Michael Beasley To Play In China
Michael Beasley will resume his career in the Chinese Basketball Association, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Beasley will sign a “seven-figure” deal with the Shanghai Sharks, Charania adds.
Beasley played for seven NBA teams and had numerous overseas stops after being selected by Miami with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft. The 33-year-old’s most recent contract was in Puerto Rico, and he committed last month to play in the BIG3 this summer.
This will be his second stint with the Sharks after playing for them in 2014/15. He also spent time in the CBA with Shandong in 2015/16 and Guangdong in 2019.
Beasley has been out of the NBA since playing 26 games for the Lakers during the 2018/19 season. He signed with the Nets for the Orlando “bubble” in 2020, but that contract was voided after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Beasley played in 609 NBA games over 11 years with career averages of 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per night. The former Kansas State standout played in Summer League last year with the Trail Blazers.
Warriors Notes: Green, Poole, Iguodala, Payton
Draymond Green believes he needs to “completely raise my play a couple more notches” after a poor shooting night in the Warriors‘ Game 1 loss, writes Mark Medina of NBA.com. Green made just 2-of-12 shots, giving him four points to go with three turnovers and six fouls. He also took the blame for the Celtics’ offensive outburst in the fourth quarter as they posted 40 points while turning a 12-point deficit into a 12-point victory.
Medina notes that Green has a history of bouncing back after bad outings, especially in the playoffs. His teammates expressed total confidence that will happen in Sunday night’s Game 2.
“No other scenario where I see playing out any differently than him coming out with great energy and focus,” Stephen Curry said. “He takes all that stuff personally in terms of his standard and what he knows he can do out there on the floor. When he doesn’t meet that, he’s usually pretty honest and accountable to himself to the team.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Golden State’s veterans are rallying around Jordan Poole, who had a disappointing performance in his first NBA Finals game, Medina adds. Poole was just 2-of-7 with four turnovers, and Curry suggested that it may have had something to do with being on such a big stage for the first time. “Maybe slow down just a little bit to see the pictures a little bit better,” he advised. “But he doesn’t have to change anything about the way he plays, the way he attacks or where he feels the most confident in terms of making an impact on the game. You just have to be able to bottle up those emotions.”
- Andre Iguodala has been a steadying influence on Poole throughout his breakout season, per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Iguodala, who rejoined the Warriors prior to the start of the season, can offer Poole the experience of an 18-year NBA career and seven trips to the Finals.
- Gary Payton II told reporters after today’s practice that he’s not feeling any more pain in the left elbow that was fractured during the second-round series with Memphis, Johnson writes in a separate story. Payton sat out the series opener, but said he’ll be ready if coach Steve Kerr decides to use him in Game 2. “I’m available, ready to go, just waiting on the call,” Payton said.
Several Teams Interested In Collin Sexton
The Cavaliers are confident about keeping Collin Sexton, but he’ll have multiple suitors when he hits restricted free agency next month, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Although the Cavs can match any offer that Sexton receives, there may be a point where he becomes too expensive. Multiple sources tell Fedor that Sexton and his representatives are asking for “starting guard money” in a new contract, which would begin at around $20MM per season.
Fedor adds that Sexton and the team discussed a rookie scale extension last summer that wasn’t quite that high, but they couldn’t reach an agreement before the deadline. With Rich Paul of Klutch Sports now representing Sexton and several teams reportedly interested in signing him, this year’s negotiations will have a new starting point, according to Fedor.
Sexton has been a starting guard for virtually his entire time in the NBA, but he played just 11 games this season before having knee surgery. Cleveland became a surprise contender in the East before fading amid late-season injuries, and it’s not clear what Sexton’s role will look like if he does return.
Sources tell Fedor there will be plenty of interest in Sexton once he hits the open market, with the Pistons and Pacers considered to be the top threats. Both teams can pair him with taller guards and won’t have to rely on him as their primary playmaker. A member of the Cavs’ front office speculated to Fedor that Detroit may make Sexton its top offseason priority, particularly if Jalen Brunson remains in Dallas.
The Pistons and Pacers are two of the five teams with enough cap space to extend a significant offer to Sexton, and Fedor hears the Spurs may be interested as well. The others, the Trail Blazers and Magic, aren’t expected to pursue Sexton, but Fedor states that the Wizards may have interest in a sign-and-trade.
Celtics Notes: Tatum, R. Williams, Smart, Theis
It takes more than one bad shooting night to shake Jayson Tatum‘s confidence, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Meeting with the media following today’s practice, the Celtics star said he won’t change anything about his approach after shooting just 3-of-17 in Game 1.
“Once you’ve done something before, you know how to respond,” Tatum said. “I’ve had some bad shooting nights in the NBA. So it’s like, ‘I’ve been here before.’ I know what to do next game. I think a lot of it is mental. You don’t let it creep into your mind. I can’t do nothing about what happened last game. I missed those shots and it is what it is. It’s all about how to prepare and get ready for the next one.”
Even though Tatum was misfiring, Boston still put 120 points on the board and he was able to contribute 13 assists. That may have worked on Thursday night, but Tatum understands that the Celtics will need consistent scoring from him to win the series.
“Obviously, I know I’ve got to play better,” he said. “I can’t shoot like that every game and hopefully we win. I expect to play better shooting-wise, but just impacting the game in different ways to do my part and let’s get a win. I will continue to do that. Just read the game, read each play. That’s how I kind of approach next game.”
There’s more 0n the Celtics:
- Robert Williams is being listed as questionable for Sunday night’s Game 2 with soreness in his left knee, tweets Substack contributor Marc Stein. Williams, who has been hampered by injuries throughout the playoffs, started at center and played more than 24 minutes in Game 1 after being deemed questionable.
- The Celtics’ relentlessness helped them overcome a 12-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter of the series opener, observes Souichi Terada of MassLive. Marcus Smart describes himself as a “lion out on the prowl hunting” in his approach to matching up with the Warriors. “Playing against a team that’s been here and knows what it takes, and they’re the hunted,” Smart said. “We’re the hunters right now. We’re trying to get to their level and get to where they’re at. So for me, I’m just out, I’m stealth, I’m waiting for my time to strike and my opportunity.”
- Daniel Theis credits the Celtics’ midseason turnaround to having so many players who are comfortable with their contract situations, per Brian Robb of MassLive. After Theis and Derrick White were acquired at the trade deadline, Boston’s top 10 rotation players all had multiyear deals. “Everybody now, almost everybody on his team got a long-term contract and like is secured in a way that they can just focus on winning,” Theis said, “like, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m in my contract year, I got to put the numbers up.'”
Northwest Notes: Snyder, Trail Blazers, Sochan, Washington
Coach Quin Snyder’s differences with the Jazz are about more than money, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said in an appearance on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast. An ESPN report this week stated that Snyder and the team haven’t been able to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and MacMahon clarified that it’s not because the team is unwilling to make a competitive offer.
“There’s an extension offered that’s still on the table,” MacMahon said. “I don’t have exact terms of it, but it would put him up there with the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. It’s an offer that is reflective of the quality of his work.”
The Jazz are also providing Snyder with the choice of continuing under his current contract, which runs through the end of next season and gives him an option for the 2023/24 season, and working things out year by year. MacMahon adds that his “informed speculation” is that Snyder will leave the team at some point this offseason and will likely take a year off from coaching.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- The timing of the ESPN story this week could have been a strategy to push negotiations toward a conclusion, speculates Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. He adds that the issues involved likely center around whether the Jazz plan to remain a contender or embark on a rebuilding project. Larsen also believes there are talks about whether Snyder will officially be given a say in front office decisions and how much control management will have over the day-to-day operations of the team.
- Although the Trail Blazers aren’t currently for sale, the team could wind up being auctioned off because it is part of the Paul G. Allen Trust, which is being managed by his sister, Jody Allen, tweets Scott Soshnick of Sportico. Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Dodgers co-owner Alan Smolinisky recently submitted a bid of more than $2 billion for the team.
- Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan had a pre-draft workout with the Thunder today, tweets Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Kentucky point TyTy Washington had a session with the Thunder on Friday and will work out for the Hawks on Sunday, according to Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog (Twitter link). OKC owns three first-round picks and may be considering both players at No. 12.
Hornets Notes: Atkinson, Workouts, Keels, Arena Upgrades
Kenny Atkinson could become the Hornets‘ next head coach by the end of the upcoming week, a source tells Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, though he cautions that the team still hasn’t reached a final decision. A report on Friday identified Atkinson as the frontrunner for the job, and Boone indicates that momentum for him has been building since last month’s draft combine.
Atkinson has been tied up with his duties as an assistant coach for the Warriors, but with three days between Games 2 and 3 of the NBA Finals, he should have time for a face-to-face meeting with team owner Michael Jordan. Boone notes that an in-person session with Jordan was the last step before James Borrego was hired four years ago.
The Hornets are intrigued by Atkinson’s experience, history of developing young players and emphasis on defense, Boone adds. The Finals could last through June 19, which would limit Atkinson’s input into preparations for the June 23 draft. According to Boone, Borrego’s former assistants are working behind the scenes and are waiting to see if they will be part of the new coach’s staff.
There’s more from Charlotte:
- The Hornets welcomed six players today for a pre-draft workout, according to a tweet from the team. On hand were Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler, Miami’s Kameron McGusty, Providence’s Justin Minaya, Memphis’ Josh Minott, Marquette’s Darryl Morsell and Arkansas’ JD Notae. On Friday, Charlotte hosted St. Bonaventure’s Jalen Adaway, Milwaukee’s Patrick Baldwin Jr., Michigan’s Moussa Diabate, Villanova’s Collin Gillespie, Texas A&M’s Quenton Jackson and Creighton’s Alex O’Connell (Twitter link).
- Duke’s Trevor Keels talked to Boone about the pre-draft process following a workout with the Hornets on Wednesday. Keels is enjoying the chance to meet with interested teams and compete with players he’s never faced before, but he said the experience can be a grind. “I think guys think the pre-draft process is easy,” he said. “You are working every day, keeping your body right. There is only 58 picks and there are hundreds of guys trying to hear their name called and get an opportunity. So you’ve got to work every day.”
- The Hornets would get $215MM in upgrades to the Spectrum Center along with a new $60MM practice facility in a proposal being considered by the city of Charlotte, per Genna Contino of The Charlotte Observer. The deal would require the team to extend its lease with the city an additional 15 years through 2045.
Cavaliers Hire Luke Walton As Assistant Coach
1:47pm: The Cavs have officially hired Walton, the team announced in a press release.
“We are very excited to add someone of Luke’s caliber and championship DNA to our coaching staff,” said president of basketball operations Koby Altman. “His on-court experiences as a head coach, assistant coach and player in this league fit seamlessly into J.B.’s existing coaching staff. Luke is someone who truly embraces player development, a team-first mentality, and a history of creating winning basketball habits. We welcome Luke, his wife Bre and the entire Walton family back to Northeast Ohio.”
11:23am: Luke Walton will be hired as an assistant coach under J.B. Bickerstaff with the Cavaliers, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Walton started the 2021/22 season as the head coach of the Kings, but was fired in November after the team got off to a 6-11 start. He compiled a 31-41 record in each of his first two full seasons with Sacramento and never came close to breaking the franchise’s long playoff drought. His four-year contract with the Kings runs through the end of next season.
Walton also spent three years as head coach of the Lakers, compiling a 98-148 record with no playoff appearances. He was fired in L.A. after the end of the 2018/19 season and was hired in Sacramento a few days later.
Walton ended his playing career in Cleveland, spending a season and a half there before retiring after the 2012/13 season.
D’Angelo Russell May Be Option In Knicks’ Point Guard Search
If the Knicks can’t get their preferred choices at point guard, the Timberwolves‘ D’Angelo Russell could become an option this summer, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
New York has a strong connection to Russell in Gersson Rosas, who was recently named senior basketball advisor after spending time with the organization as a consultant. Fischer notes that when Rosas was president of basketball operations in Minnesota, he traded Andrew Wiggins and a lottery pick to the Warriors for Russell in 2020 after missing out on him in free agency.
Russell, who has a $31.4MM expiring contract next season, took some heat after a disappointing performance in the Wolves’ brief playoff run. The emergence of other backcourt options in Minnesota might make him expendable as the team looks to the future.
Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell remains the Knicks’ dream choice, but getting him appears unlikely even if Utah decides to shake up its roster, Fischer writes. He cites “healthy skepticism” around the league that New York can make the best offer for Mitchell, noting that Miami could potentially put together a deal centered around Tyler Herro and multiple first-round picks.
The Knicks have also been linked to Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, who is headed toward free agency, but Fischer hears there’s a “growing sense” around the league that Brunson will remain in Dallas. Fischer expects Brunson’s new contract to top $20MM per season and says John Collins‘ five-year, $125MM extension could be a good comparison.
New York can only offer four years to Brunson and would need to clear out significant cap space first. Sources tell Fischer that the Knicks unsuccessfully tried to move Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel ahead of the trade deadline to begin opening cap room. Fischer cites league executives who believe New York would have to include either the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft or Immanuel Quickley in any deal to unload salary.
Fischer adds that one factor working in the Knicks’ favor in their pursuit of Brunson is that they can offer him the chance to be the undisputed leader of the offense, which he won’t have in Dallas playing alongside Luka Doncic. Fischer notes that if Brunson signs with the Pistons, who are also reported to be interested, he would be in the same situation with Cade Cunningham.
Sources also tell Fischer that New York won’t be among the teams pursuing Cavaliers free agent guard Collin Sexton. Cleveland is interested in keeping him, but it could be difficult considering the team’s salary commitment to other players. Fischer hears that the Pacers, Pistons and Wizards will all be in the market for Sexton.
Joel Embiid Undergoes Thumb, Finger Surgery
Sixers center Joel Embiid had surgery Monday to fix the torn ligament in his right thumb, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. He also underwent a procedure on his injured left index finger and is expected to be fully ready for training camp, Charania adds.
Embiid injured the thumb in Philadelphia’s first-round series against Toronto, but decided to keep playing in hopes of leading his team to a title. He suffered a concussion and broken orbital bone in the final game of that series, causing him to miss the first two games of the second-round series with Miami.
His facial fracture continues to heal without surgery, according to Derek Bodner of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Embiid is coming off another brilliant season, leading the league in scoring at 30.6 PPG, along with 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per night. He was the runner-up in the MVP voting for the second straight year and was a second-team All-NBA selection.
Terquavion Smith Withdrawing From Draft
Terquavion Smith has decided to take his name out of the NBA draft and return to North Carolina State for another season, writes Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Smith is coming off a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine and was widely expected to be taken in the first round, Givony adds. The 6’4″ shooting guard is ranked as the 22nd best prospect on ESPN’s big board.
“I have to be honest and admit money has never been at the center of my thoughts,” Smith said in his announcement. “My agent explained to me that teams as high as the late teens, through the rest of the first round, all have me ranked as a first-round talent. It’s exciting to hear that. But I told him I have more work to do. I like school and my college in particular. Remember, my last two years have been so strange, thanks to the pandemic. I just want one more season to get everything right and just be a college student.”
Smith caught the attention of scouts with an outstanding performance in drills on the first day of the combine, Givony notes. He posted 17 points in a second-day scrimmage, then opted to sit out the final day.
The 19-year-old averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a freshman in 2021/22, earning a spot on the ACC’s All-Rookie Team and becoming an honorable mention All-Conference selection. He led the ACC with 96 made three-pointers, the fourth-highest total for a freshman in conference history.
Smith indicated that he’s already looking forward to next year’s draft process and the possibility of being a lottery pick.
“If things go like I expect, I won’t have to go through the combine experience the same way,” he said. “Everyone will see my games and our team all season, we are going to make sure they are seeing something special. The NBA can wait one year, I have more work to do in the ACC first.”