Basketball Wiretap

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.

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. 

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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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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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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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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Mike James Named EuroLeague MVP

May 15, 2024 8:50 AM

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.

BasketNews

Tags: Mike James, AS Monaco Basket, International, International Award, International Teams

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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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WNBA Golden State Unveils Valkyries Brand

May 15, 2024 2:01 AM

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. 

Golden State Valkyries

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Doug Gottlieb Hired As Head Coach Of Green Bay

May 15, 2024 1:55 AM

Green Bay hired Doug Gottlieb as their new head coach on Tuesday.

"It is an honor beyond measure to be named the 10th men's basketball coach in UWGB history. Every kid has a dream growing up -- some want to be a firefighter, others want to be president. I have always wanted to be a head basketball coach at the Division I level," said Gottlieb in a statement.

Gottlieb, a media personality for ESPN, CBS, and Fox Sports, has never had a college coaching job before.

Gottlieb will reportedly continue hosting his Fox Sports show while coaching Green Bay.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: NCAA

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

May 14, 2024 11:53 AM

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.

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha/The Athletic

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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

May 14, 2024 12:07 PM

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.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Fines

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Mike Krzyzewski Advising Lakers On Head Coaching Search

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha/The Athletic

Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert Questionable For Game 5

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Mike Conley Misses Game 5 With Right Achilles Soreness

Shams Charania/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

Victor Wembanayma 'Intrigued' By Idea Of Playing With Trae Young

Tim MacMahon/ESPN