Bradley Beal became the 10th player in league history to receive a no-trade clause as part of his five-year, $251m max contract extension with the Wizards. Ten days later, another All-Star – Portland’s franchise star Damian Lillard – inked a two-year, $121m max vet deal to remain with the Trail Blazers, now under contract until the 2026-27 season. Will these decisions age well?
Continue reading “Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions”
Category: NBA
NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound
After countless reports suggested Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr would be this summer’s top draft pick, the Orlando Magic presented the first in a night of surprises and trade moves aplenty by selecting Duke’s Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick – adding another talented youngster to an ever-growing core of players hopeful they’ll be nowhere near the lottery in the near future. Continue reading “NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound”
Pistons open up cap space and hint at big summer, after trading Jerami Grant to Portland
It appears on the surface as though Detroit have settled with less than they could’ve got for a 28-year-old power forward who has been performing at an All-Star level these last two seasons. However, this move also frees up cap space ahead of an offseason packed with speculation insistent that upgrades are inbound: Suns’ wantaway big man Deandre Ayton among them. Continue reading “Pistons open up cap space and hint at big summer, after trading Jerami Grant to Portland”
Staking his claim: Paolo Banchero believes he’s top player in this summer’s NBA draft
Alongside Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren, the Duke power forward is widely touted to be a top-three draft selection next week. So, would you expect any less than these bullish comments from the 19-year-old after a memorable college season?
Continue reading “Staking his claim: Paolo Banchero believes he’s top player in this summer’s NBA draft”
Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns
Two Eastern Conference playoff contenders are among the teams targeting a noticeable upgrade at center this coming offseason and so Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert returns to the rumour mill once again as uncertainty shrouds the franchise after Quin Snyder’s resignation. Continue reading “Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns”
Stephen Curry – who else – the catalyst as Warriors earn gritty Game 4 road win
With the lights brightest and others struggling, the 33-year-old recorded the second-most NBA Finals points of his career, and put his teammates on his back, en route to an invaluable 107-97 win over the Boston Celtics to tie the series at 2-2 with Game 5 next in the Bay Area on Monday. Given he played through a Game 3 foot injury here, are you surprised this was his next act? Continue reading “Stephen Curry – who else – the catalyst as Warriors earn gritty Game 4 road win”
Draymond Green’s aggressive ‘attitude adjustment’ works wonders in Game 2
After the Golden State Warriors’ fourth quarter collapse in Game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals, Draymond Green wasted no time making his impact felt against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. He played aggressively, was close to an ejection – as per – but was a key reason for their blowout 107-88 win in Game 2. With the series set for Boston on Wednesday night, what’s next? Continue reading “Draymond Green’s aggressive ‘attitude adjustment’ works wonders in Game 2”
Atlanta, Detroit and Portland all early suitors in Deandre Ayton sweepstakes
After a promising season ended with a forgettable postseason collapse on May 16, the cloud hanging over Deandre Ayton’s long-term future in Phoenix appears to be clearing this summer: multiple teams are readying themselves with lucrative max contract offers for 2018’s no. 1 pick. Continue reading “Atlanta, Detroit and Portland all early suitors in Deandre Ayton sweepstakes”
Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels
With their Game 1 clash vs. the Miami Heat set for tip-off in a few hours’ time, here’s a quick refresh: Boston Celtics, armed by a new career-high display from Grant Williams, overcame a 3-2 series deficit to knock out the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Hours later, Dallas did similar but in enemy territory, stunning the Phoenix Suns in a historic blowout win. Continue reading “Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels”
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