NBA 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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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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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. 

RealGM Staff Report

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

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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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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.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: NBA, NBA Playoffs, Infographic

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

Apr 18, 2024 11:51 AM

NBA stars, as defined by the Player Participation Policy, played in 85 percent games, which was up 10 percentage points compared to the previous three 82-game seasons.

This includes players like Ja Morant, Ben Simmons and LaMelo Ball, who missed the vast majority of their seasons.

On average, stars played in 65 games this season compared to 60 last season.

Zion Williamson set a new personal record for games played with 70. Kawhi Leonard played in 68 after coming off a meniscus injury.

But as the playoffs begin, Giannis Antetokounmpo's status is uncertain after suffering a non-contact calf injury.  Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid have also returned from injury. Williamson is out with a hamstring injury and Jimmy Butler is out with an MCL injury.

Tom Haberstroh/Yahoo Sports

Tags: NBA

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

Apr 18, 2024 9:50 AM

Is there a reason to think this year’s Denver/Lakers series will go better for LA than last year’s?

What strengths and weaknesses do the playoff newcomers from Orlando bring to challenge the Cavs?

The Suns are favored in this series, should they be? What specific matchup problems do they cause for the Wolves?

Luka vs Kawhi is perhaps the best matchup of the first round.

Plus, the news that Jontay Porter is banned from the NBA and Zion Williamson will be out weeks with his hamstring issue.

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Tags: NBA

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Damian Lillard Returns To Practice On Wednesday

Apr 18, 2024 1:22 AM

Damian Lillard returned to practice on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's practice with a sore left adductor.

Lillard missed last Friday's regular season game with the injury.

Doc Rivers said he expected Lillard to continue to practice on Friday.

"I'm assuming. I would be surprised [if he doesn't practice]. I'll put it that way," said Rivers.

The Bucks will already be without Giannis Antetokounmpo at the start of their series against the Pacers.

ESPN

Tags: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

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

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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

Alex Caruso Is Game-Time Decision For Friday Versus Heat

Adrian Wojnarowski/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

Mavericks Could Pursue Klay Thompson In Free Agency

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Olivier Sarr Suffers Left Achilles Tendon Rupture

RealGM Staff Report

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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NBA Regular Season Games Average 1.09M Viewers, Up 1% From Last Season

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Zion Williamson Believed To Have Suffered Left Hamstring Injury

Shams Charania/The Athletic