April 2024 Basketball Wiretap

NBA's Exclusive Negotiating Window With ESPN, TNT Likely To End Monday Without New Deal

Apr 18, 2024 9:48 PM

The NBA's exclusive negotiating window with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery expires on Monday and sources tell CNBC that it will likely pass without a deal.

Both Disney and WBD are in active talks with the NBA to keep games on ESPN and TNT.

The NBA would like to bring in at least one new partner to serve as a flagship streamer.

Beginning on Monday, the NBA can open negotiations with Amazon, Apple, YouTubeTV, Peacock and Netflix, who have all had preliminary conversations about potential interest.

“We continue to have productive discussions with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery on a renewal of our media deals,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC.

TNT has shown NBA games since 1988, while ESPN's deal with the league began in 2002.

The NBA is looking to double the $24 billion it generated from its previous media rights deal with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery by adding new partners and charging more for rights.

Last year’s NBA playoffs was the most watched in 11 years across TNT, ABC, ESPN and NBA TV, according to Nielsen. 

Alex Sherman/CNBC

Tags: NBA, NBA CBA

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RealGM Radio: Seth Partnow On The Playoffs (Apr 2024)

Apr 19, 2024 2:28 AM

Host Danny Leroux and Seth Partnow of The Athletic preview the NBA playoffs.

They break down which series they are most excited for, which are the toughest to call, key match-ups and much more.

Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed

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Tags: Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Philadelphia Sixers, Phoenix Suns, NBA, RealGM Radio

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Jimmy Butler Likely Out Multiple Weeks With MCL Injury

Apr 18, 2024 9:40 AM

Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler is expected to miss a few weeks due to a sprained MCL. Butler was injured during the Heat's Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Butler was able to complete the game, but was visibly hampered. He limped off at the end of the game and was spotted with a visible limp as he left the arena.

The Heat will host the Chicago Bulls in the final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament game on Friday. The winner advances to play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, beginning on Sunday afternoon.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Injury

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Kawhi Leonard Dealing With Inflammation In Knee, Questionable For Game 1

Apr 18, 2024 9:39 PM

Kawhi Leonard continues to have inflammation in his surgically repaired knee and is questionable for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.

Lawrence Frank said Leonard has yet to go through contact before Thursday's practice. Frank said Leonard's right knee, which has undergone surgeries to repair a torn ACL and meniscus, is structurally "solid and intact" but that he is experiencing "some very, very stubborn inflammation."

"He's doing everything," Frank said of Leonard treating his knee. "Our medical staff is doing everything to get the inflammation down so he can play. Progress has been made, but more progress needs -- the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements."

Leonard underwent surgery on his torn ACL in July 2021 and a cleanup procedure to repair a torn meniscus in June 2023.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Reed Sheppard Leaves Kentucky For 2024 NBA Draft

Apr 18, 2024 4:13 PM

Reed Sheppard has announced he will leave Kentucky to enter the 2024 NBA draft. Sheppard is expected to be a lottery pick.

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28.9 minutes in his freshman season at Kentucky. 

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Tags: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

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Stephon Castle Declares For NBA Draft

Apr 19, 2024 10:03 AM

UConn guard Stephon Castle has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. Castle spent one season at UConn and helped the Huskies to the 2024 National Championship.

The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in his lone collegiate season. Castle is regarded as a strong defender, who can cover both guard positions, as well as smaller wings.

Castle is widely expected to be a lottery pick. Mock drafts generally have him being selected somewhere from the fifth to eighth pick in the first round.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Stephon Castle, UConn Huskies, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft Declarations, NCAA Misc Rumor

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Warriors Expected To Evaluate Trade Options On Andrew Wiggins

Apr 18, 2024 3:36 PM

The Golden State Warriors are expected to evaluate their trade options on Andrew Wiggins this offseason, sources tell Logan Murdock of The Ringer. 

The Warriors signed Wiggins to a four-year, $109 million extension in 2022, but he hasn't regained the form that arguably made him their second most important player when they won the title that year.

Wiggins missed time tending to a personal matter in each of the past two seasons. 

Wiggins has also been made somewhat redundant due to the emergence of Jonathan Kuminga. 

Logan Murdock/The Ringer

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Receive Signature Shoe As Part Of Extension With Converse

Apr 18, 2024 11:03 AM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed on a new lucrative, multiyear contract extension with Converse. Gilgeous-Alexander will also be Creative Director of Converse Basketball with a signature shoe releasing in 2025.

Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to be a top-3 finisher in MVP voting this season after guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Gilgeous-Alexander first signed with Converse in 2020.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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2024 NBA Play-In Snapshots (April 17): Sixers/Heat, Bulls/Hawks

Apr 18, 2024 7:49 AM

What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Play-In on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

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Tags: NBA, NBA Playoffs, Infographic

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Alex Caruso Is Game-Time Decision For Friday Versus Heat

Apr 18, 2024 11:13 PM

Alex Caruso has been upgraded to a game-time decision to play against the Miami Heat on Friday.

Caruso suffered a left ankle sprain on Wednesday against the Hawks.

With swelling reducing around the ankle, there is optimism that Caruso could play against the Heat.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury

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NBA Stars Played In 85 Percent Of Games, Compared To 75 Percent In Previous Three Seasons

Tom Haberstroh/Yahoo Sports

Heat-Sixers Play-In Tournament Game Averages 3.4M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Alex Karaban Declares For Draft, Will Remain College Eligible

ESPN

LAL/DEN, ORL/CLE, PHX/MIN, DAL/LAC Outlooks; Jontay Porter Banned

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Warriors-Kings Play-In Tournament Game Averages 4.05M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Damian Lillard Returns To Practice On Wednesday

ESPN

Ty Lue Unsure Of Kawhi Leonard Availability For Game 1

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Alex Caruso Has 'Significant' Left Ankle Sprain, Doubtful For Friday

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Could Be Out Indefinitely With MCL Injury

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Caitlin Clark To Sign Eight-Figure Nike Deal With Signature Shoe

Shams Charania, Mike Vorkunov/The Athletic

Mavericks Could Pursue Klay Thompson In Free Agency

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Olivier Sarr Suffers Left Achilles Tendon Rupture

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Zion Williamson Out At Least Two Weeks With Left Hamstring Strain

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Jontay Porter Receives Lifetime Ban From NBA

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Steve Kerr: Warriors Need Klay Thompson Back

Kendra Andrews/ESPN

Chris Paul Will Not Retire In Offseason

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Ron Holland Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

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Warriors Plan To Maximize Remaining Years Of Stephen Curry's Career

Zach Lowe/ESPN

NBA Considering Making NBA Cup Advancement Primary Postseason Tiebreaker

Shams Charania/The Athletic

2024 NBA Play-In Snapshots (April 16): Lakers/Pelicans, Kings/Warriors

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