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Kawhi Leonard's trade request gives Los Angeles Lakers big chance to land the Spurs star
This was the chance the Lakers were hoping would arrive. As the team has searched for a star to anchor the transition from a rebuild to playoff contention - and beyond - the possibility that forward Kawhi Leonard would want out of San Antonio after a season of injury and discontent with the Spurs was at the foundation of the team's aspirations. On Saturday, word came out from Leonard's camp: Kawhi no longer wants to be a Spur. It's open season for trade talk on the San Antonio star. Leonard is a Southern California native. He would like to return to his home in LA to play. He has some leverage in deciding where the Spurs trade him - with one year remaining on his contract, he will be a free agent next summer and can signal to a potential trade destination whether he'd be willing to sign long-term. We know Leonard would sign with the Lakers. We know they've made contingencies for this very outcome. The rest of the league would be taking a risk in trading for Leonard, the same kind of risk the Thunder took when they acquired Paul George from the Pacers last summer with no guarantee George would stick around. Now, the Lakers must engage in a delicate dance. They could make a substantial offer for Leonard, one that would start with budding 2016 No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram, who averaged 16.1 points in his second season. That would likely entice the Spurs into a deal, and the Lakers could move into free agency in two weeks with Leonard as a selling point to this summer's big prizes, LeBron James and/or Paul George. Lose Ingram, but vault the team back into one of the top four seeds in the West immediately. The Lakers could take a tougher line with the Spurs, though, and insist on keeping Ingram, but rather offering up a package of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and some combination of future picks. San Antonio is likely to get a better offer, but the Lakers would have two positives on their side: One, they would still be the favorite to sign Leonard in 2019, and, two, Leonard might still let other teams know that going to LA is his plan. That, at best, would allow the Lakers to keep Ingram and get the Spurs to reduce their asking price. At worst, it would force the Spurs to trade him elsewhere - Boston or Philadelphia, perhaps - where Leonard might decide he is enjoying himself and wants to stay after all. That's the essential question for the Lakers. Does the team go in on Leonard now, even if it costs Ingram, and bank on the leverage that gives them when talking with James or George? Or should Magic Johnson and Co. take the risk on playing tough with the Spurs on Leonard, knowing that the whole thing might never come together as planned? Part of the problem is that Leonard is, naturally, undervalued in this environment. Given the fact that he only played nine games last season and that the rest of the league now knows that the Spurs are dealing from a position of weakness, it would be easy to forget how good Leonard is. This is a perennial Defensive
What could Celtics, Lakers, 76ers offer in trade for Kawhi Leonard?
There's a possibility that Kawhi Leonard has played his last game in a Spurs uniform. Despite being eligible for a supermax extension worth $219 million this offseason, the two-time All-Star reportedly wants out of San Antonio. Being a native of Los Angeles, Leonard's preferred destination is believed to be the Lakers or Clippers. A number of other teams could be in play for him, however, if the Spurs make him available in trade talks this offseason. From the Celtics to the 76ers, let's take a look at why the Spurs would take a call with each team rumored to be interested in Leonard... Boston Celtics Why the Spurs listen: The Celtics have the best collection of assets in the NBA. They have perennial All-Stars in Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, as well as rising stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. If the Spurs want to compete now, they could target some combination of the former. If they have their eyes set on the future, they could build a trade around the latter with some draft picks included. Los Angeles Clippers Why the Spurs listen: The Clippers have two lottery picks (Nos. 12 and 13) in the 2018 NBA Draft and a number of veterans on team-friendly contracts, such as Tobias Harris, Milos Teodosic and Patrick Beverley. DeAndre Jordan could also be included in a deal, though he has a player option in his contract that he could decline to become a free agent this offseason. Los Angeles Lakers Why the Spurs listen: Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. This depends on what the Spurs make of the Lakers' recent draft picks because Los Angeles doesn't have many other players under contract for next season. Known to have some of the best talent evaluators in the NBA, are the Spurs as high on Ball and Ingram as the Lakers were when they selected them with the No. 2 picks in back-to-back NBA Drafts? Sacramento Kings Why the Spurs listen: The No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft would give a franchise that has drafted some of the best European players in NBA history an opportunity to select Luka Donicic, unless the Suns take the Slovenian at No. 1 instead of Deandre Ayton. The Kings have some intriguing young players already on their roster as well, from De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic in the backcourt to Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere in the frontcourt. This might give the Spurs the best opportunity to completely rebuild. Philadelphia 76ers Why the Spurs listen: It's hard to believe the 76ers would be willing to give up Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid in a trade - even for Leonard - but the Spurs might be interested in Markelle Fultz, Robert Covington, Dario Saric and/or the No. 10 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Fultz was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Covington has developed into one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league and Saric is the type of versatile forward who would thrive in Gregg Popovich's system in a Boris Diaw-type role.
Report: Cleveland Cavaliers, Larry Nance Jr. have mutual interest in contract extension
At the 2017-18 trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers shook up their roster with a series of trades. One such move on that day landed them Larry Nance Jr. from the Los Angeles Lakers, a player who proved valuable at times to the Cavs' run to the 2018 Finals. He averaged 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game after landing in Cleveland on Feb. 8 and averaged 4.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg in the playoffs as his role fluctuated throughout the postseason. Potential abounds for Nance Jr., who is the son of Cavs legend Larry Nance, and Cleveland wants to keep him around going forward. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reports there is mutual interest between Nance Jr. and the Cavs in getting a contract extension done this summer : Multiple league sources told cleveland.com there is "a ton" of interest on both sides to discuss an extension for Nance, who is 25 and is the son of former Cavs great Larry Nance Sr. ... The Cavs have expressed to Nance that they view him as a foundational piece, sources said. ... Nance has played three seasons, and the Cavs can offer him a four-year extension to the final year of his existing contract. Technically, the first year of the extension could be worth about $25 million -- a max salary -- but that's not the number Nance will reach. Inking Nance to an extension isn't a pressing matter -- the Cavs will want to see what happens with LeBron James and what other roster reshaping moves develop before they turn their attention to him, sources said. If they never reach an agreement, the Cavs would still have Nance's rights and could make him a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019. Rodney Hood, another player the Cavs acquired in their mid-season overhaul, has a less certain future with the team. He is a restricted free agent this summer and had solid raw stats (10.8 ppg, 35.2 3-point pct.) with the Cavs in 2017-18. But his performance swooned in the playoffs (5.4 ppg, 16.7 3-point pct.) which may have cost him some leverage at the negotiating table, Vardon writes: Most NBA insiders say Hood cost himself lots of money with his postseason struggles, limiting the contract offers he might get this summer ... The Cavs could still sign him to a long-term contract in July without first making a qualifying offer. Team sources say they like Hood and his future on the team, but no one's tipped a hand as to what's next for him.
Senegal beats South Korea 2-0, ends 4-match winless streak
Senegal scored two second-half goals to beat fellow World Cup contender South Korea 2-0 and end a four-match winless streak on Monday in its final warmup. South Korea defender Kim Young-gwon deflected an effort by Alfred N'Diaye into his own goal in the 67th minute, and striker Moussa Konate added the second from the penalty spot in injury time to give Senegal its first win since beating South Africa in November. Senegal opens its World Cup campaign against Poland next week Tuesday before taking on Japan and Colombia in Group H. South Korea, which has scored only once in its last three warmups, will play Sweden, Mexico and Germany in Group F.
76ers officially announce Brett Brown extension
The Philadelphia 76ers and Head Coach Brett Brown have agreed to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo announced today. Brown, who has served as the team’s head coach since 2013, will be under contract with the 76ers through the 2021-22 season. “Brett has done a terrific job over the past several years building and cultivating a program, but the substantially positive growth in the win column these past two seasons has proven he is the right man to continue leading this team in our quest for an NBA championship,” Colangelo said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled for Brett, his family and the organization to be moving forward for several years to come.” Under Brown’s leadership, Philadelphia has increased its win total by 42 games since the start of the 2015-16 season, a run that tied Boston (2006-08) for the largest turnaround within a three-year span in NBA history. “Brett has done a remarkable job in helping build a family-like culture centered around player development, work ethic and a commitment to long-term winning. We made incredible strides this past season with 52 wins and a playoff run,” said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Philadelphia 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris. “With a dynamic young core and opportunities to further strengthen our team, the 76ers are well-positioned for the future and we’re thrilled to reach this agreement with Brett to continue as our head coach.” “Brett’s commitment to player development and culture-building is exceptional. With this contract extension, we look forward to the 76ers’ continued growth under his leadership. He has helped develop some of the NBA’s brightest young stars, and we’re excited for what awaits as we continue to add to this talented roster,” said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Philadelphia 76ers Managing Partner David Blitzer. The 76ers finished the 2017-18 season with a record of 52-30, good for third place in the Eastern Conference. The third-place finish was their best since finishing first in 2000-01 and marked the team’s first postseason appearance since 2012. Brown led the team to a 4-1 series win over the sixth-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs. The series victory marked the first time Philadelphia won a best-of-seven playoff series in five-or-fewer games since sweeping Milwaukee in 1985. The 76ers also set a new franchise playoff record, converting on 18 three-pointers in Games 1 and 3 against Miami; the previous team best was 11, which had been accomplished twice. Brown, the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for March/April, guided the 76ers to 16 straight wins to end the season, which set an NBA record for the longest winning streak by a team heading in the playoffs. The 16-game winning streak is a single-season team record. “I am especially grateful to my coaching staff and my players,” said Brown. “It takes a village. I feel a tremendous responsibility to owners Josh Harris and David B
Silver says NBA encouraging 76ers to resolve Twitter probe
Adam Silver has encouraged the Philadelphia 76ers to both quickly and thoroughly resolve the investigation into whether team president Bryan Colangelo used Twitter inappropriately, a story that the NBA commissioner acknowledged was not one he wants to be thinking about during the league’s title series. Silver, speaking Thursday (Friday, PHL time) before Game 1 of the Cleveland-Golden State matchup at the NBA Finals news conference, said he has talked with 76ers officials after the story about five Twitter accounts and how they were used was broken by The Ringer earlier this week. “Here we are, Game 1 of the finals, it’s not necessarily something that we want to be talking about,” Silver said. “But it’s the reality of this league. And so I have no information beyond that, other than that investigation is underway.” The 76ers retained an independent law firm to determine whether Colangelo used the Twitter accounts. The situation could overshadow Philadelphia’s efforts this summer to land any of the top players who will be free agents — a list that includes LeBron James, who’s appearing in the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year. Among the targets of harsh or critical comments on those Twitter accounts: Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, former 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. Embiid has said he does not believe that Colangelo wrote the tweets, dismissing the story as “insane.” Colangelo has acknowledged using one of the accounts to monitor NBA happenings. “Let’s find out what’s going on,” Silver said. “We have to separate the chatter and sort of what either fans or frankly the media are saying from the facts. The first thing we have to do here is determine what the actual facts are in this circumstance.” Silver touched on many other topics in his annual address, including: SPORTS BETTING There will be wagering on Game 3 of the NBA Finals, at least in Delaware casinos. That state’s officials have announced that full-scale sports betting will begin there at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time), one day before the series between Golden State and Cleveland shifts to the Cavaliers’ home floor. Delaware is the first state to take advantage of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that now permits states to allow sports wagering. Delaware has been permitted to offer parlay wagers on NFL games since 2009, and has had sports betting legislation on its books for nearly a decade. Other states are trying to follow suit quickly. The NBA has told states it is seeking a 1 percent cut of betting, which it is calling an “integrity fee” to help offset the costs of enforcement incurred by the league office and also to serve as a royalty. “The real issue as we move to new jurisdictions that are legalizing sports betting is access to information,” Silver said. “That’s one of the things we have sought in model legislation ... and so what
Kyrie Irving wasn't on Celtics bench in Game 7 after undergoing nasal surgery, says Danny Ainge
Kyrie Irving was not on the Celtics bench for Game 7 because of minor nasal surgery, Boston general manager Danny Ainge said Tuesday , according to multiple reports. Ainge told that reporters Irving underwent a procedure to repair a deviated septum. “I don’t think he wanted to be seen in public and ruin his movie career,” Ainge joked (per The Athletic) The 26-year-old was an All-Star during his first season with Boston, averaging 24.4 points and 5.1 assists in 60 games. But Irving last appeared in a game March 11. He underwent knee surgery two weeks later and needed a second procedure in early April, which caused him to miss the entire postseason. LeBron James scored 35 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out nine assists to lead Cleveland to an 87-79 win over the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. Irving played for the Cavaliers from 2011-17. He requested a trade and was dealt to Boston in the offseason.
LeBron James in Game 7s is a scary, scary sight
It’s LeBron James. It’s Game 7. It doesn't get much better than that. James forced yet another Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics. Boston has been dominant at home throughout the 2018 playoffs, but Brad Stevens' squad faces a huge challenge on Sunday night with James coming to TD Garden. James is 5-2 in Game 7 of the NBA playoffs, and the last effort was a 45-point performance against the Pacers on April 29, 2018. James also led an epic 93-89 win against the Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. He hasn't lost a Game 7 since May 12, 2008 against the Celtics. He's really good in this situation. How good? In Game 7 situations, James averages 34.9 points per game and shoots 48.4 percent from the floor. He averages 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists, which means he gets aggressive.
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