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Nuggets Parting Ways With Several Assistant Coaches

May 30th, 2025 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

The Nuggets will not renew the contracts for several assistants on their coaching staff, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is parting ways with the following coaches:

Ryan Saunders, a Nuggets assistant since 2022 who previously worked for the Wizards and Timberwolves, including a stint as the head coach in Minnesota.
Popeye Jones, a former NBA forward who has spent the past four seasons as a Nuggets assistant and nearly two decades on NBA coaching staffs.
Charles Klask, who worked for the Pistons and Nets before being hired as a Nuggets assistant in 2018.
Stephen Graham, a former NBA wing who has been a player development coach in Denver since 2016.

An overhaul of the Nuggets’ coaching staff had been expected after longtime coach Michael Malone was let go in April with less than a week left in the regular season.

Lead assistant David Adelman, who replaced Malone, led the Nuggets to a first-round series win over the Clippers and pushed the 68-win Thunder to a Game 7 in round two before Denver was eliminated.

Adelman’s audition for the job earned him the permanent position, and Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke confirmed last week that he would be “absolutely” be given the opportunity to fill out his own staff. Reports at that time noted that most of Denver’s assistants were on expiring contracts.

NBA Announces 50 Withdrawals From 2025 Draft Pool

May 30th, 2025 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

A total of 50 players have notified the NBA that they wish to be removed from the list of early entrants eligible for the 2025 NBA draft, the league announced today (via Twitter).

The NCAA’s early entry withdrawal deadline passed on Wednesday night at 10:59 pm CT, meaning that players wishing to retain their college eligibility had to remove their names from the draft pool by that point. The NBA’s own withdrawal deadline is 4:00 pm CT on June 15, so more players will be taking their names out of consideration in the coming weeks.

The players who pull out of the draft between now and that June 15 deadline will primarily be international prospects and domestic players who didn’t compete in college.

Players from NCAA programs can still withdraw between now and June 15, but they wouldn’t be eligible to return to college, so they’d likely only take that route if they planned to play professionally in a non-NBA league in 2025/26.

Currently, by our count, 59 early entrants remain in the draft pool after 106 initially declared. You can check out our updated early entrant list right here.

While most of the 50 withdrawal decisions confirmed today by the NBA were reported or announced leading up to Wednesday’s NCAA deadline, we’d been waiting for formal confirmation on a small handful of college players, whose names we have now moved to the withdrawals section of our early entrants tracker. Those players are as follows:

Chad Baker-Mazara, G/F, Auburn (senior)
Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona (junior)
Money Williams, G, Montana (sophomore)

The following non-college players have also withdrawn from the draft, per the NBA:

Thierry Darlan, G, Delaware Blue Coats (born 2004)
Paul Mbiya, F/C, ASVEL — France (born 2005)
- Note: Mbiya is joining N.C. State.

Finally, in case you’re wondering why we still have 59 early entrants in the draft pool when 106 declared and 50 have withdrawn, here’s what’s going on there: Three of the names on today’s list of withdrawals weren’t on the NBA’s initial list of early entrants. So it sounds like at least 109 prospects actually declared as early entrants, rather than just the 106 originally announced by the league.

Here are the three players who weren’t on the NBA’s initial list of early entrants and have now opted to return to school after testing the draft waters:

Ven-Allen Lubin, F, North Carolina (junior)
- Note: Lubin is the transfer portal.
Malik Thomas, G, San Francisco (senior)
- Note: Thomas is transferring to Virginia.
Lamar Wilkerson, G, Sam Houston State (junior)
- Note: Wilkerson is transferring to Indiana.

How Salary Bumps For Cunningham, Mobley Affect Pistons’, Cavs’ Cap Situations

May 30th, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Luke Adams

A year ago, four players signed maximum-salary rookie scale extensions that included Rose Rule language, putting each player in position to earn a starting salary worth 30% of the 2025/26 salary cap – rather than 25% – on his new deal if he met certain performance criteria.

Magic forward Franz Wagner and Raptors forward Scottie Barnes weren’t able to cash in and earn that extra 5%, but Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley did so when he won this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award, and Pistons guard Cade Cunningham followed suit by claiming a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.

As our maximum-salary projections show, Mobley and Cunningham are now in line to earn $269,085,780 over the next five seasons instead of the $224,238,150 they would have made if they hadn’t received those end-of-season awards. Those figures, which are based on a projected cap increase of 10%, include a $46,394,100 starting salary for 2025/26, up from $38,661,750.

While it’s great news for the Pistons and the Cavaliers that Cunningham and Mobley played well enough this season to warrant All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year recognition, that extra $7.7MM+ in salary that each team will have to account for could affect how Detroit and Cleveland operate this summer.

Let’s take a look at the Pistons first. If Cunningham had earned his standard 25% of the cap, Detroit could theoretically have created about $24.6MM in cap room by renouncing all their free agents. Depending on Malik Beasley‘s asking price following a season than nearly earned him Sixth Man of the Year honors, that cap room might’ve come in handy, since they only hold Beasley’s Non-Bird rights.

Operating under the cap in that scenario would’ve given the Pistons the ability to offer Beasley more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception while likely leaving some room left over, along with the $8.8MM room exception.

But with Cunningham’s extra $7.7MM+ on the books, the Pistons’ maximum projected cap room in that scenario dips to just $16.9MM. Renouncing their other free agents to offer Beasley that full $16.9MM would still be an option, but it would leave Detroit with no remaining cap room, rendering the team unlikely to be able to re-sign both Dennis Schröder and Tim Hardaway Jr. (or one of the two, and a replacement for the other) using the room exception.

With Cunningham set to make over $46MM, the Pistons’ most likely path now is probably operating over the cap, which would allow them to retain Schröder’s Early Bird rights, Hardaway’s Bird rights, and the bi-annual exception while using the mid-level exception to try to re-sign Beasley. As long as Beasley is willing to accept a deal in that range, taking that route should work out fine for the Pistons.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, were projected to operate well into tax apron territory regardless of where Mobley’s new deal came in, but his $7.7MM+ raise will push them far beyond the second apron, significantly increasing their tax bill and making it more challenging to re-sign key free agents like Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill.

Let’s assume Cleveland simply retains its players currently under contract without re-signing any free agents and fills out its roster using its two second-round picks and minimum-salary free agent deals. The increase in the team’s projected tax bill as a result of Mobley’s raise, based on my math, is nearly $46MM. That number would increase further if the team brings back Jerome and/or Merrill.

Again, as long as Cunningham and Mobley continue to play at an All-NBA level, the Pistons and Cavaliers will be happy to pay them the mega-deals they earned with their performances in 2024/25. But those raises will make life a little more complicated for the cap strategists in the two teams’ front offices.

Central Notes: Cavs, Omoruyi, Pistons, Holland, Bucks

May 30th, 2025 at 7:52am CST by Luke Adams

While it would be a no-brainer for the Cavaliers to re-sign Ty Jerome if their cap situation allowed for it, he may be a luxury the team can’t afford, according to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link). Previewing Cleveland’s major offseason decisions, Gozlan notes that the club likely didn’t expect Jerome to break out to the extent he did in 2024/25 and probably can’t realistically pay him mid-level money while also carrying two other guards on maximum-salary contracts.

Elsewhere in his preview, Gozlan outlines why re-signing free agent sharpshooter Sam Merrill will also be difficult and suggests that Isaac Okoro looks like the Cavaliers’ most expendable player earning an eight-figure salary if the front office wants to shed some salary.

Here’s more from around the Central Division;

The Cavaliers brought in Alabama big man Clifford Omoruyi for a pre-draft workout earlier this week, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). Omoruyi, who ranks 80th on ESPN’s big board of 2025 draft prospects, could be a target for the Cavs at No. 49, at No. 58, or as an undrafted free agent.
With Boston believed to be looking to shed salary this offseason, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required) explores whether the Pistons might make a good trade partner for the Celtics. Sankofa’s proposals include a hypothetical deal for Derrick White, one for Jrue Holiday, and one that would swap the No. 37 overall pick for Sam Hauser.
Pistons forward Ron Holland didn’t make an All-Rookie team in 2024/25, but few first-year players had more significant roles on playoff teams, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com, who looks back on Holland’s rookie year and considers what’s next for the No. 5 overall pick. As Langlois details, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff likes the defensive impact Holland and Ausar Thompson can make when they play together, but Holland may need to improve his three-point shot for that combination to work offensively.
In his latest mailbag, Eric Nehm of The Athletic fields a series of Bucks-related questions on the team’s potential “gap year,” the disabled player exception that might be available due to Damian Lillard‘s Achilles injury, and Brook Lopez‘s upcoming free agency, among other topics.

Knicks Notes: Robinson, Payne, Game 5, Defense

May 29th, 2025 at 11:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson helped New York extend its postseason with a 111-94 Game 5 victory over Indiana on Thursday night, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post.

Robinson has been starting in the stead of guard Josh Hart since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. That said, Hart is still playing starter’s minutes, even as the team’s new sixth man, averaging 12 minutes per game more than Robinson.

“It’s just matchups and what’s going on in the game,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said of his decision to keep Robinson in the starting five. “Sometimes it’s impacted by foul trouble as well.”

Robinson logged six points, six boards, two blocks and a steal in 20 minutes of action. Beyond the statistics, Robinson’s defense against Indiana helped the Knicks build out a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter.

The 26-year-old will be on an expiring $13MM deal next season. His health has been an ongoing question mark throughout his pro career, but his defensive upside could put him in line for a raise on an extension and/or make him an intriguing asset for rival teams.

There’s more out of New York:

Knicks reserve guard Cameron Payne has fallen out of New York’s rotation even as Thibodeau has built out his bench rotation to include veterans Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, notes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post (subscriber link). Payne had suited up for all of New York’s first 14 playoff bouts, averaging 7.2 MPG. He has now been a healthy scratch in each of the Knicks’ last three games. Payne, on an expiring veteran’s minimum contract, may be playing himself out of a future in New York.
On the brink of elimination, the Knicks now live to fight another day after shellacking Indiana in Game 5. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link) supplies his report card, awarding All-Star guard Jalen Brunson an A for his 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field. “I’m just very proud of what we did,” Brunson said, per SNY.tv (Twitter link). “Now, we’ve just got to replicate it in the first quarter of next game and then continue to build on that.”
The Knicks’ aggressive defense proved critical in stopping the best efforts of the Pacers’ best player, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, notes Schwartz in another piece. Haliburton notched a turnover-free 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double in Game 4. All-Defensive swingman Mikal Bridges served as Haliburton’s primary defender in Game 5. Haliburton didn’t connect from the floor until the third quarter. The two-time All-Star shot just 2-of-8 from the floor to finish with eight points. Robinson’s versatile defense proved crucial against the Pacers all over the floor. Shamet and Wright chipped in defensively, too.

Timberwolves Notes: Offseason, Game 5, Conley, Edwards, Free Agents

May 29th, 2025 at 10:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Fresh off reaching their second consecutive Western Conference Finals, the now-eliminated Timberwolves have some interesting questions to answer this summer. Mark Deeks of HoopsHype and Bobby Marks of ESPN explore several of those questions in their respective offseason previews for the team.

Deeks notes that, provided big men Julius Randle and Naz Reid both pick up their player options, the Timberwolves will have seven players drawing eight-figure salaries. Deeks believes that all of the current players under contract are earning solid deals relative to their on-court value. That said, he posits that a trade is likely if Randle picks up his option.

While Deeks notes that Reid could be signed to a contract extension following the draft, he seems likely to earn more if he declines his option and hits free agency.

Marks observes that a limited free agent market could compel both players to opt in to their deals, and notes that almost half of the NBA’s teams could have major cap room in 2026.

According to Marks, the growth of rookie wing Terrence Shannon Jr. might make another Minnesota free agent, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, expendable. With 16 clubs projected to have the ability to offer Alexander-Walker the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, his future in Minnesota looks more tenuous.

There’s more out of Minnesota:

The 30-point blowout loss to Oklahoma City that ended the Timberwolves’ season could obscure what was otherwise an exciting 2024/25 run, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “Once that buzzer sounds and you’re just able to feel everything, it hurts,” Randle said. “It hurts. So, really, that’s where I’m at right now. It’s almost like a grieving stage of the season and it hurts, really. But we’ll be back.” After trading five-time All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for a package headlined by Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves’ ability to return to the West Finals was in doubt. However, Randle shined in the first two rounds of the playoffs, averaging 23.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 5.9 APG and submitting a strong defensive effort. The bloom came off the rose against the Thunder, when the 6’9″ vet averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.0 APG. Center Rudy Gobert‘s offensive limitations were also exposed against the Thunder throughout the series. He was limited to just two points in 19 minutes of action during Game 5.
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, 37 and in his 18th season, has been eliminated in three conference finals over the course of his career. The former All-Star conceded that missing out on his first-ever NBA Finals appearance yet again was painful, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “When I was walking off the floor I was thinking, ‘Not again,’” Conley told Spears. “I know how hard it is. It hurts a lot. I wanted it so bad. I wanted it for these guys.”
After a disappointing Game 5 performance, three-time All-NBA Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards expressed confidence that he would return to a big postseason stage soon, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I’m 23,” Edwards said. “I get to do it a whole bunch of times. I’m hurt more so for Mike. I came up short for Mike. We tried last year, we couldn’t get it. We tried again this year. We’ll try again next year.”
Timberwolves stars Randle, Reid and Alexander-Walker all discussed their potential impending free agencies following their official elimination, writes Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. Reid suggested that he would likely decline his option and hit unrestricted free agency, looking for a long-term deal either with the Timberwolves or another team. “I think the work has been put in,” Reid said. “Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go with being only 25, but for sure. I think that’s what the future looks like for me.” Although Reid considers himself a starting-level player, he is apparently open to remaining a reserve in Minnesota. Randle and Alexander-Walker claimed to not have though much about their offseason decisions yet.

Mavericks Notes: Two Timelines, Offseason, Point Guards

May 29th, 2025 at 8:50pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Armed with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft as well as two 2025 All-Stars on the wrong side of 30, the Mavericks are gearing up for a “two-timeline” approach, much like the Warriors strived to do when they had an opportunity to complement aging incumbent stars with lottery picks in 2020 and ’21, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Duke forward Cooper Flagg, the top prospect among the 2025 draft class, could slot in as the rare one-and-done rookie who helps his team win in the present, Clark opines. The big question about Dallas’ contender status, however, stems from just how healthy 32-year-old Anthony Davis and 33-year-old Kyrie Irving will be during the next few years they’re under contract.

There’s more out of Dallas:

After drafting Flagg, the Mavericks will have a variety of items to address during the 2025 offseason, as Keith Smith of Spotrac details in a thorough summer preview. Irving has a player option for next year, while guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum are unrestricted free agents. Smith notes that Irving expects to return to the floor around the 2026 All-Star break. Smith projects that he could opt out and agree to a three-year, $120MM deal to remain with the Mavericks. Smith notes that free agents like Chris Paul, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyus Jones and Tre Jones could all get a look from Dallas as possible Irving replacements.
With Irving likely sidelined for much of the 2025/26 season, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News proposes five veteran players at Irving’s position that the Mavericks could target on the trade market, including Bulls guards Coby White and Lonzo Ball, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, and more.
In case you missed it, Mavericks assistant coach Sean Sweeney has made the third round of candidates for the Suns’ head coaching vacancy.

Draft Notes: Trail Blazers, Mock, Coward, Nets, More

May 29th, 2025 at 7:21pm CST by Rory Maher

The Trail Blazers hosted a pre-draft workout on Thursday with six high-level prospects, writes Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report (subscriber link).

Michigan State guard Jase Richardson (No. 14 on ESPN’s big board), Illinois wing Will Riley (No. 15), Georgia forward/center Asa Newell (No. 19), UConn wing Liam McNeeley (No. 21) and Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming (No. 28) are all potential first-round picks, while Chinese center Hansen Yang — a combine standout — is viewed as a possible second-rounder, coming in at No. 67 on ESPN’s list.

As Highkin notes, Portland currently controls one pick in June’s draft, No. 11 overall. The team’s previous workouts mainly focused on less heralded players, but some of today’s group could be in contention for the lottery selection.

Richardson, who says he emulates Mike Conley, is out to prove he can orchestrate an NBA offense.

“There are a lot of questions about what position I can play at the next level,” Richardson said. “Playing at Michigan State, I was a two, because coach [Tom Izzo] wanted me to score. But I want to show teams I’m a point guard and I can facilitate.”

In addition to Portland’s front office and coaches, three players on the current roster — Scoot Henderson, Justin Minaya and Jabari Walker — also attended Thursday’s workout. According to Highkin, Newell thinks he’d fit in well with the Blazers.

“They like to [push] the pace a lot with Scoot and [Donovan] Clingan,” Newell said. “He cleans up anything down low. I think I’d be a plug-and-play player.”

Here are a few more notes related to June’s draft:

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report updated his mock draft following Wednesday’s deadline for early entrants to withdraw in order to their NCAA eligibility. Wasserman, who has the Trail Blazers selecting Newell at No. 11, says Washington State forward Cedric Coward appears to be one of the big winners of the pre-draft process, with one scout comparing his rise to that of Jalen Williams, who went No. 12 overall in 2022. Coward goes No. 14 to San Antonio in Wasserman’s mock.
Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford was voted by four of his peers as the “most underrated” prospect in the 2025 class, according to ESPN, but he wound up withdrawing and returning to Auburn prior to yesterday’s deadline. Arizona forward Carter Bryant (three votes) and North Carolina guard/forward Drake Powell (two) also received multiple votes. “Carter Bryant is super underrated,” Newell told ESPN. “I just feel like his game translates to the NBA really well. He’s got the size, he’s got the touch, he’s got the 3-point ability. And seeing him, he can definitely be a versatile defender.”
The Nets held a pre-draft workout on Thursday with six prospects, including Colorado State wing Nique Clifford and Tennessee guards Chaz Lanier and Jahmai Mashack, reports Brian Lewis of The New York Post (via Twitter). According to Lewis, the Nets — who control a league-high five picks (all in the top 35) — also have an upcoming workout scheduled with Duke wing Kon Knueppel (Twitter link). Knueppell (No. 8 on ESPN’s board) and Clifford (No. 24) are projected first-round picks, while sharpshooter Lanier (No. 40) is viewed as a second-rounder.

Bulls Draft Rumors: Demin, Queen, Powell, More

May 29th, 2025 at 6:55pm CST by Rory Maher

The Bulls are “zoning in” on BYU’s Egor Demin ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. The Bulls control the 12th and 45th picks in next month’s draft. However, the Russian guard, who is ranked No. 12 on ESPN’s big board, may not be available at that spot — Cowley hears he could go in the top 10.

While the Bulls are interested in Demin, they’re lower on Maryland big man Derik Queen. A source tells Cowley that Queen — who tested poorly at the combine, per Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report — has been sliding down draft boards, and Chicago has concerns about how his lack of athleticism would fit in the team’s up-tempo playing style.

K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter video link) hears the Bulls will likely end up taking the best player available at No. 12, but they would “prefer” to select a big man or wing. And if they do go with a guard, it will likely be someone with the size to play multiple positions — Demin seems to fit that bill, as he’s a 6’9″ point guard.

Johnson, who also noted that Queen might slide on draft night, says that North Carolina wing Drake Powell recently had a “very, very impressive” workout with the Bulls and could return a second time. Johnson isn’t sure if Powell will be selected in the lottery — he’s No. 32 on ESPN’s board — but he performed well in both athletic testing and interviews at the combine.

For what it’s worth, in his latest mock draft, Wasserman has Chicago selecting South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 12 and Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis at No. 45.

Karl-Anthony Towns Active For Game 5

May 29th, 2025 at 6:29pm CST by Arthur Hill

May 29: Towns will start on Thursday after previously being referred to as a game-time decision by head coach Tom Thibodeau, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

May 28: The Knicks need a win Thursday night to extend their season, but they aren’t assured of having star big man Karl-Anthony Towns available. Towns has been listed as questionable on the official injury report for Game 5 with a left knee contusion.

Towns fell to the court in pain while grabbing his left knee after a collision with Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith with 2:11 left to play in Game 4 (YouTube link). He was able to stay in the game, but Peter Botte of The New York Post notes that he seemed to be favoring the same knee earlier in the night.

“I’m only thinking about this loss, I’m not thinking about that right now,” Towns told reporters when asked about his chances to play on Thursday. “It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win. Just didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”

Coach Tom Thibodeau was optimistic about Towns’ condition, saying “it’s a good sign” that he was able to continue playing. Thibodeau added that “we’ll see where he is after he gets evaluated” by the team’s medical staff.

Towns was the hero of Game 3 with a 20-point fourth quarter that sparked New York to its only victory so far in the series. He posted 24 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes in Game 4, but only attempted two three-pointers. He was pulled from the game four minutes into the first quarter after picking up two early fouls.

If Towns is unavailable on Thursday, Josh Hart will presumably return to the starting lineup. He started all 77 games he played during the regular season, but Thibodeau moved him to the bench in Games 3 and 4 while using a double-big approach with Mitchell Robinson alongside Towns.

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