as top dog in the Western Conference. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are now the team to beat. The Thunder have some moves to make this summer, but are handcuffed. They are over the second apron, and will therefore have limited flexibility with their roster going forward. This will play into any decisions they make this offseason.&nb...
The Los Angeles Lakers have a glaring need (well, ok, at least one) if they want to take the next step into top Western Conference contention next season. To be honest, the need for a center has been an ongoing issue for years in LA. The latest proposal comes to us from ESPN's NBA Insiders, who have speculated on a trade that would send Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks to the Purple & Gold: Los Angeles Lakers receive : Daniel Gafford Dallas Mavericks receive : Jarred Vanderbilt D...
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks have entered a new era, according to noted NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. She says that the performance of the San Antonio Spurs, and in particular, Victor Wembanyama, in this year's playoffs has boosted Giannis's trade value. And it's something that even the Milwaukee Bucks didn't expect. "This postseason, I think, has completely reframed the trade discussions for Giannis because of how good Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are." @ramonas...
Everything is new in Dallas, as Masai Ujiri is aiming to put his indelible stamp on the Mavericks after taking over as the new team president. And with one of his top priorities being a new head coach, talk around the league has turned to an interesting and familiar option for Ujiri. The Philadelphia 76ers are undergoing their own transformation in upper management, and it's unclear how the new president of basketball operations will deal with Nurse's status. The former Toron...
The Philadelphia 76ers have named a replacement for the fired Daryl Morey, poaching from an Eastern Conference rival. Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey has been hired as the new president of basketball operations for the Sixers. Just in: Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey has agreed to become the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Gansey -- who rose the ranks within the Cavaliers front office since joining in 2...
The LA Lakers tried to solve their years-long center dilemma by bringing in former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton this past season. It didn't work. Ayton posted the worst numbers of his career in points, rebounds and free-throw percentage. All the while frustrating fans with his trademark inconsistent play and effort. He has a player option on $8.1 million for next season, but whether he picks it up or not, LA needs to find a "role-playing star" big man, per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com ....
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is tackling tanking, and on Thursday he's overwhelmingly won a vote by the Board of Governors to institute new Anti-Tanking rules. The vote was 29-1 in favor, with only the Memphis Grizzlies voting against. The new rules will penalize the worst three teams each season by putting them in a "relegation zone", reducing their odds of securing the No. 1 pick. Breaking: The NBA's Board of Governors has passed new anti-tanking rules that include expandin...
The Cleveland Cavaliers have some changes to make this summer. They're just over the second apron, and they will need to cut salary to get out from under the restrictive measures that the second apron brings. Aside from that, they need to figure out if their Core Four is what they want to move forward with. Insider Brian Windhorst feels they're going to have to revisit a trade offer that they were said to have no interest in earlier in the season. Brian Windhorst expects the Cavs ...
The names Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown seem to be intertwined a lot on the rumor mill as we head toward summer. In the case of the former, the two-time MVP is almost a certainty to be dealt by Milwaukee. But as for the latter, there's no real definitive word on the Celtics or Brown wanting to part ways. But that doesn't stop the rumors from circulating. Brown's buddy Tracy McGrady said on a podcast recently that Brown was frustrated with the Celtics this season. So it's a situa...
The New York Knicks absolutely cleaned the floor with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sweeping them in four straight in the Eastern Conference Final, including a 37-point demolition in Game 4. The Cavs love their Core Four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. But what will this team do to get to the next level? They tried replacing Darius Garland with Harden, and as could have been predicted, it didn't pay off in the playoffs, as The Beard has never gotten it done i...
For all those who were convinced that LeBron James was going to have a storybook ending to his career by going back to Cleveland next season, there's a pretty big reason that might not come to fruition. About $51 million reasons, to be exact. "To my knowledge, LeBron is not prepared to take that kind of pay cut," - @WindhorstESPN breaks down the potential of a Cavs and LeBron reunion. https://t.co/6Req7aneby pic.twitter.com/BFlHGPWT6p — ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 26, 2026 Insider Bria...
The Kyrie Irving trade talk is picking up steam this summer in a big way. Proposed deals are coming at us left and right. It's obvious that keeping Kyrie around to dominate the ball doesn't make sense when the Dallas Mavericks need to center everything they do going forward around this year's Rookie of the Year, phenom Cooper Flagg. Irving, 34, is coming off a full year away from the court recovering from a torn ACL. But there are plenty of teams that might feel the nine-time All-...
The Jaylen Brown trade rumors have taken another twist, as we've learned that there are three teams who have "serious" interest in landing the Boston Celtics All-Star and former Finals MVP. Of course, for now, there's no indication that the Celtics are shopping him, or that he definitively wants out. But there has been some buzz recently (from his good buddy Tracy McGrady) that Brown has harbored some frustration with the Celtics organization this season. Insider...
Now that Masai Ujiri is back at the helm of an NBA club with the Dallas Mavericks, could he be thinking of dealing with his old team north of the border on a huge trade? All eyes are on Kyrie Irving's future in Dallas as the offseason starts to move along, and there have been many suggested potential trade partners already. We recently took a look at a blockbuster that could move Kyrie to a Western Conference contender. Another rumor that comes to us would be the potential of Ujiri calli...
LeBron James has a huge decision to make this offseason. As a free agent, does he stay in LA with the Lakers, go home to Cleveland for one final hurrah with the Cavaliers, go into retirement, or... Shock us with a completely unexpected move? Andy Bailey at Bleacher Report picks the latter, and he projects LeBron to choose to team up with Nikola Jokic with the Denver Nuggets to go after another NBA title. If he really is willing to play for the minimum (which is probably what the Clevelan...
Steph Curry's window might be closing, but it's clear that it's not near shut yet. The Golden State Warriors, by bringing back Steve Kerr and talking him out of retirement, have indicated that they're willing to give it another run at squeezing another title out of the Steph Era. To that end, they will attempt to swing BIG this offseason to add another superstar to the group with Curry and the hopefully healthy again Jimmy Butler. " So long as Steph is on this roster and operating,...
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors won't be dying down anytime soon this offseason. He's been linked to an assortment of contenders, and there's been a fair bit of buzz about the Boston Celtics. Insider Brian Windhorst says there's even the potential for a mind-blowing blockbuster of Jaylen Brown for Giannis. Brian Windhorst says there’s potential for a Giannis-Jaylen Brown trade: “Of course it makes sense for Milwaukee. Of course the Bucks are monitoring this very closely and would ...
If the Los Angeles Lakers want LeBron James back this season, they're going to have to work hard at it. That's the word from insider Brian Windhorst. He told the crew at Get Up on Friday morning that LeBron isn't going to come begging. He might even wait until August before "getting a feel for what my future looks like." REPORT: Anthony Edwards is “privately” advocating for the Wolves to go after a healthy Kyrie Irving, per @ScoopB . (h/t @Fullcourtpass ) pic.twitter.com/w6IofpTOPp — Leg...
The Minnesota Timberwolves know they need to add another star player to help take the attention off Anthony Edwards, and to prove to Ant that they're serious about contending in the tough Western Conference, lest he might start considering bolting the Twin Cities. Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be their No. 1 target this summer, but as noted by Christopher Kline in Fansided , the T-Wolves don't have the massive draft capital that any trade for Giannis would ultimately require. Inst...
about 1 month ago
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After a couple of decades out of the coaching business, former New York Knicks legendary coach Jeff Van Gundy made his way back in the past couple of seasons, as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, a breaking report says he has vaulted to the forefront as one of the frontrunners for the head coaching vacancy for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland Trail Blazers have requested permission to meet with Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy as he has emerged as one of t...
about 1 month ago
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The Minnesota Timberwolves failed to get out of the Western Conference once again in these playoffs. A second-round defeat followed two straight years making it to the Conference Finals before falling. With that in mind, they're eyeing two huge moves. The Timberwolves are looking to move to the Eastern Conference, per @DWolfsonKSTP They are also looking to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Yes, they want to be in the Eastern Conference, but that's still a few years out if it even hap...
about 1 month ago
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The Detroit Pistons finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference this season. But their playoff run was... interesting, to say the least. The Pistons had to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the first round against the Orlando Magic just to squeak by them in 7 games. They had to come back from a 3-2 deficit to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round to force a Game 7, only to be blown out by 31 points in the decisive match. The team obviously made huge strides this sea...
about 1 month ago
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