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.

JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell have emerged as the initial leading candidates for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching search, sources tell Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic. 

The Lakers are looking for a coach that is equipped to both guide the end of LeBron James' career while also remaining in place with Anthony Davis.

“This should be more of a hire about AD than LeBron,” said one source.

The Lakers want a coach who can command the locker room as well as gameplan and provide a level of organization and structure.

Mike Krzyzewski has become an unofficial resource for the Lakers during this search. 

Other candidates includeKenny Atkinson, David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn.

Rudy Gobert has been fined $75,000 for making an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture that questions the integrity of the league and its game officials, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.  The fine takes into account Gobert’s history of improper conduct toward game officials.

Gobert’s actions took place during the Timberwolves’ 115-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their conference semifinals playoff series on May 12 at Target Center.

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. 

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.

Veteran guard Mike James was named EuroLeague MVP for the first time in his 10-year EuroLeague career. James averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 39 EuroLeague games.

The AS Monaco star led his team to a third-place finish in the EuroLeague season. AS Monaco bowed out in the playoffs in five games against Fenerbahce.

James is the second American-born player to win the award. Anthony Parker was named EuroLeague MVP in both 2005 and 2006. James spent two seasons in the NBA, playing for the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets.

Mike Krzyzewski has been an unofficial resource for the Los Angeles Lakers during their head coaching search, sources tell The Athletic.

Krzyzewski nearly joined the Lakers as head coach in 2004 on a five-year, $40 million contract.

J.J. Redick, who played at Duke under Krzyzewski, is one of the candidates being considered by the Lakers.

Mike Conley missed Game 5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' second round series against the Denver Nuggets with right Achilles soreness.

Conley was questionable for the game earlier in the day.

The Wolves and Nuggets enter the game with the series tied at 2-2.

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.

The WNBA Golden State team will be known as the Golden State Valkyries, the team revealed on Tuesday.

"Originating from Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike. This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce," announced the team in a press release.

The Valkyries will compete starting in the 2025 season.

The team has surpassed over 7,500 season tickets for its inaugural season.