NBA

Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview

May16 Victor Wembanyama and fans of Metropolitan92 during the LNB Pro A Betclic Elite basketball match between Boulogne-Levallois v Paris Basket at...

Often in recent years, there has been a sense of intrigue surrounding the no. 1 draft pick and who will be selected, with conceivably as many as four teenagers touted to go #1. Not this year: French teenage phenom Victor Wembanyama appears San Antonio-bound after the Spurs won the draft lottery overnight.
Continue reading “Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview”

NBA

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

NBA

NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections

New Nets players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson watch from the crowd after being traded for Kevin Durant during the game against the Chicago Bulls at...

February 9 is now in the rearview mirror, with All-Star weekend almost upon us. After the Kyrie Irving move to Dallas opened up a series of trades – both small and significant – I take a look at them in this piece, assessing where that leaves some ball clubs as well as specific players who’ll find themselves in differing situations over the coming months – like the pair above in Brooklyn. Continue reading “NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections”

NBA

NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up

Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on...

It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”

NBA

NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls look on against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center on November 21, 2022 in...

More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”

NBA

NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound

Commissioner Adam Silver and Paolo Banchero pose for photos after Banchero was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2022...

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”

NBA

Pistons open up cap space and hint at big summer, after trading Jerami Grant to Portland

Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Jusuf Nurkic of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on November 30,...

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”

NBA

Atlanta, Detroit and Portland all early suitors in Deandre Ayton sweepstakes

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western...

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”

Archives

After opening day defeat, Detroit need Cade Cunningham at his best – quickly

Cade Cunningham and Hamidou Diallo of the Detroit Pistons look on while playing the Chicago Bulls at Little Caesars Arena on October 20, 2021 in...

Lonzo Ball’s second made three-pointer of the evening, at 6:22 in the fourth quarter, erased Detroit’s slender lead – one they jostled for throughout – as Chicago executed plays better down the stretch and earned a 94-88 road win in their season-opener. It reinforced the belief the Pistons desperately need top draft pick Cade Cunningham (ankle sprain) to return and quickly. Continue reading “After opening day defeat, Detroit need Cade Cunningham at his best – quickly”

Archives

Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected

Cade Cunningham of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks on as they play the Oregon State Beavers during the first half in the second round game of the...

You couldn’t wipe the grin from Ben Wallace’s face, as if he knew something we all didn’t, but the future Hall of Famer proved Detroit’s lucky charm overnight as they won this year’s draft lottery and will likely select star guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State next month. Continue reading “Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected”

Archives

Oklahoma State’s star freshman Cade Cunningham declares for 2021 NBA draft

As expected, the highly-rated point guard Cade Cunningham today announced he will enter this summer’s NBA draft after averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27 games under head coach Mike Boyton this term. Continue reading “Oklahoma State’s star freshman Cade Cunningham declares for 2021 NBA draft”

Archives

Back to work: Lakers win Andre Drummond race after he agrees buyout

Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse...

After agreeing to a buyout on Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond has joined the Los Angeles Lakers for their postseason push – despite a competitive race for his services with the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers among four other teams to meet with the 27-year-old this past weekend before his final decision was made.
Continue reading “Back to work: Lakers win Andre Drummond race after he agrees buyout”