2024/25 All-NBA G League Teams Announced
In a series of tweets, the NBA has announced the three All-NBA G League teams for the 2024/25 season. Here’s the full list of honorees:
First Team
- JD Davison, Maine Celtics ^
- Oscar Tshiebwe, Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz‘s affiliate) *
- Mac McClung, Osceola Magic *
- Jaylen Nowell, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards‘ affiliate)
- Malachi Flynn, Austin Spurs
Second Team
- Mason Jones, Stockton Kings *
- Elijah Harkless, Salt Lake City Stars *
- Bryce McGowens, Rip City Remix (Trail Blazers‘ affiliate) *
- Moses Brown, Westchester Knicks
- Drew Timme, Long Island Nets ^
Third Team
- Chuma Okeke, Westchester Knicks ~
- T.J. Warren, Westchester Knicks
- Trey Alexander, Grand Rapids Gold (Nuggets‘ affiliate) *
- Josh Christopher, Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat‘s affiliate) *
- Isaac Jones, Stockton Kings ^
* Denotes two-way contract
^ Denotes standard contract
~ On a standard contract with the Cavaliers
While each player selected has some level of NBA experience, four of them — Flynn, Nowell, Brown and Warren — are currently free agents. Of that group, only Warren didn’t appear in an NBA regular season game during the ’24/25 campaign.
Davison, Tshiebwe and Nowell finished first, second and third in voting (in that order) for this season’s G League Most Valuable Player award, so it’s no surprise that they made the First Team. McClung, who was the league’s 2023/24 MVP, helped Osceola make the NBAGL Finals this spring, with the final spot going to former Pistons guard Flynn, who signed a 10-day contract with Charlotte last month.
Mason Jones recently helped Stockton win its first G League title, earning Finals MVP in the process. He’s joined on the Second Team by NBAGL Most Improved Player Harkless, McGowens, Brown, and Timme.
Former first-round pick Okeke signed a pair of 10-day contracts with Philadelphia before signing with Cleveland ahead of the playoffs. NBA veteran Warren, G League Rookie of the Year Alexander, Heat two-way guard Christopher, and Kings big man Jones round out the Third Team.
Davison and Isaac Jones were promoted from two-way deals to standard contracts at the end of the season. Timme was an NBA free agent before Brooklyn gave him a two-year standard contract in March due to his strong play in the NBAGL.
Damian Lillard Cleared To Practice, Out For Game 1
April 17: Although Lillard has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Bucks/Pacers series on Saturday, he has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer taking blood-thinning medication, sources tell Charania (Twitter links). It’s a remarkable turnaround for the veteran point guard, who will resume contact workouts and ramp up toward a return, Charania adds.
According to Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter links), Lillard played three-on-three on Wednesday and practiced on Thursday.
April 15: Bucks star Damian Lillard, who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf last month, has made “significant progress” in his recovery but won’t be available when the first round of the playoffs tip off this weekend, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter links).
As Charania details, there’s still optimism that Lillard will be medically cleared to return at some point before Milwaukee’s season ends. The star point guard will continue to increase his basketball activities this week.
The Bucks confirmed Charania’s update, as Eric Nehm of The Athletic relays (via Twitter).
“Damian’s most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved, which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity,” general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “Damian’s health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian’s progress.”
Lillard has been on the shelf since March 18. Reporting one week later indicated that he had been diagnosed with a blood clot in his calf and was on blood-thinning medication. He was ruled out indefinitely at that time, with one report stating there was a “great deal of optimism” that he’d be able to return at some point this spring.
Health issues have contributed to the Bucks’ first-round exit in each of the last two postseasons. Giannis Antetokounmpo has only been available for three of 11 playoff games during that time, and Lillard was forced to the sidelines for two games in last year’s first-round loss to Indiana.
While Antetokounmpo is healthy entering this year’s rematch with the Pacers, not having Lillard available figures to adversely affect the Bucks’ chances of advancing to round two.
Lillard earned his ninth All-Star nod in his second season in Milwaukee in 2024/25, averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 36.1 minutes per game across 58 starts. He recorded a shooting line of .448/.376/.921, improving on the percentages he posted during his first year as a Buck in ’23/24.
Kings Part With GM Monte McNair
10:47 am: The Kings issued a statement that they have officially parted ways with McNair, James Ham of The Kings Beat tweets.
12:41 am: After five years together, the Kings and general manager Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways, per Sam Amick of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The news broke just minutes after Sacramento was upset at home by the Mavericks, 120-106, in the West’s No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in tournament game on Wednesday, ending the Kings’ season.
As ESPN’s Shams Charania writes, McNair’s tenure with the club included three consecutive seasons of 40 or more wins and a .488 overall win percentage (195-205).
The Kings snapped a 16-year playoff drought in 2023, posting a 48-34 record and securing the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed. But that was the team’s lone playoff appearance during McNair’s tenure, as the club was eliminated in the play-in tournament in each of the past two seasons.
This season, Sacramento fired former Coach of the Year Mike Brown after a 13-18 start. All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox was subsequently dealt to San Antonio in a three-team blockbuster deal with Chicago after he made it clear he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Kings. Under interim head coach Doug Christie, the Kings went 27-24 to finish the season.
McNair isn’t the only Sacramento mainstay who’s moving on this offseason. According to Mark Haynes of The Sacramento Observer (via Twitter), assistant coach Jim Moran is joining the college ranks, and will serve as an assistant under Florida State head coach Luke Loucks. Loucks was on the Kings’ coaching staff before being hired by the Seminoles in March.
As we noted earlier today when we wrote about McNair being on the hot seat, former Kings assistant general manager, Wes Wilcox also left the club in March to serve as the general manager at the University of Utah.
Following Wednesday’s defeat, Christie reflected on his uncertain future with the club, tweets James Ham of The Kings Beat.
“This is where I want to be, I think you all know that,” Christie said. “I need to finish what I started.”
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee (via Twitter), Christie told reporters that he had not received any indication he would be returning as the Kings’ coach next season.
Latest On Kevin Durant
It will likely be a couple more months before any offseason trades are completed, but the rumors surrounding Suns star Kevin Durant are already beginning to pick up steam now that Phoenix’s season is over.
Reporting earlier this week indicated that Durant’s manager Rich Kleiman planned to travel to Phoenix this week to talk to the Suns about the veteran forward’s future. On Wednesday, appearing on NBA Today (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Shams Charania made it clear that the Rockets could emerge as a serious suitor for Durant if they make an early postseason exit this spring.
“This is a Houston team we need to keep an eye on in this playoff run,” Charania said. “… There is going to be a level of mutual interest – there has been already – with them and Kevin Durant with the Suns. If they win a couple rounds, they might be good where they’re at. If you lose early, don’t win enough to where you want to, could you look at a guy like Kevin Durant once again this offseason? Monitor them.”
Reports throughout the 2024/25 season indicated that the Rockets weren’t looking to break up their young core and that if they did make a blockbuster deal, they’d be focused more on a younger star who better fit their timeline than a player like Durant, who will turn 37 this September. However, a first-round exit as the West’s No. 2 seed could alter the front office’s thinking on both counts.
Plugged-in Phoenix-based reporter John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter links) notes that he has been discussing the possibility of the Rockets pursuing Durant for weeks on his radio show and views Houston as one of the top three likely suitors for the Suns star, along with the Timberwolves and Knicks.
A deep playoff run for any of those three teams would probably diminish their appetite for major changes, according to Gambadoro, who adds that the Spurs and two or three other teams could also emerge as suitors.
Charania previously identified all four of those teams (Houston, Minnesota, New York, and San Antonio) and the Heat as clubs that had some level of mutual interest with Durant prior to February’s trade deadline. Golden State also pursued him at that time, but Durant wasn’t open to a reunion.
Houston is loaded with young players and draft assets, including a handful of Suns picks, putting the team in a favorable position to make a strong offer for Durant. In addition to controlling Phoenix’s 2025 first-rounder, which will almost certainly be in the top 10, the Rockets also own the Suns’ unprotected 2027 pick and will receive the two most favorable 2029 first-rounders out of their own, Dallas’, and Phoenix’s.
According to Gambadoro (via Twitter), it’s “very unlikely” that the Rockets would be willing to give up Phoenix’s 2025 lottery pick in any deal for Durant. However, it’s possible that those future Suns draft assets could be part of any discussions between the two teams.
While it remains to be seen where Durant will be playing next fall, it’s a safe bet it won’t be in Phoenix, per Gambadoro, who adds in another tweet that the former MVP is “gone for sure.”
Mavericks Hope Kyrie Irving Can Return By January, Eye Three-Year Contract
The Mavericks are optimistic that Kyrie Irving could be playing again by January, Shams Charania of ESPN said on Wednesday during an appearance on NBA Countdown (Twitter video link).
Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3 and underwent surgery about three weeks later. The team didn’t provide a recovery timetable following the procedure, but players can often take a year or more to come back from ACL tears. If Charania’s timeline is accurate, Irving is on track to fully recover within about 10 months.
The 33-year-old guard was playing at an All-NBA level before the untimely injury, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists through 50 games with .473/.401/.916 shooting numbers. In February, he was selected as an All-Star for the ninth time in his career.
The loss of Irving sent the Mavs into a spiral that resulted in a 39-43 record, a 10th-place finish in the West and a spot in tonight’s play-in game. They were often short on personnel as their two-way players used up their eligibility, and they were unable to fill an open roster spot until April 10 due to a first-apron hard cap.
The more immediate issue with Irving is a nearly $44MM player option that he holds for next season. His decision is due by June 25, and Charania hears that the Mavericks would prefer to sign him to a new three-year contract. That would align him with Anthony Davis as well as general manager Nico Harrison.
Suns’ Devin Booker Comments On Possible Extension
Devin Booker has expressed a desire to spend his entire career with the Suns, and he can take a step toward doing that by signing another extension this summer, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. With the season just wrapping up, Booker said he hasn’t been focused on his financial future.
“I haven’t even thought about it to be honest,” he said. “It’s a great situation to be in, though. Longevity in this league. Every year you can get, somebody wants you for an extra year or two, that’s always a pleasure. You never know when the game is going to stop.”
Booker will be eligible for a two-year, maximum-salary extension that could be worth up to $149.8MM, and a report on Tuesday indicates the Suns are expected to make that offer. This season was just the first of his current four-year super-max deal, which will pay him $53.1MM in 2025-26, $57MM in 2026-27 and $61 MM in 2027-28. Adding two more years would take his contract into 2030 when he’ll be 33 years old.
“I’ve been in long enough where I’ve watched some of my heroes and idols just slowly get out of the league, and you see how it hurts them,” Booker added. “I don’t want to think about the day that I have to do that. It’s nice to be up for an extension.”
Booker is expected to be the one constant in an offseason shakeup in Phoenix. There’s intense trade speculation surrounding Kevin Durant, the team attempted to move Bradley Beal at the deadline and virtually everyone else is believed to be available as the Suns try to move below the second apron.
Last month, owner Matt Ishbia vowed that he would never consider trading Booker, calling the idea “silly.” He said Booker is the type of “superstar” that’s needed as the cornerstone of a championship contender.
Booker turned in another outstanding individual season, even though Phoenix fell far short of expectations. He played 75 games, the most in eight years, and averaged 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per night. However, his shooting numbers fell sharply — to 46.1% from the field and 33.2% from three-point range — and he told Rankin that improving his efficiency will be an offseason priority.
“I’ll probably start open gym right after the season,” Booker said.
Re-Signing Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe Will Be Priorities For Nets
Whether the Nets decide to continue rebuilding or pursue a star, a priority for this summer will be re-signing Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required).
Both players were first-round picks in 2021, and they’ve become part of Brooklyn’s foundation during their four NBA seasons. Neither of them reached an extension prior to the deadline last fall, so they’ll both be restricted free agents if the Nets extend qualifying offers.
General manager Sean Marks talked to Lewis about the importance of hanging on to players that the organization has developed.
“It’s always great when you are able to draft somebody like those two specifically, and then they get this opportunity to [decide]: Are they going to sign their second contract with us?” Marks said. “So, I look forward to the summer, and look forward to those conversations with their agents, and we’ll see where it all plays out. But I do think it’s important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.”
Thomas, a 23-year-old shooting guard, established himself as a dynamic scorer during a breakout 2023/24 season, averaging 22.5 PPG in 66 games while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. He increased his scoring averaging to 24 PPG this season and handed out a career-best 3.8 assists per night, but he was limited to 25 games because of a series of hamstring injuries and didn’t play after March 13.
“When I was available, I thought I had a great season when I was able to play,” Thomas said. “Obviously, I’d love to be playing more, but sometimes, that’s just how the cards are dealt. Hungry and ready to get back to playing so this never happens again. … I feel really good, way better than I was. Rehab is going real good, feeling real good. Going into the offseason, feeling good is positive.”
Cap expert Yossi Gozlan told Lewis that Thomas can expect a new contract similar to Collin Sexton‘s, but “adjusted for inflation.” Sexton signed a four-year, $70MM deal with Utah in 2022. Lewis talked to another source who expects Thomas’ annual salary to fall in the range of $20MM to $22MM.
Sharpe isn’t expected to be as costly, with Lewis citing a Spotrac projection that has him re-signing with the Nets at $30MM over three years. The 23-year-old big man has been a reliable reserve during his time in Brooklyn and posted career highs this season with 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 50 games.
“I’m new to this so whatever happens, happens,” Sharpe said. “But I like Brooklyn, so God willing, [I’ll be back].”
Lewis points out that Thomas and Sharpe are among numerous personnel decisions Marks will face this offseason. Ziaire Williams, Tyson Etienne and Reece Beekman can also be made restricted free agents by giving them qualifying offers. In addition, De’Anthony Melton and Trendon Watford will be unrestricted free agents, and Lewis doesn’t expect the club to keep Melton, who was out for the year with a torn ACL when he was acquired from Golden State in December.
Brooklyn holds team options on Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Drew Timme and Jalen Wilson.
Duke’s Kon Knueppel Entering 2025 NBA Draft
Duke wing Kon Knueppel is declaring for the 2025 NBA draft and will go pro, he announced today on social media (Instagram link).
“Forever a Blue Devil,” he wrote in his Instagram post. “Taking the Brotherhood with me to the next chapter.”
Knueppel was a full-time starter as a freshman on a Duke team that made the Final Four this spring. Across 39 games, he averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal in 30.5 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .479/.406/.914.
Although the Blue Devils fell short of the championship game, Knueppel cemented his status as a projected lottery pick with a handful of strong performances in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 20 points vs. Arizona in the Sweet 16 and 21 against Alabama in the Elite Eight. He contributed 16 points and seven rebounds in Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have Knueppel coming off the board at No. 8 in their most recent mock draft, noting that the 19-year-old gave the Blue Devils elite efficiency and spacing as a freshman while also showing more than expected as a play-maker and defender.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report also has Knueppel at No. 8 in his most recent mock draft, while Sam Vecenie of The Athletic places him at No. 6.
Pelicans Hire Joe Dumars As Head Of Basketball Operations
April 16: The Pelicans have officially hired Dumars to lead their front office, announcing in a press release that he has been named their new executive vice president of basketball operations.
“Joe’s achievements as a renowned Hall of Fame player, NBA champion and front office executive are indisputable,” Pelicans governor Gayle Benson said in a statement. “I have a great deal of respect for what Joe has already accomplished as a player and executive, but more importantly I admire his character and leadership. His vast experience and relationships throughout the NBA, along with his strong leadership qualities, will have a tremendous impact on our organization and our goal of winning an NBA championship.
“While at the league, he was involved in every aspect of basketball operations and got unparalleled perspective and knowledge of the most effective personnel, strategy and tactics throughout the league. That will benefit our team immediately as we move forward. I am delighted to welcome Joe, his wife Debbie, and their children Jordan and Aren to the Pelicans.”
In a statement of his own, Dumars said the Pelicans’ roster features “a lot of talent,” adding that he envisions overseeing a “disciplined team that is built on toughness, smart decision-making and a no-excuses mindset.”
April 15: The Pelicans and Joe Dumars are finalizing a deal that will make him the team’s new president of basketball operations, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Charania first reported on Monday that Dumars had emerged as a “serious frontrunner” for the job.
A Hall of Famer as a player, Dumars began his front office career in 2000 as Detroit’s president of basketball operations. He remained in that role until 2014, earning Executive of the Year honors in 2003 and building the Pistons team that won a championship in 2004.
Dumars turned the Pistons into a perennial contender during the first half of his front office tenure in Detroit, making a series of savvy moves to compile a roster led by Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince. The club advanced to at least the Eastern Conference Finals for six straight years from 2003-08, making two NBA Finals appearances during that time.
However, Dumars made his share of missteps while running the Pistons, most memorably drafting Darko Milicic with the No. 2 overall pick in 2003, right ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Detroit had a losing record in each of Dumars’ last six seasons at the helm and wasn’t set up for success following his exit.
Dumars later had a stint in the Kings’ front office, working in a variety of roles in the organization from 2019-22. He joined Sacramento as a special advisor to then-GM Vlade Divac and became the Kings’ interim head of basketball operations when Divac was fired in 2020.
Dumars subsequently transitioned into a chief strategy officer role following the hiring of general manager Monte McNair and held that title for two years before joining the league office as the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations in 2022. He has been in that position under commissioner Adam Silver for the last three seasons.
A Louisiana native who played his college ball at McNeese State, Dumars will be returning home for his new job with the Pelicans. He’ll be replacing former executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin, who was let go by the club on Monday following a disappointing 21-61 season.
New Orleans’ 2024/25 season was decimated by injuries, some of which are expected to carry over to ’25/26, but there’s a solid foundation of talent on the roster for Dumars to work with. Forwards Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones, guard Dejounte Murray, wing Trey Murphy, and center Yves Missi are all locked up for multiple seasons, with CJ McCollum set to enter the final year of his contract.
The Pelicans also control all of their own future first-round picks, along with Indiana’s 2026 first-rounder (top-four protected) and the right to swap picks with Milwaukee in 2026 and 2027 (the Bucks’ 2027 pick is top-four protected). New Orleans’ 2025 first-rounder projects to be in the top half of the lottery.
The future of head coach Willie Green is uncertain — reporting on Monday indicated his status would be decided after a new head of basketball operations is hired, so Dumars will presumably be heavily involved in the decision on whether to retain Green or seek a new coach.
Dumars will be tasked with turning a Pelicans team with just one 50-win season (in 2008) and two playoff series victories (2008 and 2018) since its inception in 2002 into a contender.
Mavs’ Harrison: ‘No Regrets’ About Trading Luka Doncic
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and CEO Rick Welts held a closed-door, hour-long session with a select group of Dallas-based media on Tuesday ahead of the team’s play-in matchup with Sacramento on Wednesday. Predictably, much of the discussion during Harrison’s first media session in over two months centered around the team’s shocking decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February, as well as the aftermath of that deal.
“There’s no regrets on the trade,” Harrison said, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Part of my job is to do the best thing for the Mavericks, not only today, but also in the future, and some of the decisions I’m going to make are going to be unpopular. That’s my job, and I have to stand by it.”
The Mavericks, who were 26-23 when word of the trade broke, envisioned Anthony Davis – the centerpiece of the return – anchoring a championship-level defense. However, several key Mavs players, including Davis, suffered significant injuries not long after the move was completed, derailing the team’s season and leading to a 39-43 finish.
Dallas still has a chance to make the playoffs as the bottom seed in the play-in tournament, but the way the regular season ended has made it impossible for many Mavs fans to move past the front office’s decision to trade its franchise player. Harrison, who has been the subject of “fire Nico” chants in Dallas over the past two-plus months, said on Tuesday that he’d hoped the “vitriol would’ve subsided” by now with a stronger finish.
“That’s a championship-caliber team, and you guys were able to see it for two-and-a-half quarters,” Harrison said, per MacMahon. “Unfortunately, it’s a small sample size, but that is fairly a dominant defensive team. And as you look for us going forward, our philosophy is going to change. We’re a team that’s built on defense, we’re built on versatility and depth. I think that’s important going forward and that’s going to be the blueprint to our success.”
As MacMahon writes, Harrison repeated the mantra “defense wins championships” many times on Tuesday, echoing the statement he made to ESPN 15 minutes after the trade agreement between the Mavericks and Lakers was first reported on February 1.
“Our philosophy, like I said, going forward is defense wins championships and we’re built on defense. And this trade cements us for that,” Harrison said.
Asked why he didn’t feel that the Doncic-led core that made the NBA Finals last season was championship-caliber, the Mavs GM replied, “I’ll say this again: Defense wins championships.”
Here’s more from Harrison, via MacMahon:
- Referring to the Mavs’ fan base as “passionate,” Harrison noted that he also faced plenty of criticism for previous deals for Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, all of whom helped the team make the Finals a year ago. “To be honest with you, every trade I’ve made since I’ve been here has not been regarded as a good trade, and so sometimes it takes time,” Harrison said. “When I traded for Kyrie, it was met with a lot of skepticism and it was graded as a terrible trade and you didn’t see it right away, but eventually everyone agreed that that was a great trade. When I traded for [Gafford] and [Washington] again, it was like, ‘Oh, he gave up way too much. These guys aren’t going to help us.’ Now that trade, you saw the evidence a lot sooner. So I think a lot of times trades take a little bit of time.”
- Minority stakeholder Mark Cuban, the Mavericks’ former majority owner, said in March that if the front office was committed to trading Doncic, he would’ve liked to see the team “get a better deal.” Asked on Tuesday about those comments, Harrison replied, “We targeted AD with our philosophy of defense wins championships. We wanted a two-way player to lead our team and that was Anthony Davis. And so everybody’s going to have their critics and I’m not sure what Mark said, but that’s a better question left for him. But we got what we wanted.”
- Harrison has spoken about his belief that the Mavericks have a three- or four-year window to contend for a title. Asked if he envisions himself still being in his current role for the rest of that time frame (and beyond), he said, “I have three years left of my contract. I see myself finishing it out.”