May 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Rival GM: Victor Wembanayma Will 'Win Everything All The Time' Once Spurs Build Out Roster

May 15, 2024 2:22 PM

The rookie season of Victor Wembanyama and his potential for greatness has rival teams believing the San Antonio Spurs are capable of building a dynasty around him in the near future.

"The Spurs are coming because of Victor," said Adrian Wojnarowski on Pardon My Take. "I had a GM, slash, president of one of the teams who is very much in the mix for a championship right now who said to me a couple weeks ago, 'We better all get our winning out of the way fast. We better get our winning done fast. Because once that kid has anybody around him, he's going to win everything all the time."

It is unclear how the Spurs will build around Wembanyama and their timeline for doing so.

"They want to improve the point guard position," said Wojnarowski. "They can go out in the trade market and get a solid veteran point guard who can kind of bridge them for a couple of years. They have so many picks. Maybe they find a point guard in this draft. [Rob] Dillingham from Kentucky or Reed Sheppard.

"Next year's draft is loaded. They could have as many as four lottery picks. I don't think they're going all-in on some veteran who makes $40 million or $50 million... They have to put pieces around him. He's going to dominate this league in ways, I think on both ends of the floor, unlike we've seen."

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Tom Thibodeau, Knicks To Discuss Contract Extension In Offseason

May 15, 2024 1:30 PM

The New York Knicks are interested in signing Tom Thibodeau to a contract extension this offseason.

"He is going to be entering the final year of his contract next season," said Shams Charania. "You're not going to let a coach like Tom Thibodeau go into a lame duck year. That's why, I'm told, both sides will discuss a new deal in the offseason. The Knicks very much want to lock in Tom Thibodeau long-term.

"If he were to ever become a coaching free agent, there's not a short list of teams that would try to go get Tom Thibodeau. He's at about $7 million per season right now on his current deal. We see where these coaches contracts are going. It wouldn't surprise anyone if his next deal approaches eight-figures."

The Knicks hired Thibodeau as head coach in 2020.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bronny James Focused On 'Getting To League', Not Playing With Father

May 15, 2024 12:02 PM

Bronny James is more focused about establishing his NBA career than playing with his father LeBron James.

"I would be happy about getting to the league instead of me thinking about playing with my dad," Bronny James said. "That's not my mindset or not at all. I'm just trying to put in the work and see where it takes me from there."

Bronny James didn't grant interviews during his season at USC.

"Bronny was just a nickname that I was just given when I was younger," James said. "But everything that follows my dad, people just try to link me with that and all the greatness that he's achieved. I haven't done anything yet, so I feel like there needs to be that divide between Bronny and LeBron.

"Everyone's heard this before. I just want to have people know my name is Bronny James and not being identified as just LeBron James' son. I feel like that would great."

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Bronny James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Nets To Retire Vince Carter's No. 15

May 15, 2024 11:58 AM

The Brooklyn Nets announced they will retire the No. 15 jersey of Vince Carter.

Carter will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame this summer.

Carter played 4 1/2 seasons with the Nets while they were in New Jersey, averaging 23.6 points. 

Carter will become the seventh Nets player with a retired jersey. Along with Kidd, the others are Julius Erving, Buck Williams, Drazen Petrovic, "Super" John Williamson and Bill Melchionni.

ESPN

Tags: Vince Carter, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Donovan Mitchell Situation Being Closely Watched, Multiple Teams Preparing 'Huge Offer' To Cavs

May 15, 2024 11:40 AM

Donovan Mitchell faces a big decision this offseason when the Cleveland Cavaliers offer him a contract extension. If Mitchell chooses not to extend, a trade becomes possible and there are already several teams closely monitoring the situation due to their interest in acquiring him.

"The NBA, especially beginning with what Donovan says at the end of the season, is paying very close attention because multiple teams would love to make a huge offer to the Cavs if Donovan does not choose to extend his contract," said Brian Windhorst.

Mitchell has been non-committal on his future with the Cavaliers when asked about it during the season. Windhorst added that he doesn't expect Mitchell to explicitly indicate he would prefer to be traded.

The Cavaliers traded for Mitchell before the 21-22 season with the Utah Jazz also receiving interest at that time from teams such as the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Mitchell can become a free agent in 2024.

"There is an optimism within that organization that they're going to sign him," said Windhorst of the Cavaliers. 

"There are a number of teams that have their offers ready," said Windhorst.

"Are the Lakers one?" asked Andraya Carter.

"They're ready, of course," said Windhorst.

"The Knicks?" asked Mike Greenberg.

"I don't think... the Knicks are trying win the Eastern Conference," replied Windhorst. "Certainly across the river there in Brooklyn."

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Donovan Mitchell Expected To Miss Game 5 With Hamstring Strain

May 15, 2024 11:36 AM

Donovan Mitchell is expected to be out of the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup for Game 5 with a hamstring strain.

Mitchell also missed the Cavaliers' Game 4 loss at home against the Boston Celtics with the injury.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Derrick Jones Wants To Return To Mavericks Next Season

May 15, 2024 9:40 AM

Derrick Jones Jr. signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a veteran minimum contract. He's outplayed that deal to become a key starter for Dallas during their playoff run.

Now, Jones hopes to return to the Mavericks as a free agent, but understands the team is limited in what they can offer him.

“He loves his teammates, he loves Jason Kidd, he really likes the front office, (Mavericks president) Nico (Harrison) and Matt Riccardi,” Jones agent Aaron Turner said. “He wants to be back.”

Jones started in 66 of the 76 games he played this season. He averaged a career-high 8.6 points per game on 48% shooting, including a career-best 34% on three-pointers. In 10 playoff games, Jones has upped his scoring a bit to 8.9 points, while also adding 1.5 blocks per game.

Tim Cato/The Athletic

Tags: Derrick Jones, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Lonzo Ball Says He's 'About 70%, Good Enough To Play'

May 15, 2024 9:18 AM

Chicago Bulls guard launched a new podcast called "What an Experience. On the debut episode, Ball gave and update on how his recovery is going after his latest knee surgery.

"It's coming along, man. Week by week," Ball said. "It's improving, so that's all I can ask for. Still not where I want it to be. Out of 100 (percent), I'd say I'm about 70 (percent). Good enough to play, but it could still get better. I still got a long summer ahead of me. But definitely looking forward to the future."

Ball recently exercised his $21.4 million player option for next season. He hasn't appeared in a game since January 14, 2022. Ball has missed the last two-and-a-half seasons following multiple surgeries on his right knee.

Ryan Taylor/NBC Sports Chicago

Tags: Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury

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Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert Questionable For Game 5

May 15, 2024 2:15 AM

Caris LeVert and Donovan Mitchell are questionable for Game 5 against the Boston Celtics.

LeVert was diagnosed with a bone bruise, with Mitchell suffering from a calf strain. 

Jarrett Allen is also questionable with a rib injury.

The Cavs are down 3-1 in the series. 

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Tags: Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 4 Averages 5.61M Viewers On TNT

May 15, 2024 2:08 AM

Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged a 2.8 rating with 5.61 million viewers on TNT.

The number is up 19% in viewership from last year, making it the most-watched series in the second round.

Game 3 of the series averaged 5.21 million viewers.

Game 4 of the Pacers-Knicks series averaged 5.03 million viewers on ABC, down 1% in viewership from last year.

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Tags: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Playoffs

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Mike Conley Misses Game 5 With Right Achilles Soreness

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Mike Krzyzewski Advising Lakers On Head Coaching Search

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha/The Athletic

Rudy Gobert Fined $75,000 For Money Gesture At Referees

RealGM Staff Report

JJ Redick, James Borrego, Sam Cassell Emerge As Top Initial Candidates For Lakers

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha/The Athletic

Lottery Prospect Nikola Topic Suffers Sprained Knee

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Nuggets-Timberwolves Game 3 Averages 5.21M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Lakers Reportedly Looking For 'Grinder' As Next Head Coach

Adrian Wojnarowski & Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Mitchell Robinson Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Will Be Re-Evaluated In 6-8 Weeks

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Donovan Mitchell Out For Game 4 With Calf Strain

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

OG Anunoby Out For Game 5 With Hamstring Strain

RealGM Staff Report

Rockets Offered Nets Their Own Picks Back In Exchange For Suns' Picks

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (May 12): Pacers/Knicks, Nuggets/Wolves

RealGM Staff Report

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (May 11): Mavericks/Thunder, Celtics/Cavaliers

RealGM Staff Report

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (May 10): Pacers/Knicks, Nuggets/Wolves

RealGM Staff Report

Lakers Won't Make Bronny James Top Priority At Draft

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Grizzlies To Explore Trade Market For No. 9 Pick

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Anthony Edwards On Jamal Murray: Keep Talking Like That

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Hornets Hire Josh Longstaff As Assistant Coach

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Dennis Lindsey, Trajan Langdon, Marc Eversley Emerge As Candidates For Pistons' Job

James L. Edwards III, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tim Connelly Likely To Remain With Wolves Unless Pistons Offer Significantly Larger Contract

James L. Edwards III, Shams Charania of The Athletic